The net-drying matron, upon seeing that they were two outsiders, immediately became wary and asked, "Who are you?"
Gu Youyou had long since prepared their story, and she smiled as she replied, "We are doctors from the inland, hoping to go to Fusang Island to gather some medicinal herbs. The problem is, we haven’t found a suitable boat, and we dare not venture there alone, so we were thinking of joining your fishermen to go out to sea. Don’t worry, though, we won’t take your boat for free, we will pay with silver."
Doctors, wherever they went, were respected and welcomed.
Hearing that they were doctors, the net-drying matron’s vigilance eased considerably as she said, "So you’re going to collect medicine. The Immortal Mountain on the island indeed has many valuable herbs, but there are also many dangerous beasts. It’s very risky to go there to gather herbs, so you two doctors should think it over carefully."
Gu Youyou smiled and responded, "Matron, the herbs for saving lives are very hard to find, I am aware of the dangers, but we still hope to have a look. We will be careful and only gather herbs at the base of the mountain, not daring to venture too deep. Could you see your way to accommodating us?"
Given that, the matron had nothing more to say.
She said, "Alright, but you must remember, do not attempt to climb the mountain, just stay at its base." Thinking about how strange the mountain was, she felt reassured that these seemingly frail doctors wouldn’t likely manage to ascend it, and then added, "Come with me, and I will ask my family when the best time to go out to sea to fish would be."
This matron was quite clever; her husband’s family also bore the surname Gu. Upon learning that Gu Youyou shared their surname, her fondness for them soared, and she warmly invited them into her house.
"Doctor Gu, Doctor Jin, please have a seat!" Mrs. Gu went to pour them tea and even brought out a plate of delicious dried fish to treat them.
Mrs. Gu’s husband was a sturdy middle-aged man in his forties, named Gu Chaosheng, a skilled fisherman in the village, and he was also very forthright.
After looking at Gu Youyou and Jin Zijin, he said, "You two are going to Fusang Island to collect medicine to save lives; that is a good deed. You can join us on our voyage, but the sea is dangerous, and once on board you must follow our commands."
This was not an issue.
Gu Youyou, taking Jin Ziyuan by the hand, quickly expressed their agreement.
"So, when would be suitable?"
The fishermen were very particular about setting sail.
Gu Chaosheng thought for a moment and said, "I just checked the weather yesterday; it’s not favorable for going far in the coming days, at most we’ll set a few nets nearby. Fusang Island is quite far; it’s likely we’ll have to wait a few more days. The weather changes every day, so it’s difficult to say exactly which day will be suitable. But I reckon we’ll have a chance to go there within ten days."
Everything was considered for safety’s sake, and Gu Youyou nodded slightly.
"How about this, do you want to stay at our place first, and when the right opportunity comes, you can go with us?"
Gu Youyou was disguised as a man, and living together might risk exposing her disguise.
Jin Ziyuan quickly said, "Thank you, Uncle Gu, but we have already paid silver to stay at an inn in the town and wouldn’t want to trouble you further."
Gu Youyou joked, "Exactly, we’ve left our luggage at the inn. Could you perhaps inform us when you’ve decided to go?"
Gu Chaosheng didn’t insist, "Alright, I’ll let you know when the time comes."
Mrs. Gu then said with a smile, "When the time comes, I’ll personally inform you."
With the sea voyage settled, they now waited for the right opportunity to depart.