Su Niyue lay on the ground, bored, seeing that everyone else was asleep. She entered her space with her mind and began preparing insect-repellent powder. In her previous life, she had stocked an entire warehouse with Western medicines, herbs, and various Chinese patent medicines. Upon arriving here, she had cleared out the Imperial Hospital and acquired all sorts of pharmaceutical tools.
Looking at her personal treasure trove, she hummed a tune as she controlled her tools with her mind, quickly finishing the preparation. She also found a few plain sachets at the market—ordinary fabric, inconspicuous colors, filled with common herbs. She added her repellent powder, planning to distribute one to each family member and keep a few spares.
Leaving the space, she scattered some powder around their little camp. After tidying up, she returned to her space to plant crops and organize her supplies, keeping a constant mental watch on the surroundings of the abandoned temple.
The space’s upgrade progress bar had reached 34%. Su Niyue eagerly anticipated what Level 3 might bring. If she could have a pasture, she could finally raise the wild rabbits she had reserved for Xiao Bao; a few litters had already been born. The hens and wild chickens competed in laying eggs. Seeing all this, she stretched, enjoying the feeling of “winning by just lying down.”
At dawn, Su Niyue worried about breakfast—everyone had only eaten dry buns yesterday, and they needed nutritious food to replenish energy for the day’s journey. Suddenly, someone approached. Opening her eyes, she saw Head Laborer Liu leading his son.
“Young lady of the Nangong family, my son has recovered. I came to thank you!”
Su Niyue looked at the boy she had saved last night. His swelling gone, she saw he was a handsome youth, with features distinct from Liu yet bearing a family resemblance.
“It’s fine. No need for thanks—it was just a small effort,” Su Niyue replied softly, without the slightest pride from saving a life.
“Su sister, thank you! You’re amazing. My father said you saved me with silver needles!” The boy, shy yet talkative, said.
“It was urgent at the time. Acupuncture was the fastest way to help,” Su Niyue smiled.
“I’m Liu Ji, but you can also call me Sanhu. From now on, if anything comes up, I’ll do my best to help you!”
“Alright, Sanhu. We’ve only traveled a few days on this three-thousand-li journey—surely I’ll trouble you again in the future!”
“Of course, Su sister. Just say the word!”
Su Niyue knew that the small portions of food usually given to the laborers were only enough to make them familiar with her; when real trouble arose, it would be a different matter. That’s why she had acted decisively last night—to provide as much protection as possible on this exiled journey.
Lady Xu of the second branch occasionally cast scornful glances toward Su Niyue. They hadn’t taken any real action, and Su Niyue ignored them. From the corner of her eye, she saw the woman with the face covered by a cloth; the red welts were likely oozing pus. Su Niyue’s Earth-element powder contained a slow-acting toxin that would eat away the body over a few days, leaving no trace, silently dealing with her enemy without raising suspicion.
By noon, the group of exiles reached a mountain hollow. Su Niyue could no longer rely on the parcels her uncle had given—they would have spoiled in three days of hot weather. She needed a solution.
“Mother, you all rest here. Yunqi, remember to turn your elder brother to protect his leg. I’ll go into the woods to find mushrooms or other food.”
“Sister-in-law, can I go with you?” Yunran asked, eager.
Su Niyue nodded. “Alright, let’s go.” She then turned to Liu.
“Sir, we’re out of food. May I take my sister to the woods to find mushrooms and wild vegetables?”
Liu, seeing it was Su Niyue, beamed. “Sure, don’t go too far—the mountains have wild beasts.”
“We won’t, and we’ll be back soon!”
Entering the woods with Yunran, they enjoyed the rare cool air and gathered many mushrooms, wild vegetables, and fruits. Su Niyue also taught Yunran to recognize a few medicinal herbs. The harvest was unexpectedly good.
While Yunran focused on identifying herbs, Su Niyue whispered, “Rabbits!”
Yunran didn’t see any at first. Su Niyue appeared to spring out of nowhere, holding a rabbit and gesturing for silence. Yunran quickly covered her mouth. Su Niyue crouched, pouncing again, and caught another rabbit.
Seeing Su Niyue covered in leaves and grass, with a wildflower in her hair, Yunran didn’t laugh but quietly took her sleeve.
“Sister-in-law, that’s enough. Let’s go back.”
Su Niyue, touched by Yunran’s concern, smiled warmly. Returning to camp, she gave one rabbit to Liu:
“Sir, we accidentally caught two rabbits—we can’t eat them all. Here’s one for your son, Sanhu. These herbs will help remove any residual poison.” Her smile was sincere.
Liu initially hesitated but accepted it gratefully for his son.
Su Niyue and Yunran returned to Ruan Mingyu with the other rabbit. Seeing Su Niyue covered in leaves and holding the rabbit, Ruan Mingyu gently cleaned her clothes, tears in her eyes.
Nangong Yunqi saw Su Niyue returning and quickly started a fire, preparing to roast the rabbit. Yunran sat by her grandmother, carefully reviewing the herbs according to what Su Niyue had taught.
“Yuer, I’ve always wanted to ask—how did you learn medicine?”
Su Niyue handed the task of roasting the rabbit to Yunqi, giving him a packet of seasoning from her parcel. “Yunqi, we have no pot now—roast the mushrooms too. I have a pot, but I don’t want to conjure one yet.”
Hearing that mushrooms could be roasted, Yunqi’s guilt and tension eased. Su Niyue smiled at him fumbling with the mushrooms and then sat between Ruan Mingyu and the old madam.
“I studied with my mother for several years. After she passed, she left me many medical books and notes. My stepmother didn’t like me and locked me in the backyard, so I read my mother’s books daily. As I grew, I secretly went to the mountains to collect herbs. The Prime Minister’s residence didn’t care about me; whether I was there or not didn’t matter. If I wasn’t given food, I’d hunt rabbits and wild chickens in the mountains.”
The old madam couldn’t hold back her tears. “I never imagined the grand Prime Minister’s residence could treat its own child so cruelly.”
Ruan Mingyu gently tucked a strand of Su Niyue’s hair behind her ear. “Poor child… you’ve endured so much.”