Li Shu ate with one hand and held a knife in the other, without letting either interfere, her gaze on Li Chutian full of sincerity.
“After I was beaten that day, I realized the first seventeen years of my life were wasted. All my obedience brought only humiliation. Since that’s the case, from now on, I, Li Shu, will change!” Li Shu slammed the back of her knife on the table, voice filled with righteous anger. “I’ve grown rebellious!”
“……” Li Chutian’s lips twitched, seething inwardly.
Rebellious? Her bones were so stubborn even her own father barely recognized her!
“You’ve completely lost your mind!” Li Chutian was both angry and helpless.
He wanted to strike her, but he couldn’t; he wanted to scold her, but couldn’t outmatch her sharp tongue. A sense of powerlessness welled up inside him.
He had always thought this daughter was feeble, useless, and shameful—but now this brazen, shameless demeanor made her far more detestable.
Li Chutian wanted to explode in anger, but seeing the kitchen knife, he swallowed it.
The whole family was in a foul mood—except Li Shu, whose spirits were bright and free.
The next morning, Li Shu went out.
She needed to check the surroundings and buy enough supplies to secure her survival.
She had worried about being too famous and attracting attention, but that concern proved needless. The original mistress had hardly known anyone; she wore old clothes and ignored others, so no one paid her much attention.
When she left prison, she had changed into fresh clothes, gifted by Captain Ma—two new outfits.
After washing up and tying her hair neatly, she looked entirely new. Without a familiar face pointing her out, no one in town recognized her as the infamous girl who had killed Qi Yanfeng.
Her reputation had traveled far, yet her face remained unknown.
This reassured Li Shu.
She started filling her spatial pocket with supplies. It was static and convenient—better than a freezer. With grain in hand, if she ever needed to run or do something illicit, she could remain calm, even if fleeing wasn’t immediately necessary.
First, she bought a cloak and hood from a tailor. While few could recognize her, if someone did, she would be pointed at.
Then she purchased grain. Food was expensive in this town, especially with ongoing wars and the army consuming much. Prices here were two to three times higher than elsewhere.
Though she didn’t understand the economics, she knew that no matter the cost, she needed to store food. She spent two taels on three shi of rice, another tael on ten jin of salt and five jin of lard, plus some ready-to-eat buns and dried provisions.
There were many vendors selling wild goods, even tiger carcasses, which amazed her.
If only she had more silver, she could have bought a tiger skin to strut around.
If she converted all her silver into food, it would last a long time—but food wasn’t her top priority.
With injuries slowing her pace, she didn’t reach the weapons shop until afternoon.
Fortunately, the town allowed weapon sales. In case of invasion, all civilians might need to defend themselves. Bows, arrows, spears, and even armor were available, though of lower quality than military issue.
After some deliberation, she bought a bow for two taels. Arrows were thirty wen each, so she purchased a hundred and stored them in her spatial pocket.
Soft armor for forty taels? Too rich for her.
She picked a women’s yanling dao, about sixty to seventy centimeters long. It could cut and stab when needed. Simple in design, with only a blood groove, it cost three taels and three hundred wen.
After her purchases, she had just five hundred wen left.
Li Shu worried—her spatial pocket was vast. How long would it take to fill it?
The sky was still early, so she didn’t rush home, returning instead to the grain shop.
“Did the army not collect grain this year? Perhaps the court prepared supplies in advance?” she asked, sighing.
Business was slow; the shopkeeper remembered her and replied kindly, “The court usually sends grain before winter after the new harvest. Another month, the new grain will arrive, slightly higher in price…”
“But once new grain arrives, life becomes unstable,” he added.
Winter was harsh. Mountain bandits, border soldiers, and wealthy townsfolk hoarded grain. Those who bought had to queue; those who didn’t could be robbed. Buying old rice now was safer.
“I heard rumors recently about horse bandits. Did anyone really see them?” Li Shu asked, handing the shopkeeper a bun as she ate one herself.
The shopkeeper instinctively took it.
Since it was already taken, he engaged her in conversation. “No sightings. Must’ve been false rumors. That one false report ruined two women’s marriages and even cost a life! Horse bandits are truly harmful beyond measure!”
“Yes, yes, I heard too. The Yao family girl supposedly got lucky, becoming part of the Ma family. Uncle shopkeeper, have you seen that Ma young master?”
“Never, but yesterday he went out with his new wife. They bought a lot,” the shopkeeper sighed. “Ma young master had a dispute at home; his face bore injuries. Servants say he was hit by Captain Ma.”
Li Shu nodded subtly, hidden under her hood, intrigued by this information.
Previously, Captain Ma claimed Yao’s position was only that of a concubine. But the young master’s behavior suggested otherwise.
She noted how the father and son staged appearances—Captain Ma as the responsible patriarch, Ma young master as a dutiful son. It projected reliability while avoiding criticism.
Taking Yao Anning out in public reinforced his claim and responsibility.
This family knew how to behave.
“You know so much… My father was conscripted years ago and sent to the army, perhaps never to return. My mother passed away. I came all this way to be near him. But as a newcomer, I don’t know local customs… Would common folk like me be robbed by horse bandits?” Li Shu asked anxiously.
“They wouldn’t waste their time. If they raided, it’d target pawnshops, grain shops, or wealthy households. Ordinary people who avoid them in time generally remain safe,” the shopkeeper said generously, sharing what he knew.
Li Shu listened intently, noting key points.