Xu Ruyi had stayed at home for several days, accompanying Xu Sigui on a few strolls around the village until she became a familiar face to everyone.
Having just finished making a set of clothes for Niannian, Xu Ruyi stepped out for a walk to rest her eyes.
Spotting Xu Sigui preparing to leave with a back basket, she immediately called out to him, “Brother, where are you going?”
Hearing his sister’s question, Xu Sigui replied honestly, “I’m going up the mountain to gather herbs. Sis, you stay home. I just took Niannian to the wet nurse.”
“Up the mountain! I want to go too. I recognize common herbs—I’ll go with you.” Given the chance to go out and have fun, Xu Ruyi had no desire to stay home.
Moreover, she truly knew quite a few herbs. After all, since she had decided to return, and with their home nestled against the mountains, learning to identify herbs was essential—if not for treating illnesses, then at least for earning some income.
Xu Sigui hesitated, “Sis, the mountain paths are rough and a bit dangerous.”
Xu Ruyi waved her hand dismissively, “I’m not afraid. I’m in good health, and besides, with both of us together, we can look out for each other.”
Seeing that he couldn’t dissuade his sister, Xu Sigui reluctantly agreed.
The two made their way up the mountain path, with Xu Ruyi full of enthusiasm, looking here and there along the way.
Xu Sigui, having long grown tired of the scenery, skillfully identified herbs, picking the valuable ones and placing them in his back basket.
Suddenly, Xu Ruyi noticed a particularly distinctive plant not far away and excitedly ran toward it.
Unaware of a loose stone underfoot, she stumbled and nearly fell.
Xu Sigui, quick as lightning, grabbed her, “Sis, be careful.”
Xu Ruyi shook her foot and found it wasn’t sprained. “I got too excited. That plant looked really familiar.”
Xu Sigui walked over to take a look. “This is Huangqi—quite valuable. Sis, you’ve got a good eye! I’ve passed by here so many times and never noticed it.”
“Right? That means my luck is still pretty good! Come on, let’s dig it up quickly. Huangqi usually grows in clusters!” Xu Ruyi didn’t want to let such a find slip away. Although she had money, she wasn’t keen on spending it—not because she didn’t love her family.
Human hearts can change in an instant. One moment you’re the cherished daughter, but the moment you threaten their interests, you become the villain.
Not to mention, this was an ancient patriarchal society where favoring sons over daughters was commonplace.
If she was wronging them by thinking this way, she would apologize. But everything was just beginning, and she couldn’t bring herself to be completely open.
The two worked diligently, digging up the larger Huangqi plants in the area while leaving some to reseed, hoping for another harvest next year.
The Huangqi only filled a third of the back basket, so they continued further in.
Xu Ruyi carried a sickle, while Xu Sigui held an axe.
Working together was too slow, so Xu Ruyi decided to split up. “Brother, let’s search separately. Don’t go too far, and call out if anything happens!”
Xu Sigui thought it made sense, but noticing his sister didn’t have a basket, he quickly wove one from a vine.
After removing all the thorns and leaves, he handed it to Xu Ruyi. “Sis, take this. Don’t go too far, and if you can’t find anything, come back.”
Delighted by the small, well-made basket, Xu Ruyi praised him, “Wow, brother, you’re amazing! I love this basket. Don’t worry, I won’t go far. If I can’t find anything, I’ll come find you!”
Praised so directly by his sister, Xu Sigui blushed a little, but he really liked her compliments. Not knowing how to express it, he simply nodded and went straight to search for medicinal herbs with his back basket!
Seeing him shy away, Xu Ruyi let out a chuckle. Her little brother was so amusing now—in a few years when he grew up, he wouldn’t be this fun anymore.
Shaking her head, Xu Ruyi also picked a path and began searching for herbs.
This area was near the outer edge, close to the middle zone. Not many people usually came here, and since the inner zone had wolves and tigers, ordinary people didn’t dare venture in.
Xu Ruyi picked and chose as she went, even gathering some edible mushrooms along the way.
Suddenly, she spotted a plant with leaves that had notched, serrated edges, pointed tips, and sparse, nipple-like white fine hairs on the underside and margins.
After taking a closer look, she realized there was a whole patch of them. “Strike it rich, strike it rich! There’s so much Danggui here—it’s all mine!”
Picking up her small hoe, Xu Ruyi began her great undertaking of digging up Danggui.
Just like before, she chose the larger ones to harvest, leaving the smaller ones to grow and reproduce.