By the time Yu Qiu learned that ghost-needle grass couldn’t be planted widely, it was already the next day.
It was her own lack of thorough thought—she had only considered making the village safer, without thinking about how it might affect the farmland.
On reflection, she realized: if she could think of planting ghost-needle grass for safety, wouldn’t the villagers have thought of it too?
Still, while it couldn’t be planted in the fields, the foothills on the far side of the back mountain could be used to grow some. Even if it couldn’t stop mutated beasts entirely, if it bought her some time to react, that would be enough.
She quietly let out a deep sigh, covering her faint embarrassment.
Day rose, night fell, and three days slipped by.
With a few more little helpers in the household, things weren’t vastly easier, but plenty of small tasks were taken care of.
Seeing that they worked diligently without slacking off, even Liu Dabao—coaxed thoroughly into obedience by Sanya—Yu Qiu chose not to fuss over them. At worst, it just meant spearing a few extra fish.
Speaking of Liu Dabao, one had to mention his grandmother, old Madam Zhao.
On the first day, when her grandchildren came home empty-handed, the next day she had the audacity to come knocking, demanding an explanation.
Fortunately, old man Liu came chasing right after, dragging her back.
At his age, it wasn’t easy—face flushed red, he apologized profusely to Madam Li.
Because he arrived in time, before old Madam Zhao could cause a scene, they let it pass. As for what happened to the old couple once they returned home, no one cared to bother.
In three days’ time, a simple fenced courtyard—made from dead branches and bamboo—was completed. A plot of about five square meters had been cleared in the backyard.
The yard was now filled with winnowing baskets, bamboo trays, drying racks, and even two bamboo clothes racks set up in the back.
All of this was the children’s doing.
The old, worn-out beds, tables, and chairs had been chopped up for firewood and replaced with new ones made by Uncle Zhou.
It truly proved the saying: many hands make light work!
After six or seven days, the three dilapidated thatched huts finally resembled a home.
They no longer needed to trouble others for help. The favors given these past days, Yu Qiu remembered well.
As for the families who pooled together grain, she intended to repay them double in the future.
The plan to plant ghost-needle grass and wild mint on the back mountain was already halfway complete.
Eating fish daily, their complexions grew healthier. With constant trips into the mountains, their bodies grew stronger. Since there was no need to leave seeds from the ghost-needle grass, progress was much quicker.
She had also dug several shelters in the mountains with her abilities, just in case. She hadn’t reinforced them with tree roots and trunks—it would be too hard to explain. They were simply earthen caves, easy to conceal and cover, big enough for three to five people. Later, they could even be used to hide grain and herbs.
As the saying goes, even a cunning rabbit has three burrows. Being prepared would never hurt.
That day, after breakfast, she headed for the back mountain.
She returned with many herbs in season. At home, she picked out the wolfberries and honeysuckle to dry, keeping them for herself.
The rest she bundled together with the batch she had already prepared and took them to town to sell.
That day, she only brought Erhe and Sanya with her.
Before leaving, she also made sure to spear two fat fish from the stream—she had promised to give some to the blacksmith uncle, and she would not go back on her word.
She wrapped the fish in leaves and placed them in her basket, padding it with more leaves underneath.
The herbs were put in another basket, carried by Erhe, with wild vegetables covering them.
After all, they were heading to town—a long trip—and she didn’t want to attract attention from ill-intentioned eyes.
Sanya carried a bamboo basket filled with wild vegetables she had dug up. If they made it in time for the morning market, they might even sell for some coin.
Sanya had prepared them neatly—bundled in small bunches tied with straw. She planned to sell them at two copper coins per bundle, five for three bundles.
If all sold, it would be enough to buy two malt candies.
After bidding farewell to Madam Li, the three set out for town.
They didn’t take a detour, but walked straight through the village. If they met anyone, they only said they were going to town to try selling wild vegetables.
It wasn’t the siblings’ first time going to town, but back then they had been too young. Erhe still remembered a little, but Sanya didn’t recall at all.
On the road, the younger siblings’ eyes shone bright the whole way. Their energy never flagged, and they were constantly running ahead of Yu Qiu.
When they reached the town, even reserved Erhe couldn’t hide his excitement. Sanya was even more open, bouncing around and gawking at everything, finding it all marvelous.
Yu Qiu only watched with a smile, though her steps didn’t slow.
At the marketplace, Erhe noticed the crowd thinning and grew anxious. Worried the vegetables wouldn’t sell, he turned to Yu Qiu. “Sister-in-law, I’ll stay here with Sanya to sell vegetables and won’t run around. You go do your business.”
Yu Qiu looked around and shook her head. “No. Too many people. I don’t feel at ease. If the vegetables don’t sell, we’ll just eat them ourselves.”
She was determined not to let the siblings leave her sight.
The market seemed peaceful enough, but what if something happened?
Thinking this, Yu Qiu led the pair straight to the blacksmith’s shop. From afar, they could already hear the clang of hammer on metal, rhythmic like the beat of a drum for the bustling market.
Knowing his sister-in-law only refused because she worried for them, Erhe didn’t sulk. He just called Sanya, who was distracted by the bustle, and hurried after Yu Qiu.
From a distance, Yu Qiu’s smile spread as she waved and called out, “Uncle Blacksmith!”
The man at the forge paused mid-swing and looked up at the sound.
His already stern face grew even grimmer when he recognized her.
In stark contrast to Yu Qiu’s cheerful expression.
Clearly, she had no idea she was a nuisance. Running up, she grinned, “Uncle Blacksmith, busy at work?”
The blacksmith’s dark face, combined with his burly build and fierce expression, frightened the siblings so much they didn’t dare approach.
Only Yu Qiu wasn’t afraid.
Seeing she wasn’t cowed, the blacksmith sighed helplessly. “What are you here for this time?”
Yu Qiu set her basket on the ground, pulled out the vegetables first, and set them aside. “I brought you fish! I couldn’t catch any live ones, so you’ll have to cook these quickly, or they won’t be fresh. And here—some wild vegetables too, just something fresh for you. Don’t look down on it. I’ve got errands, so I’ll get going. Won’t delay your work.”
With that, she turned to leave, but not before calling back, “Make sure you eat the fish quickly!”
Watching the “little nuisance” disappear down the street with the two children, the blacksmith’s face softened with complicated emotions.
His gaze fell on the two leaf-wrapped fish at his feet. He chuckled helplessly. “That girl really does keep her word.”
Leaving the smithy, Yu Qiu hurried to the pharmacy.
At the door, she saw there were quite a few people inside, so she told Erhe to try selling the vegetables nearby with Sanya. If they didn’t sell, she would take them to the market later.
Still uneasy, she looked back twice to check. Seeing the children sitting obediently, she finally stepped inside.
It was the same shopkeeper as last time. Today, he wasn’t sorting herbs but preparing prescriptions.
Hearing footsteps, the shopkeeper looked up to see a familiar little girl.
On closer look, he remembered—this was the one who had boasted about selling twenty-year-old ginseng a few days ago.
Unconsciously, a smile tugged at his lips as he teased, “Well now, did you bring twenty-year-old ginseng today?”