The next day, before dawn broke, Yu Qiu rose quietly, slung her basket over her back, and headed toward the back mountain.
She had already told Madam Li the night before that she would go into the mountains early today to gather more herbs.
The simpler processing methods Madam Li already knew. As for the common herbs, Yu Qiu had nearly scoured all the familiar spots. She could force some to mature with her powers, but that would weaken their medicinal strength.
Large-scale cultivation wasn’t feasible either. They didn’t have enough hands at home, and without using abilities, the survival rate of herbs was low and difficult to maintain.
Truth be told, her knowledge of cultivation was limited. It was only thanks to her wood-element powers that she had partial understanding. But when it came to growing medicinal plants, she knew even less.
Now, everything required silver. Even her small experiment to make candles—if she wanted to produce them in bulk—would take careful planning.
The kitchen needed to be built quickly, and the yard fenced in. Only then could she act freely, without drawing too much attention.
As she walked, she collected plants and pondered.
By noon, her two baskets were full, and she finally started home.
Passing by a stream, Yu Qiu, sticky and sweaty, chose a secluded spot to wash. She plucked hibiscus leaves, scrubbed herself clean, and rinsed the herbs before draining them and storing them back in the basket.
At home, clothes flapped on drying racks in the back courtyard. The small vegetable patch had red fruit and wild ginger growing. The air carried the fragrance of cooking. Yu Qiu’s heart warmed.
Yes, life should be like this: food to eat, a roof overhead, and a few sincere people waiting at home. Nothing could feel more secure.
Carrying that warmth, she went back.
Today’s meal was white rice, stir-fried leek and egg, and wild greens with egg soup.
Having skipped breakfast—only two red fruits to stave off hunger—her stomach was growling loudly by now.
Erhe heard his sister-in-law’s belly rumbling, covered his mouth to laugh, and hurried forward to take her basket, his heart aching for her.
Seeing her hair still damp and loose, he knew she had washed. Her face didn’t show fatigue.
“Wash your hands, change your clothes, then we’ll eat,” Madam Li called from the hall, pointing to a basin near the water jar. She noticed the jar was full.
Then she caught Erhe’s hopeful eyes—what else could it be?
Yu Qiu smiled and praised, “Erhe, you fetched the water? You’re amazing!” She washed her hands and went inside.
Erhe followed, carrying a bowl of cool tea. “Sister-in-law, drink some.” His grin couldn’t be hidden.
Sanya ran out of her room. “Sister-in-law, I put your clothes on the bed. Drink your tea and change quickly—we’re about to eat!”
Without a rolling pin, there were no dumplings. But finally, they could eat eggs!
Even fish soup, no matter how fresh, had become monotonous. Now their life was good enough that even fish felt ordinary.
During the meal, no one spoke—everyone was too entranced by the taste of eggs.
Though simple, to those who had lived on thin porridge and little oil for so long, this was like the finest delicacy in the world. Paired with fragrant white rice, who had time to talk?
After lunch, Yu Qiu explained more about processing herbs to Madam Li, then told her she planned to head into the mountains after supper and stay overnight.
Madam Li disagreed at once. But faced with Yu Qiu’s resolve—and remembering how she had returned safe after that night of chaos—she swallowed her protests. Still, unease lingered.
Knowing Yu Qiu wouldn’t be home, Madam Li busied herself in the kitchen. She mixed flour with water and egg, chopped wild vegetables, added salt, and stirred it all in a clay basin.
Erhe tended the fire, while Sanya watched closely.
When the iron pot was hot, Madam Li ladled in the batter. Soon, the aroma of wild vegetable pancakes filled the yard. She cooked over a dozen, stacked them in a basket, and covered them with cloth.
Seeing Madam Li sweating under the blazing sun, Yu Qiu felt uneasy. The kitchen must be built soon—otherwise, they’d all fall ill working like this.
By evening, they began supper. Without rain, mushrooms were scarce, but she found some shiitake on a fallen log. Half a chicken was chopped into pieces, stir-fried with wild ginger, star anise, and spicebush, then simmered with water. Flatbreads were pressed by hand and stuck to the sides of the pot to steam with the stew.
The scent of chicken and mushrooms soon filled the air.
Again, no one spoke. Everyone was too busy eating. Even Madam Li ate heartily, covering her mouth with a hiccup afterward.
Erhe and Sanya beamed. “Sister-in-law’s cooking is the best!”
“If only we could eat meat every day…” Sanya sighed dreamily.
Yu Qiu chuckled, full herself. After nearly ten days here, finally, a true feast.
“One day, you’ll eat all you want. Not just chicken, but goose and even mutated beasts. We’ll eat them too.”
The others froze.
Madam Li’s face paled. “Mutated beasts can’t be eaten! If the Nine City Lords haven’t declared them safe, they’re forbidden!”
Yu Qiu only smiled. “Just because they haven’t been announced doesn’t mean they’re inedible. If I say they can be eaten, then they can. Trust me—I won’t let you take risks.”
Madam Li exchanged uneasy glances with her children, then reluctantly nodded. Growing up, they’d always been told forbidden foods meant danger, even death. Doubt was natural.
But Erhe and Sanya, being young, accepted Yu Qiu’s words more easily.
Yu Qiu didn’t press further. She packed her things: a machete borrowed from the Mengs, the wild vegetable pancakes Madam Li had made, a basket, and some insect-and-snake repelling powder.
She bid farewell and, under Madam Li’s anxious nagging, headed into the mountain.
But before reaching the pond, she heard a shout from behind—
“Sister-in-law—wait!”
Startled, Yu Qiu turned back, striding quickly.
“What’s happened? Why are you running so fast?”