Tang Tian had initially been helping nearby, but after several suggestions to buy non-essential items, her mother shooed her away.
The Noble Young Master was curious about how such a young child could be so socially adept. He pulled Tang Tian aside to chat and probe a few questions.
But Tang Tian seemed to revert to her true childish self, talking only about food, drinks, and clothing, leaving him both amused and helpless.
When it came time to settle the bill, half of the twenty taels from selling the paper found its way back into the Old Shopkeeper’s hands, naturally bringing a smile to his face.
Meanwhile, a pile of items had accumulated at Li Qiushuang’s feet—food, clothing, and daily necessities, including several nearly-new padded jackets and trousers.
Tang Tian somehow dug out a fine-meshed sieve, two pieces of coarse gauze, and a small kettle, gleefully tugging at her mother’s sleeve.
Li Qiushuang didn’t understand what her daughter needed these for, but since they cost only a dozen coins altogether, she gritted her teeth and paid, treating it as indulging the child’s whims.
Lately, this child had been acting mature beyond her years. While she had lightened many burdens, as a mother, Li Qiushuang felt both happy and deeply guilty for not being able to provide her daughter with a carefree upbringing…
Having secured the tools for sprouting beans, Tang Tian was delighted and suggested, “Mom, let’s hurry to the pharmacy to get some medicine for Big Brother. Also, don’t forget to buy snacks for Second Brother—I promised him before we left.”
Li Qiushuang had been worrying about the same things. Clutching the remaining silver, she nodded.
The Noble Young Master, who had been admiring the white paper with great fondness, paused at this and instructed the Old Shopkeeper, “Old Liao, after they finish shopping, find a carriage to take them home.”
“Yes, Young Master,” the Old Shopkeeper replied willingly.
Tang Tian happily bounded over to thank him. “Thank you, Young Master! Earlier, when I saw you giving silver to the beggar, I guessed you were a very good person. I was right—you’re handsome, dashing, and kind-hearted. If I have more good things in the future, I’ll sell them to you!”
The Noble Young Master laughed heartily and replied, “Sure! If you have good items, just bring them to Old Liao here. He’ll naturally get word to me.”
The Old Shopkeeper secretly rolled his eyes, wondering if this poor girl was a fox spirit from the mountains. Not only had she swindled twenty taels from the Young Master, but she was already planning to bleed him dry again!
Tang Tian bid farewell to the Noble Young Master with her mother and quickly headed to the Huichuntang pharmacy at the end of the street.
The shopkeeper, who was also the physician, was named Cui. He was exceptionally skilled in medicine and had a remarkable memory. He actually remembered Li Qiushuang coming in before to buy medicine and even asked about the frail, coughing child at home and how he was recovering.
Li Qiushuang described Tang Chuan’s symptoms in detail. After careful consideration, the shopkeeper prescribed seven doses of medicine to gently nourish the body and replenish qi and blood.
After all, treating illness isn’t as simple as addressing where it hurts.
The foundation of the body must be strengthened first before tackling other issues, especially with chronic conditions like weakness and coughing.
Tang Tian watched and listened attentively, quite satisfied with the Old Shopkeeper’s approach.
With the boost from the Space Spring Water, Tang Chuan was sure to show significant improvement after finishing these seven doses…
After a long round of errands and completing all the chores, Old Liao had already loaded everything onto a small blue-cloth carriage.
Li Qiushuang thanked him repeatedly before holding her daughter and climbing aboard, leaning against the pile of supplies as they headed home.
By then, the sun had passed its zenith. Tang Hai, growing impatient, had long since gone to wait at the village entrance, gazing into the distance.
Tang Chuan, fearing his brother might cause trouble, followed him out. The west wind caught in his throat, triggering another coughing fit.
The villagers were busy gathering withered crops from the fields as hay, storing them for winter kindling to make fires easier to start.
Occasionally spotting the two brothers—one sickly, the other simple-minded—people couldn’t help but sigh, silently cursing Tang Laotai and Tang Dayong for their wrongdoing.
Though Tang Hai remained oblivious, Tang Chuan felt deeply uncomfortable; no one enjoys being pitied by others…
Fortunately, the small blue-cloth carriage soon rolled into the village entrance amid a cloud of dust.
Tang Tian leaned halfway out the window, shouting excitedly, “Big brother! Second brother! We’re back!”
Tang Hai shot out like a cannonball!
Tang Chuan also rose excitedly, unconsciously waving back at his sister with a smile.
Li Qiushuang jumped down and guided her eldest son to lead the carriage home.
Second Grandpa Li was returning from the fields with his sons and grandsons pulling a cart. Spotting the carriage from afar, he initially thought Tang Dayong had come to cause trouble again and approached with a dark expression, only to realize his mistake.
But then he grew even more curious about Li Qiushuang’s extravagant shopping spree—she had bought nearly half a household’s worth of goods.
It was Li Laosi who remembered the basket Tang Tian found yesterday, exclaiming happily, “Ah! Did that book Tang Bao’er picked up sell for a good price?”
Li Qiushuang glanced at the gathering villagers and replied, “Yes, we were lucky. A scholar happened to need that book and paid five taels of silver for it.”
She gestured toward the baskets on the ground and added, “The old lady and the others emptied the house—we lack everything. City prices are high too. After all my calculations, even spending all five taels barely covered the essentials.”
Some women who had been envious to the point of jealousy changed their expressions when they spotted the old padded trousers peeking out from the baskets.
Though the Tang Family gained five taels, the mother and her four children had nothing—not food, drink, nor clothing. This silver was hardly enough to cover their needs.
No wonder elders always say: “A broken home is still worth ten thousand strings of cash!”
After some more small talk, Second Grandpa Li prepared to shoo people away, worried someone thick-skinned might pry too deep and bring trouble to Li Qiushuang and her children.
Seizing the moment, Li Qiushuang brought out a packet of pine nut candies to sweeten the children’s mouths from each family.
The children cheered with delight upon receiving the treats, and as parents and elders, the villagers naturally shared their joy, exchanging a few polite remarks…
After finally moving everything inside, Li Qiushuang didn’t pause to catch her breath before hiding the remaining silver, arranging their purchases, and starting the fire to cook…
Tang Hai clutched a packet of the cheapest Yingchun Gao, now stuffing a piece into his elder brother’s mouth, now chasing after his mother—but he couldn’t find his younger sister anywhere.
Tang Tian was already hiding in the backyard cellar, embarking on the first step of her wealth-building plan.
In her previous life, she had only seen someone grow bean sprouts once. Though the steps were simple, she proceeded with careful attention.
The soybeans she had soaked in her Space last night had expanded from a handful to nearly half a basin, some already sprouting tiny white shoots.
She placed the newly bought coarse-mesh sieve at the bottom, lined it with rough gauze, then layered the soybeans evenly.
Diluting Space Spring Water with well water at a one-to-three ratio, she poured it into a spray bottle and evenly moistened the beans, sieve, and gauze until thoroughly damp.
Finally, the pottery plate was placed on top, and a wooden bucket was set below to catch water. Then, all that was left was to wait quietly for growth.
Tang Tian checked several times to ensure there were no major mistakes before reluctantly climbing out of the cellar and firmly sealing the lid.
The cellar gradually plunged into complete darkness, evoking an instinctive fear and aversion. Yet, more often than not, darkness also nurtures light and hope…