Someone was there?
Where did they come from?
Ye Wan followed the direction San Ya was pointing and saw a man lying face down by the stream, not knowing if he was dead or alive.
“San Ya, let’s go. Quickly.”
Out here in the desolate wilderness, Ye Wan’s first instinct was to leave.
She was not some kind-hearted soul eager to save people. If the man was awake and had malicious intentions, she and San Ya would be in danger.
Just as Ye Wan was about to go over and lift San Ya down, San Ya’s eyes sparkled. “Mother, that man has money!”
Ye Wan looked over again and saw a money pouch hanging from the prone man’s waist, soaking in the stream. There were small fish nearby, and one wouldn’t have noticed it without a closer look.
After a moment’s hesitation, Ye Wan tiptoed over.
She poked the man with a tree branch. Seeing no reaction, Ye Wan finally felt at ease. She quickly untied the man’s money pouch and, while she was at it, used the spiritual spring water to attract a few small fish and toss them into her space.
She stood up to leave, but after considering the weight of the money pouch, she decided to turn the man over.
He was a scruffy, bearded man dressed in dark clothes, so she couldn’t see where he was injured, but he was still breathing.
Ye Wan struggled to drag the man to a dry spot and fed him some of the spiritual spring water from her space.
“I took your money, and I saved your life. We’re even.”
Looking up, she saw it was getting late and hurried down the mountain with San Ya.
Just as they reached the foot of the mountain, they saw a large crowd of people heading their way.
The ones in the lead were all men. With quick eyes and nimble hands, Ye Wan tossed everything she was holding into her space, then took San Ya’s hand and continued walking.
“San Ya!”
Er Ya was also in the crowd. She rushed over, pointed at Ye Wan, and started scolding her.
“Are you crazy? This part of the mountain belongs to Master Zhang! If he finds out you went in to take things without permission, he’ll have you beaten to death! Who told you to take San Ya with you!”
Last time, a loafer from the next village had snuck into the mountains to steal. Someone reported him, and Master Zhang brought his men and beat the man to death in front of everyone.
Ye Wan’s eyes flickered as she looked at the large crowd. “We didn’t go into the mountain. We just wandered around the foot. Who told you we went in?”
San Ya looked up at her mother. Hey, where did the things go?
Where’s the bunny?
Ye Wan squeezed San Ya’s little hand.
The Village Chief, who was leading the group, breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. “I knew it. Who in the surrounding ten miles and eight villages doesn’t know this mountain belongs to Master Zhang? You need his permission to enter. Besides, it’s so dangerous in there! What if someone gets killed!”
He then turned to the crowd and said, “Old Li’s wife, look more carefully next time! You’re delaying everyone’s work!”
An old woman in the crowd shouted, “Hmph, I saw them go in with my own eyes. How was I to know they didn’t go far? I was just trying to help them. What if they ran into a wild boar? Wasn’t Widow Tian’s husband eaten by a wild boar?”
“Alright, that’s enough. Everyone go back to work!”
Once the Village Chief spoke and the crowd saw there was no more drama to watch, they dispersed.
On a small path in the distance, a woman carrying a basket on her back stood watching.
A man walking ahead of her urged, “Hurry up. It’s getting late. If we don’t dig up enough medicinal herbs tonight, we’ll have to pay a penalty tomorrow.”
Only then did the woman retract her gaze and follow the man with her head down.
Ye Wan sensed that someone seemed to be watching her. She looked up but saw no one, only Er Ya glaring at her, holding a basket.
Ye Wan glared back.
After returning home, Ye Wan had San Ya go inside first while she went to a deserted spot to retrieve the items from her space. She then carried them back, telling San Ya she had hidden them.
Children were easy to fool, and San Ya believed her instantly.
Er Ya, who had felt a little guilty after scolding her, immediately raised her voice upon seeing the things on the ground. “You still say you didn’t go? It’s bad enough you went in by yourself, but why did you have to drag San Ya in with you? You’re a servant, yet you don’t act like one at all!”
“Who says I’m a servant? Your father never said that, did he? He said I’m your mother.” Ye Wan glanced at the girl. She was dark and grimy, not the least bit likable.
Er Ya stuck her neck out. “What stupid mother? You’re just a servant our family bought!”
“I can’t be bothered to argue with you.” Ye Wan ignored Er Ya and pulled San Ya toward the kitchen.
“San Ya, come on. I’ll make you something delicious.”
Er Ya stomped her foot in anger and ran into her room.
The sun was setting in the west when Lin An Yuan returned. The moment he stepped into the courtyard, he smelled a fragrant aroma.
“You’re back. Wash your hands and let’s eat.”
Ye Wan placed a plate of cold-dressed sow thistle on the table.
On the table, there was also a plate of braised rabbit with wild mushrooms and sweet potatoes, which looked incredibly tempting.
Her cooking skills were good, but she wasn’t adept at using this kind of earthen stove. Da Ya had come back to tend the fire.
San Ya was already eating the meat, her little mouth greasy. Da Ya watched over her and called out “Father” when she saw Lin An Yuan.
“Did you cook today’s meal? Where did the meat come from?” Lin An Yuan raised an eyebrow at Ye Wan.
“Father, I’ll tell you a secret.” San Ya stopped Lin An Yuan to tell him about the day’s events, endlessly praising how amazing her mother was.
San Ya’s explanation wasn’t very clear, but Lin An Yuan understood the gist of it: the two of them had secretly gone into the mountains and had the good luck to catch a foolish rabbit.
“You’re quite bold. Don’t go again in the future,” Lin An Yuan said as he washed his hands and sat down at the table.
He wasn’t afraid of Master Zhang. Master Zhang still had use for him and wouldn’t fall out over such a small matter. The problem was if others saw them, they would inevitably bully the two of them.
Ye Wan took the opportunity to speak. “About what I told you before, since you didn’t say anything, I’ll take it as a yes. I can take care of your daughters for three years. By then, San Ya will be seven or eight.”
Today’s incident had put Ye Wan on alert. The original owner of the body, helped and sheltered by Granny Qian because of her beauty, rarely went out and truly knew little of the world. While cooking, she had learned more about the social order from Da Ya.
In this world, it was dog-eat-dog, especially for women.
So she had changed her mind. Three years would be enough time for her to gain the ability to protect herself.
Once the three years were up, they would go their separate ways.
Of course, there was another point. She could tell that Lin An Yuan might really be impotent and wouldn’t do anything to her. And if he really did try something, with his looks, it was uncertain who would be getting the short end of the stick.
Lin An Yuan didn’t even raise his eyelids. The chopsticks in his hand, poised to pick up food, paused for a moment. “Alright.”
Hearing him agree, Ye Wan was in an excellent mood. “Take me to town tomorrow.”
Ever since she had transmigrated, she had been wearing the same set of clothes. If she didn’t change soon, they would start to stink. She wanted to buy some things and see if there were any legitimate ways to earn money.
As for where the silver came from, San Ya had already said it—they found it. She just hadn’t expected Lin An Yuan not to ask her for it.
The meal was so good that no one spoke.
“Where did your father go?”
Seeing Lin An Yuan go out again after eating, Ye Wan asked Da Ya.
The man left early and returned late, seeming very busy.
Da Ya didn’t know either, her head lowered as she seemed lost in thought.
San Ya’s belly was round from eating. She looked at Er Ya, who was gobbling down her food, and asked, “Second Sister, didn’t you say you wouldn’t eat Mother’s cooking?”
“Shut up, you traitor! She belongs to my family, so what if I eat her food? I’m going to eat it!”
As Er Ya spoke, she stuffed food into her mouth as if in a frenzy. She hadn’t eaten meat since the New Year.
“Wash the bowls after you’re done eating, or I won’t make your share next time.”
“I’ll wash them!” Er Ya fiercely shoved another piece of rabbit meat into her mouth, her eyes turning red.
Seeing this, Da Ya patted Er Ya’s back and said softly, “Don’t cry. She’s better than the last one, isn’t she?”
Ye Wan didn’t hear their conversation; she had already returned to her room and locked the door.
She planted everything she had gotten from the mountain in her space and even dug a pond for the few fish she had caught in the stream.
The once barren space now had a touch of green.
Ye Wan was quite tired after all this work. She washed herself in the space.
Lying on the kang bed, Lin An Yuan’s face suddenly appeared in her mind, which was utterly absurd.
She turned over in frustration and covered her head with the blanket.
At the same time, Lin An Yuan, wearing a straw hat, was walking through the forest, the darkness providing excellent cover.
He had walked the path to the mountain countless times in the past three years. The moment she mentioned a stream, he knew the location.
Following the trampled grass, Lin An Yuan found the man lying by the stream.
He walked over and kicked him with his foot, but the man showed no reaction.
“Dead?”
“His clothes look pretty good. They should be worth a few coins if I sell them.”
After observing for a moment, Lin An Yuan stroked his chin and raised his voice slightly.
Just as he was about to make his move, the man who had been unconscious suddenly opened his eyes.
Chapter
Chapter 10: Let’s Go Our Separate Ways
Someone was there?
Where did they come from?
Ye Wan followed the direction San Ya was pointing and saw a man lying face down by the stream, not knowing if he was dead or alive.
“San Ya, let’s go. Quickly.”
Out here in the desolate wilderness, Ye Wan’s first instinct was to leave.
She was not some kind-hearted soul eager to save people. If the man was awake and had malicious intentions, she and San Ya would be in danger.
Just as Ye Wan was about to go over and lift San Ya down, San Ya’s eyes sparkled. “Mother, that man has money!”
Ye Wan looked over again and saw a money pouch hanging from the prone man’s waist, soaking in the stream. There were small fish nearby, and one wouldn’t have noticed it without a closer look.
After a moment’s hesitation, Ye Wan tiptoed over.
She poked the man with a tree branch. Seeing no reaction, Ye Wan finally felt at ease. She quickly untied the man’s money pouch and, while she was at it, used the spiritual spring water to attract a few small fish and toss them into her space.
She stood up to leave, but after considering the weight of the money pouch, she decided to turn the man over.
He was a scruffy, bearded man dressed in dark clothes, so she couldn’t see where he was injured, but he was still breathing.
Ye Wan struggled to drag the man to a dry spot and fed him some of the spiritual spring water from her space.
“I took your money, and I saved your life. We’re even.”
Looking up, she saw it was getting late and hurried down the mountain with San Ya.
Just as they reached the foot of the mountain, they saw a large crowd of people heading their way.
The ones in the lead were all men. With quick eyes and nimble hands, Ye Wan tossed everything she was holding into her space, then took San Ya’s hand and continued walking.
“San Ya!”
Er Ya was also in the crowd. She rushed over, pointed at Ye Wan, and started scolding her.
“Are you crazy? This part of the mountain belongs to Master Zhang! If he finds out you went in to take things without permission, he’ll have you beaten to death! Who told you to take San Ya with you!”
Last time, a loafer from the next village had snuck into the mountains to steal. Someone reported him, and Master Zhang brought his men and beat the man to death in front of everyone.
Ye Wan’s eyes flickered as she looked at the large crowd. “We didn’t go into the mountain. We just wandered around the foot. Who told you we went in?”
San Ya looked up at her mother. Hey, where did the things go?
Where’s the bunny?
Ye Wan squeezed San Ya’s little hand.
The Village Chief, who was leading the group, breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. “I knew it. Who in the surrounding ten miles and eight villages doesn’t know this mountain belongs to Master Zhang? You need his permission to enter. Besides, it’s so dangerous in there! What if someone gets killed!”
He then turned to the crowd and said, “Old Li’s wife, look more carefully next time! You’re delaying everyone’s work!”
An old woman in the crowd shouted, “Hmph, I saw them go in with my own eyes. How was I to know they didn’t go far? I was just trying to help them. What if they ran into a wild boar? Wasn’t Widow Tian’s husband eaten by a wild boar?”
“Alright, that’s enough. Everyone go back to work!”
Once the Village Chief spoke and the crowd saw there was no more drama to watch, they dispersed.
On a small path in the distance, a woman carrying a basket on her back stood watching.
A man walking ahead of her urged, “Hurry up. It’s getting late. If we don’t dig up enough medicinal herbs tonight, we’ll have to pay a penalty tomorrow.”
Only then did the woman retract her gaze and follow the man with her head down.
Ye Wan sensed that someone seemed to be watching her. She looked up but saw no one, only Er Ya glaring at her, holding a basket.
Ye Wan glared back.
After returning home, Ye Wan had San Ya go inside first while she went to a deserted spot to retrieve the items from her space. She then carried them back, telling San Ya she had hidden them.
Children were easy to fool, and San Ya believed her instantly.
Er Ya, who had felt a little guilty after scolding her, immediately raised her voice upon seeing the things on the ground. “You still say you didn’t go? It’s bad enough you went in by yourself, but why did you have to drag San Ya in with you? You’re a servant, yet you don’t act like one at all!”
“Who says I’m a servant? Your father never said that, did he? He said I’m your mother.” Ye Wan glanced at the girl. She was dark and grimy, not the least bit likable.
Er Ya stuck her neck out. “What stupid mother? You’re just a servant our family bought!”
“I can’t be bothered to argue with you.” Ye Wan ignored Er Ya and pulled San Ya toward the kitchen.
“San Ya, come on. I’ll make you something delicious.”
Er Ya stomped her foot in anger and ran into her room.
The sun was setting in the west when Lin An Yuan returned. The moment he stepped into the courtyard, he smelled a fragrant aroma.
“You’re back. Wash your hands and let’s eat.”
Ye Wan placed a plate of cold-dressed sow thistle on the table.
On the table, there was also a plate of braised rabbit with wild mushrooms and sweet potatoes, which looked incredibly tempting.
Her cooking skills were good, but she wasn’t adept at using this kind of earthen stove. Da Ya had come back to tend the fire.
San Ya was already eating the meat, her little mouth greasy. Da Ya watched over her and called out “Father” when she saw Lin An Yuan.
“Did you cook today’s meal? Where did the meat come from?” Lin An Yuan raised an eyebrow at Ye Wan.
“Father, I’ll tell you a secret.” San Ya stopped Lin An Yuan to tell him about the day’s events, endlessly praising how amazing her mother was.
San Ya’s explanation wasn’t very clear, but Lin An Yuan understood the gist of it: the two of them had secretly gone into the mountains and had the good luck to catch a foolish rabbit.
“You’re quite bold. Don’t go again in the future,” Lin An Yuan said as he washed his hands and sat down at the table.
He wasn’t afraid of Master Zhang. Master Zhang still had use for him and wouldn’t fall out over such a small matter. The problem was if others saw them, they would inevitably bully the two of them.
Ye Wan took the opportunity to speak. “About what I told you before, since you didn’t say anything, I’ll take it as a yes. I can take care of your daughters for three years. By then, San Ya will be seven or eight.”
Today’s incident had put Ye Wan on alert. The original owner of the body, helped and sheltered by Granny Qian because of her beauty, rarely went out and truly knew little of the world. While cooking, she had learned more about the social order from Da Ya.
In this world, it was dog-eat-dog, especially for women.
So she had changed her mind. Three years would be enough time for her to gain the ability to protect herself.
Once the three years were up, they would go their separate ways.
Of course, there was another point. She could tell that Lin An Yuan might really be impotent and wouldn’t do anything to her. And if he really did try something, with his looks, it was uncertain who would be getting the short end of the stick.
Lin An Yuan didn’t even raise his eyelids. The chopsticks in his hand, poised to pick up food, paused for a moment. “Alright.”
Hearing him agree, Ye Wan was in an excellent mood. “Take me to town tomorrow.”
Ever since she had transmigrated, she had been wearing the same set of clothes. If she didn’t change soon, they would start to stink. She wanted to buy some things and see if there were any legitimate ways to earn money.
As for where the silver came from, San Ya had already said it—they found it. She just hadn’t expected Lin An Yuan not to ask her for it.
The meal was so good that no one spoke.
“Where did your father go?”
Seeing Lin An Yuan go out again after eating, Ye Wan asked Da Ya.
The man left early and returned late, seeming very busy.
Da Ya didn’t know either, her head lowered as she seemed lost in thought.
San Ya’s belly was round from eating. She looked at Er Ya, who was gobbling down her food, and asked, “Second Sister, didn’t you say you wouldn’t eat Mother’s cooking?”
“Shut up, you traitor! She belongs to my family, so what if I eat her food? I’m going to eat it!”
As Er Ya spoke, she stuffed food into her mouth as if in a frenzy. She hadn’t eaten meat since the New Year.
“Wash the bowls after you’re done eating, or I won’t make your share next time.”
“I’ll wash them!” Er Ya fiercely shoved another piece of rabbit meat into her mouth, her eyes turning red.
Seeing this, Da Ya patted Er Ya’s back and said softly, “Don’t cry. She’s better than the last one, isn’t she?”
Ye Wan didn’t hear their conversation; she had already returned to her room and locked the door.
She planted everything she had gotten from the mountain in her space and even dug a pond for the few fish she had caught in the stream.
The once barren space now had a touch of green.
Ye Wan was quite tired after all this work. She washed herself in the space.
Lying on the kang bed, Lin An Yuan’s face suddenly appeared in her mind, which was utterly absurd.
She turned over in frustration and covered her head with the blanket.
At the same time, Lin An Yuan, wearing a straw hat, was walking through the forest, the darkness providing excellent cover.
He had walked the path to the mountain countless times in the past three years. The moment she mentioned a stream, he knew the location.
Following the trampled grass, Lin An Yuan found the man lying by the stream.
He walked over and kicked him with his foot, but the man showed no reaction.
“Dead?”
“His clothes look pretty good. They should be worth a few coins if I sell them.”
After observing for a moment, Lin An Yuan stroked his chin and raised his voice slightly.
Just as he was about to make his move, the man who had been unconscious suddenly opened his eyes.