The tree trunk was as thick as an adult’s waist, its long narrow leaves about two fingers wide, and its bark rough. Even Pei Luo, who prided herself on seeing many things, had never seen such a fruit tree before. But since it had appeared inside her space, she instinctively felt it could not be ordinary. Surely it must have more uses than merely radiating spiritual energy.
After watering the spiritual fruit tree, Pei Luo went out to rest. She didn’t notice that Xiao Man’s arm wound was slowly healing. By the next day, the injury had completely vanished. When Pei Luo changed the dressing, she was shocked. She realized it was the spiritual spring water—she had only washed Xiao Man’s wound with it, applied some Bletilla, and then had her drink a large bowl of the water. The Bletilla alone could not have healed the wound so quickly; the miraculous recovery was clearly the work of the spring water.
Since Xiao Man was still very young, she didn’t fully understand what had happened. She just felt the medicine applied by her stepmother had worked, and her pain was gone.
After washing and dressing the children, Pei Luo hurried to prepare breakfast. The previous night, she had promised to deliver the fox meat to Wang the carpenter. Due to the events of the evening, she hadn’t yet skinned the fox. Fortunately, the space preserved freshness, so the fox meat was still perfectly fine, preventing Old Madam Lu from attempting to snatch it.
After breakfast, Pei Luo skillfully skinned the fox and delivered the meat to Wang. He didn’t complain for the delay; instead, he complimented her knife skills. Just by looking at the meat, he could tell her skinning technique was highly professional.
Pei Luo politely exchanged a few words and then returned home. After settling the children, she planned to sell the fox pelt and the herbs she had collected to earn some silver. She also wanted to renovate their house. The current one was too dilapidated. Although it could barely withstand the summer heat, a heavy winter snowfall would likely collapse the thatched roof. Before winter arrived, she wanted to rebuild it properly, so their small family of three would have a safe shelter.
Even though she had medical skills from her previous life, she couldn’t use them openly. There were no female doctors here, and in her current poor appearance, people would probably think she was a madwoman. Besides, in the ongoing wars of the Great Qi Kingdom, most commoners were struggling just to eat. Who would have money or trust to seek treatment from an unknown healer like her?
For now, her best way to earn silver while also accumulating merit points was practicing medicine. Although it wasn’t immediately profitable, she wasn’t worried. Dashan Village was backed by a vast mountain range, and with her space to store resources, survival in this ancient era wasn’t a problem. The accumulation of merit points would have to wait and be explored step by step.
Only Aunt Pang had a cow cart in the village, which made trips to the county town of Anping every other day. Villagers from nearby settlements also used these trips for trade.
The small county town wasn’t very large but was lively, especially during the bi-daily market on North Street. However, the bustle wasn’t from prosperity—it came from necessity. People brought their goods to exchange for food, farm tools, handmade crafts, firewood, livestock, or even—tragically—daughters. In this era, girls were considered least valuable.
Pei Luo scanned the market but didn’t linger. She headed straight to a larger-looking fur and leather shop. Summer wasn’t the best season for fur trade, so there were few customers.
The shopkeeper was counting beads on an abacus when Pei Luo entered. He looked her over but showed no disdain. Politely, he asked,
“Miss, are you here to buy or sell materials?”
Pei Luo didn’t hide her intention. She showed him the fresh fox pelt from her basket.
“Shopkeeper, I have a fox pelt and two rabbit skins to sell. Would you be interested?”
The shopkeeper nodded, examined the fox pelt carefully, and praised its quality.
“This is a premium red fox pelt. High-quality large pelts like this are rare. We will certainly purchase it. The two rabbit skins are slightly mixed in color and somewhat damaged, so we can’t offer a high price, but if you wish, we can take them together.”
Pei Luo was satisfied with the honest tone.
“What price can you offer? If it’s suitable, I’ll bring all future pelts my husband hunts here to sell.”
The shopkeeper smiled.
“Miss, our Qianxi Pavilion has over thirty branches across the Great Qi Kingdom. We’ve built our reputation on honest business. This red fox pelt would have been worth at least forty taels of silver a few years ago. But as you know, the situation in the kingdom has changed; fur trade is far less lucrative now. Considering the two rabbit skins, we can offer thirty taels in total. Does that satisfy you?”
Thirty taels was more than fair. In her previous life, ordinary mixed-fur fox skins were only worth a few taels, and even premium white fox skins were similar in value. The two rabbit skins likely added less than one tael, which is why the shopkeeper bundled them.
Pei Luo nodded, satisfied.
“In that case, thank you, shopkeeper.”