Jiang Yuyan smiled. “Yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking—the century-old ginseng. With this, Big Brother won’t have to worry about money for his leg treatment.”
Jiang Father and Mother were moved. “Little one, you picked this ginseng yourself—how can you—”
“Mother, you’re wrong. If it weren’t for Third Brother, I probably couldn’t have gone up the mountain alone, collected so many herbs, and even found the ginseng.”
Jiang Murong couldn’t hide his excitement. “Mother, she’s not an outsider. Be careful, you might make her sad.”
“You kids—”
After finishing their meal, Jiang Yuyan went to her room to change clothes and freshen up.
While she washed up, Jiang Murong brought food to Big Brother. He carefully took out some coins he had saved in a mouse hole, wrapped with a delicate hair ornament.
Jiang Muxuan paused when he saw Third Brother holding the ornament.
“Where did you get this? Wasn’t it the gift you originally bought for Jiang Yue? And didn’t you say you’d never take it out again after she ran off?”
Jiang Murong carefully brushed off the dust, holding it tenderly in his palm.
“Big Brother, I don’t have money to buy a gift for Sister. I should have given it to her the day she returned, but—” He felt both resentment and fear.
Resentment at Jiang Yue, who had stolen all the family money and acted like a heartless ingrate.
Fear that this seemingly more beautiful than city-born sister might also leave someday, thinking she couldn’t stay here.
Jiang Muxuan asked, “What happened today with her? You’re calling her ‘Sister’ directly now—something Jiang Yue never had the right to.”
Jiang Murong rolled his eyes at his elder brother.
“Hmph, Sister is nothing like that heartless Jiang Yue. Big Brother, today she collected so many herbs, knows them well, and even found ginseng. With this ginseng, your leg—”
Jiang Muxuan interrupted. “That’s hers. How can you be sure she’ll sell it to pay for your treatment?”
Jiang Murong was speechless.
“She said—”
“Hah! I didn’t expect you, Jiang Murong, to be so naive. Hasn’t Jiang Yue’s betrayal taught you enough?”
Jiang Murong opened his mouth to explain, but didn’t know what to say. Finally, he mumbled, “Sister would definitely keep her word.”
Saying this, he took the hair ornament and went out.
Jiang Muxuan put down his chopsticks, staring at his immobile legs, a sardonic smile on his face.
“No, a decade of trust doesn’t just vanish overnight. She’s only been here a few days—there’s no way…”
Jiang Yuyan shivered and was about to get onto the kang when the door was knocked.
“Third Brother? Are you looking for me?”
Jiang Murong hesitated, holding out the ornament to his fair-skinned, ethereal-looking sister. The delicate piece suddenly felt too precious to give.
Jiang Yuyan took it from his hand, eyes lighting up.
“Wow, what a beautiful ornament! Is it for me? Thank you, Third Brother, it’s so pretty.”
She carefully tied it into her hair, though it ended up slightly crooked since she couldn’t see properly.
“How is it? Third Brother, does it look good?”
The red ornament brightened her hair, enhancing her delicate smile and pale skin, making her even more radiant.
Jiang Murong nodded blankly. “Beautiful, Sister—this really suits you. When I find even prettier ornaments, I’ll buy them for you too.”
Jiang Yuyan’s eyes curved in a smile, knowing he wasn’t lying or trying to trick her.
“Thank you, Third Brother.”
The next day, Jiang Yuyan wanted to deal with Big Brother’s leg injury as soon as possible. She woke Jiang Murong early, planning to go to town together and sell the century-old ginseng.
With this money, she could take Big Brother to a city hospital, use the remaining funds for their business, and continue collecting herbs at home.
To leave before the villagers were awake, they set out before 4:30 a.m., only telling their mother they were going to town.
Without a cart, they had to walk.
After two hours, they reached the town’s largest medical clinic before sunrise.
At the front desk was a small intern who stood and greeted them cheerfully.
“Hello, are you here for treatment or to buy medicine?”
Jiang Yuyan raised her eyebrows, surprised by the clinic’s popularity.
“Do you accept herbs? Red—cough, red herbs?”
She had almost said “red fruit,” but stopped herself, unsure of the local name. Her knowledge of herbs came from the 25th century, where many had vanished or had different names.
The intern glanced briefly but didn’t answer, instead calling out to the back courtyard: “Doctor Wu, someone is here to sell herbs.”
Jiang Yuyan and Jiang Murong froze.
“Idiot! If you’re selling herbs, put in some effort! Can’t even recognize simple herbs. Go out and don’t say you’re from here—so embarrassing!”
A white-bearded old man scolded the intern, clearly frustrated yet caring.
He looked at Jiang Yuyan’s herbs, and for once, his expression softened.
“You harvested carefully. The roots are intact. I can take them. These are rare—three mao per jin. Sell?”
Jiang Murong’s heart raced. This herb was worth so much?
Jiang Yuyan didn’t lower the price. “Thank you, Doctor Wu, we’ll sell. By the way, can we speak privately?”
Doctor Wu nodded, accustomed to such reactions.
In a quiet corner, Jiang Yuyan unwrapped the century-old ginseng.
At a casual glance, the old man nearly jumped. A closer inspection confirmed it—genuine century-old ginseng. He almost swore in shock.
“How… how could you just wrap this like that?” Doctor Wu took it carefully, treating it as precious.
Jiang Yuyan laughed shyly. “We don’t have proper storage at home. Will you buy it?”
If she weren’t short on money, she wouldn’t sell it. Century-old ginseng was incredibly rare. To find one was a stroke of luck.
Doctor Wu looked at her. “Are you really willing to sell it? This could be life-saving.”
“Sell it. If it’s useless to us, it should go to someone who needs it.”
“Alright. The situation is better than before. I won’t lie—you can have 15,000 coins. I know someone urgently needing this to save a life. Market price is about 10,000.”
“They are wealthy and influential. For them, money isn’t as important as life. If you agree, I can pay you now.”
When Jiang Yuyan emerged, the intern had already weighed the herbs. A full basket earned them two big coins.
“Little Sister, I didn’t expect these herbs to be so valuable. When we return, I’ll gather all the Bituhong from Shishan.”
Jiang Yuyan agreed. “Third Brother, the house has nothing. Let’s buy some food before heading back.”