Back at the temple, Huamei’s eyes widened when she saw the large chunk of fresh meat.
“Miss… you… you hunted a wild boar?”
“It ran into a tree itself,” Su Jinse replied casually, then sent her to handle the ingredients.
With the meat, that night’s meal became much more sumptuous. Stewed pork, tender and flavorful, paired with fresh mushrooms and vegetables, filled the air with an irresistible aroma.
The two of them ate to their hearts’ content.
The Dragon Scale Grass had been planted in the center of the vegetable plot. Su Jinse devoted a portion of her abilities to nurture it day and night, hoping it would grow quickly.
After several days, seeing that the vegetables were ready to harvest and the mushrooms partially dried for storage, Su Jinse decided it was time to go down the mountain.
The town of Qingshi at the foot of the mountain was the only market within a hundred miles.
The two changed into clean clothes. Su Jinse covered half her face with a cloth, leaving only her cold, clear eyes visible. Huamei carried a large basket filled with vibrant vegetables, radishes, and prepared mushrooms.
Thanks to Su Jinse’s abilities, these vegetables looked and tasted far superior to the best in the market. Their leaves shimmered with freshness, as if still covered in morning dew.
Once in town, the excellent-looking produce immediately drew attention.
They set up their stall in a corner, and people quickly gathered.
“Girl, how much for these vegetables?” asked a woman carrying a basket.
Huamei was about to answer, but Su Jinse’s calm voice spoke first: “Green vegetables three wen per jin, radishes two wen, mushrooms ten wen.”
The crowd went silent for a moment, then erupted in surprise.
“Three wen? Are you crazy? The best vegetables in town only cost two wen per jin!” shouted a tall, thin man.
“Right, are these vegetables made of gold?”
“You’re from out of town, right? You must be mad for money!”
Despite the rising murmurs, Su Jinse remained unmoved, standing quietly.
Huamei started to respond, but a glance from Su Jinse stopped her.
The woman who first asked the question stepped forward and picked up a head of green vegetables.
“Oh!”
The moment she held it, she gasped. The vegetable was heavy, with thick, glossy leaves and plump roots. Squeezing it released moisture, and the fragrance was rich yet sweet, instantly whetting her appetite.
“These vegetables… are different,” she muttered, then nodded firmly. “Alright, I’ll take two jin of green vegetables and a big radish.”
She quickly pulled out her money pouch.
Seeing her action, others in the crowd cautiously approached.
A man snapped off a small piece of a white radish and tasted it. His eyes widened. “Wow! Sweet! Like fruit!”
“These mushrooms smell amazing. I’ll take half a jin to let my husband try.”
“My turn! I want this head of green vegetables!”
The stall quickly descended into chaos. Those who previously complained about the price now hurriedly paid, afraid they wouldn’t get any.
“Slow down, one at a time!”
Huamei, flustered but excited, hurried to weigh the vegetables and collect the money. Her small face flushed from excitement and exertion.
In less than half an hour, the basket was empty, leaving only a few radishes.
Huamei crouched and poured the coins onto a cloth, counting them carefully, then counted again to be sure. Her eyes shone as she looked up and stammered, “Miss! Three… three hundred twenty wen! We earned three hundred twenty wen!”
Three hundred twenty wen could buy several jin of coarse salt and dozens of jin of coarse rice—enough to survive the coming winter comfortably.
Su Jinse looked at her excited young maid with a hint of softness and nodded.
Just as she was about to tell Huamei to close the stall and buy supplies, a frivolous yet arrogant voice rang from the crowd, commanding attention.
“Stop right there.”
Everyone turned, automatically making way.
A young man in luxurious brocade, holding a folding fan and flanked by two servants, approached. He glanced at the nearly empty stall, frowned, and pointed at Su Jinse and Huamei.
“I’ll take all the vegetables you just sold.”
The young man’s eyes swept over the masked Su Jinse with a lewd curiosity.
“Sorry, already sold out,” Su Jinse replied coldly.
“Sold out?” The young man raised an eyebrow, noticing the few remaining radishes in the basket. “If I say I want them, I get them!”
He gestured for his servants to take the vegetables.