Black Spirit Ginseng, also known as Chicken Mushroom Gallbladder, is said to be the ultimate form of the Chicken Mushroom, growing in abandoned ant nests. It is considered a medicinal herb even more precious than ginseng. To obtain it, one must first locate an abandoned ant nest and dig through the thick soil, yet even the most diligent efforts often yield nothing, leaving the nests overturned but empty.
Jian Jia examined the ginseng again. There were fourteen pieces in total, the largest about half the size of her palm, and the smallest only slightly larger than her thumb. Oval in shape, the ginseng was jet black, its surface like polished ink jade dusted with yellow soil, releasing a distinctive earthy aroma.
Even without extensive knowledge, Jian Jia could tell they were high-quality specimens. Fourteen pieces weighed over two jin, and it was because of them that Hunter Qin had nearly not made it back.
Her gaze was complex as she recalled Hunter Qin’s words: “With these, your dowry money will be covered.”
Yesterday, when he had handed her the ginseng, she hadn’t understood the connection to the dowry. Only after descending the mountain did it dawn on her: previously, she had used her own “dowry” to redeem Junjun, and in Hunter Qin’s view, those five liang of silver were her dowry. As a man, he felt embarrassed to use a woman’s dowry and had been looking for a way to repay it.
Jian Jia pursed her lips and carefully placed the ginseng at the bottom of her backpack. As a modern woman without romantic or marital experience, she had no attachment to the notion of a dowry. To her, the five liang of silver had been entirely coincidental, provided by the village chief of Jianjia Village to fund Jian Xiaoqiang and his wife’s future travels. If she guessed correctly, the silver originated from the fifteen liang of bride price Hunter Qin had given.
Using Hunter Qin’s own money to redeem his horse was a perfectly ordinary arrangement, and she had even forgotten it, yet he had remembered it all along.
She carefully pushed the door open; the sky was still dark. Slipping the backpack onto her shoulders, she tiptoed out of the house. Her footsteps stirred Da Hei, who wagged his tail and pressed his furry head into her palm. Jian Jia stroked his head softly, lowering her voice: “Da Hei, can you take me to the fork in the mountain road?”
She needed to go to Jiming Town to exchange the fresh ginseng for silver, buy medicine to treat Hunter Qin’s and Second Uncle’s injuries, and replenish the pills for Qin Lang’s health.
Da Hei trotted ahead, tail wagging, while Jian Jia followed with her backpack and lantern. The flickering candlelight danced across the path, dew on the grass falling as her dress swept through it, but with Da Hei by her side, she did not feel afraid.
By the time the sky lightened to a pale gray, she extinguished the lantern. After walking for about half an hour, she emerged from the mountains onto a dirt road roughly four feet wide—the main government road of Dajing. Following this road south would lead directly to Jiming Town. For the convenience of travelers, the government stationed ox carts at nearby towns; anyone willing to pay a small fee could ride to the next town.
Jian Jia stood at the fork, gazing north along the road. To reach Jiming Town to the south, she had to wait for an ox cart coming from the north. Soon, in the dim morning light, a yellow figure appeared: an ox pulling a cart, treading through the dew. A copper bell hung from its neck, ringing softly with each step.
As the ox drew nearer, Jian Jia patted Da Hei’s head again. “Thank you for coming with me, Da Hei. Wait here until I return. Don’t run around, and hide if you see strangers.”
Da Hei wagged his tail and bounded back along the path, disappearing from sight shortly after. Jian Jia shifted her focus to the approaching cart.
Though she had only seen such ox carts in the original owner’s memory, this was her first time riding one herself. Nervous but curious, she waved to the driver. “Wait, sir, I want to go to Jiming Town.”
The driver, an elderly man with swollen eyelids, replied weakly, “Six small coins.”
After handing over the coins, Jian Jia climbed into the cart. Without curtains, the interior was fully visible. The rectangular cart had two rows of wooden planks along each side as seats. Five people were sitting on the polished boards, with bamboo baskets and wicker trays piled in the middle, full of various mountain goods. A hen poked its head out from one basket, pecking at fruit in another.
The mix of smells made Jian Jia’s head spin.
Seeing her, the passengers instinctively shifted to make room. A matronly woman near the door shouted to a man inside, “Help her with her basket!”
Upon noticing the contents, everyone in the cart laughed. “Miss, your mushrooms won’t sell well; many have already flowered.”
Jian Jia smiled. “Yes, it’s my first time. I’m just testing the waters.” The mushrooms were from the back mountain and not in prime condition. They were merely a cover to conceal the ginseng deep in the basket. No clever thief could find and steal the ginseng beneath so many mushrooms.
The ox cart rocked gently, slow but easier than walking. Passengers got on and off along the way, chatting with familiar or unfamiliar faces. Despite the strong smells, Jian Jia enjoyed the atmosphere.
After half an hour, the cart stopped outside a tea house at the entrance to Jiming Town. Passengers retrieved their belongings and went their separate ways. Though it was Jian Jia’s first visit, she recognized the town. Jiming Town was the largest in the surrounding ten li and was frequently visited by the original owner.
She adjusted her bearings and headed toward the largest pharmacy in town.
Selling the ginseng went surprisingly smoothly. She had expected the pharmacist to haggle, but the price list was publicly posted. Hunter Qin had selected high-quality ginseng, selling for 2 liang 8 qian per jin. Her fourteen pieces brought 6 liang 5 qian silver.
After deducting costs for injury medicine and health pills for Qin Lang, she netted 5 liang 7 qian silver. Holding such a sum thrilled her, a joy reminiscent of receiving a sudden year-end bonus in her previous life. Her smile remained as she clutched the money, and the unease caused by Hunter Qin’s injury vanished.
In high spirits, everything looked more vivid, the world in high definition, even the complex scents in the air seeming more tangible. She hummed softly, already planning how to use the money.
Since she had come to Jiming Town, she would buy household necessities. With summer approaching, her family’s clothing could be prepared.
Brewing the pills would take about an hour, so she decided to first sell the mushrooms and then explore the town.
Every morning, locals gathered on the old street to sell mountain goods. Jian Jia, carrying her basket, arrived late, missing the prime spots and with mushrooms not fresh enough for high prices. Still, her low prices were irresistible, and she sold half a basket for eight copper coins.
Feeling satisfied, she held the coins happily. From that moment, she no longer saw herself as a struggling seller, but a joyful shopper. The unregulated market offered a colorful variety, requiring keen eyes to spot valuable items.
Among the goods, she first noticed a small cart. Strictly speaking, it was a toddler’s walking aid, shaped like a crab. The square cart body served as the seat, a wooden board across the middle for a child to sit. Below, eight crab legs connected, moving rhythmically with a “clack” sound when pulled along.
Jian Jia was captivated. Touching her money pouch, she convinced herself that she would buy many heavy items, which this cart would help carry, and that Qin Lang could play in it.
After resolving her thoughts, she approached the vendor and acquired a length of hemp rope. She led the cart with herself in front and the crab-shaped cart clacking behind, feeling like the most dazzling presence on the street.
The old street was short. By the time Jian Jia exited, the cart was half-full with vegetables she had never seen, unusual seeds, and unfamiliar food.
She turned onto an adjacent street with fewer vendors but containing clothing and general stores she wanted to visit. As she walked, a voice called, “Jia’er? Is that you?”
Looking toward the voice, she saw a familiar face under a willow tree in the pavilion: a girl in pale yellow, delicate features, large deer-like eyes, and shallow dimples on her cheeks, smiling sweetly. Anyone seeing her would feel uplifted.
However, Jian Jia’s previously bright mood immediately darkened. This was Liu Siyao, the heroine of Pastoral Pampered Love, naive and pure-hearted.
Liu Siyao smiled warmly, approaching Jian Jia. “Jia’er, long time no see! I heard you’re married. Where’s your husband?”
Jian Jia smoothed her hair and nodded gracefully. “Long time no see. Are you here shopping?”
Seeing Jian Jia hesitate, Liu Siyao linked her arm around hers, tilting her head and smiling. “Yes, the clothing store just received a lovely patterned fabric. Brother Lingsheng is helping me choose.”
Jian Jia glanced toward the store and saw a graceful scholar walking out, holding a mismatched pink fabric.
She calmly averted her gaze, pretending not to see him, looking instead at the clear blue sky, muttering to herself: Had she ignored the almanac today? Why did she run into these two? Such bad luck!