For the daily chores she did, Zhou Qingling had already become quite skilled.
At the moment, she was washing clothes by the river, listening to the village women around her chatting about the latest gossip in the village—nothing more than family matters and a few scandalous love affairs.
She could not help but think of a saying from her previous life: there was no wall in the countryside that did not leak secrets.
Just last night, someone had climbed into Widow Zhao’s house, and by morning the news had already spread everywhere. The speed of gossip was astonishing.
It was not at all inferior to modern communication.
Zhou Qingling quickly finished washing the clothes and returned home, hanging them on a hemp rope to dry.
After that, she picked up her usual gear—a basket and a sickle—and headed up the mountain.
The air here was truly refreshing. Before the sun rose, mist lingered among the mountains, as if she were in a fairyland.
While collecting firewood, she admired the scenery. Occasionally, she could hear wild chickens calling from a distance.
However, she did not pay much attention. With her small frame, picking up a few feathers would already be lucky—catching one was impossible.
She was very self-aware. If something was beyond her ability, she would not force it.
Unknowingly, she had walked further into the mountain than usual. Just as she was about to turn back, she unexpectedly saw vines not far away.
She quickly walked over. This… this looked like honeysuckle, and some of it had already bloomed.
She did not know its exact medicinal uses, but she knew it was an herb.
Zhou Qingling poured out the wild vegetables from her basket, picked up a wooden stick, and tapped around the vines to make sure there were no snakes. Only then did she begin harvesting.
Although she did not understand herbs, she had modern-life experience. In her previous life, she had seen colleagues brew it into tea and had even followed the trend to buy some herself. She knew that unopened buds were more valuable than flowers and had stronger medicinal effects, so she first picked the unopened ones.
While picking, Zhou Qingling muttered inwardly. She did not know whether the pharmacy would accept it. Well, it did not matter—she would just collect it first. Even if they refused, she would only waste some effort and lose nothing.
She needed money now. Without money, she always felt uneasy.
Two hours passed unknowingly. The basket was nearly half full of honeysuckle. She lifted it and estimated it weighed more than ten jin.
Tomorrow she would go to town, and the walk alone would take an hour and a half. If it was too heavy, she would not be able to carry it at all.
Zhou Qingling picked large leaves, spread them on the ground, and poured the honeysuckle onto them. Then she covered it with some wild grass.
After checking carefully and confirming it was well hidden with no flaws, she also placed the firewood she had collected into the bushes. That pile would serve as proof of her “task completion” tomorrow.
With a bit of time left, she needed to quickly gather another bundle of firewood.
Perhaps because she now had the small goal of earning money, Zhou Qingling felt unusually energetic that day.
Even so, despite her efforts, she still returned home late.
When she arrived, Mother Zhou and Second Elder Sister Zhou Qingcha were cooking in the kitchen. She washed her hands and quickly slipped in to help.
Because she had rushed back, Zhou Qingling’s small face was flushed red, and her forehead was covered in sweat.
Mother Zhou shot her a sharp glare and said unhappily: “You wretched girl, where have you been fooling around? You still know how to come back?”
Zhou Qingling immediately put on an expression of guilt and quickly took over the work in Mother Zhou’s hands, saying obediently: “I went a bit further into the mountains today. I won’t do it next time.”
She did not want to reveal that she was a soul from another world and still maintained the same personality as the original owner.
Living together day after day required constant vigilance.
During her initial arrival, she had not changed anything because she did not understand the situation and did not dare to act rashly. Now she still did not change much because she lacked the courage.
This was a feudal era. People believed in superstition. If she changed too much and was treated as a monster, the Zhou family parents could easily take her life.
This was an era without human rights, where children were merely extensions of their parents. They could be beaten or scolded at will.
As always, Zhou Ling was just an ordinary person. She did not have the ability to change history, stir up storms, or attract nobles, princes, or young masters. She had no martial arts skills, no medical knowledge, and could not even carry fifty jin of rice. She was weak, timid, and afraid of trouble. Even arguing with village women was something she did not dare to imagine.
She only wanted to remain invisible in this household and live a stable life. Only by not being noticed and not being guarded against could she one day quietly achieve the life she wanted.
Because Zhou Qingling had something on her mind, she got up early the next day.
Zhou Qingcha, who slept in the same room, glanced outside at the sky and felt displeased, thinking: “A life meant for labor.” Then she turned over and went back to sleep.
Zhou Qingling first cleaned the chicken coop and pigpen, then went to gather pig fodder. Walking along the rural path, the morning wind brushed against her face with a slight chill, mixed with dew and the fragrance of grass and trees. A few stars still lingered in the sky before being washed away by daylight.
The fields stretched in patches, with crops growing vigorously.
By the time she finished gathering pig fodder, the sky was already bright.
Clothes in rural households were not washed often because each wash caused wear and tear, so people treasured them. Since she had washed clothes and collected firewood the day before, she had more time today, enough to go to town.
After the whole family finished breakfast and those going to school or the fields left, she quickly carried her basket up the mountain, retrieved the honeysuckle she had hidden yesterday, and then headed toward town.
Zhou Qingling did not pass through the village but instead walked around its outer edge.
Although the distance increased, it allowed her to avoid villagers and unnecessary trouble. She felt it was worthwhile.
Her first small goal after transmigration—going into town—was about to be achieved.
Today was not market day; market days were the 4th and 8th, which reduced the chances of meeting villagers.
She hurried along the road, trying to reach town as early as possible.
Just when she felt her mouth was almost producing blood foam from walking, she finally arrived. Looking at the words on the city gate—“Xihe Town”—she noticed the characters resembled traditional Chinese script.
Zhou Qingling could barely recognize them. She had been worried she might become illiterate in this unfamiliar era.
Without further delay, she entered the town. This was her first time seeing an ancient town. It was indeed antique and classical, though not as clean and bright as modern TV dramas. Still, it carried a strong historical atmosphere.
Shops lined both sides of the street, with small groups of people entering and browsing.
Zhou Qingling did not stop to admire it. She went straight to the pharmacy. During her time washing clothes by the river, she had heard much gossip and learned that there were two medical shops in town. One of them, Xingling Hall, had a good reputation and affordable prices, so most poor villagers went there.
It was said that over a decade ago, a hunter from the village had found a piece of lingzhi mushroom and sold it there. Even now, villagers still talked about it with envy.
However, she did not know the exact location, so after asking two older women, she finally found it.
Zhou Qingling entered the pharmacy and saw a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old apprentice inside, sorting herbs.
The apprentice looked up and asked calmly, neither warmly nor coldly: “Consultation or medicine pickup?”
Zhou Qingling smiled, revealing a row of small tiger teeth, and asked: “Doctor, do you accept honeysuckle?” As she spoke, she took off her basket and handed a handful to him.
Perhaps because she addressed him as “doctor.” the apprentice could not help but lift the corners of his mouth, a trace of pride showing, though he still modestly replied: “I am not a doctor yet!”
Zhou Qingling immediately responded: “Your skill in handling herbs is so practiced and smooth. Even if you are not now, you will surely become a famous healer who benefits the villagers in the future.”
Flattery never failed to work. She was simply laying the groundwork.
The apprentice laughed. “You are quite a talkative girl.”
He examined the honeysuckle and looked into the basket, finding it all the same quality, showing satisfaction.
“Not bad. These are all buds. Previously, we bought buds and flowers together for two copper coins per jin. Yours are all unopened buds, so they should sell for three coins.”
“I’ll go ask our shopkeeper.”
The pharmacy often bought medicinal herbs from nearby villagers. As an experienced worker, he could make decisions for common herbs, but still needed approval from the shopkeeper.
He took a handful and walked to the back room.
Hearing the price, Zhou Qingling could not help but curl her lips slightly. It was really cheap. Money truly had always been difficult to earn.
Still, she felt relieved. As long as it could be sold, her effort had not been wasted.
Soon, the apprentice returned and said: “The shopkeeper said that although it is not dried, the quality is acceptable, so we will take it at three coins per jin.”
Zhou Qingling did not actually know the market price, but seeing the apprentice’s clear eyes and Xingling Hall’s reputation, she believed they would not cheat her over such a small amount.
She smiled sweetly and said: “I trust that you are fair and honest. The price is reasonable. I agree. I still have more at home—may I bring more next time?”
Seeing her patched clothing but bright and clear eyes, the apprentice assumed her family was very poor. Since they were going to purchase herbs anyway, he agreed.
They weighed it together—11.7 jin in total. The apprentice rounded it up and gave her 36 copper coins.
She had no purse, having never owned money before, so she carefully wrapped the coins in her clothes.
After leaving the pharmacy, she felt slightly unsteady, as if walking on air. She had truly earned money. Touching the copper coins, she felt an indescribable joy.
She tried to compose herself and first went to a cloth shop, spending two coins on the simplest pouch to store her money.
Originally, she intended to return to the village immediately, but a fragrance drifted over, and she unconsciously swallowed. Looking around, she saw a wonton stall ahead.
She had been eating plain food for so long—truly plain food, without salt, because salt was expensive here.
It was so simple that even pickled vegetables were a luxury.
Heaven knew how much she craved fatty meat.
Her feet unconsciously moved toward the stall. It was noon, the busiest eating time, and many people were already seated. She ordered a bowl.
Soon, a steaming bowl of wontons was served.
Zhou Qingling was already drooling. She blew on the spoon twice and took a bite.
“So delicious.”
No matter the era, money solved most problems—especially cravings.
She finished the entire bowl, even drinking the soup, and paid six coins. With 28 coins left, she did not linger and immediately headed back toward Yangliu Village.