“Husband, are you planning to go hunting in the mountains?”
Qiu Huang nodded.
“Of course. If I don’t hunt, how am I supposed to support all of you?”
The twins’ eyes immediately lit up.
From what they had seen so far, Qiu Huang didn’t seem like the type who was lazy and unwilling to work. Compared to the drifters who spent their days eating, drinking, gambling, and beating their wives, he was far better.
Life was hard these days, but as long as there wasn’t anyone lazy in the family, it should still be possible to get by.
“If possible, make a few more bows. We can bring them along and hunt more game.”
“Alright, alright.”
The two women happily went off to make bamboo bows and arrows.
When the other women heard about it, they also joined in and helped make bamboo bows and arrows.
As for Qiu Huang, he continued practicing archery and grinding his proficiency.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Archery has successfully leveled up. The range of the Arrow God’s Blessing has expanded to ten meters. Within ten meters, your hit rate is 100%.]
[The next upgrade requires 1,000 proficiency points.]
Finally, it had leveled up.
Hearing the notification in his mind, Qiu Huang let out a long breath.
After half a day of practice, he had successfully upgraded his archery skill. The Arrow God’s Blessing now covered a range of ten meters.
In other words, as long as prey came within ten meters, he could hit it with absolute certainty.
Although ten meters wasn’t particularly far, it was already enough for his current needs.
Besides, the next level required 1,000 proficiency points, which wasn’t something he could grind out in a day or two.
Soon, evening arrived.
Qiu Huang washed up and climbed into bed.
At the moment, there was only one bed in the house, so naturally it belonged to him.
The other women slept on bedding spread across the floor.
None of them complained about the arrangement because they understood that Qiu Huang had an important responsibility—to continue the family line.
The Tianfeng Kingdom was currently in chaos.
Large numbers of people were dying, and the nation desperately needed population growth.
As a result, having children had become one of the most important duties of every household.
“Husband.”
Just after he lay down, Tang Shiyi entered with her head lowered.
Her small hands nervously tugged at her clothes, and she seemed completely at a loss.
Looking at her, Qiu Huang naturally understood why she had come.
“Come here.”
He wasn’t some saint who suppressed all desires.
She was his wife, and in this world their marriage was completely lawful.
Of course, things would be very different in modern society.
Tang Shiyi hesitated and remained rooted in place.
Qiu Huang didn’t rush her.
He knew she wasn’t mentally prepared yet.
Besides, this was her first time.
Feeling shy was only natural, and as a man, he felt he should be patient.
After a while, she seemed to gather her courage.
Slowly, she walked over to the bedside.
Qiu Huang reached out and pulled her onto the bed.
“Husband, don’t…”
Like a startled rabbit, Tang Shiyi trembled slightly, her face flushed red.
“Do you really mean that?”
Qiu Huang leaned close and whispered near her ear.
Tang Shiyi immediately lowered her head, too embarrassed to look at him.
Her face grew even redder, all the way to her ears and neck.
Seeing her reaction, Qiu Huang understood.
He reached out and gently caressed her.
Tang Shiyi shifted slightly and offered a token resistance before eventually becoming still.
The night passed quietly.
…
Day and night alternated, and morning soon arrived.
Qiu Huang was awakened by the sound of a rooster crowing.
Opening his eyes, he found that Tang Shiyi was still asleep beside him.
Carefully getting out of bed, he looked at her sleeping form.
She appeared exhausted and would likely need several days to fully recover.
“Was I a little too rough last night?”
Looking at Tang Shiyi’s petite frame, Qiu Huang felt somewhat guilty.
He had overlooked an important fact.
Tang Shiyi was physically weak and malnourished.
She was a delicate young woman.
Meanwhile, he possessed the strength of ten adults.
The difference between them was enormous.
“Looks like hunting is absolutely necessary. I need to get meat and proper food for them so they can improve their health.”
Without disturbing her sleep, Qiu Huang quietly got up and walked outside.
“Husband.”
The other women were already awake and preparing breakfast.
“Why are you the only one here? Where’s Shiyi?” Yan Roujun asked.
Qiu Huang replied,
“She’s still asleep. She was tired yesterday, so let her rest a little longer.”
Tired?
Hearing that, the women exchanged strange looks.
There was an old saying that went, there are only exhausted oxen, never overworked fields.
Yet somehow, with Qiu Huang, it seemed to be the opposite.
Was he really that strong?
Qiu Huang ignored their thoughts and said,
“Let me explain today’s plan. Our main task today is to find food—gather as much food as possible.”
Among all necessities, food was the most important.
It was also the most urgent problem they needed to solve.
Only after securing food could they focus on other matters.
“Husband, what arrangements do you have in mind?”
Qiu Huang thought for a moment before answering.
“My plan is this: three people will accompany me into the mountains to hunt. Four people will gather wild vegetables. The remaining three will stay home to guard the house and prevent theft or other trouble.”
This was where having many people showed its advantage.
Small households simply didn’t have enough manpower to split up and handle multiple tasks at once.
“How should we divide the groups?”
Qiu Huang replied,
“Yufei, Yuwei, and Meiling will come with me to hunt.”
“Roujun, Roujiao, Shiyun, and Yuanyuan will gather wild vegetables.”
“Yuexue, Feng’er, and Shiyi will stay behind and watch the house.”
He chose Song Yuwei and Song Yufei because they were physically stronger than the others and could better handle mountain travel.
As for Wanyan Meiling, he had checked her basic information and discovered that she came from a hunter’s family.
She knew how to use a bow and had experience hunting.
Bringing her along would improve their chances of success.
The women exchanged glances.
None of them objected.
Qiu Huang was the head of the household, and his decisions were final.
“If there are no objections, let’s eat. Once breakfast is finished, we’ll begin.”
An hour later, Qiu Huang led Song Yuwei, Song Yufei, and Wanyan Meiling into the mountains.
They carried several bows and dozens of arrows made the previous day.
At the same time, Yan Roujun, Yan Roujiao, Murong Shiyun, and Chen Yuanyuan set out with baskets and bamboo backpacks to gather wild vegetables.