“Cousin, is it good?”
Jian An, who was chewing meat, couldn’t speak, but he nodded frantically.
Receiving the approval, Jian Shan was satisfied. “Then I’ll go.”
There was still a piece of meat in his bowl, along with a small amount of rice soaked in broth. He planned to go back and add some rice, mix it in properly, otherwise it would be gone if he was even a little slow. He never doubted his brothers’ appetites.
But before he could even take a step, Jian An grabbed him.
Smiling, he said, “Jian Shan, this meat is so good I almost swallowed my tongue. Let’s make a deal—can your big brother take just half a bite?”
Jian Shan immediately hugged his bowl tightly and blocked him. “I only have one piece left.”
“Big brother knows, that’s why I’m only asking for half.”
Jian Shan shook his head. “I’m eating this piece myself.”
Jian An gritted his teeth. “You let me take one bite, and I’ll find you five wild chicken eggs later!”
“Ten.”
“Fine!”
Carefully, Jian Shan picked up his last piece and handed it over. Jian An immediately took a big bite without hesitation.
Seeing only a small half left, Jian Shan looked at him resentfully. Jian An laughed awkwardly. “Accidentally bit too much.”
“Fifteen chicken eggs!”
“No problem—but I’ll give them slowly.”
“Alright.”
..
After enjoying today’s meal, they also had to prepare dry rations for tomorrow.
What He Wanqing made this time was rice balls, and this time they were filled with white sugar.
After so many days on the road, it was time to let the kids have something sweet.
She let the children boil water and wash up by themselves, then went straight to Shitou’s mother’s house.
“You’re here, sister. The hot water is already ready. You can wash in that shed.”
To make sure she felt at ease, Shitou’s mother even moved a chair and sat by the door.
He Wanqing felt warm inside.
After a comfortable bath, she came out holding her dirty clothes.
“Sister, where do you usually wash clothes?”
“I usually go to the river, but it’s too late today. Just wash it in the yard.”
“No need. That wastes water, and your husband already works hard fetching water.”
“It’s fine. Your clothes won’t use much water anyway.”
Without another word, Shitou’s mother poured several ladles of water into the basin and gestured for her to start washing.
So He Wanqing stopped being polite and sat on a small stool to scrub.
They chatted while she washed.
“Sister, where are you all headed?”
“To Xuannan Province.”
“That’s soon—you just pass Wuning Prefecture and you’ll reach Xuannan.”
“Yes… we’re finally getting close.”
Only after traveling a few days, He Wanqing already felt how hard it was—let alone others who had endured much longer.
After a full day of exhaustion, she finally lay comfortably on the wooden bed at night, even rolling over happily.
She never would’ve believed it—she was actually satisfied sleeping on a wooden bed now. In her previous life? Tsk tsk.
“Cock-a-doodle-doo—”
Under the crowing of the rooster, the group bid farewell to Taohua Village and continued their journey.
After a good night’s sleep, He Wanqing was back to full energy, collecting herbs along the way.
With a clear destination, their speed increased. Before noon, they finally saw towering city walls.
The walls were several zhang high, ancient and solemn.
A strong sense of majesty and gravity hit her immediately.
When they were just a few dozen steps from the gate, she read the plaque above it—but… she couldn’t recognize the characters.
“Jian Wen, do you recognize the words on the wall?”
“Yes. Wuning Prefecture.”
So it was indeed Wuning Prefecture—but the characters were neither simplified nor traditional.
After more than twenty years of education, she had somehow become illiterate after transmigrating.
The realization made her stagger back half a step.
A Ming worriedly asked, “Mom, what’s wrong?”
He Wanqing forced a smile. “It’s nothing. Just the sun.”
Inside, she was cursing the heavens.
After venting, she comforted herself—so what if she didn’t recognize them now? She could learn again. Worst case, back to primary school literacy mode.
“Stop! No entry!”
The stern command halted everyone.
The village head stepped forward, presenting their travel permit. “Sir guards, we are not criminals. We came from Zhenxi Province.”
The guard didn’t even take it.
“The prefect has ordered: refugees from other regions are not allowed to enter the city. Leave immediately!”
The crowd was stunned.
After a moment, the village head suppressed his anger and led everyone aside to discuss.
“Why won’t they let us in even with permits?”
“We entered previous counties just fine!”
“What kind of corrupt official is this!”
After a few complaints, the village head raised his hand.
“Enough. Complaining won’t help.”
“I have two options. First, we go through the mountains and bypass the prefecture city to reach Xuannan Province. Second, we go back to the previous junction—but there’s no guarantee the next city will let us in either.”
Silence fell.
Then someone shouted, “We’ll follow the village head!”
“Yes! We trust you!”
The village head clenched his fist. “Then we go through the mountains!”
..
After the decision, they packed up again. Carts had to be abandoned since they couldn’t pass through the mountains.
Within a short time, he learned that most households had enough grain for at least ten days. He estimated it would take five days to get through the mountains, so this was reassuring.
He Wanqing had no objections either—in fact, she was somewhat looking forward to it. Mountain travel meant more herbs, more food, and fewer constraints.
Everyone began sorting belongings.
She also threw away broken or too-large items.
The children were heartbroken.
“Mom, these can still be used…”
“They’re too broken. Do you want to carry all this into the mountains and tire yourselves out?”
Jian Wu said honestly, “I can carry you, Mom!”
She rolled her eyes. “What if the hunting team has other tasks? Carry me while working too? Are you stupid?”
“Alright, listen to Mom.”
Soon, she packed three large bundles and two small ones, distributing them.
Each child got one—lighter ones for the weaker children, heavier for stronger ones.
The group set off.
The mountain path was narrow, and she repeatedly nearly tripped.
Finally, she couldn’t hold it in anymore and snapped at the system.
“You just watched me trip?! Do you even know how to do your job?!”
The system blinked innocently.
So she forced it to scan the terrain.
With guidance, she finally stopped falling.
As night fell, they set up camp.
Exhausted, she finally sat down.
A Ming asked softly, “Mom, what are we eating tonight?”
She stood up reluctantly.
“Let’s go look around.”
“System, check what’s nearby.”
“There are medicinal herbs ahead,” the system said.
“And?”
“And… herbs. Also herbs.”
“…”
A Ming spotted wild greens, but they moved on.
A bit further, the system suddenly said, “Wild chicken eggs on the right.”
Eggs!
She sent A Ming to the right while she stayed back.
Soon, the child found the nest and excitedly called out.
He held it up proudly.
“My A Ming is amazing.”
She patted his head.
But the child suddenly teared up.
Startled, she crouched and wiped his tears—only for one drop to fall on her wrist, making her heart tighten.
Then she pulled him into her arms.
For the first time, the child felt a mother’s embrace.
Warmth, longing, dependence—all poured out silently.
Something in her chest shifted.
She truly accepted them as her children.
After a while, she gently said, “A Ming likes hugs? Then Mom will hug you more in the future. But we should go back—your brothers will worry.”
A Ming shyly nodded.
She then held his face and asked softly:
“A Ming, tell Mom—why do you always keep your head down?”
The child hesitated.
“I thought… Mom didn’t want to see me. I didn’t want Mom to hate me.”
Her heart tightened painfully.
She stroked his thin cheek gently.
“Silly child. How could Mom not want to see you? I like you too much for that.”
“It must be because Mom didn’t do well before. But I promise you, from now on I’ll care more about you. If you want hugs, or anything at all, you can tell me. I’ll try my best to give it to you, okay?”