Gong Mohan himself didn’t understand why, after only knowing her for a few days, he feared her leaving so much.
“Sister-in-law! Did you buy this cart?”
Suddenly, he heard Ying’er’s delighted voice.
Looking up, he saw Ziling walking toward them beneath the glow of the setting sun, pushing a wheelbarrow. His heart inexplicably began pounding wildly.
“Yes,” Ziling replied with a smile, casually rubbing Ying’er’s head. “Now your big brother can sit on the cart while we push him along. That’s much better than making your second brother carry him.”
So that was why she had returned so late.
She had actually gone to buy a cart for him.
And the guards had even agreed to it.
She truly was capable.
The more Gong Mohan observed her, the more different she seemed from the timid, useless noble daughter he had heard about before. The more he looked, the more he wanted to understand her completely.
Ziling instructed Gong Hao to unload the things she had bought. Hearing that no one had found any water, she frowned slightly.
Since everyone else had no water, her family couldn’t openly drink theirs either. Now that she had bought rice, she still didn’t dare cook porridge openly.
She needed to think of another solution.
Suddenly—
Ding! Space upgraded!
Ziling froze.
What was that? The space can upgrade too?
She had known about the space for several days already, yet she never realized it could evolve.
“Master, I am the space spirit,” a cheerful voice sounded in her mind. “Earlier, you used the space’s water to help ordinary people. Because of that good deed, the space upgraded.”
Ziling immediately wanted to ask what had changed after the upgrade, but with so many people around, she didn’t dare speak aloud.
Suppressing her curiosity with difficulty, she outwardly remained calm while helping organize the purchased goods.
Walking over to Gong Mohan, she said quietly,
“I bought some medicine today. Tonight I’ll check your injuries again.”
“Mhm.”
Gong Mohan merely gave a soft response without saying anything further.
Ziling ignored whether he wanted treatment or not and simply went to prepare food.
Since the guards hadn’t distributed black-flour buns today, most families had bought supplies through the guards, making this the best meal the prisoners had eaten since exile began.
At last, after waiting until deep into the night when everyone had fallen asleep, Ziling quietly slipped away to an empty place and entered her space.
“Space spirit, hurry and tell me—what’s different after the upgrade?” she asked impatiently.
“Master, after upgrading, the space doubled in size. It also gained a spiritual planting garden where rare spiritual herbs can be grown, and their growth cycles will be greatly shortened. In addition, the spring water has become even purer and more powerful. Not only can it heal injuries and illnesses, but it can also strengthen the human body.”
Ziling’s eyes lit up instantly.
This was truly an unexpected blessing.
With the spiritual herb garden, she could grow medicinal plants herself. And if the spring water’s effects had strengthened, Gong Mohan’s injuries could recover much more effectively.
This time, when she looked out the window, the previously fog-covered area was no longer blurry.
Walking closer, she saw a sign reading:
“Spiritual Herb Garden.”
The area was enormous, divided into neat sections like freshly cultivated farmland in the modern world. Moist spiritual energy seemed to drift softly through the air above it.
Unfortunately, she currently had no seeds to plant.
She would need to acquire some as soon as possible. Such precious land couldn’t remain empty.
Ziling then returned to the spiritual spring.
Scooping up a handful of water, she tilted her head back and drank deeply.
The water tasted even sweeter and more refreshing than before. The moment it entered her body, she felt every meridian relax comfortably.
Staring at her reflection in the spring water, she noticed that despite the harsh days of exile, her skin had not become rough or worn. Instead, it appeared even smoother and more delicate than before—likely due to the nourishment of the spiritual spring.
Since the spirit had said the spring could heal injuries, then she should let Gong Mohan drink more of it.
The General’s Manor had defended the nation for generations.
This could be considered a small repayment to a hero.
Inside the space, Ziling was happily exploring everything, completely unaware that outside, Gong Mohan had remained awake the entire time because she had not returned.
Just what secrets did she have?
Calculating the days, the people he had sent to investigate her should soon be bringing back information.
Thus, Gong Mohan lay there silently, staring at the direction Ziling had left for what felt like forever.
Only when he finally saw a small figure sneaking carefully back to her sleeping place and quietly lying down did he slowly turn away to rest.
Looking at the girl who had already fallen asleep, Gong Mohan suddenly felt an unfamiliar grievance rise in his heart.
He even shifted his injured leg slightly in silent resentment.