“Alright, the quality is quite good. I’ll weigh it for you.”
As she spoke, Gu Yuan picked up the scale and began weighing it.
In her memories, the original owner had seen her mother use it before, so this was her first time handling it, but she did it quite decently.
Soon, the wild dandelions (pugongying) in the basket were weighed.
“Exactly one jin. Big sister, please take a look and confirm?”
As she spoke, Gu Yuan even pushed the scale toward her.
When she did so, she looked up and happened to see the woman’s surprised expression, which she hadn’t yet managed to hide.
Gu Yuan understood instantly.
The original owner’s reputation in the village was not good. Aside from being lazy and gluttonous, she also spoke poorly and always held her chin high when looking at people.
So now that she was being polite and not cheating on the weight, it was only natural others would be surprised.
Gu Yuan didn’t care what others thought. She took out fifteen copper coins from her pouch and handed them over.
“One jin of dandelion, fifteen copper coins. Big sister, please count carefully. Once it’s confirmed, the deal is done.”
The woman wasn’t polite either. She took the coins and began counting them herself.
Even though she had watched Gu Yuan count them just now, she still didn’t trust it and insisted on checking again.
After confirming there was no mistake, she asked:
“Correct, exactly fifteen coins. Girl Yuan, will you still be collecting tomorrow?”
This was money—she had to make sure. She had four or five half-grown children who loved running into the mountains. Instead of letting them fool around, they might as well go dig dandelions.
Even if they only gathered one jin a day, they could still exchange it for several jin of coarse grain and feed the family for a few meals.
Gu Yuan nodded without hesitation.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be collecting long-term. Not just dandelions—other medicinal herbs too. Prices are the same as the town. If you still have some, just come at this time tomorrow.”
Although the dandelions she collected weren’t as good as the ones she picked herself, with her “golden finger” enhancement, they became identical quality anyway. A profit of fifty copper coins was not something she would miss.
The woman left happily with her child.
With the first one done, others followed one after another.
Seeing baskets almost shoved into her face, Gu Yuan’s expression darkened.
She pushed them back and said loudly:
“Don’t push! Line up one by one! You’re wasting time like this. I already said I’ll buy all medicinal herbs!”
But no one listened. Instead, more people crowded forward.
Gu Yuan got angry.
“Stop pushing! Line up! Whoever doesn’t line up, I won’t buy from them!”
Only then did the crowd reluctantly form a line.
In reality, not many people were actually selling—most were just watching the excitement.
After all, Gu Yuan’s reputation was bad, and few trusted her.
In the end, only twelve jin were collected, and the hundred-plus copper coins in her pouch were spent completely.
One of the women who disliked her, seeing this, immediately raised her voice:
“Girl Yuan, you’re spending so much buying dandelions—aren’t you making a lot of money? We’re all from the same village, don’t cheat your own people!”
Gu Yuan’s face turned cold.
“What do you mean by that? How am I cheating anyone? Speak clearly.”
The woman, surnamed Zhao and married into the third branch, sneered:
“You think we don’t know what kind of person you are? Would you do a losing business? You’re definitely making a lot off this!”
Gu Yuan crossed her arms.
“Oh? You know me so well now?”
“If you think I’m cheating you, don’t sell to me.”
“Everyone knows what dandelions are worth in town. Do you really think I can make big money off this?”
She then raised her voice:
“I’ll be honest—I’ve already found a buyer. Fifteen copper coins per jin. Five jin gets one extra coin. If you think that’s a huge profit, go collect and sell yourself.”
Then she looked around.
“If you think it’s unfair, don’t sell. Free trade.”
After hearing this, the others immediately spoke up.
“Who said it’s unfair? I think the price is very reasonable.”
The troublemaker’s face darkened, but she couldn’t say anything more.
After everyone left, Gu Yuan returned home.
When she showed the twelve jin of dandelions, Old Madam Gu nodded in satisfaction.
“Not bad.”
Gu Yuan smiled proudly and went behind her to massage her shoulders.
“Mother, I want to discuss something. Tomorrow when I sell these, can I buy some meat? I promised South Wind and Spring Rain I’d make them dumplings.”
Old Madam Gu waved her hand.
“Your money, you decide.”
Just then, Second Aunt and Second Uncle arrived.
Second Aunt’s face was unhappy.
“Mother, the village is saying little sister is buying dandelions. What’s going on?”
Second Uncle was also serious.
Old Madam Gu calmly said:
“Call your eldest and third brothers over. I’ll explain everything at once.”
Soon, the whole family gathered.
Old Madam Gu explained that a traveling peddler had come to town offering high prices for medicinal herbs, and that this was the opportunity.
She warned everyone not to spread it.
Second Uncle immediately asked:
“Mother, can it really sell for that much?”
Old Madam Gu glared.
“Do you think I’m lying for fun?”
“If I find out anyone leaks this, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
Second Uncle quickly said:
“I won’t say a word!”
Second Aunt also swore.
The eldest son followed suit.
Only then did the matter settle.
Afterward, everyone dispersed.
That night, Gu Yuan brought up another matter to Old Madam Gu.
She planned to “hire” a peddler using a system function to convince her mother.
Early the next morning, the two of them went to town.
Halfway along a small hill path, Gu Yuan said she needed to relieve herself and disappeared into the bushes.
She used the system to “rent” a peddler, arranged everything, and then met him in town.
Old Madam Gu frowned.
“Hold your head up. Don’t act like a thief.”
The peddler lazily introduced himself and began negotiating prices.
Everything went smoothly. The old madam successfully sold the herbs and bought grain, salt, and sugar.
When she saw the white salt, she was shocked.
“How much is this salt?”
The peddler replied:
“Three hundred fifty copper coins per jin.”
Old Madam Gu almost laughed with joy.
Cheap.
Too cheap.
After buying everything, the family headed to Fourth Uncle Gu’s shop.
Fourth Uncle Gu was running the shop when his wife, Wang Shi, noticed them first.
She whispered:
“Mother’s here again… didn’t she just come a few days ago?”
She was clearly unhappy, as the old madam often came empty-handed and caused trouble.
But she still forced a smile when greeting them.
Old Madam Gu casually said they were just delivering things and leaving soon.
She even mentioned the wild chicken they brought.
Wang Shi’s smile stiffened, suspecting they were here to get more things.
At that moment, Gu Yuan placed two jars on the table.
“Fourth Brother, can your shop take a look at this?”
Salt.
Fourth Brother Gu tasted it and was surprised—it was excellent quality.
Wang Shi immediately realized it was a good deal but said they needed to consult her father.
Old Madam Gu agreed.
As they waited, Fourth Brother Gu served tea.
Seeing the grain at home, he asked about the harvest.
Old Madam Gu sighed.
“Just average. Now I just hope Guangzong Yaozu can pass the exam and become a scholar.”
Then Gu Yuan suddenly thought of something.
She leaned toward Fourth Brother Gu.
“Fourth Brother, can you check how much grain sells for here—and how the market is?”
She suddenly realized something important:
She could also do buying and reselling through the system.