Chapter 39: Not Wanting Leng Xiao to Get Injured in the Mountains

“Eldest Brother, why haven’t I seen any lingzhi or ginseng after so many days in the mountains? This mountain range stretches endlessly—doesn’t it produce lingzhi? I heard that ginseng gatherers would enter the mountains this month, so why haven’t we encountered any ginseng?” Wen Nuan Nuan was extremely curious.

Wasn’t it said that mountains always had ginseng and lingzhi?

Why did this rule not apply to her?

Was it because she wasn’t the female lead?

How insulting.

Wen Nuan Nuan pouted in frustration.

Before Leng Tian could answer, Leng Yun chuckled and replied with a grin, “Sister-in-law, we’ve only been wandering around the foothills and mid-slopes. Even if there were anything valuable, it would have long been gathered by people from our village or nearby villages. How could it be left for us? It’s only because the fruits are hard to pick and there are plenty of mushrooms at higher elevations that we’ve had a good harvest these past few days.”

In a while, even the fruits and mushrooms would be gone.

Leng Chen chimed in, “Not only ginseng and lingzhi—precious herbs and large game are also found deep in the mountains. Only hunters who can venture into the deep mountains can earn silver. However, tigers, leopards, bears, venomous snakes, and poisonous plants are also all in the deep mountains, making it exceptionally dangerous.”

Every time one enters the deep mountains, it’s no exaggeration to say it’s a life-or-death gamble.

Especially when gathering ginseng—there are often venomous snakes guarding it, and every year, some ginseng gatherers die from snakebites.

The topic was somewhat heavy, and for a moment, the four of them fell silent.

After climbing the mountain, they spread out slightly. Wen Nuan Nuan and Leng Yun gathered ingredients, while Leng Tian and Leng Chen continued chopping firewood.

Wen Nuan Nuan recalled that Leng Xiao was supposed to enter the deep mountains to gather ginseng this month, right?

Actually, after deducting the silver for repaying debts and buying daily necessities, she still had three hundred and seventy-nine taels left. Plus, the ginseng slices from the refrigerator could bring in fifteen taels of silver each month. If they used it sparingly, it should be enough.

It should probably be enough to buy a small, remote house in Jingcheng.

Should she ask Leng Xiao not to enter the deep mountains?

It was too risky.

In the book, Leng Xiao relied on hunting and gathering ginseng in the mountains to save enough travel expenses to take the three younger ones to Jingcheng.

For this, he even left a deep scar on his back.

It must have been an extremely dangerous situation at the time.

Now that she was here, with food and silver in hand, why not just stop him from taking such a risk?

Last time, during their first meeting, he stepped in to help her teach that sharp-faced man a lesson. He helped her without expecting anything in return, and she couldn’t bear to see him get injured on this trip.

Having made up her mind, Wen Nuan Nuan asked Leng Yun to go gather chestnuts first. She then hurried over to Leng Tian, who was chopping firewood. “Eldest Brother, is the agreed date to pick up the iron sheets and mesh tomorrow?”

Leng Tian put away his firewood axe, straightened up, and replied, “Yes, and we can take the opportunity to bring some food to Eldest Brother.”

“Then, when you take the firewood home later, go to Auntie Zhu and Auntie Jiang’s place first and ask if Eldest Brother’s clothes and shoes are ready. If they are, bring them along. I’ll prepare some food tonight and pack it for you. You can heat it up tomorrow and set off early.”

The main reason was that the three younger ones woke up earlier than she did. If she waited until she leisurely washed up and prepared food, it would only waste time.

Leng Tian hummed in agreement. “Sister-in-law, on my way back tomorrow, I’ll stop by the town to pick up the cotton quilts. When I dropped them off, they said it would take three to five days. By tomorrow, it’ll have been six or seven days, so they’re definitely ready.”

It’s better to bring them back sooner for peace of mind.

Wen Nuannuan also wanted to retrieve the quilts early so they would have something to cover themselves if the temperature dropped suddenly. After all, the bedsheets and quilt covers delivered yesterday had already been washed and hung out to dry. All that was left was to bring the quilts home and stuff them into the covers.

Speaking of quilts, Wen Nuannuan thought they should stock up on cotton. If the drought continued next year, cotton would likely be scarce.

As a girl, not having enough supplies for when her “monthly visitor” arrived would be incredibly stressful.

At least, she would feel quite anxious if they weren’t well-prepared.

Last time, Eldest Brother brought back fifteen catties of cotton. Nine catties were used to make padded clothes and cotton shoes, and the remaining six catties had been boiled, sun-dried, and stored away. It would be enough for this winter, but she was worried that if there was no rain next year, the cotton crop might fail.

“Eldest Brother, see if you can find some time to go to town and exchange for more cotton. It would be best if you could get even more than last time. This time, we’ll only have one quilt made, and bring the rest back.”

Before it snowed, they should wash the cotton clean and store it away.

Leng Tian was puzzled. “Huh? Two quilts should be enough.”

“Two quilts for the three of you boys is still a bit cramped. Why not just get one quilt each? Since it’s something you’ll use every day, it’s better to get it done properly all at once. That way, all three of you can stay warm and comfortable during the winter.”

After saying this, Wen Nuannuan leaned in and whispered her concerns to Leng Tian. “You all said there was less rain this year. I’m worried that if the drought continues next year, we should stock up on cotton in my ‘treasure.’ When you grow taller next year, it’ll be convenient to use for making padded clothes and cotton shoes.”

Once three quilts were made, and each person had two sets of winter clothes and cotton shoes, the dozens of catties of cotton stored would be enough for the next two years.

Once the drought passed, or once they reached the capital, as long as they had silver, buying these things would be easy.

When Leng Tian heard about the drought, he was startled. As someone who relied on the mountains for a living, he understood all too well how devastating a drought could be for the plants and animals in the mountains—and how much it would affect people like them who scraped by in the hills.

He asked worriedly, “Sister-in-law, will there really be a drought?”

Oh, right. Sister-in-law was a little celestial being. She had her treasures, so she would naturally know about the weather conditions.

Wen Nuannuan shook her head, giving an ambiguous reply. “I’m not very clear about rain or snow. I only have a vague impression. But I think it’s better to be prepared—having supplies ready is never wrong.”

Mainly, she couldn’t remember clearly.

“If you have time when you go into town tomorrow, ask how much a horse costs. It would also be good to ask about how to care for one. If there’s a drought, we might need to travel to the capital with your eldest brother for the imperial exams. Having a horse would make things much easier.” Among the five of them, she was probably the weakest.

Although the two little ones were only nine years old, children from poor families matured early. Their ability to walk, work, and carry things put her to shame.

Not to mention Leng Tian, who was incredibly strong, and Leng Xiao, who seemed capable of anything.

Even though she knew the three little ones would protect her, walking for long stretches on the road always left her legs feeling as if they were about to break. And if there was a drought, with the sun beating down, thirst and exhaustion would set in…

It was better for her to plan ahead.

Not only would it save her from suffering, but it would also spare the three little ones from hardship.

“Alright.” Leng Tian also realized the importance of having a horse.

They could attach a carriage to it, and then Sister-in-law wouldn’t have to walk.

Moreover, a drought would force many people to leave their homes. On the road as refugees, there would surely be all sorts of unsavory incidents and shady characters. The four of them, being men, wouldn’t mind, but Sister-in-law couldn’t handle that. It would be safer for her inside a carriage.

Pots, pans, bowls, quilts, clothes, shoes… There were too many things to bring, and it really wouldn’t do without a cart.

“By the way, tell your Eldest Brother not to go into the mountains anymore. From what you’ve said, it sounds quite dangerous. We have food and money now, so there’s no need to risk gathering ginseng.”

Leng Tian looked up at Wen Nuan Nuan with surprise and gratitude, saying, “Alright!”