Chapter 37: Takomaru (Fertility Pill)

Dinner was thoroughly enjoyable. Seeing Dong Yun leave with a delighted expression, Pear Blossom felt immensely satisfied. Later, as she was getting ready for bed, the system chimed, notifying her that the five points for hunting the wild boar had been credited. Two of the points were automatically allocated to prestige, while the other three could be freely distributed.

Pear Blossom allocated all three to physique.The system said, “Host, your current stats are: Intelligence 19, Physique 20, Prestige 14, and Chenghuan 0, for a total of 53 points. Every 50 points, you can draw a prize. You’re eligible for a draw now.” Hearing this, Pear Blossom was ecstatic. She had been yearning for the Yangyan Pill (Beauty Pill)—it was something she wanted for her mother.

Her mother’s health had deteriorated after years of hardship, and today’s events had only added to her exhaustion. Although her complexion had improved slightly since the family split, her underlying condition remained poor.

The system, just as eager, chimed in, “Host, are you hoping to become more beautiful? With the draw, you could get the Yangyan Pill, Lingxi Perfume, Breast Enhancement Pill, Whitening Pill, or Heavenly Melody Lozenge. All of these are within your reach.”

Pear Blossom, intrigued, asked, “The Whitening Pill? Would it make me as fair as Sister Dong?” The system patiently explained, “Yes, and perhaps even better. Once you take it, your skin will become fair and tender, admired by everyone who sees you. I’ve often heard villagers comment on how dark you are. If you could get the Whitening Pill, it would greatly aid in—uh, completing our system tasks. The Breast Enhancement Pill would be equally beneficial.”

Pear Blossom didn’t notice the system’s sudden change in tone but shook her head when it mentioned the Breast Enhancement Pill. “No Breast Enhancement Pill. I may be a little small now, but my mother says I’m still growing.

I’ll get bigger naturally. If I take something like that, they’ll get too big, and practicing martial arts will be inconvenient. It’s better not to draw this one.”

The system was momentarily speechless and then said, “Then how about the Tako Pill (Fertility Pill)? Many children bring prosperity, and it’ll help you extend the family line for your future husband.” Pear Blossom instinctively rejected the idea. She liked Sister Dong, and Sister Dong wasn’t a man.

Who would she even have children with? Better not to draw this one either. But if Sister Dong liked someone with a larger chest and fairer skin, well… that could be negotiated, Pear Blossom thought slyly. “This depends on luck. It’s not like I can choose what I want. Let’s see how my luck is.” Her finger pressed the draw button, and the prize wheel spun rapidly. With a “ding,” a small box dropped down. “What’s this? Is it a Yangyan Pill?” Pear Blossom asked.The system replied, “Congratulations, Host! You’ve drawn the Tako Pill.

May you have many descendants and great blessings!” Pear Blossom’s vision darkened. What was she supposed to do with a Tako Pill? Why would she want such blessings? She really didn’t want this.

Annoyed, she lost all enthusiasm, threw the small box to the side of her mat, ignored the system’s chatter, and closed her eyes to sleep.

The next morning, Pear Blossom got up and went to the spring to wash up as usual.Her father was already hammering away at the foundation, preparing for the day’s work. Her mother was rolling out noodles in the makeshift kitchen.

Last night’s pot of bone soup had been boiled vigorously before bedtime. With the lid sealed, it hadn’t spoiled and could be used for another day. Now it was perfect for ladling over the noodles.

The Qin family was the first to arrive. Xiong Laoer, who had gone to Shangyang yesterday, showed up before sunrise carrying a large round table and several small stools.

The meat they brought back yesterday had been a feast for the elderly and children at home. Normally, in August and September, eating meat like this was a luxury. Without the harvest, even regular meals would be a challenge.

Mrs. Xiong was delighted to see her father making more furniture for their family and couldn’t stop smiling. Zhang Laowu soon arrived with Dog on his back, along with his older brother Zhang Laosi.

With one more person added, the house-building crew grew again. Mrs. Xiong called everyone to eat noodles. They didn’t hold back, slurping down big bowls before wiping the sweat from their brows and getting to work.

The plan was to finish the foundation today and head into the mountains tomorrow to gather wood for the house frame. Dagen and Qin Laohan discussed buying bricks and tiles. After calculating, a four-sided courtyard house would cost at least 40-50 taels of silver. After discussing it with Mrs. Xiong and consulting Pear Blossom, Dagen gritted his teeth and said, “We’ll build with green bricks and tiles.

If the money isn’t enough, we can make up the rest with mud bricks later.” Everyone was amazed to hear Dagen planned to build with green bricks and tiles. Only the Liu family in the village could afford such a house.

Most people took generations to save up and could barely build a single room. Building an entire courtyard with green bricks and tiles all at once was almost unheard of. Zhang Laowu couldn’t help but ask, “Dagen, where did you get so much silver?” Dagen, not wanting to mention borrowing from his in-laws, said it was a reward from a nobleman in the military camp.

Hearing this, no one dared pry further and could only admire him. Zhang Laosi silently rejoiced that he and his brother had joined the crew. Who would have thought the once-destitute Dagen, who didn’t even have a place to live, could now afford to build such a house? The villagers who gossiped yesterday might soon find themselves wanting to curry favor with him.

The plan was set. Tomorrow, Boss Xiong and Dagen would go to town to buy bricks and tiles, while the others would head to the mountains to gather wood.

While the men worked, Pear Blossom was sent off by her mother to scare birds from the fields after finishing her noodles. With a month until harvest, the ripening grain was attracting flocks of birds. Scarecrows were useless; someone had to keep watch.

Pear Blossom grabbed a straw hat and was about to leave when her mother started grumbling about the two old hens. She said the yellow hen hadn’t laid eggs in ages and might as well be slaughtered before its meat got too tough. Eyes gleaming, Pear Blossom went looking for Xinghua under the tree. “Which hen hasn’t been laying eggs?” she asked.

Xinghua pointed at a yellow hen with three black feathers on its tail. “That one. It hasn’t laid eggs while the others have. It just mopes around all day.” Grinning, Pear Blossom slowly approached the hen. Before it could react, she grabbed it and stuffed something into its throat.

The hen squawked in terror.It coughed and sputtered, trying to spit out whatever had been forced down its throat, but it was too late. The object was already in its stomach. Flapping its wings frantically, the hen tried to escape.

Hearing the commotion, Mrs. Xiong poked her head out of the shed and scolded, “I told you to chase birds, not chickens! Get going, or the fields will be stripped bare when it’s time to harvest!” Pear Blossom released the hen, which bolted as far as its tether allowed, clearly wishing it could flee the household for good. “Alright, alright,” Pear Blossom replied cheerfully, grabbing her bamboo pole and straw hat before heading to the fields.

Meanwhile, the system was in an uproar in her mind. “Host! How could you feed the Tako Pill to a hen? Do you have any idea how wasteful that is? The system store’s products are premium goods, sought after by countless people. And you—fed it to a chicken!”

Pear Blossom swung her long pole as she strolled along the ridge between the fields, listening to the mechanical beeping of the system.

After it finally finished, she replied, “My mother managed to have four of us siblings without any Tako Pills. If I really wanted to have children, I wouldn’t do too badly either. Or are you insisting I turn into a brood sow and have ten or eight kids?”

The system went silent for a moment. Most of its rewards were designed for modern women whose fertility had been affected by diet, environment, and stress. For women aiming to use children as a means to climb the social ladder or marry into wealth, Tako Pills were a prized reward.

Still, it persisted, “Your mother could have children, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be as lucky. It’s always good to be prepared for the unexpected.”

Pear Blossom let out a casual “Oh,” before saying, “I already fed it to the chickens. They’ve eaten it, and it’s not coming back. There’s no point in you going on about it.”

The system was furious. “I’m telling you so you don’t do it again next time!” Pear Blossom nodded earnestly. “Got it. Next time, I won’t waste something so valuable on the chickens.” Only then did the system relent. “It will be a while before your next draw. Please continue to work hard, Host.” With a final beep, it logged off, clearly still upset.

Meanwhile, in the county jail of Jinyang County. Xiang Laotou and his wife had been waiting for ten days before finally seeing their second son. Through the bars, they anxiously asked, “Did you bring the money?” Xiang Laoer (the second son) looked at the two disheveled figures in front of him, guilt written all over his face.

Trembling, he took out ten taels of silver from his pocket and said, “I moved the cabinet and dug out the hidden spot, but there were only ten taels. Not twenty. Maybe you remembered wrong, Father…”Xiang Laotou’s eyes widened, and his finger shook as he pointed at his son.

“You—you—you heartless wretch! You’re trying to kill us! That was our life-saving money!” Mrs. Xiang (Old Lady Xiang), grasping what had happened, immediately burst into loud wails. “Laoer, Laoer, how could you do something so heartless? Oh, heavens! Are you trying to send your parents to their deaths?”

Xiang Laoer hurriedly said, “Father, Mother, there really were only ten taels in the hiding place. I think maybe Laosan (the third son) took the rest.”

“That spot is so secret even ghosts don’t know about it! How could your younger brother know the money was there? You pocketed it and now you’re lying! What a good son you are!” Xiang Laotou trembled with anger. “The magistrate offered to release one of us because they think we’re old, unproductive, and a drain on resources.

No one else could get such an offer, but you’ve ruined it. Do you want us to starve to death here?” Xiang Laoer’s guilt deepened. The other ten taels had already been taken and spent by his eldest son, Dalang, and there was no getting it back. Still, he braced himself and said, “At least I brought ten taels.

That’s enough to get one of you out, isn’t it?” The old couple exchanged glances. Mrs. Xiang lowered her head, not daring to meet her husband’s eyes, but her hands gripped the bars tightly. Xiang Laotou glanced at his wife and then glared at his son. “You useless brat! Even at my age, I have to clean up after you.

Hurry and take the money to the jailer and get the paperwork done. Once I’m out, I’ll find a way to get the money to free your mother.”

Mrs. Xiang couldn’t hold back her despair anymore. She clung to Xiang Laotou’s leg, sobbing. “Husband, I don’t want to die here. Let me go out! I’ll find the money to save you. I promise I’ll save you. I just can’t stay here anymore!” Xiang Laotou looked at the sobbing mess at his feet with disdain. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t save you.

But look at the mess you made before, with that ungrateful grandson. You’re the reason we’re in this jail! Who would lend you money in this state? I know people outside who will help. I’ll get you out in a few days.”

Mrs. Xiang, who had shared a bed with him for decades, knew he was lying.

Once he got out, he’d never come back for her. But what could she do? He was the head of the family, and even their sons listened to him. Tears streaming, she begged him repeatedly. Xiang Laotou remained unmoved, urging his son to take the money to the jailer. Xiang Laoer avoided his mother’s tearful gaze and quickly left.

Soon, a guard came and escorted Xiang Laotou out. Mrs. Xiang clung to his leg, unwilling to let go, but Xiang Laotou, afraid of angering the guards, kicked her away and walked out without a backward glance. Her cries echoed behind him.

That night. Mrs. Xiang lay weakly on the straw. A gossipy woman in the next cell taunted her. “Hey, old lady, are you still waiting for your husband to come back and save you? Forget it. Men are all heartless dogs. He’s probably already forgotten about you.”Her words were laced with mockery.

Mrs. Xiang, never one to take an insult lying down, sat up and retorted, “You wretch! What’s it to you? Aren’t you just as pitiful, with no one to take you out? You deserve to die in this cell!”

The other woman, no less combative, grabbed the bars and fired back, filling the air with curses.

The guard outside, fed up with the noise, came in with a stick and handed out a beating, finally restoring silence to the cell.

The jailer grumbled as he left, while a few others complained among themselves.

“What’s the use of keeping these old bags around? They’re too weak to work, and leaving them here just wastes space and food.”

“They said the old woman’s son was supposed to bribe enough to get both of them out, but he didn’t come up with enough money. Isn’t that a joke? Now she’s stuck here waiting to die.”

As they spoke, they noticed the warden rushing over. The jailers quickly went to greet him.In the middle of the night, the old woman was dragged out in a daze. When she opened her eyes, she saw that the woman from the next cell, the one she’d been arguing with earlier, had also been brought out.

Startled, she stared at the flickering candlelight, convinced that her time had come. Overwhelmed with fear, she fainted on the spot.

When she came to after being doused with water, she opened her eyes groggily and asked, “Am I in the underworld now?” The warden stepped forward, towering over her as he said, “You’ve caught a lucky break. You don’t have to die, and you might not even have to stay in prison, but you’ll need to do something for me.”

The old woman, as if struck by a pie from the heavens, was initially blank with shock before an overwhelming sense of joy washed over her. She immediately knelt down and kowtowed, saying, “Not just one task—ten, a hundred tasks, I’ll do them all!”

The warden said, “When you return to your village, keep a close watch on the surrounding dozen or so villages. Report back if you notice any young women passing through or hiding in the area over the past two years.”

The old woman’s eyes darted as she asked, “May I ask what kind of woman the officer is looking for? Over the past two years, there have been quite a few young women marrying into local families.

By my count, at least a dozen have settled nearby. Should I report all of them?” The warden thought back to the portrait he’d seen and the description given by the county magistrate. “She’s about twenty years old, beautiful, with a high nose bridge, a sharp chin, fair skin, highly educated, and carries herself with grace and pride.”

The old woman thought for a moment, and a figure came to mind. She blurted out, “Does she have children?” The warden sneered at the question. “No children. That woman would never willingly bear anyone’s child, especially not in a godforsaken place like Jinyang County.

What man here could make her willingly give birth?” The spark in the old woman’s eyes died out, but she remained submissive, bowing as she said, “The officer’s orders will be carried out. I’ll watch closely, and if I notice anything, I’ll report back immediately.”