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In the era Su Zhi found herself in, known as the Liang Dynasty, the current emperor’s surname was Shui. Upon hearing this, Su Zhi realized without a doubt that this world was vastly different from the Chinese history she once knew—she had somehow landed in a completely distinct realm, akin to what novels described as a Parallel world.
According to Li Shi, the founding emperor of Liang encountered a life-threatening crisis while expanding his territory. Trapped by enemies, he was saved by a white wolf that not only rescued him but also helped defeat the enemies. Since then, the white wolf had been revered as a sacred beast in Liang, making it forbidden to harm. Anyone caught trying to harm the white wolf faced severe consequences, even death.
Over time, the white wolf had evolved into a revered creature, considered auspicious by the common folk. While rumors of this white wolf had circulated in the Great Green Mountain, encountering even a young one was rare. Li Shi expressed his surprise at Su Zhi seeing the adult white wolf alongside the younger ones.
Su Zhi realized there was a significant backstory to this situation. Knowing the wolf family was considered sacred beasts, she felt reassured about their safety. Their intelligence and unique behavior set them apart from ordinary wolves. Despite her initial fear, she now perceived them as beings capable of standing alongside humans, lacking only the ability to communicate verbally—a true display of their spiritual nature.
Su Zhi curiously inquired, “Since the court values the white wolf so highly and prohibits harming them, what if they were to attack the common people? Would the people not be allowed to defend themselves?”
Shen Zi’an responded, “Encounters with the white wolf are rare, and even if one were to cross paths with it, how many could truly contend with a wolf? Even in a confrontation, the odds of prevailing are slim. It’s a matter of fate—if you lose, you lose your life; if you win, there are ways to handle the situation. One wouldn’t truly seek retribution from a wolf.”
Li Shi chuckled, adding, “If the white wolf were to harm someone, the officials would undoubtedly intervene and safely escort it back.”
Su Zhi nodded in agreement, acknowledging the rareness of such encounters and the inherent danger of challenging a wolf. Even if someone could prevail, there would be a resolution in place. The white wolf’s scarcity made her realization of encountering both an adult and a young one all the more fortunate.
Li Shi further explained, “Those who have seen the white wolf claim it doesn’t harm people, and it seems to be true. Our village’s fortune lies in the presence of this white wolf.”
After some more discussion, the trio prepared to leave, each bearing injuries of varying degrees. Su Zhi led Shen Zi’an to inspect the chestnuts and the ginseng plant before their departure.
Shen Zi’an and Li Shi gazed at the ginseng plant, marveling at its presence. While they weren’t well-versed in ginseng, they both recognized its value. Observing the mature plant thriving even in late autumn transitioning into winter filled them with a sense of divine blessing.
“Congratulations, Brother Zi’an and Su Zhi! With this ginseng, you can fetch a good sum of silver. This winter will be much more comfortable, and come next year, building a house and acquiring some good land will undoubtedly lead to prosperity, making others envious of the Shen family’s fortune.”
Li Shi felt genuinely happy for them, realizing Su Zhi wasn’t a jinx but rather a harbinger of good luck. Encountering a sacred beast and discovering ginseng—how could anyone label her as unlucky after such fortunate events?
While Shen Zi’an shared in their joy, his happiness waned as he remembered the trials Su Zhi endured before finding the ginseng.
“Wife, you decide what to do with the ginseng. If you prefer not to sell it, keep it for your health,” he suggested.
Su Zhi smiled at Shen Zi’an and replied, “Let’s keep a few ginseng roots for ourselves, and sell the rest. There might be more opportunities to find ginseng in the future. For now, it’s essential to sell them for silver to live well.”
Li Shi and Shen Zi’an knew ginseng wasn’t something easily stumbled upon, especially in the Great Green Mountain. The rarity of finding such valuable ginseng, unlike the small and less valuable ones found in the past, made this discovery truly remarkable.
Li Shi and Shen Zi’an carefully unearthed the ginseng, not leaving a single root behind. When the ginseng was fully revealed, even Su Zhi couldn’t help but marvel at its beauty.
Li Shi remarked, “I’ve spent years outdoors and have seen my share of ginseng, but never one as remarkable as this. Shen Zi’an, Su Zhi, your ginseng is too precious for the town market; you’ll need to sell it in the city to avoid being cheated. Keep the sale discreet to prevent envy.”
Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi agreed, understanding the need for caution.
As Shen Zi’an began to package the ginseng carefully, Su Zhi insisted on using the bamboo basket for the chestnuts. Despite their abundance, they couldn’t fit all the chestnuts in one go, requiring multiple trips.
Su Zhi’s basket brimmed with chestnuts, the weight feeling satisfying as they descended the mountain. Despite their injuries, the bountiful harvest brought joy to their hearts.
Once home, each of them stored their belongings before Li Shi organized a group to help carry the tigers down from the mountain—such a task was beyond the two men alone.
Soon, several men gathered outside Shen Zi’an’s home, eager to assist in transporting the tigers down the mountain. The excitement was palpable; it had been decades since anyone had killed a tiger, making this a significant event.
Shen Zi’an instructed Su Zhi to stay home and watch over the house while he accompanied the group up the mountain.
In less than an hour, the two tigers were successfully brought down from the mountain under Shen Zi’an’s orders, transported to Li Shi’s home to ensure Su Zhi was spared from further distress.
The news of two tigers being killed spread rapidly throughout the village as soon as the men began carrying them down the mountain. Within the hour, the entire village had heard of the extraordinary event, drawing everyone to the eastern riverbank to catch a glimpse of the tigers. Excited voices filled the air, resembling a bustling fair with adults shouting and children clamoring—a lively atmosphere enveloped the village.
Li Shi’s father, stepmother, elder brother, and younger siblings all arrived, their greedy gazes unsettling Li Shi. Upon hearing someone praise him, Li Shi promptly clarified that it was Shen Zi’an who had dealt the fatal blows, with Li Shi merely providing assistance. He intended to ensure his family understood the division of the tiger-selling profits, preempting any potential misunderstandings.
Once the crowd learned it was Shen Zi’an who had slain the tigers, praises and admiration flooded in his direction. Despite marrying a supposed jinx, Shen Zi’an had always been well-regarded in the village, and now, having killed the tigers, his reputation soared even higher.
As the lively discussions continued, an unsettling voice pierced the air, causing furrowed brows from both Li Shi and Shen Zi’an, signaling the onset of a new issue, much to the anticipation of onlookers.