“Who said anything bad about her… I’m out looking for food all day, where would I find the time?” Xiao Xixi(Little Xixi) snapped, chin raised, eyes defiant and proud.

This child was pitiful.

His father had gone off to war and never returned.

They all said he was dead, but his name never appeared on the list of casualties, so the family never received a penny of compensation.

His mother remarried and left him behind.

Now he lived with only his grandmother, relying on each other to survive.

His grandmother had a kind heart.

In the early days, she would even gently try to advise Lu Qingqing when she ran into her.

But after being cursed out—called a “nosy old hag”—she stopped daring to say anything.

Looking at Xiao Xixi’s thin, small frame, Lu Qingqing pulled out two more duck eggs.

“Don’t go fishing anymore. If you fall in the river, no one will hear you call for help. Do you want your grandmother to die with no one to bury her?”

Her words were harsh—but every word was true.

Although still young, Xiao Xixi had seen too much and matured too early.

Hearing this, he lowered his head.

Who wanted to catch fish anyway?

The riverbank was steep and slippery—he had almost fallen last time.

But his grandmother’s health was failing. Lately, she got winded just walking.

She needed something nutritious.

“How about this—starting tomorrow, you find herbs for me, and I’ll pay you,” Lu Qingqing said.

Who was she trying to fool?

If he knew herbs, he wouldn’t be scavenging the mountains for food every day.

“Hey! What’s with the eye-roll?” Lu Yun flicked Xiao Xixi on the forehead.

“But, Qingqing, are you serious? If you need herbs, I can get them. Why rely on this kid?”

“No, Second Brother, it’s not just for use. I plan to sell them.”

Lu Qingqing stepped aside and squatted down, pulling a weed from the ground.

“This is creeping amaranth, also called xuejianchou—‘blood-grief herb’. It’s great for stopping bleeding. You can also boil it with eggs or make fish soup—it’s great for postpartum recovery.

If someone gets bitten by a snake, chew it and apply the paste—it relieves pain and swelling quickly. Dried and made into tea, it has a whole-body nourishing effect. It’s antibacterial and even helps suppress tumors and certain illnesses.”

The day Feng Xiaowan gave birth and bled heavily, this herb had been one of the key ingredients in Lu Qingqing’s remedy.

It truly was a valuable medicinal plant.

Seeing Lu Qingqing explain all this so clearly, Xiao Xixi stared suspiciously at the herb in his hand, eyes blazing.

Wasn’t this just some bird’s nest weed?

It’s actually medicinal?

“Pick herbs for me every day. I’ll pay you one tael of silver per month.”

One tael a month—that’s twelve a year.

A strong laborer’s yearly wage averaged only thirty taels.

For a ten-year-old child, this was incredibly generous—enough for him and his grandmother to live on.

But Xiao Xixi became even more suspicious.

Why would Lu Qingqing give him such a good deal?

“You’re not going to have me gather only this one plant, right?” he couldn’t help asking.

“Of course not. Start with this one tomorrow, and I’ll teach you how to recognize others later.”

“Aren’t you worried I’ll learn the trade and start selling herbs myself?”

Lu Yun nodded vigorously.

If anyone should be taught, it should be family.

Why teach an outsider?

Lu Qingqing smiled. “Then you wouldn’t be too clever. You’ll scrape by in life but never get rich.”

Herb shops sell medicine at a high price—but they buy raw herbs cheap.

After all, these plants were common and everywhere.

It’s the processed medicine that’s worth money.

“Alright, if you’ve made up your mind, bring a basket of xuejianchou to the Lu household tomorrow.”

Lu Qingqing and Lu Yun had barely walked a few steps when Xiao Xixi shouted from behind:

“You gave me too many duck eggs. I don’t take advantage—I’ll just keep three!”

Lu Qingqing waved without turning around. “Keep them—it’s my way of apologizing.”

After they left, Xiao Xixi rolled up his right pant leg.

There, his ankle was swollen badly.

He chewed up a wad of the xuejianchou and plastered it over the swelling.

..

Lu Qingqing and Lu Yun returned home happily, but before they even stepped inside, they heard arguing from within.

Lu Yun almost thought Lu Qingqing had gotten into trouble again and someone had come to settle the score.

But it turned out to be the in-laws—his elder brother’s wife’s family.

They had come to take Feng Xiaowan back home.

Inside the house, Madam Feng was shouting that she was taking her daughter away.

“The baby’s born, perfect timing. From now on, we’re cutting ties with the Lu family. They’re a mess—you’ll never have a good life here!”

“Mother, I’m not going. I won’t go!”

“Mother-in-law, please let go—she’s still weak.” Lu Feng was trying hard to hold her back.

But Madam Feng seemed determined this time, refusing to let go.

They kept tugging back and forth.

The baby cried like a kitten inside, and Feng Xiaowan sobbed helplessly.

“My daughter has matured—she’ll never bully Xiaowan again. Please trust us one more time!”

Old Father Lu was outside trying to reason with the Feng men.

But who would believe them now?

“Step aside! If your daughter can ever grow a conscience, it’ll be after they’ve buried you in the ground Brother Lu, don’t blame us. If you want our daughter to stay, fine— Marry your daughter off immediately!”

“How could we? Even if she marries, it should be to a good family.”

“Ha! A good family? Her bad reputation has spread across dozens of villages! Xiaoyong, why are you still standing there? Go drag your sister out!”

“I’d like to see who dares lay a hand on my sister-in-law!”

Lu Yun and Lu Qingqing rushed in, steadying their nearly-falling father.

“A married woman is like water thrown out. We properly married her into our family, and now you want to storm in and snatch her back? Are you looking for a legal judgment at the county office?”

The Feng family knew they were in the wrong and didn’t press further. Their tone softened:

“Lu Yun, it’s not that we’re being unreasonable. You know your sister-in-law’s had a miserable time here. Even pregnant, she got scolded by your sister just for eating a boiled egg.

We also heard she borrowed money from a loan shark. You tell me—what kind of family allows that?

Sure, this time the debt’s paid, but what about next time? What’s next—selling her into slavery? We can’t let her stay here!”

“There won’t be a next time. My sister’s changed!” Lu Yun said firmly.

“Oh please! Everyone in the area’s heard about her. She borrowed money for a man—her name’s ruined. I can’t even repeat the worst of what they say! Now I get pointed at when I walk down the street. You might not care about shame, but my son still needs to marry!”

Lu Yun was about to explode with anger when suddenly they heard Feng Xiaowan cry out from inside:

“Fine! Have Lu Feng write me a divorce letter—I’ll leave with you! Once we’re home, I’ll hang myself at the gate!”

..

Silence fell both inside and out.

In truth, the Feng family had only come today to back their daughter up—to pressure the Lu family into kicking out the troublemaking sister.

They hadn’t really wanted to cause issues between their daughter and her husband.

After all, Lu Feng was a truly good man—rare and valuable.

Ah, a daughter married is like water poured out.

But this daughter… she really had no backbone.

Father Feng felt deeply embarrassed—this day had gone completely against plan.