Chapter 38 – Don’t Blame Us for Not Helping If You End Up Poisoned

“Officer, this is a hunter from the village. The road back was blocked, so he came to this broken temple to take shelter.”

Shen Qian brought the man into the rundown temple. The man was carrying two wild chickens and a wild rabbit in his hand, his eyes landing on Ren Bang.

“Officer, I’m from the neighboring village. I went hunting in the mountains and didn’t expect a heavy storm last night.”

“What’s your name?”

Ren Bang squinted his eyes, carefully examining the man before him. The man smiled.

“My name is Xu Wei. These are a little something for you, Officer.”

He offered one of the wild chickens and the wild rabbit to Ren Bang. Shen Qian, watching from the side, ached in her heart.

She silently prayed Ren Bang wouldn’t accept them, but she knew that was wishful thinking—after all, the officers were almost out of food.

As expected, Ren Bang took the wild game and handed it over to Xiao Deng nearby. Then he said to Xu Wei, “You may rest here, but don’t cause trouble.”

“Of course, of course.”

Xu Wei replied happily. Someone from the Old Song family gave Shen Qian a look, and the corners of her mouth lifted into a smile.

“Brother Xu, this is my family. You can rest with us for now.”

Jiang Wan watched coldly as Shen Qian led Xu Wei into the Old Song family’s area. Song Jiuli couldn’t help but whisper,
“Why do I feel like Shen Qian’s only after the chicken?”

“Be confident. Drop the ‘feel like’.”

Jiang Wan was drying her hair. The yams had already been cleaned by Song Jiuchi and Song Jiuli. She taught Madam Song how to steam them in the pot.

While they were talking, those who had gone out to forage were gradually returning. Some had considered escaping.

But the only way out was blocked. They really couldn’t get away and could only return obediently.

Most brought back a little something to eat. If they couldn’t find proper food, they picked wild herbs to gnaw on—better than starving to death.

That was the case for Song San Niang. She returned in a sorry state with a handful of wild grass, only to be scolded by the Old Madam Song.

“Look at you, bringing back wild grass—how are we supposed to eat that? There’s so many of us here. Are we supposed to starve to death?”

The crowd chimed in one after another, all while sneaking glances at Xu Wei. Xu Wei couldn’t pretend not to see and handed the remaining wild chicken to Shen Qian.

“Why don’t we all eat together?”

“Brother Xu, you’re so kind.”

Shen Qian’s sugary tone almost gave Jiang Wan goosebumps—it was just too cloying.

“Ugh…”

Song Jiuli made a gagging motion and rolled her eyes sarcastically.
“Shen Qian really would do anything for a bite to eat.”

“Not surprising.”

Jiang Wan thought, If she ever found out what Concubine Duan had done, she’d probably be disgusted too.

“Stay out of their business.”

Song Jiuyuan gave the Old Song family a cold glance, like they were strangers with no importance.

“Listen to your brother.”

Madam Song smiled. On the other side, the Old Song family joyfully slaughtered the chicken while Jiang Wan’s group worked quietly.

While everyone was distracted by the officers and the Old Song family’s wild game, Jiang Wan secretly dropped a few quail eggs into the pot.

Gradually, the scent of food wafted from the temple. Some of the commoners also managed to scrape together a bit of food.

“Wow, it smells amazing!”

Shen Qian exclaimed loudly in an exaggerated tone, shooting a glance at Jiang Wan—likely to show off.

But Jiang Wan didn’t even spare her a look. Shen Qian had expected jealousy, but the lack of reaction only made her feel worse.

It felt like punching a pillow—soft, unsatisfying, and frustrating.

“All done.”

Jiang Wan finished drying her hair. The steamed dinner was ready. Madam Song lifted the lid, first secretly dividing the quail eggs and hiding them for the group.

Then she picked up a piece of steaming yam and sniffed it, “Smells so good.”

“Big Sister-in-law, it smells good, sure, but whether it’s edible is another story.”

Second Madam Song inhaled the chicken aroma in the air smugly and sneered,
“Those mushrooms smelled great too, remember? But they were poisonous.

I advise you not to eat things you don’t recognize. If something happens, you’ll have no one to turn to.”

“No need for your concern.”

Madam Song’s voice was cold. She didn’t even glance at her, making Second Madam Song fume.

“Go ahead and act tough now, but if you get poisoned later, don’t blame us for not helping you.”

“Mother, it’s ready to eat.”

Jiang Wan took a bite. Hmm, wild yam actually tasted pretty good—better than the fake ones she’d bought in her past life.

Song Jiuyuan also took a bite. The texture was soft and pleasant—indeed delicious. He had eaten this before, but it was always prepared by a chef.

He hadn’t known what raw yams looked like, but now he could eat with peace of mind. He offered rare praise:

“Not bad.”

“Tastes kinda like sweet potatoes to me.”

Song Jiuli happily puffed out her cheeks and sneakily popped a quail egg into her mouth, smiling with curved eyes.

This harmonious scene irritated Shen Qian’s group. Fortunately, the chicken they were boiling was finally ready.

It was Xu Wei’s chicken. Shen Qian softly said, “Brother Xu, here’s a spoon for you.”

“You helped me—this chicken is yours to decide.”

Xu Wei gave Shen Qian a gentle smile. That smile was especially dazzling and made Song Chen, watching from across, feel a wave of bitterness.

He glanced at Concubine Duan beside him—she’d been spending time with other men these past two days. Song Chen felt nauseated.

“Master.”

Concubine Duan gently helped him clean his wounds, causing a sharp pang in his heart. He hadn’t wanted it to be this way either.

On the other side, Shen Qian got Xu Wei’s approval and happily dished up a big bowl of chicken for him, then served the others.

She was petty—keeping more meat for herself. As for Concubine Duan, she got mostly broth, but she didn’t seem to mind.

Once the food was distributed, Shen Qian smugly held her bowl and glanced over at Jiang Wan’s group. But the smile on her face froze the next second.

Because Xiao Deng brought over half a chicken to Jiang Wan’s group.

“Big Sister Jiang, the yams were really good—this is our way of returning the favor.”

He smiled, showing his white teeth—charming and sincere. Jiang Wan looked up and saw Ren Bang not far away.

He gave her a friendly smile. Looks like the two of them were intentionally helping her out—serves Shen Qian right for being so arrogant.

Jiang Wan smiled as she accepted the chicken and thanked them sincerely,
“Thank you!”

“You’re welcome.”

Xiao Deng scratched his head. Once Jiang Wan shared the chicken, he took the empty bowl and left.

Seeing that Jiang Wan’s group now had chicken too, Shen Qian suddenly felt her own food was bland and tasteless, like chewing wax.

“So good!”

Song Jiuli shouted cheerfully without a care, nearly choking Shen Qian with her words. Damn it!

“Eat, then wash the dishes.”

Jiang Wan didn’t pay much attention to the Old Song family’s reaction. She had bigger things on her mind. If the rain didn’t stop soon…

No matter how capable she was, she wouldn’t be able to get away. That would be a real problem.

“Got it!”

Song Jiuli responded happily. The pampered young lady had now learned to take care of herself.