Chapter 46: The Fence-Sitter (1)

The next morning, Wen Lan got up early again. As usual, she brought the hunter’s breakfast into his room.

It seemed like the hunter was heading into the mountains again today to keep watch while hunting.

“Sir, you’re going into the mountains again today? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I could’ve prepared some dry rations for you.”

“No need.” Xuan Yue glanced at the breakfast on the table and said nothing more before walking straight out the door.

He didn’t look like he was in a good mood.

Wen Lan pouted, guessing that he was probably upset because of that cloak.

Well, what could she do? It was already cut up. She couldn’t be blamed—he had nodded his head in agreement last night.

Although she told herself this to ease her conscience, when she left the house carrying the pouch made from the cloak gifted by the hunter’s beloved, she still felt a little guilty.

She figured she should replace the cloak as soon as possible.

Thinking about how she still owed the hunter a cloak, Wen Lan quickened her pace toward the old forest.

Before long, she arrived at the place where she had arranged to meet He Jingtian.

He Jingtian seemed to have been waiting a while. He had a basket on his back and was looking around.

“Jingtian, I’m so sorry I’m late,” Wen Lan quickly apologized.

“It’s fine. You’re working as a maid at the hunter’s house now, so of course you have to serve him before you can leave.”

“Yeah, I had to make his breakfast.” Wen Lan thought about the bowl of noodles she’d made. “But our master is a picky eater. I made him plain noodles in broth, and he only gave it a glance.”

“He didn’t like it?”

“Apparently not.” Wen Lan was just chatting idly with him.

She didn’t expect He Jingtian to take it seriously. “Maybe your cooking is just terrible?”

“How could that be?” She was a certified gourmet, officially recognized by the top food platform.

“It must be because your food is terrible,” He Jingtian insisted. “I’ve eaten your family’s cooking before—everything’s just boiled with a bit of salt. Your noodles must be the same.”

Not true at all. She’d made those plain noodles using leftover chicken broth. She even ate a bowl herself—the broth was clear, the noodles were chewy. Delicious.

“Do you even know what your master usually likes to eat?” He Jingtian hit her with a fatal question.

“No… I don’t.” She truly didn’t. Not only did she not know his tastes—she didn’t even know his name.

He Jingtian sighed with concern. “Furong, this won’t do. Everyone in the village thinks you married the hunter, so you really need to serve him well. What if he sends you back?”

“I doubt he’d go that far.”

“How can you say that? That man spent a whole tael of gold. Whether he paid a bride price or bought you as a maid, there’s no way you’ll be allowed to return to Yushou Village. You know our village rules.”

Of course, Wen Lan knew the rules. If a married woman was sent back by her husband’s family, not only would the full bride price have to be returned, but she also couldn’t stay at her parents’ home.

“You have to pay more attention,” He Jingtian reminded her.

Wen Lan could only nod. A culinary master who could fry, boil, steam, and roast anything had to be lectured about paying attention to food prep. Who could she complain to?

Fine. Once she figured out how to earn money, she’d take the time to learn what the hunter liked to eat.

As long as it wasn’t dragon meat from the heavens, she’d make it.

As they chatted, they quickly reached the entrance to the old forest. Just as Wen Lan was about to ask where there were more soapberry trees, a man walked out of the roadside bushes, pulling up his pants.

A moment later, a woman also emerged, adjusting her clothes. Judging by her attire, she looked like a courtesan.

Neither of them looked embarrassed upon seeing Wen Lan and He Jingtian. The man kept pulling up his pants, and the woman extended her hand toward him for money.

“Damn it, doing business in this godforsaken place is exhausting. Hurry up, pay me!”

The man chuckled and threw her a piece of broken silver. Only then did he look over at Wen Lan and He Jingtian.

“Well, well, isn’t this Lin Furong and He Jingtian? Heading into the forest this early to meet that wild man of yours?”

It was none other than Sun Dafu, the scoundrel who had recently swindled a few taels of silver from Meng Qiancheng.

Sun Dafu was no good. Bringing a courtesan to the woods for illicit acts—Wen Lan and He Jingtian both gave him a look of contempt.

After glancing at him, they couldn’t be bothered and continued walking into the forest.

“What’s the rush?” Sun Dafu ran up to block their path, leering as he ogled Wen Lan.

“Lin Furong, haven’t seen you in a few days, but you’re looking even more luscious now. Wonder what Meng Qiancheng thinks, giving up a beauty like you to marry that fat sow.”

“Watch your mouth,” Wen Lan warned.

“I’m just speaking up for you,” Sun Dafu said as he reached out to pat her shoulder.

Wen Lan dodged in disgust.

Having missed his chance, Sun Dafu didn’t dare push further. With a sleazy grin, he asked, “So, is that hunter treating you well?”

“What’s it to you?”

“Oh my, listen to you! That’s not the little lamb I used to know. Must be that hunter—got you all feisty now.” He shook his head smugly. “No wonder Meng Qiancheng was afraid I’d spill the beans about what he did to you. He’s scared of that hunter, too.”

Those who cared would catch the hint. He Jingtian immediately stepped forward and asked, “Sun Dafu, do you know something?”

“Of course I do.” Sun Dafu grinned and reached out toward Wen Lan. “But if you want to know, you gotta pay.”

“I don’t want to know.” Wen Lan refused flatly—she already knew.

Besides, she didn’t want anything to do with scum like Meng Qiancheng anymore. She came here to build a career, not to bicker with trash.

“Why don’t you want to know?” He Jingtian asked, puzzled. “He hurt you so badly. Don’t you want to know why?”

“It’s in the past.”

“But he should at least clear your name!” He Jingtian stomped her foot and turned to Sun Dafu. “How much?”

Sun Dafu held up one finger.

He Jingtian gritted her teeth and pulled a single copper coin from her pouch, handing it to him.

Sun Dafu laughed. “What is this, charity? One coin for my intel?”

Wen Lan snatched the coin back and stuffed it into He Jingtian’s pouch. She said to Sun Dafu, “One coin? Your so-called intel is worth less than dog crap.”

She sneered and continued, “Let me guess. You saw Meng Qiancheng asking me to elope that night, but then you saw him go off to watch an opera with Yin Susu in the neighboring village. Also, when you tried to molest me, it was because Meng Qiancheng put you up to it. He had bad intentions from the start.”

Sun Dafu was shocked she knew everything. He smiled awkwardly but said, “Still, you only know half the story. Meng Qiancheng had another reason for ruining you.”

“What reason?”

Sun Dafu held out his hand again. “One tael of silver. Give me that, and I’ll tell you.”

One tael? Wen Lan scoffed inwardly. Yesterday she’d hauled a massive basket to the market and only made fifty-something coins. This man had the nerve to ask for a whole tael?

If money was this easy to make, she wanted to make some.

“I don’t have money,” she refused bluntly. “And I’m not interested in your reason. But my man might want to know. I’ll have him come ask you sometime.”

Mentioning the hunter—who could kill a bear with one punch—Sun Dafu instantly shrank back.

“No need! No need!” He waved his hands. “I’ll tell you for free.”

“Then speak.” Wen Lan crossed her arms like a boss.

Sun Dafu bowed and said, “It was Yin Susu who asked Meng Qiancheng to ruin your reputation. The Meng family lost money on several big trades because they couldn’t collect enough silk this year. They had to borrow from the Yin family. And that money didn’t come free. The Yin family agreed to lend it, but only if Meng Qiancheng married Yin Susu.”

“So Yin Susu used the opportunity to make Meng Qiancheng smear me?” Wen Lan asked coldly.

Sun Dafu gave her a thumbs-up. “Didn’t think you were this smart. Got it in one.”

What a tired cliché. In her world, this kind of plot wouldn’t even pass for a third-rate web novel.

“Fine. Now that my reputation’s ruined, Yin Susu must be satisfied. I wish her and Meng Qiancheng a lifetime of happiness.”

With that, Wen Lan grabbed He Jingtian and started walking again.

Sun Dafu blocked her again.

“Lin Furong, you’re really not angry?”

“Why should I be? I’ve got food and clothes now, living better than being a bullied daughter-in-law in the Meng family. I should be thanking them.”

Huh?

Sun Dafu stared at Wen Lan, not quite believing what he was hearing.

When had Lin Furong become so open-minded?

If it were anyone else, they’d be furious and he’d get to stir the pot, maybe profit off the drama. At the very least, Meng Qiancheng would pay him for causing trouble.

He never expected Lin Furong to be not the least bit upset—like a whole different person—actually saying she wanted to thank them.

What the hell was going on?

Wen Lan was eager to collect soapberries and couldn’t be bothered to talk to a sleaze like Sun Dafu. She pointed at the forest path, signaling him to get out of the way.

Sun Dafu, getting nowhere, had no choice but to move aside.

Wen Lan and He Jingtian continued walking. After a few steps, He Jingtian stopped and asked, “Furong, you really don’t hate Meng Qiancheng?”

“Of course I do. But hate doesn’t feed you.”

“I know that, but he nearly got you killed. You can’t just let that go.”

“What else can I do? Besides, I was at fault too. I entrusted my future to a man I didn’t fully understand. That was reckless.”

This was how Wen Lan truly felt. In her world, she always believed her future was in her own hands.

That’s why she studied food, ran a cooking blog, and planned out her life. If not for that accident at twenty-two, she believed she would’ve carved out a place for herself by now.

“Jingtian, you have to take charge of your life too,” she said earnestly.

He Jingtian was dazed. She stared at Wen Lan blankly. It felt like Lin Furong had become a completely different person—her words, her actions, everything had changed.

Clearly, having the hunter backing her made all the difference.

“Furong, you really should put more effort into the hunter’s meals. Don’t skimp on seasonings. If you don’t have any, come to my house. And you should start a vegetable patch in the mountains—plant some greens. It’s getting cooler, time to start pickling vegetables…”

On the way, He Jingtian kept fussing over her.

Before they knew it, they reached the soapberry tree.

Wen Lan looked up. The tree was five or six meters tall, with soapberries clustered at the top. The autumn wind rustled the leaves.

“Let’s gather some and head back,” He Jingtian said, setting down her basket and searching the ground.

But Wen Lan wasn’t here for a few scraps—she was here to make a serious haul.

Otherwise, cutting up that cloak would’ve been for nothing.

“I’ll climb up and pick them.” Wen Lan pulled out a rope and began tying it to herself.

He Jingtian turned pale. No one in the whole village dared climb trees this tall. At most, they’d use bamboo poles to knock fruit down. When did Lin Furong become this bold?

Besides, these were just for washing clothes. If you couldn’t get any, you could use the leaves. No need to risk your life.

“Lin Furong! It’s dangerous!” she cried, grabbing Wen Lan’s arm.

“It’s not.” Wen Lan smiled. Back in college, she was in the rock climbing club. As long as her safety rope was secure, she could scale any cliff.

In fact, the accident that landed her here had happened on her way to a climbing meet.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got a strong life,” she said, tossing the rope over the tree and tying knots.

He Jingtian was still panicking, standing below as Wen Lan climbed like a monkey.

“Jingtian, I’ll pick from up here—you gather below. Keep some for yourself, and pack the rest into my pouch.”

“Okay… okay!” He Jingtian could only nod.

One picked, the other gathered. Soon He Jingtian’s basket was full, and so was Wen Lan’s handmade pouch.

When Wen Lan saw she had enough, she clung to the tree and called for He Jingtian to move aside. Then she slid down the rope in one smooth swoop and landed gracefully on the ground.

He Jingtian was stunned again. “Furong, how… how did you do that?”

“Me?” Wen Lan shrugged. “I don’t know either. After I failed to hang myself in the mountains, I woke up with all these skills.”

“Really?” He Jingtian looked at her suspiciously. She’d never heard of people gaining new skills after surviving death.

She’d only heard of… possession.

Ghosts? Spirits?

He Jingtian took two steps back.

Wen Lan noticed the gesture and burst out laughing. “Relax. I’m not a monster. Even if I were, I wouldn’t hurt you. You’re my only true friend.”

“Then are you or aren’t you?”

“Of course not. I’m human. Flesh and blood.” Wen Lan grabbed He Jingtian’s hand and placed it on her cheek. “Feel that? Warm, right?”

“It is.” He Jingtian touched her face and grinned like a fool.

Such a pure village girl.

Wen Lan packed up her rope and found a stick. She slung the heavy pouch over her shoulder.

He Jingtian picked up her basket too.

On the way back, He Jingtian asked, “Are you planning to scrub the hunter’s whole house? Why’d you pick so many soapberries?”

“No, I’m going to peel and sell the soapberry seeds. They’re good for your skin.”

“Soapberry seeds?” The fifteen-year-old He Jingtian had never heard of them and eyed Wen Lan skeptically.

Wen Lan knew no one in Yushou Village was aware of this ingredient. It took a lot of effort to process them, so even if someone knew, few would bother.

Besides, soapberry seed wasn’t actual rice—it was just the fruit’s peel. Of course He Jingtian would be confused by a new name.

“Wait, I’ll show you how to peel them. Then you’ll see.”

When they got back to the village entrance, Wen Lan pulled out a soapberry pod, peeled off the skin and seeds, and showed He Jingtian how to strip the fruit skin from the pit.

“Once it’s peeled, dry it. Then when you want to eat it, cook it with some white fungus and red dates, add some rock sugar slices—it becomes a delicious dessert.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“Is it poisonous?”

“Nope. But don’t eat too much—it helps with digestion and clearing the bowels. Too much might give you diarrhea.”

“Furong, when did you learn all this? I almost don’t recognize you anymore.”

“I only know a little.” Wen Lan decided to change the subject. “By the way, earlier you said I should start a garden in the mountains. What can I plant this time of year?”

“Cabbage and radishes. They’re hardy.”

“Can you give me some seeds?”

“Of course! Wait here—I’ll go get them.” He Jingtian picked up her basket and headed back to the village.

Wen Lan was tired after a morning of hard work. She set down the soapberry pods by the road, washed her face at the riverbank, and found a shady spot to rest.

She had no idea someone was on their way from the market to find her.

That person was Yin Guanghong.

Yin Guanghong was lovesick. Even though he knew the beauty he saw yesterday was probably Lin Furong, who’d married the hunter, he still couldn’t stop thinking about her.

He even regretted moving out of Yushou Village.

If he’d stayed, Lin Furong wouldn’t have ended up in Meng Qiancheng’s hands, let alone married an outsider.

He was unwilling to accept it.

So early that morning, he returned to Yushou Village from the market, hoping to learn more about Lin Furong.

By chance, he ran into Sun Dafu, who was on his way to the market for a drink.

Sun Dafu was Yushou Village’s notorious scoundrel, and Yin Guanghong was the ringleader of Chicken Cry Town’s hooligans. The two lowlifes naturally greeted each other warmly.

“Master Yin!” Sun Dafu greeted with a cupped fist.

“Brother Dafu.” Yin Guanghong returned the gesture.

“Master Yin, heading back to the village?”

“Yeah, going to check on my old man.”

“Such a filial son!” Sun Dafu flattered.

Yin Guanghong chuckled and decided to ask Sun Dafu about Lin Furong.

Sun Dafu was the king of eavesdropping—there was little in the village he didn’t know.

“Brother Dafu, I want to ask you something.”

“Anything, Master Yin. If I know it, I’ll tell you everything, not holding back a word.”

“Did Lin Furong really marry that hunter in the mountains?”

“She did. Everyone in Yushou Village knows.” Sun Dafu’s beady eyes turned as he leaned closer. “Master Yin, are you asking on your sister’s behalf?”

“Why do you ask that?”

Sun Dafu snickered. “I know your sister and Meng Qiancheng teamed up to ruin Lin Furong. And to be fair, they did a great job—Lin Furong almost hanged herself.”

“My sister?” Yin Guanghong