Although in that imperial examination novel, her cousin Li Zhiyuan only appeared in the first dozen chapters as a contrasting side character and was barely mentioned later on.

Naturally, the male lead’s life wasn’t meant to be smooth. Passing the imperial exams was just a small feat. To highlight his extraordinary talent, the story was set against a grand backdrop of imperial succession:

The male lead passed the xiucai exam during the reign of the current emperor, Emperor Jing.

Later, the crown prince died. Instead of appointing another son—like Prince Ding or Prince Ping—as successor, Emperor Jing designated the crown prince’s son as heir.

Three years later, Emperor Jing passed away, and the Crown Prince took the throne under the reign title Chengzheng. The male lead passed the special examination in its first year, becoming a juren, jinshi, and finally the top scorer, zhuangyuan. Achieving top ranks in all three stages during the Chengzheng era was an incredible feat, and his future looked bright.

However, just as he became the top scholar, Emperor Chengzheng ordered the reduction of the feudal princes’ power. In response, the Princes of Ding and Ping both rebelled.

In the end, Prince Ding defeated his own brother, deposed his nephew Emperor Chengzheng, and ascended the throne himself as Emperor Yongding.

At that point, the male lead, who had just earned his title under Emperor Chengzheng, found himself in an awkward and difficult situation.

Yet it was precisely this hardship that set him apart. Through his talent, the male lead had a chance encounter with Emperor Yongding. From then on, the wise ruler met a worthy subject, and their story became a celebrated tale of mutual understanding between sovereign and minister.

As a background character with no name—just briefly mentioned during the introduction of a supporting role—Li Xiaohan would probably never have any connection with the male lead. If she remembered correctly, the male lead was currently just a primary school-age child in the next village, struggling to survive with his widowed mother.

If she were an opportunist, Li Xiaohan should seize this moment to get close to him and offer help during his difficult times in hopes of future repayment.

But right now, her own family was nothing more than penniless outcasts. What right did she have to offer favors to the male lead?

Even if they became wealthy, Li Xiaohan had no intention of investing in the male lead.

After all, this was a story aimed at a male audience. Investing in the male lead often meant becoming one of the women in his inner court. Watching him rise to fame and fortune, surrounded by beautiful women—Li Xiaohan had no interest in becoming part of his harem.

She had seen wild geese fly free. Why would she willingly cage herself like a canary?

Still, while she could avoid the male lead’s storyline, she couldn’t ignore the larger background of the novel’s later chapters.

The emperor reducing the power of the princes, princes rebelling, the throne changing hands—this turmoil was far beyond any individual’s control.

In a sweeping tide of chaos, people were like driftwood, carried along with no say in where they ended up.

In troubled times, human life was worth less than a dog’s. As a commoner caught in war, survival often depended on luck.

Would Li Xiaohan’s luck be good enough?

“Xiaohan, what are you thinking about?”

Seeing the sudden change in her expression and how she stayed dazed for a long while, Li Xiandong asked in concern.

“Nothing. I just didn’t expect Renhetang to have such a powerful background,” Li Xiaohan forced herself to explain.

Her explanation convinced everyone. After all, no matter how precocious and clever she was, she was still only thirteen. Her experiences were limited. Suddenly finding out that the medicine hall she’d visited was connected to someone of high status—it was understandable she’d be shocked.

“But, clan head, it’s early September now, and the weather is still mild. However, it’ll soon be October, and with winter coming, bark harvesting may not be successful,” Li Xiaohan said, working to calm herself down.

One shouldn’t let fear of the unknown scare them to death. The most important thing was to live each moment well and absorb every bit of nourishment to grow stronger. Only then could one survive difficult times in the future.

A great wave might wash away a lone tree, but it could not destroy an entire forest.

Li Xiaohan didn’t yet have a concrete plan for surviving the coming chaos.

However, since the clan had once fled successfully during times of war, it showed that clan strength couldn’t be underestimated.

There was truth to the saying, “There is strength in numbers.”

Instinctively, Li Xiaohan began to show her abilities and increase her influence and voice within the clan.

“That’s reasonable. I’ll arrange for people to do experimental harvesting in sections of the clan’s forest. At worst, if the trees die, we’ll just strip the bark from the whole tree,” the clan head said, then continued, “I heard you’ve been transplanting cuttings and collecting seeds to grow new saplings?”

“Yes. I don’t know if it will work, but I have to try,” Li Xiaohan replied, referring to seed cultivation. She had heard that Old Madam Zhang used cuttings to propagate the tree, but the survival rate was low.

In fact, because the seeds of the eucommia tree contain a kind of gum, there’s a specific trick to growing them. People in this era didn’t know that, so they’d only been using cuttings.

“Good. In that case, I’ll prohibit anyone in the clan from privately passing on any techniques related to eucommia trees. Everyone must participate and help for at least one day. What do you all think?” the clan head asked.

Li Xiaohan and the others naturally had no objections. The clan head and Third Great-Uncle had likely discussed this before coming, and the three of them had hoped for exactly this outcome.

As the villagers talked, the matter was quickly settled. The rest was just going over the details one by one.

Earlier, Madam Wang had been in the kitchen cooking. After serving the tea, she couldn’t join the conversation, so she went back to the kitchen to avoid burning the food. By now, dinner was almost ready, and the aroma of the dishes was wafting out.

Seeing that the Li family was about to eat, the clan head stood up and said, “Alright, it’s settled then. Deyou, Xinhe, go tell Uncle Shengyi and Uncle Shenglai that this decision was made by me and Third Uncle. If anyone else in the village asks about the eucommia trees, they’re not allowed to say a word or teach them anything. Just tell them to come to Xiandong. There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.”

“Yes, clan head,” Li Deyou and Li Xinhe responded.

“Third Uncle, is there anything else?” the clan head asked.

“Nothing else, let’s go,” Third Uncle said, standing up and leaning on his cane, ready to leave.

Li Xiaohan nudged Li Xiandong, and he quickly stepped forward. “Third Uncle, clan head, why don’t you stay for dinner?”

“No need,” the clan head replied. “I still have to take care of the eucommia trees on the clan’s communal land. Xiandong, I’ll come drink with you another time.”

That was official business. As for Third Uncle, he simply waved his hand. “I’m old. I eat early and sleep early. I’ve already eaten. Maybe next time.”

With both elders declining, Li Xiandong didn’t dare insist. He could only walk them to the door.

Once the two of them were out of sight, Li Xiaohan turned and went to the kitchen. “Mother, is dinner ready? I’m starving.”

After a whole day of work, then having to go toe-to-toe with two old men in a battle of wits, not to mention being shaken by the plot twists, Li Xiaohan felt like she could eat an entire cow.

People need food like iron needs fuel. Skip a meal, and you’ll be starving. No matter how big the issue, food comes first.

Only after eating can you have the energy to think about anything else.