Chapter 9: ‘Rain Fungus’ Turns into ‘Feather Army’

Once again, Xiao Ranshu ate until she could barely move, then leisurely made her way to the small courtyard and sat on a stone bench to rest.

Not long after, the sky began to darken, followed by a spring rain. The raindrops pattered on the courtyard ground, creating a soothing sound.

Xiao Ranshu returned to the main room, moved a wooden couch to the central hall, and gazed outside.

The rain scene of the Four Waters Returning to the Hall was indeed beautiful. The ancient-style courtyard was filled with a sense of leisure and elegance, which explained why so many ancient poets wrote about rain scenes.

But why did it rain here every day?

What kind of terrain was this?

Xiao Ranshu’s mind wandered, and she closed her eyes.

The sound of the rain turned into white noise, somewhat hypnotic.

Behind her, on a narrow table, the Eternal Flame Incense burned quietly.

A wisp of smoke curled around the wooden couch and drifted in front of her, coalescing into a Mist Barrier.

As time passed, the smoke seemed to form a screen-like curtain, separating her from the outside world.

It was unclear how much time had passed.

Xiao Ranshu’s nap was interrupted by the creak of a door opening.

It was Lao Zhao and his family returning.

Zhang Da Niang stepped into the courtyard with an excited expression, holding a girl in her arms.

Lao Zhao and Zhao Tiezhu stood like guardians on either side, protecting the mother and daughter.

The girl seemed oblivious, sucking her thumb while wide-eyed, curiously observing everything around her.

The three of them had initially looked excited, but when they glanced into the open door of the main room, they were completely stunned.

In the central hall of the main room, the smoke seemed to be deliberately controlled, forming a distinct misty curtain.

Xiao Ranshu sat behind the curtain, her features blurred, her white robe faintly visible.

As the door creaked open, she slowly woke up and opened her eyes.

Instantly, the condensed mist curtain dissipated into smoke, scattering throughout the room.

Xiao Ranshu, just awakened from her nap, was in a dazed state, staring blankly ahead.

But what she thought was a blank stare appeared entirely different to others.

Especially to Lao Zhao’s family, this scene was no different from a deity descending to earth.

Both Xiao Ranshu herself and the wooden couch she sat on seemed sacred and towering, as if they were separated by more than just a courtyard—it felt like they were worlds apart.

Dreamlike and surreal.

Lao Zhao was the first to kneel, his knees hitting the floor tiles with a loud thud.

Zhao Tiezhu followed suit, his forehead pressed to the ground, not daring to look up.

Zhang Da Niang slowly knelt down, holding her daughter, her eyes filled with reverence and awe.

With the three of them kneeling, Xiao Ranshu finally fully woke up.

The rain had stopped, and the sky was clear.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of spring soil.

Xiao Ranshu took a moment to collect herself, then stood up and walked over, raising her hand as she moved.

She had intended to speak, to tell them not to kneel, but her hand moved faster than her mouth.

And her mouth, still groggy from sleep, felt as if it were glued shut—she couldn’t get a single word out!

Fortunately, her gesture conveyed the message.

Lao Zhao quickly stood up, first pulling his son, who hadn’t noticed Xiao Ranshu’s gesture, to his feet, then helping Zhang Da Niang up.

For a moment, the family was speechless, looking at Xiao Ranshu with a mix of anticipation and nervousness.

Their gaze was like that of children waiting for a treat—terrifyingly sincere and enthusiastic!

Xiao Ranshu looked curiously at the girl in Zhang Da Niang’s arms and asked, “How old is your daughter?”

Zhang Da Niang immediately replied, “Five years old!”

Xiao Ranshu was puzzled, “Why is she being carried?”

The girl’s condition was strange. Despite being five years old, she seemed like an infant in swaddling clothes, constantly held in her mother’s arms and apparently unable to speak.

Could she have some illness?

Zhang Da Niang was stumped by the question and couldn’t answer.

Lao Zhao anxiously said, “She can’t walk at five years old, so she needs to be carried. It’s always like this!”

Xiao Ranshu was even more confused, her face filled with bewilderment.

Zhao Tiezhu, smarter than his parents, explained, “Fairy, you might not know this, but ordinary children usually undergo Mind Opening between eight to ten years old. Only prestigious families, using Natural Treasures, can achieve it earlier, but most don’t exceed five years old. Achieving Mind Opening at three years old is a rarity among geniuses.”

Lao Zhao added, “Yes, yes! Only after Mind Opening can they speak and walk.”

Xiao Ranshu was stunned, suddenly realizing the peculiarity of this world.

It wasn’t the feudal ancient times she had imagined!

She frowned, pondered for a moment, and asked, “What do you usually call her?”

“Ya Ya! We call her Ya Ya!” Zhang Da Niang said.

Lao Zhao added, somewhat embarrassed, “All little girls are called Ya Ya when they’re young.”

Xiao Ranshu nodded, a smile curling at the corner of her lips.

Because she saw, outside the courtyard gate, beside the stone steps leading up the mountain, a mushroom had sprouted after the rain, white and especially cute and plump.

Looking into the forest on either side along the mushroom, there were clusters of fungi hidden beneath the grass.

Returning her gaze, Xiao Ranshu looked at the girl with a soft expression. The girl’s round little face was as adorable as that mushroom.

She said, “Don’t call her Ya Ya anymore. Let her nickname be Mushroom.”

The three of them brightened up, cheering and celebrating.

Xiao Ranshu spoke again, “Her formal name will be Rain Fungus, Zhao Yujun.”

She first saw this girl on a clear day after spring rain, when everything was coming back to life.

And the fungus, rootless and leafless, can grow luxuriantly to its fullest.

Xiao Ranshu hoped this girl would be like the fungus after the rain, rooted in the earth, living a splendid and fulfilling life without relying on family background.

She smiled slightly, her mind filled with beautiful imaginings.

The couple immediately knelt down to thank her. The Fairy’s naming made them so happy they couldn’t stop smiling.

But as they laughed, Lao Zhao showed a look of confusion and asked, “Which characters are those?”

Zhang Da Niang scolded, “Didn’t you hear? Mushroom!”

Lao Zhao: “The Fairy said that’s the nickname…”

Zhao Tiezhu, excited, interjected, “I know! ‘Feather’ for ‘Yu’ and ‘Army’ for ‘Jun’! Zhao Yujun, meaning the Zhao family will produce a Warrior, and my sister will surely become a great general who stands tall and firm!”

This explanation filled the family with boundless hope, and they clapped and cheered continuously.

Lao Zhao was deeply moved, “Zhao Yujun, Yujun, what a great name!”

Zhang Da Niang even teared up, “Will our family finally have a Warrior?”

Lao Zhao interrupted her, “Don’t cry! Not just a Warrior, but a general!”

Zhang Da Niang wiped her tears and nodded, “Yes! A general!”

The small courtyard was filled with laughter and joy, immersed in happiness.

Xiao Ranshu, on the other hand, was dumbfounded, her smile frozen at the corner of her mouth.

No…

This was contrary to her beautiful imagination!

But…

Alright, Zhao Yujun.

It’s a good name, to be a great general who stands tall and firm!

It has the flavor of a novel’s protagonist.

At the same time, she also keenly noticed a piece of information.

Even the villagers revered martial prowess so much—was the current era truly so turbulent?

Xiao Ranshu felt a pang of unease.

This was bad—her martial skills were practically nonexistent!