Chapter 29: Do You Want to Live Somewhere Else?

The four of them looped the ropes around the poles, with Big Brother Ji and Third Brother Ji at the front, and Hu Zhaodi and Fifth Brother Ji at the back. Together, they lifted the wild boar and began the trek home.

Since there was quite a height difference between Hu Zhaodi and Fifth Brother Ji, Fifth Brother Ji adjusted the rope toward his side, taking on more weight so that Hu Zhaodi wouldn’t have to carry as much. Big Brother Ji and Third Brother Ji bore most of the boar’s weight near its rear end. The path downhill was mostly a slope, so by leading the way, they further reduced the load Hu Zhaodi had to carry.

Just as they emerged from the depths of the forest, they saw Uncle Ji waiting by a large pine tree with an ox cart.

Seeing the group approach, Uncle Ji hurried over, walking straight to Hu Zhaodi.

“Zhaodi girl, let me take over from here!”

Hu Zhaodi shook her head. “Uncle, I can handle it. Just give me a hand getting the boar onto the cart.”

Uncle Ji, who was slightly taller than Hu Zhaodi, stepped forward, took on the pole from her shoulder, and shouldered it himself.

Hu Zhaodi scratched her nose awkwardly. “Ah! When will I ever grow taller? This height of mine is just depressing.”

Uncle Ji chuckled, “Girl, you’re at the perfect age to be growing! Eat well, and it won’t be long before you shoot up.”

“I eat well every day now, hoping to grow taller soon, hehe…”

While they chatted and laughed, the five of them managed to heave the boar onto the ox cart.

Hu Zhaodi instructed, “Big Brother Ji, you all head back with Uncle and get the boar processed. Have Uncle take it to Fumanlou in town tomorrow.”

“I have some other things to take care of, so I’ll be back a bit later. There’s no need for you to go back into the mountains this afternoon; just handle the boar.”

Big Brother Ji nodded, “Alright, you do what you need to. We’ll take care of the boar. Zhaodi, don’t go into the mountains alone; it’s too dangerous.”

Hu Zhaodi smiled, “Big Brother Ji, I know my limits. You all should head back; it’s getting late. I need to go cook for the injured.”

Uncle Ji reminded her, “Be careful on the way.”

“I will,” she assured him.

Afterward, Hu Zhaodi transferred the medicinal herbs, wild chickens, and eggs from her basket to the Ji brothers’ baskets. She set off with her empty basket, hatchet, and hoe, heading back into the forest.

Meanwhile, Rufeng had already cooked the rice, and he stood with two cleaned wild rabbits, looking a bit troubled.

When on earth will this Miss Hu get here? If she doesn’t come, would Master even eat my cooking?

As Rufeng mused, Hu Zhaodi’s voice called from behind him, “Well, look at this! The sun must have risen in the west today—I can actually smell cooked rice!”

Rufeng turned around, grinning happily. “Miss Hu, you’re here! How should I prepare these rabbits?”

Hu Zhaodi laughed, “Let’s save the rabbits for the afternoon. For now, let’s keep it simple; it’ll take at least an hour to stew the rabbits.”

“Alright! Just let me know if you need my help with anything.”

“No need; I can handle it.”

With that, Hu Zhaodi gathered some vegetables and went to the creek to wash them.

Once the vegetables were clean, she took out a piece of pork from her space, cleaned it, and returned to the cave with the meat and vegetables.

At the cave entrance, she set up a cutting board and knife, slicing the meat.

Soon, she had stir-fried some pork with vegetables, made two side dishes, and cooked a soup.

After the three of them had finished their meal, Hu Zhaodi was preparing to head back into the mountains when Mo Jinnan spoke up, “Miss Hu, may I go with you?”

Hu Zhaodi frowned, “Don’t be stubborn. Your wounds haven’t healed yet. Stay in the cave and rest.”

“My injury has mostly healed by now. After being cooped up in this cave for days, I’m going stir-crazy. Don’t worry, I’ll come with you. Any meat or medicinal herbs we gather will all be yours,” Mo Jinnan offered.

Hu Zhaodi huffed, “Do you think I’m short of meat or herbs? If you come with me and your wound reopens, all my effort these past few days will have been for nothing.”

Mo Jinnan’s mouth twitched slightly, and he turned to Rufeng. “You go with Miss Hu into the mountains and keep her safe.”

“Yes, Master,” Rufeng replied.

Hu Zhaodi stifled a laugh. This guy—why the stubborn pride?

Over the next ten days, Hu Zhaodi led the three Ji brothers into the mountains each morning, gathering whatever herbs or meat they found. The Ji family courtyard was now covered with various herbs drying in the sun, while any fresh meat was taken by Uncle Ji to Fumanlou in town. Hu Zhaodi also stored a decent amount of meat, herbs, and wild mushrooms in her space, secretly adding to her stash during her solo trips in the afternoon.

Mo Jinnan, after half a month of herbal treatments, had mostly healed. The poison in his body was almost entirely purged, save for one final acupuncture session to remove the last traces.

That evening, after returning from the forest with a full load, Hu Zhaodi prepared dinner. As they ate, she spoke up, “Mr. Mo, your poison is nearly cleared. After tonight’s acupuncture session, the last of the toxins will be expelled from your body.”

“Thank you, Miss Hu.” Mo Jinnan nodded thoughtfully before speaking. “Miss Hu, have you ever thought about living somewhere else? If you’d like, I could take you with me to Bianjing.”

Hu Zhaodi shook her head without hesitation. “No, I don’t want to. I’ve lived here since I was young—I’m used to it. In Bianjing, I’d be all alone I  even know a single person there . Besides, I don’t want to live a life of serving others or being at anyone’s beck and call.”

Rufeng interjected, “But Miss Hu, I’m someone you know! If you come to Bianjing, I’ll help you however I can.”

Hu Zhaodi shook her head again. “No, thank you. I prefer the freedom of life here in the mountains. I have no desire to leave.”

Mo Jinnan took a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to her. “Miss Hu, I won’t try to thank you with words. Please take this jade pendant.”

“That’s far too valuable. I can’t accept it,” Hu Zhaodi said, but inwardly she was ecstatic, practically itching to grab it.

Judging by the quality, this pendant could fetch enough silver for her to buy a large piece of land in Dawai Village and build a big house.

Perhaps sensing her thoughts, Mo Jinnan smirked. “Yes, it’s quite valuable. Keep it safe. If we meet again in the future, you may use this pendant to ask three favors of me.”

“But there are conditions: these favors must be within the bounds of chivalry and within my ability.”

What? So she couldn’t sell it for silver?

Looking at his attire and demeanor, he was clearly the young master of a wealthy family. So…could she ask him for a thousand taels of silver straight up?

Hu Zhaodi’s mind ran wild with ideas, though she would never actually use the pendant to demand money from Mo Jinnan. If he truly was an influential figure, it would be better to save this favor for a critical moment.

Taking the jade pendant, Hu Zhaodi said, “Thank you, Mr. Mo. I’ll take good care of it.”

After dinner, Hu Zhaodi performed the acupuncture session on Mo Jinnan to expel the remaining toxins.

By the time an incense stick’s worth of time had passed, she was drenched in sweat, but the poison within Mo Jinnan was finally completely eradicated.