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“I don’t think you need to worry, wife. The Second Household has faced numerous misfortunes in recent years. Any sensible person would consider this. Jiang Chunhe might be aware of our family’s good fortune and is trying to show goodwill, hoping to improve his own luck by associating with us,” Song Jingyun suggested.
Listening to Song Jingyun’s words, Jiang Mixia nodded slightly, “That makes sense.”
Indeed, the Second Household had been plagued by misfortunes, so Jiang Chunhe’s attempts to mend relations were understandable. It might not be entirely sincere, more of a forced gesture due to circumstances.
In reality, genuine sincerity is a rarity in the world. Aside from close relations, most interactions are driven by self-interest. True loyalty and sincerity are celebrated when found in a few individuals.
Whether Jiang Chunhe was sincere or not didn’t matter as long as he wasn’t causing trouble or plotting against them. Jiang Mixia felt at ease with this perspective, now pondering the best spot to place the winter plum flowers.
Meanwhile, after Jiang Chunhe left and found a secluded spot to observe, he breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Song Jingyun take the winter plum flowers. This weight off his chest, he happily returned home.
“Quick, go find my gear,”
After returning home, Jiang Chunhe immediately instructed Wu Shi to fetch his equipment.
“What gear do you need?” Wu Shi asked, puzzled. “Are you going to work in the fields? What tools do you need now, a hoe or a shovel?”
“Not for the fields, I’m heading into the mountains,” Jiang Chunhe replied as he searched for his padded jacket to wear.
Seeing Wu Shi still confused, he added, “Never mind, I’ll get it myself. Just fill my water pouch with hot water and pack a few steamed buns for me.”
Wu Shi then followed his instructions, preparing the hot water and steamed buns, securing them to his belt.
Watching Jiang Chunhe with his bow and arrows, ready to head out with a knife, Wu Shi couldn’t help but express her concern, “Are you really going into the mountains?”
“Of course, why would I lie?” Jiang Chunhe replied, stepping outside. “If my parents ask, just tell them I’ve gone hunting.”
“Okay,” Wu Shi replied, watching Jiang Chunhe walk away, feeling uneasy and nervously rolling up her sleeves.
Heading into the mountains for hunting…
Jiang Chunhe was forbidden by Jiang Youcai from hunting further due to his inability to catch anything, returning empty-handed each time, wasting time and effort.
But now, Jiang Chunhe’s decision to go hunting might not be a problem with his mother, who likely wouldn’t say much. However, his father might…
It was possible he would be lectured for a while.
Wu Shi sighed, contemplating how to explain this to Jiang Youcai and Zhang Shi later.
Meanwhile, Jiang Chunhe proceeded towards the mountains.
Filled with excitement and anticipation, his steps were swift, feeling energized. What usually took him half an hour to walk only took a bit more than half this time as he reached the foot of the mountain.
“Prey, here I come!”
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Chunhe let out a howl.
After being cooped up at home for so long, this release of frustration through his cry seemed to relieve all the pent-up emotions, making him feel much better.
His loud cry, echoing through the valley, startled the birds and wildlife wintering in the area.
The startled birds flapped their wings, slicing through the blue sky above Jiang Chunhe’s head.
Birds – he could see birds now!
Filled with confidence, Jiang Chunhe walked proudly into the valley.
In the midst of winter, with the chilly winds blowing, the grass in the mountains had turned yellow, and even the once towering trees now stood bare with their leaves fallen due to the cold.
The entire mountain area appeared desolate.
Winter was not an ideal time for hunting.
Animals that needed to hibernate had already found suitable caves, and those venturing out for food were adept at hiding in the thick layers of fallen leaves and dry grass, making them hard to spot.
Moreover, the fallen leaves and dry grass made it difficult to see the ground clearly, increasing the risk of stepping into unseen pitfalls.
As Jiang Chunhe ventured further into the mountains, all he encountered was silence.
With years of hunting experience, Jiang Chunhe knew where rabbits and wild chickens typically hid at this time.
Slowly walking along the base of the tree roots, he picked up a sturdy branch and tossed it towards a soft pile of fallen leaves.
“Crackle!”
As the branch landed on the leaves, a loud noise echoed.
In an instant, a gray shadow darted out from the fallen leaves as Jiang Chunhe spotted a rabbit racing away.
Clearly, it was a rabbit!
However, startled by the noise, the rabbit sprinted away swiftly, disappearing before Jiang Chunhe could even retrieve an arrow from his quiver.
In the past, Jiang Chunhe would have been frustrated and regretful watching the rabbit escape, perhaps even cursing in annoyance.
But now, his face beamed with joy and excitement, almost wanting to kneel down.
He had seen it – he could see now! He had finally returned to being a regular hunter, able to spot the wildlife in the mountains.
This was the best start!
Seeing the animals meant there was hope for future hunts!
In his excitement, Jiang Chunhe began to ponder the situation.
In the past, he couldn’t see the wildlife in the mountains, hence couldn’t hunt, regardless of what methods he tried, they were futile.
But now, he could see the animals and hunt normally.
The past events occurred after his attempt to take Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun’s rabbit.
The current event happened after he gifted a pot of winter plum flowers to Jiang Mixia.
What did this indicate?
It suggested that perhaps the Third Household truly had good fortune.
Maybe it was the blessing of gods and spirits.
Perhaps, whenever he did something that displeased the Third Household, misfortune followed. However, whenever he did something beneficial for the Third Household, good fortune prevailed.
Even if good fortune didn’t persist indefinitely, at least misfortune wouldn’t be as prevalent?
After carefully considering the events of the past two years, Jiang Chunhe became increasingly convinced of the connection.
It seemed that he needed to focus on doing things that benefited the Third Household in the future!
With a firm resolve, Jiang Chunhe made up his mind.
Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun arrived in the county town with Zhucui and Chengmao.
After settling in and arranging accommodations for the siblings, they organized the items they had brought.
With plenty of rooms in the house, except for the East Wing where Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun resided and the study in the West Wing that was frequently used, the other rooms remained vacant.
For convenience, Jiang Mixia placed Zhucui in the East Wing and Chengmao in the West Wing.