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墨書 Inktalez
"Master, Brother Ma, you... you all..."
Wang Shoucai was already quite plump, and at this moment, he sat slumped in a heap of filth, resembling a pile of dead meat. The burly man was startled; if it weren't for Wang Shoucai suddenly spewing out a mouthful of yellowish-black substance, he would have truly thought that his master had passed away.
Liu Mazi and another person had nearly exhausted all their strength to pull Wang Shoucai up. Although they held their breath and closed their eyes below, their ears and noses were still filled with the stench. Now, they were so tired that they didn't even want to move a finger.
"Quick... call... someone..."
After a long while, Liu Mazi mumbled a few words. The burly man stood there pondering for a long time before finally realizing he was saying: Go call for help!
With that, he dashed off...
*
Meanwhile, Xia Muxin gritted her teeth as she carried the bag for some distance but eventually could no longer lift it. She leaned against the bag and squatted down, gasping for breath.
Suddenly, a pair of eyes peeked out from the top of the bag, staring straight towards the town entrance. At this distance... she felt like banging her head against a wall.
Moreover, after being squeezed and slammed by the door earlier, her entire body felt as if her bones had been dislocated, aching unbearably.
"Ugh... I said to bring a cart! At least that way we could get into Town without me having to struggle so much."
After resting for a moment, she lowered her head in frustration. Her chin bumped against the medicine bag, and the upright medicine inside jabbed painfully at her, nearly making her cry out in anger.
Woe is me; she must have offended some deity today. Otherwise, why would she be suffering so much?
Moreover, her stomach was starting to feel a bit hungry; the three bowls of porridge she had in the morning had long since turned into urine, and that old man had even said she ate too much.
Meanwhile, Shen Muhan was getting a bit anxious. Even if it took time to gather medicine, it shouldn't take this long. With her impatient nature, she couldn't help but worry that something might have happened on the way. The thought made her uneasy, prompting her to come looking.
From a distance, she spotted a petite figure squatting beside a bag that was stuffed full, nearly blocking the girl from view. Shen Muhan's heart tightened, and she hurried over.
“Muxin!”
As she approached, she noticed bloodstains at the corners of her mouth, nose, and eyes. Her heart skipped a beat as she crouched down beside her and called out softly.
Upon hearing her voice, Xia Muxin's eyes brightened. She wiped her nose and smiled cheerfully but spoke in a whiny tone, “Uncle, I’m so tired!”
Shen Muhan grabbed her wrist and discreetly checked her pulse with her fingertips. After a moment, she sighed in relief and gently pulled her to stand up while lifting the medicine bag with her other hand, leading her toward the town entrance.
“Ah... Shen Muhan, you little brat! I don’t believe I can’t find you!”
After walking a few steps, Shen Muhan suddenly perked up. With a swift motion, she wrapped her arm around Xia Muxin's waist and almost flew to the town entrance.
Xia Muxin felt confused but was too exhausted to speak. She allowed Shen Muhan to carry her into the carriage as they set off...
Meanwhile, on the street, a fiery red figure weaved through the crowd. With a whip tied around her waist from that day, she frequently looked around and occasionally stopped passersby to ask questions. This person was none other than Tian Yuxin.
She was extremely furious—very furious indeed. Over these past days, she had traveled nearly ten counties and over twenty towns. Rising earlier than roosters and eating less than them, she searched tirelessly day and night. Eventually, she realized that she had fallen into someone else's trap. The tactic of making noise elsewhere was truly clever; while she heard various rumors about Shen Muhan's whereabouts, by the time she rushed there in a frenzy, he had already left. In the end, she even traveled thousands of miles to Liaobei but could find no trace of him.
At that moment, she fully awakened to the situation and wished nothing more than to tear Shen Muhan into pieces.
If it weren't for losing a bet with that woman Xiu Ning—where the stake was to help her find Shen Muhan—she wouldn't have put herself through this torment after having eaten well with nothing else to do.
"Hmph, the more you refuse to marry, the more I will make you marry. That's the price you pay for offending me."
*
In a daze, Xia Muxin felt completely relaxed, with a gentle breeze blowing and the fragrance of flowers filling the air. She moved her neck and stretched lazily, opening her sleepy eyes, only to realize she was still lying in the carriage. Shen Muhan was sitting against the wall of the carriage, his eyes tightly closed, seemingly asleep.
She sat up abruptly. The curtain of the carriage was not fully drawn; it was half-open, allowing a refreshing breeze to flow in, which felt quite pleasant.
"Are you awake? Are you hungry?"
Xia Muxin cautiously crawled over and peeked outside, her brows furrowing as if she could crush a fly with them.
Where was this place? The scenery was beautiful, with clear mountains and flowing water, and a faint floral scent lingered in the air. Yet, towering mountains surrounded her. Looking up, the sky was a brilliant blue, occasionally dotted with unknown birds flying by, singing melodiously.
She had been leaning out eagerly when Shen Muhan's deep voice suddenly came from behind her. Her hands lost their grip as she leaned back and ended up making intimate contact with the carriage wall.
In an instant, Shen Muhan reached out his large hand to pull her back and firmly pressed her against his chest. There was an inexplicable fire in his gaze as he stared at her intently.
Feeling shy under his gaze, Xia Muxin struggled slightly, but Shen Muhan did not insist on holding her down; instead, he loosened his grip.
"There’s water ahead; go wash up so that when we return, Uncle Ant won't think I let you be bullied."
Xia Muxin had never been able to figure out Uncle Shen's unpredictable personality, and he didn’t allow anyone to act recklessly around him. Pouting her lips in reluctance, she prepared to jump down from the carriage. Just as she was about to leap down, a long arm appeared out of nowhere around her waist. Shen Muhan's deep voice rang out again:
"Why are you so stubborn? I really don’t know what to do with you!"
With a swift motion of his hand, he lifted her effortlessly into a graceful jump until Xia Muxin's feet touched the ground. Listening to his words made her feel somewhat frustrated. After a moment of hesitation, she asked ambiguously, "Uncle, do you have a thing for young girls?"
Hearing this, Shen Muhan looked at her in confusion, the black fire in his eyes flickering. His brows furrowed into a deep line, and his lips pressed tightly together into a straight line.
Xia Muxin blinked, feeling somewhat dazed. Could he possibly understand? Otherwise, what did the fire dancing in his eyes mean?
“Xia Muxin...”
After a moment of contemplation, Shen Muhan pinched his aching brow and softly called her name. His voice was low and rich, laced with an alluring magnetism. Xia Muxin's mind buzzed as she elongated her response with a soft "mm."
At the same time, she internally wailed, Please, Uncle, I’m a new breed of humanity in this world; I’m more mature than you! Besides, if you keep looking at me like that, I might really think you’re after something inappropriate.
Hearing Xia Muxin's soft and sweet "mm," Shen Muhan felt the fire in his heart extinguish instantly. Regaining his composure, he softened his tone: “Go wash up quickly; don’t keep Uncle Ant and the others worrying.”
“Oh!”
Xia Muxin observed the change in his demeanor, staring at her toes for a while before responding softly. She then headed toward the water source.
Once she had walked far enough away, Shen Muhan followed her and sat down against a tree not far from the lake, closing his eyes to rest.
At the same time, he sighed inwardly. Ever since meeting this girl, he felt like he had transformed into someone entirely different. He was no longer the imposing general or the arrogant heir; instead, he felt like an ordinary citizen—a madman wanting to tuck this girl away in his pocket. If only she weren’t so young...
Seeing her crouched on the ground looking so pitiful, with blood at the corners of her eyes, mouth, and nose, he felt as if all his strength had been drained away. Even reaching out to grab her wrist felt weak. Thankfully, she was unharmed.
Later on, when the shadow guard returned to inform him that they had encountered the Royal Family at the medical clinic and had played a nasty trick on them, he learned that the blood was indeed hers. Initially wanting to clarify things further, he decided to let it go when he saw her exhausted and asleep. He then brought her here.
This place was quite unique—brought here by the Golden Python—surrounded by clear mountains and waters with no noise at all. Most importantly, it enjoyed a spring-like climate year-round. It was hard to imagine that such breathtaking scenery existed in such a remote area like Daimiao Mountain.
Especially the pool where she went to wash up; it seemed natural and was surrounded by mountains on all sides. The water remained warm in winter and cool in summer, hardly distinguishable from a hot spring.
Under the ominous shadow of Daimiao Mountain, where rumors spoke of ferocious beasts roaming and corpses littering the wilderness, only Ming Yi and his companions had managed to hunt a single leopard over the years. Aside from that, nothing else had been seen.
It had become a personal retreat for him to relax and enjoy the scenery.
A faint sound came from behind him, and Shen Muhan turned with a smirk. He saw Xia Muxin combing her long, waist-length hair with her hands. Droplets of water glistened on her hair, falling to the ground with each motion. A subtle fragrance wafted through the air, not floral but refreshing.
"Wow, I never expected to find such a beautiful natural lake here! The water is cool and refreshing, surrounded by mountains, with exotic flowers and plants on the banks exuding rich scents. And look at that Hibiscus Tree over there; its leaves are perfect for washing hair."
She recalled how her mother had dreamed of a flower blooming when she was born, though she never knew what kind it was. Her father, a carpenter who understood such things, described the tree's leaves and flowers in detail. After hearing this, he named her after it.
Now, after bathing, Xia Muxin felt invigorated; even the soreness in her body had eased significantly. The environment around her truly felt like a paradise in this ancient world.
At that moment, Shen Muhan noticed she was holding a thick bundle of leaves in her hands. They looked remarkably like Hibiscus leaves.
Shen Muhan recognized them; the palace often received tributes that included special leaves for washing hair. He had heard that these were extracted from Hibiscus trees, and he quite liked their scent. Seeing Xia Muxin holding them made him grin mischievously as he said, "I worked up quite a sweat today; help me wash my hair!"
Xia Muxin paused at his words, glaring at his cheeky smile. "Sweating means I need a bath; it has nothing to do with washing hair! Besides, men and women should keep their distance."
With that, she attempted to walk away, but Shen Muhan swiftly grabbed her and playfully slapped her backside. "You call me 'Uncle' yet talk about distance? How old are you? Stop thinking such ridiculous thoughts and hurry up; wash my hair or I won't take you back."
With a few large strides, Shen Muhan carried Xia Muxin to the lakeshore. There were several smooth Phosphor Stones there, flattened by Ming Yi and the others using tools. On nights with a full moon, they could sit there with wine and enjoy the night view.
As soon as Xia Muxin's feet touched the ground, she stomped hard on Shen Muhan's foot in frustration. However, her strength was minimal—she barely weighed seventy pounds—and her kick barely registered for him. He merely affectionately rubbed her nose before removing her hairband.
Since arriving at Daimiao Mountain, he had adapted to the local customs. He hadn't even taken out his hairpin, instead opting to tie his long black hair up with a white ribbon. However, even in such ordinary attire, he could not hide his noble and ethereal aura.
Xia Muxin took a deep breath, using the Hibiscus Leaf in her hand to mercilessly thrash Shen Muhan, almost beyond recognition. Shen Muhan glanced at her and chuckled as he squatted down, adopting a tone of an elder.
"Come on, you need to grow up. If you can't even wash your hair, how will you serve your husband in the future?"
Upon hearing this, Xia Muxin smiled widely and enthusiastically patted Shen Muhan on the back. Then she grabbed his hair with one hand and pressed his head down into the water.
"Are you trying to murder your husband?"
With his head submerged in the water, Shen Muhan still managed to speak leisurely.
Xia Muxin frowned, countless dark lines crossing her forehead as she vigorously rubbed the shapeless Hibiscus Leaf against his head. No matter how much strength she used, Shen Muhan remained unfazed, seemingly enjoying the treatment.
Eventually, while he was bathing, she went to pick some more Hibiscus Leaves. When she returned, she found his black hair tangled like a bird's nest, impossible to look at directly. He grinned mischievously and pulled her over to help him untangle it.
After more than half an hour of effort, Xia Muxin finally managed to sort out his messy hair.
She finally understood what it meant to shoot oneself in the foot.
Soon after, they walked towards the carriage together. Noticing her slow pace with puffed cheeks, Shen Muhan smiled and took her hand as they approached the carriage. He lifted her onto it and waited for her to settle before saying:
"There’s food on the tea table. If you're hungry, go ahead and eat something to fill your stomach; we'll be home soon."
Xia Muxin leaned against the side of the carriage and looked over. Indeed, there were several large oil-paper packages on the tea table. She leaned closer and opened one to find various snacks and sweets inside. She casually picked up a piece of Mung Bean Cake and stuffed it into her mouth, speaking with a slightly unclear voice:
"Big Pig, are you hungry?"
Shen Muhan raised an eyebrow, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation. "I'm not hungry!"
"......"
When they returned home, it was just around lunchtime. Some villagers were still finishing up their rice planting. At that moment, they rolled up their pant legs and carried empty baskets back. Not far away, the uneven houses of Daimiao Village came into view, with smoke curling up from almost every home. Children outside clanged their bowls with chopsticks, singing unknown nursery rhymes.
Xia Muxin smiled. Although Daimiao Village was poor, it thrived with life. At least, aside from a few oddballs, most villagers were kind-hearted.
Ming Yi helped carry things into the house, but with the addition of a bed and more belongings piling up, the space felt increasingly cramped. With a few more people, there wouldn’t even be room to stand.
Songzi and their mother had woken up. Both looked well-rested; Songzi had caught some fish while their mother basked in the sun. According to Brother Ming Yi, their mother's injury had healed quite a bit, but he sensed that she was hiding something from him, her demeanor suggesting she wanted to say more but held back. As for Songzi, as long as he wasn't provoked, he seemed just like before.
Moreover, both of them cooperatively took their medicine.
Muxin recognized some of the herbs used; they weren't cheap—especially for her mother’s condition, which cost at least several taels per dose. Yet she had been taking one every day without contributing a single coin towards it, leaving her feeling somewhat guilty.
"Sister, I'm hungry! What delicious food are we having for lunch?"
Xia Muxin changed into a fresh set of clothes and re-styled her hair into two braids. Her hair was too long and cumbersome to wash easily; she would need to trim it soon. Just as she stepped outside, Songzi's voice called out from afar.
Xia Muxin walked over and affectionately ruffled his hair, smiling as she said, "Whatever Songzi likes to eat, I'll make it."
"As long as it's made by you, Sister, I love it!" Just thinking about his sister's cooking made Songzi's stomach growl. He glanced at the bamboo basket they had bought today and swallowed hard, eagerly saying, "I can't wait!"
"Alright, just wait a moment; I'll have it ready soon." Seeing his eager expression made Xia Muxin smile even wider. At that moment, Shen Muhan emerged from the cart with some pastries and called Songzi over. But before long, he returned mysteriously.
Xia Muxin shot him a puzzled glance as he came back looking secretive and pulled Ming Yi aside before coaxing Songzi into compliance again. What was he up to now?
Moreover, although she had bought a lot of vegetables today, Xia Muxin still had many things to do in the afternoon. She decided to keep lunch simple; as long as the dishes tasted good, vegetables were better than meat.
She washed the rice, picked the vegetables, washed them again, and chopped them all at once when Shen Muhan suddenly volunteered to help with the fire.
Xia Muxin didn't refuse. Ever since the Mix-Up incident, his skills in managing the fire had improved significantly, and he would come over to tend to it whenever she was cooking.
Xia Muxin was mature for her age and sometimes genuinely thought that Shen Muhan might have feelings for her. However, this was a feudal society where men were superior to women. Many girls her age were already engaged, but she was different from them...
Ever since they made Cold Purslane Salad at the tavern last time, her father had become quite interested in it. They had these plants growing right outside their door. They heard from Doctor Wu that it was a common medicinal herb and not worth much; no one bothered to pick it for money, let alone knew it could be used in cooking. Every year, it just grew wild like Perilla Leaf. But once Xia Muxin mentioned it, they realized they had wanted to try it for a long time but never had the opportunity. Today, Summer Forest actually brought some back.
Xia Muxin prepared this cold dish of purslane today along with Mushroom Lean Meat Soup, Eggplant Casserole, Stir-Fried Amaranth, and Sour Pickled Beans Stir-Fried with Meat.
Her mother had a good appetite today as well; she drank a full bowl of mushroom soup. Considering she hadn't eaten much in recent days, this was quite an improvement.
Songzi was still a child and lacked those painful memories; he remained cheerful and objective, enjoying the meal heartily.
Her father seemed to be in a better mood today and ate more than usual. In just a few days, he had lost quite a bit of weight; his eyes looked sunken.
Ming Yi had been spoiled during this time. Whatever Muxin casually cooked turned out to be delicious. Moreover, she was kind-hearted and treated everyone equally; whatever tasty food she made, she would share with everyone. He finally understood why his master favored her so much.
As for Shen Muhan, he was even more devoted; even if Xia Muxin placed a bowl of poison in front of him at that moment, he would drink it without hesitation.
Watching her parents continuously serve Shen Muhan more food made Xia Muxin feel a bit jealous; it seemed he truly had integrated into their family.
After the meal, Xia Muxin assigned the dishwashing task to her brother while she began preparing the ingredients.
Since this time the Orchid Bean needed to be divided by flavor, she took several large bowls and placed them in front of herself while pulling out the medicinal ingredients from the Sack.
Five-Spice Powder, spicy flavor, sweetness, saltiness, sauce aroma...
However, these herbs were too coarse, and it wasn't easy to crush them. Xia Muxin sorted the items and then brought in a large stone from outside, washing it clean. Shen Muhan saw her busying about and approached her. Understanding what she was trying to do, he took the stone from her hands and threw it outside. Seeing Xia Muxin looking at him in confusion, he asked, "Do you want to crush them or grind them into powder?"
Xia Muxin felt a bit embarrassed; how could he always see through her thoughts so easily? But she didn't hesitate and explained the preparation method for each of the materials. Since she had spent money to buy these ingredients, she was careful and detailed in her explanation.
Upon hearing this, Shen Muhan nodded and called Ming Yi over. The two of them took the materials and went out. Half an hour later, they returned with everything done very well, which made Xia Muxin quite satisfied.
When they came back, Xia Muxin and the others were already cutting Fava Beans. Aside from Aunt Xia resting under the eaves, Songzi had also joined in. The group was chatting and laughing together. Shen Muhan watched this family scene, feeling a touch of emotion inside him. He turned to Xia Muxin and asked, "Is there another pair of scissors?"
Ming Yi also ran over, standing behind Shen Muhan with an eager look.
Xia Muxin paused for a moment before finding another pair of scissors and handing them to Shen Muhan. Songzi immediately brought over a round stool for him. As soon as Shen Muhan sat down, Ming Yi pointed at himself and then at the Fava Beans. Xia Muxin smiled and handed him her scissors. Ming Yi took the scissors and squatted down. Just as he picked up a Fava Bean to cut it, Shen Muhan swapped scissors with him.
Seeing his childish behavior, Ming Yi couldn't help but feel amused.
Xia Muxin went to prepare the ingredients, dividing various aromatic materials into bowls. When the twenty pounds of Fava Beans were almost done being cut, she fetched some clean water to soak them further. Then she ran over to chat with Aunt Xia for a while and brewed some Osmanthus Tea.
There were Goji Berries in Daimiao Mountain; she had picked some a few days ago and dried them out. Now, she added a few Goji Berries to the Osmanthus Tea, making it both beautiful and delicious.
During this time, Shen Muhan watched her for quite a while. He was curious about who had taught her these skills; she could turn any wild grass into a unique and fresh dish on their journey. Even this tea made from wildflowers and fruits they found in the mountains transformed into sweet and fragrant tea in her hands.
She truly was an enchanting girl!
"Dad, it's still early; let's go gather some firewood!"
Seeing that the work was done, Xia Muxin glanced at the sky outside and suggested to her father.
After all, they needed a lot of firewood during this time, and she wouldn't have time to gather it once she went into town. More importantly, she missed the Golden Python; it had been several days since she last saw it.
"Alright, I'll be right there!"
Summer Forest had the same thought but noticed how tired Xia Muxin had been these days, so he kept quiet. Hearing her speak up now, he wiped his hands dry and headed toward his room.
Xia Muxin stepped outside to pull the cart and brought a Bamboo Basket with her to wait outside.
Summer Forest changed into straw sandals and took some hemp rope, giving Xia Tieshu a few instructions before stepping out.
Shen Muhan intended to follow them but was stopped by Xia Muxin. She asked him to help set up a shelter under the eaves because there was no more space for the firewood at the back, and with the unpredictable weather, it wouldn't do to leave it exposed to sun and rain.
Upon hearing this, Shen Muhan did not argue; he simply gestured to Ming Yi, who nodded and whistled softly.
*
As usual, upon entering Daimiao Mountain, Xia Muxin and her companions divided their tasks. Summer Forest gathered firewood while she carried her basket toward one end.
At that moment, a person and a snake sat side by side. Xia Muxin leaned almost entirely against the Golden Python, playing with its scales with one hand while excitedly speaking:
"Little Gold, once we finish this business, I’ll go find the village chief to buy land and then build a new house. I’ll even make you a snake den so we can be together every day."
The Golden Python seemed to understand her words; it flicked its tail and affectionately rubbed against her neck, making Xia Muxin giggle uncontrollably.
"Hey, why do I feel like this snake is getting more attention from Miss Muxin than my master? If they really end up living together, do you think my master would stew it for dinner?"
"No, but the possibility of being castrated is quite high."
"The master is too possessive. Anyone who shows interest in Miss Muxin will find themselves in trouble, whether they are human or snake."
In a hidden corner, several young men dressed in black were chatting casually among themselves.
They were the shadow guards of Shen Muhan. They had helped with the last planting, and ever since their master met Miss Muxin, they had become like wild men in the mountains. Officially, they were there to keep an eye on the Golden Python, but in reality, they were there to protect Miss Muxin.
Moreover, their master had tossed them a pile of silver notes to solve their own food problems. However, ever since they tasted the meals cooked by Miss Muxin, they dreamed of having it again.
It was simply divine!
That brat Ming Yi had it easy, following the master around and enjoying good food. They saw him yesterday and he had gained quite a bit of weight, while they had all lost more than just a few pounds.
If Miss Muxin knew how their master was treating them, would there be any chance for change? But who would dare to speak up...
Xia Muxin chatted with the Golden Python for a while, but most of the time it was her talking while the Golden Python listened. She only stopped when she noticed that the Golden Python was about to doze off.
Then she asked the Golden Python to catch some game meat for her to take back and picked some goji berries along the way.
Summer Forest had been taking medicine for over half a month and had gained quite a bit of strength; now he could gather and tie firewood by himself. When Xia Muxin arrived, she saw a fully loaded cart of firewood tied securely, with her father standing beside it, looking around as if waiting for her return.
Xia Muxin bounced over to show him her harvest. Summer Forest smiled lovingly at her, and soon the father and daughter happily hurried home.
In the village, many fields still needed planting; everywhere was bustling with activity. Villagers rolled up their pant legs, bent over, and worked diligently.
Upon seeing Xia Muxin and her father, they greeted them warmly, with admiration shining in their eyes as they looked at Xia Muxin.
A few boys, slightly older than Xia Muxin, occasionally stole glances at her but dared not look directly. A faint blush crossed their faces.
In less than half a month, Xia Muxin's complexion had brightened significantly. Her cheeks were as rosy as if she had applied blush, and she no longer looked as thin as before; instead, her features appeared more refined and attractive.
Her eyes were large and round, often sparkling with a mischievous light, belonging to that type of beauty that only grew more appealing the longer one looked. Once she fully developed, she would undoubtedly be a standard exquisite beauty. Even the daughters of the Zhou family paled in comparison to her.
"Forest, you are truly fortunate to have such a sensible and capable daughter; we are all envious!"
At the village entrance, Li Bo saw his son’s bashful demeanor and felt frustrated. He began to praise Summer Forest's family.
As he spoke, many villagers gathered around, chiming in with their own comments, but they couldn’t help but mention Xia Muxin every few sentences.
"After this month, Muxin will be thirteen. According to village customs, she could start looking for a suitor. I wonder which boy will be lucky enough to marry such a clever girl."
Aunt Wang from the west side of the village had several grandsons who were of marrying age. However, the boys had high standards and hadn’t found any girls in the village to their liking. Their elders were anxious about it. Despite the troubles surrounding the Xia family lately, their lives seemed to be improving day by day, which was often discussed among the villagers.
Although it wasn’t exactly flattering talk, they had watched this child grow up and knew her character well.
Moreover, wasn’t Li Bo’s earlier comment just an attempt to curry favor with Summer Forest?
"This girl has her own opinions and is quite clever; when it comes to marriage, her wishes should be respected."
Summer Forest understood her daughter’s temperament well; she might end up at a disadvantage in someone else’s household because she was too straightforward and capable.
Xia Muxin listened to the villagers' chatter with a sense of helplessness. Even when she turned thirteen, she had no intention of looking for a suitor. After all, this was her life; it wasn’t up to others to decide for her. Even her parents couldn’t dictate her choices in this matter.
Furthermore, they probably already knew about the incident with Feng San Niang at their home, and Shen Muhan had mentioned that she was already taken. If it weren’t for her capabilities, these uncles and aunts wouldn’t be speaking so highly of her.
To put it simply, what they valued was her ability.
Feeling bored, she tugged at her father and whispered, "Dad, I'm heading back now. Mom is still weak, and we've been out for too long."
Upon hearing this, Summer Forest regretfully slapped his forehead and followed Xia Muxin's lead to bid farewell to the villagers.
Just as he slung the rope over his shoulder, a clattering sound came from behind, resembling the noise of a cart's wheels. Xia Muxin glanced back at the approaching cart and pushed her father away with force, only to be knocked to the ground by the rushing vehicle.
Their cart had been parked on the path, and the Wang family had been busy hauling sand and gravel home for the past couple of days. At that moment, the road was littered with fine sand and gravel. Xia Muxin fell onto the ground in a sprawled position, her hands scraped by the rough surface, instantly bleeding profusely.
But the cart had already disappeared without a trace.
"Muxin!"
Summer Forest rushed over immediately to help Xia Muxin up, calling out in concern.
The other villagers initially cursed loudly but soon gathered around with worry.
Aunt Liu had seen the father and daughter being cornered by the villagers earlier but hadn’t approached. Now, she stumbled over and squeezed through the crowd. Upon seeing Xia Muxin's injured hand, she hurriedly said, "Muxin, you've got quite a bit of sand in your palm. You need to go home quickly, wash it with warm water, and use a needle to pick out the sand to prevent infection."
"Thank you, Aunt Liu. I'll head back right away."
Xia Muxin looked gratefully at Aunt Liu and smiled as she spoke.
The others echoed Aunt Liu's advice, urging them to return home quickly.
In the Summer Forest, Muxin walked ahead while she placed the Bamboo Basket filled with Game Meat on the Firewood and secured it with a hemp rope. She then gratefully bid farewell to Aunt Liu.
Xia Muxin felt a sharp pain in her hands; a large patch of skin had been worn away, and the sand and gravel had gotten into the meat, gnawing at her like countless ants. The pain was unbearable.
Moreover, the resistance from the cart had been considerable. At that moment, it felt like her heart was being torn apart, and now she walked with a noticeable limp.
Just as she reached her doorstep, she saw Feng Liulang's family and others standing there.
Her brother leaned on his cane next to Songzi, seemingly engaged in an argument.
"Ant," Feng Liulang said earnestly, "I brought gifts for the chickens and ducks because I want to marry Muxin."
Feng Liulang held a Bamboo Basket containing a chicken and a duck, both clearly female, as anyone from the countryside could tell.
Xia Muxin recalled that in her hometown, there was a custom where a groom would bring a rooster and a hen as part of the bride price to the bride's family. The representatives from both sides would negotiate everything and provide the bride's birth date to the groom's family.
But what did it mean to bring only hens?
Aunt Xia's face turned pale with anger as she clutched her chest and shouted at Feng Liulang, "Get lost!"
The You family and Zhou Guilian exchanged glances, their smiles dripping with sarcasm.
Zhou Cailian craned her neck to peek into Muxin's house, seemingly searching for something. Today, she wore a striking embroidered summer dress with a chestnut-colored bodice adorned with peonies. Her hair was elegantly styled with a jade hairpin, and she wore a serene smile that gave off an air of refined beauty.
From outside, it appeared that the shed had already been built, but Shen Muhan and Ming Yi were nowhere to be seen.
"Look, Liulang," someone remarked mockingly. "You bring gifts of chickens and ducks with good intentions, yet they treat your kindness like dirt. Why do you have your eyes set on Xia Family's worthless girl? It's sweltering outside, and you're stuck here being laughed at. I think Xia Muxin is ruining your reputation and preventing you from becoming a Top Scholar."
A head suddenly popped up from the Wu Family, glancing at the contents in Feng Liulang's basket. After covering their mouth and chuckling for a moment, a sharp voice directed at Aunt Xia said,
"I say, future Top Scholar, this thing is too much for the Xia Family to handle. Turn around, take a left, and walk straight; that is where you belong."
Xia Muxin coldly shot them a glance before stepping forward to turn Feng Liulang's body around and kindly reminded him,
"Muxin, I have brought the betrothal gifts for the chickens and ducks; I intend to marry you."
- End of Chapter -
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