Deep within the dense forest, countless treasures lay hidden.
Cheng Loanloan did not go to the lotus pond. She turned and headed towards the thick woods.
The Marketplace had directions, guiding her to an ancient tree. Under its broad canopy grew a wild ginseng.
She took out a small shovel and dug a ginseng from the soft earth. It resembled a white radish. This hundred-year-old ginseng had many roots and felt as heavy as a thousand catties in her hand.
[Ding! Natural hundred-year-old ginseng, valued at 120,000 wen. Do you wish to sell it?]
[Sell!]
Cheng Loanloan's heart pounded.
120,000 wen was equivalent to 120 taels of silver.
In this era, families with assets exceeding a hundred taels of silver could be counted on one's fingers. She had unexpectedly become a wealthy woman.
In the Marketplace, she exchanged copper coins for a hundred-tael banknote and fifteen taels of silver. The rest she converted into copper coins.
Even so, her purse was still bulging, making it a little uncomfortable to walk.
Cheng Loanloan calmed herself. She bought a rabbit in the Marketplace, then carried it into the crowd with a smile. "My luck isn't bad; I actually caught a rabbit. Everyone, please continue. I'll take the rabbit back first."
The bamboo shoot digger swallowed enviously. Just sitting by the roadside and catching a rabbit—Zhao Dajie's luck was simply too good.
Not far away, Zhao Erwang had quietly approached. He leaned on Zhao Sidan and said, "Later, give me a piece of rabbit meat to taste."
Before Zhao Sidan could say anything, Zhao Sanniu snorted, "You had a big piece of meat to eat before. Why didn't you share it with us then?"
"Exactly!" Zhao Sidan nodded vigorously. "Brother Erwang, you're stingy, so I'm stingy too."
Zhao Erwang glared angrily. "That was years ago! Why do you still remember? I'm not stingy anymore, look!"
He took out a chestnut from his pocket. "Here, I'll give you one. Later, when you eat rabbit meat, remember to share a piece with me."
Zhao Sidan said disdainfully, "It's not as good as what my mother makes. I don't want it!"
Zhao Erwang looked as if he was about to cry. "You just don't want to share the rabbit meat with me, Zhao Sidan! You're so stingy, I won't play with you anymore!"
With that, tears streamed down his face.
Zhao Lao Er heard him crying and smacked him on the back of the head. "Cry, cry, cry, all you do is cry. If you're so capable, go catch a rabbit yourself."
Zhao Erwang immediately stopped crying. "Then I'll go catch a rabbit myself now!"
"Stop right there." Old Master Zhao angrily shouted, "Go after you've finished digging the jade bamboo shoots. Don't use it as an excuse to be lazy."
At noon, several women from the village went up the mountain to deliver sorghum cakes sent by various households. There were steamed buns, wild vegetables, and cornmeal cakes.
Cheng Loanloan was among them. Not wanting to be too ostentatious, she specifically asked Wu Huiniang to make buckwheat mantou and bring them to the four boys, one for each.
After the group had filled their stomachs to about four or five parts, they planned to rest a bit before continuing their work. Just then, Zhao Dawang ran wildly across the field, shouting, "Father, save me quickly, I'm about to drown!"
Zhao Lao Er walked over, scolding, "When will you ever settle down, you little brat? I'm exhausted to death and still have to look after you. You're about to get married, why can't you be more sensible!"
Zhao Dawang argued passionately, "Second Dog Brother isn't even married yet, how could it be my turn?"
Cheng Loanloan hadn't been paying attention to this, but when she turned her head, she saw Zhao Ergou's face flush.
This child was intelligent and quick-witted, rarely showing such an expression. Could it be that he already had someone in his heart?
She couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth. Her second son was only sixteen years old. Sixteen years old meant he was in high school, struggling with exams every day... Alright, her eldest son was only eighteen, and in a few months, he would be a father.
People in ancient times fell in love early, married early, had children early, and... died early too.