Chapter Seven: Returning with a Full Harvest

“That’s right, I’ve already reserved the Revitalizing Pill. Second Steward, what do you say?”

A bright, cheerful female voice rang out. Gu Weiyu turned around in surprise and delight, meeting Mu’s smiling face.

The second steward, having just completed a deal with Mu and being a fellow member of the Gu clan, was happy to play along with her ruse. He turned to the young man in blue, cupped his hands apologetically, and said, “Young Master Lu Fifth, I’m afraid the Revitalizing Pill has already been reserved by Miss Mu. My apologies…”

The blue-robed youth felt thoroughly humiliated, yet he dared not offend the Gu family behind the pharmacy. With forced bravado, he tossed the medicine bottle onto the counter. “Hmph! As if I’d want such worthless pills!” he scoffed, then swung his sleeve and strode away.

The girl in red, watching from the sidelines, broke into a smile. As long as the pill didn’t fall into Lu Fifth’s hands, she was pleased.

Gu Weiyu hurried to the counter and clasped the spinning bottle tightly to her chest, looking at Mu with hopeful eyes. “Sister…”

Mu didn’t expose her little act. She fished out a dozen or so glowing spirit pearls. “Second Steward, will these suffice?”

He nodded with a wide, amiable smile. “More than enough, Miss Mu. If you come across any more treasures in the future…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll bring them to you first,” Mu replied warmly.

As they spoke, the steward personally escorted Mu and Gu Weiyu out of the pharmacy.

Once outside, Mu’s smile faded, and she walked ahead in silence.

Gu Weiyu, a little uneasy, said, “Sister Mu, I acted on my own just now. If you’re angry, you can scold me.”

Mu glanced at her. She had intended to let Weiyu stew a little, but recalling that the girl acted out of genuine concern, she softened. “Weiyu, you’re still young and don’t yet see how perilous the world can be. Today, we were lucky—the pharmacy is run by our clan, and the second steward is an old acquaintance who didn’t raise the price…”

Gu Weiyu listened attentively, knowing Mu was teaching her the ways of the world.

Seeing the earnestness on Weiyu’s face, Mu felt somewhat satisfied. She thought to herself: this girl is indeed clever and quick-witted, but still too inexperienced and in need of further tempering.

As they walked on and reached the western market, Gu Weiyu noticed the shops growing busier and more vibrant. Street vendors hawked their wares, and her gaze was instantly drawn to the bright red candied hawthorn skewers not far away.

“Weiyu, are you craving something sweet?” Mu had been watching her all along and asked with a chuckle.

Gu Weiyu swallowed hard, shaking her head, then nodding, looking conflicted. “Sister Mu, could I buy a skewer of candied hawthorns to take home for my little brother?”

Mu immediately understood—it wasn’t greed, but thrift. “It’s only a few skewers of sweets. Let me treat you!”

She strode straight to the vendor and bought five skewers at once. “Here you go, Weiyu, eat as much as you like!”

Gu Weiyu picked up a skewer and offered it to Mu, her lips sweet as honey. “Sister Mu, these are delicious. You must try one too!”

Mu accepted the treat and ate with her, after which Gu Weiyu took a skewer for herself, biting in gently. The sweetness was tinged with a trace of tartness, and she savored it slowly, her face full of contentment.

“Uncle Ayu!” As she finished half her skewer, Gu Weiyu looked up to see Uncle Ayu and the others approaching, their faces glowing with satisfaction—a sign of a good day’s trading.

Steady and solemn as always, Uncle Agen couldn’t help but lower his voice in excitement, “Both the giant serpent and the toad were near the threshold of transforming into monsters. We earned a fine sum today!”

A smile broke across Mu’s face as she toyed with the bamboo skewer in her hand. “Come, let’s stroll through the other market. If there’s anything you’d like to buy, feel free.”

The group split up in the market. Mu led Gu Weiyu and a few others to purchase grain and daily necessities—supplies needed back in the village. By the time everyone had finished their shopping, it was nearly midday.

Though they’d made a tidy profit from the day’s herbs and game, years of frugality made them cautious. They found an affordable food stall and settled for a modest lunch before setting out for home.

Unlike their hurried journey to town, for the return trip, they chose to walk over the mountain paths to save on spirit pearls—since activating the paper talismans required their use. Gu Weiyu now understood the value and use of the pearls.

Because the day’s success was largely thanks to Gu Weiyu, the others treated her with special care. Occasionally, Mu would summon a paper crane to carry her for a stretch, and no one objected—not even the uncles who once grumbled, but now showed only indulgence.

It was early spring, and the chill still lingered. Recent rains had left the mountain roads slick and treacherous. Where the path was particularly perilous, they returned to using paper talismans; where it was safer, they walked. The journey home took several times longer than the trip out.

As the setting sun cast its golden glow over the mountains surrounding Green Hill Village, Mu and the others trudged wearily but contentedly back to the village.

The clansfolk on duty at the entrance hurried out to greet them, helping to carry the heavy loads. They chatted as they made their way to the clan chief’s stone house.

The chief had been anxiously awaiting their return and breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of everyone safe. “It’s chilly outside—come in and warm yourselves!”

Inside, each person was handed a cup of hot ginger tea to ward off the cold. Then came the division of the day’s gains.

Gu Weiyu stood quietly by, watching as Mu and the others swiftly divided the supplies. The stone house gradually emptied.

“All of this is for me?” A quarter of an hour later, Gu Weiyu stared in surprise at the twenty spirit pearls and silver coins allotted to her family. “Grandfather Chief, Sister Mu, haven’t we already bought the Revitalizing Pill for my father?”

“This is your rightful share,” the chief said, stroking his beard with a solemn air. “Our clan tradition is simple: half the spoils go to the public store, half are kept by the individual.”

Mu added, “Your father need only take one pill a day. Once he’s finished this bottle, his internal injuries should heal, though I’m afraid his arm may never fully recover…”

Gu Weiyu clutched the precious medicine tightly, then carefully packed all her belongings into a leather pouch and stowed it by her side. A wave of warmth filled her heart. “I understand.”

“It’s getting late. Your parents must be worried sick.” The chief walked over and patted her on the head.

“Oh, and these are for you!” Mu, remembering something, took out three skewers of candied hawthorn and handed them to Gu Weiyu.

Gu Weiyu thanked her with a bright smile, accepted the sweets with both hands, and after bidding farewell to the chief and Mu, dashed off toward home.

“Weiyu’s back!”

“Weiyu, slow down!”

Along the way, caring voices called out from the stone houses, and Gu Weiyu responded with a radiant smile.

“Sister, Sister!”

Little Shitou, bundled up like a little dumpling, heard her coming and rushed out from the house, excitement making him bounce like a little mallet.

“Little Shitou!” Weiyu scooped her brother up and turned to see, inside the stone house, their parents—one standing, one seated—watching them with anxious, loving eyes.