Chapter 212 – The War King Needs Love
Yan Xiaosi’s basket was also filled with some mushrooms. On their way down the mountain, she curiously asked Yan Shuxue, “Sister, why don’t other villagers come up to the mountain to pick mushrooms, given that there are so many wild mushrooms on Four Sisters Mountain?”
Recently, the wild mushrooms in the mountains had been growing rapidly, but only their family seemed to be picking them. Yan Shuxue explained, “The other villagers don’t come to pick mushrooms because they’re afraid of being poisoned by them. Two years ago, an old woman from Xinghua Village went to Four Sisters Mountain to pick mushrooms and died of poisoning that same night. Since then, villagers from the foot of Four Sisters Mountain have dared not do it. Our family really has no other choice for food, so every year around this time, mom takes us up the mountain to pick mushrooms.”
Yan Xiaosi finally understood why the mushrooms could grow so wildly on the mountain. She smiled at Yan Shuxue, “The villagers at the bottom of the mountain are afraid to eat wild mushrooms, which turns out to be a boon for us.”
Yan Shuxue smiled back, “Exactly. There are two types of wild mushrooms: poisonous and non-poisonous. Poisonous ones are brightly colored, while non-poisonous ones are more muted. Xiaosi, make sure you don’t pick any brightly colored mushrooms.”
Yan Xiaosi, skilled in both medicine and poisons, was naturally aware of this. However, in front of Yan Shuxue, she pretended to be clueless. “Sister, you know so much.”
Yan Shuxue gave a bitter smile, “It’s just the life skills that a child from a poor family must know. Xiaosi, let’s not talk about this anymore; we’re home.”
Unknowingly, the two had already walked back to their cave. Ms. Zhong and Yan Shuqin were outside the cave, drying wild mushrooms. They strung the boiled mushrooms on thin vines and hung them from tree branches to dry. The wind in the mountains made drying quick, and in just a few days, the mushrooms would be dry enough to store.
Seeing her second and youngest daughters return, Ms. Zhong put down her work and went into the cave to cook lunch. After lunch, Ms. Zhong and her eldest and second daughters continued to dry the mushrooms, taking advantage of the sunny weather to turn the freshly picked wild mushrooms into dried mushrooms before the rainy season could spoil them.
As for Yan Xiaosi, having previously promised to help Tian Dazhuang with his marriage situation with Yan Shujing, she informed Ms. Zhong after lunch and headed down to Tongluo Plain. The War King had promised to help, and she wanted to remind him, lest he forget amidst his busy schedule.
Upon reaching the military camp at Tongluo Plain, let alone seeing Long Yu, she was stopped right at the entrance by two soldiers. The soldiers, looking fierce, told her, “This is a military area. Civilians are not allowed inside.”
In her previous life, Yan Xiaosi was a military doctor and knew well the rules inside a military camp, so she had no choice but to turn around and leave, planning to proceed with her original plan to get Yan Shujing out of the Yan family mansion.
However, just as she turned around, a familiar voice called out behind her. “Young Master Yan, please wait.”
Hearing Long Yi’s voice, she excitedly turned around. “Guard Long Yi, I’d like to see the War King.”
Long Yi nodded slightly and ordered the two soldiers, “The War King wishes to see Young Master Yan. Let him in without delay.” The once fierce-looking soldiers stepped aside.
Yan Xiaosi followed Long Yi into Long Yu’s tent. Upon entering, she glanced up at Long Yu. Even after two days, the War King’s presence was still as impressive as ever, exuding an indescribable air of nobility in his dark robe.
“Beneath your grace, I bow to the War—”
Long Yu put down the military book in his hand, cutting her off mid-sentence, “Spare me the formalities. Tell me, what brings you here?”
It seemed the War King had indeed forgotten the matter he had promised to help with.
Fortunately, I made the trip myself, otherwise, there might have been trouble tonight.
Yan Xiaosi chuckled and said, “The War King truly is as straightforward and upright as the rumors say. Let me cut to the chase. Two days ago, when the War King and I were roasting sheep in front of the cave at Big Sister Peak, you promised to do me a small favor. Do you remember?”
Long Yu narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment. “Is it because you have some grievances with Yan Shujing from the Yan family, and you want my help to get back at that woman?”
Yan Xiaosi squinted and smiled, bowing slightly, “The War King really has a good memory.”
“There’s no need to flatter me, I remember.”
“Then I won’t bother the War King any longer. This evening, I will be waiting for the War King’s good news in Shaoyao Village.”
With those words, Yan Xiaosi bowed to Long Yu and turned to leave the military tent. Watching her leave swiftly, Long Yu picked up a book and gripped it tightly.
“She really is heartless. When reminding me to help, she smiles so broadly, but as soon as I agreed, her face turned cold, and she left without looking back.”
Long Yi: “…”
Is the master upset because Young Master Yan did not show enough concern?
“Master, do you want me to bring Young Master Yan back?”
Long Yu glanced at Long Yi, “Why would I want that heartless person brought back?”
Of course, it’s to bring back that heartless person to show some concern to you, Master. Long Yi thought to himself but did not dare to say it out loud.
Yan Xiaosi left the military camp and headed straight to Tian Dazhuang’s home.
At that moment, the Tian family was in chaos.
Ms. Wang placed her hands on her hips and said to Tian Dazhuang, “You rascal, whether you like it or not, you have to marry Yan Shujing, the eldest Miss of the Yan family. Tomorrow, I will find a matchmaker and send your birth characters to the Yan family.”
Tian Dazhuang stubbornly clenched his teeth and replied, “Mother, I will not marry Yan Shujing. Even if you scold me or beat me, I will not marry her.”
The gate of the Tian family was not locked, so Yan Xiaosi pushed the door and entered the courtyard. She was just in time to see Tian Dazhuang arguing with his mother, Ms. Wang, his face red and ears crimson with anger.
Seeing Tian Dazhuang’s defiant stance and clenched teeth made Ms. Wang so angry that her eyes rolled back in frustration. Yan Xiaosi wanted to applaud it.
Wow, Brother Dazhuang has some backbone this time.
Ms. Wang, hearing her front door creak open and turning to see Yan Xiaosi with his arms crossed and a smiling face, watching her get so infuriated by her son that her eyes rolled back, was instantly furious.
“Yan Xiaosi, who allowed you to come into my house?”
Yan Xiaosi uncrossed her arms, shrugged, and replied with a smile, “The door was open, so I just walked in.”
Ms. Wang was already furious, and Yan Xiaosi’s comment nearly made her faint from anger.
This damned scoundrel, treating my house like it’s a public latrine, coming and going as he pleases.
“Dazhuang is not free to see you now. Yan Xiaosi, get out.”
But Yan Xiaosi did not leave; instead, he smilingly walked into their living room.
“Aunt Tian, I know you want Brother Dazhuang to marry Miss Yan Shujing from the Yan family, but have you thought about why the Yan family suddenly wants to marry her off to Brother Dazhuang?
“Yan Shujing is the eldest Miss of the Yan family; they have spent a lot of money and effort on her, hoping she would marry a wealthy and distinguished man to bring glory to the Yan family. Yet, now they want to marry her to Brother Dazhuang. There must be something wrong with her.
“According to my experience, either she has a physical defect and cannot bear children, or she has been involved with another man and lost her virginity. If it’s the former, congratulations to the Wang family, you will have no descendants. If it’s the latter, congratulations to Brother Dazhuang, you’ll be raising another’s child.”
