Chapter 265: Singing and Dancing to Celebrate the Expectant Child

Ying became the first person to wear cloth shoes; the shoes are sturdy and attractive, far prettier than the snake‑foot ones.

That night, the Ying Tribe gathered at Shuangxi Ridge Gate.

First, the clan leader's female became pregnant, which everyone had long awaited; second, Oumu made the first pair of cloth shoes.

In the future every tribe member will be able to wear these shoes.

Ying stood on a stone to show everyone; he became Nan Qinghuan's first male model to wear shoes.

The tribe members gathered there, listening intently as Nan Qinghuan explained how the shoes were made, how cotton was turned into cotton cloth, and how cotton could be used for other things.

When they heard that cotton could also be made into blankets, everyone was even happier.

They didn't know what a blanket was, but hearing that it kept one warm in winter made them yearn; before they had only used weeds, and even a little extra kept them warm.

They wanted to try the feeling of being covered by a blanket.

Later everyone could also try clothing made of cotton cloth; although hemp robes are decent, their texture is rough and harsh on the skin.

After hearing her, Axi's eyes sparkled, "Qinghuan, so that's how cotton cloth is made; shall we go learn to weave cotton cloth tomorrow?"

"Sure, I want to go too; I'll make shoes for Youchao Xuan to wear."

"I want to go too."

Everyone wanted to learn; Nan Qinghuan smiled, "Hold on, there isn't much cotton left, we can't make much cloth, so we need to go harvest cotton."

Youchao Ji, seeing the shoes on Ying's feet, was envious, "I never imagined the Goddess could make shoes prettier than those of the Snake Tribe; theirs aren't as good as these."

"Exactly, theirs are called 'boots' while ours are called 'shoes.'"

"Alright, tomorrow I'll take Ashu and the tribe to pick cotton. Goddess, what do you think?"

"Oh dear, that won't work; the things there belong to the Snake Tribe. Might they forbid us?"

"He dares."

Ying, feeling great in his comfortable shoes, was in high spirits, especially after acquiring a fine sword; now he feels he can cut down anything with it.

"He wouldn't dare block you when it's what I want."

"Right, everything there is a gift from the Heavenly God, why should it belong to them? After you go, just dig up some seedlings; once the trees grow, every household will have cotton. My stuff will be shared publicly; anyone who wants shoes or anything else can get cotton themselves. I can teach you, but I won't allocate— you must do it yourself, understand?"

Exactly, no allocation; allocation would be like before. She wants the tribe to learn these with their own hands.

She also wants them to realize that only hard work can bring a good life.

People were initially puzzled by how good the shoes were, but now that they're said to protect the feet, and seeing Ying and Oumu wearing them, they naturally want to do the same!

"We'll follow Oumu; tomorrow we'll go do it."

"Qinghuan, want to try some roasted meat?"

Axi grilled two skewers of roasted meat for Nan Qinghuan, but Nan Qinghuan felt a wave of nausea.

"No, take it away."

Axi was puzzled, "It's your favorite food, what's wrong?"

"Axi, Qinghuan is pregnant and won't eat these things. Qinghuan, what do you want me to fetch for you?"

Nan Qinghuan now realized her taste had changed.

The roasted meat she once loved now seemed greasy, and she craved something sour.

She swallowed, her mouth tasting nothing, "Ying, I want something sour."

"Sour?"

Ying frowned slightly, wondering what flavor that was. Just as he was about to ask, A Mu brought over an earthen bowl, smiling, "Qinghuan, is this what you want to eat?"

"A Mu, where did you get this?"

It turned out to be plums—good heavens, even the ancient times had plums.

She gulped all the plums at once; Ying watched her eat and wanted to try too, but wow—so sour!

Her mouth watered continuously.

"Qinghuan, don't eat too much; it's not good."

"Ying, you don't get it; when A Mu was pregnant, she loved this."

"Is that so?"

Ying thought it was too unpalatable, but seeing Qinghuan eat it so deliciously, he let it pass.

"But you still shouldn't eat too much; you need to eat meat. Eating more will make you plump."

Ying wanted her to eat meat because Nan Qinghuan lacked flavor; he feared she would starve, so he tried every way to find food for her, lest his precious little one go hungry.

The bonfire celebration continued; Nan Qinghuan and Ying sat there watching the tribe's joyous faces, and the two spouses were also very happy.

Such harmonious scenes are truly hard to come by.

Soon, Youchao Xuan arrived from behind.

"Ying, Goddess, we've found it."

Nan Qinghuan, lying in Ying's arms watching the tribe dance, sat up quickly when she heard they had found it.

"Youchao Xuan, what did the messenger say?"

Right, they sent someone to investigate the Na Shan Tribe's affairs, to see what kind of help the Rongdi actually got; in just a month the Rongdi's tribe has changed a lot.

They won't attack the tribe, but the Rongdi suddenly having allies makes them an enemy.

The Rongdi are very competitive; last time they were forced to jump into the sea but survived, and once they become strong they'll seek revenge.

Both Ying and Nan Qinghuan are well aware of this.

What they must do now is develop the tribe and guard against enemies.

"We've found out: the Rongdi call that person 'Priest', and he's said to be from beyond the heavens."

"From beyond the heavens?"

"Exactly, Goddess, and that person is powerful; everything you can do, he can also do."

What has this person done?

A priest from beyond the heavens—what the heck? "Rongdi's Tribe no longer eats raw meat; now they eat cooked, steamed food. That man also brought a marvelous fire‑starting technique, so they don't need to drill wood for fire."

Damn!

This made Nan Qinghuan a bit wary; such a powerful person couldn't exist in this ancient era—could it really be someone like her? Hearing this, Ying Meiyu tightened and sat up straight, handing Youchao Xuan a bowl of wine, "Anything else?"

"I've heard Rongdi is also forging Iron Tool, Goddess. That's not a technique we know—how could he have it?"

…Nan Qinghuan sat up straight, "We have to find a way to see that priest. Do you know where he'll go?"

"I haven't heard where he'll go; Rongdi won't let him leave the Tribe, just like Ying does with you."

Ying wasn't pleased and gave him a cold stare, "What nonsense are you spouting, kid? I truly like Qinghuan. That priest is a man, right? Could Rongdi perhaps like men?"

His words made everyone present laugh, mocking the idea that Rongdi likes males, but Nan Qinghuan didn't think so.

Rongdi isn't homosexual; they're perfectly normal.

The only possibility is that this man might indeed be just as she thought, coming from the same place as her.

Then who is it? For some reason, she felt this person would be their greatest threat!

Youchao Xuan, is there any way to find this person?

Youchao Xuan was about to speak when Ashu hurried over from a short distance, "Ying, the Wolf Clan brought news that Rice cultivation is encountering trouble; they wish to ask the Goddess to guide them."

Hearing this, Ying grew a bit worried about Nan Qinghuan's health. Could Qinghuan, now pregnant, still travel around? Sensing Ying's concern, Nan Qinghuan quickly smiled, "It's fine, I'm feeling great now. A pregnant woman still needs proper activity to ensure a good delivery. I also want to see how Yao's Tribe is doing. We'll find time to go; this season's rice harvest, the Tribe's Winter is approaching."

She knew that when Winter arrives is the Tribe's true test. She had heard A Mu mention that every year in Winter many tribespeople freeze to death; this year she is here, and none can be lost.

She must prepare warm Cotton Clothes, cotton trousers, and Cotton Shoes, plus food; none can be missing.

Ying didn't understand childbirth, but knew what she said was right; he nodded, wrapped his arms around her waist, and affectionately said, "Alright, I'll accompany you to take a look."

She was about to say "Okay" when Ashu hurriedly continued, "Ying, a few leaders of small Tribes want to seek our protection—should we accept them or not?"

Those words made Ying a bit wary, "Small Tribes, which Tribes?"

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