Chapter 45: Just let him off once in a while

Ink Drought Lotus, because its tender stems and leaves are edible in early spring, locals call it Ink Vegetable.

This thing itself is also a medicinal herb, it can detoxify and cool the blood, its hemostatic effect is excellent.

Gu Xixi still complied with Old Doctor Lao's request yesterday, pulling several big handfuls back for him.

When picking Ink Vegetable, her fingers inevitably get stained black; it was from this that she thought of a substitute for ink and paper.

"As for the brush," Gu Xixi chuckled, "then we'll have to trouble the handy folks to help."

"Isn't there several families raising sheep in our village? Goat-hair brushes can be made ourselves."

"Children just starting education aren't calligraphy masters; the requirement for a brush is naturally low, as long as it works when made."

The previously stiff atmosphere loosened up again.

"I've seen brushes before—just a stick with a tuft of hair; it's merely a matter of fine handwork, not difficult!"

"My two sheep can both be used."

"Before my mother-in-law passed away, she saved a lot of scrap cloth; if your household isn't enough, just come take some from mine."

……

Gu Xixi said, "Finally, only books remain."

"For children at the enlightenment stage, they don't need to buy books; oral instruction and hand guidance from the teacher are enough."

"If someone's child studies well, they have the material to become an official through the imperial examinations; we can wait until they reach that point, then the whole family can consider it."

Qin Dasao asked, "Does entering officialdom through the examinations mean becoming a recommended candidate and then a County Magistrate?"

Gu Xixi nodded and smiled, "More or less."

"But if one can score higher than a recommended candidate, there's still a chance to hold a higher office."

The villagers were astonished—an office higher than a County Magistrate, how impressive that would be!

Thus, no one raised any objections anymore.

Lao Qian looked at Gu Xixi, moved, almost bowing on the spot.

He personally saw Gu Xixi out of Tudimiao, chattering excitedly:

"My dear niece, how come I never noticed you were such a lucky star before!"

"Our Huachi Du Cun absolutely cannot do without you."

"From now on, whether you have a good idea or are dissatisfied with anyone or anything in Huachi Du Cun, feel free to come to me with your suggestions."

Gu Xixi pondered a moment, "Uncle Qian, I indeed have something."

Lao Qian generously said, "Speak, go ahead and say it."

Gu Xixi then didn't stand on ceremony, "The earthen cave where we saved the child yesterday, that small patch of wasteland in front—may I borrow it for use?"

Lao Qian first boldly agreed, "Of course you can."

"However, that place tends to collect water, the land is a narrow strip, nothing can grow there, and you can't even build a house."

"Over the years, the village has repeatedly divided fields; all the land suitable for farming has already been allocated."

Lao Qian really couldn't understand why Gu Xixi wanted to borrow that unwanted corner.

Gu Xixi smiled, "I just want to transplant a few wild tea trees for fun."

"I'm just worried the kids will be mischievous and damage it; if you agree, I'd like to temporarily put up a fence."

Lao Qian readily said, "Fine, I agree—go ahead and do it."

"If anyone says anything, have them come find me."

Gu Xixi had previously discovered that the soil of Huachi Du Cun is very suitable for planting tea trees.

But to widely cultivate it as an economic crop, we need to solve two major problems: cold winters and tea-tree varieties that don't tolerate flooding.

Now the site selection for the tea-tree trial field has been smoothly resolved.

At this point, tea leaves rank just below salt, also serving as an informal hard currency.

Especially in the frigid Xi Bei region, which itself produces no tea, demand for tea is huge.

Huachi Du Cun lies within the gateway to Xi Bei.

If we could produce tea leaves and sell them to Xi Bei, short-distance transport would surely cut costs dramatically.

Without detailed calculation, one knows this will be a long-term, sure-profit venture.

The next day was exactly the Start of Autumn; Gu Xixi woke early, finished packing, and was about to head out.

She munched on the red-date steamed bun Zhang Shen gave her as she passed through the courtyard, recalling her promise to Gu Qingye to bring Mu Nan Zhao along.

Xixi gazed at the west room, her heart torn.

He had been injured saving her, the debt of his life, plus the benefit of his promise to be her teacher.

Finally she took a deep breath, "Forget it, today I'll let him off."

Wait until his injury heals, then think of ways to match him with Gu Qingye.

However, just as Gu Xixi lifted a foot, Mu Nan Zhao actually came out the door.

"I'll go with you."

"Why?" Gu Xixi instinctively asked back.

Mu Nan Zhao gave her a cool glance, speaking in a voice only the two could hear: "Don't forget, that woman outside is Gu Tiezhu's sister."

Outside, Gu Qingye had already been waiting a while.

She saw Mu Nan Zhao and Gu Xixi come out together, her eyes instantly filling with a bright smile.

"Elder Brother Chen, Older Sister Xixi, good morning!"

Unfortunately, the young girl's charming appearance didn't move Mu Nan Zhao at all.

He still kept a cold face, striding forward on his own: "Aren't we going into the mountains? Hurry up."

All along the way, Gu Qingye's entire attention was on Mu Nan Zhao.

"Brother Chen, I brought scallion pancakes; I made them myself early this morning—have a piece."

Mu Nan Zhao: "Just ate, not hungry."

Gu Qingye was not discouraged.

She continued to follow at his side, occasionally tilting her head to look at him, like a cute little bird.

"Brother Chen, are you thirsty? I brought sweet tea, specially added two spoonfuls of honey."

Mu Nan Zhao: "Not thirsty, don't like sweet things."

Gu Xixi deliberately fell two steps behind them.

She watched Mu Nan Zhao and Gu Qingye interact, sighing incessantly.

Even a stone would have some reaction to being flirted with by a pretty girl like that.

Let alone the fact that they are literally an official couple.

As Gu Xixi was lost in thought, Mu Nan Zhao suddenly turned his head to look at her.

"Come over."

Gu Xixi stepped forward, "What's wrong?"

Mu Nan Zhao pointed to the side of Gu Qingye, "It's too noisy, you walk here."

It was rare for Mu Nan Zhao to come to her door himself, so Gu Xixi naturally wouldn't ruin such a good opportunity.

"The mountain path is narrow; walking side by side is inconvenient and unsafe."

Mu Nan Zhao gave her a cold glance, then walked a few steps back with his hands behind his back, "Is this okay?"

Gu Xixi felt helpless and had to continue up the mountain shoulder to shoulder with Gu Qingye.

Gu Qingye's disappointment was plain to see.

In front of Mu Nan Zhao, Gu Xixi dared not encourage her and could only stay silent.

On the day of the Beginning of Autumn, the mountains and forests already showed signs of harvest.

Gu Xixi picked the medicinal herbs that Old Doctor needed, as well as a few kinds she herself was studying to use in preparing medicine.

She gathered some knotweed jujubes, August melons, ripened fruits, and wild pine mushrooms.

Needless to say, Gu Qingye had come just for gathering; after filling half a sack, she could only regret that she couldn't carry much more today.

"I didn't expect to pick so many pine mushrooms; my mother will surely be pleased."

"Sister Xixi, why don't we head back today and come again tomorrow?"

"I have no time tomorrow," Gu Xixi said while speaking, gazing into the distant woods.

Beside them on the right, a large tree thick enough for two people to embrace had roots protruding above the ground, covered in pine mushrooms…

This scene was very familiar.

Gu Xixi suddenly widened her eyes; if there was no mistake, this place was very likely where Gu Qingye had saved Mu Nan Zhao's life!