Of course, Qian Sao didn’t continue the conversation to avoid looking greedy for money.

    After eating and resting until they were no longer tired, they continued their hike.

    This time, Qian Tai took the lead to clear the path with his knife, as some areas had tall grass where dangerous animals like snakes could be hiding.

    “Hold on,” Haitang’s voice made everyone stop.

    “Second Brother, you and Fourth Brother stay here and collect all those red berries,” Haitang began assigning tasks as soon as she saw the potential treasure in front of her.

    “What are these berries, Sister-in-law? Are they poisonous? Why do they look so scary?”

    “These are goji berries (Gou Qi Zi), which have many medicinal properties. Collect some to make food for Mother, and the rest we will dry and sell.”

    “I’ll stay with Fourth Brother. Sister-in-law, let Second Brother go with you. There shouldn’t be any danger around here,” Qian San suggested.

    Haitang didn’t respond but looked at Qian Tai. She initially wanted Qian Sao to stay for safety reasons, but when Qian Tai nodded, it meant the twin brothers could take care of themselves.

    “They are quick-witted and can take care of themselves, Sister-in-law. Don’t worry,” Qian Sao reassured.

    With the agreement, Haitang left Qian San and Qian Xi and continued with her husband and Qian Sao. Qian Sao left his basket for the twins to use for collecting goji berries.

    “We need to go through this cave,” Haitang pointed ahead.

    Barrenwort prefers cool climates and typically grows in open, well-ventilated grasslands. However, on this mountain, there is a similar area hidden behind this dark cave.

    Qian Tai led the way, carrying a freshly lit torch, while Qian Sao had his knife ready for any emergencies.

    The three of them walked through the cave and emerged into an open area. There, they found the barrenwort that Haitang had been searching for.

    The air on the mountain was cooler than at the base, and the trees provided shade, protecting the area from direct sunlight. The environment was damp and resembled the cool air of early winter, allowing the barrenwort to thrive in this area.

    “Second Brother, look at this. This is barrenwort. We will only pick the ones that have flowers,” Haitang instructed.

    The barrenwort Haitang pointed out to Qian Sao was a knee-high grass with light pink flowers, a distinctive feature of the plant.

    Haitang taught the two brothers how to uproot the plants carefully. She then left them to search for more of the barrenwort scattered around. It took them over two hours to gather twenty plants, plus two extras.

    With the herbs collected, the three of them prepared to return, retracing their steps through the cave. This time, Qian Sao led the way while Qian Tai took up the rear.

    Qian Sao, excited by the prospect of earning hundreds of taels from the herbs, wasn’t paying attention to the danger ahead.

    “Watch out!”

    Haitang’s shout brought Qian Sao back to his senses, but a venomous snake had already launched itself at him, aiming to sink its fangs into the intruder.

    While Qian Sao was caught off guard, Qian Tai, who was always on the lookout for dangers to his wife, swiftly struck the snake with his knife, killing it instantly.

    “Husband, take it with us. It has value. The pharmacy will buy it,” Haitang instructed.

    Qian Sao, still sweating from the close call, watched as the couple swiftly handled the situation. Haitang handed a cloth bag to Qian Tai, who quickly wrapped the snake’s body, tied the head securely, and stuffed it into the bag before hurrying out of the cave.

    Once out of the darkness, Qian Sao extinguished the torch. Haitang instructed the brothers to cover the cave entrance with vines to conceal the path. She didn’t want anyone to find this lucrative spot, as they might need to return in the future for emergency resources.

    After concealing the entrance, Qian Tai scolded his younger brother for his carelessness. Once Qian Sao showed he understood his mistake, they continued to the meeting point with the other two brothers.

    At the rendezvous point, Qian San and Qian Xi had already collected two baskets full of goji berries. The barrenwort was placed in the basket Haitang had carried, leaving plenty of space. The five of them worked together to fill four baskets with goji berries, covering them tightly to keep the contents hidden.

    As they descended the mountain towards the city, Qian Tai managed to catch another snake that had attempted to strike Qian Xi. This time, Qian Xi spotted the snake first, allowing Qian Tai to quickly dispatch it.

    Haitang brought everyone together to avoid suspicion. Now, the five of them stood in front of the residence of Governor Lin.

    “I’ve come to see Governor Lin,” Haitang informed the guard at the gate.

    “Who are you, and what is your business?”

    “At least let me see the steward first, and then I will explain,”

    Haitang responded, not wanting anyone to know she had found the barrenwort. The guard, doing his duty, quickly went to inform the steward.

    Soon, the steward of Governor Lin's residence came out to meet Haitang.

    “Steward, I need to speak with you privately,”

    Haitang said, lifting the cloth covering her basket to reveal the barrenwort inside.

    The steward, who had risen to his position through intelligence and capability, immediately understood the significance.

    “Please, come inside for some tea,” he invited.

    Naturally, the steward did not lead Haitang to the grand hall where esteemed guests were received, as she was a commoner. Additionally, Governor Lin and his wife were not home; they had gone outside the city to pray for their ailing son.

    The steward led Haitang and the four brothers to a spacious courtyard with a reception area. Servants brought snacks and tea, showing their hospitality.

    The steward thought to himself that the Governor and his wife would surely be delighted to hear about finding the herb.

    “Steward, I…”

    “What are you doing in my house?”

    A voice interrupted Haitang.

    “Miss Lin, this is…”

    “I wasn’t speaking to you,” Lin Fang, the eldest daughter and Haitang's nemesis from her past life, interrupted, snapping at the steward.

    “I’m here to discuss business with the steward. There’s no need to report this to Miss Lin,” Haitang replied, having shed her past pretense but still unwilling to yield to her old rival.

    “This is the Governor’s residence, my house. You’ve got quite the nerve to disrespect me. Servants, slap her mouth,” ordered Lin Fang.

    At her command, a maid approached to slap Haitang, but Qian Tai intervened to protect his wife.

    “Who dares to harm my wife?”

    “You filthy scum! Guards, there are intruders in the residence!” Lin Fang yelled. Upon her command, the guards surrounded Qian Tai and his group.

    “We’re only here to do business. Is this how people of the Governor’s residence treat their guests?” Haitang pushed Qian Tai aside and stepped forward to confront Lin Fang directly.

    “Business, you say? Do you think people like you have anything worth selling to me? Even if you did, I wouldn’t buy it,” Lin Fang said, her head held high, relishing her status as the governor’s daughter.

    “Fine, if you don’t want to buy it, then I’ll burn it all. Steward, it seems what I brought can’t be exchanged here. Blame it on the fact that the governor’s son has an older sister as brainless as Miss Lin here,”

    Haitang retorted sharply. Lin Fang’s face turned red with anger, but before she could react...

    “How dare you! Seize them and have them flogged to death for trespassing in the governor’s residence and insulting the young mistress!”

    The Second Furen, Lin Fang’s mother, who happened to be passing by, commanded the soldiers to deal with anyone who dared to scold her daughter in the residence.

    “Touch me, and I will burn all the herbs the governor is looking for,”

    Haitang declared. She had brought back the torch they used in the cave. Hearing her, Qian Tai quickly struck the flint to light the torch again, ready to burn the barrenwort in the basket without hesitation.

    “No, you can’t do that,” the steward’s face went pale upon hearing Haitang’s threat.

    “Go ahead and burn them. I don’t care about your stupid herbs. Even if your herbs came from heaven, I’d burn you and those herbs together,” Lin Fang, consumed by rage, shouted without considering the consequences.

    “Young Mistress, those herbs are for the young master...” The steward tried to calm the situation but was cut off by a displeased glare from the Second Furen.

    “I don’t care. They dared to insult me. What are you waiting for?” At Lin Fang’s command, the soldiers moved to attack Haitang’s group.

    “Stop right now! What’s going on here?”

    The voice that seemed like divine intervention to the steward boomed. “Master, Furen, you’re back,” the steward sighed with relief.

    The soldiers parted, making way for the master of the residence.

    “Husband, Furen,” the Second Furen greeted the governor and the First Furen respectfully.

    “Father, Mother,” Lin Fang quickly changed her demeanor and greeted the governor and the First Furen as well.

    “I asked what’s going on,” the governor repeated his question, still waiting for an answer.

    “Master, someone has brought the barrenwort,” the steward reported.

    “What did you say?” The First Furen’s voice trembled with hope, as if the heavens had sent a savior for her son.

    “This lady has brought the barrenwort to sell,” the steward confirmed.

    Hearing this, the First Furen ignored everyone else and rushed toward Haitang.

    “You really have the barrenwort?”

    “Yes, I do have it, but I’m afraid I can’t sell it to Furen now,” Haitang replied softly.

    “Why not? Are you dissatisfied with the price? If so, I will...”

    “Furen, the price you offered is very high, but just now, the young mistress said that even if I had herbs from heaven, the governor's residence would not buy from me. How could I still have the face to sell to you? I dare not, I dare not,” Haitang responded.

    Hearing this, the First Furen's face turned green with anger, feeling a surge of rage toward the two fox-like mother and daughter.

    “Husband, it’s not as she says. She insulted Fang’er. We didn't know she was selling herbs to cure the young master. If I had known, would I have let Fang’er argue with her? I would have begged her to sell the herbs if necessary,” the Second Fureb quickly defended her daughter.

    “Didn't the steward just inform you that I came to sell herbs to cure the young master? Yet the young mistress said she didn't care and could burn the herbs needed for his treatment. Isn’t that right?” Haitang didn't let herself be slandered and promptly defended herself.

    “Is this true, Steward Lin?” the First Furen, her anger boiling, turned to confirm with her servant who was present at the scene.

    “It is true, as this lady said,” Steward Lin confirmed.

    “You little demon!”

    Slap!

    The First Furen turned and slapped the young mistress immediately. If she hadn't returned in time today, the precious herbs she had been desperately seeking for her son might have been lost forever.

    “Furen, you’ve gone too far. Why did you have to hit Fang’er?” the Second Furen protested.

    “You fox and whore! You mother and daughter hope my son won't recover, don’t you? You are ungrateful vipers,” the First Furen pointed accusingly at the mother and daughter huddled on the ground.

    A bit of blood seeped from the corner of Lin Fang’s mouth, as the First Furen's slap was far from gentle.