Chapter 4 Part III

    Several days ago, rumors emerged from a neighboring village about a family that suddenly became inexplicably wealthy. The villagers tried to find out why this family had come into fortune but found no apparent reason. Driven by jealousy, someone reported them to the authorities for investigation. The officials discovered that this family had been smuggling salt for merchants from the other city, leading to their arrest and enslavement as forced laborers.

    It must be noted that in this era, salt is an essential commodity because it is used by the populace for food preservation and in the production of various other foodstuffs. However, salt mines are considered the sovereign property of the Emperor, making salt a controlled item by the royal administration. Merchants wishing to trade in salt must pay taxes to the royal court, significantly enriching the royal treasury through salt tax revenues.

    Some merchants agree to pay these taxes and monopolize the salt trade. These individuals are powerful and influential, often paying bribes to nobles to maintain their monopoly. As a result, they can set high salt prices, making it scarce and expensive for the general populace. This situation has led to the emergence of illicit salt trade as a way to avoid taxes and sell salt at lower prices.

    "Indeed, I've heard about it too. How they suddenly became rich without any known cause!" another village woman said, looking at Miss Wang with a sneer.

    Miss Yu couldn't find a reason why the He family suddenly had so much money to buy various items, so she made the villagers more suspicious and disdainful towards He family.

    "Don't just say things recklessly when there's no evidence to accuse others," Old Man You admonished.

    "Oh, Old Man You, people always look for a quick path to wealth, and there's plenty to see," Miss Yu interjected again.

    "Sigh, aren't you going together with us, Miss Wang?" Old Man You kindly invited.

    "It's alright, I'll take Zhu’er to drop off some items to the horsekeepers along the way in a bit," Miss Wang smoothly lied. She didn't want to ride the cart with Miss Yu because if she did, her ears would be numb before reaching the city.

    "Oh dear! What's actually in the basket, whether it's really vegetables or not, who knows, they're probably scared we'll find out," Miss Yu continued to snipe.

    "Keeping a bunch of dogs in your mouth, it stinks!" Zhu’er couldn't stand it any longer. She considered herself a child and didn't want to argue with adults, but this kind of behavior made her patience snap.

    "Zhu’er!" Miss Wang warned, afraid that people would talk about her daughter being aggressive.

    "Let's go, mother. If we stay here any longer, the dogs in other people's mouths might jump out and bite!" Saying so, she quickly took her mother's hand and left. Soon, they heard a shrill, incomprehensible scream.

    Miss Wang and Zhu’er arrived in Fengfu City quite late. Zhu’er led her mother agilely into the city, not forgetting to smile and greet the familiar gate guards.

    She led her mother through small alleys that connected to the back of Ruyi Pharmacy.

    "Do you know such narrow path, Zhu’er?" Miss Wang asked curiously.

    "Yes, mother. A friend often takes me through this street, but it's safe, mother. Although it's a small alley, it branches off from the fourth main road, where most of the high-status nobles' mansions in the city are, so soldiers patrol regularly, and there are no thieves or robbers, mother."

    "A friend? You have friends in this city?"

    "Yes, mother. He's a beggar in this city. He knows every street in the city because he was born and raised here." Xin Xi, the little beggar she knew, liked to take her for walks, making her familiar with many alleys and byways in the city.

    “Come on, mother. I’ll take you to Ruyi Pharmacy where I sell the medicines.”

    Thump!

    However, after only two steps, someone stood in their way, blocking them.

    "Brother Mi Fan! What are you doing here? Aren't you looking after the shop?" His sudden appearance startled her. If it weren't for her presence of mind, she might have inadvertently swung her small hand out in full force.

    "It's the Shopkeeper, he asked me to wait for you here. I've been waiting for several days," he said with a weary voice. Every day he had to wait from early morning until late at night, hoping to meet Zhenzhu. It couldn't be assigned to someone else because Shopkeeper Tiao said Zhenzhu wouldn't recognize anyone else, and having someone else wait might startle her. Thus, this significant duty fell to him.

    "Waiting for me? Why wait for me?"

    "Follow me and you'll see."

    He led her to a mansion not far from Ruyi Pharmacy. The manor was surrounded by high walls, making it impossible to peer inside. Once inside, the manor was shaded by many large trees, creating a pleasant atmosphere. The pathway was paved with stones, flanked by a flower garden blooming with red flowers competing in beauty.

    "Brother Mi Fan, whose manor is this?"

    "It belongs to Shopkeeper Tiao. He asked me to bring you here instead. If you have any questions, you should ask Shopkeeper Tiao directly. Please wait in the guest house for a while; I'll go and call Shopkeeper Tiao." Saying so, he quickly left.

    Zhenzhu admired the surroundings of the manor, well-decorated and comfortable. Even during the summer, this manor's cool shade almost made her drowsy.

    "Young lady Zhu! Eh!"

    Shopkeeper Tiao hurried into the guest house, surprised to see another woman inside. This woman, around 30 years old, bore a striking resemblance to Zhenzhu.

    "Shopkeeper Tiao, this is my mother."

    "Ah, pleased to meet you, He Furen," he greeted politely.

    "Nice to meet you, Shopkeeper Tiao."

    "Ah, sorry to have called you here, Furen. A minor issue has arisen, so I had to invite He Furen and Miss Zhu here to discuss it first," he said with an apologetic face.

    "What happened?" From Shopkeeper Tiao's expression, it seemed like no small issue.

    "You may not know, but currently, the city is buzzing with rumors about a spirit energy cultivator growing vegetables and spirit herbs for sale, producing exceptionally high-quality goods. This has led traders, families, and even high-ranking nobles in the city to send people searching everywhere. If I hadn't kept it a secret, people would have gone to your house by now," he explained, fearing someone would wait for them at the shop if word got out.

    He needed to know whether this cultivator's family wanted to reveal themselves or not. If they did, he'd have to accept losing an important trading partner. At least, by doing this, they might appreciate his goodwill. But if they preferred to keep it a secret, he would help conceal it and continue the trade.

    "What a mess," Zhenzhu murmured.

    "You should go back and consult with your family first, about whether or not you want to do business with those big families." He did not think that this young girl could decide for her father.

    "No need, we will continue to do business with you, right, mother?" she turned to ask her mother.

    "Yes, that's right, Shopkeeper Tiao. Our family doesn't seek trouble or complications. Honestly, we moved here from another place. Initially, we were just foragers, hired to pick herbs, living hand to mouth. But as the children grew, their needs increased, and money became tight. My husband had to return to his old job to make ends meet. If it's possible to keep it a secret, we'd prefer that, as we've had our share of troubles before. And you, Shopkeeper Tiao, have always given us fair prices. We must trouble you then," she lied a bit because she didn't want their family's secret to be exposed. The fewer people knew, the better.

    "Ah, so that's the case. Thank you, He Furen, for your trust. I swear on my life to keep your secret," Shopkeeper Tiao was so pleased he almost burst with joy. He could continue trading. He guessed this family must have been cultivators who practice their spirit energy before, but their exceptional plant-nurturing skills might interfere with some people’s interest forcing them to move here. Imagining the scenario so vividly, he was glad to be able to trade with them and promised to keep their secret as best as he could. He needed to maintain a good relationship with this family for future business.

    "But another problem is, you won't be able to deliver the herbs and vegetables to Ruyi Pharmacy anymore because I'm afraid someone might be waiting there."

    "Shopkeeper Tiao, may I suggest someone else deliver the vegetables on my behalf?"

    "Of course, who do you have in mind?"

    "Next time, you set a place and time, and I'll bring him to meet you."

    "Let's do that then."

    Zhenzhu easily reached an agreement with Shopkeeper Tiao. Leaving his mansion through a side gate, she took her mother through small alleys until they reached the bustling main street.

    "Mother, you go ahead and shop. I'll go say hello to an old friend for a moment."

    "Alright, but make it quick, Zhu’er."

    "Of course."

    After parting with her mother, Zhenzhu made her way to a familiar alley, where the Zhi shop, old bookshop, was located.

    As usual, she was the only customer in the store.

    "Grandfather," she called out to the elderly man dozing off.

    "Ah, the little girl," he recognized her immediately. His shop had few customers, mostly regulars, and this girl was the unregular that he remembered well.

    "I've brought the money to pay for the book I took last time," she said, handing over five brass coins. The book was of no use other than perhaps a pillow, but since it was given by another, she felt obliged to pay for it.

    "Ah, thank you, thank you. And do you want another book this time?"

    "Not this time. I'll buy another one next time," she was interested in a book on dark blue tier spirit energy cultivation but wasn't ready for that level yet.

    "Eh! Grandfather, what's that?" She noticed an iron cage on a table behind the shopkeeper, containing a creature resembling a cat but emaciated and skeletal. As a sprit energy cultivator, she could tell its life force was faint. It lay still, eyes shut, but seemed to sense Zhenzhu's gaze and opened its emerald eyes curiously.

    It seemed to recognize something extraordinary in this young girl, its emerald-color eyes were sparkling.

    "Ah, this is a white tiger. Its mother had twins, but this one was so weak that its sibling almost drained its life force. The soldiers were about to dispose of it in the forest, but I felt sorry for it and bought it. Sadly, the doctor said it might not survive till morning."

    The old man explained that his bookstore had very few customers, mainly consisting of impoverished scholars from the Yongyuan Kuaile School and some soldiers who took care of horses. Because his store offered old books at cheap prices, it attracted those of limited resources scholars and soldiers who took care of horses as regular patrons.

    As for the white tiger, its mother was captured by General of Northwest to be trained then offer to the royal.

    It must be mentioned that, according to legend, the white tiger is one of the Four Sacred Creature, symbolizing the god of war and combat. It represents authority and reverence, as a king of the wildlife reigning over all predatory animals and four-legged creatures. The white tiger has also been used as the name of military units, serving as a symbol of the army and a bearer of luck.

    When the General of Northwest led his troops deep into the forest, they managed to capture a white tiger, intending to offer it to the Emperor as a regal companion. However, before it could be presented, it was discovered that the tiger was pregnant with twins. The first cub was strong and full of life, while the other was weak, its life force nearly depleted.

    They thought it was an ill omen and prepared to abandon it in the forest to die alone. However, the soldiers tasked with disposing of it stopped by Zhi bookshop The elderly owner, moved by pity for the frail creature, bought it for a hundred brass coins. The soldiers, believing it would die anyway and wanting to avoid the hassle, happily took the money and left the cage in Zhi shop.

    "Oh, Poor thing," she sighed, observing its frail body and faint life force. As the doctor said, it likely wouldn't survive until morning.

    "I only feel pity, what else can be done? At least it's better than leaving it to die alone in the forest," the old man said, looking sad.

    "Then, I'll be going now. If I want any book, I'll come and bother Grandpa again."

    "Take care. Have a safe trip"

    Creak! Creak! Creak!

    When Zhenzhu was about to leave the store, the sound of something scratching caught her attention. Turning towards it, she saw the little white tiger frantically clawing at its iron cage, its emerald eyes pleading as it looked at her. It was as if it was using the last of its strength to seek her attention.

    "Eh! It seems to like you. Ever since it arrived, it has only been lying still, never doing anything like this before."

    "Really? Grandpa."

    "Yes, look how it's looking at you with such bright eyes."

    Zhenzhu looked into the little creature's eyes, feeling a softening in her heart as if it was begging her to take it with her. Would it be fine? Though weak, perhaps it wouldn't die on the way home. And seeing its gaze again, her heart melted.

    "Grandpa, could you sell it to me? It seems as if it likes me." She decided.

    "You want to buy it even though it's about to die?"

    "I feel a strong connection with it. At home, we raise goats. Maybe if I feed it goat milk, it might survive," she lied, knowing she did not have goat, she only had spiritual energized water. But perhaps, maybe if it drank the spiritual energized water, it could survive.

    "If you like it, take it. I'll give it to you. I bought it out of pity," he said empathetically.

    "How could I possibly take it for free when you paid for it? How much did you pay for it?"

    She couldn't just take something without offering something in return. Now that her family was earning some income from selling vegetables and herbs, her father had given everyone in the family 4 taels for personal expenses, making her modestly affluent.

    If she could nurture the little white tiger back to health, she had enough money to afford its meat.

    "I bought it for 100 brass coins. If you want it, I'll sell it to you for the same price, 100 brass coins. No need to pay more since I didn't buy it for business purposes."

    "Thank you, Grandpa." She is handing 1 qian to the old man before taking the cage he offered her.

    The little white tiger calmed down surprisingly when it realized it was being handed over to the young girl.

    "Alright, come live with me, Baihu."