Before dawn had even begun to lighten the sky, Ruan Mingzi quietly slipped off the kang.

The clothes she had washed earlier had already dried. Though old and patched, they fit far better than the oversized hand-me-downs that had belonged to her so-called father.

After changing, she went to the stove and reheated the rabbit and mushroom soup. She filled a bowl and enjoyed it thoroughly before setting about her preparations for the day.

The rabbit hide she had processed the night before was rolled up neatly and wrapped inside a bundle made from old clothes. Slinging it across her back, she checked everything one last time.

The previous evening, she had already instructed Ruan Mingyan to stay home while she made a trip to the county town. There was still rabbit soup left on the stove for the little girl.

Before heading into town, however, Ruan Mingzi made a detour to the woods at the foot of Gouji Mountain. For nearly half an hour, she patiently followed tracks and droppings through the undergrowth.

Her efforts paid off. She caught two magnificent pheasants.

This time, she had deliberately dulled the tips of her crossbow bolts and wrapped them in strips of cloth. It reduced their lethality and ensured that the prey remained alive.

No matter the era, live animals are always sold for more than dead ones.

The day before, she and Mingyan had twisted together bark fibers, grass roots, and scraps of cloth to make several crude lengths of rope. 

Using those, she trussed the two brilliantly feathered pheasants so tightly that neither could struggle.

Then she found a sturdy pole and hung one bird from each end before resting it across her shoulder. Only then did she set off toward Niujia Village beyond the neighboring hill. 

Yuyuan Slope didn't have any carts that traveled to the county town. Niujia Village did. There was a man called Niu San who made a living transporting goods.

According to Aunt Gao, on every first and fifth market day of the month, Niu San would hitch up his donkey cart and head into town to sell merchandise. Anyone wishing to travel with him could pay five copper coins for a ride.

Ruan Mingzi still had nearly eighty copper coins left. Ten coins for a round trip made her heart ache a little. Unfortunately, it wasn't an expense she could avoid.

If she walked all the way to town, her hastily repaired straw sandals would likely rub her feet bloody before she even arrived.

Money really did disappear frighteningly fast.

Ruan Mingzi sighed to herself. Still, the trip wasn't entirely without rewards.

Following the mountain paths from the original owner's memories, she discovered quite a few valuable plants along the way.

Back in her previous life, she had often led geological survey teams deep into the wilderness. Scrapes and bruises were common, and many times they had treated injuries with medicinal herbs gathered on the spot. 

Years of experience had left her intimately familiar with all manner of mountain remedies. Gouji Mountain was practically overflowing with them. Rare herbs grew here in dense patches, thriving unchecked.

Judging by their abundance, few people seemed to recognize their value. Unfortunately, gathering herbs would take time, and she didn't want to miss Niu San's cart.

She merely committed their locations to memory and planned to return another day to harvest them. If she was lucky, they might become another source of income.

By the time Ruan Mingzi arrived at the entrance of Niujia Village, several households already had wisps of cooking smoke curling into the morning sky.

Near the village's large stone mill, villagers were pushing the massive grinding wheel in slow circles. Rich white soybean milk flowed steadily from the outlet and pooled into waiting containers below.

Ruan Mingzi couldn't help glancing over a few extra times. Back at the orphanage in her previous life, the old courtyard they rented had also contained a stone mill left behind by the original owners.

The sight stirred a wave of nostalgia. She was lost in thought when someone suddenly shoved her from behind. Because she was carrying the pheasants on her shoulder, her balance was already compromised.

The unexpected push nearly sent her crashing into the stone mill. Fortunately, her reflexes remained sharp. She steadied herself at the last second.

Laughter immediately erupted behind her.

" Mother, look! " A girl's delighted voice rang out.

" Ruan Mingzi is still just as stupid as ever! "

Ruan Mingzi slowly turned around. Her eyes were cold.

Standing there was a woman dressed in a heather-purple jacket. Beside her stood a young girl wearing a silver necklace around her neck.

The woman raised a hand as though about to discipline the girl.

" Such a naughty child," she scolded lightly, though there wasn't a trace of sincerity in her voice. 

" How can you joke around with your cousin like that? Hurry and apologize to your cousin. "

As she spoke, she shot Ruan Mingzi a sidelong glance.

In the past, Ruan Mingzi would have immediately stepped in, mumbling that it was only a joke between sisters and that no apology was necessary.

The woman waited. And waited.

But Ruan Mingzi merely stood there, one eyebrow slightly raised, the corner of her lips curled into a smile that wasn't quite a smile.

The woman froze. Embarrassment flashed through her eyes.

In the end, she could only give the silver-necklaced girl a token pat on the shoulder. The blow was so light it was practically affectionate.

The girl stared in disbelief. " Mother! "

She sounded both aggrieved and angry. The woman herself was beginning to feel irritated, though she couldn't bear to vent it on her precious daughter.

Instead, she forced a smile and looked at Ruan Mingzi.

" My, my. It's only been half a year since we last met, and you've become quite capable, haven't you? " Her gaze locked onto the pheasants.

" You actually managed to catch two pheasants. " The smile on her face grew warmer.

" These are for your grandmother, aren't they? " Ruan Mingzi shifted the carrying pole on her shoulder.

Immediately, the woman's eyes brightened. She looked ready to snatch the birds on the spot.

Only then did Ruan Mingzi slowly greet her.

" Eldest Aunt. "

The woman in purple was Yang Shi, the wife of her late mother's eldest brother. Her biological eldest aunt.

As for the girl with the silver necklace, she was Yao Yuefang, the youngest daughter of Ruan Mingzi's eldest uncle. She had two older brothers and, as the only daughter born late in her parents' lives, had been spoiled beyond reason.

" Oh, child, why are you being so formal? " Yang Shi's smile bloomed instantly.

" You came all this way and even brought gifts. "

As she spoke, she reached directly for the pole resting on Ruan Mingzi's shoulder.

" That must be heavy. You're still so young. Come, let your aunt carry it for you. " Ruan Mingzi pivoted neatly out of reach.

" Aunt, what are you doing? " She smiled.

" I'm taking these pheasants to sell. " The smile deepened.

" Otherwise, my sister and I won't have enough food to eat. " 

Yang Shi froze. Ruan Mingzi continued leisurely,

" Perhaps you haven't heard. Mingyan and I moved out of Grandmother's house. " Her willow-leaf brows lifted slightly.

" From now on, it's just the two of us. " 

Then she paused. " We'll take whatever money we can earn. "

The moment the words left her mouth, she saw the flicker of embarrassment— and annoyance that crossed Yang Shi's face.

Yet there was no surprise. Not even a little. At that moment, Ruan Mingzi understood everything.

How could the Yao family not know?

The entire Yao clan lived right here in Niujia Village, separated from Yuyuan Slope by nothing more than a single mountain.

According to the original owner's memories, after her parents died one after another, she had only seen her two uncles once— during the funeral.

After that, they had vanished from her life entirely.

Yang Shi gave an awkward cough.

" Child, how can you speak so carelessly? " She adopted a tone of righteous concern.

" You're a member of the Ruan family. Naturally, the Ruan family should raise you. What kind of nonsense is it for you and your sister to live on your own? "

She sighed dramatically.

" When your Grandmother heard about it yesterday, she nearly fainted from worry. She urged me to come check on how you two little girls were managing. "

Her eyes, however, never left the pheasants. Not once.

After circling around the issue for so long, she finally revealed her true intentions.

" Honestly, it would be such a waste to sell these beautiful pheasants. " She smiled brightly.

" Why not give them to your Grandfather and Grandmother? They could use the nourishment. "

The moment the words fell, Yang Shi could no longer restrain herself. She reached out and grabbed for the pheasants.

This series has advanced chapters, you can check out my Kofi!