"I might know an inscription master, not certain if this could help young leader," Zhenzhu offered with a smile, setting the trap. Now, it was up to him whether to leap into this large pit she had dug. "That would be my luck. I have to trouble you, Miss," he replied evenly, his heart leaping with excitement. He wasn’t wrong to follow her here today. The inscription master she knew could only be that mysterious one. Master Tiao had not responded for days; this young lady must be crucial. He calmed down, seeing Master Tiao did not object. "Do you have the poison character or the poison for me to see? Maybe I can take it to Master Ming Yang for analysis. I can’t promise he’ll help, but I can at least be the messenger," she said, seizing the opportunity to drop the name of the mysterious inscription master, clarifying any confusion. Master Ming Yang would be the name people use for that mysterious inscription master. "My father had an inscription master try to decipher it, but it wasn’t fully successful," he said, unfolding a scroll handed by a guard. It was indeed ancient calligraphy, incomplete and missing many details. Yet, she guessed its type. Such a poison character wasn’t complex; why could no inscription master withdraw it? Nonetheless, this situation worked in her favor, giving her a chance to claim a greater debt of gratitude from the Water Dragon sect. "I’ll take it to Master Ming Yang for a look," she said, rolling the scroll and tucking it away neatly. It was just for show; she already knew what it was. "Ah, young kid Zhu, I almost forgot. Here is the money for the herbs," Master Tiao handed over a heavy bag of money. In reality, it was payment for the character-inscribed pills she had auctioned last month. Zhenzhu accepted the money with a smile. Ah... the smell of money is truly intoxicating. Xincheng was amused upon watching her ecstatic embrace of the money bag as if it might disappear. This young kid really loved money. After agreeing with Xincheng, Zhenzhu returned home happily. Now, she needed to find someone to carry out the theft,ah..., perhaps it’s better to say retrieve Peipei’s belongings. For the Young Leader of the Water Dragon sect, it shouldn’t be too difficult just to pick up items from other people’s manor. Upon returning home, Zhenzhu promptly made her way through the back gate to the workers’ quarters. The first house belonged to Xin Xi, followed by Feng Yi and Feng Xian, and then Peipei’s. "What can I do for you, Miss?" Peipei, who was grinding medicine prescribed by the doctor, greeted her in front of Feng Yi and Feng Xian’s house. Feng Yi and Feng Xian were much better; they could now walk and kneel respectfully upon seeing Zhenzhu. This young girl had saved their lives, provided them with shelter and food, and paid for their medical treatments until they recovered. Their lives were now indebted to her, willing to work hard for her in any capacity. "There’s no need to kneel. How are you feeling, much better?" She observed their outward bruises and healed scars with sympathy. It’s a pity they had been mutilated and turned into disabled people. However, she believed their value wasn’t in their impaired bodies but in their pure, loyal hearts. "Do you know why I bought you?" She sat down on the bench outside, Peipei hurried to fetch her water. Feng Yi and Feng Xian kneeled on the ground, unwilling to sit with her despite her insistence, similar to Peipei’s initial reactions. They shook their heads at her question, wondering why she would buy them, given their near-death condition and disabilities, making them undesirable slaves that most would turn away from, not seeing worth in paying for their medical expenses, since if they die, then the buyer would get nothing in return for their payment. Yet, this young lady insisted on buying them without bargaining. "That’s because you are human, just as valuable as anyone else in the city." How could they be of equal value, being mere lowly slaves? "Don’t see yourselves as so inferior. You were just unlucky than others. Your value lies in your pure and honest heart. Others may not see it, but I do. That’s why I bought you two. From now on, you live here without thinking less of yourselves. Once you’re fully recovered, help with work like Peipei, take care of the vegetables and herbs with my father and elder brother. I’ll pay each of you monthly for necessities." Feng Yi and Feng Xian were deeply moved by her kindness, feeling human again, not just animals owned by others. They were ready to work their hardest for her. "Ah... and one more thing. I’m hiring a teacher to teach you two, Peipei, Xin Xi, and Yu’er. Evening classes will help you become literate, which is good. Once you’re literate, you can help me and both my parents with the accounting for the vegetable shop." She had planned this for a while, intending to use the vacant front house for their education. Once they could read a little, she might even start them on spirit energy cultivation, as they were already consuming spirit nourishing food. Although without specific spirit-enhancing pills but to go slow was still worthwhile. "Thank you, Miss. I’m grateful," Peipei kowtowed joyfully, so were Feng Yi and Feng Xian who also quickly kowtowed to her. Zhenzhu spread out a map of the manor of Master Shi, Peipei’s previous master. The map was drawn by Zhenzhu herself, with glee. It was like a treasure map. She had Peipei point out locations and she then drew them accurately, though it looked like a child’s drawing. That day, she went to the city again, happily. Upon arrival at the restaurant where she arranged to meet with the young leader, Xincheng, she was immediately taken to a reserved private room, guarded by tall and formidable warriors, indicating no ordinary martial skills. When she entered the special reception room, Xincheng was already waiting for her. "Welcome, Lady He," Xincheng greeted her with great honor. He was quite certain that the Master Ming Yang she mentioned was actually Master He himself, but since there was a need to conceal his identity, he used a pseudonym. Therefore, he gave special respect to the daughter of Master He, not wanting to make anyone uncomfortable by revealing their true identity. "Thank you, Young Leader Xincheng." "You’re too formal, Lady He. If you don’t mind, just call me Xincheng," he suggested. "Alright, Young Master Xincheng. Then, you may call me Zhenzhu." The other let her called him so informally, how could she let him call her Lady He, and he nodded in agreement. "I’ve heard about the incident where Hui Lin harmed you and your close ones recently. I want to apologize on behalf of my sister," he said. Yesterday, he had his guards investigate her, finding out that Hui Lin had caused much trouble. On that day, she had injured several innocents, especially severely affecting someone close to this young lady. "Ah... Young Master Xincheng, you don’t need to apologize on her behalf, since she is the one having to apologize to us in person” Zhenzhu looked at him with a frosty gaze that made Xincheng wonder if he was seeing things. "Ah, what do you mean, Lady Zhenzhu?" "Master Ming Yang said after studying the character pattern, he can remove it." "Really!" Xincheng felt a jolt of excitement. Everyone in the Water Dragon Sect had been searching for an inscription master to remove the poison character, but despite all efforts, it seemed futile. Now, someone claimed it could be done, sparking hope for his mother’s recovery, she had been lying down, sick for so long. "But there are several conditions. I wonder what your decision will be, Young Master Xincheng." "Let’s hear them." His voice grew stern. "First, Master Ming Yang wants an item from Master Shu’s manor, the owner of a restaurant. Someone else must retrieve it, ahem, not steal, but fetch it for him. Secondly, buying goods means paying for them. So, hiring someone to inscribe for you also requires payment—3,000 taels, not too much for the Water Dragon Sect’s leader, I hope. Third, Lady Hui Lin must kneel and offer tea in apology to little Xin Xi for the wrongs she’s done, ensuring no further harm comes to him, no black magic, or the deal is off, and Master Ming Yang will pursue her relentlessly for life. Lastly, you must bring the antidote. Master Ming Yang will inscribe to neutralize the poison, but should it fail or if furen suffers, he bears no responsibility whatsoever." She laid out the conditions plainly. If agreed, she would help; if not, it was best to part ways. She won’t risk her life without any in return. Just fetching the item in Master Shi’s manor, she could hire a mercenary to steal it for her, and the 3,000 taels, she could find another way to earn. She was not a doctor, if she decided to help but end up unable to save Hui Furen, wasn’t she would become their enemy? This kind of situation was sensitive, could not jump in without thoroughly thinking, if succeeded, she would gain enormous benefit from them, if failed, that would be no different from killing herself. Xincheng was solemn, frowned, his handsome face tinged with tension. The first condition, to steal thing from the manor of restaurant’s master was easily met by his guards, the second, 3,000 taels, was no issue for his sect. The third, let his father persuade Hui Lin, seemed manageable, but the last, he could not decide by his own, since it was crucial to his mother’s life. "I must discuss this with my father first. Within three days, we should have an answer. As for the first condition, I’ll arrange it immediately as a deposit, hoping it pleases Master Ming Yang." "Certainly," she handed him a map, then rose to leave, understanding his dilemma due to the third condition she offered. Therefore, it was appropriate to let him discuss with the one with the power to decide. "If the item is retrieved, leave it with Master Tiao for me. I’ll take my leave." Zhenzhu walked out of the restaurant then visited a nursery, having previously surveyed her land, and wrote down the number of eight elements immortal flower she needed, but has yet to inform He Ming. This day she got an opportunity to visit the city, hence decided to stop by and look to see if this place has everything she needed. This nursery had many plants and plant seeds she was interested in, perennial plants, ornamental plants, and various types of fruit. Zhenzhu then bought all the seeds of the plant she wanted to grow, pomegranate, persimmon, peach, jujube, orange and plum. "Ten of each, please." She planned to grow them along the fence, once they produced, her and her family would have fruits to eat, without the need to buy. "Certainly, Miss. Need anything else?" The nursery staff was helpful, guiding her selections. "I’d like 124 plants of each variety listed here," she said, pulling out the names of the eight elements immortal flower. The employee frowned as he read through the list, recognizing the rarity of each plant and wondering how he could possibly fulfill such a large order. "For such a large quantity, you’d need to place a pre-order," he explained. "These species are rare. Please, come inside to discuss it with our shop owner. Please follow me to the guest room, miss." The worker guided her to meet with the owner. She was a middle-aged woman, around 40-45 years old, lively, and always smiling. "This lady wants 124 plants of each variety specified here?" she exclaimed. Her eyes almost popped out when she was looking at the list. These were expensive and rare flowers, and she wanted 124 of each? That totaled 992 plants, all long-living shrubs. How big was the garden she had for her to be able to plant all 992 shrubs? "Yes, Miss. My mother wishes to use them for landscaping our newly built manor. Do you have them?" she asked, hoping for a quick fulfillment of her order to expedite her Flowers Engulf Sky Formation. "We don’t have them in stock, but we can source them for you. However, given the quantity you require, it would take at least ten days to gather them all. Alternatively, if you’re in a hurry, we could provide the seeds for you to plant, but it would take at least half a year for them to grow into large bushes." "Alright, I’ll place an order now. And once the plants arrive, could you deliver them?" "Certainly, Miss. You’ll need to pay a 30% deposit." Zhenzhu paid thirty percent deposit. She was surprised by the cost of the eight elements immortal flowers, each plant costing one tael. The total nearly reached 1,000 taels. The money’s fragrance really not lasted long, Thankfully, Master Tiao had paid her for the inscribed pills the day before, made her not so poor. With the pre-order agreement secured, she travelled back by the carriage that the nursery arranged for her, then reached home just as noon arrived. "Oh, Zhu’er, what plants have you brought?" He Lei who was resting under the tree asked, noticing his second child descend from the cart. "Father, could you help me carry these trees? I bought several fruit trees to plant, so we can have our own fruits without needing to buy them." "That’s great; I love fruits," He Yu exclaimed. After they finished unloading ten trees each, Miss Wang and Peipei brought the lunch to the bench under the tree, right on time. "It smells so delicious, Mother. What did you make today?" "Today, I’ve prepared grilled mushrooms, steamed mushrooms, and Erdan mushroom soup. You two go wash your hands.” There was heavy rain these days, in this season, mushrooms were abundant in the forest. Miss Zhou had brought some mushrooms she collected yesterday when she passed by the He’s house on her way to sell vegetables in the city. That was why they had fragrant Erdan mushroom for lunch. "It’s wonderful that Erdan mushrooms are in season. We can enjoy them for a good while now. Last year, it wasn’t as rainy, so there weren’t many. This year, we’ll eat to our heart’s content. Tomorrow, I’ll try looking around the hillside at the back of our farm," He Ming said excitedly. For Zhenzhu, it was her first time tasting Erdan mushrooms. They were fragrantly delicious and tender, a delightful texture in her mouth, perfectly seasoned with spices. "How is it, Zhu’er? Is it good?" "Very delicious," she replied. Official source ıs 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⁂𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⁂𝘯𝘦𝘵 "If only we could have Erdan mushrooms all year round. It’s a pity they’re only available during the rainy season," He Ming noted. Unbeknownst to him, his words sparked an idea in Zhenzhu. What if we have Erdan mushrooms to eat all year round? From her time, she knew of methods to cultivate certain mushrooms year-round by inoculating them in controlled environments, adjusting the water as needed to allow growth. This kind of mushroom could be grown. She had seen a documentary about cultivating a type of mushroom and wondered if Erdan mushrooms could be cultivated similarly. If so, it would be an excellent opportunity to generate income by selling mushrooms out of season. However, she needed to first understand the natural growth conditions of Erdan mushrooms. "Big Brother, I’d like to join you in gathering mushrooms tomorrow." "Of course. You can bring Baihu and Xiao She to play on the hill too." "I want to come too," He Yu chimed in, since his two older siblings would go, then he would go too. "How could you? There are scary, big eyes rabbits there. They could run up and bite your legs. If Yu’er can’t run away fast enough, you might end up without legs," He Ming tried to scare him with an exaggerated gesture. "Really? Then I guess I won’t go." Read ‘Rebirth: This Farmgirl Has Spirit Fish Scales’ before anyone else with more Chapters at https://www.jinovel.com/en