"Let’s go," He Lei nodded in agreement. They headed to Ruyi Pharmacy, which, as usual, had many customers. Some were there to buy medicine, while others came to pick up their ordered Golden Baskets. Zhenzhu would inscribe Golden Baskets every day and have Xin Xi deliver them as per the appointments made with customers. "Look, isn’t that Master He? He’s come to see Master Tiao." "Of course, who else could be so handsome and imposing?" "I haven’t seen him in so long. Seeing him today, I’ll surely have sweet dreams tonight." "Do you think I look pretty?" The lady said then made sure her hair and dress were neat. The excitement was palpable among the female customers and vendors around Ruyi Pharmacy upon seeing Master He. The men, meanwhile, were either envious or admiring. "Hurry inside, father," Zhenzhu urged, quickly pulling her father into the pharmacy before the ladies’ gazes overwhelmed him. They made their way to the familiar reception room at the back of the shop. "Hey, young kid Zhu, barging in like that gave me quite the scare," Master Tiao exclaimed, sitting on a chair while patting his chest. "Ah, Master He is here too. Please, take a seat," he greeted He Lei courteously before instructing the servant to fetch tea and snacks for them. "What urgent matter brings Master He himself here today?" "We have a small matter to discuss with you." "Please, Master He, go ahead." He Lei straightened up and took a sip of his tea before beginning. "Ah... here’s the situation. For the past several days, my spirit energy has been restless. I’ve had terrible nightmares, the same dream over and over without variation. I was puzzled until the night before last. I dreamt of *[1]The Immortal Han Xiangzi. The Immortal warned of an extremely cold winter this year, so cold that people will fall ill and die. Snow will blanket the mountains, destroying crops. Yet, that’s not the worst of it. The Immortal also mentioned that **the [2]Deity Yandi will punish sinful humans. After the winter, a severe drought will follow. Rain will not touch the earth, crops will fail, and people will starve. Some will even fight over dog food. When the immortal spoke thus, I woke up startled. What the immortal said matched my dreams exactly, making me anxious. The next morning, my friend from far away visited me. He is an elder fortuneteller, he recounted a similar prophecy, confirming my fears. Since then, I’ve been stockpiling food. Knowing Master Tiao to be a close acquaintance, I came to information. Whether you believe me or not is up to you," He Lei explained convincingly, impressing Zhenzhu with his ability to concoct such a credible story. Her father truly was talented. Master Tiao turned pale upon hearing He Lei’s words. It must be said that people at this time deeply believed in immortals and the spirits of ancestors. Before embarking on trade journeys, sea voyages, or even at the start of the planting season, merchants and villagers perform rituals to worship gods and ancestral spirits for smooth trading, successful harvests, and abundant water. Master Tiao, being a businessman, strongly believed what Master He said. If Master He, even being an inscription master, believed in the prophecy, why wouldn’t he? "I must hurry to stock up on rice and food." "Wait a moment, please, Master Tiao. I have a favor to ask of you," Zhenzhu intervened. "This matter is significant. I would like you to invite the Governor to have tea with my father." The townspeople hold great trust and loyalty towards their leader. If the Governor could announce this, everyone would become aware and prepare accordingly. "Alright, right now then. I will invite the Governor to the restaurant. Master He, please make yourself at home here. ," Master Tiao didn’t delay, understanding the urgency of such matters. He quickly left Ruyi Pharmacy and headed straight for the City Hall. Zhenzhu leaned back in her chair and sighed deeply, "Father, do you think the Governor will believe?" "Whether he believes it or not, it’s worth a try. If we succeed, we might save many people in the town." "Alright," Zhenzhu agreed, pondering the possibility of saving not just many in the town but perhaps the whole region. She decided it was time to write a warning letter to Li Si. The Governor, upon hearing that Master He wanted to discuss an urgent matter, he immediately left his official duties to meet him. Master He had revitalized this small town, increasing tax revenues significantly, eliminating the need for financial aid from the royal court. Now, the town is rebuilding its walls and planning to construct a library to promote learning among its citizens. Governor Xin arrived at the restaurant, shortly after He Lei and Zhenzhu entered the private dining room. "Greetings, Governor," Zhenzhu greeted respectfully. "Ah... no need for formalities, Miss. Master He, please, take a seat." "Thank you, Governor." "I heard Master He had something urgent to share, so I came immediately." “I troubled you, Governor.” "Please feel free to call me. It’s my honor to have you here. What can I assist you with?" Xin Hexiang asked politely. He Lei then repeated the story he had shared with Master Tiao. Governor Xin was visibly alarmed upon hearing it. Each year before the planting season, Governor Xin led the townsfolk in rituals to pray for rain and honor the ancestors. In Fengfu, where most people gathered herbs and farmed, beliefs in agricultural rituals were deeply ingrained. "In that case, we should inform the townspeople to begin stockpiling food." An event could halt the slowly growing economy, and Fengfu, which was gradually prospering, could regress. "If we do that, the currently stable prices of goods will skyrocket," because everyone hoarding would cause a shortage in the market and the prices would be increased. "But another problem is how to make the townspeople believe that a severe winter and drought will actually occur," Governor Xin said. Even he was half-believer, half-skeptic, but the fact that even Master He came to warn them made him choose to believe for now. "How about this approach..." Zhenzhu shared her plan with the governor, who greatly admired her idea after hearing it. "Let’s proceed with that," Governor Xin agreed, willing to trust Master He’s warning to a degree. It’s better to risk a little now than face greater disaster later. After agreeing with the governor, the father and daughter returned home at ease, having done all they could. From here on, it was up to their fate. Zhenzhu spent some time inspecting the dredging of the canal before returning to her residence. She pulled out a blank sheet of paper to write a letter to Li Si. At the very least, she needed to warn her, Li Si was a Lady of prominent family, she might be able help save many others. Zhenzhu entrusted Xin Xi with delivering the letter to a courier service to send to Li Si, hoping the young lady would believe what she had written. Several days later, the weather became slightly cooler. Xin Xi, who had delivered herbs and Golden Baskets to Master Tiao, returned with news that a major event was occurring in town. The Governor had organized a ritual to worship the immortals and ancestors for the construction of a library. During the ceremony, he seized the opportunity to divine the town’s prosperity and food abundance, only to receive unfavorable predictions. The priest conducting the ritual warned of an impending severe winter and drought, causing the Governor great worry. He issued a decree urging people to adequately stock food for their families and controlled the pricing of certain goods, like blankets and dry foods, to prevent price gouging. If any shop seized this opportunity to increase the price, they would be punished by the law. While some believed the prophecy, and quickly stocked their foods and blankets to prevent the coldness, others mocked Governor Xin for overreacting. They couldn’t believe a drought would happen after a year of abundant rice. However, those skeptics were few, as most townspeople, being farmers and traders, already revered their gods and held traditional beliefs. Merchants from other towns laughed at the superstitions of Fengfu’s citizens but saw it as an opportunity to transport controlled goods from other cities to sell. Their merchandise never lasted, always selling out. Additionally, the Governor ordered soldiers and slave labor to hasten the clearing of canals and building of water barriers to conserve water for agriculture, promoting well-digging among the townspeople. Meanwhile, Zhenzhu had been busy with the placement of formations. The formation she and Baihu and Xiao She devised for the farm, named Transcending Fate, was harmless to humans but adjusted elemental balances for optimal plant growth, making crops impervious to drought or cold. Thus, it was named Transcending Fate. Besides the vegetable garden, she needed to implement Transcending Fate Formation in the fruit orchard and also set up a Flowers Engulf Sky Formation. So, Zhenzhu hadn’t had a moment’s rest for days. Elsewhere in the realm, in the capital of the Yan Region, Li Si was puffing up at her father, frustrated at his disbelief. "Father, A’Zhu and her family are very capable. You must believe, father. If you don’t, you could ask Uncle Xiong too," Li Si earnestly explained. Past few days, A’Zhu had written her about a prophecy from a tortoise shell, told by Baihu, leading Li Si to believe in Zhenzhu, knowing Baihu was no ordinary beast. She had tried to warn her father, but he thought her naive. "Si’er, you must learn to discern truth from fiction. Just because someone says something doesn’t mean it’s true," Zhao Yangshi calmly explained. "Father, I’ve told you how skilled A’Zhu is. She has a bonded beast, and that beast gave her the prophecy," she reiterated for the fifth time, trying to persuade her father to stockpile food, to no avail. He even said she was talking nonsense. "Let it be. You should rest today; I have to return to the military camp." "Why won’t you believe me?" she puffed up at her father, her small face crumpling in frustration. "And why are you so stubborn?" Zhao Yangshi looked at his only daughter tenderly, seeing more of her mother in her every day. Whenever she was upset, she would puff up like a little dog trying to intimidate its owner. Li Si felt worn out from trying to convince her father, having told him multiple times without success. "Sigh... Farewell, father. Safe travels to the military camp," she hugged him briefly before running out of the residence. But not far from her father’s residence, she saw a man walking swiftly toward her, his robe not even fluttering with his speed. Did all high-born can do that? "Brother Taizi!" She bowed casually. "Why such a face, Si’er? Did you argue with your uncle?" Shi Wenlang asked, his sharp features softened with amusement. The little girl always caused the general headaches when upset, proving more challenging than defeating an enemy army of hundred thousand. "It’s not an argument, Your Highness. We just couldn’t agree." "Oh, a disagreement then." "Excuse me," she said before hurrying off, tired of men only thinking about war and conflict. Can’t they happily eat and sleep without killing each other? Upon reaching her own residence, she flopped face down on a pillow, exhausted and frustrated. What could she do next? Her father wouldn’t listen, and her elder brother at the military camp probably wouldn’t either. "Miss, don’t lie face down like that; you might suffocate," a servant cautioned upon seeing her. "Look, Miss, your new pearl-embroidered shoes. The nanny had the craftsman add dozens of pearls. They’re beautiful," another servant presented her with a new pair of shoes. Instantly, Li Si perked up. "Pearls! Let me see them," she said, quickly grabbing the pearl-embroidered shoes, her eyes sparkling. "Pearls, indeed," the servant was puzzled by her reaction; they were just her usual pearl-embroidered shoes. Li Si picked up a shiny pearl to examine. "How much do these sell for?" She had never bothered with their price before, just wearing them. "Such fine pearls could sell for 1-2 taels each, Miss." "Really! Do I have more pearls in my chest?" "Yes, Miss, your jewelry chest contains jade, pearls, gold, silver, including gifts from Young Master and bride’s property which Furen left for you. Why are you asking for them?" Normally, the Lady wasn’t particular about dressing up and preferred simple attire. Whenever they tried to adorn her with jewelry, she would end up losing them due to her playful nature. Therefore, they rarely adorned her with any jewelry. "Hurry, bring them all out. Bring the fabrics I bought as well as the ones father and brother bought for me. Bring everything," she commanded. If her father won’t buy food, she’ll buy it herself. The servant had to dig out all of Li Si’s treasures, including jewelry, gems, jade, pearls, gold, and the fabrics left by her mother. Li Si was astonished by the multitude of chests being brought into the room, marveling at the wealth her mother had left her. "This is the bride’s property Furen brought from her old home, now yours," Nanny Hu Qi explained. It’s noted that Zhao Furen was a daughter of Minister Qiao and his principal wife. She was the prime beauty of the capital, sought after by many prominent families. At that time, the young General Zhao Yangshi, filled with youthful vigor, fell for Lady Meiting of the Minister Manor. One night, he even climbed into the manor to see her, only to be kicked in the face by her because she was changing her clothes at the time, he bled, making this incident famous overnight. However, for reasons unknown, Lady Qiao Meiting and General Zhao Yangshi eventually grew fond of each other, forgetting their violent first encounter. When the time was right, General Zhao Yangshi sent his elder to her family, propose a marriage of her as his principal furen, and their wedding was the talk of the town. Zhao Yangshi sent a big carriage that required eight carriers to fetch his bride with honor, and her own property was so extensive it covered three streets. "All this was my mother’s property?" "Yes, Miss, that’s all." Li Si excitedly examined the treasures now belonging to her, deciding to keep some as keepsakes. She also kept some gifts that her father and brother bought for her. "Se... sell all of this, Miss?" Nanny Hu Qi asked, panicked. Why sell when her father provides her with money every month without fail? "Miss, if you need money, why not just ask your father instead of selling these items? What if he disapproves?" What could her father say? If these items belonged to her, she had every right to sell them. "Don’t tell father! Anyone who tells him, I’ll sell them out to do labor work." "Alright, let’s take the items out." Li Si decided to sell her newly acquired treasures and some of her mother’s old ones, keeping some in pawnshops. After gathering enough money, she went on to buy a large quantity of rice and dry foods, amassing 200 carriages of rice. "Miss, why buy so much rice? If we can’t finish it, it’ll become leftover rice," Nanny Hu Qi worriedly inquired. Was all the selling just to buy rice? "If we can’t finish it, we’ll just it." "Miss!" Why was her Lady becoming more stubborn and refusing to listen by the day? Read full story at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝙣𝙚𝙩 [12] Han Xiangzi is an immortal known for prophecy, precognition, and music. [13] Deity Yandi, also called ‘Shennong’, has a body like a human but a head resembling a cow, considered the diety of agriculture. Read ‘Rebirth: This Farmgirl Has Spirit Fish Scales’ before anyone else with more Chapters at https://www.jinovel.com/en