Every night, Yong Saiweihao would come in to tell Zhenzhu stories until she fell asleep. As the days went by, the young girl started to feel better, no longer crying all day long as she had before. Today, Zhenzhu planned to say goodbye to Yong Saiweihao and tell him that she would return to Fengfu City. The time had come for her to finally leave. "Brother Hao, I’m going home. I will depart tomorrow." She came here to tell him, not to ask for permission. Yong Saiweihao looked up from the documents in his hand. The day had finally come. He had always known she couldn’t stay here forever. She had to return to where she belonged, to a place of happiness and safety that he couldn’t provide. Yet, when she spoke of leaving, he felt an inexplicable emptiness in his heart. Though he wished to keep her there longer, he knew that birds must fly in the sky and fish must live in water. Wherever she found happiness, that’s where she should be. "Alright. I wish you a safe journey. Thank you, Zhu’er, for your help." "If you have time, Brother Hao, you can visit me in Fengfu City." Though she knew the country was still at war, she extended the invitation, hoping he might visit Fengfu City someday. Zhenzhu turned her back and left the observation house without looking back. Don’t look back. I must return to Fengfu City. She was stunned. The next morning, a grand procession of horses saw Zhenzhu off. The soldiers were reluctant to see her leave, but Zhenzhu promised to send them delicious fruits in the future. "Lady He, don’t forget us." "Lady He, once the war is over, I will visit you in Fengfu City." The soldiers all vied to speak to her, and Zhenzhu bade them farewell. "Brothers, may you all be lucky and safe.” However, Zhenzhu was looking for someone, but no matter how hard she searched, she couldn’t find him. Feeling despondent, she rode away. Meanwhile, inside the observation tower, the person inside could no longer concentrate on his work. He frequently made mistakes in strategic positions, prompting the deputy general to remind him multiple times. Yong Saiweihao had to order a temporary recess in the meeting. "Young Master, won’t you go see her off?" Yang Zhuang asked. "No.” If he goes, she might not be able to leave. 29th Year of the Jingyan Reign By now, the Tang and Yan Regions had been at war for over two years. The prolonged conflict caused suffering among the people, but the Yan Region still managed to generate some income from exporting agricultural products. Currently, Yan Region’s Erdan mushrooms are highly renowned. The government encouraged farmers to grow more Erdan mushrooms for export to various Regions. With increased income, more taxes could be collected to bolster the royal treasury, preventing the Yan Region’s financial situation from becoming dire. Furthermore, Fengfu City had transformed from a small town struggling to cover its expenses and reliant on annual allocations from the royal treasury, into the richest and largest city in Yan Region. The Fengfu City Farmers Association received trade rights for certain rare herbs and plants from various regions. The products from the Fengfu City Farmers Association were recognized as the highest quality goods across all regions. Not only did they have no trouble finding buyers, but demand often exceeded their production capacity. On the third day of the eleventh month, during an auspicious time, Governor Xin announced the third recruitment for the Fengfu City Farmers Association in two years. It must be noted that in the Yan Region, the farming profession had become highly coveted. However, it was not a profession anyone could simply choose. It required dedication and the nurturing of plants with spirit energy, balanced precisely, for plants to thrive. The ultimate goal for agricultural spirit energy cultivators was to join the Fengfu City Farmers Association under the guidance of Governor Xin and Master He. Thus, today, people from many towns flocked to Fengfu City, prompting Governor Xin to deploy soldiers to maintain strict order. "Don’t step on my foot!" "You’re the one crowding me." "You! Don’t cut in line! Go to the back!" "Ah, didn’t you hear me say don’t push?" The people lining up to apply for the Fengfu City Farmers Association argued loudly. The Fengfu City Farmers Association didn’t open new member applications often. The reason for today’s recruitment was a shortage of products for sale, requiring a significant workforce. Just being able to work as a laborer in one of the association members’ fields or gardens was a great opportunity for them. "Brothers, what are you all lining up for? Is there a generous rich man giving away money?" asked a naive-looking young man, probably from the south, judging by his unfamiliar accent. "Hey, don’t you know? The Fengfu City Farmers Association is recruiting new members. Becoming a member isn’t easy. To be selected, you must grow vegetables in front of Master He and the experts. Only if your work is satisfactory will you pass. The acceptance rate is one in a hundred." "Is this association really that good? Why does everyone want to join?" The young man continued to ask curiously. He had just headed north. Though he had heard of the Fengfu City Farmers Association’s reputation, he hadn’t expected such high interest. "You don’t understand. Everyone wants to join the Fengfu City Farmers Association. Members not only receive rare seeds but also get taught various uncommon planting techniques. They can also buy fertilizer from the He family. Have you ever eaten out-of-season Erdan mushrooms?" "Yes, I have. They are available. Quite expensive." "Exactly. I heard that Taizi got the mushroom cultivation method from here, helping many people earn a livelihood and making Erdan mushrooms famous across several regions." "Absolutely. Lady He invented the mushroom cultivation method." "This Lady He must be very talented." "Of course! She also invented the association’s fertilizer formula," the man said proudly, as if Lady He were his own daughter. Unfortunately, over the past two years, Lady He had rarely appeared in public. She would leave her house only to spend her time at the weaving factory or immerse in her vegetable and fruit gardens, not managing the association’s affairs as she used to. Therefore, people in Fengfu City didn’t see her often, and many times she sent Young Master Xin Xi to handle matters on her behalf. "Number 279, step forward for the test. Hurry up!" A soldier organizing the applicants called out for them to take the test, one by one. "It’s my turn, I have to go now," the man was so excited. He was eager to join the Fengfu City Farmers Association. It’s worth noting that anyone who became a member of the Fengfu City Farmers Association was held in high esteem by the townspeople. They were considered a special class, treated with respect, and this social norm had become deeply ingrained without their realization. Meanwhile, the He Manor was exceptionally quiet. In the backyard, a slender woman in a fitted outfit was practicing martial arts. The spirit silk thread, created as a sharp flexible sword, skillfully clashed with the opponent’s blade, advancing and retreating in perfect rhythm. Finally, her opponent disarmed. Her large eyes sparkled with joy at her another victory. "Big Sister, you’re too cunning. Your techniques are too unfair. I’m not training with you anymore. I’m going to paint instead." He Yu looked at his favorite sword on the ground while murmuring. His big sister’s technique was too cunning. The Ten Thousand Silks Concealing the Sun technique allowed her to create any weapon from her spirit energy as her imagination dictated. Moreover, those weapons were extremely good. They were stronger than his black iron sword. Moreover, the Ten Thousand Silks Concealing the Sun technique made her movements swift, always precisely attacking his weak points. Big Sister was already a gold-tier spirit energy cultivator, just one step away from reaching the white-tier. How could he compete with that? Fighting wasn’t fun at all. He’d rather go back to painting, which was much better. "You’ve improved a lot too," Zhenzhu smiled at her younger brother. She trained diligently every day; how could she not defeat her brother who only painted? "I’m very skilled now, right? In that case, could you ask Father and Mother to let me travel like Big Brother?" At eleven years old, he felt it was time to explore the world and gain experience. Look at Big Brother, who left home years ago and never returned, only sending messages occasionally. It was quite a source of pride to hear about a young martial arts warrior wandering the land for justice, known as the Jade Bow Warrior, who always appeared with his bonded little bird. He Yu felt proud of his Big Brother. Now he could pursue his own dream of becoming a renowned martial arts warrior. He Yu dreamed of traveling the world to paint mountains, lands, waters, and sights he had never seen. Then his paintings would truly embody the spirit of nature, and he would become a grandmaster painter. "Beat me first, then I’ll ask Mother for you." "Big Sister, how can I beat you!" He Yu exclaimed in dismay. His big sister was exceptional, on the verge of becoming a white-tier spirit energy cultivator. She trained daily and had mastered the advanced stages of the Ten Thousand Silks Concealing the Sun technique. Even if there were two of him, he couldn’t defeat her. "Big Sister, can we change the condition?" He Yu negotiated. The woman’s beautiful eyes looked up at her brother with hope. "In that case, Yu’er, could you paint Baihu for me?" Yu’er had been able to paint Painting’s Beast for a year now, considered a young individual with a remarkable talent. Yet, he had never painted what she always requested. "Big Sister..." He Yu called her. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to paint for her, but he didn’t want her to remain stuck in the past with the one that had gone. If he painted for her, she would become more entrenched in that painting world and unable to move on, which would ultimately harm her. "Big Sister, I’m hungry, let’s go see what Peipei and Mother have cooked for us today," he quickly changed the subject and pulled his sister along to run back to the house together. Zhenzhu had no choice but to follow her brother. When they reached the front of the house, they found their mother and Peipei setting the dinner table. The two of them immediately helped. Once the table was set, everyone gathered to eat dinner on the bamboo bench in front of the house as usual. Zhenzhu saw that it was the right time to speak to their father and mother. "Father, Mother, Yu’er has grown up. Let him go travel a bit. I will hire some skilled guards to protect him." Her younger brother had wanted to travel for a long time, and today she would speak up for him. "How could he go? He’s still too young, only 11 years old. How will he take care of himself?" "Mother, at 11 years old, the children of major sects are already traveling the world," He Yu said. "But I’m worried about you." "Mother, if you don’t trust hired guards, I can ask the Water Dragon Sect’s master to lend us a few of his guards," Zhenzhu suggested. "Let him go. He needs to grow up on his own," He Lei, who had been silent, finally spoke up. "Thank you, Father," He Yu’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Finally, he would get to travel like Big Brother. Check latest chapters at 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾※𝙣𝙚𝙩 "Alright. Take good care of yourself." "Should you take Xiao She with you?" Zhenzhu proposed. He Yu and Xiao She had been close since they were little. Xiao She often stayed at He Yu’s place, and even now, they were inseparable. If He Yu left to travel, Xiao She would feel lonely. "Is that possible?!" He Yu exclaimed excitedly. In truth, he liked to cuddle with Xiao She at night. If Xiao She didn’t go with him, he would feel very lonely. "Why not?" Having Xiao She, who usually stayed in the garden, go out and see the world would be good too. "Thank you, Big Sister." While the He family was discussing He Yu’s travel plans, Peipei came to report. "Miss, someone is here to see you." "To see me?" Zhenzhu asked in surprise. No one had come to see her for a long time, as she had stopped helping her father with the business of selling vegetables and finding customers for the association. For the past two years, she had been training hard, only taking time to manage the weaving factory and the fabric shop occasionally. She trained diligently, even sleeping only four hours a night, because she wanted to grow stronger to protect herself and those she loved. She would not lose anyone again. Why would someone come to see her today? "To see you, of course. Who else would it be." A mischievous-looking young woman peeked out from behind Peipei. She was a beautiful woman, tall, with a lithe figure. She dressed snugly. If it wasn’t for her bright, familiar eyes, Zhenzhu wouldn’t recognize her. "It’s me," Li Si greeted the elders with respect before flashing a bright, sweet smile at her friend. It had been so long since they’d seen each other, and her little friend had grown into a beautiful young woman, perfectly beautiful. If her big brother sees Zhenzhu, he will be stunned for sure. "How did you get here?" "I rode my horse, of course. Big Brother sent me something for you." "For me?" Eh? She hadn’t heard from Brother Hao in a long time. But today he sent something to her. The last thing he sent was the trade rights contract granted by the emperor. Since then, there has been no communication. But now, he had sent Li Si all this way. Could it be good news? "Here, Big Brother sent this," Li Si handed her a cage. When Zhenzhu saw the creature inside, her heart skipped a beat. Inside the cage lay a small white tiger, resting quietly. However, upon closer inspection, the initial excitement in Zhenzhu’s heart faded. No matter how similar it was, it wasn’t Baihu. "Take it back. It’s not Baihu." "If it’s not Baihu, can’t you still take care of it? I came all this way with it, you know. Plus, Big Brother has been searching for a white tiger for two years. Do you know how difficult it was to find one?" Li Si said. Her big brother, during the day, fought battles and at night ventured deep into the forests searching for a white tiger for Zhenzhu. It took time and immense effort to find one. "But... but..." It wasn’t Baihu. She wanted Baihu back. Even though this new pet had white fur and resembled Baihu, it wasn’t Baihu. "Sigh... alright, alright. Don’t look like you’re about to cry. Come here and let me give you a hug," Li Si handed the cage back to the guard behind her and then embraced her friend tightly. Look at her, grown up so much over the years. Her eyes were so sweet and beautiful, as if to lure her into a sweet desire. "Hey, I have something for you. I couldn’t attend your hairpin ceremony, but I brought you a gift," Li Si took out a wooden hairpin, intricately carved. Though it wasn’t as precious as a gold or jade hairpin, it was crafted with genuine care and attention. "It’s beautiful! You’re giving it to me?" Zhenzhu looked at the carved design, depicting a roaring tiger, as if to declare its power. The delicate yet powerful image was topped with a pure white pearl, just the right size, perfectly fitting Zhenzhu’s style. Li Si had put so much thought into this gift. "Well... yes," Li Si hesitated a bit. She didn’t make it herself, but she was delivering it, so it could count as her giving it. The one who made it was out on the battlefield. If Zhenzhu knew, would she accept it? People might gossip about gifting a hairpin to a lady. "Young Li Si, come eat. Don’t just stand there and talk," He Lei called out. "Oh, thank you, Uncle," Li Si snatched the hairpin from Zhenzhu’s hand and neatly fixed it into her bun. "Beautiful. Now, let’s go eat," Li Si smiled widely, leading her friend to sit on a bamboo bench. "Uncle, Aunt, how have you been? It’s been a long time since I visited.” "We’re doing well, just busy with work. And you?" He Lei responded. "I’m fine. You must be working hard, Uncle. I’ve heard your fame has spread throughout the region, more so than many renowned martial arts warriors.” "That famous, really?" He Lei raised an eyebrow. He had been working within Fengfu City, expanding the Fengfu City Farmers Association ’s cultivation areas due to the granted trade rights, leaving him no time to follow the broader news. He only kept up with which regions needed which plants and herbs. "Uncle, you don’t know. Your fame and the entire family’s reputation are incredibly high now. You’re seen as celestial beings by the people. Many young ones aspire to be agricultural spirit energy cultivators because they want to be like Uncle," Li Si said proudly, as if she were part of the He family. Well, the father of her friend was like her own father, if Zhenzhu went to the capital, Li Si would share her father with her too. So, coming here, she felt entitled to borrow her friend’s father. The He family was highly renowned, especially Master He or Master He, and Lady He Zhenzhu. Master He was seen as a hero who saved the region. The Fengfu City Farmers Association received trade rights for certain plants and herbs from the government. To give back to the community, Governor Xin and Master He d a portion of their profits to build shelters for the homeless and provide them with jobs, so they could support themselves. As a result, there were no more beggars and vagrants in Fengfu City. Besides helping the city’s residents, they also extended their assistance to surrounding towns, continually expanding their efforts. Consequently, the people highly revered them. Fengfu City also had libraries, health facilities, monasteries, and schools offering free education, attracting many from other cities. However, the city could only accommodate a limited population to ensure thorough management, making outsiders envy Fengfu’s residents. As for Lady He, her reputation had long been well-known within Fengfu City. However, two years ago, her fame skyrocketed even more due to her involvement in removing the dark character from the Yan army, saving them from a grave danger. She also helped address the army’s food shortages, making significant contributions that saved the Yan Region from potential collapse. Despite this, the He family did not keep up with news from the outside world much. They simply focused on fulfilling their duties and practicing diligently, unaware that their status was steadily rising in the eyes of the people of Yan. He Lei and Zhenzhu listened but were not overly excited, as they did not seek widespread fame. They only aimed to perform their duties to the best of their abilities, and that was enough for them. Read ‘Rebirth: This Farmgirl Has Spirit Fish Scales’ before anyone else with more Chapters at https://www.jinovel.com/en