Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Medicine She Gathered for Him

In the midst of the wild grass, a rabbit had built its nest and was leisurely grazing with its young. Its three-lobed mouth chewed contentedly, utterly unaware of the approaching danger.

Standing outside, Little Tree watched the wild grasses sway and soon heard his sister's voice.

“Little Tree, bring the basket, I’ve caught the rabbit.”

Little Yao had seized the large rabbit, cradling the smaller ones in her arms. Raising a whole nest of baby rabbits in their courtyard could fetch a decent sum once they grew up.

“Sis, you really caught a rabbit?” Little Tree called out joyfully as he ran over. The moment he saw the rabbits in her arms, his eyes sparkled.

“Sis, we can raise these little rabbits. I’ve heard that in the city, some wealthy families love to eat fresh game.”

He had heard about this before and always hoped to find wild animals in the mountains to sell in town. But he was still young, lacking the ability to hunt; even if he set traps and caught something, he doubted he could keep it safe.

“Yes, that’s what I was thinking too. We’ll raise these rabbits until they’re grown, then sell them in the city.”

Rabbits, if raised well, could be a long-term business, for they multiply quickly.

Their baskets were filled to the brim, and Little Yao, carrying her hoe, called out to Big Flower and her family.

“I’m heading back to the village. Are you coming or not?”

Big Flower’s family immediately nodded and stood up when they heard her.

“Let’s go, let’s go. The day’s already getting late, and we still need to make dinner at home!”

As for Liu and her two sons, Little Yao swung her hoe and chopped the vines binding them.

With shrieks, Qing Song and Qing Bai tumbled down from the tree, raising clouds of dust as they hit the ground.

“Ow, my back! Little Yao, you wicked woman, are you hoping for us to die?” Qing Song clutched his waist and sat on the ground, unable to move.

“She’s no mere wicked woman—she wants us dead. Dropping us from such heights, she never considered our lives!” Qing Bai glared at Little Yao, his eyes full of resentment. As a grown man, being toyed with by a woman left him deeply aggrieved.

Liu looked at her two sons, their wretched state filling her heart with venomous hatred.

“If you don’t keep up, you might not make it home later. I won’t bother with you,” Little Yao said, seeing them sit stubbornly on the ground, then continued forward with her basket on her back.

Liu and her sons, fearing they’d fall behind, scrambled up without brushing off the dust, rushing to catch up.

By the time everyone returned to Lotus Village, dusk had fallen. Little Yao entered the small courtyard with her younger brother.

Meanwhile, Liu and her sons went into the large courtyard. Once inside, they started cursing Little Yao through gritted teeth.

Little Yao had no interest in eavesdropping on their scheming; she had more pressing matters to attend to.

“Sis, I’ll make dinner tonight—I promise you’ll be delighted!” Little Tree rolled up his sleeves, taking charge of the meal and pounding his chest with determination.

“All right, but if you need help, just call me,” Little Yao agreed, watching his practiced movements as he started cooking and felt at ease.

She lifted the basket from the corner, fetched a small stool, and began sorting the herbs she’d gathered.

These herbs were intended for Cheng Jin, whose injuries kept him from visiting the clinic. He could only rely on home remedies.