This time, Lu Jingzhi returned with a full load.
Carrying two wild chickens in her left hand and a basket on her back, she hurried down the mountain.
It was early summer now, known as mengxia in ancient times, which was the lunar April, roughly corresponding to May in the solar calendar. The hot temperature was just beginning to rise, but it was less noticeable in the deep mountains, where lush trees blocked the sun. The temperature increased the further down the mountain she went.
Once she nourishes her water mastery special ability, she'll be able to adjust her body temperature appropriately.
She wouldn't have to sweat so much like she did now.
Hot and smelly.
She would need to plan for a bath soon.
"Jiang Xiaomiao! Jiang Xiaomiao!! You little girl, Auntie is calling you, what's the rush!?"
It wasn't until Lu Jingzhi's arm was grabbed and she unconsciously tried to give the person a shoulder throw that she suddenly remembered that the original Lu Xiaomiao was called Jiang Xiaomiao.
This Mrs. Zheng was calling her.
Chubby Auntie's family was a family of hunters with a simple and harmonious household. In this era where most people couldn't get enough to eat, it was quite rare that she was so plump and well-fed.
Perhaps because of her happy and contented life, she was kind-hearted and always stood up for the weak. She had helped the Jiang family numerous times after hearing about the situation at home.
The panting, chubby, middle-aged woman wasn't particularly good-looking. Dressed in dark clothes with a bun held up by a silver hairpin, her loud voice was full of vigor as she called out to Lu Jingzhi.
Recognizing who it was, Lu Jingzhi restrained her hand and put on an obedient smile: "Mrs. Zheng, I'm sorry, I didn't hear you calling me because I was in a hurry to get home."
You polite girl, there's no need to be so formal! Don't go home! Come, come, come, hurry to my house to hide, your mom has brought people to your door again," Mrs. Zheng said, bustling and pulling Lu Jingzhi's sleeve as they took a detour to her house.
"I can't, my mother and sister are still at home," she replied.
The eleven-year-old girl was thin, fragile, and burdened by a basket that was too heavy for her. Despite swaying, she continued to try to run forward.
Mrs. Zheng slapped her thigh and shouted in frustration, "What can you do if you go? Oh, you should slow down!"
Lu Jingzhi stopped abruptly, from here she could already see the broken thatched house at the edge of the village. The crowd had gathered, and it seemed that the villagers had gotten used to such dramas playing out once every few days.
Quickly unloading her basket and handing over the two plump wild chickens to Mrs. Zheng, she said, "It's too heavy, I can't run. Please help me watch it, and I'll give you a wild chicken as a reward."
Without waiting for Mrs. Zheng's answer, Lu Jingzhi, now relieved of her burden, turned and ran towards the thatched house.
Mrs. Zheng: "Hey, Xiaomiao, don't go there! This child!"
She stomped her foot in frustration.
Upon closer inspection, the wild chickens with their wings bound and flapping were incredibly plump and colorful, even better than the domesticated hens.
Mrs. Zheng's pace faltered as she realized the trust this gift of a wild chicken represented. She couldn't let the Jiang family come to any harm.
She needed to find help quickly!
Wow, this basket full of wild vegetables was extremely heavy.
Thinking about the constant labor of carrying such a heavy basket from the mountain, it pained Mrs. Zheng's heart how the second daughter of Jiang Darong had managed it all the way down.
If only the third son of the Jiang family hadn't died.
Mrs. Zheng shook her head; such words couldn't be said in front of the two young girls, or else it would bring them to tears.
Taking a quick stride to her front door, she shouted, "Head of the household, head of the household, are you back? Eldest, second, third, all of you come out, hurry, come with me to the edge of the village!"