Besides this, she couldn't think of a better excuse.
She absolutely couldn't tell her brother about being a sacrificial maiden.
If he knew, he would definitely not agree.
Qin Xuemei knew that once the bow was drawn, there was no turning back. From the moment she was sold to the Chen family, her fate was sealed. She was willing to do this for her brother.
This time when she came back, the old lady had instructed her. After sacrificing herself to the river god, the Chen family would take good care of her brother.
The meaning was clear: if she tried to escape, her brother would suffer terribly.
"Ah?"
"They gave that much?"
Qin Wang was a bit skeptical.
After all, during these times, five taels of silver were enough to support a family of three for a year. Giving twenty taels of silver as a thank-you for saving someone seemed too generous.
However, Qin Xuemei had indeed brought back twenty taels of silver.
"Yes, the Chen family is wealthy," Qin Xuemei said while busying herself in the house.
"Oh."
Qin Wang nodded and didn't ask further.
That night, Qin Xuemei kept asking about Qin Wang's recent activities over the past two months. Regarding her own situation, she glossed over it, saying she mostly did laundry. Qin Wang noticed her hands were cracked from the cold.
There was only one bed at home. The siblings slept head-to-toe, chatting until they fell asleep.
At around eleven o'clock, Qin Wang noticed that his sister had fallen asleep, her breathing soft and steady.
"Her intentions towards me are truly sincere."
"But where did she get these twenty taels of silver?"
Qin Wang reached under his pillow and grabbed the bag of silver ingots, feeling their weight.
This kind-hearted sister had sold herself to provide for him. Without her 600 copper coins, he might have starved to death before his information panel activated.
In essence, his sister had saved his life.
Ding!
[Daily Information Refreshed!]
[Daily Information]
[1: Yesterday, you met Qin Xuemei and obtained related information. Qin Xuemei was chosen by the Chen family to be a sacrificial maiden for the river god. The Chen family gave twenty taels of silver as a price, and Qin Xuemei willingly became a sacrificial maiden for your sake!]
[2: Yesterday, you met Qin Xuemei and obtained related information. Qin Xuemei plans to return to the Chen family in two days. She decided to spend these two days taking good care of you, knowing it might be the last time you see each other.]
[3: Yesterday, you went to Li's Manor and obtained related information. Under Li Laocai's bed, there are 850 taels of silver ingots hidden.]
[4: Yesterday, you met herbalist Li Xinhai and obtained related information. Li Xinhai found a rusty bowl in the Qingniu Mountain valley, twisted his ankle, and angrily threw it into a water puddle. This bowl has special abilities that can aid your cultivation.]
[5: Yesterday, you met Li Yunhai and obtained related information. Today, Li Yunhai will find fifty copper coins.]
[6: Yesterday, you met Dr. Bai and obtained related information. Dr. Bai thinks highly of your character and plans to take you with Yu Hai to gather herbs in the mountains.]
[7: Yesterday, you met merchant Ding Mei and obtained related information. Ding Mei is troubled by the increased rent from the Goldfish Gang, feeling the pressure.]
[8: Yesterday, you went to Baicao Hall and obtained related information. You discovered the secret recipe for Zhuangxue Decoction, which is a secret recipe for martial artists to increase their vital energy and blood. Click '●' for details.]
[9: Yesterday, you met Li Yunhai's wife, Xiao Yan, and obtained related information. Xiao Yan feels hopeful about life now that her child can write.]
[10: Yesterday, you passed by the tavern and obtained related information. The tavern keeper, having received advice from a sage, will launch a new wine called Chrysanthemum Brew in half a month.]
"The information has refreshed!"
Qin Wang's eyes lit up as he reviewed the information.
"My sister is willing to become a sacrificial maiden for the river god to get twenty taels of silver for me?"
Qin Wang was stunned by the first two pieces of information.
He didn't expect that Qin Xuemei would be willing to sacrifice herself to the river god for his sake. Although he wasn't her real brother, she was willing to give up her life for him.
This kind of sentiment was truly rare.
"Since I have this information panel, I won't let her become a sacrificial maiden for the river god!"
Qin Wang made up his mind.
People's hearts are made of flesh.
If it weren't for Qin Xuemei getting 600 copper coins, he wouldn't have lasted until the information panel activated.
"Herbalist Li Xinhai found a broken bowl?"
"This bowl has special abilities? It can aid my cultivation?"
Qin Wang's eyes brightened at the fourth piece of information. This was great news.
He had been worrying about his slow progress in cultivation.
The appearance of this bowl was timely.
"It looks like I'll have to find that bowl tomorrow morning!"
Qin Wang decided.
He skipped over the fifth, sixth, and seventh pieces of information.
"The secret recipe for Zhuangxue Decoction?"
Qin Wang's eyes lit up at the eighth piece of information. This was indeed good news.
After all, he had been worried about not being able to find a fish like the Golden-winged Red Carp at the market.
First, explaining the large amount of silver would be difficult.
Second, such a precious fish wasn't always available.
Sometimes, it might not appear even once in six months or a year.
Now with the Zhuangxue Decoction, this problem could be solved.
The ninth and tenth pieces of information were not very useful, so Qin Wang skipped them.
"Huangqi three qian, ginseng five qian, longan one qian, seven red dates, baishu, shanyao, licorice..."
Qin Wang's eyes brightened as he read the recipe for Zhuangxue Decoction.
Although Baicao Hall had these ingredients, buying them would raise Dr. Bai's suspicions.
He would have to think of another way to get these ingredients and make the decoction himself.
In any case, strengthening his own abilities was the key.
The next morning.
Qin Wang woke up to find a frail figure beside him, holding a bowl of noodles. "Brother, get up and wash up, it's time to eat."
"Huh?"
"Sis, what time did you get up?"
Qin Wang smelled the aroma of the noodles and realized he was indeed hungry.
After practicing the Taizu Long Fist, he found himself getting hungry faster and eating more.
"I got up just half an hour before you."
Qin Xuemei smiled at Qin Wang and went to get water for him to wash up.
After washing up, they sat at the wobbly wooden table and ate noodles. After finishing, Qin Wang looked at Qin Xuemei, his expression thoughtful.
"What's wrong?"
"Is there something on my face?"
Qin Xuemei avoided Qin Wang's gaze and lowered her head.
"As long as I'm alive, I won't let you become a sacrificial maiden!"
Qin Wang said firmly.
"Huh? Brother, what sacrificial maiden? Where did you hear that? There's no such thing!"
Qin Xuemei's body trembled, and she quickly denied it.