The next morning, Jiang Wan was pulled up by San Lang, "Quick, let's go pay New Year's calls. There's lucky money to be had!"
Upon hearing about lucky money, Jiang Wan immediately got up.
She didn't care much for money, but she did quite like the concept of lucky money.
Chen Yuezhi changed her into a new red dress with white rabbit fur trim. The fabric was a gift from Madam Cheng, and it was clearly very valuable.
Jiang Wan put on the red dress, had her hair styled into two little buns, and tied with red ribbons. She looked just like a lucky charm from a New Year's painting.
Chen Yuezhi adored her and hugged her, planting a kiss on her.
Jiang Wan wriggled out of her mother's "clutches," called out to Cheng Sinian, and ran out the door with San Lang.
Outside, a group of children were waiting for her. When they saw her emerge, they let out a loud cheer, "Wow! Wan Wan, your clothes are so pretty!"
Jiang Wan also thought her clothes were beautiful. She had never worn such a vibrant color before, and she felt like a small flame moving through a world of white.
She liked this boldness.
The other children were envious. Children from farming families, even if they managed to get a new outfit, mostly wore dark colors that were resistant to dirt, and the fabric was rough and durable. They could hardly afford silk.
So, a few little girls crowded around, carefully touching her clothes, "Wow, it's so smooth!"
Jiang Wan was generous and let them touch.
San Lang, however, was a little displeased. He stepped forward and shooed the little girls away, "Alright, let's go pay our respects."
After everyone had moved on, San Lang picked up Jiang Wan with some effort and whispered, "Don't let them touch your clothes, be careful they don't get them dirty."
His little sister's clothes were so beautiful, they couldn't be touched by others.
Thinking that it wasn't just clothes that shouldn't be touched by others, he added with concern, "If any boy touches you, just hit him until he cries for his mommy and daddy. Do you understand?"
Jiang Wan, seeing his serious expression, held back a smile and nodded in agreement.
A group of children lined up and first went to the old village chief's house. They surrounded the old village chief and spoke auspicious words, making him laugh heartily. He quickly took out the copper coins he had prepared and gave two to each child.
The children, receiving their lucky money, thanked him gleefully and went to the next house.
Not every family could be as generous as the old village chief. Times were hard for everyone, and even one coin could be considered life-saving money. Therefore, most families did not give lucky money to the children, opting instead to offer some small snacks to send them on their way.
However, Liu Shi gave each of them one copper coin.
Jiang Wan and Er Lang each received one tael of silver.
Looking at the silver, the two were hesitant to accept it, but Liu Shi insisted on stuffing the silver into their pockets, "Third Aunt is buying you candy, keep it safe so you don't lose it."
Leaving Liu Shi's courtyard, San Lang happily made plans, "When we get to Jiangnan, I'll take you to buy delicious food."
Jiang Wan poured cold water on him, "Guess why she gave us so much silver?"
San Lang, being sharp, replied, "Of course, she wants to curry favor with our father and mother. That family offended our parents terribly. Third Aunt brought her two children to sneakily follow us. Without the help of our parents, the road ahead won't be easy."
Jiang Wan spread her hands, "So, do you think we can spend this silver as we please?"
San Lang's spirits immediately deflated. He stuffed the silver back to Jiang Wan, "Take it to Mother."
Upon returning home, Jiang Wan handed the silver to Chen Yuezhi.
Chen Yuezhi accepted the silver and planned to return it later, using Liu Shi's two children as a reason.
"Your third aunt, she's not a bad person. We can just interact with her as ordinary neighbors from now on."
One very important reason why Jiang Pan and Chen Yuezhi were willing to keep Liu Shi's children was that Liu Shi had never done them any harm.
Liu Shi had been married into the Jiang family for six or seven years and had lived in town. Jiang Lao San was essentially a semi-dependent son-in-law. Liu Shi only returned to the small mountain village once a year during the holidays to see Jiang Lao Tou and his wife. She had little contact with Jiang Pan's family, let alone any good or bad relations.
When Jiang Lao San was injured before, Liu Shi's initial attitude was not very good, but truthfully, she hadn't said any harsh words or done anything excessive, so Jiang Pan and Chen Yuezhi hadn't made things difficult for her.
Moreover, a woman with two children was not doing well in this chaotic world. They couldn't bring themselves to kick someone when they were down.
Jiang Wan was indifferent to Liu Shi and listened to whatever the adults said, quickly forgetting about the matter.
After the New Year, the temperature began to warm up, and the snow that had frozen for two months showed signs of melting.
The small mountain village also began to prepare for their next journey.
However, such thick snow would take some time to melt. The villagers, before departing, thought of ways to hunt in the mountains.
Jiang Pan also took Da Lang and Er Lang into the mountains.
Jiang Wan wanted to go along, but Jiang Pan stopped her, "You stay home and behave. The snow is melting now, and if you go into the mountains, your clothes will get soaked in no time. Besides, if you always ask the old immortal for help, your brothers won't learn any skills."
Jiang Pan was quite aware of their situation. Their family had received a lot of care from the old immortal along the way and had lived quite comfortably. However, this couldn't continue forever. After all, no one knew when the old immortal would leave. If their family didn't learn how to support themselves, what would happen in the future?
Jiang Wan hadn't considered this problem before, as she could protect her family. But since Jiang Pan wanted to train his two elder brothers, she had no reason to object.
So, she cooperated and did not go with them.
Unexpectedly, at noon, her father and two brothers returned not with game, but with a girl covered in blood.
Er Lang carried the girl into the courtyard and shouted into the house, "Mother, Mother, come out quickly!"
Those inside heard the commotion and rushed out. When they saw the situation, they were greatly startled, "Heavens, who is this? Why is she bleeding so much?"
"Mother, quickly help her, she was scratched by a black bear."
"What?!"
Chen Yuezhi was terrified and quickly went to help, "Quick, get her onto a bed inside!"
The villagers heard the commotion and also rushed over, ready to watch the spectacle.
Madam Cheng hurriedly blocked everyone at the door, "The injured person is a girl, everyone stop. I'll come out and tell you the situation after I've checked."
Everyone knew that Madam Cheng was an official's wife, so they dared not question her words at all and waited obediently outside.
"Did you see who the injured girl was?"
"Yes, I saw her. It's Zhang Gui's daughter, Qiao Xiu. I saw her heading up the mountain after breakfast, saying she was going to look around in the mountains. How did she get so injured?"
"I heard just now that she was scratched by a black bear."
"Are there black bears in these mountains?"
As everyone was talking, Er Lang was pushed out by Madam Cheng.
Er Lang was covered in blood and looked utterly lost.
"Er Lang, what happened? How did Qiao Xiu get scratched by a black bear?"
Er Lang sat down under the eaves without a word, his mind replaying the dangerous scene from earlier.