Jiang Wan, with shameless persistence, dragged Gu Chenzhou through the mountain forest for nearly an hour before they emerged. By then, both their clothes were stuffed with a large haul of mushrooms.
Gu Chenzhou’s hair was a mess, tangled by the branches of the trees in the forest, lending him an air of disheveled cuteness that softened the coldness unsuited to his age.
It was only then that Jiang Wan noticed how good-looking this "energy tree" was. With his fair skin and delicate features, though he appeared no older than ten, the air of nobility about him was undeniable.
However, there was a sense of grimness about him that was severely out of place for his age, and his brows were often furrowed.
Jiang Wan guessed that this child was likely the scion of some fallen noble family, brought to the mountains to live in seclusion.
Still, she had no intention of asking.
Her curiosity wasn't that strong; she just wanted to quietly absorb energy. Other matters were none of her concern.
After all, knowing things she shouldn't wouldn't do her any good.
As soon as Jiang Wan stepped out of the forest, she let go of his hand, acting with great integrity. "Alright, let's go ride the horses."
To her surprise, Gu Chenzhou merely walked over to the horses and stroked them affectionately. "Remember this. We'll ride them later."
He was still injured and couldn't be reckless.
Jiang Wan had absorbed enough energy, and the horses had eaten their fill. Holding her mushrooms, she said, "If you're not riding, I'll take them back. See you tomorrow, little brother."
With that, Jiang Wan nimbly led the horses down the mountain.
Gu Chenzhou watched her, her height barely reaching the horses' legs, and couldn't help but curl his lips. This little girl wasn't entirely unpleasant.
As she walked, Jiang Wan felt the significant increase in her abilities within her body, and she couldn't have been happier.
Her current ability allowed her to control a tree seed, making it grow to a height of twenty meters!
While it was nothing compared to her previous life, this level was something she wouldn't have dared to imagine just a few days ago.
As long as the "energy tree" continued to reside in the back mountains, she could keep absorbing energy from him. With time and continued effort, even if her abilities didn't reach the heights of her past life, it would be enough for her to roam this world unimpeded.
Jiang Wan's steps were light. As she walked, she used her abilities to encourage the growth of various fungi and wild vegetables in the forest, hoping to provide the villagers with more bounty when they went into the mountains.
As she was walking, a woman's voice suddenly came from ahead: "Did you hear? Zheng Dayou is planning to sell his daughter to an old man in the city as a concubine. They say the old man is willing to pay fifty taels of silver as a betrothal gift."
Another woman replied, "I also heard that old man is some kind of important figure. I didn't expect Zheng Dayou to have secured such a son-in-law."
"Tch, what son-in-law! That old man isn't much younger than Zheng Dayou's own father. Zheng Dayou is truly a scoundrel, selling his daughter for fifty taels of silver."
Another person said, "Fifty taels isn't a small sum. Think about it, if Zheng Cuier were to marry properly, how many families could afford a betrothal gift of fifty taels of silver?"
"I heard that the old man's principal wife died a few years ago, and he has a lot of concubines in his household, but none of them have conceived. Zheng Cuier looks like she's in good health and capable of bearing children, which is why that old man is willing to pay such a high price."
"I'm a bit worried. Zheng Dayou was expelled from the village by the village chief. If he gains power in the future, won't he come back to seek revenge on our village?"
Upon hearing this, the others immediately became worried.
As they were feeling uneasy, the sound of horse hooves suddenly approached. The few women looked back and saw Jiang Wan, carrying a pile of mushrooms and leading two horses, smiling at them. "Don't worry, everyone. The highest official in Yao County is Magistrate Cheng. Our village has a good relationship with Magistrate Cheng. As long as that old man isn't completely senile, he wouldn't dare offend an imperial official for a mere concubine."
Hearing this, the women felt it made perfect sense.
"Wan Wan, why did you go into the mountains alone?"
Jiang Wan shook the small tuft of hair on her head. "I was bored, so I went into the mountains to let the horses graze. Aunts, do you want some mushrooms? I picked a lot, I can share some with you?"
The adults felt embarrassed to accept anything from a child, so they smiled and said, "Take them home, dry them, and save them for winter. Wan Wan, don't go into these back mountains alone in the future; be careful of danger."
Jiang Wan tilted her head. "I think I'm the biggest danger in these back mountains."
The women: ...That statement, somehow, wasn't wrong.
Jiang Wan giggled, waved goodbye to them, and led the horses down the mountain.
The women watched the small child and smacked their lips. "This Wan Wan, she's so precocious, she doesn't seem like a child at all."
"She was foolish for so many years, but after she recovered, she's become unbelievably smart."
"Not only is she smart, but she's also capable. If you ask me, we escaped from Jianzhou, and without this child, who knows how many people we would have lost."
Everyone agreed with this statement.
From the initial influx of refugees into the village to the elimination of the wolf pack, everyone had witnessed Jiang Wan's contributions.
"The Jiang family is truly blessed to have such a precious child."
"But when this girl grows up, the Jiang family will have trouble. After all, which young man would dare to marry such a capable girl?"
The crowd also agreed with this sentiment.
Although Jiang Wan was indeed well-liked in the village, if it came to their sons marrying Jiang Wan, they probably wouldn't agree.
Such a formidable girl, if she and her husband had a fight, she could probably beat their son to death with a single punch.
That was too dangerous!
Jiang Wan was unaware of the women's thoughts, and even if she were, she wouldn't care.
How could a sparrow understand the ambition of a swan?
Not long after she led the horses home, Erlang arrived with the horse-drawn carriage, bringing their parents and brothers back.
Sanlang jumped down from the carriage with a smile. "Wan Wan, come quickly, I bought you something delicious."
Jiang Wan poked her head out and saw Sanlang holding a sugar figurine.
So she quickly ran over, smiling fawningly, "Little brother is the best!"
She really loved sweets and couldn't walk past them, but her parents rarely bought them for her because too much sugar was bad for her teeth. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"You want to dismiss me with just a few words?" Sanlang deliberately held the sugar figurine high, then pointed to his face, his intentions very clear.
Jiang Wan had to pout and tug at Sanlang's clothes.
Sanlang happily bent down and offered his face.
Jiang Wan's eyes darted around, and as Sanlang bent down, she snatched the sugar figurine and quickly popped it into her mouth.
Sanlang stomped his foot, pretending to be angry. "Wan Wan, you cheated!"
Jiang Wan triumphantly rested her hands by her ears and shook them, making everyone in the family laugh.
As they were enjoying the lively scene, a disheveled figure suddenly rushed into the Jiang family's yard. Before the Jiang family could react, the person fell to their knees before Chen Yuezhi and Jiang Pan.
The Jiang family was startled. Upon closer inspection, they realized it was Zheng Cuier.
Zheng Cuier grabbed Chen Yuezhi's skirt and wailed, "Uncle Jiang, Aunt Jiang, please help me. I don't want to be a concubine, I don't want to be sold to an old man. Please save me."