Chapter 38 Finding a Way

To be fair, Tong Chuxue’s impression of Luo Hui’an was quite favorable. He was intelligent and kind to his younger siblings. More commendably, he seemed free of the prejudice that men were superior to women—a trait that, in this era, was not merely rare, but positively extraordinary.

Regardless, Luo Hui’an had helped her in the past. As the saying goes, a drop of water received in time should be repaid with a gushing spring, so she felt she should help the family of the third branch if she had the means.

Tong Chuxue shouldered her basket, bid farewell to Xu Jinnian, and headed toward the Luo household.

When she arrived, Lin Chunyan had just returned from delivering meals to the fields. Seeing Tong Chuxue, she greeted her with great enthusiasm, "Ah, Xue girl, you're here!"

"Yes, Auntie. I've come to see Xiaoqing," Tong Chuxue said, stepping forward quickly.

"Oh, looking to go up the mountain for wild vegetables? That’s fine. I’ll go call her." Lin Chunyan called out, "Xiaoqing, come out! Your sister Tong is here to see you."

Hearing that Tong Chuxue was looking for her, Luo Huiqing scrambled out of the room, her face beaming. But before she could reach the door, she was barked at by Old Madam Luo from inside: "Qing girl, where do you think you’re going? You haven't finished your chores! The laundry isn't washed, and the pigsty hasn't been shoveled!"

Lin Chunyan’s face stiffened. "Mother, I’ll take care of those chores in a moment."

Old Madam Luo’s voice grew even more dissatisfied. "Take care of them later? What do you think you’re doing? I’m telling you, as a mother, you coddle your child too much, not letting her do any work. A woman who doesn't know how to work—who would ever want her in the future?"

Seeing the situation, Tong Chuxue spoke up clearly, "Grandma, I’m just taking Xiaoqing out for a little while. We’ll be back soon."

Old Madam Luo was unconvinced. "Xue girl, you may not have work to do at your house, but we have plenty here. Qing girl is busy."

Standing in the courtyard, Luo Huiqing was caught in an awkward spot, her small face crumpled with distress. Suddenly, Luo Hui’an emerged from the room and walked into the main quarters where Old Madam Luo sat. It was unclear what he said, though there were a few muffled scoldings. Soon, he stepped back out, walked over to Luo Huiqing, and said gently, "It’s alright, Grandma has agreed."

Upon hearing this, Luo Huiqing joyfully hopped over to Tong Chuxue’s side.

Lin Chunyan smiled apologetically at Tong Chuxue. "Don’t take what my mother-in-law said to heart."

"It’s fine, Auntie. I wouldn't hold a grudge against what an elder says," Tong Chuxue replied with a smile.

With permission granted, Tong Chuxue took Luo Huiqing’s hand, ready to leave, only to find Luo Hui’an following behind them.

"You’re coming too?" Tong Chuxue asked, suspicious.

Luo Hui’an coughed for no apparent reason, looking slightly guilty. "Grandma said that if I didn't accompany you, she wouldn't let Xiaoqing go."

The excuse sounded forced, and Tong Chuxue didn't believe it for a moment. However, it worked out in her favor; she had originally intended to use Luo Huiqing to ask about his circumstances, and now that the man himself was here, she was saved the trouble.

"How are your studies coming along?" Tong Chuxue asked.

Luo Hui’an gave a bitter laugh. "It’s not so easy. At the end of the day, we are just a farming family. How can we afford to send every child to school?"

"So, what do you plan to do? Give up?" Tong Chuxue looked at him. She would understand if he chose to give up, but she couldn't help feeling a sense of disappointment.

"There will always be a way. It will just take more time, that’s all," Luo Hui’an said.

It sounded like he already had a plan, though she wondered what he could possibly do.

"Copying texts and writing letters. Although I haven't earned a degree, I am capable of such tasks," he explained.

Beside them, Luo Huiqing’s eyes brightened with admiration. "Big Brother, you can actually earn money? That’s amazing!"

Luo Hui’an didn't seem particularly cheered by his sister’s praise, offering only a self-deprecating smile. These were simple methods, and while they sounded easy, he had no idea how many years it would take to save enough silver.

"Tell me, why don't you broaden your horizons a bit?" Tong Chuxue asked tentatively.

"Broaden my horizons? Do you have another way?" Luo Hui’an’s hope was rekindled.

Tong Chuxue offered a mysterious smile and said nothing, merely gesturing toward the deep mountains. The dendrobium found in the deep mountains could fetch a hundred taels per plant—more than enough to send him to an academy.

Tong Chuxue felt this was a perfect plan; after all, in the mountains, anything you could find was yours by right of skill.

To her surprise, Luo Hui’an shook his head in refusal. "I know you mean well, but the third branch hasn't separated from the main family yet. Any silver I earn must be handed over to the common purse."

Tong Chuxue was confused. "But you just said you’d earn money by copying books and writing letters. Wouldn't that money fall into the same trap?"

"It’s different," Luo Hui’an said earnestly. "Copying books and such only earns small amounts, which I can negotiate with Grandmother. But what you are suggesting—if others found out, the whole village would be in an uproar, and neither of us would have a moment’s peace."

The two continued to talk in riddles, leaving Luo Huiqing completely bewildered. "Sister, Brother, what are you talking about?"

Tong Chuxue had no time to answer. Luo Hui’an was right; she had oversimplified the situation. Most villagers didn't know about the dendrobium in the mountains. If word got out, every family would demand she lead them to find it.

Dendrobium was hard to find and scarce. If every household in the village tried to profit from it, the resulting entanglements would mean the end of peace in Green Mountain Village.

The matter of the dendrobium had to be kept secret.

Luo Huiqing, left out, grew sulky and began squatting on the ground, drawing lines in the dirt with a twig.

When Tong Chuxue finally snapped out of her thoughts, she saw Luo Huiqing alone, drawing in the dirt. She patted the girl’s head, soothing her. "Sister was lost in thought and didn't hear you. That’s my fault."

Luo Huiqing, a sensitive child, checked to make sure no one was around before whispering, "Sister, is there some kind of treasure in the mountains that can be sold for money?"

Tong Chuxue paused, unsure how to answer, but Luo Hui’an stepped in firmly. "Do not speak of this again. Today, pretend you heard nothing."

Luo Huiqing always listened to her brother; despite her confusion, she nodded obediently.

The group dug up some wild vegetables, fulfilling their excuse for heading into the back hills.

As the sun dipped low and the mountain breeze turned chilly, Tong Chuxue prepared to head back with them. Suddenly, she heard Luo Hui’an cough a few times and suggested, "Your health isn't great. It would be good if you could get some slices of lingzhi to soak in water."

"The lingzhi in these back hills was likely dug up long ago," Luo Hui’an said, his expression dimming.

"Why?" Tong Chuxue asked curiously.

Luo Hui’an looked at her strangely. "A few years ago, a medicine merchant came and bought lingzhi at a high price. The villagers all rushed to the mountains to harvest them. I expect the entire mountain has been picked clean."

Tong Chuxue’s eyes lit up. She had an idea!