They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 276 An Encounter in the Mountains
When Xu Zhichun had some free time, he wanted to go up the mountain for a walk. That morning, he took Qin Qing and Mu Xiang with him. The three of them carried small baskets and hoes, ready to go up the mountain to try digging for winter bamboo shoots.

It's pitiful that, after so long since transmigrating, Xu Zhichun has never easily climbed a mountain. He should take this opportunity to appreciate the pristine natural beauty of the green mountains and clear waters.

Unfortunately, she couldn't hunt and didn't have much fighting ability, so she didn't dare to go too far. She could just wander around the nearby mountains.

The lushness of the mountains and forests and the dense growth of trees in this era are no joke. It is said that a few years ago, someone went a little deeper into the mountains and was killed by a tiger. There was also a particularly cold winter one year, and wolves were heard howling in the middle of the night.

In short, it's scary.

Xu Zhichun and Granny Qin Qing were completely clueless about digging winter bamboo shoots, a technical task, and could only try their luck, treating it as a way to stretch their muscles on the mountain. Unexpectedly, Mu Xiang was actually good at it.

Once Mu Xiang reached the mountain, it was as if she had entered her own vegetable garden. Nothing good could escape her eyes. She pointed to an ordinary-looking spot and said there were winter bamboo shoots underneath. Under the skeptical gazes of Xu Zhichun and Granny Qin Qing, she wielded her hoe and easily dug through the surface soil. Soon, she saw the light yellow bamboo shoot husks.

With the help of the fragrant wood, they had a good harvest, and soon dug out more than a dozen plump winter bamboo shoots into their small baskets.

Xu Zhichun and Granny Qin were amazed and full of admiration.

"You've always seemed so clever, I never imagined you had this ability. I still don't understand how you figured it out."

Mu Xiang smiled a little shyly after being praised, "I don't know either. Maybe it's because I searched for it too much in the mountains before. I just got the hang of it as I searched."

"Oh," Granny Qin Qing felt as if she understood, "practice makes perfect."

Mu Xiang chuckled, "Probably."

Xu Zhichun smiled and shook his head: "Not entirely. There are people in our village who dig for winter bamboo shoots, but I've never heard of anyone who has this skill. I think you're the smartest."

Granny Qin Qing laughed heartily, "Yes, yes, our Mu Xiang is so clever."

Mu Xiang beamed with joy at the compliments.

She doesn't even remember how old she started searching for food in the mountains, working tirelessly through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, especially digging for bamboo shoots in winter, picking mushrooms in spring and summer, and digging for yams all year round. If she couldn't find anything in the mountains one day, she would go hungry or be scolded and beaten. Over time, she learned to find something in the mountains whenever she went up.

Later, as she grew older, she understood that she couldn't find too many, otherwise her father and grandmother would force her to find even more.

She didn't tell Xu Zhichun and Granny Qin about these things. It was all in the past, and those "past" matters no longer had anything to do with her now. She didn't want to talk about it, and even hoped to forget all of that past as soon as possible.

Mu Xiang was in high spirits. She didn't want to dig more winter bamboo shoots for her father and grandmother, but she was willing to dig some for the madam and Granny Qin Qing.

Xu Zhichun stopped her with a smile: "We've dug quite a lot already, that's enough, let's dig more next time."

A dozen or so plump winter bamboo shoots were enough for them to eat for three or four days.

Mu Xiang obediently hummed in agreement, glanced around casually, and then her eyes lit up: "There are yams over there, Madam, let's go dig some yams. Yams are delicious too."

"Really? Great!"

Xu Zhichun was delighted and asked her to lead the way.

Wild yams are snow-white, powdery, and soft, with a natural fragrance of wild herbs and plants that is far superior to cultivated ones. You can immediately tell the difference with just one bite.

Mu Xiang was also happy to see her happy, and she led the way with light steps. When they arrived at the wild yam, she bent down and quickly pulled up all the wild grass and vines next to it, and pointed to it for Xu Zhichun: "Madam, look, this is the yam vine."

Xu Zhichun ate yams as if they were commonplace, but she had never seen yam vines before. She reached out and touched one, laughing, "This is a wild yam vine." Mu Xiang looked at her with a puzzled expression and chuckled, "Look at what you're saying, Madam. Aren't all yams wild?"

Xu Zhichun was taken aback, then chuckled and nodded: "Hmm, you're right."

It seems she still needs to be more careful and vigilant in the future. Muxiang is just a child and won't be careful, so Granny Qin Qing won't overthink it. But if she says something wrong one day, it's hard to know how she'll be able to cover it up.

Wild yams have very deep roots and especially like to grow in crevices in rocks—probably to better protect their tubers, making them very difficult to dig up.

Mu Xiang was clearly experienced; he wielded the hoe with a measured pace, rhythmic and leisurely air.

Before long, Xu Zhichun offered his hand: "I'll dig for a while."

Although they were master and servant, she couldn't bear to enslave a mere maid.

There's no point in counting on Granny Qin Qing; she's never walked on such mountain paths or been to such forests before. It would be good enough if she could catch her breath and not fall.

Mu Xiang dodged to the side, saying, "I'm not tired, let me do it. Madam, please don't hurt your hand."

"It's okay, we'll take turns."

"Really, no need, madam! I can manage."

As the master and servant were talking, they suddenly heard a short, sharp, cold laugh.

The two women and Granny Qin followed the gaze and saw Liang Cuier on the slope in the woods not far away.

Liang Cuier met Xu Zhichun's gaze and glared at her fiercely.

Madam? Servant? This woman is shameless. Now that she has a little money, she's trying to act like a lady, buying servants and pretending to be one. Does she deserve it?
Liang Cuier seemed to want to say something, but before she could speak, the woman beside her waved and greeted Xu Zhichun with a smile, "Hello, Madam Xu!"

The woman laughed as she pulled Liang Cuier down the hillside.

The woman also carried a small basket on her back, while Liang Cuier held a hoe in her hand.

Those who come to the bamboo forest at this time of year are all digging for winter bamboo shoots.

The woman, quite familiar with them, peeked into Xu Zhichun and the others' baskets and clicked her tongue in envy: "Madam Xu, you are so lucky! You dug up so many yams. Unlike us, we've been wandering around this forest for half a day and haven't dug up a single one."

Xu Zhichun glanced at her, hesitated, then politely asked with a smile, "May I ask who this lady is—"

She really didn't recognize him, but she was certain he wasn't from Liangjia Village.

Xu Zhichun kept a watchful eye on things: anyone who was on good terms with Liang Cuier would definitely be wary of her.

The woman quickly smiled and said, "I am Han Fengshi, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Han family in the west of Quanshan Village next door. No wonder Madam Xu doesn't recognize me. You'll get to know me after you see me more often, just like I do with Cui'er, hehe."

Xu Zhichun couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he didn't like Han Fengshi, so he didn't respond and just nodded: "So you're Han Fengshi, my sister-in-law."

Madam Han exclaimed happily, "Oh!" and immediately laughed, "Are you digging for yams? Madam Xu's luck is truly amazing! Is this your maid Muxiang? The little girl has thin arms and legs, she probably doesn't have much strength, let me help Madam Xu!"