After wearing it: I traded a pig for a man.

"I heard from above that things aren't peaceful in the neighboring counties. There's a group of bandits causing trouble that they haven't caught yet."

Jiang Yun Ning's heart jumped again.

These days, things are really not peaceful.

"Lock the door at night," Wang Dahe added.

"Okay." Jiang Yun Ning became serious. "Thank you, Brother Wang. I'll go home and explain it to my parents."

As Jiang Yuning left the county town, he pondered how to safely weather the turbulent years.

First, there must be a strong fortress.

The little mud house they live in now is not even enough to keep out bandits, let alone petty thieves like Zhang San Gou.

After returning home, Jiang Yuning told her family about Wang Dahe's well-intentioned advice, even exaggerating it a bit.

Their serious expressions made everyone in the Jiang family wary, especially Wang Cuihua and Jiang Anhe, who had personally experienced the theft.

Jiang Che frowned slightly. For some reason, whenever he heard about drought, he felt like something was clamoring in his head.

But when I tried to grasp that sudden thought, it vanished without a trace. Could he have fled from the west?

"I think we need to build a house," she said, looking at the group. "Our house won't keep out thieves at all. Besides, there's more and more work to be done, and we need more help. We can't all be crammed into the backyard to work, can we?"

The cigarette holder in Jiang Laosan's hand lit up and then went out.

"Okay." He nodded. "Daughter, you're quick-witted, I'll listen to you."

"But do we have that much money?" Liu Yuzhi knew that Xie Shengan had placed another soap order.

But these days, Jiang Yuning has bought a lot of things for the family. They eat white flour every day, and everyone has bought several new sets of clothes.

Jiang Yunning had already sorted out the money she had on the way.

"I've set aside money for daily expenses, as well as for buying soap ingredients and labor costs. I have about 150 taels left to use."

She wasn't quite sure how much silver it cost to build a house in this dynasty, so she could only explain her plans first.

"I want to separate the soap-making area. I'll fence off a pig and cattle-raising area in the backyard. I'll dig a fishpond in the front yard. And I'll expand into a vegetable garden specifically for growing things."

As she made her plans, Jiang Laosan's expression grew increasingly serious.

"How about we buy the empty yard next door? We can put a door in the middle and make soap there."

Jiang Yun Ning's probing gaze swept over the faces of the group.

"How much silver would that cost?" Jiang Yuntian was already struggling to calculate it.

"At least two hundred taels." Following Jiang Yun Ning's plan, Jiang Che had already begun calculating the amount of silver in his mind.

"We're still short fifty taels." Jiang Yun Ning's eyes darkened slightly. "It's alright, Father and Mother. Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law. Jiang Che and I will go into the mountains and see if we can catch any game."

Although the fur of a bear in summer is not as thick as that in winter, it can still fetch thirty or forty taels of silver. But she dares not say she's going to hunt bears now, otherwise her family will definitely not allow it.

The proposal was rejected by everyone except Jiang Che as soon as it was put forward.

"No way." Jiang Yuntian refused outright: "If anyone's going, it should be two men, Jiang Che and I. You're a girl, you're not allowed to go."

Jiang Laosan and his wife echoed, "Daughter, if we're short of money, we can save it up slowly. There's no need to take risks."

"If all else fails," Liu Yuzhi hesitated, "we should go out and borrow some."

"Anhe has money." Jiang Anhe understood that Jiang Yunning wanted money, so he rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a copper coin that Wang Cuihua had given him that morning.

"Give these flowers to Auntie." He held the flower in Jiang Yun Ning's hand, a bright smile spreading across his face.

Jiang Yun Ning was somewhat helpless. She knew that it wouldn't be easy to persuade someone to go hunting in the mountains.

"Jiang Che and I are capable of protecting ourselves. He knows martial arts and archery, and I've also learned to use a bow. We'll be fine."

Most importantly, she has a life-saving spiritual spring. If all else fails, she can knock Jiang Che unconscious and bring him into her spatial dimension to survive.

"Father, Mother," Jiang Yun Ning said solemnly, "Let me go. It's perfect if Jiang Che and I go. My elder brother and Father can stay at home and handle anything that might happen."

Jiang Che nodded; this was indeed the best arrangement.

Moreover, given his skills, protecting Jiang Yun Ning shouldn't be a problem.

"No, that won't do." Wang Cuihua was still worried. "His father, you should persuade him."

Jiang Laosan felt his vision blurring, and in a daze, he felt as if the girl in front of him had become a different person.

"Father and Mother, you can't stop me. As long as I get the chance, I'll sneak in. You might as well just agree." Jiang Yun Ning simply laid his cards on the table.

She really noticed something was wrong; when she bought grain today, the price was half a penny more expensive than usual.

"You!" Wang Cuihua stood up in anger.

But Jiang Yunning is right, they can't possibly take turns watching over them every day.

"Oh, Mom, I'm a really good archer now. Don't worry." Jiang Yun Ning clung to Wang Cui Hua's arm playfully. "Just let me go. I promise I'll come back healthy and unharmed."

Wang Cuihua looked at her, pursed her lips, and could no longer say a word of refusal.

After discussion, it was decided that we would go into the mountains early the day after tomorrow.

The next morning, Wang Cuihua and Liu Yuzhi were busy preparing dry food for the two of them.

But the weather is hot, and everything spoils easily. I can only make pancakes and marinate meat, adding more salt to slow down the spoilage.

Jiang Yun Ning didn't take it to heart.

Anyway, she has plenty of food in her space. At worst, she can just take out a couple of tomatoes and lie to Jiang Che, saying she picked them in the mountains.

"Anhe," Jiang Yunning called out, "Come on, your aunt will take you to school."

After paying the land tax, Jiang Anhe's injuries had healed.

Jiang Anhe ran out carrying her little schoolbag: "I'm here, I'm here, Anhe's here!"

"Auntie, are you picking me up tonight?" Jiang Anhe boarded the oxcart, holding Jiang Yun Ning's hand, but her eyes were fixed on Jiang Che. "Uncle, would you like to come along too?"

Jiang Yun Ning pinched his nose: "Don't worry, we'll both come pick you up, okay?"

The little guy was relieved after receiving an affirmative answer.

They soon arrived at the entrance of Qingshan Academy, and Jiang Yuning carried him off the oxcart.

"Take the lunch that Grandma made for you with you." Jiang Yun Ning tugged at his clothes, worried.

After all, Jiang Anhe is only five years old. No matter how sensible he is, he is still just a child.

"Have you remembered everything your aunt told you?"

Jiang Anhe nodded: "I'll remember. Anhe is a man, he can't be afraid of trouble, but he also can't cause trouble. If you're bullied, you have to fight back. If you can't beat them, go to your teacher or your aunt. It's okay if you get hurt, your aunt will pay for it."

Jiang Yun Ning's educational philosophy was somewhat novel to Jiang Che, but looking at Jiang An He's well-behaved face, he began to agree with it.

Boys should not be afraid of trouble.

The chubby little hands gripped the schoolbag tightly, and the cheeks were pursed up.

Jiang Yun Ning knew Jiang An He was a little nervous, so she patted his head and said, "Don't worry, your aunt will be waiting for you at the door. You'll see your aunt as soon as you come out."

The aunt and niece parted reluctantly, and Jiang Anhe followed the doorman inside to find the teacher, turning back every few steps.

Jiang Che felt somewhat helpless.

"We'll see you in a few hours." Although he was trying to comfort him, his face remained cold and indifferent.

"Jiang Che." Jiang Yun Ning turned her head and smiled, "You're much more humane now than when you first joined our family."

Jiang Che was stunned.

She said "join," she said "our family."

"Hmm." His gaze darkened slightly, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

"Let's go. Let's buy another bow. It'll be safer to go into the mountains with more weapons." Jiang Yun Ning turned around, just about to leave, when a cry of surprise came from behind him.

"Jiang Yunning! What are you doing at Qingshan Academy?"