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Chu Qingning approached Chu Qingzhi, “Fifth Sister, Ruyue needs to discuss something with you. I’ll handle things here; you can go ahead.”

“Alright.” After giving Chu Qingning a brief, Chu Qingzhi left for home.

As she departed, Li Ziyun, who had arrived early at the medicine pavilion to help, approached from its direction. She hesitantly called out, “Sister Qingning.”

Chu Qingning was surprised, “How come you’re here so early?”

Li Ziyun explained, “Dad wanted to help Sister Qingzhi finish the bamboo house as early as possible. I didn’t have anything else to do, so I came along.”

Chu Qingning smiled slightly, “Coming here first thing to help out your Fifth Sister, you’re very kind.”

“It’s nothing.” Li Ziyun shook her head, then hesitated before speaking, “Sister Qingning, can I discuss something with you?”

Chu Qingningnodded, “Go ahead.”

Taking a deep breath, Li Ziyun asked with nervous anticipation, “Sister Qingning, with the medicine pavilion being so busy, do you still need more medicine apprentices?”

Chu Qingning understood what Li Ziyun meant, “You want to be a medicine apprentice?”

Li Ziyun nodded, her eyes filled with hope.

Chu Qingning mentioned, “Being an apprentice requires being able to read, as there are so many medicines to differentiate. Can you read?”

Hearing this, Li Ziyun’s heart sank. She couldn’t read, “Sister Qingning, I can’t read, but I really want to become an apprentice. Is there a way?”

Li Ziyun had only been in the village for a short while but noticed that everyone had their jobs, and girls could earn money too. With the workshop not currently hiring, she thought she’d try her luck at the medicine pavilion, encouraged by seeing other girls working as medicine apprentices and because Chu Qingning was also a woman, she dared to speak up.

Chu Qingning internally acknowledged she had been looking for help. With more and more people seeking her for medical treatment and other tasks piling up, she needed someone to assist her. Li Ziyun was a good candidate: hardworking, willing to endure hardships, but her illiteracy was a hurdle…

“If I were to teach you how to read, would you be willing to learn diligently?” Chu Qingning inquired.

Li Ziyun couldn’t believe her ears and stared at Chu Qingning in shock, “Can girls learn to read too?”

Chu Qingning laughed, “Maybe not elsewhere, but here they can.”

Li Ziyun quickly responded, “I’m willing! My elder brother can read, and if Sister Qingning is busy, I can learn from him.”

Chu Qingning was moved by Li Ziyun’s earnest gaze. Without a better candidate available, she decided to give Li Ziyun a chance, “Then it’s settled, you’ll work with me.”

Overwhelmed, Li Ziyun knelt down in gratitude, “Thankyou, Sister Qingning, thank you. I’ll make sure to complete any task you give me.”

This was the best opportunity she had ever received!

Chu Qingning helped Li Ziyun to her feet, “No need to kneel. Just do as you promised, and diligently complete the tasks I assigned you.”

Li Ziyun, filled with joy, affirmed, “I won’t let you down, Sister Qingning.”

Chu Qingning, fond of Li Ziyun, smiled, “Good.”

In Wang Village.

Wang Yuanping got up before dawn, ate breakfast, and then opened his wardrobe. He hesitated before selecting his best outfit.

Du Qiaolan entered, her face bright with a smile, “Today, my husband will attend to important matters. It’s fitting to wear your best clothes.”

Wang Yuanping turned to look at his wife, his gaze softening instantly.

When the Wang family was in decline, Du Qiaolan had not yet married into the family; they were only betrothed. Despite dissuasion from others, she resolutely chose to stand by Wang Yuanping.

Her choice proved right. Though the Wang family isn’t wealthy, Wang Yuanping cherishes her greatly.

Du Qiaolan, a woman of substance, never complained about their lifestyle and maintained a positive outlook every day, now finally seeing hope ahead.

Wang Yuanping smiled and nodded, “Then, I’ll follow my wife’s advice and wear these clothes.”

Du Qiaolan stepped forward to help him dress, “Let me assist my husband. Here’s to a future of prosperity and success.”

Touched, Wang Yuanping embraced Du Qiaolan, “I promise not to let you down again.”

Du Qiaolan assured him, “You’ve never disappointed me.”

Wang Yuanlin knocked on the door, “Brother, are you ready? It’s time to go.”

Wang Yuanlin wasn’t as fortunate as Wang Yuanping; his fiancee chose not to stay by his side due to their poverty. Unmarried and alone, he faced life’s challenges without a companion.

Wang Yuanping responded, “I’m coming.”

After Du Qiaolan quickly helped him change, she sent them off, “Husband, brother-in-law, don’t worry about home. I’ve got everything under control.”

With the elders and children in the family, only the three of them were capable of handling the household’s affairs. Now, with Wang Yuanping and Wang Yuanlin setting off to pursue their futures, the responsibility of managing the home fell squarely on Du Qiaolan’s shoulders.

Wang Yuanping embraced Du Qiaolan, expressing his gratitude, “Qiaolan, thank you for managing everything at home.”

Du Qiaolan reassured them with a smile, “Go ahead, focus on what you need to do. I’ll take care of everything here.”

The entire family gathered at the doorstep to see them off, their eyes filled with hope and anticipation for the future.

In Chu Village, Xia Zongxian walked along the stone-paved path, a sword slung over his shoulder and a bun in hand, his demeanor embodying a carefree spirit.

Qin Yuming, walking beside him, couldn’t help but wonder, “Do all heroes live like this? So free and easy?”

Stuffing the bun into his mouth, Xia Zongxian cheekily replied, “Ah, you scholars probably have never experienced such unrestrained eating, have you?”

Trying to hold back, Qin Yuming finally let out, “Is this what you call being unrestrained? It looks more like being uncouth to me!”

Unbothered by his friend’s critique, Xia Zongxian chuckled, “Wiry don’t you try eating like this when no one’s around? You’ll understand what true satisfaction feels like.”

Qin Yuming declined, “No, thanks. I prefer to eat in a more conventional manner.”

Xia Zongxian, after using Qin Yuming’s handkerchief to wipe his hands, joked, “Scholars are too rigid. What’s wrong with living a little more freely?”

Qin Yuming retorted, “There’s nothing wrong with that, but you should at least maintain some decorum in public.”

“To hell with decorum! I’m happy as I am.” Xia Zongxian tossed the greasy handkerchief back to Qin Yuming, who refused to take it back, “Keep it.”

Regretting the waste of a good handkerchief, Xia Zongxian pocketed it, his casual disregard for propriety earning him another eye roll from Qin Yuming.

Their banter continued as they reached Chu Village.

At the village entrance, Chu Rong was supervising the installation of a stone tablet.

The tablet, three meters tall and one meter wide, with irregular edges, bore the name “Chu Village” engraved on its surface.