For Liu, giving away a few taels of silver each month would make the Zhao family grateful to the wealthy man's family and keep Wang Jinzhu and Wang Mingzhu obediently staying in Zhao Family Village, which was a very worthwhile deal.

After all, five or ten taels of silver are just a pittance to the wealthy man's family.

But for the Zhao family, this was a huge sum of money, enough to allow them to live a life of luxury, eating meat and drinking alcohol every day.

After hearing Shen Yuan's words, Tian realized that this made sense.

She exclaimed, "When the two Wang children first went to Zhao Village, I ran into them on the back hill. They were dressed like butterflies, all in bright colors, and they were wearing several gold bracelets on their wrists. They looked incredibly wealthy!"

"I never expected that just a few months later, when I saw them again, their hair was a mess, no one even combed it for them, and their clothes were filthy, looking even more shabby than the girls in the village. I don't know how the Zhao family treated them!"

"The Zhao family are still their relatives, after all. They have their maternal grandmother, maternal uncle, maternal aunt, and cousin." Shen Yuan's tone was indifferent: "As for whether these relatives will treat them well, that depends on their own fate!"

Ms. Tian nodded and stopped talking about the two Wang sisters, instead getting down to business.

"I came to the city this time to find you on behalf of my fellow villagers! They have all agreed to grow medicinal herbs with you!"

Earlier that spring, Shen Yuan had mentioned to Tian Shi the idea of ​​planting medicinal herbs together with the villagers of Chu Family Village. When Tian Shi returned to the village, she relayed Shen Yuan's words to the villagers.

At that time, everyone wanted to plant a season of rice first, and after the rice ripened, they would save enough rice to eat and pay the land tax for the year, and then use the spare land and time to plant medicinal herbs.

So this matter has been delayed until today.

Fortunately, there are also many medicinal herbs suitable for sowing in autumn.

Shen Yuan said, "It just so happens that I'm going to Jinling City tomorrow. I'll buy some medicinal seedlings then, and we can try planting them!"

"Buying the seedlings will definitely cost a lot of money."

As she spoke, Ms. Tian took out a large bundle of cloth from her bosom. She untied the outermost rope of the bundle and then unfolded it. Inside the bundle was a handkerchief containing something.

Ms. Tian unfolded the handkerchief, revealing another layer of floral cotton fabric underneath. She opened the cotton fabric, and inside that, another handkerchief was wrapped...

Shen Yuan watched as Tian Shi opened the handkerchief layer by layer until she opened the seventh layer, revealing what was tightly wrapped inside.

It was silver, about three hundred taels.

Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow. Why did these silver coins look so familiar to her?

Ms. Tian explained, "This money was found in my yard. It's obvious that it was embezzled by that scoundrel."

Shen Yuan then realized why the money looked familiar.

Because Zhao Juxiang had seen the silver on the night she became inseparable from the village head, and later she buried the money in the village head's yard and revealed it to Tian.

So that Tian and her son Xiaohuzi, who were both orphans and widows, would not be left without money to make a living.

Unexpectedly, the Tian family has brought out this money again.

Looking at the silver coins laid out on the table, Tian said earnestly, "I want to use this money to buy medicinal seedlings and fertilizer, and then distribute the seedlings to the villagers for free. That way, even if the medicinal herb harvest is bad next year and we lose all our money, the villagers won't complain!"

Shen Yuan: "I have the money to buy the medicinal seedlings. You've never grown medicinal herbs before and are willing to take the risk with me, so I won't let you bear the risk. I'll cover all the losses!"

“Since we’re all working together, we should share the risks! How can we let you bear it all by yourself!” Tian firmly handed over the three hundred taels of silver to Shen Yuan.

Before Shen Yuan could speak, she changed the subject: "Anything else you need to do in Jinling City tomorrow besides buying the medicinal seedlings? How long will you be gone? Should I wait for you in the city to bring the seedlings back, or should I go back first?"

Shen Yuan said, "It might take three to five days. Besides buying medicinal seedlings, I also need to buy spices and herbs. I'll also take a look around Jinling City to see if there are any suitable shops."

"Will it take that long?" Granny Liu was a little worried. Jinling City was not too far from Jian'an City, but it was not too close either. It would take a day and a night to travel on horseback.

A girl riding a horse alone on a pipe in the dark and windy night is bound to encounter danger.

Thinking of this, Granny Liu couldn't help but mutter to herself, "If only Xiao Ling were here, he could fly and he knew martial arts."

"..." Shen Yuan was silent for a moment, then took Liu Mama's hand, "Grandma, no matter how powerful Xiao Ling is, it's his own strength. I can't always rely on others. I have to become powerful myself!"

After saying that, Shen Yuan patted Liu Mama's hand again, "I learned several self-defense techniques from Xiao Ling. Even if I encounter bandits, I can hold my own against them for a few moves. Besides, the Great Yan Kingdom is peaceful and prosperous, and we haven't had any bandit troubles in the south for a long time!"

"I can also use a dagger, and I carry poison powder with me. Don't worry, I'll definitely protect myself!"

As Liu Mama listened, a slight smile appeared on her face, but it wasn't deep.

Because a hint of heartache and sadness welled up in her eyes again.

She felt sorry for Shen Yuan, who was working so hard all by herself, and she was sad that she was too old to accompany Shen Yuan and go through all that trouble with her.

If only there were someone to protect her, Yuan Yuan would be so happy.

Seeing Liu Mama's long face, Madam Tian couldn't help but speak up, "Why don't we let Xiao Huzi stay with Yuan Yuan? Let him do any heavy work!"

“Great! I learned how to drive horses from my dad, I can help Sister Yuanyuan drive the horse-drawn carriage and carry heavy loads!” Little Tiger patted his chest.

Shen Yuan glanced at Xiao Huzi, and was about to say that Xiao Huzi was just a child, still young, and that following her would mean suffering through wind and rain.

But Granny Liu had already agreed on her behalf.

Shen Yuan didn't say anything more.

The next day, Shen Yuan and Xiao Huzi left the city in a carriage.

The carriage was purchased after she was granted the title of Lady-in-Waiting. It didn't cost much, but it was very practical for her, as she was always on the go.

It took the carriage two days to reach Jinling City.

Shen Yuan leaned out of the car window, and the bustling city of Jinling came into view.