It's possible, but seeing how Zhang Mugen treats the furnace like it's his precious treasure, Su Jiaoniang figured even if she told the truth, Zhang the blacksmith wouldn't believe her.

After thinking for a moment, she said, "Uncle Zhang, you know I am the daughter of a scholar. Let me put it this way, I once read a book called Tiangong Kaiwu, which contains information on forging. If you follow the instructions in the book, you can make ironware more resilient, sharper, and easier to use."

Su Jiaoniang explained the knowledge she had acquired in her previous life to Zhang Mugen step by step using the language of this era.

Zhang Mugen was stunned.

As a blacksmith in the village, all he did every day was make pots and hoes. Nobody would hire him for anything more delicate, so his skills never improved.

However, as he listened to Su Jiaoniang's words, he vaguely felt that it might really be true, and he even trusted the book called Tiangong Kaiwu very much, without doubting Su Jiaoniang's words at all.

He was a blacksmith, and he knew the things that happened during the blacksmithing process better than anyone else. If Su Jiaoniang was lying, there was no such book at all, so how could she explain it so clearly?

You can't expect a little girl to know how to forge iron on her own.

Zhang Mugen hesitated for a moment and then said, "Niece, wait here. I'll give it a try. If what you say works, I'll give you anything you need for free in the future."

Without a second thought, he walked toward the forging furnace.

Forging and blacksmithing both take time. Seeing that there was still plenty of time, Su Jiaoniang went to Doctor Liu's place to ask about the precautions for planting chili peppers, and then went home to plant them.

Replace the soil in the yard with more fertile soil from outside.

Soak chili seeds in water and slowly sprinkle them into the soil.

As night fell, Su Jiaoniang tidied up the courtyard. Seeing Lu Futu whispering something to Xiaoya, Su Jiaoniang went over, wanting to connect with her child and share in the child's secret.

However, as soon as you get close, the courtyard instantly falls silent.

Su Jiaoniang's lips twitched. The child had a secret, and she didn't want her to hear it. She felt a little disappointed.

After leaving, the two children started chattering away again.

Okay, okay, it's a child's secret. Can't a mother just stay out of it?

After Su Jiaoniang left, Lu Futu continued, "There are ginsengs on the mountain. We'll find them if we keep going. Once we find the ginseng and pay back the money, our family will be better off."

"Brother, let's go now."

Thinking about eating meat every day, Lu Xiaoya couldn't wait even a day longer.

They pulled Lu Futu up the mountain.

A hint of depression flashed in Lu Futu's dark eyes. What if they encountered danger on the way up the mountain at night? "Let's go tomorrow. I asked Doctor Liu, and he's going to gather herbs tomorrow. It'll be safe if we go with the adults."

The little girl nodded; tomorrow was too far off.

She might forget about it by tomorrow.

As the night grew deeper, the little girl couldn't stay awake any longer and fell asleep on her small bed in no time.

Lu Futu's eyes flickered. He'd been having nightmares for the past few days, and the things happening in his dreams were terrifying. He'd dream every time he closed his eyes, dreaming of growing up and returning to his village, digging up ginseng in the mountains. If he really did find ginseng...

That proves that this dream is something that might happen in the future.

If no ginseng is found...

Lu Futu would rather not have found ginseng.

The next morning, Su Jiaoniang heated up the food and put it in the pot. After telling the children, she headed to the county town. As usual, she first went to the Cai family to deliver cold noodles.

This time, when I arrived at the side gate of the Cai residence, I saw Granny Tang standing there.

Su Jiaoniang quickened her pace.

After handing the cold noodles to Granny Tang, Granny Tang whispered, "Young lady, do you know how to make anything else? The masters all like the cold noodles you make now, but in my opinion, they'll probably be shelved after autumn. If you do, don't keep it to yourself. Our old lady's birthday is next month, and the young mistress has been racking her brains over what to give as a gift..."

Serving a cooked meal as a birthday gift?

This young mistress is so uncouth.

You shouldn't give gold, silver, or jade items to wealthy families. If that doesn't work, you could give them a handwritten Buddhist scripture embroidered headband or clothes made by hand.

Although she felt something was amiss, Su Jiaoniang wouldn't say it out loud. Birthday food was a must, and there was still plenty of time. She said, "I know how to make food. I'll prepare the ingredients in the next couple of days and bring it over for the young mistress to see."

Tang Pozi smiled after receiving Su Jiaoniang's agreement, chatted with Su Jiaoniang for a while, and then returned to the mansion.

Su Jiaoniang went to the pharmacy and bought two catties of saltpeter and some loose sugar. She had spent all her money. She had to pay Cai's family for the cold noodles on a monthly basis, and she still needed to make money during this period.

Fortunately, she had saltpeter; if the weather was good tomorrow, she could make some money.

Back in the village, Su Jiaoniang didn't see Lu Xiaoya and Lu Futu from afar, and felt a little uneasy. As she walked towards her home, the courtyard was quiet. Suddenly, Su Jiaoniang looked towards the Lu family's courtyard.

He hurriedly put down his things and went back inside.

Seeing Gu Changsheng lying on the bed, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Gu Changsheng opened his eyes upon hearing the noise: "Auntie, Xiaoya and the others have gone to gather herbs with Doctor Liu."

Gathering herbs?

Such a young child gathering herbs? I guess Doctor Liu saw that the child had no one to look after him, so he took him out to play.

Feeling slightly touched, Su Jiaoniang decided that from now on, she would send a portion of any good things she had to Doctor Liu, since he was the first person in the village to show her kindness.

"Also, the village blacksmith said that now that you're back, you should go to his house." Gu Changsheng finished speaking, a piece of candy appearing in his mouth, the sweet taste spreading through him.

So this is what it feels like to have a mother.

Gu Changsheng is willing to live here indefinitely.

Although she wasn't his mother, her concern for him was genuine.

,

.

Su Jiaoniang went to Zhang Mugen's house.

The clanging and banging of metal came from inside. I knocked on the door and went in.

Seeing Zhang Mugen's body glowing red from the furnace, his muscles swaying with each strike of the forge, his robust beauty was captivating.

Zhang Mugen caught a glimpse of Su Jiaoniang out of the corner of his eye, threw the hammer in his hand to the ground, took out three small blades, wrapped them up, and handed them to Su Jiaoniang: "These things are too sharp, be careful when using them."

Su Jiaoniang looked at the blade; it was exactly what she wanted. It would be perfect for crushing ice, and it wouldn't be a problem to use it for juicing either.

She patted herself down, a sheepish smile spreading across her face—she was broke!

Seeing Su Jiaoniang's actions, Zhang Mugen shook his head repeatedly: "Niece, don't be so formal with your Uncle Zhang. What you said yesterday can make me a lot of money. Just tell me what you want in the future, don't be polite with me."

Su Jiaoniang thought for a moment and said politely, "That's fine. I'll send you money when I have it in the future."

Zhang Mugen frowned: "You little girl, do you not respect your uncle? Everyone says that scholars are powerful. Look at you, you just said a few words and your uncle was able to produce these things. When we go to the county town, we can show them to Constable Zeng. They like this kind of weapon. If they like it, the yamen will buy everything it needs from here. Your Uncle Zhang will be too busy thanking you to ask you for money."