As night fell completely, they finally found a relatively flat and sheltered spot and successfully pitched several tents.
At this moment, Wang Xiuxiu was busy in one of the tents.
She skillfully set up a small iron pot and began preparing dinner.
Zisu is skilled in martial arts and also knows how to take care of people.
However, he was not very good at cooking and could only add fuel to the fire and help Wang Xiuxiu with chores.
As the flames gradually heated up, the aroma of soup and rice from the pot rose like wisps of smoke, quickly filling the entire tent.
While busy, Wang Xiuxiu turned around and saw that Wu Lin had already raised his rice bowl and was looking at her expectantly, his eyes full of anticipation and longing.
"Don't worry, don't worry, it'll be done soon."
Wang Xiuxiu scooped a little soup into her bowl with a spoon and took a sip.
Then, with a hint of regret, she said, "Alas, it would be even more perfect if we could add some fresh vegetables."
"have!"
Before the words were even finished, Wulin, who had been quietly waiting in the corner for dinner, rushed out like a whirlwind.
Not long after, he excitedly ran back, holding a huge plant high in the air.
The plant has a tall, thick root system and leaves that are a pale, creamy yellow color. The leaves are layered and intertwined, and from a distance, they look just like an enormous cabbage.
"Where did you get this? Is it edible?" Wang Xiuxiu asked in shock.
Faced with Wang Xiuxiu's question, Wulin nodded without hesitation and replied excitedly, "Of course you can eat it! It's sweet and delicious, I eat it all the time! It's just that it's hidden in the snow now, so it's not easy to find."
Wang Xiuxiu picked a few leaves, wiped them slightly with the snow outside, and then tore the snow cabbage into pieces by hand and threw them into the pot.
The amount of cabbage was enormous, far exceeding what three people could finish.
Therefore, Wang Xiuxiu left enough food for the three of them and then tentatively asked Wu Lin for his opinion.
"Sir, you cook, I'll deliver it!"
When Wu Lin returned, Wang Xiuxiu had just served up a steaming bowl of soup and rice.
Before Wang Xiuxiu could stop him, Wu Lin, who was extremely anxious, couldn't wait to pick up the bowl and prepare to feast.
"Hot! Hot! Hot! Ouch! Why are you in such a hurry to open your mouth, child!"
Ulin gasped for breath from the heat in his mouth, but despite this, he stubbornly refused to spit out the food.
As he did so, he kept inhaling the cool air to relieve the high temperature in his mouth, while giving Wang Xiuxiu a thumbs up and praising her superb cooking skills.
Wang Xiuxiu was both amused and exasperated when she saw this, and quickly handed him the spoon.
After being stewed, the snow-white cabbage becomes even more tender and juicy. One bite, and its crisp and refreshing taste is irresistible.
On this cold and dark snowy night, the three sat together, enjoying the happiness brought to them by a bowl of hot soup.
---
As dawn broke the next day, everyone had already packed their bags and prepared to continue their journey to the Cold Mountain tribe's settlement.
They traveled along the winding mountain road, braving the biting wind, but their enthusiasm remained undiminished.
As they approached the Lengshan tribe, Wang Xiuxiu suddenly spotted a small figure running happily on the snow not far ahead.
The child, who looked only seven or eight years old, moved with the agility of a deer.
Leaping and darting through the snow, it felt as if they had become one with this silvery-white world.
Just as the child was having a great time, he keenly sensed the presence of this group of outsiders.
Before Wang Xiuxiu could react, the child dashed off like a gust of wind toward the gathering place and disappeared from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye.
Watching the child's departing figure, Wang Xiuxiu felt uneasy and turned to Wu Lin beside her, "Won't our sudden appearance cause some trouble?"
Ulin shook his head slightly. "Don't worry, he's just a mischievous and restless little guy who can't stay at home. He was probably sent by his family to act as a temporary scout. Anyway, we'll have to enter the tribe sooner or later, so it's only a matter of time before we're discovered."
Hearing Wu Lin say this, Wang Xiuxiu felt a little relieved, and then asked, "In that case, what should we do next? Should we stay here and wait for the Lengshan tribe to come, or continue forward?"
After a moment's thought, Ulin said, "Let's stay put for now. The people of the North have a strong sense of territory, and different tribes cannot trespass into each other's territory without permission."
Wang Xiuxiu nodded, "Okay, I'll follow your arrangements."
So the group stood quietly and waited.
They didn't have to wait too long before they saw a large, imposing group of people in the distance.
Their appearance was almost identical to what Wang Xiuxiu had imagined the people of the North to be like.
He had dark skin and a tall, robust build.
Just then, an elderly man slowly walked out from the crowd.
Judging from the way the other Lengshan tribesmen treated him, Wang Xiuxiu guessed that he must be the chief of the Lengshan tribe.
He walked steadily up to Wang Xiuxiu and the others and stopped, then asked in a slightly awkward Da Gan dialect, "Are you from Da Gan?"
Wang Xiuxiu quickly replied with a smile, "Yes, we are big-time merchants who have come here to do business."
Upon hearing this, the clan chief turned his gaze to Wang Xiuxiu, scrutinizing her from head to toe.
After scrutinizing him for a while, he spoke again: "You merchants from Dagang have not visited for a long time. Why are you visiting in winter this time?"
Wang Xiuxiu sighed softly and explained, "The Ming family army is very strict. In this freezing weather, they can only relax their guard a little at this time. However, we have brought more and better things this time."
After saying that, Wang Xiuxiu gave Zisu a wink.
Zisu understood immediately, stepped forward, and opened a box behind her.
The clan chief stepped forward to take a look, nodded, and seemed very satisfied with the goods.
He then nodded slightly, indicating his agreement with what Wang Xiuxiu had said earlier, and said with a smile, "In that case, please follow us."
At the Lengshan tribe's camp, Wang Xiuxiu saw many large dried items.
Wang Xiuxiu and the others were led by the clan chief into the largest tent in the tribe.
Its main body appears to be carefully constructed from thick felt, making it very sturdy and durable.
At the entrance to the camp, colorful prayer flags hung high and fluttered in the wind.
Upon entering the tent, the first thing that catches the eye is the huge furnace located in the very center.
Flames burned brightly inside, radiating warmth.
At this moment, the clan chief said loudly, "Everyone has come from afar and must be tired! Let's eat first, and then we can talk business after we've filled our stomachs."
After saying that, he invited everyone to sit around the stove to warm themselves.
Wang Xiuxiu was a restless person. While the Lengshan tribe was preparing food, she left her tent and wandered around the tribe with the chief's permission.
Zisu followed closely behind her, and the two chatted from time to time.
Suddenly, their gazes were drawn to a small figure carrying a wooden bucket not far away.
Wang Xiuxiu's heart stirred, and she pulled Zisu along quickly toward the child.
Only then did they realize that the wooden bucket the half-grown child was holding was filled with snow.
What's even more striking is that the child is holding a small knife and is processing several fresh fish.
Wang Xiuxiu slowly squatted down, looking gently at the child in front of her who was focused on his work, and asked softly, "Little friend, why don't you just put the fish in the snow to process it? Wouldn't that be more convenient?"
However, the child merely glanced at her briefly before quickly lowering his head again, continuing to intently handle the fresh fish in his hands, showing no intention of paying her any attention.
Wang Xiuxiu then realized that the child probably couldn't understand her long-winded speech.
Just as she was getting up to leave, feeling somewhat embarrassed, something unexpected happened.
The child actually spoke, and he spoke fluent and standard Mandarin!
"There are many animals in the forest. Leaving their entrails on the snow will only attract them and cause trouble. Besides, these are all valuable items that can be used when hunting."
After hearing this explanation, Wang Xiuxiu suddenly understood and nodded hurriedly.
But then, as if she had suddenly thought of something, she exclaimed in surprise, "You can talk big!"
The child was wrapped in thick clothes, with only a pair of bright, large eyes exposed.
Wang Xiuxiu looked at them and seemed to be able to catch a trace of contempt in their eyes.
I spent some more time with the child, and then I saw him about to put down the fish and pack up to leave.
Wang Xiuxiu casually picked up a small twig and pointed, "Here, there's a fishy line here. If you remove it, the fish won't taste so fishy."
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