I can't understand these things, I can only shake my head. They're too complicated. I don't know what my master left behind that would make the Japanese so concerned.
It's a pity that their Heavenly Medicine Sect's lineage has been broken; otherwise, would she have gone to such lengths?
With a sigh, I descended the steps into the valley. Some of the herbs had already withered. Even though the temperature here was higher than outside, there were limits, and not all herbs remained intact.
Fortunately, the herbs near the so-called hot spring were still intact, and they were exactly what she needed, so she went over and picked some.
She also tested the water temperature; it wasn't cold, but it wasn't particularly hot either. Calling it a pond was an understatement; it was more like a puddle, really not that big.
Gazing at the small pool, Jiang Qiao was somewhat lost in thought. Could this be the place where his master used to bathe?
To be honest, she really wanted to dig this place up and see what was underneath.
Thinking of the three jade pendants she kept in her space, she had an idea, and the three jade tablets appeared directly in her hand.
Unfortunately, there was no reaction from those around her. Shaking her head helplessly, she put the item away. Perhaps it really was just a symbol of her sect, as she had thought.
Their grandmaster was such a strange old man. He produced a jade tablet but didn't explain its function. How were the younger generation supposed to guess?
"well--"
She sighed and gave a bitter laugh. She sincerely hoped that this thing had no other use, otherwise, it would attract unwanted attention.
Putting everything else aside, this jade pendant alone is worth at least a couple of coins. Although she doesn't need that much money, she can't resist the covetous eyes of those people, as if having this jade pendant means having a mountain of gold and silver.
At noon, they had a meat meal at the radar station. A roe deer was enough for everyone to have a big meal. Before leaving, Jiang Qiao left them a few of the wild rabbits and pheasants they had hunted. They made an appointment to come back next time, and then the group said goodbye to the soldiers and returned home.
Without needing to gather herbs, the group walked much faster than before, and Jiang Qiao and the others finally returned home before sunset.
"Come on, get on the kang and warm up. I thought you guys would be back by noon. My older brother was right. He knew you'd most likely gone to the valley. How's it going? Is it really going well there?"
Jiang Qiao nodded with a smile, but before she could even speak, Gu Zhihong started chatting with Ma Liu.
"Grandpa Liu, you don't know until you go there. The valley is huge, with lots of medicinal herbs. Ginseng and Ganoderma lucidum can be seen everywhere. I only recognize these two herbs; I don't know anything about the others."
"But there's still prey, rabbits and pheasants, and my uncle even caught two snakes, saying he'd make snake soup for you."
Gu Zhengkai chuckled and patted his nephew. "Wait a minute, I'll go peel it. We'll eat it tonight."
After Jiang Qiao warmed up on the kang (heated brick bed), she said, "Leave one for stir-frying. Remember, leave me the snake gall."
"Grandpa Liu, I reckon this snake must taste pretty good. After all, it's lived in the valley for so many years. Not to mention, its prey all grew up eating medicinal herbs. This snake eats that kind of prey, so how could it taste bad?"
Upon hearing this, Ma Liu immediately couldn't sit still. "I'll do it! I'll do it! None of you should interfere. This is something I'm good at."
Qiao Jie walked in from outside with his hands behind his back. "Why is it so lively? Oh, the kids are all back? Tell me, what did you do today?"
Ma Liu showed the snake to Qiao Jie, saying, "Brother, look, a snake. We'll have snake soup tonight, and then I'll stir-fry one for you."
Qiao Jie nodded. "I think it's a good idea. If it's done well, it'll taste even better than pork. The dumplings are all wrapped up, so you don't need to do anything. You can just eat them ready-made in a bit."
Jiang Qiao casually inquired about Jiang Weihan's daughter, something Qiao Jie knew.
"Your Uncle Jiang is back. He said he had surgery today and the stillborn fetus has been removed. He's fine, but he'll need to stay in the hospital for a few more days."
"It's good that everyone is alright, Grandpa Qiao. You've done a good deed. Otherwise, who knows what would have happened in the long run?"
Qiao Jie shook his head. "I dare not take credit for this. Any doctor could probably figure it out."
"Zhengkai, I've packed everything for you. Go check if you're missing anything, and I'll have Qiao'er get you some more later. Take care of yourself while you're away, and don't skimp on your food. We old folks can't eat that much. Besides, a man can't be completely broke. Take care of yourself first."
Gu Zhengkai sat down next to Qiao Jie. "Uncle, I know what I'm doing. I eat in the cafeteria, so I don't have any extra expenses. Besides, Jiang Qiao sends me food and clothes from time to time, so I don't even have the chance to spend money."
Gu Hanting remembered something. "By the way, when you went up the mountain, the leaders of the brigade and the commune came to see your Uncle Qiao. They said they were visiting the family of a hero, and they all brought gifts."
Jiang Qiao nodded. "Oh, then we'll keep it. It's a good thing that the leader cares about us so much."
Gu Zhengkai smiled and said, "It's a good thing. It's alright. Keep the things."
Although dinner was a bit late, everyone in the family, adults and children alike, thoroughly enjoyed it. They said that even though it was snake, the taste was really like pork ribs.
There was no snake soup or snake pieces left, but quite a few dumplings were left.
"Save the dumplings for tomorrow morning. Wash them all in a bit and get some rest."
Jiang Qiao got up to check on the things she had packed for Gu Zhengkai. Then, she added some more, after consulting her uncle. It wasn't that there wasn't anything at home, but she was worried that Gu Zhengkai wouldn't be able to carry it all.
Gu Zhengkai said, "It's alright, we'll be fine once we're in the car. Pack me some of the medicinal wine, and also, give me a few of the skincare cream you made."
Not to mention Jiang Qiao, even Gu Hanting was dumbfounded. "Son, you have a goal?"
Gu Zhengkai smiled and shook his head. "Dad, you're overthinking it. It was some of the female colleagues from my workplace. Jiang Qiao mailed it to me before, but I don't like cleaning it and I was afraid of wasting it, so I gave it to the lady across the street. She said it's very useful."
So, several female colleagues I'm close to at work asked me for some. They all know my niece made it herself, and I didn't want to accept money, so I just considered it a New Year's gift.
Jiang Qiao looked at Gu Zhengkai with amusement. "Uncle, that's great. You can be the logistics minister from now on. I guarantee all the women will agree. Making more friends is a good thing, whether they are men or women. As long as they are decent people, we won't lack them."
If you want it later, you can write to me anytime. Your niece has plenty of these things.
After everything was packed, Gu Zhengkai accompanied his elderly father and son back to the cowshed to rest. Jiang Qiao finished washing up and went back to read.
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