Chapter 11: Chapter 011: Pretentious Ji Xiulan

"She should have been married off a long time ago. We have raised her for years for nothing. Raising a pig at least gives you meat to eat. All these years of hardship are barely worth twenty silver coins!" Lady Ding snorted coldly, seeming to have completely forgotten that she herself had married into the Ji family, while Ji Xinhe was a true member of the Ji family.

Lady Ding said resentfully, "Even your father is useless. The only ones I can rely on are you and your brother. Once you marry into a good family, I will be able to live a more comfortable life!" As she said this, she patted Ji Xiulan's hand.

Ji Xiulan's cheeks blushed, "Mother, don't worry. A man like Zhiru must certainly achieve great things in the future. If I can marry him, I'll be the wife of a scholar. In a few years, perhaps I might even be the wife of a top scholar."

These words resonated deeply with Lady Ding, who clapped her hands in excitement, "That's it, I'll go into town tomorrow and buy you some fine clothes and jewelry. You are not like the village girls, I have to raise you like a town's young lady. When the time comes, you'll be the most outstanding one, and Zhiru will naturally notice you!"

"Mother~" Ji Xiulan squealed shyly and plunged into Lady Ding's embrace, her heart already excited beyond control. A man like Zhiru from a good family naturally should be hers to marry. As for that bastard Ji Xinhe, even marrying her off to a pig would be a big step up for her!

Early the next morning, Ji Dong followed Ji Dashan as usual to the fields to work.

The Ji family was short of male servants. Xiao Bei was still young and couldn't help much with field work. Thus he was responsible for chopping wood, feeding pigs, and sweeping. Ji Xinhe, on the other hand, usually took charge of the tasks like cooking, washing, and gathering wild vegetables for the entire family. In her spare time, she also helped make embroidery to sell in town, and naturally, she didn't keep a penny of the money she earned.

While the three siblings were busy working and often got scolded for freeloading, Lady Ding, on the other hand, lived her days as if she were a queen, sitting back and having others attend to her needs. Ji Xiulan, a countryside girl, was raised by her like a town's young lady, seldom venturing beyond the house's threshold, maintaining ladylike airs, and living in complete comfort. As for her younger son, he was spoiled rotten and acting like a little tyrant; not only did he refuse to work, but he even hated walking a few extra steps.

Ji Xinhe had hit her head and was overexhausted after a whole day's work, so she didn't get up until late in the morning. When she woke up, she saw Xiao Bei bringing steamed egg custard for her, "Sister, you're awake? The steamed egg custard is ready. Eat it while it's hot. Eating more eggs will help you replenish your energy and your head will heal faster!"

Ji Xinhe took it from him, "Where is brother?"

"Big brother is out working in the field. Sister, you should rest since you're injured. I'll do your work for you. I'm old enough to do a lot of work now!" Xiao Bei pounded his chest, as if to assure Ji Xinhe.

Although Ji Xinhe was comforted, she still laughed, "That's not necessary, I am feeling much better now."

When she lowered her head and looked at the steamed egg custard in her bowl, she felt a sense of luxury. Such a small egg, for them, was an extravagant indulgence.

Xiao Bei stared at the bowl of steamed egg custard, unable to resist swallowing.

Ji Xinhe thought back to what Xiao Bei said last night; he had never had meat or eggs before. Soon after he was born, Wang Shi had passed away. This boy had not seen good days since he was born, and as a result, he was really skinny.

Ji Xinhe handed the egg custard to Xiao Bei," Xiao Bei, you eat it. I'm not hungry right now."

Xiao Bei hurriedly said, "No, sister, you should eat it. You have a head injury and need to eat eggs to replenish your strength!"

Ji Xinhe could only say, "I don't have an appetite after falling ill. I can't eat anything right now and just want to drink some hot water. This egg shouldn't go to waste. It's better for you to eat it."

Xiao Bei, being naive, partly believed what Ji Xinhe said, blinked his eyes, and said, "Then, sister, you should still eat a little bit. You can't eat nothing. This egg is really good."

Ji Xinhe smiled, picked up the spoon, took a bite of the egg, then handed the rest to Xiao Bei, "You eat the rest."

Xiao Bei was jubilant, "Ok!"

Ji Xinhe did not have serious cravings for the egg, after all, in her past life, it was not a luxury for her, but looking at Xiao Bei's eagerness, she felt a surge of melancholy. To her memory, this child had never eaten anything delicious before.

After taking one bite, Xiao Bei hesitated for a moment and said, "Why don't we save some for big brother to try, too."

Ji Xinhe stroked Xiao Bei's head, "Xiao Bei, just go ahead and eat. Big brother definitely wouldn't want to. As long as sister is here, I will give Xiao Bei eggs to eat every day. In the future, we will not only eat eggs, but also meat, and I'll provide whatever Xiao Bei likes."

"Really?" Whether he was being too naive or Ji Xinhe's words were simply too convincing, there was a flicker of hope in Xiao Bei's eyes.

"Of course, it's true!" Ji Xinhe gave a warm smile.

Make the best of a given situation. The old Ji Xinhe had died. Now, she had to take her place and surely had to make the most of it!

Unable to lie in bed, Ji Xinhe decided that she could not let Xiao Bei and her brother lead such a life of impoverished hardship. Therefore, the most important thing to do at present was to make money. The people of Yangluowan live by the mountains, and the resources of the mountains are treasures.

Why not take advantage of the opportunity to gather wild vegetables and explore the mountain?

In her previous life, Ji Xinhe didn't have many skills, except for her impressive killer's ability. However, she wondered if she could make a fortune in this small mountain village using her assassin's skills.

No sooner said than done, Ji Xinhe got out of bed, left the house, carried a small basket on her back, took a sickle, and prepared to go up to the mountains.

However, as soon as she reached the courtyard, she heard a soft giggle, "Zhiru, it's rare that you are off from the academy today and you remember to come to see me."

"Last time you caught the chill, I wasn't sure if you were feeling better. I brought you some medicine."

During the conversation, Ji Xiulan and Gao Zhiru walked in from the outside.

Ji Xiulan feigned displeasure, "Only you, Zhiru, care about me."

Hearing this, Ji Xinhe's skin crawled. Ji Xiulan liked to play the part of a lady in day-to-day life, and she acted all the more pretentious in front of Gao Zhiru. Ji Xinhe couldn't stand her affectation and ignored them, intending to leave.

In the past, Ji Xinhe would have stood aside humbly when she saw Ji Xiulan. How dare she ignore her today?!

Ji Xiulan felt like she had lost face, especially in front of Gao Zhiru.

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