Chapter 167: The Little Fool in the Group Favorite Story – 10

For Xie Hui, this was a somewhat clichéd plot.

Xie Kangli, a girl from a farming family, eventually became a princess consort. Everyone pampered her, and by the later stages of the story, even the Empress Dowager believed she brought good fortune.

The Empress Dowager thought that she left this world without illness or pain because she had absorbed Xie Kangli’s luck.

In reality, the truth was that Xie Kangli had drained her lifespan, causing her early departure.

Originally, she was supposed to live a long life.

This wild ginseng plant eventually saved the County Magistrate’s daughter-in-law during a difficult childbirth and was key to Xie Kangli’s rise from this small place.

Unfortunately, even with the ginseng, the woman didn’t survive, though the child was fine.

From the Client’s memories, Xie Hui learned that Xie Kangli never went to her grandmother’s house; she stayed home the entire time, merely delaying.

The reason was that one of Xie Kangli’s good friends had fallen for the County Magistrate’s son but didn’t want to be a concubine.

Xie Kangli hid at home and only brought the ginseng to the County Magistrate’s house when she heard the woman was in critical condition.

The delay was too long, and despite the experienced midwife, they only managed to save the child, not the mother.

Later, the County Magistrate couldn’t bear to see his young son living as a widower. Three years later, he learned of a woman who had been waiting for his son and hadn’t married due to her age. He arranged for Xie Kangli’s good friend to marry his son.

Initially, the County Magistrate’s son didn’t like her, but later, upon learning that this stepmother’s friend had once helped his daughter, his attitude softened.

On the surface, it appeared to be a heaven-sent match, but the sordid details behind it were utterly disgusting.

When Xie Hui professionally preserved the ginseng, he planned to sell it to the County Magistrate’s family later. Such an old ginseng was rare and valuable, worth saving for future needs.

After finishing, Xie Hui went out to help his son sort the mushrooms.

Although Ning Ning never made mistakes, he was still just a child. Xie Hui would always carefully check everything Ning Ning handled.

Since the Xie Family’s split, nearly two months had passed.

Xie Hui generously fed the little guy, and Ning Ning was happy to eat everything offered to him. Even the peach crisp given by the village chief’s wife was devoured without crumbs.

Though it hadn’t been long, Ning Ning had already plumped up nicely.

Today, they collected quite a few mushrooms, enough to dry for future use. However, to confirm his suspicions, Xie Hui packed some cleaned mushrooms in a basket and took Ning Ning to the village chief’s house.

Xie Hui never believed in coincidences. He always felt there were reasons behind every chance occurrence.

For instance, why did that particular mountain have better-growing herbs than others?

In this era, people focused on food, with few studying herbs.

In everyone’s mind, herbs just grew naturally on the mountains.

But vegetables and other foods also originally grew wild on mountains.

Some herbs could be cultivated, and their efficacy wasn’t much different.

After hearing Xie Hui’s intentions, the village chief was skeptical.

Planting herbs like vegetables? It sounded absurd.

“Village Chief, I just want to ask if I can use a small plot on the back mountain to try?”

The mountains belonged to the Xie clan. As an elder, the village chief had the authority to make decisions.

If Xie Hui wanted something else, the chief might hesitate, but a small plot for experimentation was no issue.

Initially, others had asked to plant vegetables or grains there, but the rocky terrain deterred them.

Even now, families with insufficient fields still try their luck.

“If you want to, go ahead.”

With the chief’s permission, Xie Hui left relieved.

When Xie Hui brought valuable items, the chief’s wife usually refused them. But she accepted wild goods they found on the mountain.

However, every time Xie Hui gifted something, the chief’s wife would return the favor the next day.

On the way home, Xie Hui noticed the wood in the yard was almost dry. He took out the tools he had the village chief’s son bring and began working on the timber.

The Client had this skill, and people often sought his help.

But because the Old Madam wouldn’t give him money to properly apprentice, he only learned basic skills by helping with odd jobs.

When someone asked him to make a cabinet and offered a fair price, Xie Hui accepted.

The more money saved, the better.

While Xie Hui was busy, Ning Ning quietly played, not disturbing him. He took a small basin his father made and went outside to find bugs for the chickens.

Initially, Xie Hui planned to slaughter the noisy Rooster to nourish Ning Ning. Despite looking plumper, Ning Ning still seemed thin to Xie Hui.

But seeing Ning Ning diligently find bugs for it and check on it every morning, Xie Hui gave up the idea.

If it didn’t lay eggs, so be it. If the child liked it, it could be a pet. It was just a chicken.

After finishing the cabinet, Xie Hui delivered it. On his way back, someone stopped him to discuss the latest happenings in the Xie Family.

The issue stemmed from the Old Madam’s favoritism. She prepared an egg custard for Xie Kangli, but her youngest son, whom she doted on, saw it and demanded some.

The Old Madam gave the custard to her son.

Xie Kangli, upset, argued with the Old Madam, who, in a rare moment of frustration, slapped Xie Kangli.

Two passersby witnessed it, and within half a day, the news spread through the village.

In the village, grandmothers hitting grandchildren wasn’t uncommon, but given the Old Madam’s previous indulgence of her granddaughter, her actions surprised everyone.

Moreover, after hitting Xie Kangli, the Old Madam fell while picking vegetables that night. She kept muttering that she had offended Heaven’s Favored Daughter.

She even killed a chicken for Xie Kangli, hoping for forgiveness.

To appease Xie Kangli, the Old Madam beat her youngest son with a stick. That night, he left in anger and hadn’t been found since.

Xie Hui just smiled and led his son home.

The outcome didn’t surprise Xie Hui. First, because Xie Kangli lost her bewitching ability, and second, due to the family split.

In a household maintaining such a distorted situation, everyone played a role, with the Client being a crucial support.

Whenever someone was unhappy, they vented on the Client.

The Client not only served as a scapegoat but also handled many household chores.

After the split, responsibilities fell on them, with no scapegoat to blame. Over time, it naturally led to such a situation.

“Papa…”

Once inside the yard, Xie Hui heard the child call him. He crouched down to meet his gaze, patiently asking:

“What’s wrong?”

“Um…”

Xie Hui waited a long time before seeing Ning Ning gently shake his head.

It seemed he called just to have Xie Hui look at him.

Xie Hui was used to this habit, helplessly smiling as he pinched Ning Ning’s cheek, softly saying:

“Good boy.”

Afterward, Xie Hui led him inside.

Planting herbs on the back mountain sounded simple but was quite challenging, especially since there was no precedent for it in this world.

Without seeds, he had to collect them slowly, a long process.

The wild ginseng he found earlier was stored, ready to sell to the County Magistrate’s family. With the money, he’d inquire if any traveling merchants could find herb seeds.

“Papa…”

Lost in thought, Xie Hui suddenly heard Ning Ning call again. He stood and walked over, asking:

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

Ning Ning couldn’t say much, repeating the few words Xie Hui had taught him.

This time, Ning Ning didn’t know how to respond. He just grabbed Xie Hui’s wrist, placing it on his belly.

He puffed out his stomach, watching his father expectantly.

Xie Hui cleared his throat, pretending not to understand, gently asking:

“What’s wrong? Want Papa to praise your nice clothes?”

Ning Ning, uncertain, shook his head slightly, then opened his mouth to say:

“Hungry…”