Qin Baitang knew in his heart that Willow and Poplar County was not what it used to be.
He used to make a considerable profit from tinkering with medicinal herbs, but ever since Jin Shanyao opened Anzhi Hall...
It's difficult to obtain good medicinal herbs, especially since Jin Shanyao bought up Lush Mountain, practically monopolizing all medicinal herbs near Willow and Poplar County.
He probably can't succeed working alone.
Only by colluding with the Anzhi Hall can we achieve common development.
Qin Baitang felt a pang of bitterness. He thought back to when Jin Shanyao was just an innocent and naive young girl who knew nothing, but now she had become his master.
Life is unpredictable... I should have adopted her as my goddaughter back then.
Lush Mountain was nourished by Jin Shanyao's Spiritual Power; it was not only her life's work, but also the life's work of Dahuang and Xiaoli. It was about to leave Willow and Poplar County.
The cats and dogs feared that the servants, under the guise of the Anzhi Hall, would slip out of their control, act recklessly, and cause irreversible consequences, thus affecting the entire process of repaying the debt of gratitude.
They ran into the mountains early in the morning, and with a roar, called out to their little brothers. The tigers, who were eating, heard the call.
He cursed under his breath, thinking, "When one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs benefit."
Those arrogant cats and dogs, relying on their master's power, have been showing off their abilities ever since Jin Shanyao bought this mountain.
All the animals in the mountains had to crawl at their feet. Bah... what a fine master they'd found! The tiger reluctantly ran wildly to the meeting point.
Halfway up the mountain, Dahuang and Xiaoli stood on a rock, looking down at the bears, tigers, deer, and various birds and beasts.
Xiaoli, "We'll be heading to the city soon, and the vegetation in the mountains will depend on you. If anyone harms Lush Mountain, or if any of your servants steal your family's medicinal herbs..."
Anyone who bullies others, steals money, or smuggles money must be reported to Yasheng without fail. Yasheng is Xiaoli's younger brother, an eagle soaring in the sky.
Just because he caught a wild rabbit in Lush Mountain, he was recruited and his free life as an eagle was cut short, turning him into a lackey of the mountain patrol.
Oh no, it's not a lackey. Dahuang has its own lackeys, all kept on the estate, specifically to guard Lush Mountain and the medicinal herbs in the estate, as well as those cunning humans.
It's truly pathetic that two traitors have emerged from the animal kingdom, becoming henchmen of the plant kingdom.
I really want to collude with them, but alas, I have no chance.
More than a month has passed in the blink of an eye. The affairs of Willow and Poplar County have been settled, and Qin Baitang has officially taken office. Jin Shanyao wants to go to the prefectural city in advance to buy a shop and settle down.
As the saying goes, everything should be used to its fullest potential. Jin Shanyao, carrying the little cub, went straight to the government office. Of course, this time she wasn't looking for Old Madam Su, but for Su Wenqian, Lord Su.
Even so, when Madam Su received the news, she still sent her two sons to keep their mother-in-law occupied, not allowing her to step out of the courtyard even at the cost of their lives.
Madam Su nervously clutched her handkerchief, her eyes fixed intently on Jin Shanyao.
Jin Shanyao felt uncomfortable under her gaze. The book said that when someone is interested in someone, they can't help but look at you.
Her damn charm... Jin Shanyao swayed her hair, " Madam Su, has Lord Su been unwell lately?"
Madam Su was stunned and shook her head.
Jin Shanyao said meaningfully, "He's not sick. Why is his hand shaking when he's holding the tea? He's spilled tea all over the table."
Su Wenqian subconsciously put his teacup down. "Um... what brings Miss Jin here?"
With Jin Shanyao said, "No need to weigh myself; I'm not much taller than you."
Height is nothing to brag about. "I've come to ask Lord Su for help."
Su Wenqian's heart leaped, and he caught his breath in his throat. "Miss Jin, please speak..."
Jin Shanyao and said, "I'm still getting used to you not wearing your official robes."
Su Wenqian thought to himself, whether I wear official robes or not won't stop you from confiscating my property.
With Jin Shanyao, she said, "My child will be coming to the prefectural city to study next month, so I'd like to see which mountains in the city are vacant. I'd like to buy some to grow medicinal herbs."
Madam Su's ears rang, and she could no longer hear anything. Her mind was filled with images of the Gold Devouring Beast coming to the prefectural city to study and Jin Shanyao wanting to move in.
Oh no, she felt tightness in her chest, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing!
Seeing this, Meng Anzhi quickly stepped forward to check on her, "Madam, where do you feel unwell?"
Madam Su felt a blur, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
Su Wenqian, having seen much of the world, was more resilient. Hearing that Jin Shanyao was looking for him on official business, he breathed a sigh of relief and summoned his servant.
"Have the registrar bring the fish scale map."
The servant agreed, and a moment later a middle-aged man rushed over carrying a stack of books.
"Sir, all the fish scale illustrations are here."
Su Wenqian nodded. "Let's see if there are any unclaimed mountains in Qingzhou Prefecture, preferably close to the prefectural city and easily accessible by road."
The registrar memorized the requirements, bent down, pulled out three books from a stack, and quickly flipped through them several times.
He placed the corresponding booklet on Su Wenqian's desk. "Sir, there are four mountains here, all unclaimed."
Su Wenqian gestured for Jin Shanyao over. Jin Shanyao around and pointed to the lower right corner, asking, "Isn't this Hat Mountain for sale?"
"Registrar," said the young lady, "You are unaware of the dangers of Hat Mountain... For decades, almost everyone who has entered this mountain has met with misfortune."
Over time, it became a forbidden place.
Jin Shanyao pondered. She hadn't paid much attention when she last visited Shi Chang'an, but now that she thought about it, it seemed somewhat unusual.
"Wasn't it you who discovered the jade Buddha?"
Su Wenqian laughed and said, "I was able to make it back that time thanks to the route map you provided."
Of course, the Madam Shi also had considerable funds; otherwise, they wouldn't have risked going into the mountains.
Jin Shanyao became interested. In this small world, there was an evil creature even more mischievous than herself. She had to find it and see what it looked like.
" Lord Su, how much does this Hat Mountain cost?"
Su Wenqian was taken aback. "You really want to buy it?" Then, remembering Jin Shanyao, he chuckled. "I was wrong. How could Miss Jin care about such rumors?"
He glanced at the registrar, who replied, " Hat Mountain is rarely visited, its dense vegetation makes this price..."
He paused slightly, "Higher."
Jin Shanyao glared at her, "You can't raise the price just because I want to buy it."
"No, no, Miss Jin, please don't misunderstand. These prices are all marked," the registrar said, Jin Shanyao.
Jin Shanyao exclaimed in surprise, "Six taels of silver per mu? That's too expensive!"
Su Wenqian stroked his beard, leaned back in his chair, and chuckled, "Miss Jin, this is much cheaper than the talismans you sold me. Think about how small talismans are."
Jin Shanyao narrowed her eyes slightly and said in a sinister tone, "Do you know what kind of relationship I have with Old Madam Su? You dare to offer me this price?"
Su Wenqian smiled, "It's okay..."
Oops, I didn't fool you...
Jin Shanyao his wooden head, feeling stuck and realizing that Su Wenqian had stolen his wisdom. He stared wide-eyed for a long time without saying a word.
The room was quiet.
Well... Madam Su finally caught her breath; her double vision had stopped, and her ears were no longer ringing.
Seeing the registrar beside the desk, I wondered when he had come in.
Looking again at her palm, she found a silver needle stuck in it. Meng Anzhi slowly removed the needle and put it into her needle case.
He looked up at her with a sweet smile, " Madam Su, five taels of silver for acupuncture and first aid."
Uh... Madam Su took another deep breath, feeling as if dark clouds were gathering and the whole sky had turned black.