Chapter 23

After nearly two hours, Boss Yuan brought a man dressed in plain clothes but with a sword slung across his waist into the room where Ji Jiu was waiting.

"Young lady, this is Lord Duan who has come to inquire about Red Reishi Mushroom."

"Salutations to the Royal Guard." Ji Jiu hurriedly stood and paid respects to the first elder she had encountered since coming here.

"Madam, you don't have to be polite. The boss told me that you have red reishi mushrooms. Is that true?"

"True, but you have to go pick it up at my house. I'm not comfortable bringing it to you again."

"Okay, do you want me to rent a carriage?"

"It's not necessary. You just have to follow me to the house. If you can secretly follow it, it's best. I don't want anyone to know that you and I know each other."

 Ji Jiu immediately told her her plan. If someone who knew her saw her walking with a man towards the village Even if she secretly entered the house via her shortcut route, there would definitely be problems. Ji Jiu had to take precautions first.

 Guard Duan heard this and raised his eyebrows and looked at Lord Yuan.

"The matter is like this, Your Highness. My mother is an orphan. If someone finds out that she is walking with you to the village, she might be in trouble."

"Oh, then I will do as Little Lady says. She was able to return as normal. I will secretly follow you so no one can see. As for the cost of the red reishi mushroom, I will send it to you after receiving the item. Don't know 5000 Is there enough gourd?"

"Enough of you. You will follow me soon. Today, I thank you very much. Wait for my herbs to dry again and I will come to bother you again."

"Ha ha, no need to thank me, little girl. I have to thank you for helping our region. See you next time."

 Ji Jiu said goodbye to the boss and hurriedly left the shop. She didn't even look at Guard Duan to see how he would follow her. If she turned around, it would be suspicious.

 Ji Jiu hurried to the market to buy some meat to replenish his body. Today there are some vegetables for sale. But Ji Jiu still only bought the thin radishes that were on sale as before. She spent another 75 baht, then hurried to the grocery store to buy rice. She almost forgot that she didn't have enough rice to eat right now.

 But as soon as we left the market, someone called her first.

"Venerable sir Your Highness!" Ji Jiu turned towards the familiar voice and saw the aunt who had once sold her the skinny chicken.

"Auntie, please call me Ji Jiu. I don't dare accept the word benefactor. You sell things, I just buy your things."

"I brought my daughter to thank you. Yu'er, hurry up and thank your elder sister." She pushed the back of a girl who was about 7 years old, in front of Ji Jiu.

"Thank you, sister, for saving my life. If you need anything, please tell me. I am willing to repay you." Qiao Huangyu respectfully thanked Ji Jiu affectionately.

"You don't have to repay me. I didn't do anything bad." Ji Jiu was embarrassed by her first experience of someone thanking her for such a small matter.

"You don't have to worry. We, mother and daughter, live alone. My husband died from drought several months ago. My husband's family kicked me and my children out of the house. So we've always raised chickens to sell. But now I don't have any more chickens and my daughter has recovered, so I'm looking for work in the district. We have been waiting here to see you for many days."

"Ah, I'm sorry, Auntie. So, have you gotten a job yet?" Ji Jiu listened to her story and felt sorry for him. Had a husband who thought wrongly until she actually died. Good thing she never had a family. Otherwise, there would definitely be a headache for the other family.

"I don't have a job yet, Miss. Now that people are starting to immigrate back, it's even more difficult to find work." Aunt Qiao said in a sad tone.

"Sigh, I don't know how to help you. I myself am just an orphan looking for forest products to sell every day." Ji Jiu could only sigh. She didn't know how to help the two mothers either. Even I myself could not survive.

"I understand you. I only told you to express my sorrow. These days, I only talk to my daughter and can't find a solution. Other people in the village were afraid that my husband's family would create problems, so they didn't come to deal with us, mother and son."

"So what can Auntie do?" Ji Jiu really thought about finding a way to help her.

"I can cook for you. My mother used to be a cook before, so she taught me how to cook when I was a child. It's just that my husband's family likes to take advantage of us, mother and son. So I never showed them my skills."

"Oh, so why doesn't Auntie cook food to sell?" Ji Jiu asked curiously.

"I don't have enough savings to open your shop. Moreover, we just went through a drought. I'm afraid no one will buy it and I'll lose money."