A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

Gu Xixi said calmly, "Just let everyone know that if someone comes to visit, there's no need to watch them like they're thieves. Just do your own thing."

"First of all, you've already worked hard enough, there's no need to waste your energy on other things."

"Secondly, there are quite a few people who share the same thoughts as Second Master Gu."

"I'd like to see what else they're planning to do."

As Chen Dafu listened, he nodded, and by the end, he couldn't help but smile knowingly.

"understand!"

Gu Xixi didn't care about keeping it a secret because the real secret was the agricultural technology etched in her memory—a scientific, comprehensive, and locally adapted farming method.

However, Gu Xixi did this not because she wanted to monopolize the technology; she was simply waiting.

Once all the restlessness settles down, it's like pruning the branches of a fruit tree, cutting off the harmful parts and leaving the parts that are beneficial to the whole.

A common man is not guilty of carrying a jade.

The farmer and the snake—Gu Xixi certainly didn't want to end up being the farmer.

Having arranged everything, Gu Xixi went to Sister-in-law Qin's orchard, which was the closest to her.

Qin Da Sao and her husband were weeding in the orchard.

Seeing Gu Xixi approaching, Sister-in-law Qin dropped her hoe and ran over happily, "Xixi, you've come at the right time! My herbs have grown tall, and I'm just waiting to see if they're ready for harvest!"

Gu Xixi followed Sister-in-law Qin into the woods.

"The houttuynia cordata here is just ripe; if we don't dig it up soon, it will become too old."

"The Isatis root over there should be ready in a few days, around the time of the Beginning of Summer."

"The other types take longer to grow, so we'll have to wait a bit longer. However, herbs with longer growth periods fetch higher prices."

Qin's sister-in-law was overjoyed to have made a harvest so quickly. "That's great! We'll dig up the houttuynia cordata in a little while, put it in a cool, ventilated place to dry, and then we can sell it at the pharmacy in the city!"

Because Sister-in-law Qin grows medicinal herbs, Gu Xixi had informed the old doctor beforehand that Sister-in-law Qin, who didn't know how to process the herbs, could consult the old doctor.

Gu Xixi said, "This houttuynia cordata will continue to grow after it is dug up."

"Moreover, with a growing season of several months each year, as long as it is properly cared for, it grows vigorously and can be dug up almost every day."

Sister-in-law Qin was overjoyed. "Really? Isn't this a hen that can lay eggs?"

She called out to her husband to tell him the good news.

He then asked Gu Xixi, "How do we dig to make it like you described, endlessly regenerating?"

Gu Xixi took the small hoe and squatted down to teach Sister-in-law Qin how to dig up houttuynia cordata.

Then he took a walk around the orchard and told Sister-in-law Qin and her husband how to prune the branches.

Next, we went to two fruit orchards that grew vegetables and one fruit orchard that grew medicinal herbs. We went from one to another.

At noon, He Jinglan ran out to meet Gu Xixi.

She didn't need to ask for directions, because An Qinghe offered to lead the way.

Gu Xixi was constantly busy, sometimes explaining things to others, and sometimes doing things herself.

He Jinglan and An Qinghe followed closely behind, watching with great interest.

After visiting several houses, we finally arrived at the village elder Qian's house in the evening.

Gu Xixi tried her best to ignore the two tails behind her, but the two curious children kept a close eye on her every move, like children chasing after a circus troupe.

Gu Xixi finally couldn't hold back any longer and said, "It's almost dark, aren't you tired?"

He Jinglan said with a smile, "You haven't rested yet. I'm just watching, I'm not tired."

Gu Xixi sighed, "What's so interesting about farm work? Aren't you tired of watching it for so long?"

He Jinglan and An Qinghe shook their heads with silly smiles in unison.

He Jinglan said, "You just said that the village chief's family raises chickens and ducks. I want to see!"

An Qinghe: "Xixi, I love watching whatever you do. We'll be working together in the future, so I need to learn in advance."

Gu Xixi was powerless to object and silently allowed them to continue following.

Aunt Qian knew in advance that Gu Xixi was coming, so she sent Old Qian back to cook while she stayed to wait.

The process for inspecting the orchards is basically the same as the previous ones.

The free-range chickens and ducks in the forest are quite eye-catching.

Gu Xixi asked, "Aren't you worried about these poultry getting lost since the area isn't fenced off?"

Aunt Qian smiled mysteriously, "Don't be afraid."

She whistled, and from the dim depths of the orchard, two shadowy figures emerged, swaying slightly.

Upon closer inspection, there was a large, snow-white goose and a large, bright red rooster with black feathers and a green tail.

The rooster flapped its wings and flew up to the height of a person, landing on a nearby tree branch.

He Jinglan exclaimed in astonishment, "This chicken looks really fierce."

"If those cockfighting enthusiasts in the capital saw this, they'd be willing to pay several dozen taels of silver!"

"Really?" Aunt Qian exclaimed in surprise. "My husband said he carefully selected this chicken. We can sell the whole thing for a high price in the future."

"I didn't believe it at first, but I didn't expect someone would actually buy a rooster and not just cook it?"

He Jinglan nodded and said, "Of course, how can a chicken meant for eating be as valuable as a fighting cock?"

"Once a good fighting rooster makes a name for itself, people will fight over it."

Aunt Qian couldn't understand the manners of the high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital.

All she knew was that if she raised this rooster well, she could make money.

Aunt Qian said gratefully to Gu Xixi, "Before, when that old bachelor came to cause trouble, it was all thanks to you who told me to raise a few fierce poultry. They can guard the house and protect the forest, and they can also be used to increase the yield of my orchard."

"In addition to buying several chicks and ducklings, we specifically chose this rooster and that goose."

Gu Xixi looked at the big white goose.

The fighting prowess of geese is renowned, making them a fearsome presence for children in the countryside.

The white goose twisted its neck a few times, and surprisingly, it made eye contact with An Qinghe. It then flapped its wings and sped over.

At this moment, Aunt Qian was saying, "But recently no one has come to cause trouble, so these two haven't had a chance to be used yet."

Suddenly, An Qing let out a scream and ran away as fast as he could, yelling, "Ouch! How could this bird bite?!"

"Don't chase me! My butt!!"

Aunt Qian quickly chased after the goose, trying to rescue An Qinghe.

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan exchanged a glance, almost forgetting that An Qinghe might never have seen such a large goose before.

When they returned to Gu Xixi's house, dinner was already prepared.

This morning, after getting up, He Jinglan insisted on paying for Aunt Zhang's room and board.

Seeing this, An Qinghe also wanted to pay for food and lodging, but every time he came, he brought a lot of food, supplies and toys, so Aunt Zhang refused to accept his money anymore.

Aunt Zhang is also very efficient; tonight's dinner table had one more meat dish and one more vegetable dish than usual.

The meat dish consisted of two wild rabbits bought from a nearby hunter, braised with dried chestnuts stored from last year, filling a large plate.

During the meal, Gu Xixi saw Shi Tou put down his paper and pen and asked in confusion, "The school hasn't been open for so long, how come there are still unfinished assignments?"

Stone looked up. "This is the homework the teacher assigned today."

Gu Xixi was taken aback. Could it be that Mu Nanzhao had returned?

It shouldn't be.

Without news of a border war, it's impossible for the war to end so quickly.

Immediately afterwards, Stone said, "It's the new Master Liu."