She's skilled in medicine, martial arts, and even understands animal language—the abandoned dau

Only after the giant python disappeared did Lanxiang finally relax completely.

"Man'er, when did you make these pills? How come I didn't know?"

"It was made from datura flowers I picked a few days ago when we went up the mountain together. Actually, it's not really a painkiller, it just temporarily makes you feel no pain."

"Man'er, who did you learn your medical skills from?" Lanxiang asked curiously, finally revealing the question she had kept hidden in her heart for so long.

"Mom, it was an old man with a white beard who taught me. Every night when I fall asleep, he comes into my dreams and teaches me to recognize herbs and recite herbal rhymes. After seeing them so many times, I've memorized them!"

Lanxiang was very surprised after hearing this, "There are such wonderful things? What else did this white-bearded old man teach you?"

Shen Man smiled and said, "He also taught me many methods for treating illnesses and saving lives, as well as some unique secret recipes. However, I still need to practice some of these recipes to master them."

Lanxiang nodded thoughtfully. "It seems this white-bearded old man is your benefactor. However, you must remember that medical skills are for saving lives, never for harming them."

Shen Man obediently replied, "Mother, don't worry, I understand."

Seeing that her mother had completely believed her words, Shen Man breathed a sigh of relief.

"Mother, it's getting late, we should head down the mountain!"

"it is good!"

The mother and daughter returned home as the sun was already setting.

Shen Man took all the medicinal herbs out of the basket, washed and sorted them with Lan Xiang, and then put them all out in the yard to air dry.

"Mother, this purple ginseng looks really good, and it must be quite old. I estimate it can fetch a good price."

Shen Man looked at the purple ginseng in Lanxiang's hand and said happily.

"Really? That's wonderful! With the money, I can make you a few more winter clothes," Lanxiang said with a smile, her eyes full of joy and anticipation.

Looking at the kind-smiling woman in front of her, Shen Man felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

Lanxiang seemed to have forgotten that she was only a girl in her early twenties, taking on family responsibilities far too early in her youth.

Her face always radiated optimism and resilience, and she never complained, even when life was tough.

At this moment, she was wearing a coarse cloth dress that was patched and repaired many times. Although it was simple, it was neat and clean.

She spent every penny she earned from weaving and embroidery on Shen Man without hesitation.

These efforts not only deeply moved Shen Man, but also made her realize Lan Xiang's deep love and care for her.

Shen Man silently looked at Lanxiang, secretly vowing to repay her kindness.

She knew that she was not related to Lanxiang, and how precious Lanxiang's selfless love was to her. She wanted to work hard to give Lanxiang a better life.

"Mom, I want to earn lots and lots of money so you can live the best life!"

"Okay, Mother is waiting for my Man'er to grow up and live a good life!"

The mother and daughter chatted, and before they knew it, they had finished their work.

For poor families, dinner was nothing to look forward to; it was just a bowl of mixed grain porridge with two dark, hard cornbread buns.

The next day, Shen Man came to the village head's house again, firstly to check on his injuries, and secondly to discuss with him the matter of teaching the villagers how to collect herbs.

Shen Man carefully examined the village head's wound and, finding it was healing well, felt relieved. Then, she suggested to the village head that he teach the villagers how to gather medicinal herbs.

Upon hearing this, the village head frowned and said, "Gathering herbs? That's not an easy task, and most of the villagers don't recognize herbs. How can we teach them?"

Shen Man smiled and said confidently, "Yesterday, my mother and I went up the mountain and collected all the medicinal herbs that Doctor Yu and the others need recently. You can go to my house to see the samples, remember one or two of them, and just collect them accordingly."

The village head thought for a moment and nodded: "Alright, let's give it a try. I'll gather them together in a bit and see how many are willing to go!"

Shen Man said confidently, "Such a good way to make money, no one should be unwilling!"

The village head quickly gathered the villagers together and explained Shen Man's proposal to them.

However, to Shen Man's surprise, the villagers were not interested in it.

"Gathering herbs is not something just anyone can do. It's extremely hard work, not to mention there are all sorts of snakes, insects, and wild beasts roaming the mountains. We have no ability to do that!"

"That's right, with that time, we'd be better off planting more crops." The villagers discussed among themselves, their faces showing reluctance.

Hearing these words, Shen Man's heart sank. She had originally thought that her proposed herb-gathering plan would receive everyone's support and approval, but now it seemed that things were not so simple.

“Medicinal herbs are much more valuable than the crops in your fields! And now that it’s already harvest season, what you’re growing in the fields are just some vegetables, which don’t sell for much money!” Shen Man tried to explain, hoping to persuade everyone to accept her suggestion.

However, the villagers remained unmoved. They felt that gathering herbs was too dangerous, and they didn't know how to distinguish good herbs from bad ones. They were also worried about being deceived by Shen Man.

Seeing everyone's attitude, Shen Man felt somewhat disappointed.

She originally thought this was a good way to improve everyone's lives, but she didn't expect that people wouldn't appreciate it.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out: "Man Yatou, you don't mean to make us pick the herbs so you can profit from the difference, do you? Otherwise, why are you so interested?"

The speaker was Sun Ergou, a good-for-nothing from the east end of the village. He was the laziest and poorest man in Xiaoyao Village.

He usually made a living by stealing chickens and dogs in the village, and he had always coveted Lanxiang. He was once taught a lesson by Hu Xiaoliu, whom Shen Man called over.

Having finally found an opportunity, he began to sow discord.

Upon hearing this, Shen Man's face immediately turned grim. She had never intended to exploit everyone for profit; she genuinely wanted to help the villagers escape poverty. But now, her good intentions had been misunderstood in this way.

Faced with Sun Ergou's questioning, Shen Man took a deep breath and tried her best to remain calm.

She knew that if she couldn't solve this problem, probably no one would believe her anymore.

"Don't worry, the medicinal herbs you collect will be dried and handed over to the village head, who will count them for you. You will receive whatever price you make when you sell them to the clinic. It has nothing to do with me."

However, the quality of the medicinal herbs you collect must be inspected by me. I will not allow you to pass off inferior goods as superior ones and tarnish the reputation of our Xiaoyao Village!

"Hmph, I don't believe it anyway!" Sun Ergou continued.

Seeing this, the village head quickly comforted her, "Man'er, don't be discouraged. Everyone is just not used to this new thing yet, and needs some time to consider it."

Shen Man nodded. She knew very well that the villagers were unwilling to go up the mountain to collect herbs because they could not see any benefit from it.

If she earns money by collecting herbs, the villagers will naturally be tempted.

In the end, out of dozens of households in Xiaoyao Village, only the village head's family was willing to follow Shen Man up the mountain to collect herbs.

Afterwards, the village head's three sons, Changsheng, Changxi, and Changrong, came to Shen Man's house and carefully examined the herbs they had picked from the mountain the day before.

Shen Man patiently introduced the characteristics and uses of each herb to them and taught them some herb-gathering techniques.

They listened with great interest, asking questions from time to time, which Shen Man answered one by one.

During this process, the three Changsheng brothers gradually developed a strong interest in herb gathering, and they began to look forward to their future herb-gathering journeys.

Seeing how enthusiastic the three of them were, Shen Man suggested that they go up the mountain to collect herbs together the next day.

The next day, Lanxiang and her daughter Shen Man, along with Changsheng and his two brothers, set off early for the mountain. Along the way, Shen Man carefully searched for medicinal herbs and taught the three how to identify them, as well as the precautions for picking them.

Changsheng, Changxi, and Changrong learned quickly and soon gained a lot. When they returned to the village with baskets full of herbs, they attracted a lot of villagers to watch.

Seeing that they had gained so much without encountering any danger, everyone couldn't help but feel a little skeptical.

In the following days, the group of people going up the mountain to collect medicinal herbs grew larger and larger, and many villagers secretly followed behind them, secretly learning how to collect herbs.