Chapter 33: Sneaking Around Like a Thief!

Mother Song looked a little surprised, testing the weight of the basket in her hand. "So it really is."

Huanya nodded, beaming as she said, "Right now, fresh perilla leaves go for about three to five wen a pound. Once dried, they can reach fifteen wen, and if the quality is good, they can even sell for seventeen or eighteen."

As she spoke, Huanya sighed. "If only we could sell them directly to the apothecary."

Unfortunately, the quantity was too small, and they wouldn't take them.

Seeing her spirits dampen, Mother Song chuckled. "Come now, finding this many is already a stroke of great luck, isn't it? We shouldn't be greedy for more. Hmm?"

She consoled her, "Besides, if we process these medicinal herbs well, the herb merchants will surely come looking for us in the future. We can treat this as a long-term business."

Huanya nodded as she listened. "That's true!"

"Let's go, let's go. We need to hurry back and get these dried."

"Okay!"

Energized, Huanya picked up her pace. After walking just a few steps, she stopped to help Mother Song carry the basket, and the two headed home together.

They hadn't been walking long after leaving the mountainside before they reached the Song residence. As they chatted and laughed, approaching the front door, they both came to a sudden halt.

"Auntie, who is that?"

Huanya lifted her chin, pointing toward the woman standing at the entrance of the Song house.

Mother Song took one look and her expression darkened. She shouted sternly, "Guiying! What are you doing at my door?"

Sister-in-law Guiying jumped in fright and hurriedly retreated a few paces. Seeing who had arrived, she offered a sheepish smile. "I... I just came to look for you, Auntie. What is this..."

Noticing the full basket on Mother Song's back and the woven vine basket in her hand, Guiying's curiosity was immediately piqued.

"Did you go up the mountain, Auntie? What are these?"

As she spoke, she stepped forward, stopping right in front of Mother Song, and reached out to touch the leaves in the basket.

*Slap!*

"Hiss!" Sister-in-law Guiying yanked her hand back instantly, shouting in anger, "You girl! Why are you hitting people?"

She looked up, only to be met with Huanya's fierce glare.

The look in her eyes was as if she were ready to devour her whole.

Sister-in-law Guiying's confidence faltered instantly. "Who... who are you?"

Huanya glared at her. "Never mind who I am! This belongs to my family! You are not allowed to touch it!"

Mother Song was stunned. She looked at Huanya in surprise, having never realized before that the girl had such a temper!

"You!" Guiying wanted to say she was just looking, but under Huanya's gaze, she felt guilty. She turned her eyes away and said to Mother Song, "Auntie, I just came by to see if you still needed anyone to help with work."

She laughed awkwardly, trying to show that she really had no ulterior motives.

Mother Song merely glanced at her and shook her head. "No, we don't. Huanya has already finished all the work in the fields, so we won't be needing anyone in the future."

"Oh, I see." Sister-in-law Guiying nodded awkwardly, her gaze shifting back to Huanya. "Is this Huanya?"

"What business is it of yours?" Huanya sensed immediately that the woman was no good.

Sneaking around someone's doorway, peering inside, and full of lies.

"You girl, you've got quite a temper." Having been snubbed by Huanya repeatedly, Sister-in-law Guiying's expression soured.

"My husband is older than Song Tiancheng, so you should at least call me sister-in-law!"

"My Tiancheng has no sister-in-law like you," Mother Song retorted sharply. "If you have nothing to do, then hurry home. Oh, I recall your own corn harvest isn't finished yet, is it? Already busy eyeing my family's business?"