Chapter 43: Chapter 43 – What does it have to do with me?
 

Qi Yue silently clenched her fingertips.

Her hands itched!

How could she encounter a treasure mountain and not take even a tiny bit?

No, that simply wasn’t her style!

Moreover, there was plenty of room!

But this treasure might not be so easy to seize—if only she had some time to ease into it!

She silently made up her mind, already formulating a plan in her heart.

Upon exiting the passageway, she indeed saw a narrow gorge opposite her with a waterfall hanging above, arrogantly crashing down into the deep pool below.

Qi Yue could tell something was off about this place at a glance.

Such abundant water resources would usually mean lush vegetation, even in autumn it shouldn’t be so desolate.

Apart from the rugged rocks, there was nothing else here.

Seeing the deliberately arranged stone bridge in the river bed, she became even more certain.

This place was all man-made, including the waterfall, probably by someone diverting river water and channeling it along the terrain.

The absence of trees here, besides being related to the soil quality, was likely also to avoid attracting people or animals and thus exposing the silver mine.

Such operations must have been going on for at least 50 years.

She thought about the mined ore and smelted silver—it must be quite a lot by now!

The thought that the real silver mountain was right before her eyes excited Qi Yue immensely!

She would have to take some of the silver and ore.

Hehe.

The exile convoy had already settled not far from the pool’s edge.

Some were lying by the water drawing it; others had gone into the water.

They said they had found fish in the water.

Qi Yue asked Zhao Yonglian to find a place to settle down first, while she went to discuss resting here with Guan Yidao.

At that moment, Guan Yidao was holding a sheepskin map and looking around. Seeing Qi Yue approach, he didn’t bother to acknowledge her and kept his head down, studying the map.

Qi Yue said nothing, merely stood by waiting, and also took a few glances at the map.

“What are you doing here?”

Guan Yidao finally raised his head, the scar at the corner of his eye fiercely intimidating.

“I came to ask Commander Guan whether we are resting next or immediately continuing on our way,” she said.

“Do you have arrangements?” Guan Yidao frowned at her, his face thick with suspicion.

Qi Yue casually pointed towards the distance, speaking softly, “This place has a nice environment, with water and fish, and we might find something to eat on the mountain; I plan to try my luck.”

Upon hearing this, Guan Yidao’s eyebrows relaxed, and even his lips curled slightly.

“Your luck has always been good.”

Qi Yue raised her eyebrows.

“Commander Guan’s luck is also very good.”

How could it not be?

Which one of the chickens, sheep, or rabbits had not been shared with him?

“Then go ahead,” Commander Guan put away the map in his hand, tucking it into his chest.

Qi Yue turned away, but then heard Commander Guan call out to her again.

“Miss Qi Yue!”

Qi Yue turned back to look at the man, who seemed to be in his forties.

Although not young, his slightly weathered face still retained a genuine fervor, which didn’t quite match his rugged demeanor.

“Is there anything else, Commander Guan?”

Guan Yidao’s thick lips pressed together.

“I never saw you as a child, but your father said you were naive and romantic, spirited and brave, very much like a boy.”

This was questioning her.

Qi Yue lifted her brows, her eyes narrowing slightly, slightly glaring.

“But he died when I was 10 years old.”

Having said this, she no longer paid attention to Guan Yidao’s shocked expression and turned away.

It was also at this moment that she suddenly realized.

She and the original host had astonishingly similar fates.

Both lost their fathers at the age of 10.

And both fathers were greatly loving, self-sacrificing people.

The difference was that after her father died, he was slandered with no name left, Whereas Qi Yunzhang had left behind a good name that also imposed a burden of an illusory reputation on his only daughter, Qi Yue.

“What does that have to do with me?”

Qi Yue forcefully dismissed her distracting thoughts and started thinking about her silver mine.

From the glimpse of the map she had just seen, the previous passage wasn’t a wasted effort.

At this moment, they had already directly crossed the last section of the Dayuan Uninhabited Area, saving a full five days of travel.

Just one more day traveling south, and they would reach the final destination of the Place of Exile—Longnan County Government.

She looked up at the sky.

It was 1-3 PM.

She had at least five shichen to handle the silver mine matter.

Everything was ready except for collecting the silver.

She bit her lip and walked over to Zhao Family’s campsite, where she saw Shen Yu packing up some food.

Back when they were in Yuezhou City, she had bought a pot, which now could be used to make some hot soup or rice.

As she walked over, she glanced at Cong Zhonglan not far away, who was hiding under a nearby boulder nursing two children, with Zhang Zhao accompanying her.

“Mom, I’ll catch some fish to make a pot of soup for everyone to have a bit,”

Shen Yu smiled at her.

“Okay, Yueyue, that’s tough on you.”

“It’s no trouble, just a little thing to do.”

Qi Yue also took the jar for water, planning to bring back some Spiritual Spring Water as well.

As she turned her head, she saw from afar Zhao Yonglian returning with Zhao Xiyan on his back, and it suddenly reminded her of something she had been neglecting.

For a person whose legs were numb, how did they manage those needs when they went to the bathroom?

Previously, Zhao Xiyan was a Marquis, naturally served by his attendants, but now…

She suddenly felt a bit embarrassed.

In theory, as Zhao Xiyan’s wife by a strategic marriage, these were within her duties.

Fortunately, there was Zhao Yonglian.

She gratefully glanced at Zhao Yonglian and, while they weren’t noticing, quickly left the scene.

If Zhao Xiyan saw that, he would definitely feel very awkward too!

She needed to find a way to make him a pair of crutches and get a wheelchair, which would make things much easier.

It was odd—despite drinking so much Spiritual Spring Water that the Zhao family’s physiques had visibly improved, why were his legs still completely numb?

It seemed quite tricky indeed.

Qi Yue jumbled these thoughts, arriving quickly at the pond’s edge.

She dipped her hand into the water, effortlessly pulling up a few big fat fish from her space.

She then pretended to fill the water jug in the pond but actually filled it with water from her space.

Carrying six fish back, she gathered countless envious and astonished gazes along the way.

Qi Fengzhang also stepped forward to befriend her, indicating that he wanted to try two of the fish. Qi Yue shot him a glare that scared him off.

His reaction sparked a round of discussions among the people.

“Why is Miss Qi like this, not caring for anyone at all?”

“Exactly. She’s only caring about the Zhao Family. Has she completely forgotten her own family after getting married?”

“With such luck, can’t she catch a few more fish to share with us too?”

“…”

These voices weren’t low, and Qi Yue heard everything, particularly Qi Fengzhang’s inciting tone in the crowd.

She pressed her lips tightly, unbothered. Her uncle was being troublesome.

It looked like she had another issue to address.

Back at camp, she handed the fish to Shen Yu and also instructed Zhao Shuanghua to give two to Guan Yidao.

“Mom, I’m going to check the mountain side for rabbits. If there are any, I’ll bring some back to roast and make dried meat for the journey.”

With so many people, including a woman who had just given birth, it was critical to have ample food.

“Okay,” Shen Yu responded, her face filled with concern, “perhaps let your uncle accompany you for some company.”

Cong Zhonglan came over with her child, looking grateful yet apprehensive.

“Miss Qi, if you feel comfortable, let Zhang Zhao go with you; he knows how to hunt too.”

Qi Yue tugged at the corner of her mouth.

“No need, I’ll be back quickly.”

What good is being able to hunt?

Could he beat taking things directly from her space?

Besides, her true purpose wasn’t hunting!