Chapter 9: Flesh

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Earlier, she had acquired some inedible items that could still be sold for some money, though caution was necessary. Liu Shi was taken aback. “Zhenzhen, do you want to buy my freedom?” Yu Jin Zhen didn’t elaborate much. “Just think of it that way.” Liu Shi thought her adopted daughter might want to use her gold bracelet and refused without much thought. “No, Zhenzhen, that’s yours—I can’t use your money.” Yu Jin Zhen replied, “Alright then, godmother, just tell me how much it costs. Our family can earn money together later to buy your freedom.” Mu Gu Huai agreed wholeheartedly this time. “Child’s mother, I want to know too. Even if we have no money now, we can work hard together later.” Liu Shi sighed and said, “Don’t think about buying freedom for now. The General’s mansion has strict rules: anyone sold into the mansion cannot buy their freedom, no matter the price. The housekeeper made that clear the day I arrived.” “Even if someone deliberately makes a mistake, the master won’t grant the wish of us servants to be free. Instead, they will be sold again, and if the offense is severe, sent far away where they can never see their family again.” “If you behave well, the master might allow me to come home and reunite with my family about once every ten days.” Yu Jin Zhen frowned. Wouldn’t that mean Liu Shi would be bound to the General’s mansion for life? Such a cruel, feudal society! But where there is a will, there is a way. She would find a way to bring Liu Shi home. Mu Gu Huai’s expression suddenly changed, filled with concern. “Isn’t it dangerous for you there?” Liu Shi didn’t want her family to worry, so she smiled lightly. “It’s indeed dangerous, but I’m just a cook. As long as I cook well, I don’t have to worry about anything else. There’s little chance to see the master, much better than those who serve closely.” Mu Gu Huai and the children considered this and found her reasoning sound, finally relieved. Still, the thought of seeing each other so infrequently saddened the four. Yu Jin Zhen sighed silently. This family was still too naive. The temper of wealthy masters was not something ordinary people could endure. Although Liu Shi spoke lightly, Yu Jin Zhen knew she must have been punished before. At Yu Jin Zhen’s insistence, the family shared five or six jin of cherries. The cherries were juicy and sweet, truly a delight for their tongues. It hadn’t rained in Pine Mountain Village for two years, and the Mu family was reluctant to waste money on anything that wouldn’t fill their stomachs. Thus, the only seasoning they obtained from the Mu family was salt.

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However, after acquiring a space in her previous life and discovering its preservation function, Yu Jin Zhen treated it as a storage room. She had just come back from a supermarket trip before she died, so she still had cooking oil, some meat, vegetables, and seasonings. She had just put these items into a sack. When Yu Jin Zhen pulled out the plastic container of oil, pork belly, cabbage, and other seasonings from the sack, everyone was stunned. Do the wealthy now use such special containers? Liu Shi asked, “Zhenzhen, what are these?” Yu Jin Zhen replied, “Cooking oil, pork belly, cabbage, and seasonings like sesame oil, peppercorn oil, soy sauce...” “Meat!” Hearing that word, the five pairs of eyes lit up instantly. As for the other seasonings, they were overlooked. Mu Gu Huai and Liu Shi suddenly lowered their heads, feeling as if they were taking advantage of their adopted daughter. Seeing their expressions, Yu Jin Zhen understood their thoughts. She took everything out and said, “Godfather, godmother, don’t think too much. You saved my life and raised me for two years. I can never repay such kindness. This little bit is nothing.” Unfortunately, she hadn’t bought much food last time. It might last her a week alone, but with so many men in this family, it would be gone in a day or two. However, daily necessities and seasonings could last longer. The couple was immensely relieved. Many villagers had said that others’ children couldn’t be tamed and advised them not to raise her, even suggesting abandoning Yu Jin Zhen in the mountains. He Shi had even tried multiple times to sell her for money. Now it seemed that effort would be rewarded. Yu Jin Zhen was truly hungry and instructed everyone to prepare the ingredients together. The water used was also taken from the old Mu family’s kitchen. She hoped to find water in a blind box tomorrow. In her previous life, her home had a water purifier, so she never had to buy bottled water. For a moment, everyone was busy.

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Elsewhere, after the old Mu family returned home, the gates were tightly closed. However, He Shi was eager to witness the misfortune of the third branch. Taking advantage of the others being busy, she ignored the injury on her foot and limped out to gather information. Soon after, she encountered five men dressed in black. Though frightened, she longed to see the sorrow on the faces of the third branch members after Liu Shi was taken away, so she quietly followed them. But seeing them head toward the village entrance, she was puzzled. As they were about to leave the village, He Shi thought they hadn’t found Liu Shi and suddenly spoke up, “Excuse me...” The five men turned at once. Seeing it was the troublesome old woman from before, one of them asked coldly, “What do you want from us?” He Shi, excitedly gesturing, said, “You’ve come to capture Liu Shi, right? Can’t find her? I can take you there. I heard their family lives near the stone cave. I was planning to visit anyway.” Perfect. If Liu Shi fell into their hands, she wouldn’t have a good fate. Min En frowned. “Capture Liu Shi? Who is Liu Shi? Are you mistaken?” He Shi felt a bad premonition and asked in shock, “Aren’t you here because Liu Shi made a mistake?” Min En sneered, “We don’t need several people to capture someone. Do you know who we are?” He Shi turned pale. Had she been deceived? Min En sensed something was off. Remembering the girl’s gaze, he asked, “Why would you mistake us for coming to capture Liu Shi?” He Shi’s mind was filled with regret, especially over the gold bracelet. She had planned to use it for her old age or as a dowry for her eldest grandson. Now, having given it away so easily, she had suffered a great loss. She no longer wished to speak and angrily turned to leave. Min En strode forward, drew his sword, and coldly pressed it against He Shi’s throat. “If you don’t explain clearly, you may not leave here alive.”