Ever since she learned that her maiden family was unwilling to take them in, Madam Zhang had already given up on them.

The world is cynical, and human relationships are fickle. One might not feel it during times of peace and prosperity, but once in adversity, this feeling becomes exceptionally clear. It was for this reason that the actions of people like An Zheng and Xu Zhongfang, who disregarded their own safety, were all the more precious.

But Madam Zhang never expected that just when she had completely given up, her maiden family would actually send things over.

Xu Zhongfang said, "It was Madam Zhang's mother who entrusted them to me. She worries about you, sister-in-law, and the nephews and nieces, but she doesn't dare to visit. So, she asked me to bring these things over. She said the Zhang family is not well-off either, and hopes you and the children won't mind that there isn't much."

Madam Zhang's eyes grew moist. She knew very well that without her father's tacit approval, her mother would never have sent things behind his back. Even though she had complained countless times in her heart, at this moment, she still felt that her family was not entirely heartless.

"Father and Mother, are they still in good health?"

"The two elders are still hale and hearty, rest assured, sister-in-law!"

Madam Zhang nodded and took a deep breath. Seemingly feeling she had lost her composure, she left with the words, "Uncle, please stay for a meal today," and turned back into the house to calm her emotions.

Liu Zhen took the opportunity to pull Xu Zhongfang aside and ask, "Uncle, how did Ji Ci find out I was here?"

Xu Zhongfang replied, "I told him. Young Master Ji asked me several times and promised he would not leak the information. I found him to be quite trustworthy in his daily conduct and sufficiently loyal to you all, so I told him. He then entrusted this book to me for you, saying that life in the mountains is hard and you must have nothing to pass the time with. He said to take it and read for now, and that he would come with me to visit you next time."

Liu Zhen shook her head. "The Ji Family has strict rules. Even if he comes, if his family finds out, I'm afraid there will be trouble. Please, Uncle, thank him for his kindness on my behalf and tell him not to come for now."

Xu Zhongfang said, "Alright, I'll tell him when I get back."

Liu Nan had been waiting impatiently at the side. Seeing their conversation come to an end, he quickly pulled Xu Zhongfang aside to ask for guidance on his archery.

Life is the best teacher. After a winter of unceasing daily practice, Liu Nan's archery had improved by leaps and bounds. Now, if he wanted to, he could basically hit small, fast-moving animals. Of course, he was still a long way from the high level of piercing a willow leaf from a hundred paces, but according to Xu Zhongfang, his archery had already shown some accomplishment. As long as he practiced diligently, he wouldn't be at a disadvantage even if he were to face enemies on the battlefield.

Xu Zhongfang only had daughters and no sons, so he doted on Liu Nan exceptionally, naturally teaching him everything he knew. Liu Nan had inherited Liu Yuan's disinterest in studying, but his personality was even more heroic and uninhibited than Liu Yuan's, which perfectly suited Xu Zhongfang's taste. Every time Xu Zhongfang came to see Liu Zhen and the others, he actually spent most of his time with Liu Nan.

The two of them practiced archery in the woods for the better part of the day. When his spirits were high, Xu Zhongfang even told Liu Nan about his experiences in the army back then. From this third uncle's mouth, Liu Nan learned that his father had actually become a Baijiang, a leader of two hundred soldiers, a rank one step higher than the rebel Chen Sheng. However, his father disliked being in the army and wanted to return to his hometown to use his service record to change his mother's status from a slave to a commoner. That's why he feigned an injury to come back. Otherwise, with his abilities, he should have been able to rise even higher.

Liu Nan listened with immense longing and felt great pity for his father. Clashing spears and armored horses, galloping across the battlefield—for a young man full of passion with no outlet, this kind of life was simply too alluring.

But as soon as this thought was voiced, the back of his head received a heavy smack from Xu Zhongfang. "You think the army is so great! In the past, when the seven states vied for supremacy, countless people died. Bai Qi alone buried 400,000 soldiers of the Zhao army alive! If not for being at a dead end, who would be willing to fight for a chance at survival amidst thousands of troops and horses? It's all just being forced by circumstances, out of desperation. Of those who can truly rise to a high position and receive an official rank, there are not even one or two in a thousand. Of the brothers who joined the army with your father and me, many have long since turned to white bones!"

While Xu Zhongfang was giving Liu Nan an ideological lesson on one side, Madam Zhang and Liu Zhen had already prepared lunch on the other.

Madam Zhang was now quite accustomed to life in the mountains. After all, she had decades more experience living as a native than Liu Zhen. Many times, when Liu Zhen was still at a loss, she had already come up with a solution. For instance, a while ago, when they ran out of salt and Xu Zhongfang had not yet arrived, Madam Zhang stopped Liu Nan's idea of going down the mountain. She led them to a rock that antelopes and fawns often licked, scraped off a layer from the rock's surface with a knife, and mixed it into their rice porridge. The bean rice that day indeed had a faint salty taste.

Since then, Liu Zhen no longer dared to underestimate the life wisdom of the ancients. She understood clearly that the advantage she possessed was merely the experience and mentality of an adult from the future, but that kind of experience would only be applicable several thousand years later. In the Qin Dynasty, more than two thousand years ago, what she needed to do was to listen and learn more, not to look down on the ancients just because she hadn't drunk that bowl of Meng Po's soup.

In these precarious circumstances, Madam Zhang, contrary to expectations, grew stronger and took on the responsibilities befitting the matriarch of the family. However, she had too much to do. Her youngest son, Liu Jin, was still a toddler who couldn't speak properly. Liu Wan could barely be considered sensible, occasionally helping to look after her younger brother and sister, but it was certainly impossible for her to reach Liu Zhen's level of precociousness in being responsible for the entire family's meals. She and Liu Zhuang would often be scared into wailing by the howls of unknown beasts in the middle of the night.

Fortunately, children are forgetful. The Liu family had always lived a relatively frugal life, and even the good days after Liu Yuan's promotion hadn't left too deep an impression on their minds. After making a fuss for a period at the beginning, they quieted down.

During the day, when Liu Nan and Liu Zhen went nearby to pick fruits and catch fish, they would also bring them along. Of course, when Liu Wan and Liu Zhuang cried and made a scene, their older brother and sister would absolutely not indulge them. And at these times, Madam Zhang would usually side with Liu Zhen and the others, supporting the disciplining of the two young girls, unlike her previously lenient manner.

The uncertain future made the whole family unprecedentedly united. Their bonds, in fact, became far better than before. This could be considered a blessing in disguise.

By the time a pot of steaming hot wild mushroom soup was ready, Xu Zhongfang and Liu Nan had also returned, drenched in sweat.

"Mother, I can smell meat! Don't tell me we're having meat today?" Liu Nan sniffed, a greedy look on his face.

Madam Zhang smiled, "The two wild rabbits you hunted yesterday, Ah Zhen is still preparing them. You two have some soup first; you can eat soon."

There was some cured meat in the soup pot, along with all sorts of wild mushrooms. The meat broth served as the base, while the wild mushrooms enhanced the soup's freshness. No other seasonings were needed. One sip, and the flavor would instantly flow through all seven orifices, so delicious it made one want to swallow their own tongue.

Xu Zhongfang drank it down in big gulps, heaping praise without restraint, "I see the food you all are having here is in no way inferior to what you had in Xiang Town! And with Ah Zhen's skillful hands, I'm afraid even if Yi Yin and Yi Ya were reborn, they could do no better!"

While they were talking, Liu Zhen had already brought out the rabbit meat she had roasted behind the house. The two wild rabbits didn't amount to much. If roasted whole, there wouldn't have been much meat. So, Liu Zhen had cut the meat into pieces, skewered the rabbit meat with some spring bamboo shoots and wild mushrooms on long, thin branches, and then roasted them. This not only ensured each skewer had a few pieces of rabbit meat but also made the variety seem much richer.

As expected, the roasted skewers were a big hit when they were brought out. Although each person didn't actually get much rabbit meat, they all ate their fill in the end. Liu Wan and Liu Zhuang pestered Liu Zhen to make it again next time.

Liu Nan puffed out his chest and boasted, "My archery has greatly improved! From now on, the hunting is on me! I guarantee my little sisters will get to eat meat every meal!"

Madam Zhang shook her head, "You don't have to spoil them. They haven't suffered much since coming to the mountains. They're even chubbier than before!"

Liu Zhen took a look and couldn't help but chuckle. It was true! Liu Zhuang's face had gained a layer of flesh, making her look even more like a plump, white bun. It was probably because she ran and jumped around all day here, which in turn increased her appetite.

The youngest, Liu Jin, was also brought out. He was a late talker. Now three years old, he still stumbled and staggered when he walked, seeming somewhat slow to develop, which made people quite worried.

Xu Zhongfang sat for a while longer before getting up to leave. His family had now been brought back from his wife's maiden home, and he had to work in the fields every day. Spring was the time for sowing, so Xu Zhongfang was actually very busy. Liu Nan and Liu Zhen walked him part of the way, and before leaving, Xu Zhongfang relayed Ji Ci's words.

"Young Master Ji asked me to tell you that studying and practicing calligraphy are like rowing a boat upstream—if you don't advance, you fall back. He says you must persist every day without fail."

Liu Zhen naturally agreed, a wave of warmth spreading through her heart.

Ji Ci was truly an impeccable friend to her. Books were extremely valuable property in this era, yet he didn't care that Liu Zhen and her family were fugitives' relatives and still sent books over, even running the risk of being discovered by his elders.

As they say, adversity reveals true feelings. This was true for family, and it was true for friends.

What Xu Zhongfang said about Ji Ci finding a chance to visit her was forgotten by Liu Zhen in the blink of an eye. She didn't think Ji Ci would really come all the way here to see her. Even if he was willing, the Ji Family would never agree.

However, one afternoon five days later, when Liu Zhen was sitting under a peach tree by a mountain stream, tired from reading bamboo slips and wanting to rest, she had just lifted her head when she saw a familiar figure standing there.

Judging from his posture, Ji Ci must have been standing there for quite a while, not having just stopped. In truth, Liu Zhen had only not seen him for two or three months, but he felt greatly changed. The youth was still as handsome and elegant as before, but he had shed his androgynous beauty, which was replaced by gradually sharpening features and an increasingly steady demeanor.

"Oh my, Ah Ci, you've grown so much taller!"

The first words after a long-awaited reunion left Ji Ci not knowing whether to laugh or cry.