...

The outer courtyard of the Zhou Family’s Troupe is a sand arena, where in the afternoon some idle masters gather to drink tea and chat, forming a tea circle.

However, the current outer courtyard resembles a vegetable market,

Various mountain delicacies are piled and clustered in rows, with oil paper underneath, as dozens of masters squat and pick through them, while some apprentices chatter in groups.

Upon seeing Zhou Lingyi, all the masters and apprentices stood up to greet her.

"Class Leader."

"Where is the Red Ginseng Child?" Zhou Lingyi asked urgently.

The masters and apprentices looked at each other, and one master pointed to two unopened porcelain jars, saying: "The Red Ginseng Child you mentioned must be a treasure, those two porcelain jars, the senior master specially instructed not to open them..."

Zhou Lingyi had already floated over to the jars and removed the sealing paper; sunlight poured into the jars, and she only saw trembling little palm-shaped ginseng roots—the Snow Mountain Palm Ginseng.

She opened the seal of the other jar, and it was also Palm Ginseng.

"No Red Ginseng Child," Zhou Lingyi said.

At this moment, Yu Zhengyuan ran over, breathing heavily, hands on his knees, and said intermittently, "Class Leader, the Red Ginseng Child hasn’t arrived yet. Lord Jian visited the Zhou Family’s Troupe saying the East Mountain Fox Clan is coming to deliver the child, but they’ve not arrived yet."

The Fox Clan hasn’t arrived, so the Red Ginseng Child can only wait.

Zhou Lingyi finally regained her usual composure and instructed Yu Zhengyuan, "Senior Brother, given the Fox Clan’s substantial gift, we must reciprocate politely. Buy fireworks, candies, pastries, and enliven the street with festivities, then have all the masters and apprentices stop their tasks and await the East Mountain Fox Clan at the entrance."

As she spoke, she pointed to the mountain delicacies resembling a market, saying, "As for these mountain treasures, store them in the warehouse; they are unsightly outside. If any troupe members fall seriously ill and need them for medicine, report to the second senior brother; I’ve seen the list, so arrange for distribution accordingly."

"Understood, Class Leader."

Yu Zhengyuan, adept at handling the Zhou Family’s Troupe’s affairs, followed Zhou Lingyi’s instructions efficiently.

Meanwhile, Zhou Lingyi stood at the entrance, waiting for the Fox Clan.

...

As the sun set, the Fox Clan didn’t arrive, but Zhou Lingyi met Lord Jian and Lord Jiu.

"I’ve arranged personnel for transporting grain and medicine, and now that it’s done, I’ve come to see the Red Ginseng Child."

Lord Jian smiled and gave a cordial gesture to Zhou Lingyi.

Lord Jiu also remarked, "That Red Ginseng Child is something we’ve only seen recorded in ancient books, never in reality. I, Old Jiu, have come to enjoy the commotion too."

"The news you bring is truly informed, sirs."

"Oh, it’s not our information that’s well-informed; it’s your Class Leader’s news that’s too unaware. I came today and haven’t seen your Class Leader; what important matters is she occupied with?"

Lord Jian questioned.

Zhou Lingyi hesitated to explain directly, diverting the topic: "The Fox Clan is adept at running; by my estimations, they should’ve arrived. Unless some news leaked, and the Red Ginseng Child fell into other hands in the State governments..."

"For the transport of relief supplies, Ping Shui Prefecture and Mingjiang Prefecture have formed a solid front. No one is brazen enough to interfere."

Lord Jian reassured.

"Indeed."

Zhou Lingyi gazed into the distant streets, while at the entrance of the Zhou Family’s Troupe, pastries and candies were given free, and fireworks exploded noisily, attracting many locals, creating a lively and festive scene.

She vaguely recalled the day Lady Lianhua sent for Zhou Xuan to give a storytelling performance.

On that day, Zhou Xuan wore a newly made tunic, carried in a sedan chair by yellow-skinned carriers, making a splendid debut.

"That day, Elder Yuan and I escorted Xuanzi."

Now, much has changed,

Zhou Xuan is now capable on his own, leading Mingjiang Prefecture forward, while Yuan Buyu seems to be weighed down by the rolling years of life’s wheel, teetering precariously.

"Red Ginseng Child, hurry over."

Zhou Lingyi was just muttering when she heard someone shouting in the crowd.

"What a big fox!"

"The fox has become a spirit monster!"

"It looks like it might take someone away to eat!"

Zhou Lingyi hurriedly called out, "Those are the immortal family from the Fox Clan, spiritually attuned and enlightened—certainly not ordinary spirit monsters."

With the assurance from Zhou Lingyi, the crowd calmed, as the nearby locals increasingly recognized her as a person of great ability.

Four foxes ran in quickly, transforming into human forms before Zhou Lingyi.

"The East Mountain Fox Clan would like to thank the Zhou Family’s Troupe for opening a Tangkou for the immortal family, and has therefore prepared some humble gifts to knock on your door..."

Hu Yunyi had just begun speaking when Zhou Lingyi swiftly seized the swaddling from the Old Fox Immortal’s abdomen, saying, "My apologies for any discourtesy; I sincerely ask for forgiveness."

The eldest child among the Red Ginseng Children was already snatched by Zhou Lingyi, and though Hu Yunyi wanted to speak, he saw this female Class Leader, with a flowing wind and returning snow stance, retreat into the Zhou Family’s Troupe.

"Second Brother, Fourth Brother, Sixteenth Brother, Nineteenth Brother."

Sister Cui ran out from the crowd, still wearing a cooking apron and sleeves.

She enthusiastically embraced Hu Yunyi, who was puzzled, "Little sister, what’s peculiar about this Class Leader? Though we’re here to present gifts, shouldn’t there be some decorum—she shouldn’t accept them so swiftly, at least wait until we leave before examining the gifts."

The custom of waiting for the guests to leave before opening and using gifts is understood by the Fox Clan too.

Sister Cui glanced at the direction where Zhou Lingyi disappeared, scratching her head: "The Class Leader normally isn’t like this."

...

At the wooden door of the rear courtyard, Zhou Lingyi lifted a corner of the swaddling, confirmed the presence of the cute reddish child, and knocked on the door, "Elder Yuan, I’ve brought you medicine."