Chapter 23: A Huge Misunderstanding

The back mountain was quiet, save for the rustling of leaves in the wind and the occasional chirping of insects, which added to its secluded atmosphere.

She went to the back mountain for two reasons. First, to gather supplies.

In these times of scarcity, having more things was always a good thing; better safe than sorry.

Second, to forage for wild vegetables.

She couldn't go without food and water, and she couldn't appear useless or worthless in front of her family.

Besides, her relationship with her second sister-in-law was only that of aunt and aunt who had joined the family later in life, so she had to be even more careful.

These wild vegetables would not only improve their meals but could also be used to curry favor and build good relationships with the villagers.

More friends meant more opportunities; more friends might mean more information.

Most importantly, Li Yaqin remembered that in the story, a high-ranking military officer would encounter danger in the back mountain.

Saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda—this was an old saying passed down from their ancestors.

Li Yaqin was only after this life-saving grace.

She didn't expect anything in return, not marriage.

Gratitude was enough.

Some reward would be ideal. A job would be perfect.

For example, a warehouse manager, a warehouse gatekeeper, or even just a locksmith.

High pay and little work—that was Li Yaqin's ultimate goal.

With a job, she would have a stable income and wouldn't have to live at the mercy of others.

Ideally, it would be a job that didn't require much work but still paid her a salary.

Then she could stay peacefully in her space, farming, tending flowers, and living her own quiet life.

Just thinking about it made her feel wonderful.

Even though Li Yaqin clearly remembered the exact dates the officers encountered danger, she still went to the back mountain every day to scout the area.

If she went into the mountain on just one day without any reason, any normal person would suspect she was plotting something.

No one who becomes an officer, especially one who stands out in fierce competition, is a fool.

Some officers might turn a blind eye, pretending not to know anything.

But if you go every day, it's no coincidence; if you only go on one particular day, there's definitely ulterior motive.

Those who think others are fools are the biggest fools.

Li Yaqin knew all too well that behind every coincidence lay a hidden purpose.

Especially those from prominent, well-established families; their children are cunning beyond measure.

Her own petty schemes would be as laughable as child's play in their eyes.

Especially those scions of wealthy families; a single sentence could conceal a dozen traps, making them impossible to guard against.

She was no match for them.

Therefore, she could only seek out those kinds of people to protect her.

These people either enjoyed playing against intelligent individuals or craved the feeling of being in control.

Danger and opportunity coexisted.

Li Yaqin planned in her mind that she would come every day, rain or shine, to appear natural.

That way, people would believe she was genuinely just there to gather wild vegetables.

She took a deep breath; the air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and grass.

This back mountain was truly a treasure trove.

Li Yaqin walked along, looking around.

Besides wild vegetables, she also found some mushrooms and wild fruits.

These were all good things; she could use them to improve her meals.

Li Yaqin carefully picked the fruits and placed them in her basket.

A bountiful harvest!

Good luck today.

Looks like coming to the back mountain was definitely the right decision.

Li Yaqin's steps quickened.

She had to hurry and get back before dark.

Otherwise, her second sister-in-law would worry.

Li Yaqin silently prayed, hoping her plan would succeed.

She hoped that the high-ranking officer was a grateful person.

She hoped he would give her a chance to change her fate.

Li Yaqin clenched her fists, her eyes resolute.

She believed that as long as she persevered, she would definitely achieve her goal.

One step at a time, starting with daily reconnaissance.

First, familiarize herself with the terrain, then wait for the right opportunity.

Then, it's time to rescue people.

After rescuing them, she can naturally make her demands.

Everything must fall into place naturally.

"I absolutely mustn't rush things."

Li Yaqin repeatedly told herself this.

What she needed most right now was patience.

Only patience could allow her to have the last laugh in this game.

Lately, Li Yaqin had been leaving before dawn and returning very late.

Each time she came back, she carried a basket filled with wild vegetables and mountain produce.

Li Panpan watched this, her heart growing increasingly uneasy.

She felt that Li Yaqin's behavior was somewhat abnormal, not like that of an unmarried girl.

Li Panpan, heavily pregnant, sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), her heart filled with unease.

She worried that if Li Yaqin continued like this, it would damage the Li family's reputation.

After all, in this era, a woman's reputation was more important than anything else.

Moreover, she was carrying the Li family's child; she didn't want her unborn child to be gossiped about in the future.

The more Li Panpan thought about it, the more she felt that Li Yaqin might be trying to climb the social ladder.

She suspected Li Yaqin might have set her sights on a wealthy and powerful family.

She wanted to use some improper means to find a good partner and escape her current impoverished life.

After all, Li Yaqin was quite attractive and literate; it was understandable that she had high aspirations.

Li Panpan thought it over and decided to suppress her suspicions and wait for Li Qiang to return from his mission, letting him handle things himself.

As the sister-in-law, Li Panpan didn't want to interfere too much. After all, her sister-in-law would eventually marry out, and there was no need to create unnecessary tension.

That day, Li Yaqin left early again.

She returned carrying a basket as dusk approached.

As soon as she entered, Li Panpan called her back.

"Yaqin, come here. I have something to tell you," Li Panpan said seriously.

Li Yaqin was taken aback; she hadn't expected Li Panpan to suddenly speak to her.

She was a little confused, but still obediently went over.

"Sister-in-law, what's wrong?" Li Yaqin asked.

Li Panpan looked at Li Yaqin and asked bluntly, "Yaqin, you've been going out early and coming home late lately. What have you been busy with?"

Li Yaqin didn't expect Li Panpan to ask this, and she panicked a little.

She couldn't very well say that she was secretly going to the mountains to collect herbs to prepare for the future because of her memories, could she?

"I... I was just wandering around, seeing if there was anything I could do," Li Yaqin stammered.

Seeing Li Yaqin's hesitant stammering, Li Panpan became even more certain of her guess.

She sighed and said earnestly, "Yaqin, I know you're a good girl and want to live a good life."

"But there are some things you can't do. You're a young woman, running around outside all day; what if you run into some bad people?"

"Besides, your ambiguous relationship with other men won't be good for your reputation if word gets out!"

Li Yaqin was struck dumb, standing there stunned.

She never imagined that her daily hard work going up the mountain to find supplies to improve her life,

would be misunderstood like this by her second sister-in-law…

This was more unjust than Dou E's story!

Damn it, looking for work opportunities.

Improving her living standards?

In her second sister-in-law's eyes, it had become… had become that kind of thing?

How could it have become an improper relationship?

Li Yaqin was both angry and anxious; she desperately wanted to explain and clear up this misunderstanding.

But she couldn't reveal the existence of the spatial dimension.

Even more so, she couldn't say that she was waiting for the high-ranking officer in the plot, planning for a happy future.

Renowned grievances, anxiety, helplessness… a multitude of emotions surged within her, like a tangled mess blocking her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Her eyes burned, tears welled up, but she bit her lip tightly, refusing to let them fall.

She wanted to explain, to defend herself, but the words stuck in her throat, as if something was blocking them, and she couldn't utter a single word.

Seeing Li Yaqin's appearance, Li Panpan's suspicions deepened.

Could she have been right?

This girl, she usually seemed so honest, how could she…

Sigh, you can never truly know someone's heart!

She felt even more disappointed.

Li Yaqin bit her lower lip tightly, her nails digging deeply into her palms.

She struggled to control her emotions, preventing the tears from falling.

Any explanation now would be futile.

Because she couldn't reveal the truth.

The existence of this space was her greatest secret, one that absolutely could not be exposed.

And the plan involving the high-ranking officer was something she couldn't speak of.

It concerned her future happiness; she couldn't risk it.

But the feeling of being misunderstood was truly unbearable.

Especially when misunderstood by someone close to her.