Chapter 184: The Mountains of Lingnan

Chapter 184: Chapter 184: The Mountains of Lingnan

Waking up the next morning, Ling Qianjun and his family heard a chaotic, noisy clamor outside. He had been the first to rise, soon followed by the rest. Frowning, Ling Qianjun walked to the window and looked out.

He hadn’t expected the noise to be from the relatives of other exiled prisoners delivering supplies. They had only been at the exile settlement for a single day, yet these people were already here. What incredible speed! He couldn’t help but think of his own family. Was his eldest sister, far away in Capital City, worrying about him as well?

Ling Qianjun stepped out of the room and saw groups of people conversing with the exiles. Some were weeping, some offering comfort, and others handing over parcels. By this time, Xu Panqing, Ling Yunge, and Ling Qianfan were also up, and they followed Ling Qianjun outside. Walking together, the group remained silent, their thoughts drifting to the eldest daughter and sister they had left far behind in Capital City.

Ling Qianfan was overwhelmed with emotion. He remembered his eldest sister’s care and devotion toward him, and his heart ached with how much he missed her. Ling Yunge recalled her sister’s gentle and kind nature, desperately wishing she could see her again. Beside them, Xu Panqing couldn’t stop secretly wiping away her tears.

"Since they’re here, our relative can come as well," Ling Qianjun said, looking at his family.

They had agreed on this plan last night, though they hadn’t expected the opportunity to present itself so early. However, it was still dawn, and Ling Qianjun knew Hua Buwan liked to sleep in. Not wanting to disturb her so early, they decided to carry on with their own morning tasks.

They set off up the mountain.

Having just settled in this village, they still didn’t know what the mountain had to offer. Since they would inevitably need to hunt and forage for wild vegetables and fruits to survive, they needed to scout the terrain in advance. The entire Ling family ventured up the mountain, leaving no one behind. Ling Qianfan primarily shadowed Ling Qianjun to learn how to hunt and set snares, while Xu Panqing and Ling Yunge gathered wild vegetables, fruits, and the medicinal herbs Hua Buwan had previously mentioned. They were full of anticipation, wondering if they would find the specific herbs Hua Buwan wanted.

The mountain was lush and verdant, thick with towering trees. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, dappling the ground with luminous patches. The crisp mountain air carried the earthy scent of soil and vegetation, leaving them feeling refreshed and joyful.

As they trekked further up the mountain path, an intermittent RUSTLE from the roadside grass suggested small animals darting about within. Flocks of birds perched on the branches, their clear, melodious songs echoing cheerfully through the woods.

Eventually, they emerged into a wide, open meadow blanketed in a gorgeous array of colorful wildflowers. A crystal-clear stream flowed alongside the grass, its waters so transparent they could easily spot the sand, pebbles, and tiny fish swimming near the bottom.

Continuing along the stream, they discovered a cluster of fruit trees heavily laden with fruit. The lower branches had already been stripped bare; the remaining fruit grew high up, requiring one to climb to the very top to reach them. This, however, was child’s play for Ling Qianjun. The family ran over excitedly as Ling Qianjun scaled the trunk and tossed down some fruit for them to try. The taste was incredibly sweet.

Further up the mountain, they spotted some medicinal herbs. Unfortunately, the plants weren’t mature enough yet, so they had no choice but to leave them be; harvesting them now would yield a poor price. After completing a full sweep of the area, they gained a solid preliminary understanding of the mountain and found themselves brimming with hope for their future life.