Chapter 52 – Cannon-Fodder Old Woman Fleeing Famine (Part 22)

That day, under Madam Wang's guidance, the Lin family crafted a simple wooden bow and arrow. Once night fell, they used it to shoot a letter and keepsake from Madam Wang to her older brother, directly into the hands of the soldiers guarding the city wall.

Upon receiving it, the commanding officer on duty didn't dare delay and immediately reported the matter to Governor Zhao Feng.

Everything went surprisingly smoothly after that. The group was granted entry into Tianfu Prefecture through a side gate at the northern city wall.

Of course, they were very cooperative, agreeing to quarantine for a full week in a courtyard near the outskirts arranged by Lord Zhao before being allowed to move freely.

During that week, Lord Zhao worked with a renowned folk physician, and together they developed a cure for the epidemic.

Once the remedy was finalized, Lord Zhao promptly dispatched personnel to administer the cure to plague-stricken refugees outside the city.

Throughout this time, he not only stabilized the internal situation but also took proactive steps to treat the sick and even distributed relief grain to those fleeing the famine.

In this crisis, Zhao Feng's exceptional performance added a brilliant stroke to his political career.

Now that they were finally safely inside the city, their journey of fleeing the famine had come to an end.

Wang Daya politely declined Madam Wang's offer to stay in the governor's residence and instead rented a small courtyard house for the entire Lin family, planning to build their own home later.

Most of the Lin family didn't understand why she would pass up such luxury. Only Third Son Lin vaguely sensed his mother's true intentions.

Wang Daya's reasoning was simple: she didn't want to overextend their goodwill. If she clung too tightly to Madam Wang, it might backfire. If Madam Wang was genuinely grateful, good things would come in time—there was no need to rush.

Sure enough, when Governor Zhao learned of this, he was even more impressed with the Lin family, seeing them as people who knew their place and limits. He decided he would look after Lin Tiefeng, the scholarly one.

Madam Wang also didn't forget Wang Daya's kindness. Once she was settled, she gifted her 5,000 taels of silver as extra compensation.

Wang Daya didn't refuse—after all, without her care, Madam Wang might not have even survived to see Tianfu Prefecture. She accepted the money with a clear conscience.

Soon after, Wang Daya used 100 taels and, with Governor Zhao's help, purchased household registration in a local village, bought 20 mu of fertile farmland, and built a three-section courtyard home.

Why not settle in town? Because the Lin family were farmers at heart. There was no need to pretend otherwise. Farm life also suited Wang Daya's dream of a peaceful retirement.

She used this opportunity to divide the household. Only her unmarried third son remained with her.

The other two married sons each moved out, receiving 20 taels apiece. The 20 mu of farmland was split evenly between the eldest and second sons.

No one complained, because they understood Third Son didn't get land, but he'd still need money for his studies. Their mother's arrangement was fair and logical.

Wang Daya wanted to stop meddling in her sons' affairs. She longed for a peaceful old age, free of unnecessary drama.

She intended to treat the rest of her life like a vacation, savoring the peace she had earned through hardship.

On the very first night in their new home, Wang Daya secretly used her spiritual ability to erase all memory of the treasure from her sons' minds.

She did this as a precaution. Now that life was peaceful, she couldn't guarantee her sons wouldn't someday covet her treasure. Better to eliminate the possibility altogether.

From then on, everything went smoothly:

Third Son Lin passed the imperial exams and became a xiucai, then a juren, and eventually married Wang Tianxue, Madam Wang's daughter. He rose through the ranks to become a fourth-rank official.

Second Son Lin, who disliked farming, used his portion of silver to go into business, ultimately becoming a wealthy merchant.

His wife Zhang Zhaodi, unable to bear more children, watched as her husband took a concubine and fathered a son.

Wang Daya didn't interfere—concubinage was legal, and she was done involving herself in their nonsense.

Eldest Son Lin stayed in the village and farmed his whole life. His life was simple but steady, and thanks to his official brother, he didn't even have to pay taxes.

As for Qian Lan, the original heroine—without her golden finger, she never encountered the imperial prince. She barely survived the famine and became a typical rural housewife.

In general, Wang Daya's life in this world—aside from that first brutal month—was surprisingly comfortable.

The only tiring part? She lived until eighty-eight, and her great-grandchildren were too many to count.

Thankfully, she died of old age before it got worse. Any longer, and the silver she had to hand out each year would have emptied her vault—people in ancient times just had too many kids!

Upon returning to the mission space, her system immediately logged on, very enthusiastic.

Turns out, the mission target was extremely satisfied, awarding her the maximum reward of 200,000 points.

With Lin Qingxue earning a high score, the system also received a bonus, so its attitude had notably softened. After all, Lin Qingxue was now like a goldmine—the system had to keep her happy.

Adding in her previous points, Lin Qingxue now had 280,000 points. This world hadn't had many extra opportunities for bonus points.

Suddenly, she remembered she could now unlock the system mall!

But upon opening it, she was instantly enraged: the stingy system wanted her to spend points to purchase items, while in Qian Lan's case, she could use silver and gold instead.

Figures. Her luck was always like this—even cheats came with restrictions.

As she browsed the system mall's glittering offerings, she felt a wave of frustration.Everything she could afford, she didn't want.Everything she did want—like martial arts manuals—was too expensive.

In the end, Lin Qingxue simply closed the mall. Out of sight, out of mind.

This mission had been relatively easy. After just one day of rest, Lin Qingxue was already eager to start her third mission.

And what could the system say? Of course, it had to immediately comply with its ancestor's wishes.

Author's Note:Tomorrow we're starting the third quick transmigration world!Do you want to see a pitiful stepsister in a historical era novel or a tragic white moonlight senior sister in a cultivation world?Vote now—whichever gets more votes, I'll write first!