The Resolute Cannon Fodder Teaching In Ancient Time

Chapter 2: Two Treasures ✨

Selling books in the market was proving difficult. Xu Zhen spent an entire day there, and her only customer was a young man who exchanged two clean flatbreads for a book to take home and study. After squatting in the corner all day, with a sore back and aching waist, Xu Zhen regretted her decision and resolved to leave future sales to fate.

In the following days, she took care of the little beggar and tried to engage her in conversation. Unfortunately, the beggar was sparing with her words and never spoke. Bored, Xu Zhen couldn't resist teasing her while administering medicine.

"What is your name, anyway? How old are you? Eight? Six?" Xu Zhen lifted the beggar to sit upright. "Sit up and drink your medicine."

The little beggar wore an oversized robe with sleeves rolled up thickly and a hem long enough to be used as bedding. She sat with knees tucked, holding the bowl with both hands, sipping the medicine from the edge before returning the wooden bowl to Xu Zhen.

Xu Zhen gently pinched her cheek and said, "You drink the medicine without any hesitation, but why won't you talk to me, you little book thief?" She paused and then added, "But taking books isn't considered stealing among scholars. Are you a scholar? Can you read?"

The little beggar turned to look at Xu Zhen for a moment before sitting still again, gaze slightly lowered, as motionless as a statue. Despite her small figure, the scars at the corners of her eyes added an air of solemnity beyond her years.

By now, Xu Zhen was accustomed to this and didn't press further, smiling, "Alright, this is the last dose for today. Sit for a while after drinking; don't fall asleep immediately."

The little beggar looked up at her again.

Xu Zhen met her gaze. In the sunlight, she suddenly noticed the beggar's eyes had a hint of deep blue, like patterns in obsidian—very beautiful. Indeed, she had Huren (non-Han) heritage.

Local children loved to joke about the Huren, saying they were monsters who ate raw meat and drank hot blood—best avoided. As a time traveler, Xu Zhen didn't share such biases. Instead, seeing these eyes, she found them fascinating and wanted to see more.

"Are you Huren?" Xu Zhen asked. "From which tribe?"

She asked casually, not expecting an answer. Unexpectedly, the beggar opened her mouth, producing a voice as rough as a saw, barely audible.

Xu Zhen was pleasantly surprised, leaning forward to ask, "From where?"

The beggar closed her mouth for a moment, then said, "Thank you."

Xu Zhen was delighted to receive thanks, thinking the beggar was indeed a polite child. She continued chatting, but the beggar mostly listened with a calm expression.

Noticing the beggar's silence, Xu Zhen realized she was still recovering, so she waved her hand to let her rest.

As the wooden door closed, silence filled the room.

Xu Zhen, wearing straw shoes, returned to her room, intending to take a nap. Suddenly, she remembered her recent expenses, hurried to the cabinet, and counted her savings. Finding only twenty copper coins left, she clutched her head in despair.

She was too poor. Clearly, besides doing good deeds, earning money was crucial. Xu Zhen hid her purse, ran to the kitchen, grabbed a piece of meat pie, wrapped it in oiled paper, took a few bites, and quickly left the house.