Chapter 35

The shopkeeper immediately nodded and instructed his assistant to exchange the coins for silver notes for Shen Ningning.

Then she asked, "Will the account for this batch of monkshood be settled next time?"

The shopkeeper smiled, "Exactly, I will take it to the palace later. Once I receive the payment from the palace, I can then share it with the young miss."

Shen Ningning's face was round and fair, her expression curious.

"Who are you trying to save? Why do they need to keep taking this monkshood?"

"It's someone second only to the Emperor in nobility," the shopkeeper chuckled, "Monkshood is a life-saving medicine for the noble. But young miss, you mustn't speak of this outside; it's a secret."

Shen Ningning nodded in understanding, lifting her little finger to her lips, making a 'shush' gesture.

"I understand," she sweetly said, "Then I hope the noble person recovers quickly after taking the monkshood I provided!"

The shopkeeper continued to tidy up the account books, shaking his head with a smile.

"It's difficult! The noble's illness is very strange. It's said that unless the drought ends, his illness won't get better."

Could there really be such a strange thing?

Shen Ningning couldn't understand the connection between the drought and the illness.

She thought for a while, feeling like her head would explode.

She decided not to think about it anymore.

All she could do was provide the medicinal herbs.

So she made an arrangement with the shopkeeper, "Come to Wolf Mountain to pick me up in six days."

Shen Ningning left the shop.

At a deserted corner, she took out the two hundred taels given to her earlier by Lady Meng from her spatial storage.

Then, she headed straight for the jade shop.

Before coming, she had determined to buy a piece of jade today to feed to her fairyland.

The money she had left from her last spending was four hundred and eighty taels, which she kept unused in the fairyland.

With the money from selling the aconite this time, plus what Lady Meng gave, it was nearly a thousand taels in total.

The little girl believed she could buy a fairly good piece of jade with that amount.

As she entered the jade shop, she immediately caught the shopkeeper's attention.

Shen Ningning, with her rosy lips and white teeth, delicate skin, was dressed in a light green outfit today, with two small buns on her head adorned with a little lotus flower.

Her bright, sparkling eyes scanned the shelves filled with various beautiful jades.

"Little girl, you're back," the shopkeeper recognized her.

This four or five-year-old little girl, with her bright and beautiful appearance, looked like a child from a wealthy family.

Yet, each time she came alone, without any attendants by her side.

Shen Ningning's eyes were clear and pure.

She stood on tiptoes and proactively placed the banknote and two hundred taels of silver on the counter.

"Shopkeeper uncle, I want to buy jade. Please pick a good one for me that's worth this amount."

Her tone was as calm as if she were buying a bunch of spring onions.

When Shen Ningning took out nearly a thousand taels of silver, the shopkeeper was stunned.

He counted the money, over nine hundred taels!

Indeed, she must be a child from a wealthy family!

The shopkeeper, who had initially thought of teasing Shen Ningning, didn't dare to treat her carelessly now.

He hurriedly presented a palm-sized piece of violet jade.

"This purple-pink jade is the best choice for this price range. Miss, you could have it made into a hairpin, a jade pendant, or a fan tassel if you like."

Shen Ningning, not quite understanding, held it in her small hand to observe.

Her fair skin made the purple jade in her palm appear larger, and its color more vibrant.

The little one looked around and said, "This one will do, no need to polish it. I'll take it as it is."

The shopkeeper quickly brought out a box, "Should I pack it for you? Be careful not to lose it on the way."

Shen Ningning shook her head, finding it too troublesome.

She just grabbed it in her hand, "This way is fine."

After all, it was going to be placed in her magical realm soon.

Just as she reached the doorway, the shopkeeper hurried out after her: "Young Miss, please wait a moment."

"This jade costs nine hundred taels, and you've overpaid by twenty. Here's your change," he handed her the silver.

After taking it, Shen Ningning tucked it into her waist pouch.

Then, holding the jade in her small hand, she waved goodbye and happily skipped away.

Watching her back, the shopkeeper was worried that the expensive jade might fall and break.

Children from wealthy families really are different.

Fine jade, in her eyes, is just like an ordinary stone.

Sitting in the carriage on the way home, Shen Ningning immediately entered the magical realm and carelessly placed the jade she bought on a shelf.

After that, she left the magical realm.

She just waited to go back in later to see if the jade would really be 'consumed' by the magical realm.

Upon returning home, the black wolf king and its pack immediately surrounded her.

They howled and whined.

Shen Ningning listened, confused: "What? Who did you say is coming?"

The wolves all seemed eager to answer.

With a fierce growl from the black wolf king, the pack fell silent.

Finally, the black wolf king howled twice.

Shen Ningning finally understood.

"Are you saying that the little monkey who came to steal food before has brought me something again?"

The black wolf king nodded back and forth.

Shen Ningning ran back to her room.

Her desk was next to an open window, and now, on the windowsill, there lay a beautiful sapphire.

"Wow... the little monkey brought something so pretty this time," Shen Ningning exclaimed, her eyes wide with amazement.

Ever since the last time she asked the wolves to spare the monkey.

This little monkey would place things on Shen Ningning's windowsill every morning.

Last time it was a ruby ring, and this time it was a whole sapphire, as big as a thumb.

"Squeak..." The little monkey, seeing her return, dared to jump in from outside, sitting on the windowsill, warily watching the wolves around Shen Ningning.

The little one reached out, patting the monkey's head, "Where did you get all these things from?"

The monkey chattered back and forth, pointing outside with its finger, but Shen Ningning couldn't understand what it was saying.

She could only accept these as gestures of goodwill, and started to put the items away.

Afterwards, Shen Ningning took out a red fruit and handed it over.

The monkey immediately grabbed it, hugging the fruit as it leaped out the window, vanishing from sight.

The Black Wolf King let out a scoffing growl.

It was complaining about the monkey's shrewdness and greed.

Always bringing things to trade for a bite to eat, it seemed to be getting too attached to her.

Shen Ningning smiled sweetly, throwing herself onto the Black Wolf King for a hug.

"Alright Wolfie, the little monkey is just hungry, it's not asking for much, so from now on, don't be harsh on it."

The Black Wolf King licked Shen Ningning's little hand as a sign of agreement.

The youngster went to check on Grandma, finding her busy in the kitchen.

Wolf Four, accompanied by three other wolves, followed Grandma Qin closely, eagerly waiting to be fed.

"Grandma, what are you busy with?"

"Ningning, you're back. You'll be off to school in a few days. It's hot weather, so I'm making some refreshing cakes for you to take and share with your classmates."

The plump Wolf Four came over to rub against Shen Ningning, then returned to Grandma Qin's side.

It sat on the ground, occasionally letting out a howl or two.

Grandma Qin laughed at its antics: "You greedy wolf, I just gave you four egg yolks, still not enough for you?"

As she spoke, Grandma Qin picked up the freshly made green refreshing cake, bringing it to Wolf Four's nose for a sniff.

Wolf Four sniffed it joyfully, but upon realizing it wasn't meat, it silently turned its face away.

The Black Wolf King poked its head in through the kitchen door, letting out a growl.

It disapproved of Wolf Four always hanging around Grandma Qin for food.

Scolded, Wolf Four slinked away from Shen Ningning, sneaking out through the door crack.

Fearing that any delay would lead to a beating from the Black Wolf King.

Seeing this, Shen Ningning held her belly, giggling.

"I'll go to the fairyland to get some more meat for the cellar, so Grandma and the wolves can enjoy it at their leisure."

Saying this, she flashed into the magical realm.

Just as she entered, the scene before her eyes left Shen Ningning stunned in amazement.

I've seen several readers mention that 'Yuanwailang' was not an official position, but in ancient times, it actually was. Most were wealthy individuals who paid for an official title without real power, usually local gentry.

[According to Baidu explanation]: Yuanwailang was one of the ancient Chinese official titles, originally referring to officials appointed outside the regular quota. During the Sui Dynasty, each of the twenty-four departments of the Imperial Secretariat had an assistant Yuanwailang, serving as deputy to the main official, similar to a deputy director, while Langzhong was the main director.

By the way, I wish my dear readers a healthy Dragon Boat Festival. Do you prefer sweet or savory zongzi? Don't forget to vote for Ningning, today is the last day of Ningning's PK!