She led the whole village to prosperity by raising koi fish.

Chapter 9 2 choices

The next day, the villagers lined up early to deliver the goods. Their goods included cicada nymphs caught at night, cicadas caught during the day, and mountain buffalo. The woman instructed Su Yuning to receive the goods. Then, the Zhou siblings arrived. The woman asked them what they were doing, and it turned out they had invited Su Yuning to go hunting in the mountains together.

“Daughter, you have two choices right now: either go hunting in the mountains with your friends, or go to the city to deliver ingredients,” the woman said to her earnestly.

Su Yuning was currently caught in an incredibly difficult and agonizing decision, as if an invisible force was tightly gripping her throat, making it almost impossible for her to breathe. This choice was like two forks in the road before her, and she didn't know which path was the right one.

Su Yuning's heart was filled with contradictions and struggles. Every choice meant giving up something and bearing the corresponding consequences. And these consequences were like heavy shackles, making it hard for her to breathe.

She couldn't help but recall the past, the dreams, efforts, and sacrifices she had made, all of which had become weights in this choice. On one side was the yearning and pursuit of the future, and on the other was the pressure and responsibility of reality. No matter what choice she made, there would be regrets, and these regrets might accompany her for a lifetime.

Time ticked by, and her anxiety grew ever stronger. The world around her blurred, leaving only two options clearly visible, awaiting his decision. But faced with such a difficult situation, could he truly find the right answer?

“Miss Su, you can’t treat us like monkeys! Our whole family works from dawn till dusk catching cicadas just to earn a few copper coins to make a living. We’ve done our job, so please accept it!” Villager Shi Tou pleaded.

Old Mrs. Song, leaning on her cane, also complained, "Every family has its own problems. Do you think it's easy for an old woman like me to live alone? I finally managed to catch a dozen or so mountain buffaloes. If you don't take them, how am I supposed to live?"

"Yes, yes, your sister-in-law is about to give birth, and the family needs money. Your brother finally managed to catch a hundred cicadas and fifty cicada nymphs. You have to accept them." The eldest sister-in-law of the Su family also expressed her family's predicament.

Su Yuning tugged at her sleeve, head bowed, silent. She didn't know whether she should refuse her companion's invitation.

At this moment, the Zhou siblings exchanged a glance, and then comforted her in unison.

"It's alright, it's alright, just go about your business. There will be other hunting opportunities, but insects will be gone once the season is over. Just focus on making money!"

Su Yuning looked up at them with a guilty expression and replied apologetically.

"I'm so sorry, I have to go to the city to sell ingredients first. I'll treat you to a meal when I get back."

“Um… why don’t you buy some ingredients, and we can have a picnic together later?” Zhou’s younger brother suggested.

Su Yuning smiled and nodded in agreement, "No problem!"

In the city, a waiter told Zhao, the young master of the restaurant, about Su Yuning and the man in black strolling through the night market together. Zhao looked very unhappy, clearly jealous.

One of the guys, always eager for a good show, even asked him a question.

"Young master, will we still accept delivery orders from the young lady next time she comes to deliver goods?"

Young Master Zhao replied with a stern face, "I'll accept it, as usual! I refuse to believe that the person I like can be taken away by someone else!"

"Yes, sir." The waiter bowed and withdrew.

By the time Su Yuning arrived in the city, it was already noon. If it weren't for the tedious chatter with the villagers that morning, she wouldn't have been delayed. With no other option, she could only go to the restaurant to deliver the goods first, and then use the money to buy a basket of steamed buns at the market.

As she was eating, she suddenly realized that the person sitting not far away was her second brother. However, he pretended not to know her and kept chatting and laughing with his friends, calling her "good little sister" and "you're so nice."

Furious, Su Yuning threw down her chopsticks and strode over to confront him.

"Second brother, how come I didn't know you had another sister? There are only three siblings in our family, where did this other little sister come from?"

The second son of the Su family gave her a look, signaling her to shut up, but Su Yuning didn't understand at all and continued her endless complaining.

"Su Muyang, we're siblings! I came all this way, and you didn't even ask if I'd eaten, drunk, or if I was tired from walking? Instead, you're showing excessive concern for outsiders. Don't you have any conscience?!"

At this moment, the girl angrily turned to leave, but Su Muyang quickly grabbed her sleeve and coaxed her.

"Wan'er, please don't go! I beg you! My sister is young and doesn't understand, please don't take it to heart!"

In the bustling, dreamlike streets of the Song Dynasty, this woman dressed in gorgeous clothes clearly appears to be a wealthy young lady of noble birth.

Wan'er wore a crimson silk blouse with auspicious cloud patterns, light and flowing, paired with a pale pink and white skirt that reached her ankles or even trailed on the ground, its wide hem swaying gracefully. She exuded a fresh and elegant charm.

In addition, the young woman adorned herself with various accessories. Her headdress featured exquisite pieces such as silver hairpins, silver hair ornaments, and silver hair ornaments with dangling pendants, all shimmering with a dazzling light. Her earrings were also made of silver, appearing simple yet elegant. On her hands, she wore jade bracelets, gemstone rings, and other ornaments, giving her an overall air of elegance.

Standing next to Wan'er, Su Yuning, dressed in ordinary clothes, looked somewhat awkward. At this moment, she was unaware that the girl beside her was the one her second brother was pursuing. Moreover, the girl's identity was far from ordinary.

Seeing his relationship ruined by his younger sister, Su Muyang was furious and started yelling at her.

"Su Yuning, you're so annoying! Get out of here and stop getting in my way!"

At this moment, Young Master Zhao, who had fallen for Su Yuning, rushed over upon hearing the commotion. He kicked Su Muyang, then pulled Su Yuning into his arms with an air of dominance, and spoke to them in a menacing tone.

"Miss Su is the one I love. Anyone who offends her is going against me. I think you're the ones who should get lost!"

At this moment, Wan'er ran over and started to act coquettishly towards Young Master Zhao.

"Brother, I am your own sister. You are not allowed to speak loudly to me."

At this moment, Su Yuning and Su Muyang looked at each other, speechless with surprise.

Su Yuning thought to herself, since the woman addressed Young Master Zhao as "Imperial Brother," then Young Master Zhao must be a prince? And since the woman is also from the royal family, then she must be a princess.

Then, Su Muyang pulled Wan'er aside to ask her questions, while Su Yuning also inquired about the situation from Young Master Zhao.

"Young Master Zhao, who is your father? What is your identity? And what is that woman's identity?" Su Yuning asked a series of questions.

Young Master Zhao responded calmly.

“My father is Emperor Zhenzong of Song. I am his sixth son. As for Wan’er, she is my sister. She is a princess of the Song Dynasty.”

Su Yuning gasped and muttered to herself, "What incredible luck! I'm friends with a prince and have a princess as a sister-in-law. It's like a dream!"

On the other side, Su Muyang took Wan'er's hand and came over to officially announce, "Let me formally introduce you, this is Princess Wan'er, who is also my girlfriend. In the future, everyone should get along well when you meet."

"Hi! How are you all?" Wan'er greeted them first, and Su Yuning and Young Master Zhao could only smile and reply, "Hello!"

At this point, the vendor at the stall asked, "A basket of steamed buns and two servings of noodles cost twenty coins in total. Who's going to pay?"

For the sake of saving face, Su Muyang took out his wallet to pay the bill, and then left with Princess Wan'er.

"Young Master Zhao, do you have a carriage?" Su Yuning asked.

"Yes, what's wrong?" Young Master Zhao asked in return.

Su Yuning gave an awkward smile, then tiptoed and whispered in his ear,

"Um, I'd like to hitch a ride home later."

Young Master Zhao laughed heartily, "Haha, of course! I'll take you home right now!"

Su Yuning shook her head and said, "No rush, I still need to buy some ingredients. I'm going to have a picnic in the mountains with my friends later."

Young Master Zhao became interested immediately. "A picnic? Can I join you? I'll provide the ingredients!"

Su Yuning hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Afterwards, they went to the market and bought tofu, lamb skewers, beef, pork belly, quail eggs, chili peppers, mushrooms...

Finally, Young Master Zhao drove Su Yuning home. With him by her side, Su Yuning felt extremely safe!