CHAPTER 46: 42 CHAPTERS DREAM

"Bang!" Silver forcefully shut the book, discovering something completely unexpected. He had just read over a dozen pages detailing medicinal herbs with extensive descriptions, and incredibly, after just one reading, he remembered everything. If he were to recite them now, he could do so verbatim. Could it be that he has a photographic memory?

While reading the secret manual, he would read a small segment at a time, memorizing it before moving on to the next section after fully understanding it during practice. He had always thought that his improved memory was due to drinking the spiritual spring water. Memorizing a small segment after reading it once wasn’t surprising, but he didn’t expect that he could remember so much after reading so extensively?

Silver continued reading, wanting to conduct an experiment. He read through an entire book and grasped a pattern.

If he skimmed quickly over ten lines at a glance, he could only remember for a short period before forgetting. But if he studied carefully word by word and sentence by sentence, he remembered it deeply. Not only would he not forget, but he also wouldn’t remember incorrectly. However, it might be too soon; he’d wait until tomorrow to test if he’d truly forget.

Regardless, this was a tremendous surprise, very beneficial for his future studies and preparation for the imperial exams. Since his mother wanted him to take the imperial exams and become an official, he couldn’t disappoint her, could he? Previously, he hadn’t considered the imperial exams, perhaps because he hadn’t fully transitioned from the reality of being female to male. Now, being a boy, he had to live as a man in this era. Feminine thoughts and actions were no longer appropriate. Resolving this, he knew he’d have to be more mindful of his behavior, to avoid making his mother angry.

Silver already anticipated that Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu would undoubtedly discuss his studies tomorrow, knowing it would likely stir up quite a commotion. So, in the morning, he’d find an opportunity to head to Changling Mountain, preferably before breaking the news. If the family had Silver, his brothers probably wouldn’t object.

Having made up his mind, he read the medical books for a while longer, then went out to sleep.

The next day, the horizon was tinged with dawn’s soft light, and the first ray of morning sun slipped through the window crevice. Mr. Gu and Mrs. Lv had already woken up and were washing, as they had a significant matter to address today. Despite knowing it might cause a stir throughout the Gu Family, they remained steadfast in their intention.

Silver heard his parents’ movements and climbed out from under the bedcovers, dressing as he listened to Mrs. Lv instructing Mrs. Fang to prepare breakfast. Usually, the Gu Family discussed matters over meals, or they’d have impromptu "meetings" for sudden situations.

Silver sped up, slipping on his shoes and went to find Mrs. Lv. Along the way to the kitchen, he found Mrs. Lv directing Mrs. He to cook black porridge, the main dish, while Mrs. Fang made miscellaneous buns, and Da Ya tended the fire.

"Oldest son’s family, make a few more buns. The men have to work in the fields today. Da Ya, keep the fire low. Do you want the porridge to thicken? How many bowls can we ladle then?" Mrs. Lv saw Da Ya adding too much firewood and quickly stopped her, worried that all the water might evaporate, leaving only two bowls from three.

Turning around, she became furious. "Second son’s family, you wasteful woman! Don’t you know how expensive oil is? Do you need oil to stir-fry pickles? A quick stir in the pot is enough." Mrs. Lv glared at Mrs. He. Though tempted to scold more, she decided against it, considering the matter they needed to discuss over the meal.

One pot for porridge, another for stir-fried pickles, Mrs. He was in a frenzy. She tried sneaking drops of oil into the pickles, which barely retained a salty flavor without the oil, making it hard to tolerate bland food. She smacked her lips, finding no taste early in the morning.

"Mom, I just thought Dad and the others have it tough and wanted them to eat well. Without oil, they lack the strength to work! Didn’t my hubby lose a lot of blood yesterday?" Mrs. He retorted with a slick smile, perhaps intentionally bringing up yesterday’s incident.

"What? I’m his mom, can’t I scold him? Hmph! I think you’re more concerned about yourself than your husband, aren’t you?" Mrs. He mentioning it struck a nerve, prompting another few angry words from Mrs. Lv.

Seeing a quarrel brewing, Silver decisively spoke up, "Mom!"

"Ah~ Xiao Bao, why up so early? Did your second sister get up? Lie down a bit until breakfast. Go back to your room for a while, the kitchen’s so messy." Mrs. Lv turned, beamed a big smile seeing Silver, and pulled him towards the main room.

Silver marveled at his mother’s quick shift in demeanor, from a stern look to a gentle, sunny smile. Mrs. Lv led Silver towards the main room while he thought of ways to go out.

"Mom, I want to go play on the mountain with Da Lang and the others!" Silver thought of Da Lang and Er Ya, who went pig grass collecting each day, also gathering wild vegetables, as a good excuse.

"No, today I have something to discuss with your brother, and you should stay in the house. It concerns you." Mrs. Lv squatted down to speak face-to-face with Silver.

"Xiao Bao, do you want to study?" She clarified, "Studying means learning to read and write, like your cousin Hua, so you can take the exams and become an official. Do you want that?" Mrs. Lv looked at Silver with hopeful eyes.

"Mom, I do want to study, so I can give you a good life!" Silver had already decided to study, so he wouldn’t refuse Mrs. Lv’s question. He wondered what plan she had for convincing his brothers, likely a costly endeavor.

"Good! Then we’ll wait for Xiao Bao to make us an imperial decree lady!" Silver saw Mrs. Lv’s radiant smile enhancing her already beautiful features. Since gaining the spiritual spring water, Mrs. Lv’s complexion improved, looking younger.

"Mom, I have something to tell you." Silver knew he’d be unable to go out today, so he made up a reason, acting mysteriously, glancing around outside. Mrs. Lv found Silver’s antics amusing.

"Mom, last night in my dream someone told me there are treasures on the mountain. I need to fetch them now," Silver declared convincingly.

"What kind of luck is that? It’s just a dream." Mrs. Lv laughed it off incredulously.

"Mom, I really dreamt it, and I even know where it is! I have to get it today, or someone else will. Please let me go!"