How could someone be unhappy living in a matriarchal society?

Chapter 17 The Hunter's Provocation

The next day, Chu Ci got up early to practice martial arts and make breakfast.

Shi An was unusually late for getting up.

After he pushed open the door and went out, Chu Ci had already gone up the mountain. Looking at the breakfast on the table covered by a straw basket, the man ate a couple of bites hastily and then tidied up.

That evening, Chu Ci returned with a considerable amount of prey.

As the weather gets warmer, many small animals are coming out to forage for food.

This gave her an opportunity.

Besides pheasants and rabbits, we also caught a few foxes.

Just as Chu Ci was tying them to the wooden post, Shi An came over and patted her on the shoulder.

"Master wife."

"what happened?"

"I've finished reading the storybook you gave me."

Chu Ci stiffened upon hearing this, raised his hand to touch his nose, and asked, "How was my writing?"

"The female protagonist is very well written, but the story is very heartbreaking."

Chu Ci nodded, "Indeed, but that's how you make a lasting impression."

Her friend had told her before that the sadder the story, the more unforgettable it is.

"Ah."

Shi An also understood this point and praised it.

"My wife is really amazing; she can even write storybooks."

The Chu Ci (Songs of Chu) was praised so much that it made her a little embarrassed.

"Just trying it out."

"The wife is truly talented to be able to write such a good work with just a casual attempt."

"Really?" Chu Ci asked, somewhat surprised. "Are you sure it's not just because you love the house and its inhabitants?"

Shi An blushed. What did she mean by "love me, love my dog"...?

"No, you just write very well."

After saying that, the man shoved the storybook into Chu Ci's hands and ran away.

Chu Ci scratched his head. What's wrong with my husband?

...................

The next morning, Chu Ci went to Lianhua County to sell the prey, and then set off for the bookstore.

Bookstore owner Zheng Yi was sitting behind the counter reading miscellaneous books with great interest.

Chu Ci walked to the door and gently knocked.

Zheng Yi looked up and was somewhat surprised.

"Why are you here today?"

It's not the beginning of the month yet, so there's no need to do accounting.

"I wrote a storybook, let me show you."

"Oh?" Zheng Yi became interested.

She opened the book, and the neat and beautiful regular script caught her eye.

I had no idea you could write so well.

"so so."

As a rough-and-tumble person from the martial arts world, she rarely had the opportunity to practice calligraphy.

It's the foundation laid in childhood.

In the past, her father would guide her every morning in order to help her write well.

Over time, her handwriting improved more and more.

Zheng Yi glanced at Chu Ci and smiled, "You're being modest. Alright, I'll take a look. Come back in a few days."

"it is good."

Chu Ci nodded decisively and turned to leave.

Actually, she didn't expect to become famous overnight; she just wanted to earn some extra money to supplement her family's income.

The next day, Chu Ci went up the mountain again and hunted a few pheasants and foxes.

The rabbits at home had given birth to quite a few more, so she picked out two to take to town to sell.

However, an unexpected situation occurred today.

While she was selling meat, she encountered a woman who came to her door to provoke her.

The newcomer was tall and strong, with a square face that made him look very heroic; he was clearly a trained martial artist.

The woman looked Chu Ci up and down, her expression somewhat disdainful.

"You're the hunter from Sanyuan Village?"

Chu Ci was puzzled. "It's me. What do you want?"

"I want to have a match with you."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ci waved her hand dismissively, "I'm not free today."

"Then tomorrow."

"I'm not free tomorrow either."

"The day after tomorrow."

Chu Ci sighed and could only tell the truth, "I really have no interest in competing with you. As you can see, I'm very busy."

Zhang Quan scoffed, assuming it was just an excuse. "You're not scared, are you?"

"I'm not afraid."

"Then why don't you answer?"

Chu Ci stood up, flicked his sleeves, and said, "Why should I agree? What good would it do me?"

Zhang Quan was extremely arrogant. "If you win, I will stop hunting in the back mountains, and all the prey in this area will be yours. Of course, if I win, it will be the same; you won't be able to hunt in the back mountains either."

Her words were very calculating.

The back mountain is very close to the Chu Ci (Songs of Chu), but it is still quite far from her, who lives in Eryuan Village.

Even if she really lost her territory in the back mountain, she wasn't afraid.

Chu Ci frowned upon hearing this. Was this woman just bored and looking for trouble?

Annoying.

"I told you I'm busy."

Zhang Quan frowned, "Why are you so hesitant, a woman? You don't even dare to compete?"

Chu Ci sighed, "You're annoying."

"In short, if you don't agree, I'll just stand here!"

"..." Chu Ci frowned slightly. Her business had been doing well recently, and she had made a lot of money. It was normal for some people to be envious of her. "Alright, I agree."

Zhang Quan was delighted. "Then let's meet here again tomorrow, at this very hour, for an archery competition."

"it is good."

The hunters in Eryuan Village were known for their loud voices, and the area was filled with businessmen and customers.

Many people have heard the news that Chu Ci is going to have a contest with Zhang Quan.

Before long, the news spread, and many people planned to come here the next day to see what was going on.

Upon hearing this, Chen Hua immediately came to find Chu Ci.

"You really agreed to compete with Zhang Quan?"

"Ah."

“Zhang Quan is very skilled. Her family has always been hunters. She has been hunting in the mountains since she was a child. You are just starting out. Can you compare to her?”

Chu Ci sensed the internal energy in his dantian and nodded, "It should be fine."

"you sure?"

"Ah."

"Okay, I'll cheer you on tomorrow."

Chu Ci's lips curled up slightly, her smile like a plum blossom just beginning to bloom in winter.

Her voice was like a gentle stream, soft and warm: "Thank you."

These two simple words seemed to be imbued with magic, making the surrounding air gentler.

Chen Hua blushed slightly. "We've known each other for so many years, what's a little thing like this?"

"I think Zhang Quan is just jealous of you because you've been hunting deer a lot lately and you've been on good terms with the Tian family, so he deliberately came to provoke you today."

Chu Ci nodded, "I know."

"You must go all out tomorrow and defeat her. Let's see if she dares to bother you again."

"Well, you're right."

After selling the meat, Chu Ci carried his basket home and saw Wu Liu and Shi An chatting as soon as he entered the door.

So she stepped forward and greeted him politely, "Uncle Wu is here."

"Hey, Chu Ci's back! I heard from the people in town that you're going to hunt with Zhang Quan from Eryuan Village tomorrow, and that you said you'd never hunt again if you lost. Is that true?"

Chu Ci was taken aback, not expecting that the matter had spread back to the village, but the rumors were far too widespread.

"The contest is real, but losing just means you can't hunt in the back mountains anymore, it doesn't mean you can't hunt at all."

Wu Liu breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, that's good. How confident are you of winning tomorrow?"

Chu Ci was rather modest, saying, "About 60%."

Wu Liu sighed, "You finally had a bit of a turnaround in your life, but then that girl Zhang Quan got her eye on you. You're really unlucky."

"It's alright," Chu Ci comforted him. "It's normal for martial arts practitioners to spar."

"That's true. I won't bother you any longer. I'll go back and cook."

"Okay, Uncle Wu, take care."

"Hey."

After the man left, Shi An approached Chu Ci with a worried look in her eyes.

“My lady, those hunters from Eryuan Village have ill intentions.”

"Hmm?" Chu Ci put down the basket. "What do you mean by having ill intentions?"