Chapter 5
“Okay.” Pandora nodded, then glanced at the basket Claire was still holding.
“What are you doing lugging that stuff around?” Pandora sounded seriously unimpressed.
“These aren’t just things. They’re rare and expensive Chinese herbs!” Claire shot back, certain Pandora just didn’t know a good thing when she saw it.
“Rare? Please. That whole mountain is covered with them. Dig up as much as you want whenever you feel like it,” Pandora replied, like it was no big deal at all.
Claire’s eyes went wide. “Are you serious p>
Pandora gave her a look. “Why would I lie to you p>
Claire felt a rush of excitement. Just last month, someone had been desperate for quality fo-ti root and couldn’t find it anywhere, even after searching across several provinces. Meanwhile, the people here were sitting on a mountain full of hidden treasures.
“So, whose mountain is it? Can anyone just go dig whatever they want?” she asked. Pearce glanced at Pandora. “The mountain belongs to her. It’s your family’s land p>
Claire was stunned. She didn’t totally get it, but she was floored all the same. She’d always thought Cindy must’ve had a hard time growing up, and that was why the James family was in such a hurry to send her away. But nobody ever told her that her real grandmother literally owned a mountain of wealth.
“With all those valuable herbs up there, why don’t you just sell them and make a ton of money?” Claire asked, swallowing nervously.
Pandora’s eyes held a knowing look. “Sure, but only if someone can actually afford the price p>
Claire got it immediately. They knew exactly what they had. It wasn’t that they couldn’t tell good herbs from bad, they just weren’t about to let greedy middlemen rip them off.
“I get it now, Grandma p>
Pandora was definitely not some ordinary old lady. If the whole mountain was really filled with rare herbs, she could easily trade all that for something way bigger than what the James family had. And to think the James family always acted like they were so high and mighty-Lance couldn’t even recognize wild reishi mushrooms, calling them junk right to her face.
“Are all your clothes soaked too?” Pandora asked, glancing at Claire’s bag.
Claire nodded.
Without another word, Pandora went to her room and came back with a
set of clothes shed made for her daughter-in-law years ago. They rand new, never worn by
anyone.
Meanwhile, Pearce finished boiling water and helped carry it to the bathroom.
Claire thanked him, closed the door, and took the quickest shower of her life. When she came out, Pearce was waiting with a steaming bowl of ginger tea.
“Claire, drink this while it’s hot p>
She took it with a grateful smile. “Thanks, Pearce p>
“No need to thank me.” Pearce grinned, then turned to Pandora with a little bow. “I’ll head back now p>
Claire noticed the way Pearce treated Pandora, all polite and careful. It was almost like he was dealing with a boss, not just an aunt.
Pandora just waved him off.
Claire heard Pearce leave the courtyard, even closing the gate behind him.
“Grandma, do you have an umbrella? I’ll go lock the gate,” Claire offered.
Pandora shook her head. “No need. No one around here would dare steal from me.
Besides, this old house doesn’t have anything worth taking p>
Claire kept her thoughts to herself. If
you say so, Grandma. Like I didn’t
notice that antique lantern you’re carrying. And those
chairs definitely made from huanghuali wood, with the kind of carving you only see in rich old families.
“You came back so suddenly, your room isn’t ready yet. Is it okay if you sleep in the guest room tonight?” Pandora asked, still as particular as ever She didnt even suggest Sharing her own bed.
Pandora brought out a thick quilt and made up the bed for her.
Claire thought she’d spend the whole night tossing and turning, but as soon as her
head hit the pillow, she fell into the deepest sleep she’d had in ages.
Meanwhile, over at the James family’s house.
Latham didn’t make it home until the next day. The first thing he did was ask the maid, “Is Claire asleep yet p>