Chapter 8

“Cordyceps, two per gram, and we picked out six taels in total p>

Claire could hardly stop herself from drooling. She had seen her fair share of luxury during her years with the James family, but this was on a whole other level. She’d never seen anyone give gifts so lavishly.

It wasn’t just the old wild ginseng, which was nearly impossible to find these days. There were also those thick purple reishi mushrooms, each one as big as a soup bowl. Even the fo-ti root and cordyceps were premium quality. These were the kinds of things that even money couldn’t always buy.

And just listen—the cordyceps were all perfectly matched in size.

Giving gifts like these to the James family, who wouldn’t even know their value, was just a waste.

“Change the gifts p>

Pearce froze for a second. “Huh p>

Pandora’s expression was icy. “Didn’t you say the James family thinks all our stuff is junk?” She was still annoyed that they’d sent Claire back to the countryside in the middle of the night. Originally, she’d wanted to be generous, hoping to build a good relationship, but if they didn’t want that, then forget it.

“What do we give them instead?” Pearce didn’t argue. Pandora was the one in charge around here. Whatever she said was final.

“We’ll just give them some regular mountain goods,” Pandora said simply. “Pack up six pounds each of wild mushrooms and lion’s mane mushrooms. Add six pounds of bamboo fungus and six pounds of chestnuts p>

“We’re just country folk. We don’t have anything special, so this will have to do p>

Claire almost burst out laughing. The difference was night and day.

Then Pandora turned to her. “Give all those herbs to Claire p>

“Me?” Claire blinked, genuinely shocked. It felt like she’d been handed a winning lottery ticket out of nowhere.

Pandora looked at her, amused. “Didn’t you say you liked them? If you don’t want them, that’s fine p>

“Of course I want them!” Claire blurted out, hugging the box protectively. There was no way she’d let anyone else get their hands on these. Her eagerness sent everyone into fits of laughter.

“Alright, go on. Have fun with them,” Pandora said.

After that, everyone got busy preparing for the evening’s ceremony, where Claire would officially be added to the family register. Nearly the whole village showed up, young and old, att crowding into the estate.

The ancestral hall was right next to the main house. It was imposing and solemn,

clearly cared for with a lot of respect.

At four o’clock, the ceremony started.

Pandora was dressed up, every detail in place, and Claire followed close behind her.

Lighting the incense, making the offerings, and finally writing Claire’s name in the family record—all of it was done by Pandora alone.

Claire was genuinely surprised. In a family that cared so much about tradition, it was rare for women to even set foot in the ancestral hall, let alone lead the ceremony.

“Wondering why Pandora’s the one doing all this?” Patti asked, catching Claire’s

eye.

Claire nodded slightly.

“Pandora is the matriarch of the James family p>

“Grandma’s such a boss,” Claire said, at a loss for any other words to describe how impressed she was.

Just then, Pandora called out, “Claire, come here p>

Claire was about to step forward when a child’s voice rang out. “Grandma, Cindy’s back p>

Cindy again? That girl sure loved making dramatic entrances.

Claire looked d over and saw Cindy helping Octavia along, with Lance trailing behind them. Octavia looked completely out tplace in her high

heels, wobbling with every step. Cindy kept a firm grip on her and they were moving slowly.

Lance walked behind them, and a driver followed, loaded down with their bags.

Octavia glanced around as she walked. “Cindy, is this really where you used to live p>

The countryside was nothing like the city. The roads were bumpy, and the houses looked old and shabby Octavia couldnt help thinking about how much her daughter must ve suffered out here.