Lin Wanwan said there was a reason she called herself a hidden guest in the mountains.
During the chaotic times of the late Sui and early Tang Dynasties, many old clans chose to retreat into the mountains to avoid turmoil. Later, when the world became peaceful, the court eagerly sought talented individuals. Li Shimin valued reclusive scholars greatly, often offering generous gifts to invite them, demonstrating respect and eagerness for distinguished gentlemen and wise men.
He even ordered local officials to personally climb the mountains to visit and bestow gifts upon them.
And Lin Wanwan, being a graduate of a prestigious university, was capable of much more. If she hadn't been orphaned, seeking independence as soon as possible, she could have pursued further studies. In fact, by the end of her junior year, she had already received an offer from a foreign company, but she resigned in anger when her boss coveted her.
Now, having traveled back to the Tang Dynasty, pretending to be a hermit was more than manageable. Not to mention that Lin Wanwan's attire, far exceeding current societal technological levels, further corroborated her claim.
Being a hermit could bring her many conveniences. In the order of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, scholars were, of course, ranked first.
After pondering for a moment, Lin Wanwan inquired, "Wanghai, is it the Wanghai area in Jiangnan Road Mao County?"
The shop assistant nodded, "Yes. The county government in Mao County is in Xiaoxi Town, about two hours by carriage."
So, she was still in Yongcheng. The location hadn't changed; it was just that she had traveled through time for a thousand years.
Lin Wanwan gazed blankly out the window, full of emotions. Who would have thought that such a desolate small town would become a flourishing place a thousand years later?
Collecting her thoughts, Lin Wanwan softly said, "As a woman without renown or virtue, I'm not among the court's recruits. Why bother going to the County Government to be a nuisance? I just want to find my clan."
This statement wasn't baseless.
After being abandoned by her grandparents and raised by her maternal grandparents, Lin Wanwan changed her surname to "Lin" from her mother's side.
The Lin Family lived in Yongcheng for generations, with records tracing back to the Ming Dynasty. It was uncertain if there were ancestors during the Tang Dynasty. Since she had come this far, she might as well look for them.
The shop assistant asked curiously, "May I know which family you come from, distinguished guest? I've lived in Wanghai for generations, and there's no place I don't know. Maybe I can provide some information."
"My ancestors are from the Lin family of Houtao. Have you heard of it?"
"Oh!" The shop assistant slapped his thigh, "The Lin family of Houtao! You've found the right person. I'm from the Lin family of Houtao! I'm Lin Mengli, second in my family, twenty-three this year. How old are you, young lady, and how should I address you?"
"Oh, young sir, we're of the same clan. Such a coincidence. My name is Lin Wanwan, the only daughter in my family, twenty-two years old."
Lin Mengli said, "Ah, it's the esteemed lady. My respects!"
Lin Wanwan: "..."
The way people address each other in the Tang Dynasty is quite unusual. Esteemed lady, esteemed lady, they make me feel old instantly.
"My master calls me Wan-niang. You can also call me Wan-niang, Brother Mengli."
"This… alright then, Wan-niang. By the way, with your talents and looks, you must be from the direct lineage, right? I heard your direct lineage migrated away from the ancestral home during the previous turmoil, not sure about the others."
Lin Wanwan sighed worriedly, "I only know I'm a descendant of the Lin family of Houtao. As for which branch, I'm not sure, nor do I know about other clansmen. My master never mentioned it to me. Alas."
Lin Mengli excitedly said, "Wan-niang, whether direct or branch lineage, as long as you're from the Lin family of Houtao, we're family, with the same ancestors. You should come with me to meet the clan leader uncle."
Lin Wanwan agreed happily. She hadn't expected things to be so coincidental. This way, solving household registration issues wouldn't be a problem. The two agreed to return to Lin Family Manor together when Lin Mengli was off duty at the end of the month.
After Lin Mengli left, Lin Wanwan leaned sideways at the window, resting her chin on her hand, gazing outside, thinking calmly about her future life in the Great Tang.
Should I really stay in the Tang Dynasty?
She didn't have much attachment to the people a thousand years later. Her maternal grandparents had passed away. There were neither family nor a place for her there. She had few friends, the closest one being Chen Jinyu. But their friendship had always been lukewarm.
Still, modern society was far more comfortable than ancient times.
While contemplating this, Lin Wanwan suddenly felt a cool sensation on her left wrist. She instinctively lifted her wide sleeve. In the sunlight, the Jade Bracelet was emitting a faint glow.
Lin Wanwan's mouth opened slightly in surprise for a moment. Then she seemed to think of something, closed her eyes, counted to three in her mind, and opened her eyes again. There was indeed a door glowing with a greenish light appearing in the room.
Lin Wanwan paused, glanced back at the little child sleeping, and walked over to pick her up. She then reached to open the door, but the door kept retreating, and she couldn't touch it.
"What's going on?" Lin Wanwan's heart raced. She thought for a moment, looked at the little child in her arms, and pondered, "Could it be because of her?"
After considering for a long time, Lin Wanwan put the child down and placed a piece of gold and six coins beside the child. Then she stood up and pushed the door again.
This time, the door opened, revealing the bizarre modern scenery again. The sales office was now brightly lit, and through the leaves, the indistinct figures inside the hall could be seen.
Am I back?
Lin Wanwan's heart pounded intensely.
The Jade Bracelet could indeed take her through time and space! Can she still go back? Although she just found the little dumpling in the afternoon, abandoning her like this left a bit of a lump in her heart.
She took a deep breath, barely calming down, then closed her eyes, meditated on the wooden door, and in the next second opened her eyes, and the door reappeared in front of her.
Lin Wanwan pushed the door, and it was the ancient room from a thousand years ago again.
She could travel back and forth between the two time periods!
For the first time in her 22 years of life, Lin Wanwan felt a surge of joy that seemed to illuminate her entire soul. She could buy her maternal grandparents' little villa! She could have her own home! She was going to prosper!
Lin Wanwan rushed back to the summer of 2022, put on a mask, and ran out of the sales office yard and onto the bustling street. She opened a taxi app on her phone and booked a ride to the supermarket!
Sitting in the car, she messaged Chen Jinyu, first apologizing, and then accepted the salary of 1,500 yuan for three days. By the time she arrived at the supermarket, it was near closing time.
Lin Wanwan headed straight for the grain section, where there was something that cost only around twenty yuan per pound in modern times but was as valuable as gold in the Tang Dynasty—pepper!
Lin Wanwan remembered clearly, from her research, that the most common item confiscated from corrupt officials in the Tang Dynasty was pepper! Pepper, whether in the Great Tang or ancient Europe, was "black gold"!
She wanted to use pepper to exchange for Tang Dynasty antiques! Then sell those antiques for money and buy back her maternal grandparents' little villa! With pepper, she didn't need to prepare much else; she'd be a wealthy lady for sure!
Time-travel trading is just this simple for getting rich!