HE With the Cold Male Protagonist C51

Chapter 51: Gathering Silver Ear, Driving the Two Madams Feng to Fury

It was the first time Jiang Baiye cursed so bluntly. He froze for a moment, uncertain, searched again, and finally realized—the book Lu Lizhi had tucked into his robe during the day was his!

“That fellow, he even stole my book.”

Clearly such a proper and upright gentleman—yet once he opened that book and saw the contents…

Jiang Baiye pressed a hand to his forehead. And he himself had still been shameless enough to ask him about it. At that time, Lizhi must not have known what kind of book it was, otherwise his reaction would never have been that mild.

He rejected such things so strongly that even the slightest touch would make his whole body stiffen. Yet he still endured Baiye’s closeness with effort.

And he—behind his back…

The next morning, Jiang Baiye rose very early and all but fled into the mountains with his men to collect herbs.

At first, Ronghua and Fugui were overly wary—every rustle of grass, every gust of wind had them on edge as if facing a deadly foe.

But once they adjusted, following Jiang Baiye’s lead and getting the hang of things, they were quickly captivated by the mountain’s bounty: wild game, medicinal treasures, herbs in dazzling variety.

Baiye hadn’t exaggerated. Because Daheng Mountain had never been properly developed, wild beasts had multiplied, and frightening rumors kept people away. For years, countless treasures had accumulated here. It was truly his golden cheat.

The mountain was vast—even he hadn’t explored all its corners. Century-old ginseng and such might well be hidden within.

But before collecting herbs, he led them to gather the silver ear fungus he and Lizhi had found earlier.

Wild silver ear was rare. Only in later generations, when artificial cultivation was invented, did it enter households as an everyday dish.

In this era without such techniques, silver ear was a precious tonic. First, few knew how to prepare it properly—fresh silver ear could be toxic if handled wrong, so those who tried and suffered never dared a second time.

Second, those who understood its value had no means to obtain it. Combined with the harsh conditions for growth, wild silver ear was priceless. Jiang Baiye estimated it might fetch a price no less than lingzhi.

Ronghua and Fugui watched in astonishment as he used a knife to cut down clusters of the “little white flowers” growing on a tree stump. “Master, what medicine is this?”

“This is silver ear, a fungus known as the ‘crown of mushrooms.’ It nourishes the lungs, strengthens the body, and can be made into soups. The best specimens are large and loose, with thick, fleshy lobes, pure white or slightly yellow in color, with no black spots or impurities at the base.”

As he spoke, his hands moved deftly, harvesting the choicest clusters. Once cleaned and dried, they could be sold.

Pharmacies welcomed all kinds of food-based tonics—often at higher profit than ordinary herbs. How could Baiye refuse such a lucrative path?

He spent freely and had invested heavily in his workshop; he was constantly in a state of near-poverty, forced to seize every chance to earn.

In the blink of an eye, he had filled a whole basket. The others, imitating his methods, carefully picked some as well. Baiye glanced over and tossed aside a few that had been spoiled by infection.

“These are toxic. Don’t take them.”

Like lingzhi, if the spores and mycelium were left behind, the fungus would grow again. Its vitality was strong. Baiye was utterly delighted with this forest that bred such treasures!

Afterward, he took them to several of his other herb spots.

Golden-thread lotus, cicada fungus, Paris polyphylla, dendrobium, gastrodia, polygonatum—valuable herbs all. Baiye taught them hands-on: how to recognize each plant’s appearance, growth state, ripeness, and how to harvest or dig them.

Though it was their first time, his explanations were simple and lively. They learned quickly.

Knowing these herbs equaled money, they were like men picking up silver from the ground, almost bewitched.

So much so that when a brightly colored venomous snake slithered near, none of them noticed. Baiye’s brow furrowed; he quickly warned them.

They scattered instantly, their reflexes and speed saving them. A narrow escape.

“Be careful! If you cannot stay vigilant while working, then best you never enter the mountains again!”

Shamed, they bowed their heads. They weren’t normally so careless—but Baiye’s calm confidence had lulled them into lowering their guard.

But Baiye wouldn’t always be there.

He then assigned each man a section suited to his strengths.

An Gui, who could jump high, was given steep slopes. An Fu, who could run fast, was sent to the farthest areas. An Rong, strongest in force, was tasked with the more dangerous ground. An Hua, hot-tempered, was given easier tasks—like digging poria from pine roots—since locating and extracting them intact was difficult enough.

“The first stretch, go together. After splitting up and gathering herbs, return to the meeting point. If anyone is missing, report immediately—do not wander off to search on your own. And if your negligence causes harm to another, I will never forgive it.”

The four dared not breathe too loudly. From then on, they remained cautious, gradually sensing dangers big and small, sobered from their earlier giddy excitement.

When dusk fell, Baiye quickly led them out.

He had considered taking Uncle Luo, but Luo himself knew he wasn’t capable, and his family opposed it. Baiye could only rely on these four.

Still, he planned to hire Uncle Luo as gatekeeper and night watchman. A strong hunter would do well there.

Even so, his heart was uneasy—wondering if Lizhi was angry, if he thought him frivolous. But with so many herbs gathered, he had to process them first.

Yet as he hurried toward the workshop, he came upon a noisy crowd ahead.

“Let me go!” Madam Feng clutched her bundle, being restrained by an auntie. “You’re a mother, why quarrel with your husband like this? It’s not worth it!”

Seeing a group of women, Baiye meant to skirt around. But Madam Xiao Feng spotted him—of course she did; she had been waiting!

“Isn’t it all his fault? My daughter was injured and terrified because of him, yet he showed no concern. Now my sister and brother-in-law are quarreling so badly they’re nearly divorcing!” In a few words, she shifted all blame away from herself.

Jiang Baiye, hit for no reason, was speechless. He set down his basket of silver ear and sack of precious herbs.

Madam Xiao Feng’s gaze immediately darted over. Seeing no lingzhi, she was disappointed, but those herbs surely held great value—why else would he go into the mountains and open a workshop?

As greed gleamed in her eyes and even Madam Feng looked tempted, Baiye picked up a silver ear the size of his palm, smiling leisurely. “Ladies, do you know how much this is worth?”

Some women had received a piece from him earlier, but none knew its value.

“Isn’t it just a wild vegetable, like black fungus?”

“They’re nothing alike! One’s white, one’s black. One’s big, one’s small.” A round-faced aunt immediately objected.

In their eyes, wood ear was just another wild green. But this? From Chang Sui, it must be a treasure!

“Exactly. This silver ear is worth far more than black fungus. To be precise, it may even surpass lingzhi.” Baiye smiled.

The two Madams Feng stared, wide-eyed, at the basket full of silver ear. A single lingzhi was worth two or three taels. How much was this entire basket!?

“And these herbs—together, the five of us could sell them for a hundred, maybe a hundred and eighty taels.”

The other women were still thrilled at learning their silver ear at home was worth so much. But Madam Xiao Feng could wait no longer. “My Lan’er was gravely injured because of you. A bit of this silver ear will suffice!”

“Is that so?” Baiye lifted the basket and walked toward them. Madam Feng, too, could not help scheming how to secure a share. Three or five pieces would do—surely not excessive given the basket’s size.

“Smell it—fragrant, isn’t it?” Baiye held it out. Overcome with desire, both women leaned in. A faint, fresh fragrance filled their noses. They nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes! It smells wonderful!”

Madam Xiao Feng even stretched her hand to grab, but Baiye calmly pulled it back. “If it’s fragrant, then it will fetch a high price. I can sell this for a good sum.”

He slung the basket behind him and called to his men, “Come, let’s not disturb these ladies’ conversation. They’re enjoying themselves.”

The two Madams Feng: “…”

They stared, dumbstruck, as he strode away with his men.

“What did he mean?”

“Wasn’t he about to give us some? Why did he leave? Has he gone blind?” Madam Xiao Feng stamped her foot, ready to chase him.

“No… he only meant for us to smell?” Madam Feng said uncertainly.

“Then why say so much…” At last realization dawned—their faces flushed crimson with humiliation.

“That brat! Jiang Baiye! How dare he mock us so!” Madam Feng nearly exploded. “Never have I been toyed with like this! He dared trick me!”

Madam Xiao Feng was equally furious. They turned, ready to raise a scene—only to find the other women gone, scurrying home to admire their silver ear.

Helpless, the two slunk back, subdued. Village Head Wang knew nothing, only that they were finally quiet—even skipped dinner. At last, he ate in peace, not having his food snatched.

That night, Madam Feng was oddly calm. She lay stroking her chest, lost in thought.

Wang, relieved, did not disturb her.

But she grew angrier the more she thought. She tossed all night, sleepless.

Especially recalling Baiye’s words about the value, how excited they had been when he held the basket under their noses—only to have it snatched away. Joy crushed into bitter disappointment.

The pain and fury lingered, impossible to soothe.

“Argh! That brat, I’ll never forgive him!”

Thus both Madams Feng spent the night sleepless, stewing in anger. For days they ate poorly, restless and resentful. Meanwhile, Village Head Wang enjoyed rare peace, living like a carefree immortal.

But Baiye had not seen Lu Lizhi for several days. The workshop was formally operating now, requiring constant supervision. And his mother had warned him not to distract Lizhi—let him study.

Baiye endured, day after day, the torment mounting. Until at last he realized—if he did not seek Lizhi, Lizhi had no intention of seeking him.

His heart dimmed, a bitter doubt rising: just how much did Lizhi like him at all?

Author’s Note:
[3] Source: Sogou Encyclopedia entry on “Silver Ear Fungus.”