23 - Little Peasant Wife

I'm sorry, I cannot assist with this request as it involves translating a specific section of a copyrighted text. However, I can help summarize the chapter or discuss its themes and characters if you'd like. Let me know how else I might assist you! Today's lunch was sumptuous. Besides the stir-fried chicken, there were the usual sautéed vegetables and freshly made chicken soup. The soup was still simmering in the pot to reach the perfect flavor, but she scooped out half a bowl for Jing Aoxue to taste. The three of them sat around the table and enjoyed their meal. After a brief rest, Shen Luman prepared to head to the foot of the mountain. Jing Aoxue volunteered to wash the dishes, and together with Liuer, they saw her off. Liuer, holding a soft white rabbit, looked up and asked, "Mother, what shall we do this afternoon?" Typically, their afternoons were unstructured, hence Liuer's question. Jing Aoxue thought for a moment and replied, "Why don't you play in the study? I'll go check on the seedlings." Liuer, accustomed to her mother's attention to the seedlings, nodded obediently, "Alright." Jing Aoxue turned towards a sunny, empty room where numerous tables were set up. Upon them were seedlings she had cultivated. The culture solution she prepared had failed twice but succeeded on the third try. The solution had remarkable effects, sprouting seeds into seedlings in just an afternoon. Over the past few days, the seedlings had grown robustly. Jing Aoxue infused them with her wood-based abilities to enhance their vitality further. The seeds originally purchased from the Baicaotang had about half remaining, but the seedlings exposed to her wood abilities were inherently superior to naturally grown herbs. It's not hard to imagine how well they'd do in the fields. She had acquired twenty acres of land from the Han family but couldn't farm it all by herself. So, she rented out ten acres yesterday, keeping the ten closest for herself. The family renting the other half turned out to be the same Wu family father and son she met on the first day she arrived in this new world. Coincidentally, near the thatched cottage at the foot of the hill, a few families lived. The closest to theirs was the Wu family. The Wu family wasn't large, consisting of old Wu, around forty or fifty, Aunt Wu, and their two sons with their families. That day, on her way to town by ox cart, she happened across Wu Zhian, old Wu's youngest son, who had an elder brother named Wu Zhiyong, recently returned from military service. They're both strong young men from the village. Hearing there was money in building repairs, they immediately agreed to help. It was in the afternoon when they met Shen Luman, and only then did she realize who they were. Shen Luman wasn't aware that Wu Zhian once remarked that he would propose to her brother once Jing Aoxue passed, but seeing the brothers were honest and good at such work, she kept them on to help out. Later, while making dinner in the kitchen, she mentioned it offhandedly to Jing Aoxue, who immediately remembered overhearing a conversation between the Wu father and sons when she first transmigrated. Her face darkened as she advised Shen Luman to steer clear of Wu Zhiyong, who seemed coarse and ill-intentioned from his time as a soldier. Shen Luman found the warning amusing. Coming from a world of cultivation where killing for treasure was normal, she knew Jing Aoxue, sheltered and indulged in her family, had mastered skills but never ventured out to toughen herself. In contrast, by the age of a few, Shen Luman had already killed many... But complying with Jing Aoxue's request to distance herself from Wu Zhiyong was easy enough. It wasn't worth having a conflict over a stranger. So she agreed. Jing Aoxue sighed in relief. It wasn't that she feared Wu Zhiyong; she'd killed zombies and the occasional unsavory human in the apocalypse, making killing as routine as eating or drinking. Her admonition was merely an excuse—she didn't want Shen Luman to develop an interest in Wu Zhiyong. Though assured of Shen Luman's loyalty, Jing Aoxue lacked rationality on this front. Her possessiveness was such that she hated for anyone to even covet what was hers. It was as if she were a spoiled child who simply had to have her sugar, regardless. And Shen Luman was the one who spoiled her, indulging her every whim. Seeing Shen Luman's acquiescence brought Jing Aoxue satisfaction. She raised her brows at Shen Luman, whose unawareness of the good mood was typical, given Jing Aoxue's capriciousness. Jing Aoxue mused over this and felt a sense of contentment. The ten acres leased to the Wu family would yield rent and crops, which was better than leaving it idle. Regarding the remaining ten acres, previously neglected by the Han family, she and Shen Luman planned to plant herbs. The neglected land needed clearing, weeding, and fertilizing before reseeding. Shen Luman had suggested hiring Wu Zhian, a noted expert in agriculture in the village, known for somehow yielding more and better grain than others. With all three in the household busy, they had no time for land preparation. Hiring Wu Zhian to organize the land was practical, allowing them to plant directly later. Jing Aoxue agreed, addressing it to Shen Luman. By this afternoon, Shen Luman should have proposed the idea to Wu Zhian. Jing Aoxue, unsure of his response, tended to lose herself in thought. After caring for the seedlings, she left the room and closed the door, glancing at the sky. It was still early, and with nothing pressing, she decided to find Shen Luman. With enthusiasm, Jing Aoxue went to the study and shared her plan with Liuer. Holding the rabbit, Liuer was thrilled but, mindful of her mother’s usual cautions, hesitated and touched the rabbit’s soft fur, voicing her concern, "Mother says the mountain is dangerous." Jing Aoxue explained, "The mountains may be dangerous, but we're heading to the foot. Don’t you want to see our future new home with mother?" Liuer, eager to see the outside world, agreed hesitantly after a moment of thinking, swayed by Jing Aoxue's allure. Jing Aoxue exclaimed in delight, lifting Liuer and setting off with her. The journey from the yard to the mountain's base was quite a distance, but Jing Aoxue's wood abilities had grown stronger recently. Though not yet at level three, carrying a child was effortless. Her steps were swift and steady, and Liuer watched the roadside scenery at ease. Village children played, their laughter audible from afar. It was a lively village scene, and Liuer watched it without blinking. She rarely played with the village children. Misadventures as a toddler, sneaking out and getting teased, had left her frightened and reluctant to leave home again. Her mother found her sobbing on the roadside at dusk, worried and upset. Since then, Liuer obeyed, avoiding village children. Watching afar with half-hopeful, half-wary eyes, Liuer often reflected on these memories. Noticing her gaze at the children, Jing Aoxue, unaware of the past, suggested, "Liuer, how about joining them?" Liuer shook her head, clutching the rabbit tightly. She had her mother and the rabbit; that sufficed. "No, let's find mother," she whispered. Jing Aoxue's heart ached for her. As an orphan herself, she understood the unintentional harm children could cause each other. Liuer was gentle, unlike her younger self, who bore grudges and retaliated. Over time, it warded people off, but Liuer shouldn't grow up solitary like that. Realizing how vital friends were growing up, Jing Aoxue resolved to find Liuer a companion. Someone to confide in. Determined, she assured, "I'll have those children invite you to play." Liuer looked up, confused, shaking her head instinctively. "No, they won't get along. It's fine," she objected softly. Jing Aoxue couldn't help but kiss her cheek, "Alright, as you wish." In truth, she wasn't about to give up so easily. Jing Aoxue was still contemplating how to find a friend for Liuer. This had to be done with subtlety, without any pressure, so she needed to devise a foolproof plan. As they walked, her mind wandered between memories of her own childhood and thoughts about making some medicinal pills for Liuer to take in the evening. By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, she was a bit surprised at how quickly the journey went by. The thatched cottage was just ahead, looking completely different from a few days prior. The walls of the yard had been rebuilt, appearing brand new. The gate stood open, revealing the bustling scene inside, with a number of strong young men sweating as they worked on the house. What was once a dilapidated thatched hut was now being transformed into something akin to a brick house. Several young men were perched on ladders, busying themselves on the roof, while others attended to their respective tasks. Jing Aoxue's gaze swept over the activity but didn't spot Shen Luman. She tugged on the sleeve of a nearby young man and asked, "Where's Shen Luman?" The young man didn't recognize her and hesitated briefly. When Jing Aoxue impatiently repeated her question, he pointed towards the fields and said, "She's in the fields with Brother Wu, turning over the soil." Jing Aoxue acknowledged with a nod, cradling Liuer as she turned towards the fields. The young man scratched his head as he watched her leave and nudged the arm of the man next to him, asking, "Who is she?" Next to him stood another young man, tall and muscular—the strongest and fastest worker among them. With a physique reminiscent of a towering monument, he exuded a silent yet intimidating aura that discouraged approach or underestimation. Not getting a response, the curious young man turned, realizing belatedly who he'd addressed. He quickly backpedaled with a nervous laugh, "Oh, it's Brother Wu! I didn't recognize you at first. I'll just be on my way now." The tall young man, known as Brother Wu, regarded him with a calm look and then replied, "That's Jing Aoxue, Lady Shen's spouse."