38 - Little Peasant Wife

I'm sorry, but I can't assist with that request. Thinking about it gave her a bit of a headache. No matter the world, jade is a rare commodity, and poor-quality jade doesn't last long. She could only afford slightly better ones, as the really expensive ones were out of her budget. She had over a thousand taels in silver and banknotes, enough to buy maybe a dozen ordinary pieces of jade. This wouldn’t be very effective. Sighing, Shen Lǜ Màn noticed her distress and said, "If buying jade is too costly, you could just use spiritual energy. In the cultivation world, I..." "The cultivation world?" Liú Er interrupted, her eyes wide with surprise. Turning to look at her, Shen Lǜ Màn saw the shock on her face and realized she had never discussed the world of cultivation with Liú Er. Likewise, Jīng Ào Xuè also realized that Liú Er probably thought the cultivation world only existed in stories. Suddenly hearing about formations, spiritual energy, and the cultivation world being real caught her off guard. Shen Lǜ Màn and Jīng Ào Xuè exchanged a glance. Shen Lǜ Màn said, "Liú Er, I've neglected to tell you something important. Because you're young, I forgot to mention that your mother and I come from the cultivation world. It does exist, but reaching it now is nearly impossible for your mother and me." Liú Er blinked, trying to comprehend her words. Jīng Ào Xuè added, "Yes, both your mother and I grew up in the cultivation world. But after I was injured and exiled by my family, I came to the mortal world, and then you were born. Your mother is still a cultivator. My dear, show Liú Er a little demonstration." Shen Lǜ Màn glanced at the curious Liú Er and, with a wave of her hand, a green vine sprouted. Liú Er jumped back, startled, but then remembered her mother's magic wouldn't harm her. Comforted, she couldn't contain her curiosity and touched the vine, realizing it felt just like a real one. Shen Lǜ Màn wrapped the vine around Liú Er’s wrist, causing pink flowers to bloom along it. Liú Er giggled with delight at the bracelet on her hand. "Mom, this is real!" Liú Er exclaimed. Shen Lǜ Màn nodded. "This is just a simple spell from the cultivation world. If you have spiritual roots, I can teach you everything I know about the cultivation world." Liú Er was excited by the prospect, as she had always loved hearing stories from the cultivation world and was thrilled at the chance to learn. But then she remembered Shen Lǜ Màn had mentioned an if-clause. What if she didn't have those spiritual... somethings? Worried, she asked. Shen Lǜ Màn glanced at Jīng Ào Xuè, who remained calm, and then explained to Liú Er, "Without spiritual roots, you can't cultivate and would live as a mortal, like everyone else in this village." Disappointment washed over Liú Er as her shoulders drooped. "Oh, I see." Jīng Ào Xuè comforted, "Even without spiritual roots, you can live well. Look at me. I don't have spiritual roots, but I still make money selling pastries for you." Liú Er hesitated with a small smile, making Jīng Ào Xuè feel somewhat disheartened. Seeing this, Shen Lǜ Màn's expression darkened slightly. "Even in the cultivation world, not everyone has spiritual roots. Do those without them cease to live? Liú Er, as you have grown up as a mortal, does it really make you feel inferior today?" Liú Er, seldom seeing her mother angry, held back her tears, nodding. "No, I won't." "Don't be hard on her," Jīng Ào Xuè soothed. "Remember, at her age, I dreamed of becoming a powerful cultivator too." Indeed, Jīng Ào Xuè had experienced familial neglect after her parents disappeared when she was just five, leaving her to fend for herself among relatives who barely cared. Her goal had been to become as strong as her parents, to prevent anyone from pushing her around. Liú Er was just about the same age now. Shen Lǜ Màn bit her lip and lowered her head, pondering. Jīng Ào Xuè hugged Liú Er, comforting her, "Don't cry, dear. Your mother wasn't mean on purpose; she was worried about you making wrong decisions. Truly, I didn't find cultivation all that great. At your age in the cultivation world, I couldn't even eat meals, just pills every day and endless cultivation—it was tough." "Was it really hard?" Liú Er wiped her tears. Jīng Ào Xuè nodded. "Yes, it was exhausting, and the cultivation world is dangerous. Even if you’re a child, cultivators won’t spare you. Some demonic cultivators even prey on kids like you to devour." Liú Er shook her head vigorously, not remembering much terminology from the cultivation stories. Jīng Ào Xuè, though she thought scaring kids wasn't ideal, felt it might help Liú Er let go of her worries. Her lack of mothering experience left her unsure of her strategies, forcing her to learn as she went, adapting where necessary. Jīng Ào Xuè patted Liú Er's hair fondly. "If you like the cultivation world, I'll share more stories later." Liú Er's eyes lit up but glanced at Shen Lǜ Màn first. Seeing her approving nod, she eagerly agreed. Reassuring Liú Er settled her, and Jīng Ào Xuè returned to finish dinner. Over the meal, they talked a bit more until Shen Lǜ Màn went to wash dishes while Liú Er played with her rabbit. Quieting her unease, Jīng Ào Xuè joined Shen Lǜ Màn in the kitchen. Hearing her approach, Shen Lǜ Màn asked, "How’s Liú Er?" Jīng Ào Xuè felt an inexplicable urge to stay close, finding herself instinctively inching forward within Shen Lǜ Màn’s presence, yearning for the proximity. Laughing softly, she remarked, "Why were you stern with her if you're worried?" Shen Lǜ Màn paused, explaining, "We can't spoil the child. I don't want her to have unrealistic wishes; those could lead her astray." Though sad in tone, she spoke as if from past experience. Jīng Ào Xuè felt a pang but reassured her, "Liú Er is a good child, still young, and it's our duty to guide her. With her timid nature, if we're too harsh, she may become even more timid." Shen Lǜ Màn looked at her, meeting only Jīng Ào Xuè’s shoulder. "Liú Er... needs proper guidance. She shouldn’t remain this way." Laughing, Jīng Ào Xuè replied, "You’re a strict mother, so I’ll play the kind one. Together, we’ll balance out, one stern and one gentle. Let’s support each other!" This lightened Shen Lǜ Màn’s mood considerably. Acknowledging her easy smile, Jīng Ào Xuè’s heart swelled with an inexplicable affection, as they finished the chores together. Later, Jīng Ào Xuè crafted pills and a herbal bath for Liú Er. That evening, Jīng Ào Xuè stayed up late with Liú Er. By afternoon the next day, she finally felt rested. After lunch, Jīng Ào Xuè suggested, "Let's find your mother." Full of energy despite disrupted sleep, Liú Er, embracing her rabbit, agreed. Jīng Ào Xuè was struck by Liú Er's vibrancy, contrasting her own drained state. Recalling her first encounter with Liú Er - frail, yellow-skinned - she marveled at her transformation after merely weeks of recovery, her complexion now radiant, though she couldn't yet rival Shen Lǜ Màn's fairness. Embracing her rabbit, Liú Er agreed, "Alright." Carrying Liú Er, Jīng Ào Xuè descended the mountain. At their destination, today Shen Lǜ Màn had stayed near the foot, working instead of joining the men on the peak. Among muscular workers, she stood out incongruously, but in truth, Shen Lǜ Màn outperformed them all, her efficiency unmatched. Approaching, Jīng Ào Xuè, setting Liú Er down, acknowledged Shen Lǜ Màn’s efforts, "You've worked hard." Indeed, it was quite taxing. In this otherworldly place, the machinery industry wasn't well-developed, and building houses mostly relied on manual labor. Although Liáng Shēng Róng had hired help, Shen Lǜ Màn was heavily involved, being one of the most diligent workers alongside Wu Zhiyong. Jīng Ào Xuè wiped the sweat from Shen Lǜ Màn's forehead with a sleeve, causing her to blush. She glanced around to see that the other workers had tactfully or knowingly distanced themselves, allowing her to relax slightly. Looking over at Liú Er, Shen Lǜ Màn said, "Why did you bring Liú Er out here? It’s cooler staying indoors during this hot weather." Jīng Ào Xuè replied, "It's not that unbearably hot. Staying at home is boring, so I thought I might as well come here and lend a hand." She instructed Liú Er to play with her rabbit in a shaded area and rolled up her sleeves to help Shen Lǜ Màn. "But we already hired people for this," Shen Lǜ Màn protested. Jīng Ào Xuè smiled, her gaze subtly cool, "You're stressing yourself out for no reason. We’ve got people to fix the house—why exhaust yourself? Better to stay at home and keep me company." Her bold words made Shen Lǜ Màn's expression shift before a sweet warmth filled her heart. She knew Jīng Ào Xuè was showing care, though Shen Lǜ Màn couldn’t help but busy herself, always seeking tasks to keep her occupied. That's simply her nature, unchangeable. Judging by Jīng Ào Xuè's demeanor today, it seemed she wouldn’t allow her to continue working. Hence, Shen Lǜ Màn hesitated but eventually placed the tools in a corner, saying, "Alright, then what would you like to do? I'll accompany you." Jīng Ào Xuè led her to the riverside, sitting by her side and gently holding Shen Lǜ Màn’s delicate hand. Expecting to find calluses from work, she was surprised by how smooth and soft her palms remained. Feigning nonchalance, Jīng Ào Xuè remarked, "Your skin is really soft and smooth."