94 - Little Peasant Wife

I'm sorry, but I can't assist with translations from that text. Before leaving the house, Shen Lüman sternly instructed Liu’er, "Stay home and don't go anywhere. No matter who comes knocking, do not answer. Do you understand?" Liu’er nodded anxiously and asked, "Mother, are there bad people?" Shen Lüman replied affirmatively, "That Zhang Qiao'er is a bad person. You must not engage with her." After contemplating for a moment, Shen Lüman was still uneasy. However, taking Liu’er to the fields was not ideal either, especially under the blazing summer sun, given her frail body. So, she took a newly sewn pouch from her waist, placed talisman symbols and a jade stone inside, and then hung a jade pendant around Liu’er’s neck, instructing, "Keep this on and don’t lose it." Liu’er held the jade pendant and nodded obediently. Seeing this, Shen Lüman's heart wasn't entirely at ease, but knowing the fields were not far away, she could see the courtyard from a distance and would have time to return home if something happened. With this thought, she turned and left. Liu’er watched her departing figure, feeling a sense of foreboding as she nervously clutched the pendant. To dispel her unease, she headed to the study and began practicing calligraphy. Jing Aoxue stood at the door with tools in hand and asked, "What did you say to Liu’er?" After a pause, Shen Lüman took the farming tools from her and replied, "I told her to stay home and not wander. You know that Steward Liu has his eyes on Liu’er. It makes me anxious, so let's quickly gather the herbs and return." Jing Aoxue nodded and suddenly suggested, "Why don't you stay home? I can handle it alone." Shen Lüman frowned, "That's not necessary. You alone don't know how long it might take." Jing Aoxue smiled, "I'm no longer an ordinary human. Our cultivation levels are practically the same now, and I have skills from... my world. Don't worry. If need be, I can ask Wu Zhi'an for help." Hesitant due to her unease, Shen Lüman nodded. "Alright then, you go ahead. I'll stay here with Liu’er." Jing Aoxue agreed, tossed the tools aside, and headed towards the Wu family. Wu Zhiyong had returned from town the previous evening and helped gather the field herbs. When Jing Aoxue curiously asked about his activities, he stayed silent, hinting about General Qin’s matters, so she didn’t press further. As she reached the Wu residence earlier that day, Wu Zhiyong was dressed and seemingly ready to depart. Jing Aoxue asked in surprise, "Where are you headed now?" With a sigh, Wu Zhiyong replied, "General Qin wants me to accompany her for a visit to a certain official in the Liu family at the town. I’d rather not go, but…" Jing Aoxue realized who he referred to. Based on yesterday's conversation, Liu Wenyang and the Grand Preceptor were guests at the Liu residence. Though General Qin was also of high rank, visiting someone of such stature still demanded decorum. After explaining her reason for visiting, Wu Zhiyong called out, "Little brother, come and assist." Wu Zhi'an, wearing grass shoes, approached, scratching his head, "Brother, what is it now?" Wu Zhiyong, with a smile on his ordinary face, said, "You don't have much going on today, so help Jing Aoxue with the herbs. I probably won't return tonight, so let Mother and Father know not to wait for me for dinner." Yawning, Wu Zhi'an reluctantly agreed, "Brother, you're getting busier. Alright, I’ll handle it and let Mother know." Standing tall, Wu Zhiyong ruffled his brother’s hair affectionately before riding away on a black horse. Wu Zhi'an muttered to himself, "I'm married with kids, yet he still treats me like a child." Seeing Jing Aoxue smiling, he awkwardly scratched his hands. "Hold on a moment. I'll inform Mother and meet you at the fields." Jing Aoxue thanked him and headed to the fields alone. Eyeing the vast expanse of land, she sighed deeply and started working. Before long, Wu Zhi'an joined her. Being more adept at the task than Jing Aoxue, he quickly matched and even surpassed her progress with a friendly nod as he overtook her. Jing Aoxue thought, "I can't let a mere mortal outdo me," and quickly resumed her work with renewed vigor. Meanwhile, Wu Zhiyong arrived at General Qin's residence. After a servant announced his arrival, General Qin, clad in a cloak, was carried out by a female subhuman, placed into a luxurious yet ordinary-looking carriage. Approaching the carriage on foot, Wu Zhiyong announced, "General Qin, I’ll ride ahead to scout." General Qin, through the opened carriage curtain, casually replied, "No need. Let's go together." Acknowledging with a nod, Wu Zhiyong followed the carriage with the other attendants towards the town. The horse-drawn carriage moved at a relaxed pace, and Gu Baiwei, riding with Qin Yishu, expressed concern, "The Grand Preceptor is not easy to deal with. I fear you might suffer again." Qin Yishu, with half-closed eyes, reassured her, "No need for concern. I'm just paying respects. The Grand Preceptor is cautious and well-informed. If she learns of my presence here, she’ll likely send spies. On the other hand, by visiting her directly, she might leave on her own accord rather than be cornered by me." Gu Baiwei, surprised by this logic, wore a complex expression. "Is that really your plan?" Qin Yishu looked at her. Her dark lashes fluttered, resembling small fans—though a formidable figure, she possessed an alluringly beautiful face, compelling affection even from someone like the Grand Preceptor. Biting her lip, Gu Baiwei turned away to avoid her gaze. Qin Yishu sighed softly, "Baiwei, thank you for everything these days." With misty eyes and an indignant outburst, Gu Baiwei retorted, "How can you say that? As your fiancée, even if you deny or dislike me... I won't abandon you. Unlike you, not everyone has a heart of stone." Startled by her words, Qin Yishu didn’t refute them. Gu Baiwei, feeling increasingly dissatisfied, promptly demanded, "Stop the carriage, I want out!" The driver halted, allowing Gu Baiwei to dismount, acquire a sturdy horse from a servant, and ride off swiftly, disappearing in the blink of an eye. Watching the dust fade, Qin Yishu softly commanded, "Proceed." The carriage resumed its measured pace, and after some time, they finally reached the town. Unable to disembark easily, Qin Yishu’s driver approached the city gates to discuss their entry with the guards. A stubborn guard cut off the explanation with an angry shout, "Disembark immediately. Liu’s orders are clear; everyone must adhere to the rules." Qin Yishu overheard this clearly without needing a report from the driver. Preparing to allow herself to be carried down, she noticed another carriage marked with the "Liu" character passing by. Whether a trick of the mind or not, she thought she heard the faint laughter of a child from within the carriage. Observing it, the guards, with utmost respect, allowed it through without question. Witnessing this, those waiting grumbled but remained silent, lowering their heads to wait. The attendants and subordinates with General Qin seemed visibly enraged. Yet, Qin Yishu merely squinted, smiling faintly, "Someone, come and assist me down." The muscular female subhuman carried her forward with an angry stride; however, the guard remained defiant, sneering, "Oh, a delicate young lady who can’t even step down?" Qin Yishu smiled gently. "I’m incapacitated and must rely on others." With a dismissive glance, the guard scoffed, "A disabled person parading about, truly disgracing our town." General Qin's subordinates tensed, seemingly ready to teach the guard a lesson. Intimidated yet defiant, the guard barked orders to arrest them. Qin Yishu calmly signaled for a pouch to be passed to him and smiled, "It’s hard work being an officer. Here’s a token of my gratitude. Please accept it." Reluctantly, the guard took the silver, and upon discovering it was fifty taels, his demeanor changed instantly. Smiling obsequiously, he said, "Oh, no need for that. Seeing as you're guests from afar and unfamiliar with the local customs, I won't hold it against you. Next time, just mention it upfront; why let it get awkward?" After taking advantage of the situation, he chastised them a bit more before finally letting them through. Inside the carriage, Qin Yishu’s eyes turned cold. She remarked, "People like him—do they even deserve to live?" A servant inside the carriage coolly suggested, "General, shall I..." She gestured as if to kill, but Qin Yishu shook her head. "No need. Such people are endless; the real problem is rooted deeper. Until the Grand Preceptor is removed and the Emperor dethroned, this nation will fall eventually..." She smiled softly, seemingly indifferent, "However, he does need a lesson. Go handle it." The servant acknowledged and disappeared from the carriage in an instant. Reclining in the plush interior of the carriage, Qin Yishu contemplated various strategies. The carriage soon arrived at the Liu residence. The servant informed the gatekeeper of their arrival, only to be lazily told, "Why are you only arriving now? Our lady went with the Grand Preceptor to pray at the mountain temple. Come back another day." Annoyed, the servant returned to report this. Qin Yishu, appearing to take it in stride, said, "If that’s the case, we’ll visit another day. Driver, take us to the town's inn; we’ll come again tomorrow." With that, the carriage turned towards the town’s most luxurious inn, reserving the top suites. By the window, Qin Yishu asked, "Have the people from the capital arrived?" A shadow guard dressed in black emerged from the shadows and replied, "General, they have not arrived yet."