Chapter 76: Lost
◎Awakening to Trouble (Slightly Revised)
It was the height of summer, and the sun was scorching. The mushrooms and wild vegetables they had picked didn't take long to dry. They harvested two baskets full of mushrooms and another two of wild greens.
The women and children in the family squatted on the ground, marveling at their accomplishment.
The twins lifted their chins proudly and declared, "We picked them!"
Little Guo'er quickly nodded her tiny head.
Both the matriarch and Mrs. Chen, as well as Aunt Mei, felt a sense of achievement, albeit an odd one. It wasn't the season for farming or sowing seeds, so they couldn't experience the satisfaction of reaping what they had planted. However, the act of washing and drying the mushrooms and wild greens by hand gave them a subtle thrill.
This feeling made them look at the fungi and vegetables with affection.
Yu Lian made a spontaneous decision, "Let's slaughter a fat chicken to make soup today!"
Eyes shining, the women and children were delighted. The twins, remembering the delicious taste of chicken, could almost taste it, their mouths watering. Immediately, they raised their little hands, volunteering to catch the chicken.
Before Yu Lian could give her consent, the two boys darted towards the chicken coop, instantly causing chaos in the courtyard as chickens fluttered about, squawking in distress. Their hair disheveled by the pecking birds defending themselves, their little faces smudged with dirt, they each seized a chick and presented them triumphantly to their eldest sister. A near-scuffle ensued over which of their fatter chicks should be the one to be cooked.
Yu Lian decided to catch them both for slaughter. She had initially planned to kill one the day she gathered the mushrooms, but then she thought that the dried mushrooms would enhance the flavor of the chicken soup, so she waited until today.
She intended to prepare a bowl for the young scholar Hua Tianqu, another for her second uncle's household, and the rest for her own family. The generous portion would satisfy their cravings in one delightful feast.
Yet, here was the dilemma: not a single woman in the room knew how to slaughter a chicken. Even though Lady Mei had honed her skills in the kitchen to a fine art, she still lacked the know-how to do this particular task.
With both hands, Yu Lian held the chickens' necks, while Aunt Mei skillfully swiped her knife, sharpening it against the tender flesh, eliciting piercing cries from the birds as they scurried desperately around the courtyard.
In the end, it was the strict tutor who taught the three children who stepped in with a stern expression, swiftly putting an end to the chickens' suffering with one stroke.
By dinnertime, the much-anticipated mushroom and chicken stew was finally ready. Yu Lian, seeing her twins drooling with anticipation, instructed them to deliver a bowl each to the tutor and their second uncle's family. The family prepared a stir-fried green vegetable, another dish of wild vegetables scrambled with eggs, and cooked a pot of plain rice to complement the tender chicken.
As twilight fell, the teenager busied himself on the stove, simmering medicine and porridge. His mother's health was still fragile; she needed to finish her meal first, then take her medicine every half-hour before finally settling down to sleep.
The door roused from its slumber as it was knocked upon, and a boy's crisp voice called out anxiously, "Tutor, Tutor, quickly come and open the door!"
Hua Tianqu recognized the voices of his two students. Their urgency made him think that something was amiss, so he hurried outside.
Yet, he was presented with a large porcelain bowl brimming with chicken, its aroma mixed with that of mushrooms. The golden soup shimmered with oil, making him involuntarily swallow his saliva. Looking up, the two boys had already vanished.
They were eager to go home and enjoy the chicken.
The youth stood for a moment before carefully cradling the bowl and returning to his room.
At dinner time, he added half of the chicken and broth to his mother's porridge, transforming it into a chicken congee. As Widow Zhao savored the dish, her mouth glistened with grease. She asked her son where the meat came from.
The youth lifted his eyelids slightly. "From the family Mother said had ulterior motives."
Widow Zhao felt a pang in her heart.
After his mother finished eating, the youth served her medicine and watched her take it before he went out to have his own dinner.
He had not eaten dinner for quite some time. During the day, while teaching at the Hu family, he ate there. At night, he would return home and simply cook a small pot of porridge for his mother. To conserve food, he contented himself with just a bit of soup.
That evening's meal lacked rice as well, but he felt full from eating half a bowl of chicken heads. The bowl was enormous, filled to the brim. Even after giving half to his mother, it was ample for him.
As he lay in bed that night, he pondered how a basket of mushrooms and wild vegetables could be worth a bowl of chicken.
On the other side, Uncle Two's family also received the chicken from the twins. Overjoyed, Grandma Two gifted them several sweet cakes to enjoy as snacks. The twins were even more delighted, and their footsteps quickened as they carried the sweets back home.
After delivering the chicken, the boys encountered their father on their way back, driving a carriage from outside. They promptly called out to him, asking him to stop.
Climbing onto the carriage, they excitedly announced, "Father, you're in for a treat today! Our mushrooms and wild vegetables have been dried, and Little Master killed a chicken. Stepmother Mei cooked the chicken and fried eggs too! But Sister-in-law asked us to send chicken to others, so there's not much left."
Hua Zhan was confused by their jumbled account. Frowning, he scolded them gently, urging them to speak calmly and clearly.
The twins urged impatiently, "Come on, Father, hurry up! If you're late, there won't be any left for you."
Hua Zhan turned to fix them with a stare. "Speak properly."
The twins had no choice but to catch their breath and explain, "Aunt Mei and Grandmother don't dare to kill chickens. Little Master helped to do it. The chicken was simmered with mushrooms, so fragrant! Aunt Mei also fried eggs with wild vegetables. Today, we have rice cooked until dry, but Sister-in-law wouldn't let us eat first. She asked us to deliver the chicken to Little Master and Second Grandfather, but we barely have enough for ourselves."
Hua Yan swallowed. "If the chicken is that delicious, I could eat as much as an ox!"
Hua Xing replied, "I could eat a whole pig!"
Hua Yan retorted, "An ox is bigger!"
Hua Xing: "Piggy Big!"
The two boys began to argue.
Hua Zhan: "..."
Finally, someone gave them both a light tap on the head to silence them. Hua Zhan scolded, "In life, never be petty."
The twins, holding their heads, asked, "What's being petty?"
"When you have something delicious, but refuse to share it with those who care for you, that's being petty. It's good enough just to have food. Learn from your sister-in-law when she works; don't be greedy in all things."
The twins scratched their heads, not fully understanding but vaguely grasping that their father was saying it was good to share chicken with Grandpa Two and Little Scholar.
That was fine with them!
They quickly clung to their father, urging him to hurry up.
After a day of driving the carriage, Hua Zhan felt some aches in his waist, back, and shoulders. The pressure from the two only made it worse, but he said nothing, merely accelerating the pace of the whip, urging the horses to run faster.
The twins coaxed the horse, "We'll feed you plenty of grass when we get home!"
When the father and his three sons arrived, the food had just been served on the table, still steaming with a delightful aroma that wafted into the courtyard. The scent of the chicken was irresistible. The twins jumped down from the carriage, impatient to wait for their father, and rushed inside, completely forgetting their promise to the horse.
Hua Zhan, unperturbed, parked the carriage, gave the horse water and fresh grass, and cleaned his face and hands before entering the house.
Upon entering, he found the whole family seated at the table, waiting for him without touching their food.
The three children, with watering mouths, stared at the large platter of chicken, yet they obediently waited for their father, refraining from reaching for their chopsticks.
Hua Zhan sat down, picked up his chopsticks. The children glanced at their sister-in-law, who nodded, granting them permission. They eagerly grabbed their chopsticks, racing to claim pieces of chicken, savoring every bite.
The elderly matriarch asked her son, "What's going on lately? Why have you been coming home so late?"
She looked at her son's tanned face and weary eyes, feeling a pang of concern. "You're not getting any younger. Take care of yourself. What is it that keeps you driving the carriage around all day?"
Hua Zhan shook his head. "Nothing, Mother, don't worry. I've just been out for leisurely rides."
Mrs. Chen's eyes welled up with tears, secretly sensing that her husband was engaged in some activity outside. He came home each night, deep in sleep, more exhausted than when he was training soldiers back in the military days.
Zhu Ying lounged on the rooftop, his legs crossed, nibbling on a hard, dry steamed bun while inhaling the aroma of chicken wafting from below. Reflecting on the Marquis secretly working as a carriage driver, he wondered whose heartache was greater – his or the Marquis's. In that moment, tears began to flow from his lips.
After much contemplation, he realized he could not continue like this! His master had indeed instructed him to protect the family covertly, but nowhere did it say he must remain entirely in the shadows. Even with the emperor's men watching, if he found an opportunity to reveal himself to the Marquis and his family under a different identity, there was no reason why he shouldn't.
With a legitimate identity, he would be better equipped to safeguard the Marquis's household!
Determined to step out of the shadows, Zhu Ying began to search for the perfect moment. Fate seemed to favor the diligent, as the master's two wayward younger brothers caused trouble, presenting the opportunity he needed.
The following day, Yu Lian personally packed letters for her parents and a selection of mushrooms and wild vegetables. She climbed into the carriage, accompanied by her father-in-law, heading to town to entrust a courier service with their delivery.
Mrs. Chen was engrossed in embroidering a screen, her recently completed handkerchiefs and pouches sold well in town. A prominent family's matriarch had taken a liking to her craftsmanship and placed a large order for an embroidered screen to be used in her daughter's wedding. With the deadline looming, Mrs. Chen hadn't had the time to chat with the elder lady for several days, dedicating herself entirely to her work.
The elderly woman, too, was occupied with fattening up their pigs. Lately, she felt more energetic and ventured further to the riverbank's slope to gather more pig feed.
In their individual pursuits, the family didn't notice that the twins had taken their younger sister, Little Guo'er, along with them into the mountains.
Last time, they had heard from their young teacher that the wild bees' honey was sweet and could nourish their grandmother's health. Ever since, they had been longing to fetch some.
Initially, the twins intended to sneak up the mountain to collect the honey, but were caught by their sister. They had no choice but to cover Little Guo'er's mouth, urging her not to reveal their plan. As a compromise, they promised to take her along with them.
Little Guo'er hesitated, remembering her sister-in-law's warning not to wander off without permission. If they wanted to go far, they had to inform the adults first.
The twins rolled their eyes. "This is a surprise. We're secretly collecting honey to nourish our grandmother and sister-in-law. Do you think they'll be unhappy? And we can sneak a taste too. Maybe it will be sweeter than sugar canes."
As they spoke, they licked their lips. Little Guo'er imagined the taste, torn for a while. Before she could decide, she was swept along by her two older brothers up the mountain.
But once on the mountain, the twins realized they had no idea how to navigate. They soon lost their way, unable to find the honey-producing trees from before, let alone the path back home. The deeper they ventured into the mountains, the more frightened Little Guo'er became, on the verge of tears.
After wandering in the mountains for hours, the sun was high in the sky, and they were exhausted and thirsty. They cried out for their sister-in-law, their voices tinged with panic. To make matters worse, they stumbled upon a wild boar charging at them as it foraged for food.
Zhu Ying, having smelled chicken from his master's house all night and craving it, decided to catch a wild chicken to roast before dark the next day. However, just as he was halfway through roasting his catch, he heard the master's three children crying for help, calling out for their sister-in-law, parents, and grandmother in heart-wrenching sobs.
Yu Lian, having sent a package to town and bought paper and pens for the children, returned to find none of them at home. She rushed to Second Uncle's house, asking them to come home for dinner, but the kids there said they hadn't seen them. Yu Lian then went to Hua Tianqu's place, but they weren't there either. It was then that she realized something was wrong.
Chapter 77: Appearance
◎ Hero! ◎
The Hua family was in chaos due to the disappearance of their three children. Hua Zhan went to the village chief's house, but surprisingly, the village chief didn't take advantage of the situation to target the Hua family. Instead, he organized the idle villagers to search within the village, just as he had done when Hua Tianqu went missing. Some followed Hua Zhan up the mountain, as a villager claimed to have seen the children running uphill.
At that moment, Zhu Ying had already caught up with the three mischievous kids.
He was roasting a chicken, his mouth watering impatiently for it to be done. Before the chicken was fully cooked, he heard the cries of the children. Even if they weren't from his master's family, he would have rescued them on the road without hesitation. Upon recognizing the familiar voices, he abandoned the chicken, kicking some dirt over the fire before rushing to help.
The children were not far from his location; otherwise, their cries wouldn't have reached him. In a few breaths, he arrived to find the three of them in a pitiful state. The eldest, Hua Yan, was carrying his sister on his back while holding his brother's hand, both being chased by a wild boar across the hillside. They cried, snot and tears streaming down their faces, calling out for their parents, elder sister, and grandmother to save them.
Seeing the wild boar closing in on the children, Zhu Ying exerted all his strength, dashing at top speed. He kicked the boar aside, rescuing the children from its jaws.
The three children flew through the air, their sobs and sniffles ceasing. With mouths agape, they stared at Zhu Ying, utterly stunned.
As Hua Zhan and the villagers prepared to ascend the mountain, Zhu Ying descended with the three unharmed children in tow.
He had intended to replicate his previous method when rescuing Lord Hou and his party, leaving the three children on a slope at the foot of the mountain, making it easier for them to be discovered.
Unexpectedly, he encountered Lord Hou leading a large group of villagers searching uphill just as he descended. The two parties happened to meet by chance.
Upon seeing their father, the three children waved excitedly and shouted, "Father, Papa! We're here!"
"We flew here!"
Hua Zhan felt a great sense of relief, but he didn't let it show. His clenched fists relaxed slightly, though his expression remained stern, with his brows knitted even tighter. His imposing demeanor clearly indicated that the father was upset.
The three youngsters immediately clamped their mouths shut and hid behind the Hero, for they truly did not wish to face their father's scolding!
Little Guo'er peered discreetly ahead but failed to spot her sister-in-law among the group. Disappointed, she retreated, for without her sister-in-law or Grandmother present, there was no one who could save them in front of their father!
Hua Zhan approached Zhu Ying and nodded, addressing her. "You saved them?"
The three children were covered in bruises, their faces disheveled, with tear stains still evident and their eyes swollen from crying. It was clear they had endured great hardship, yet they managed to safely descend the mountain. This could only mean that they were rescued by this young man before them, who had a dark, earnest appearance and an overwhelming sense of justice.
Unprepared, Zhu Ying unexpectedly encountered the Marquis, and her initial instinct was to flee.
Yet reason quickly reined in such impulses. If he fled now, the Marquis would become suspicious.
Zhu Ying had no choice but to steel himself and nod guiltily.
He barely dared look the Marquis in the eye, remembering how he had spied on him day and night from the shadows and concealed the truth about his lord being alive. His guilt only deepened.
Suddenly, the Marquis bowed to him, saying, "Young Hero's great kindness towards my son today, Hua Zhan will surely remember and repay in the future..."
Zhu Ying hastily stepped aside and supported the Marquis with both hands, not daring to accept such a grand gesture from the Marquis. He was his lord's servant and covert guard; it was his lord who gave shelter to this group of homeless people, allowing them to survive. They would willingly give their lives for their lord, so how could they accept such respect from their lord's father?
He hurriedly replied, "It was just a coincidence, a small act of kindness. Please don't take it to heart."
As Hua Zhan was helped up, he looked at the young man's dark face with a sense of shame, feeling that he had failed as a father. If not for the Young Hero's timely arrival, might something terrible have happened to the three children?
He suddenly realized that since his eldest son left, he had been lost in his own world, constantly blaming himself. He had thought about how he had let the family name fall into disrepute, how he had no face to meet his ancestors, how he had wronged his eldest son, yet he had forgotten that he still had three other children, an elderly mother, a frail wife, and a daughter-in-law who needed his care...
How had he managed to get through these days? He couldn't recall. All he knew was that he hadn't properly cared for his three children, his mother, or his wife, and certainly hadn't taken care of his eldest son's wife. The entire family had relied on his daughter-in-law, and he had been like a wandering spirit, doing whatever she said. Apart from driving a carriage to help her gather silver for the mountain project recently, his mind had not been fully engaged in anything. What had he truly been doing?
In this state, he was no better than a living dead man!
Upon this reflection, a deep sense of guilt overwhelmed him, yet a rare clarity surged through his mind.
Zhu Ying was unaware that a single incident could provoke such profound thoughts in the Marquis and truly "awaken" him. He merely sensed that the Marquis was in a foul mood, perhaps due to the mischief of the three children?
He quickly explained, "Encountering a wild boar, the children were powerless; it's only natural that they would sustain some injuries."
Hua Zhan heard this and felt even more guilt and fear.
Zhu Ying: "..."
The villagers, seeing them engaged in conversation, hurried over to inquire about the situation.
Zhu Ying had a sudden stroke of inspiration: the villagers and the Marquis both believed him to be a wandering hero; why not embrace this identity and take the opportunity to settle near the Marquis's residence?
After a few moments of contemplation, he found the plan increasingly feasible. So, he spun a tale about traveling the world and happening upon the village while roasting a chicken on the mountain. He said he coincidentally rescued the children from a wild boar.
The villagers, captivated by the young hero's tanned, handsome face and righteous demeanor, didn't doubt his story for a moment. His darkened skin on his face and neck was surely a result of years of wandering under the sun. And his air of righteousness - how upright and noble he seemed! There was no question he was a true hero.
One villager patted his chest in lingering fear. "Why are there so many wild boars around? Last time, when Mu Tou and the others went up the mountain to search for someone, they also encountered one. Could it be the same one?"
Zhu Ying pointed behind him and said, "I killed the boar with one strike."
The villagers' eyes gleamed. "Where? Where is it?"
After Zhu Ying kicked the boar away, he swiftly finished it off to prevent anyone else from encountering it in the future. He needed to take the three children down the mountain, so he could only drag the boar outside.
He showed the villagers the direction, telling them it was still on the mountain and that they would find it if they followed this path.
In no time, everyone present rushed up the mountain, their hands rubbing together in anticipation. They vowed to butcher the boar once it was brought down and host a feast to satisfy their cravings.
Zhu Ying accompanied Lord Hou back home with the three children, where the family's women were anxiously waiting.
The matriarch fainted right away. She had managed to stay conscious when her son had encountered trouble on the mountain before, but this time, with her three young grandsons in danger, she couldn't hold on and passed out.
Mrs. Chen and Aunt Mei paced nervously. Yu Lian was applying pressure to the matriarch's philtrum, rousing her from her unconscious state. Muttering the names of her grandsons, the matriarch slowly regained consciousness.
Just then, Hua Zhan entered the house accompanied by others. The women looked over, both startled and relieved. Each of the three women scooped up a filthy child into their arms.
The twins were embraced by Mrs. Chen and Aunt Mei, while Little Guo'er cried on her sister-in-law's shoulder. She had held back her tears during her father's journey back, but seeing her sister-in-law, she couldn't contain her emotions anymore. Through her sobs, she said, "Sister-in-law Guo'er almost thought I wouldn't see you again. There was a pig, a big wild boar that wanted to eat us."
The twins were quite resilient. Their initial fear had been overshadowed by the hero's grandeur. They danced around excitedly, begging, "Brother Hero, teach us how to fly like you did! It was even more thrilling than any play!"
After detaching from their mother, they rushed to Zhu Ying's side and tugged on his hand, pleading, "Brother Hero, please teach us how to fly and kick boars away with one foot."
At the mention of this, Zhu Ying felt a piercing pain in the soles of his feet. In his haste to save the children, he instinctively kicked the boar, only to have it injure his foot due to its massive size. He hadn't noticed the pain while leading the children down the mountain, but now, the discomfort became unbearable.
Hua Zhan, being a martial artist himself, was acutely aware of Zhu Ying's reaction. He frowned and asked, "You kicked the boar directly?"
Zhu Ying scratched his head, feeling awkward. "I was in a rush to save them and didn't think it through." He should have stabbed the boar with his sword, as a true hero would!
Mrs. Chen hurried over, asking her husband if this young hero was the one who saved their children, and if he could introduce them.
Zhu Ying rubbed his head, feeling a bit bashful. Once his master returned, and his identity was revealed, he wasn't sure how to face the Marquis, Marchioness, and Young Lady.
He stole a glance at the young lady, who was soothing Little Guo'er by stroking her head. The child clung to her, tears still in her eyes, displaying utter reliance. Zhu Ying couldn't help but be moved; Young Lady was indeed incredibly gentle!
Just as the elderly matriarch was about to rise to see her grandsons, Hua Zhan quickly stopped her, saying, "It was my fault, Mother, for making you worry about the children."
The three children then ran over and nestled on their grandmother's lap, apologizing obediently. The grandmother sighed, "You troublesome children..." yet, she didn't scold them.
Hua Zhan introduced the young hero to the entire family, stating that his name was Zhu Ying and he was just twenty years old.
Zhu Ying added, "I come from a family of martial artists. My parents and kin were wiped out because of a secret martial arts manual, leaving me as the sole survivor, wandering without a home." He blinked, trying to recall the frustration of being silenced around his master and colleagues, which eventually turned his eyes red. Two teardrops rolled down his dark, handsome face, resembling crocodile tears.
Mrs. Chen and Aunt Mei listened with teary eyes. Seeing the young hero's tanned complexion, they could only imagine the hardships he must have endured. Otherwise, why would he be so bronzed?
Women, especially, felt compassion for orphans. Moreover, he had just saved their three children. Even the matriarch showered Zhu Ying with affection, urging him to stay for a gratitude feast before departing.
At that moment, Hua Tianqu rushed over from his home. Upon entering, he spotted the hero who had saved him before. Rarely displaying such youthful excitement, he exclaimed, "Hero!"
Zhu Ying turned and smiled even wider. With the young boy's testimony, his chances of staying in the village increased!
He didn't expect to reside permanently within the Hua household; after all, it wouldn't be proper for an outsider like him. However, if he could build a simple thatched cottage nearby, it would be better than hiding on rooftops or in trees, exposed to mosquitoes, wind, and sun. Plus, he could find opportunities to assist Lady Hua and her family.
Chapter 78 - Expressing Gratitude ◇
◎ Can the lady of his master be wrong?! ◇
The young lad rushed in and bowed deeply before Zhu Ying, who helped him up. Though inwardly pleased, he maintained a composed demeanor and said, "It's alright, no need for such formalities."
"One ought to draw one's sword to aid the oppressed when encountering injustice – that is the duty of a person from the jianghu."
The youth's expression turned serious and respectful as he clasped his hands together, asking, "Why have you come?"
The twins chimed in, "Master, the Hero saved us! We were being chased by a pig – not our family's pig, but a big, wicked boar from the mountain!"
Hua Tianqu was somewhat surprised. He had assumed the Hero had left the area, but it seemed he was still here and had even rescued the three missing children. As these children were his students, the debt of gratitude naturally fell on him. The youth's face grew more solemn, and he bowed once more, saying, "Many thanks, Hero, for coming to their rescue."
Zhu Ying felt both elated by the lad's poetic compliments and slightly vexed. Placing a hand on the youth's shoulder, he earnestly advised, "No need to bow and scrape so often. I'm just a wanderer of the jianghu, and helping those in need is my duty."
He secretly winked at the lad.
How astute Hua Tianqu was; he instantly grasped the situation. The Hero had previously mentioned that the entire Hua family were his benefactors, so it was only natural that he would save their three children.
He even imagined that perhaps the Hero had stayed here out of gratitude, wishing to look after the family who had once helped him. After all, they had returned to the countryside due to hardship, and their lives were undoubtedly more challenging than before. It was only natural for the Hero to be concerned.
The youth filled in the blanks on his own, finding the explanation both plausible and admirable. He felt even more convinced that the Hero was a man of honor and loyalty.
Hua Zhan asked doubtfully, "Did you know Zhu Ying before?"
The boy snapped back to reality and bowed, "This Hero is the one who saved me last time. He even flew up the mountain to fetch medicine, which ultimately saved my mother."
Upon hearing this, Hua Zhan furrowed his brow. That meant... Zhu Ying was the one who rescued him and Sanshu down the hillside that day.
He vaguely recalled someone addressing him as Lord at that time. However, having tumbled down the slope and been injured, he had been unconscious and disoriented. He couldn't determine if the voice calling him Lord was just a hallucination or something he had truly heard.
If it was real... how could a person from the jianghu like Zhu Ying know to call him Lord?
A nagging doubt lingered in Hua Zhan's mind, but he kept it hidden. As the host, he invited Zhu Ying to sit down and enjoy some tea.
Aunt Mei and Mrs. Chen retreated to the kitchen, with Aunt Mei casually grabbing a chicken, planning to prepare it for their benefactor. The hero had mentioned that he hadn't had a chance to taste the roasted chicken before rushing off to save someone.
Mrs. Chen took charge of washing the vegetables and soaking the dried mushrooms in water.
Aunt Mei's lips curled into a smile as she said, "Although that young hero is a bit dark-skinned, he's clearly an attractive lad with a good temperament. He's upright, skilled in martial arts, and seems like a fine man."
Mrs. Chen, not accustomed to discussing unrelated men, replied bashfully, "So what if he is?"
Aunt Mei continued, "In my opinion, he would be a match for Lian'er too…" Upon hearing Mrs. Chen's startled exclamation, she quickly stopped herself, realizing she had spoken out of turn.
How could she discuss a suitor for her daughter-in-law in front of Mrs. Chen?
Moreover, Hua Ji was always a sensitive topic for Mrs. Chen, a wound in her heart.
Aunt Mei patted her mouth and said, "My apologies, I spoke nonsense. Please pretend you didn't hear it."
She merely thought it unjust for a fine girl like Lian'er to spend her entire life as a widow for a deceased man, especially since she wasn't born into a lowly background like hers. Why should she devote herself to a dead man?
Besides, it had been so long since Hua Ji's passing. It wouldn't be a big issue for Lian'er to find another young and handsome man.
However, these were thoughts she dared not share with Mrs. Chen. Nevertheless, Mrs. Chen was startled by Aunt Mei's unexpected words, dropping all the vegetables she was holding into the water, splashing herself in the process.
With her hands stained with chicken blood, Aunt Mei was unable to wipe Chen's face. She urged her instead, "Go change your clothes quickly."
Mrs. Chen casually wiped her face and fell silent for a moment before saying, "You're right. It does suit Yu Lian."
This startled Aunt Mei so much that the knife in her hand almost cut her own hand.
She asked, dazed, "What did you say?"
With reddened eyes, Mrs. Chen whispered softly, "I'm not an inflexible or harsh person. I know Yu Lian is an excellent girl. Her marriage into this family is already a favor to me. These days, she has treated me, my husband, and our son kindly. Why would I be hard on her? I sincerely hope that she can let go of Hua'er and find a better match. In terms of status, that young hero isn't worthy of Yu Lian either."
Aunt Mei never expected such words from Mrs. Chen. She looked at her with newfound curiosity, realizing that during this time, not only had she changed, but Mrs. Chen had transformed as well.
Just then, Little Guo'er rushed in with swollen eyes, eager to help Aunt Mei with the fire. Aunt Mei hugged her affectionately and kissed her several times.
"Where's your sister?"
"Sister is with Grandmother in the front room. The Hero, Father, and the little scholar are there too. Brothers were sent by Father to take a bath."
After massaging the old lady's temples for a while and making her drink some warm tea, Yu Lian felt relieved when she saw her regain her energy. The incident of the children going missing and the old lady fainting reminded her of something. Last time, the barefoot doctor, after being exposed for attempting to embezzle Hua Tianqu's medicine, started acting arrogantly and raised his consultation fees out of anger. This undoubtedly added to the burden of the villagers. She needed to find a solution.
She kept this matter in mind and heard the old lady ask, "Have you sent the items to your parents?"
Yu Lian smiled and replied, "I've already sent them. The local escort agency has a convoy leaving the capital this month, and they agreed to deliver it to the Wei Duke's residence."
Yu Lian was still unaware that her parents had separated from the household and moved out of the Wei Duke's residence on their own.
How could her father, a low-ranking sixth-grade official, survive in the capital without the support of the Wei Duke's residence? She hadn't given it a single thought.
The old lady hadn't considered it either. She sighed and said, "Autumn is almost here, and the capital cools down quickly. Mrs. Chen made a cloak early on, saying she wanted to give it to your mother. Should I include it in your delivery?"
Yu Lian pouted and said, "Yes, I brought it. That cloak is excellent; Mother only made one for my birth mother, which shows her favoritism."
The old lady chuckled, "I've never seen anyone get jealous like you, even over your own mother's affection?"
In the main hall, on the other side, the men were seated. Hua Zhan engaged Zhu Ying in conversation. Zhu Ying didn't hold much suspicion or secrecy towards the Marquis, remembering only to conceal his true identity and solidify his disguise as a renowned hero of the martial world. He answered all the questions the Marquis asked, inadvertently revealing much about himself, even his fondness for chicken, which Hua Zhan now knew.
Hua Tianqu sat silently by, observing the hero's innocent demeanor and sighed inwardly.
The hero was talkative, candid, and unusually naive – undoubtedly due to limited interaction with outsiders.
The elder lady listened for a while and asked a few questions. She even inquired if Zhu Ying was married yet.
Zhu Ying's face turned red, and he dared not lift his head. "Not yet." There were plenty of bachelors in his group; he wasn't the only one, so he wasn't worried.
However, the elder lady commented, "You're already twenty, not young anymore. It's time to settle down."
Zhu Ying immediately lifted his head, his flushed face shining with excitement. "Can you introduce someone to me?"
Hua Zhan: "..."
The elder lady chuckled. "Are there any village girls you fancy?"
Zhu Ying replied, "Anything female would do."
All his master's men were rough and unrefined; they didn't even see a single female mosquito! How could he be picky?
At that moment, the twins rushed back from their bath in the yard and loudly responded, "What kind of females? We have sows at home! I feed them!"
"Big Sister said sows can give birth to piglets!"
Zhu Ying's lips twitched. "..." He turned stiffly. "That won't be necessary..."
Yu Lian covered her mouth, barely holding back her laughter, thinking that this young man was quite amusing, at least he had a knack for humor.
At that moment, a lively commotion echoed from outside the courtyard.
Soon, a villager rushed in and shouted, "Wood, Wood, come out and see! The hero has brought down a wild boar, we've dragged it down the mountain! This thing must weigh two or three hundred pounds!"
Hua Zhan, Zhu Ying, and Yu Lian all went out to take a look. The wild boar had already been dragged into the yard by the villagers. With his spacious courtyard, the boar didn't seem small at all. Its massive size thrilled the villagers.
Someone ran around the village, calling out, "Come to Wood's house, come to Wood's house! We're having a big wild boar feast, hurry up!"
In no time, many villagers rushed over. It was just about lunchtime, and everyone's stomachs were growling with hunger. Upon hearing that there would be pork to eat, whether it was wild or domesticated, they scrambled over as if their lives depended on it.
Fortunately, Yu Lian's house was large enough to accommodate everyone, even with all the villagers crowding in.
Even Second Uncle, leaning on his cane, came over, smiling. "I've lived so many years, but I've never seen such a huge wild boar. What a treat!"
Soon, someone sought Zhu Ying's opinion, asking how they should handle the boar since he was the one who had hunted it.
Zhu Ying initially wanted to say that they should follow Young Lady's decision, but then she reconsidered. If she spoke so directly, it might harm Young Lady's reputation. Thus, she pointed at the Marquis, "Follow his lead."
Hua Zhan raised an eyebrow in surprise. He then pointed at Yu Lian, "Let my daughter-in-law decide."
All the villagers turned their gazes towards Yu Lian.
Their eyes were filled with anticipation, hoping that Yu Lian would agree to slaughter the pig so they could enjoy a hog roast. The pig was hunted by the Hero, not by any villager, and thus, they had no right to decide its fate – only the Hero's wish mattered.
Yu Lian looked back at Zhu Ying, "Slaughter half and keep half?"
She meant that Zhu Ying, being a young man of twenty who wandered the lands, might not possess much wealth. Leaving half the pork to be sold for silver could provide him with funds for future use.
As for why she suggested slaughtering half for the villagers to eat, it was because, although Zhu Ying didn't explicitly say so, she sensed his intention to stay in this place. Perhaps after a long journey and without a home to return to, he sought a sense of belonging somewhere. This was a natural human desire.
If so, she would plan for his well-being. If half the pork could win the villagers' favor, allowing him to settle down in the village permanently, then it would be a good outcome.
Zhu Ying was unaware that the young lady had already considered so much on his behalf. If he knew, he would surely be moved to tears. At that moment, he simply nodded in agreement, regardless of what the young lady said.
Could his master's wife ever be wrong?!
Half of it was still quite substantial. The villagers' hearts settled as they assessed the pig on the ground. Upper Village was a homogenous clan village with only a few hundred people in total. Subtracting those not present, there would be at most one or two hundred people who could attend the feast. With such a plump pig, half of it would weigh over a hundred pounds—how could that not be enough? It would satisfy them to the brim, providing a month's worth of rich flavors!
Soon, someone went to invite Butcher Zhang from the village to slaughter the pig. Such a large animal was not an easy task for an ordinary person.
While the butchering was happening outside, Aunt Mei had finished cooking chicken and rice in the kitchen and even prepared two side dishes.
As she carried the food out, the aroma of the chicken wafted through the air, drawing envious glances from the villagers in the courtyard. Aunt Mei, quick-witted, explained, "The Hero saved the child, so we've slaughtered a chicken to express our gratitude."
With her explanation, no one dared to ask for a taste.
Although the Hero was kind, he was also a formidable martial arts expert!
Aunt Mei invited Zhu Ying to come inside and eat.
The Hua family returned to their house to dine, and Zhu Ying felt a surge of happiness. He was eating chicken from his master's household!
He wondered if his master would feel envious when he found out. Next time he wrote a letter, he would remember to describe in detail how delicious the chicken was.
The gratitude feast left Zhu Ying's mouth greasy with satisfaction. Everyone in the master's family treated him like a hero, even the elderly matriarch, who repeatedly served him chicken with her chopsticks, and the young madam, who used public chopsticks to give him meat.
He felt that it was truly worth it this time!
He should have done this a long time ago. If he had known he wouldn't get the chance, he would have created one himself!
Chapter 79: A Grand Gesture
◎Miss Yu Lian is up to something big again◎
While the Hua family was having their meal, the courtyard had already become the scene of a hog slaughter. Butcher Zhang was an expert in his craft, and before long, the pig was ready. That noon, the entire village enjoyed a special wild boar feast.
The villagers, with grease on their lips and contented hearts, naturally developed a fondness for Zhu Ying, the hero who had slaughtered the pig. Especially after learning that he was the very hero who had saved Hua Tianqu, Hua Zhan, and others, they showered him with praise, addressing him as "Hero" at every turn.
Yu Lian observed this situation, concluding that if the young hero wished to stay in the village, it would pose no problem. The village chief, who usually wore a sour face towards her family, was surprisingly courteous to this skilled martial artist, Zhu Ying.
After the hog roast, it was already late afternoon. Seeing that there was still daylight left, Yu Lian and Mrs. Chen called the three children over for a chat.
They asked what the trio had been up to that day.
The twins hesitated, reluctant to speak.
But Little Guo'er whispered, "We went to collect honey. Second Brother and Third Brother said the honey would help Grandma, Mother, and Sister-in-law regain their strength. It's sweet."
The twins blushed; they were also eager to taste the honey themselves.
Upon hearing this, the three elders' hearts softened, and they couldn't bear to blame the children anymore.
Yu Lian scooped Little Guo'er into her arms, observing how the twins' tails were practically wagging in the air after receiving their grandmother's praise. She pulled them over as well for a collective lesson.
She said, "It's not wrong to have good intentions when doing something, but you must also consider your capabilities. You're still young, and your skills are not even comparable to an amateur's. How could you dare take your younger sister up the mountain? If danger were to arise, who among the three of you would be able to protect her? Just like this time when you got lost and encountered a wild boar. If Brother Zhu Ying hadn't passed by, you might have lost your lives. Have you thought about how your grandmother and parents would feel?"
"From now on, you must consider if you are capable of doing anything before attempting it. If you can't, you should seek the advice of adults and not act on your own initiative. Do you understand?"
The trio nodded so vigorously that their heads seemed about to fall off. It seemed like Little Guo'er had truly taken the lesson to heart. However, Yu Lian noticed that the twins were still rather heedless. She sighed, then an idea suddenly crossed her mind: If Zhu Ying intended to stay here, his martial arts prowess could make him an excellent martial arts tutor for the three children.
Changing the habits they had formed wouldn't happen overnight; it would require patience and gradual teaching. But if they learned powerful skills to protect themselves, it would mitigate many potential dangers.
She kept this thought to herself for the time being and decided to observe whether Zhu Ying would indeed stay.
At that moment, the dark-skinned, handsome young man was chatting with her father-in-law in the courtyard.
After a while, he entered the house hesitantly, without saying much. Instead, Hua Zhan spoke up, "After our home was rebuilt, we have more space and empty rooms. There's even an unused courtyard. I thought we could let the young hero stay there temporarily."
As he spoke, he glanced at the matriarch and his wife.
The elder lady had no objections but merely expressed curiosity, "Young Hero isn't traveling anymore?"
Zhu Ying's dark face flushed slightly, and nobody noticed. He whispered softly, "I've traveled enough. I want to find a place to settle down. You see, my entire family is gone... there's nowhere for me to go."
His face turned even redder after finishing his words. His backstory was not entirely fabricated; it was actually the tale of another underling named Zhu Qing. Zhu Qing hailed from a martial arts clan. When he was young, his family was embroiled in a conflict within the martial world, leading to their demise. Only he survived, saved by a blind servant, and later encountered their master.
In reality, Zhu Ying was an orphan with an unknown origin. He survived by begging and stealing, wandering the streets. By chance, his innate talent led him to steal their master's purse, which eventually landed him under the master's tutelage.
Their master was only a few years older than him back then.
Recalling this, Zhu Ying deeply regretted not using Zhu Qing's name. Once their master returned, he could reveal his true identity, and Zhu Qing would take the blame. He could always disguise himself if necessary.
Listening to his story, the elder lady felt sorry for the young man. He had lost his family and had no home to return to. The homeless were always objects of sympathy. With a kind smile, she said, "Then you can stay here. If you feel at home, you can purchase some land from the village chief in the future and settle down. It would be best if you marry a wife and have children, creating a family of your own."
Zhu Ying was moved to tears, responding loudly with an enthusiastic yes!
Yet, Yu Lian's eyes sparkled with amusement. She believed that the young man had planned from the beginning to play the part of a pitiful soul to gain sympathy and stay. She didn't expose him, as the elder lady had already begun considering which village girls would be suitable for Zhu Ying.
The empty courtyard was adjacent to the one where the children studied, nestled even closer to the foot of the mountain. Beyond its walls lay a slope.
Zhu Ying resides here, distant from the ladies, which is quite suitable.
He happily moved in with his sword, then went to a cave on the mountain to retrieve his belongings. Every time he needed to bathe or change clothes, he had to journey to this cave, making it rather inconvenient. Now that everything has been brought to light, life seems more promising.
The next day, Hua Tianqu arrived early to teach the children. Before commencing his lessons, he first paid a visit to the Hero's courtyard as a courtesy, then proceeded to the classroom.
Despite their fright the previous day, the three children were unharmed and full of energy, eagerly seated around a small table, awaiting Little Master Teacher's class. Little Guo'er was the most attentive listener, while the twins kept stealing glances outside the courtyard.
Frowning, Hua Tianqu asked them what they were looking at.
In unison, the twins replied, "Watching the Hero!"
Hua Tianqu glanced outside and saw the Hero lounging on the wall, one leg resting on the knee of the other, munching on a vibrant green cucumber, an aura of leisure and contentment surrounding him.
Hua Tianqu frowned, observing the twins' persistent gazes outside. With his hands behind his back, he stepped out and stood beneath the wall, looking up. "Hero..."
Zhu Ying looked down with a grin. "What's up?"
The young man's face was serious. "I'm teaching, and the children are reading. Your presence here might disturb us."
In the morning, the young lad had come with reverence, but now he was chasing him away with a serious expression. Zhu Ying found it increasingly amusing. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "What if I don't leave?"
The youth scowled. "Then I'll tell Miss Lian."
Zhu Ying promptly jumped down from the wall, almost losing his balance and spoiling his heroic image. Before he landed, he said, "I didn't know about your rule against outsiders watching your lessons before. Now that I do, I'll leave. Just don't go making false accusations."
With that, Zhu Ying leaped away. Hua Tianqu turned back to his room with his hands behind his back, thinking that Miss Lian indeed held a special place in the Hero's heart. The Hero was afraid of leaving a bad impression on her, hence his fear of the youth's report.
The twins sighed in disappointment. They had wanted to learn martial arts, especially lightness kung fu and swordplay, from the Hero. When he rescued them, his posture had been so cool.
Having retreated from there, Zhu Ying hastened to the front courtyard to curry favor.
He knew that playing the sympathy card could only gain temporary compassion. To genuinely win over the master's family and secure his position, he needed to take concrete actions to prove himself as a good person, a truly good person!
By the end of the day, his efforts hadn't been in vain. At least, he had scored full marks with Concubine Mei and the old matriarch. Concubine Mei praised the young hero as a fine boy, diligent and hardworking. He helped chop wood, stoke the fire, fetch water, and even bathed and shaved the pigs. He was a boy unafraid of hardship, fatigue, or dirt.
She felt that having the young hero around was a real benefit to her. Normally, when she did all the work by herself, it felt exhausting, taking a whole day to finish. Today, he completed everything in just half a day, and she no longer had to wait for Lord to return for heavy tasks like chopping wood. In conclusion, the young hero was a good person!
The old matriarch also thought highly of the young hero, a fine boy who even offered to massage her shoulders.
Indeed, martial artists were knowledgeable about the body's acupoints; they could easily identify and alleviate discomfort. Little Bamboo massaged my head and neck, and I felt much more relaxed. This child is truly sensible.
The term "Little Bamboo" was now used affectionately.
For dinner, we had noodles with simple boiled eggs and vegetables. Those who preferred a stronger taste added some pickled vegetable bits to their bowls. Aunt Mei deliberately gave Hero an extra half egg from her own share as a token of gratitude for his help today.
Grandma warmly urged Zhu Ying to eat, constantly praising him as a good child. Hua Zhan treated him politely, while the children looked at him with admiration.
Yu Lian observed all this and concluded that this young man was skilled in social interactions. He seemed to have won over everyone in the family in just one day.
However, she was unaware that Zhu Ying was actually quite worried. The person he most wanted to please was the young mistress! After all, she was his master's wife, and in the future, his master might even be henpecked. If the master turned out to be a henpecked husband, everything would depend on his wife's decisions. What would become of them, his subordinates? If he could win the young mistress's favor first, perhaps his master would have to curry favor with him in the future!
Zhu Ying believed his strategy was sound, but the young mistress was too capable and beautiful, making it inconvenient for him to get too close or know how to approach her.
Fortunately, he was not as straightforward and unyielding as Zhu Qing; he was quite resourceful. He quickly realized that the young mistress was troubled by the situation on Mount Pan. She had spent the entire day dealing with it. Why not help alleviate her worries and naturally gain her favor?
Moreover, upon feeling the warmth of the two thousand taels of silver in his pocket that his master had sent previously, he knew it was ready to be put to use.
However, he couldn't simply flash the silver notes around, for fear of arousing suspicion.
What idea did Zhu Ying come up with? He went to the village chief's house, sword in hand, and the next day, the village chief approached Yu Lian himself, offering to lease them the mountain temporarily until they could afford to buy it. The lease would last three years, during which the mountain would belong to their family and they would have priority to purchase it.
Thus, Yu Lian managed to rent the mountain for three years at the cost of fifty taels of silver. Both she and her family were perplexed; the village chief had always disliked them, so it was unexpected that he would change his mind.
The village chief's son, Tong Luo, was out for a stroll when Yu Lian caught up with him for an explanation. Tong Luo replied, "My father... holds great respect for the hero. He said it's all because of the hero's favor."
In Tong Luo's eyes, his father seemed to have a tendency to bully the weak and fear the strong. He was intimidated by the skilled hero. When the hero visited their home and had a private conversation with his father, his father emerged looking worn out, with no clue about what the hero might have said.
Only then did Yu Lian realize that Zhu Ying was also involved in this matter. She sought him out for clarification, and the young man waved his hand dismissively. "I just told him that if there's anything in the future, he can count on me. I'm not good at much, but I do know some martial arts."
He didn't mention the following part: "I can take lives as well as save them."
Zhu Ying initially planned to buy the mountain outright, but later deemed it unwise. As a man of the Jianghu, carrying such a large sum of money and suddenly offering it to someone else would raise suspicions, even if the village chief was afraid of him. Zhu Ying had no choice but to resort to the tactic of intimidation.
Furthermore, he had observed that the young mistress didn't actually need external help; she was quite capable on her own. As long as he could support and watch over her on behalf of his master, and protect her when necessary, she would thrive admirably.
After descending the mountain, Yu Lian secluded herself in her quarters for several days, commandeering the kitchen. Finally, she successfully concocted her first batch of fruit preserves, revealing to her family her ambitious plan.
Simultaneously, Yu Lian embarked on a large-scale recruitment drive.
Only then did the villagers realize that Miss Lian was up to something grand once again.
The first person Yu Lian hired was Hua Sanduo. She instructed him to procure sapling seeds for fruit trees and engaged others to commence clearing land on the mountain for an orchard and apiary. The focal point would be the wild apricot grove where they had previously spotted bees, expanding outward from there, eventually connecting to the riverside plot at the foot of the mountain.
Chapter 80: The Arrivals ◇
◎ What if my mother and sister-in-law, so beautiful, were taken away? ◎
After the autumn harvest, there was little work left in the fields. Many villagers, young and old, came to apply for jobs. Yu Lian selected some strong men and had them follow Zhu Ying to explore the newly acquired mountain, mapping out its terrain.
If they had gone alone, they would never have ventured deep into the mountains, fearing encounters with ferocious beasts that could cost them their lives. But with the skilled martial artist, Zhu Ying, leading the way, they felt fearless. On their descent, they even dragged back a whole litter of wild boars, creating quite a spectacle.
Upon returning, they began to boast:
"I thought there would be fierce beasts lurking in those mountains, so we dared not go before. But turns out, it was nothing but a bunch of brainless fattened pigs waiting to be slaughtered!"
"Pah! Waiting to be slaughtered? If not for Hero Zhu Ying's swift swordplay, do you think you'd still be alive to tell the tale? Forget about a litter of boars, even one would have been enough to make you run for your life."
"Ha-ha, Hero Zhu Ying is truly remarkable! We didn't even see him move much, and yet the entire litter fell. So majestic!"
The men who accompanied Zhu Ying on the mountain praised him endlessly, utterly impressed. They admired the long sword in his hand with envious eyes. After all, which man hasn't fantasized about being a powerful hero, leaping from rooftops, killing without shedding blood?
This was Zhu Ying's first close encounter with the villagers, and he had already gained a group of devoted fans. He felt quite proud, thinking that his chances of staying in the village openly had increased. If he had known that his martial arts skills could be so useful, he would have come out earlier. A litter of wild boars was all it took to win over the villagers.
According to the custom, once a mountain is claimed, everything on it, be it livestock or crops, belongs to the new owner – in this case, the Yu Lian family. Half of the collected silver was handed over to the government as tax, while the other half was stored in the village's communal fund. The money was spent wisely and fairly, so the villagers had no objections.
Therefore, the entire litter of fat pigs became the property of the Yu Lian family. Yu Lian instructed Butcher Zhang to slaughter one as a reward for the villagers and laborers. The rest were processed into cured meats to prepare for the winter.
Zhu Ying also directed the villagers to harvest all edible wild fruits on the mountain, carrying them down in baskets for the female workers at the workshop to turn into fruit preserves.
The temporary canning factory was set up in the northern part of the Yu Lian family's courtyard. The wall was knocked down, and a makeshift shed was erected with a large boiler stove. If the canning business took off, a larger workshop would be constructed.
At this moment, the Yu Lian household was bustling with activity. In the northern workshop shed, the women were busy making fruit preserves. One group washed the fruits and placed them in baskets, cutting the larger ones into pieces and leaving the smaller ones whole. Another group boiled the cleaned fruits to make a sugary syrup, while a third group filled pre-prepared ceramic jars with the syrupy fruits, sealing the lids with wax before steaming them to kill bacteria and ensure preservation. Thus, the fruit preserves were completed.
The three children spent their days around the canning stove, their mouths watering and eyes shining with anticipation. The aunts, softened by their longing, occasionally tried to sneak them a taste, but after being caught by Yu Lian a couple of times, they refrained. The children were left to salivate uncontrollably.
As Yu Lian put it, indulging in sweets occasionally was fine, but constant consumption could ruin their teeth. Zhu Ying playfully teased that the three youngsters were gluttonous mice sneaking oil, while their sister-in-law was the cat chasing them, causing the children to feel dejected.
The village aunts and wives were all efficient workers; those who were lazy were not welcomed by Yu Lian. In just a few days, all the harvested fruits were canned. A rough count revealed approximately two or three hundred jars.
When the house was initially built, Yu Lian, heeding Second Master's advice, had constructed a large cellar. It was perfect for storing the canned goods.
On the other side of the courtyard, rows of wooden frames were erected, with ropes tied to them on both sides. Hanging from these ropes were cured wild boar meat, emitting a savory aroma that tantalized the taste buds of children of all ages, who spent their days loitering in Yu Lian's courtyard. On one side was sweet syrup, and on the other, smoked meat, driving them to the brink of obsession.
Fortunately, the owner was not a miser. Each day, there would always be some leftover syrup in the large pot, which they would share with the children when the jars ran out. As for the meat, after two meals of wild boar, they still craved smoked meat? Dream on!
The twins, who had turned laziness into an art form, saw this swarm of children drooling in their yard daily and put them to work, making them feed the pigs, chickens, ducks, and even walk the geese. Meanwhile, they hid away to play.
Little Guo'er found it hard to comprehend. She asked her brothers, "Why are you doing this? Aren't you being mean?"
The twins replied with a sense of righteousness, "How is that mean? We're not doing it for free."
"What kind of reward?"
"They're craving meat and syrup, aren't they? We told them they'd get a slice of cured meat or a taste of syrup for each job they do."
"But the cured meat isn't ready yet, and Sister Syrup won't let us touch it. What can Second Brother and Third Brother give them? Isn't that cheating?"
The twins grinned. "Not at all. When it's ready, we'll save our rations to give them their rewards."
Little Guo'er counted the children working in the courtyard—there were at least twenty of them.
Her eyes widened. "You still have to come over?"
The twins finally realized their mistake. It wasn't just a piece of meat and a sip of sweet soup per person – it was multiplied by the number of heads. They instantly felt faint, recalling their sister-in-law's "cruelty." They rushed over to chase the working children out of the courtyard.
"No more playing!"
"..."
Yu Lian didn't give the three youngsters any chance to continue playing. She sought Zhu Ying for a conversation, asking how he had been adapting since living here for some time.
Zhu Ying nodded profusely, afraid that the young mistress might misunderstand and think he was unhappy, leading her to ask him to leave.
Yu Lian then inquired about his future plans. Did he genuinely intend to live in this village permanently?
Zhu Ying nodded again.
"Well then, to establish stability, you need a job and a legitimate identity. As a newcomer without land or property, how about staying in my house first and becoming a martial arts tutor for the three children? Once you have an income, save some silver to buy a plot of land from the village chief and build a house. That would be a solid foundation."
Zhu Ying listened with tears welling up in his eyes. He felt that the young mistress truly cared for him and treated people exceptionally well. As an outsider, she had meticulously planned for his future, considering every aspect, providing him with both shelter and work. Could there be a better young mistress than her?
He rubbed his eyes, his dark face gleaming with bright, determined eyes. "Mist... Your kindness to me will be eternally ingrained in my memory. I promise to work diligently and teach both young masters and miss their martial arts skills."
Yu Lian nodded with a smile.
From that day on, the three children embarked on a busy journey of ceaseless learning. On one hand, they had a scholarly tutor teaching them culture, while on the other, a master warrior instructed them in martial arts. They also had to assist their grandmother in feeding pigs, chickens, and taking the geese for walks, keeping them occupied and joyfully exhausted.
The twins were initially thrilled, but their master warrior started by teaching them the basics - horse stance, insisting they practice this for at least a month before proceeding to anything else. Moreover, they would have to start each day with an hour-long horse stance before any further martial arts training.
After two days of genuinely practicing the horse stance without any shortcuts, the thought of doing it daily left the twins feeling bleak and hopeless about their future. Right then and there, they loudly protested, declaring they no longer wished to learn martial arts.
"What we aspire to learn is the ethereal agility of flying through the skies, the swordsmanship capable of slaying wild boars, not this tedious and exhausting horse-stance! What's the point in squatting like this? No fun, no fun, I'm done with it!"
Hua Zhan listened with continuous head-shaking, his eyes ablaze with anger as he scowled at his sons. Deep down, he was well aware of the character these two possessed. Back in their days at the Marquis's residence, he had indeed engaged distinguished masters to teach them martial arts, yet these two lads detested the hardship and were prone to laziness and trickery. Their efforts were sporadic, akin to fishing for three days and drying nets for two—they never truly grasped the rigors inherent in learning martial arts.
Back then, the marquisate was at the height of its glory. The eldest son had surpassed his father's achievements, while the two younger sons, with the support of their elder siblings, were free to indulge in playfulness without causing too much concern. After attempting to discipline them a few times to no avail, their father eventually let them be.
Such a reaction is utterly unsurprising.
But Zhu Ying had her ways. After a few days, she managed to cajole the two boys into diligently practicing their horse-stance.
During the family meal, taking advantage of the two boys' playful nature after they finished eating and ran outside to catch ants, Yu Lian inquired curiously about the method in question.
Zhu Ying smiled and said, "I told them that there's a band of bandits nearby who have a habit of abducting beautiful women to be their lady consorts. Once taken, they never return."
Yu Lian was perplexed. "Even if it's true, they usually target women, not children. How could it frighten him?"
"Hua Yan and Hua Xing were terrified, wondering what would happen if my mother and my sister-in-law, so beautiful, were to be taken away?"
Yu Lian froze upon hearing this, a tender feeling stirring within her heart. The whole family also paused in their meal, turning to look towards the door. The voices of the two boys in the courtyard, though as quiet as the whisper of an ant, still penetrated clearly into the room. Their words evoked a myriad of emotions within the family; the matriarch, in particular, felt a deep sense of gratification. She commented that despite her grandson still appearing playful and mischievous, he had indeed grown up and matured, now capable of protecting others.
Hardly two days later, Hua Sanduo returned in his carriage, laden with canned wild fruits from the mountains.
Initially, his trip was to gather information on fruit tree saplings. After consulting with seasoned merchants, he learned that it was not the right season for planting; with the weather turning cooler, any saplings planted now would likely perish once winter arrived. Heeding Yu Lian's advice, he opted to purchase the fruits first. It being peak harvest season, fruits were abundant and inexpensive. A string of ox carts followed behind him, brimming with their precious cargo.
Hua Sanduo directed the cart drivers to unload the fruits at the workshop, while he himself invited someone down from the carriage.
The man was peculiar, carrying two large bundles that seemed to weigh heavily on him. He was well-dressed, yet also held a potted plant of an unknown species in his arms, which appeared to be quite a burden.
Hua Sanduo invited someone into the courtyard, and upon entering, the guest immediately addressed the host as "Master." The person standing nearby assumed that the reference was to the head of the household, possibly the former East Yuan Marquis?
To their surprise, a young woman emerged, her beauty rivaling that of a national treasure, exuding an elegant demeanor.
The guest was slightly taken aback. Could this be the Sixth Miss from the residence of the Wei Duke?