Chapter 88 - The Truth
◎ His eldest son is still alive! ◇
Back to the small forest on the hill.
Amidst the snow-covered landscape and the solemn atmosphere, the village at the foot of the mountain and the grand farmhouse lent a sense of warmth and vitality.
Zhu Ying was in a good mood. Scaling the hill served as a warm-up for him. Upon reaching the summit, he drew his sword to practice. However, just a few swings in, a wooden sword suddenly appeared from the side, almost grazing his wrist. Zhu Ying instinctively withdrew and counterattacked, but halfway through his move, he caught sight of the wielder of the wooden sword and hastily halted. Carried by his momentum, he took two steps back.
A deep male voice spoke, "Don't stop. Let's exchange a few moves."
Without waiting for a response, the man attacked with his wooden sword. Although Zhu Ying was perplexed, seeing the blade heading straight for his face, he had no choice but to defend himself. However, his opponent wielded a wooden sword, while his own was an exquisite longsword forged by a master at great expense for their lord. It was capable of slicing through iron like butter—how could he dare to touch it lightly?
He could only dodge left and right, calling out to Master Hua to stop.
After a while, the darkly handsome young man was cornered with nowhere to hide. With a pained expression on his tanned, handsome face, Hua Zhan sheathed his sword and stood tall. He tossed the wooden sword aside, his hands clasped behind his back, and let out a long sigh.
"Hua'er... He's still alive?"
At first, he wasn't quite sure, but when he saw this young man not even dare to exchange moves with him, for fear of harming him in the slightest, that courteous yet respectful demeanor was precisely how his own subordinates used to treat their lord.
This also explained why, when he was unconscious and rescued by this young man earlier, he heard someone anxiously call him 'Marquis.'
Only the subordinates of his eldest son would address him like that, treating him and his family with respect and even an unconditional sense of closeness and flattery.
If it were an ordinary martial artist or a young hero, who would willingly spend every day on a farm helping out? Not only would they have no complaints, but they would do so happily, warmly and politely towards everyone in the household, without the slightest hint of the arrogance that usually accompanied such heroes.
Hua Zhan's face remained calm, but his hands clenched tightly behind his back, veins bulging as a surge of overwhelming joy washed over him. If not for the presence of others and the lack of confirmation from Zhu Ying, he wouldn't be able to contain his excitement.
His Hua'er... was still alive!
Zhu Ying froze, staring at the Marquis in disbelief. Did he know? Did the Marquis know? Was he testing him?
After a long moment, Zhu Ying managed to regain his composure. He tried to laugh it off, saying, "What are you talking about? I don't understand."
Hua Zhan gave him a fleeting glance. "What did Hua'er instruct you? Why aren't we allowed to know that he's still alive? Where is he now? Is he involved in some dangerous matter?"
He knew his son well. His eldest had grown up by his side, displaying remarkable intelligence and wisdom from a young age. Many times, Hua Zhan had felt a sense of inferiority, acknowledging that he was far from his son's match. He was just a warrior, at best called a God of War for his battlefield prowess, but when it came to character and strategy, he couldn't hold a candle to his eldest.
The eldest son was more composed and capable of great achievements than he was. Considering Hua'er's character, if he hid from them the news of his survival, it certainly wasn't to toy with their emotions; he must be engaged in some perilous endeavor. He would keep it secret to prevent them from worrying or getting entangled, but, out of concern for their safety, he sent his subordinate to secretly protect them.
Zhu Ying was surprised by how profoundly the Marquis understood his master, having already guessed most of his intentions and the circumstances surrounding his survival. The only thing he couldn't fathom was how Hua Ji had orchestrated everything, how he managed to stay alive, what he was currently doing, and whether his life was in danger.
Having lost his beloved eldest son once before, Hua Zhan would rather he lead an ordinary life than witness him face any more troubles. Moreover, they now had an intelligent, capable, and devoted daughter-in-law who excelled in every aspect and was flawless in every way. Since Hua'er was alive, how could he possibly let her down again?
In the Marquis's second inquiry, not only was he utterly convinced of his master's survival, but he directly asked the most critical question: Why hadn't he contacted them? Why was he hiding from them?
And what was he doing now?
Zhu Ying felt utterly disoriented, as if standing in the midst of a howling wind. It was over... it was all over. The Marquis had truly uncovered the truth. He wasn't deceiving her or testing her; he was now utterly convinced of this reality!
This realization puzzled Zhu Ying greatly. He had thought that his disguise as a young hero, transitioning from the shadows to openly protecting his master's family, had been quite successful. Where had he left a clue?
When the Master instructed me to come, he emphasized repeatedly not to divulge the secret of his survival, nor to reveal my true identity. He insisted that they must continue living their lives normally, and that I should only intervene if their safety is jeopardized.
Now that the Marquis has discovered this, what should be done?
Before Zhu Ying could piece together what was happening, Hua Zhan suddenly pulled a letter from his sleeve. The paper was eerily familiar—it was the very same note he had penned last night, tears streaming down his face and nose running. After a few brief lines about family matters, it went on to describe how the young madam had wept for her lord while drunk, and how heart-wrenching that sight was. It even subtly criticized the master for his indifference, asking if he could perhaps share some news with the young madam. Otherwise, wouldn't she be too pitiful? What if her longing for her lord turned into illness?
Yet, the letter not only didn't get sent, it was now in the hands of the Marquis?
Zhu Ying: ...
This time, there was no way to deny red-handed by the Marquis, how could he possibly make any excuses?
Zhu Ying sat down on the cold, uneven boulder, letting go of that precious sword and setting it aside. He decided to come clean with the Marquis.
"Yes... Lord, he's still alive."
Those words were more potent than any medicine in the Zhan felt his heart, which had been gradually growing cold since his eldest son was forced to take the blame for a crime and they were separated by death, come back to life.A rush of warmth spread rapidly from his heart throughout his body and limbs, and he barely managed to suppress his overwhelming joy.
His eyes reddened, and his voice became hoarse with emotion, barely holding back sobs as he asked, "Hua'er... Is he well? Tell me everything that has happened, in detail." The last part was said with an unwavering tone of command.
He desperately needed to know what his eldest son was doing! This was the absolute right of a father who had died and come back to life.
Sitting on that rough stone, Zhu Ying ignored the discomfort as the jagged surface dug into his demeanor was unusually serious and solemn.
He began recounting everything he knew to the Marquis, speaking in a measured tone.
On that fateful night, he was supposed to be a nimble-footed combatant, fighting alongside his master at the palace gates. Instead, he found himself as a messenger, relaying battlefield updates until the late hours of the night. Assuming all was well, he was on the verge of dozing off when he received an urgent summons from his master – the most exigent command within their secret organization, one that demanded he risk life and limb to obey.
Few were privy to this secret code. Zhu Ying summoned all his martial prowess and arrived at his master's side in less than half an hour. The situation at the palace gates was still under control, with his master's forces holding several entrances, awaiting his command to charge.
Unexpectedly, his master instructed him to lead the covert unit into retreat, finding a place to hide and remain unseen no matter what transpired. He was also given a silk pouch, to be opened only upon his return.
After they retreated, Zhu Ying ventured out alone to gather information. It was then he witnessed his master being captured, as a large troop emerged from the palace gates, all skilled warriors. Among them were the forces of the Seventh Prince's maternal clan, the powerful General who suddenly turned traitor, directing their weapons at his master and the Marquis.
Overnight, the Seventh Prince became the hero who foiled the rebellion, while his master and the Marquis were labeled traitors. The prince who loathed his master the most ascended to the throne as the new emperor.
In the blink of an eye, the victor rules and the defeated falls. Our master was cast into the depths of the prison, and soon rumors spread that he had confessed to the charges, awaiting only the final verdict of execution.
He and his fellow covert agents were so anxious that their hair was almost falling out. It was only upon opening the silk pouch given by their master that they learned he had sensed something amiss at the last moment, discovering that the Seventh Prince had betrayed their side and allied with the Third Prince. At that time, the Third Prince's forces were already lying in ambush within the palace, and their own General who stabilized the nation might also turn against them at any moment. Thus, their master could only arrange for their secretive group, unknown to all but him, to evacuate and go into hiding.
The master's last resort was to confess, take all the blame, and ensure the release of the entire family, even if it meant being demoted to a commoner. It mattered little to him, for Prince San only sought his life. Not only would he spare the others for the sake of his reputation, but he would also not harm the elderly, women, or children out of fear. This was their only chance at survival.
Subsequently, in accordance with their master's stratagem, they suppressed their urgency and proceeded to disperse the majority of their forces out of the Capital City, breaking them down into smaller groups. Meanwhile, a portion of their troops remained behind to execute the "Assault on the Execution Ground" plan.
First, they implicated the then notorious corrupt Minister of Revenue and his son. According to the laws of our dynasty, corruption was not pardoned, and thus, the father and son were sentenced to death alongside their master. Coincidentally, the Minister's son resembled the master in appearance. They then orchestrated a commotion, pretending to intercept the Minister's son while secretly rescuing the master. A prisoner, disguised to resemble the master, was substituted to face the execution, misleading the soldiers responsible for escorting and executing the prisoner into believing that they had failed to seize the Minister's son.
Only upon the execution would the emperor be certain beyond doubt that his nemesis was truly dead, thus allowing him to grant clemency to the nemesis's family with a clear conscience.
Seemingly straightforward, executing this plan was no easy task. Fueled by the emperor's hatred, the best and most trustworthy were dispatched to oversee the execution. They had to ensure that no suspicion arose, leaving no room for error. Otherwise, the master's meticulous planning would crumble, and his family would suffer the consequences.
Fortunately, fate seemed to intervene with a heavy downpour that day, and unexpectedly, the master's betrothed, the sixth lady of the Marquis House, declared her intention to marry the "dead" master in defiance of her own family just as he was being escorted to his execution.
Lady Consort's decision to wed the doomed man diverted much attention, and amidst the resulting chaos, they successfully rescued the master.
And then...
Zhu Ying suddenly rose to her feet, composed herself, and knelt half on the ground, addressing the nobleman as "Lord Hou."
"I didn't deliberately conceal the truth, my lord. I was instructed to keep my identity hidden unless absolutely necessary, and under no circumstances was I to divulge any information to Lord Hou or others."
Hua Zhan had already been listening with bated breath. At this moment, he let out a long sigh and said, "Hua'er must be harboring resentment and planning a comeback. However, she's probably afraid that we would worry and be frightened, or even fear that it might implicate us. That's why she doesn't want you to tell us that she's still alive, isn't it?"
With Hua'er's temperament, she has always been one to bear her burdens alone, never relying on others, nor wanting to cause worry for her family. Could it be that he fears if his endeavor succeeds, it would be fine, but if it fails, he would quietly meet his end without us knowing, so as to spare us the agony of hoping only to be disappointed again? Is he afraid that we might not be able to withstand such emotional turmoil? Hence, he chooses to conceal everything. Is that correct or not?
Zhu Ying was left speechless; the Marquis had astonishingly deciphered his master's thoughts so thoroughly. As a subordinate, all he knew was that his master didn't want his family to worry, hence concealing the fact that he was still alive. After all, he was undertaking a grand endeavor that even the bravest souls in the world dared not dream of.
To his surprise, the Marquis's analysis was so insightful. He suddenly understood his master's painstaking efforts. The Master wasn't heartless towards the young madam; he wasn't blind to her virtues. It was just that he knew if he failed, it would mean another loss for the young madam, adding to her sorrow.
It was better not to give her hope and then take it away again. If he could accomplish his great mission and return in glory, the young madam would enjoy endless blessings and prestige for the rest of her life. If not, he would quietly pass away, accepting his fate without causing anyone else pain.
Hua Zhan helped Zhu Ying up, only to see the youth's eyes reddened, filled with tears. With a trembling voice and clenched teeth, he said, "When the Master was rescued, he seemed fine, but in reality, he was severely injured. The whip marks were deep enough to expose the bones, and his tendons were severed. That ruthless emperor didn't spare him even on the brink of death."
"Later... If not for a divine physician we had met years ago, the Master might have become an invalid even if he survived. Then, he recuperated while planning our grand scheme, sometimes staying awake until late at night. The Master claimed to be busy, but we knew he was thinking of you, Marquis, worrying about you. He kept himself occupied to cope. Even though I was later transferred to your side, I'm sure the Master never stopped for a moment, and I wonder if his injuries have fully healed."
"The Master... really suffered a lot..."
Hua Zhan's eyes grew redder, his fists clenching so tightly that they seemed ready to crush his own bones. With a hoarse voice, he said, "The Third Prince has now ascended to the throne, and the current situation is stable, despite occasional unrest at the borders and the watchful gaze of neighboring tribes. But for now, the foundation remains unshaken. Hua'er is pulling out teeth from the tiger's mouth, walking on a broken bridge over a cliff..." Hua Zhan took a deep breath. "If you can contact Hua'er, write him a letter, urging him not to take unnecessary risks. If possible, even if he has to live incognito as an ordinary citizen for the rest of his life, without coming to see us, that would be acceptable."
This was the greatest wish of a father. He didn't crave for the family's fortunes to be restored or for his eldest son to achieve greatness. He had already experienced the pain of losing his eldest son once, and now he just hoped he could survive this ordeal, everything else being secondary.
Zhu Ying scratched his head. "I'm not sure what plans the Master has either. But, Marquis, the Master has always been a man with a strategy. Since his teenage years, he has nurtured our secret division, and he wasn't much older than us, even younger than some. Yet, no one could fathom his thoughts and actions. We all followed his lead, obeying him alone! Even if the Master fails in his revenge, it won't be due to a whim. He must have his own plan. Remember, in that urgent situation at the palace gate, the Master made a swift decision to evacuate and hide, planning for the future. Why would he act recklessly now?"
Wiping away his tears, he smiled. "Besides, there's the wonderful young madam waiting for his return."
Upon hearing this... Hua Zhan glared fiercely at Zhu Ying.
Zhu Ying, the queen of imagination, huh-huh-huh.
Hua Ji: How would you know that?
Zhu Ying: Hehehe.
Chapter 89: Naughtiness
◎ Could it be that the Marquis has a grudge against his own son? ◎
"Hua'er, does he know about Lian'er?"
Zhu Ying hastily nodded, "Of course, after saving the Master that day, he even took a glance at the residence. Moreover, before he left, the Master instructed me to protect the Young Lady..." Before Zhu Ying could continue, Hua Zhan interrupted him and countered with a question, "Did he order you to spy on her?"
He waved his sleeves with a cold expression, "Being so close, you knew what Lian'er was doing in her room and even stole the poem she wrote. If Lian'er were to find out, how would she react? Wouldn't her reputation as an unmarried woman be ruined by your actions?"
Zhu Ying: "..." He recalled the letter intercepted by the Marquis, which was all about the Young Lady... He could only defend himself, "The window was open, I didn't peep, nor did I dare look at anything inappropriate..."
He just felt that since the Young Lady was so fond of the Master and treated him so well, he should report everything truthfully to the Master so he could understand her deep affection and devotion. What if the Master fell for another captivating woman outside and forgot about the Young Lady, who had always been deeply devoted to him?
As a loyal subordinate, he naturally hoped that the Master wouldn't be an ungrateful person but would treat the Young Lady well!
However, Hua Zhan coldly harrumphed, "Naughty!"
He knew his eldest son well. Even if Hua'er was curious about Lian'er, he would never order his subordinate to steal letters or constantly monitor her. At most, he would ask him to look after her.
This wayward youth is merely acting on his own initiative!
Zhu Ying: "..."
He lowered his head, not daring to meet the marquis's piercing gaze, presenting an appearance of obvious guilt and unease.
Yet, something suddenly occurred to him, and he lifted his head, disbelief etched on his face as he asked, "Her reputation? What do you take Madam for? You know very well that the Master is still alive..." When he returns, he would surely give Madam a grand ceremony befitting her status as the rightful wife and treat her with the utmost respect. Why would there be any mention of her reputation? Wasn't this referring to an unmarried maiden awaiting marriage?
With his hands folded behind his back, the man gazed into the distance with his chin slightly raised. He cleared his throat and said, "Yes, if Lian'er were to meet a worthy partner, I would indeed assume the role of a father for my dear in-law, and see her off on her wedding day."
Zhu Ying stared at the Lord Hou, whose countenance was grave and sincere, finding it almost inconceivable to believe.
Is this my father? The father of my master? ? Knowing full well that the master is still alive, he treats his daughter-in-law as his own daughter, even contemplating the prospect of escorting her to her wedding in the future.
Does Lord Hou hold a grudge against his own son?
He wore an embarrassed expression, wanting to say something, but at that moment, the Marquis straightened his face and asked, "Since Hua'er is aware of Lian'er's existence, what are his intentions towards her? If he is still alive, he should not abandon her for his entire life."
Despite his fading spirits and lack of concern for worldly affairs, he had been watching closely as his daughter-in-law conducted herself over the past year. He would rather Hua'er disappoint her parents and grandmother for a lifetime than betray her!
The underlying message was not only about whether Yu Lian could learn of Hua Ji's survival but also about how Hua Ji viewed his devoted fiancée - now wife in the eyes of all.
To everyone, Yu Lian was the Hua family's eldest daughter-in-law, irrevocably tied to Hua Ji.
Zhu Ying pondered; he was unsure of his master's intentions, but it was clear that his master didn't plan on revealing his existence to anyone, not even the Marquis, who had stumbled upon the truth himself.
As for how his master would treat the young madam, that was beyond Zhu Ying's knowledge as a subordinate. Instinctively, he believed that with such an exceptional young madam, why would his master disappoint her?
No man on earth could resist such profound affection.
Handing the letter to Zhu Ying, Hua Zhan asked him to recount his discovery of the eldest son's survival and convey a few words of advice: that Hua Ji should prioritize safety over ambition. He also asked Zhu Ying to inquire if he could share the news with Yu Lian, and even his grandmother.
As for Mrs. Chen and the rest of the family, they were not to be considered. Mrs. Chen was not reliable, and if she found out Hua Ji was safe, she might inadvertently reveal the secret. The three younger siblings were out of the question as well.
After a sigh, Hua Zhan said it was best to forget it. He decided to write the letter himself and have Zhu Ying deliver it.
"The carrier pigeon is still alive, I've kept it in a cage for you. You can retrieve it from my courtyard later."
"By the way, your letter writing is too crude. Years ago, I developed a coded language for military communication, which Hua'er is familiar with. From now on, use this code in your letters to prevent them falling into the wrong hands."
Zhu Ying: "…Okay."
And so, the two returned, one with hands clasped behind their back, suppressing a mix of joy and complicated emotions, while the other appeared guilty and flustered.
Not long after the New Year, Yu Lian's workshop opened its doors.
It wasn't that she wanted to be an evil landlord exploiting labor, but the villagers had come to her door, urging her to start work as soon as possible. They were tired of staying at home and eagerly sought something to do, anything to earn some silver.
Moreover, they wished to finish the production in the workshop before the warm weather arrived and spring plowing began. Farming was the foundation of their lives, and no amount of silver could make them neglect it. They needed to plant their crops, for food in hand meant survival.
Thus, the workshop started operating at full speed. Since most of the fruit preserves were already made, there weren't many raw materials left. At this time of year, fresh fruits were not available, so they focused on making salted and vegetable canned goods. Fortunately, these sold much better than the fruit preserves.
After all, for the common folk of that era, filling their stomachs was crucial. A meat or salted vegetable can paired with dry bread made for a satisfying meal, whether at home or on the road during business trips. It was the most practical choice.
Time flew by, and before they knew it, March arrived. The snow had melted, revealing sprouting branches on trees. Fields that had lain idle enjoyed the blessings of winter snow, awaiting the farmers' plows to turn the soil and sow seeds.
Spring plowing was one of the most critical times for rural folk. If they didn't plant their crops now, they would face hunger in the autumn. Timing was crucial; planting too early risked the seeds freezing in the ground, while planting too late would result in stunted growth and poor yields. Experienced farmers could judge the right time to sow based on the weather conditions.
Yu Lian's family had been eagerly anticipating the spring plowing of their ten acres of land since last year. After waiting for half a year, they finally managed to invite an experienced old fruit farmer from the town, who had worked on Lord Chen's fruit orchard, to inspect their land.
The old farmer bent over and walked the entire plot from end to end. Upon finishing his inspection, he shook his head and said to Hua Sanduo, "Young man, you're still too inexperienced. You have no knowledge of farming or cultivating fruit trees. It won't work, it just won't."
Yu Lian and Hua Sanduo both wore expressions of confusion. Second Uncle, who was standing nearby, sighed, as if he had expected this outcome.
The old farmer continued, "This land has just been cleared. Not only is it lacking in fertility, but the soil is mostly sandy. Even by the river, you wouldn't get much out of it."
Yu Lian suddenly understood why the village chief had given them this piece of land so readily. With its proximity to the river for irrigation and no one else wanting to cultivate it, the problem lay in the poor quality of the soil.
Most villagers in Shangyi Village primarily grew wheat and millet, with some corners and small plots dedicated to various grains and beans.
Perhaps if they cultivated crops for a few years, the land could become slightly more fertile. However, when it came to fruit trees... The old farmer sighed and advised, "I suggest letting the land rest for a few years before planting fruit trees. Ideally, you should try to exchange it for another plot."
Yu Lian: "..." If they could exchange the land, what was there to worry about?
The old farmer took one last look and suggested, "Why not plant barley? Although it's not particularly tasty and doesn't fetch a high price, it's not picky about the land. It's perfect for cultivating new, recently cleared land during the first few years."
Yu Lian turned to Second Uncle, knowing nothing about agriculture. Even in her previous life, despite poverty, she had never been involved in farming. Second Uncle nodded, and Yu Lian thanked the old fruit farmer. Seeing this, Hua Sanduo slipped a string of copper coins to send the old man on his way.
After the old fruit farmer had inspected the land, Yu Lian spent the whole day crouched in the field, studying it intently. Mrs. Chen and the others assumed she was disheartened, for Yu Lian was always composed and exceptionally capable, never failing at any task. This time, however, the land seemed to have defeated her.
She had personally chosen this plot from the very beginning, envisioning a vast orchard for her family. The old farmer's words, suggesting that even if they managed to grow fruit trees, their survival and quality were uncertain, had struck a blow.
The elderly Mrs. Chen, worried all day, decided to visit the field unaccompanied, leaning on her cane. She bent her aged back before her granddaughter-in-law, asking, "Is Lian upset?"
Looking up, Yu Lian saw her grandmother stooped and quickly stood, assisting her, fearful of causing her any strain.
Mrs. Chen chuckled and didn't resist as she was helped up. Together, they found a large riverbank stone to sit on.
Smiling, she asked, "How can a mere piece of land defeat you?"
"Where is my resourceful and confident granddaughter-in-law?"
"You and your father, mother, we all knew from the start how much hope you placed in this land. Back then, when our family first arrived with no source of income, you requested it from the village, fearing we'd exhaust our resources. Later, with the workshop established, you hoped for a bountiful orchard, expecting our business to flourish. Now that it might not come to fruition, your heart must be aching, isn't it?"
Yu Lian smiled, nodded, and then shook her head.
Indeed, this was a lesson learned. She shouldn't have ventured into an unfamiliar field impulsively, acquiring such a vast tract of uncultivated land. Although it wasn't expensive, combined with the labor costs for clearing it, the investment was substantial. If this land couldn't fulfill its promise and support the fruit trees she desired, hadn't she made a costly mistake?
She could consider this a setback caused by the harsh village chief. If she had been proficient in farming from the start, she wouldn't have fallen into this trap.
Yu Lian shared her thoughts with the old lady, expressing her self-reflection and the lesson learned. "Grandchild will be more cautious in the future."
Fortunately, she didn't rely on this land for her livelihood. Even when the plot was idle, she had already earned a substantial amount of silver. But imagining the scenario where a family had no means of income, barely scraping by for a year, only to discover that the land couldn't produce any crops, would truly be a disaster.
The old lady patted her hand affectionately and smiled with deep wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. "It's best that you think this way. Learning from your mistake and not repeating it is a good thing."
"Grandmother once thought my granddaughter-in-law was too capable, not at all like a delicate lady raised in the depths of a mansion. Now I see that you are indeed a noble lady, just more capable and able to handle major affairs. In Grandmother's opinion, falling here wasn't a mistake. Your father, mother, and I can understand. It's normal for Lian'er not to know these farming matters. If you did, Grandmother would wonder if the Wei Duke's household mistreated you, forcing you to endure hardships and learn farming."
The old lady's tone shifted as she continued, "Didn't your second uncle suggest leasing this land to another family? Lian'er, there's no need to worry. Let's do just that, let it rest for a few years before planting something else."
However, Yu Lian shook her head and smiled. "Since Uncle Old Farmer said we can plant barley, let's plant barley." At present, barley was not valuable or sought after due to its poor taste and difficulty in hulling, primarily used to feed livestock. No household in Upper Village cultivated barley.
Due to its low price, common folk tended to plant wheat, millet, and rice more often. Although they required more effort than barley, their higher prices made them profitable even after taxes. The surplus could be exchanged for coarse grains to feed the family, making them a more practical choice than barley.
But Yu Lian thought of an advantage of barley—brewing alcohol!
If its price was low, then they could make wine, and wine was expensive!
Thus, she spent the entire afternoon crouched in the field. After some initial self-reflection, the rest of her time was occupied with pondering the art of brewing alcohol from barley!
Chapter 90: Spring Plowing
◎ Family Farming Chronicles ◇
Since the decision was made to plant barley, Yu Lian wasted no time and got straight to work. She instructed Hua Sanduo to purchase high-quality barley seeds from the town and then started digging and turning the soil, followed by sowing the seeds.
Barley being an inexpensive crop, its seeds were not costly either. The challenge lay in the fact that all the villagers were busy with their own spring plowing; who would have the leisure to help with digging and planting?
Thus, Yu Lian rolled up her sleeves and called on her entire family, young and old, to join in the farming efforts.
The entire family looked at the vast stretch of uncultivated farmland and fell silent.
The matriarch felt that her granddaughter-in-law overestimated her aging limbs. If she were twenty years younger, she might have managed this task, but now, with her white hair and wrinkles, and her joints prone to arthritis and aching, her back lacked the strength for such labor.
If it weren't for the encouragement of her granddaughter-in-law to raise pigs in the countryside, which had increased her daily physical activity and improved her mobility, she might not have been as agile as she was now, and her other ailments might have worsened. Whether she could stand or lie down would have been a different matter altogether.
Mrs. Chen, Aunt Mei, usually spent her days sewing and attending to the kitchen. She was not cut out for farm work. Aunt Mei considered it a significant accomplishment that she could now kill a chicken independently.
The three youngest members of the family also looked down at their small arms and legs, tugging at their sister-in-law's sleeve, asking if she was joking.
Hua Zhan remained silent, standing quietly for just two seconds before he picked up the hoe and began working without another word.
Zhu Ying, the young and robust black-haired man, proved to be even quicker. The moment the young mistress finished her sentence, he was already digging away with his hoe, "Heave-ho, heave-ho." As the young mistress's number one fan, how could he not heed her words?
Hua Zhan glanced over, "..."
With the two main male laborers on the job, the rest of the tasks became much easier. Lady Mei was sent back by Yu Lian, tasked with managing all household affairs – cooking, cleaning, and laundry. Despite the small family size, these chores were no easy feat and kept her busy from dawn till dusk.
Yet, Lady Mei received the assignment with delight and surprise. The three children looked on with a tinge of envy. The twins claimed they were still young but capable; they could cook in place of Lady Mei and even deliver meals to the field, allowing her to focus on farming.
Before she could finish her sentence, she was hauled back by her own father. The two small hoes that had been prepared beforehand were thrust into their hands, instructing them to start digging immediately, without the slightest complaint.
The twins: "..."
After the New Year celebrations, the two boys had grown significantly taller and stronger. Thanks to Zhu Ying's guidance in martial arts, they dedicated each day to honing their fundamentals. Their appetites increased as swiftly as their height, yet pleasingly, their rapid growth did not come at the cost of their physique; they appeared much more robust than when they first arrived.
In the countryside, there's no comparable cuisine to that found in an aristocratic residence. There, amidst the abundance of meat and fish, all they seemed to consume were two flour-based buns. Yet, despite this, their time in the village had transformed them into sturdy young lads, as robust as two young calves.
In the eyes of Hua Yan and Hua Xing, cultivating the land seemed like an event from just last year, when they were also coerced by their father to clear new fields. Back then, with their meager strength, they would tire quickly after just a short while carrying their hoes. Thus, in their young hearts, cultivating the land and engaging in farm work left only one indelible impression: it was arduous, unbearably so.
But with Father having thrown the hoe over, they had no choice but to comply. Neither of them dared defy their father's command, and besides, they had their wicked sister-in-law watching from behind.
Reluctantly, the twins picked up the hoes and began digging into the earth. The blades sank deep into the soil, almost half their length. They exchanged glances, surprised and intrigued, and continued their labor with increased vigor. Their swings became faster, and their strength more apparent.
Zhu Ying burst into laughter, praising her two disciples for their progress. The twins, no longer complaining about the hardship or fatigue, now worked with unparalleled enthusiasm.
This felt different from hoeing the land last year. Back then, it had seemed arduous, exhausting, and bitter. Now, it didn't seem so. Their strength had grown significantly, allowing them to easily turn the soil. This newfound ease ignited their interest.
Hua Zhan nodded approvingly but remained silent. In his view, last year the uncultivated land had been hard and difficult to work. But after a year of being softened by snow, and with his sons having grown significantly and learned martial arts, the task was no longer in the same league. The combination of these factors made the work much easier for them.
With the men engaged in their tasks, what should the womenfolk do?
Yu Lian found herself sandwiched between her aged grandmother on one side and her frail mother-in-law on the other, with a scrawny young sister-in-law trailing behind like a tiny monkey. She divided the land into three plots, assigning each of them one. Little Guo'er's was the smallest, barely measuring two or three square meters, while the grandmother, Mrs. Chen, and Yu Lian shared plots of equal size.
Delighted despite her young age, Little Guo'er eagerly started digging with her miniature hoe.
Following closely behind, Yu Lian began her work, soon joined by the hesitant grandmother and Mrs. Chen.
The workshop had ceased operations, and the entire village was absorbed in farming. Regardless of gender or age, whoever could wield a hoe was not idle. Villagers passing by saw the Yu Lian family tending to their fields and, rather than expressing surprise, they smiled encouragingly, urging them on. Some even offered to lend a hand once their own work was done, claiming they worked quickly and would come to assist the Yu Lian family later.
Of course, there would be no charge for this. Last year, they had already earned a considerable amount of silver from working in the land reclamation and construction workshops. How could they have the heart to accept payment? During the busy farming seasons, some families in the village were short on manpower. Whenever possible, the villagers lent a helping hand to one another.
Appearances deceiving, Yu Lian pretended to be leisurely weeding her plot, but her peripheral vision kept watch on the others. Remarkably, the elderly lady proved far more agile than Mrs. Chen. It seemed that Mrs. Chen, having been coddled all her life, still found the mud beneath her feet distasteful, her fastidious nature causing her movements to be hesitant and slow.
Back when she first transmigrated, Yu Lian wouldn't have dreamed of tilling the land. At that time, she would have likely found an excuse to avoid such labor. But now, those thoughts were far from her mind. Since she was already living in a rural area and aspired to become a paramount landowner in the future, it was only natural for her to forge a close relationship with her soil. How could she disdain it?
Intent on engaging Mrs. Chen and the elder lady, her movements became even more agile and skilled. Before long, she finished digging the area she had marked out. The elder lady and Mrs. Chen paused to gaze at her, their eyes wide with astonishment. How could Lian'er be so proficient?
Yu Lian reassured them, suggesting they view farm work as a form of bodily exercise. She illustrated her point by asking if they didn't feel their health had improved since Grandmother and Mother came to the countryside, if they didn't feel stronger and more energetic?
The old lady pondered the matter carefully and Mrs. Chen nodded in agreement, somewhat embarrassed. In the past, she wasn't exactly fragile, but she would frequently catch colds and cough. Now, such occurrences were much rarer; even during the harsh winter, she only had a minor cold once, displaying an unprecedented resilience.
With no further prompting from Yu Lian, the two of them dove into their work diligently, disregarding the dirtiness of the land or whether they could actually wield the hoes. The most important thing was to get moving.
One advantage of being an adult was that once the benefits of a task were clearly explained, they would undertake it without complaint. Children, on the other hand, needed coaxing and praise.
Gradually, both the old lady and Mrs. Chen found their rhythm. Slowly, they forgot their former identities, focusing solely on the act of hoeing. They even began to derive enjoyment from it, their swings growing more rapid with each passing moment.
Little Guo'er had always looked up to her sister-in-law as a role model. Seeing that her sister-in-law had already finished tilling her large plot, she puffed her cheeks and exerted herself to complete her own, despite her small size and limited strength. While her furrows weren't as deep as those dug by adults, they were passable for the hearty barley crop.
After finishing her task, Little Guo'er dashed over to her sister-in-law, looking up and proudly declaring that she had completed her digging!
Then, as expected, she received a loving pat on the head from Yu Lian, who praised her with words of encouragement, telling her how wonderful and obedient she was. This filled Little Guo'er's eyes with a starry radiance.
Next, Yu Lian assigned her another plot, and this time, Little Guo'er felt a sense of accomplishment and a boost in confidence. She eagerly asked her sister-in-law for an even larger piece of land, preferably as big as their grandmother's and mother's plots.
Once she received her new plot, she skipped over joyfully to continue working.
The entire family labored from dawn till dusk for two consecutive days before they managed to prepare the ten acres of land. Planting was the next step.
It must be said that the rapid completion of the ten acres was largely due to the two men, Hua Zhan and Zhu Ying, especially Zhu Ying, who was young, strong, and skilled in martial arts. Digging was effortless for him; he could clear several acres alone in a day. The women found it more challenging, but in Yu Lian's view, it was still a significant improvement and milestone.
Despite the exhaustion, neither the grandmother nor Mrs. Chen suggested going home to rest. They persevered for two days, following the grandmother's belief that, as a family, they should share the workload equally, not leaving it all to those with greater strength.
Yu Lian's business matters were beyond their comprehension, and digging merely involved swinging a hoe – how could they shirk their responsibilities?
However, while the men, with their martial arts training, and the children, who recovered quickly due to their youthful energy and active lifestyles, didn't feel the strain as much, the elderly Mrs. Chen was exhausted to the point of being unable to straighten her back. Her whole body ached, as if she had undergone a brutal physical ordeal.
Yu Lian herself was also suffering. She maintained a cheerful smile in public but clenched her sore arms in private, fighting back tears.
And then... genuine tears fell.
Plop, a sparkling teardrop landed on the back of her hand.
Yu Lian: "..." Damn it, this original body's tendency to cry at the slightest provocation. Was there even a debuff that caused pain to turn into tears?
Just as this happened, the men returned from outside, carrying their hoes. They saw Yu Lian holding her hand and weeping.
Hua Zhan paused, giving his daughter-in-law a deep and complicated glance before silently sighing.
That mischievous boy in the letter hadn't been lying after all; his daughter-in-law had truly suffered.
Zhu Ying: ! Young Lady is crying again!
The women were already exhausted to the point of being unable to stand straight. Yu Lian, in particular, had secretly shed many tears and endured much hardship.
Therefore, Hua Zhan suggested that they rest at home while he sought advice from the village's experienced farmers. He then led Zhu Ying and the twins to sow the barley seeds on their ten acres of land.
It took only two or three days to complete the task, demonstrating remarkable efficiency. Yu Lian couldn't help but marvel—how wonderful it was to have martial arts skills!
Villager: "..." They were envious too! She was clearly a beginner!
What was even more delightful was that shortly after the planting, a gentle spring rain fell. The timely rainfall was just right - neither too heavy nor too light, perfectly nourishing the newly sown seeds without causing floods that might spoil them in the soil.
Uncle Two remarked that with such a rain, their work became much easier. There was no need to irrigate the seeds immediately; they only needed to keep an eye on the land and water it regularly to prevent drought. Now, all that was left was to wait for the seeds to germinate.