Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 109

Ying Su returned to the main hall and asked Feng Qiufang, “What kind of orchid did Li Yin damage?”

Feng Qiufang froze for a moment, thought about it, and finally said, “I think it was some kind of Mo Lan…” She sounded a little uncertain.

“Then don’t worry. I have an orchid that’s far more valuable than that Mo Lan of theirs. If the Zhang family are true orchid lovers, then you won’t have to fret over that hundred taels.” Ying Su said.

Feng Qiufang’s face lit up with joy, almost not daring to believe it. “You’re saying you actually have that kind of orchid? Is that true?”

Madam Li was also visibly relieved. If that flower really existed, then wouldn’t that hundred taels be spared?

Ying Su led them to the nursery and pointed at the Jianyang Butterfly Orchid. “If the Mo Lan here is worth a hundred taels, then this one is at least worth three hundred.”

Feng Qiufang and Madam Li were both stunned, staring at the unremarkable flower in disbelief. Madam Li said, “Cuihua, that… that looks just like grass. How could it possibly be worth so much money?”

Ying Su curved her lips into a smile and nodded.

Feng Qiufang hurried to wipe away her tears. “The Mo Lan Yin broke looked even plainer, but who would’ve thought it was worth that much? Cuihua, if this really works to send the Zhang family away, your aunt will properly thank you later!”

Thinking back to the last time they met at the old house, when every word she said to Ying Su was barbed, she now felt a bit embarrassed. She continued, “Cuihua, about what I said last time, don’t take it to heart. Your aunt just can’t keep her mouth shut sometimes.”

Ying Su only smiled without responding. She told Feng Qiufang to bring back a nice porcelain pot from home. Then she dug out the Jianyang Butterfly Orchid and potted it for her. As Feng Qiufang left, she thanked Ying Su repeatedly, almost making her feel embarrassed.

Before she left, Ying Su reminded Feng Qiufang to have Li Yin bring back the damaged Mo Lan from the Zhang family. She hadn’t activated the system for quite a while and didn’t know what else to use it for. Since it had managed to revive the rotted Jianyang Butterfly Orchid, then surely it could restore the broken Mo Lan too.

The next morning, Ying Su went to town. She first visited the largest medical hall, Lin’an Hall, and invited a doctor. Then she bought some food before hiring an ox cart bound for Xiling Village.

The cart driver happened to be from Xiling Village. Hearing that Ying Su was headed there, he became especially friendly. He glanced at the doctor carrying a medicine box beside Ying Su and couldn’t help but ask, “Young lady, are you taking the doctor to treat someone?”

Ying Su smiled and nodded, then climbed into the ox cart with the doctor. Wanting to probe into Shen Cuihua’s family situation, she asked the driver, “Big brother, I heard someone from your village joined the army in the northwest?”

The man replied, “You must mean the eldest son of Shen Lao’er’s family. He did enlist in the northwest army, but it’s been five years without a single word from him. Who knows if he’s alive or dead? Honestly, the Shen family has it tough. First their daughter ran off with someone, and the whole family suffered while searching for her. Even their youngest son’s leg was crippled in the process! In the end, they never found the girl, and then the eldest son suddenly left for the northwest. A good family ended up miserable.”

A pang of sorrow stirred in Ying Su’s heart, though it quickly faded. It must have been the body’s lingering emotions. Still, if Shen Cuihua hadn’t eloped with Liu An, how would things have come to this?

The driver turned to look at her. “But why are you asking about this, young lady?”

Ying Su snapped back from her thoughts and smiled. “Oh, it’s nothing. I just have a younger brother who wants to enlist in the northwest. I was only asking for some information.”

Hearing this, the man eagerly launched into more talk about the northwest army. “Ah, the northwest is a bitter, freezing land. Only families so poor would sell their sons and daughters to send there to be a soldier. You really ought to persuade your brother otherwise! Look at Shen’s eldest, gone five years, and it’s been nothing but hardship for his family.”

Ying Su quickly agreed. “You’re right, big brother. I’ll be sure to talk him out of it when I get home.”

Seeing her take his words to heart, the man grew even chattier. “When something happens to one person in a family, the whole household suffers. Just take Shen Lao’er’s family for example. They used to live a harmonious life. Their daughter was the prettiest in the village, they had two capable sons, and their grandfather was even the village head. A happy family, really. But after their daughter’s incident, things turned tragic. The younger son’s leg crippled, the eldest vanished to the northwest, and Shen Lao’er’s wife cried so much her eyesight failed. She often has fits now, mistaking others for her daughter.”

Ying Su’s brows knit unconsciously. She couldn’t imagine how Shen Cuihua’s family had endured these five years. A once-stable home, reduced to such misery.

The man went on, “And I heard her health is failing by the day. The barefoot doctor in the village says she might not survive the winter. And Old Shen the village head, what a cruel man! Ever since that scandal with Shen Lao’er’s daughter, he threw the whole family out, saying they were a disgrace, and never looked back.”

As they spoke, the ox cart rolled into Xiling Village. The driver asked, “Little sister, whose house are you visiting? I’ll drop you right there.”

“Please take me to Shen Lao’er’s house.” Ying Su said.

The man turned to her in surprise. “You’re going to Shen Lao’er’s place?” He scratched his head, muttering to himself, “Could it be you’re asking about their eldest son who went to the northwest? That won’t do! Their family’s already in such misery, and you’d just be bringing up painful memories.”

(Note: Lao’er is not his name, it’s because he’s the 2nd son and an adult. Lao – old, Er – 2: Lao’er.)

Ying Su smiled at his concern. He really was kind-hearted. “I know. Just trouble yourself to leave me at their door.”

The man gave her a long, puzzled look, thoughtful, before turning away. “Alright then! I’ll drop you there.”

The ox cart stopped in front of a dilapidated little courtyard. Ying Su paid the fare, got down with the doctor, and stood before the gate. For a moment, she hesitated, feeling that pang of homesick fear.

The doctor from Lin’an Hall, seeing her standing still, called gently, “Young lady?”

Ying Su drew in a deep breath and walked up to the gate. Looking at the weathered wooden door full of cracks and the crumbling low mud wall, her nose stung with sourness. She raised her hand and knocked.

After quite a long while, she heard slow, shuffling footsteps approach. Then a deep male voice asked, “Who is it?”

Ying Su didn’t answer, only raised her hand and knocked again.

The wooden door creaked open, revealing a gaunt, dark-skinned middle-aged man in a faded blue robe. His back was slightly hunched, strands of white streaked his temples, and a deep furrow marked his brow. His expression was weary, like someone who hadn’t rested properly in a long time.