Traveling Through Those Years Of Farming (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 2

Because of Baobao’s illness, Ge Shiyan had not slept properly for several days. Bathing and changing clothes were even further out of mind. She now smelled strongly of sweat and kitchen smoke.

Baobao did not find the scent unpleasant. Instead, influenced by the original body’s feelings, she felt extremely secure in that embrace. She even shifted closer of her own accord, finding a more comfortable position.

“Since she woke up, she’s fine now.”

The old doctor looked at Baobao in astonishment.

When he had taken her pulse earlier, her breath had already been very faint. They had told him she had once stopped breathing after being pulled from the deep pool, then developed a raging fever. At her age, the chances of surviving were extremely slim.

If not for this woman kneeling and begging him, he wouldn’t have treated the child at all. In his opinion, continuing treatment would have been a waste of energy and silver.

Could his needling technique have improved?

The old doctor could not understand it, but seeing the little girl regain consciousness, he was nevertheless pleased that he had rescued another life.

“I’ll prescribe two more doses. After she finishes them and rests for a while, her life will no longer be in danger.” He stroked his beard with satisfaction.

“Thank you, Doctor, thank you!” Ge Shiyan repeatedly thanked him. 

After rubbing Baobao’s head, she finally released her and got up to take out the money for the diagnosis and prescription.

She even gave extra silver as thanks.

She had thought it through—since all the household money counted as communal funds, and since the big house’s family also shared in it, then rather than leaving that side with a fat share when they divided the household later, she would much rather spend it all now. Let none of them get anything.

Her Baobao had almost drowned without reason. And that “accident” involving her son Fu Shinian a few years ago—she was convinced these events were tied to the wicked beasts of the big house.

Since they used such vile tricks, why should she think for their sake? This matter was far from over.

Ge Shiyan shot a vicious glare at the tightly shut door of the big house, then collected her expression and returned to Baobao’s room.

“Useless things!”

Through the thin window paper, Ma Meifang watched Ge Shiyan return and finally let out a long breath.

“You all have some nerve. If that girl had really died, do you think your step-grandmother wouldn’t swallow you alive?”

She tapped her pair of dragon-phoenix twins on the forehead angrily.

The old woman—Ge Shiyan—had happily sent the doctor off. It seemed the doctor had managed to pull that burden of a girl back from death’s door. Thinking of that, Ma Meifang felt both disappointed and relieved.

Disappointed that Baobao didn’t die—meaning they still had to feed that freeloader.

Relieved because if Baobao had died, the step-grandmother’s grim stares these days would certainly have become murderous. 

Ma Meifang didn’t even dare let the old woman stay in the kitchen alone, worried she might poison their entire family.

“Mother, it’s not our fault.” The eldest grandson, Fu Guangyuan, a sturdy and fierce-looking boy, bristled when his mother not only scolded him but also hit him. “It’s obviously you and Father—”

Before he finished, Ma Meifang clapped a hand over his mouth.

“Are you trying to die!?” She lowered her voice sharply, then fixed both children with a stern stare. “Did you two hear me and your father talking?”

Fu Guangyuan couldn’t speak with his mouth covered. Fu Lianqiao shrank her neck at her mother’s glare.

Ma Meifang instantly understood.

“Good heavens…” She muttered under her breath. This was trouble. “Listen carefully…” She pulled the two children close and whispered into their ears. “You must remember exactly what I say. From now on, no matter who asks, this is what you say. Otherwise, we’ll all be kicked out of this house by that old woman. No big tiled house to live in, no food to eat. Your father and I will be begging to feed you two, and none of the village children will play with you!”

To ensure they wouldn’t forget, she vividly described the miserable life they’d live if they were expelled.

The two children paled in fright and shook their heads rapidly, then nodded.

They did not want to be kicked out. They would remember.

Especially Fu Guangyuan. Since young, his parents had always told him everything in this house belonged to him. His grandmother was not his real grandmother—just a bad woman stealing their family’s things. Her son was not a real uncle either—just a bastard. In this house, only his parents, his sister, his aunt, and his aunt’s children counted as his family.

Even his grandfather wasn’t truly family. He only needed to flatter the old man enough to coax benefits out of him.

He didn’t entirely understand. If everything was his, why could Grandpa still kick him out for the sake of that bad woman? But Mother never lied—he believed her.

Seeing both children properly frightened, Ma Meifang felt relieved.

Her dragon-phoenix twins were auspicious and clever. Only that biased old man never liked them. Guangyuan was already seven; with his intelligence, it would be a waste not to send him to school.

She planned that once this matter blew over, they should arrange his education.

“This is the prescription. Hurry and get Doctor Liu to prepare the medicine.” 

Back in the room, Ge Shiyan gave Fu Dayan the prescription and a small piece of silver.

The herbs were common—Liu the village doctor could prepare them. Much cheaper than the town or county clinic. The old doctor was decent enough not to send them running around just to earn a few more coins.

“All right.”

These days, Ge Shiyan’s temper has been terrible. Fu Dayan did everything she said without complaint. Receiving the order, he obediently left with the prescription and money.

“The doctor said we can only drink egg congee these days. Once you finish your medicine, Mother will buy meat for Baobao. I’ll even slaughter a rooster.”

For days, the Fu kitchen had a pot of thick congee simmering nonstop. Ge Shiyan worried Baobao might wake at any time and need it.

Whenever the congee almost burned, she and her husband drank it—never letting the big house have even a mouthful.

Bringing the pot back with her, she filled half a bowl, stirring and blowing to cool it.

The aroma made Baobao’s stomach rumble loudly.

She had lived on thin soups these days—she was starving. She licked her tongue, practically wanting to swallow it.

“No rush. There’s plenty.”

Ge Shiyan’s heart hurt. Since the girl came to her, she’d never suffered like this. Tears nearly fell again.

Because Baobao had been hungry too long, she followed the doctor’s instructions and only fed half a bowl. Children’s stomachs were small—too much at once and they might vomit everything.

Though Baobao was still hungry, she could endure. This body housed a soul that had lived several lifetimes. Even if partially influenced by the original owner, she retained self-control.

“Baobao is so good.” Seeing her daughter calm and quiet, Ge Shiyan’s eyes reddened.

Baobao had always been lively and clever—when she wanted something, she’d act spoiled until she got extra. Now she waited so quietly—it was obvious she had been terrified by the drowning and hadn’t recovered.

Setting the bowl aside, Ge Shiyan held Baobao in her arms, kissing and stroking her nonstop.

“Baobao, tell Mother—why did you go to the deep pool? Didn’t Mother tell you that place was dangerous?”

Ge Shiyan had investigated. On the day of the incident, the big house’s two children and the daughter of her husband’s married daughter, Fu Yuexia, had been playing with Baobao. A whole group went toward the deep pool.

But when Baobao was pulled out, none of the other children were there.

Ge Shiyan strongly suspected they had tricked Baobao to the deep pool and pushed her in.

But saying such a thing aloud—no one would believe her. After all, the oldest among the children was only seven. How could such young children harbor malicious intent? Instead, people would accuse her, a stepmother, of slandering her husband’s first wife’s descendants.

In truth, she was extremely close to the truth—only a few details were off.

“It was Big Boy and Big Girl who took me.”

Baobao used the familial address of “Big Boy” and “Big Girl”—because as Ge Shiyan’s adopted daughter, she was an elder to the dragon-phoenix twins. Even outside, she called them that.

Because the original memories were fragmented from panic, Baobao could only reconstruct the event from impression.

“Big Girl and Xiao Juan said the lotus flowers at the pool bloomed. Mother likes lotus flowers and lotus pods. They said the pretty ones were by the water, and I wanted to pick some for Mother.”

Xiao Juan was Fu Yuexia’s eldest daughter.

The children did not push her. They only egged her on to pick the flower far out, praising how beautiful it would look to Mother.

But the ground was slippery after rain. A five-year-old girl, too short and stretching too far, naturally slipped into the deep water.

The memory of suffocating in the pool lingered in her body—the tangle of lotus stems, the broad leaves blocking the sky, her powerless limbs sinking…

As for where the other children went, the original body did not know.

But Baobao knew—even so, accusing them of attempted murder would not work. Their young age was their best shield.

Hearing Baobao confirm things, Ge Shiyan could no longer hold back. She stormed outside.

“Ma Meifang! Bring your two brats out here!” She stood in the courtyard shouting. “What did my Baobao ever do to you that you had to harm her? Get out here!”

Seeing no movement, she slapped the door and looked around for something to smash it open.

“Dayan’s wife, what are you doing?”

“That’s right. Why are you shouting at the big house? Does Baobao’s accident have anything to do with them?”

The Fu courtyard was in the center of the village—surrounded by neighbors. Many women came to see what was happening.

Seeing her so agitated, they hurried to hold her back.

“Mother-in-law, Shichun is working in the fields. You suddenly come shouting like this—I’m scared. How would I dare open the door?”

At that moment, Ma Meifang finally opened the door.

She peeked out timidly, eyes filled with fear—anyone who didn’t know better would think Ge Shiyan was the villain bullying her.

“Yes, you’re an elder. Can’t this be talked out properly?”

Ma Meifang had always cultivated a good reputation. And with Ge Shiyan being a stepmother, many assumed she was harsh. They thought she was going too far.

“Still acting! Why don’t you go sing on the opera stage!” Ge Shiyan was trembling with rage. “Baobao already said your two brats took her to the deep pool—and tricked her into picking lotus flowers! When she fell in, where did they go? If Da-Niu’s wife hadn’t gone to wash clothes and pulled her out, she would’ve drowned!”

Everyone knew Baobao had fallen into the pool and almost died, but they didn’t know the big house children were involved.

“Is that true?”

Ma Meifang widened her eyes. “Big Boy, Big Girl, come out!”

Soon, the two children came out drooping their heads.

“Grandmother says you went with Baobao to the deep pool. Is that true? And why didn’t you tell me when you returned?”

Her questions and anxious look made most bystanders feel that even if the children were involved, the adults probably weren’t.

“Waaaah—” Fu Lianqiao burst into tears. “Mother, I’m sorry—I was scared—”

She cried pitifully. A seven-year-old girl who had always been adored—seeing her cry, the village women softened.

“Mother—waaah—” Fu Guangyuan joined in. “Baobao wanted to get lotus flowers for Grandmother. We told her not to but she didn’t listen… when she fell I was scared stiff… I thought Grandmother would beat us to death… I didn’t dare tell… I’m sorry…”

He wailed even louder than his sister.

Fear of being beaten? That made it sound like the grandmother was harsh.

“Didn’t I tell you not to hide things from adults? Do you know your little aunt almost died!? You’re two years older than her—why didn’t you stop her!?”

Ma Meifang slapped them lightly, and they cried even harder—clinging to the legs of the onlooking women.

“Don’t hit them—they’re still young!”

“That’s right. Children get scared easily.”

The women stepped in to stop the beating.

Ma Meifang felt smug. She had expected witnesses would have seen the children with Baobao. Since she couldn’t deny it, she would shape the narrative instead.

Admit part of the truth—but twist the cause.

Make it Baobao’s idea to go.

Children panicking instead of calling for help was understandable. People would scold them, but nothing more.

And since Baobao survived, if Ge Shiyan continued making a fuss, people would accuse her, the stepmother, of being unreasonable.

Seeing this farce, Ge Shiyan almost exploded. Her Baobao had nearly died, yet these people wanted to just gloss over everything?

She was about to rush forward when—“Mother!” Baobao slowly climbed down from the bed, staggered to the doorway, and softly said: “It was me who slipped. Big Boy and Big Girl only said the lotus was pretty… my arms were too short… I couldn’t reach it… they didn’t push me…”

Her face was pale, her body thin—she looked fragile and pitiful. 

“I wasn’t good… waaah… Mother, I’m sorry…”

Who couldn’t cry? After half a lifetime as a perfect little white lotus, Baobao knew exactly how to cry most heartbreakingly.

Her cry wasn’t loud, only soft sobbing. She clenched her fists tightly, wiping her tears quickly as if she didn’t want her mother to worry.

A child so obviously wronged yet still considerate—who wouldn’t ache for her?

The women watching instantly changed sides.

At the same time, they noticed her words: The twins kept telling her the lotus was beautiful? They knew it was dangerous—so why encourage a five-year-old? Was it really Baobao wanting to go?

The crowd’s expressions darkened.

Ma Meifang had never considered that if seven-year-olds “couldn’t lie,” then five-year-olds certainly couldn’t either.

“Baobao is the best. Whoever dares say otherwise—I’ll tear her mouth apart.” Ge Shiyan rushed over, scooped Baobao up, and hugged her.

In front of people, she was rarely so gentle.

Everyone knew Baobao’s origin. Raising such a child so well proved Ge Shiyan had a good heart. And someone with a good heart—how could she be the villain?

The crowd leaned toward her again.

“What’s happening here?”

At that moment, Fu Dayan returned with the medicine. Seeing the courtyard full of people, he froze.

Ge Shiyan’s lips curled coldly.

Now she would see which side the old man stood on.