Miss and farmhand

When her mother told her this, Huang Chu remained silent for a long time.

"Your father always thought he was talented. That day in the hall, in front of so many officials, he was able to answer fluently, which is better than those silly boys in his academy—that's what your father said, not what I said."

The mother and daughter spent their days in the garden; this was the routine for women in the family, a scene that repeated itself day after day.

You used to see a silly man painting in the garden, but now he's gone, only flowers remain.

"Is it... still not too late for him?"

Mother gently tapped an old book against her chin, saying, "We don't expect him to pass the imperial examinations, right? It's always good for him to be able to read and write and learn some principles. Your father wanted him to study with the class, but his foundation is too weak, so it won't work."

"...That's natural. Others have to study hard for years to catch up with him right away. It takes them several years to get through. He's only just begun his education."

Shen Xuying seemed to remember something and laughed, "Your father is quite confident. At first, he wanted to just randomly pick an empty seat and put him in there. But I told him that young people are very competitive. If he went in completely clueless and couldn't read a single word, it would be like throwing a lamb to the slaughter. Your students would definitely look down on him. It's better to build a foundation first, otherwise, if he just barges in like that, his confidence will inevitably be worn down."

Huang Chu nodded. "Mother is right. So where are we now?"

Shen Xuying raised her chin, "Let him study alone in your father's study first, to learn to read and write, and to recite the Three Character Classic."

He laughed again as he spoke, as if imagining such a big boy writing large characters like a child, reciting books, shaking his head and silently reciting "At the beginning of life, people are inherently good" was quite an interesting scene.

She was so happy that she didn't notice that Huang Chu wasn't smiling, and that his brows were slightly furrowed.

She didn't know if this change was a good thing for the man. Probably, what's wrong with being able to read and write?

However, the current situation is increasingly deviating from the familiar life she lived in her previous life. Although her previous life wasn't exactly a good one, people always instinctively feel uneasy when they stray from their familiar path.

Huang Chu wondered if, after reading books, men would still be able to become successful business owners and wealthy tycoons like they did in their previous lives.

What if he ends up as a poor scholar? She would have committed a terrible sin, and his current suffering would have robbed her of his future wealth and honor.

How did it turn out like this?

From which step did the change begin?

Her thoughts drifted away, and she felt like it was all unreal.

Luo San Guniang lay in bed for several days. On the second day, she developed a fever. A doctor was called to see her and prescribed a medicine, but she couldn't be fed.

Huang Chu glanced at her. Shen Yurui was sitting in the outer room, surrounded by old women and maids. Huang Chu asked An Jin to enter the side room. Outside, there was still warm sunshine and a gentle breeze, but inside, it was as if everything was framed by dry, black wood. The sunlight, warmth, and gentle breeze were all blocked out, even the breath of life was kept out.

There was no one else in the room except Luo San.

Huang Chu walked to her bedside and was shocked to find that Luo San was still wearing the undergarment she had worn on the day she was rescued, with the white collar and cuffs covered in something that looked like dust.

Luo San was still sweating. Xu had experienced repeated bouts of high fever over the past two days, and the inner fabric of the fabric had turned yellow. There were also brown patches on his chest, indicating that the medicine could not be fed to him.

Huang Chu was about to call someone in to help Luo San clean up when she suddenly realized that no one else could see these marks. They were simply choosing not to.

Luo San was still asleep, but his dreams were restless, with a knot between his brows and muttering something to himself.

The entire room reeked of a rotten, sweet, and fishy smell.

Huang Chu was suddenly startled.

She recognized the taste.

It was the same scent she smelled in the Golden Pavilion when she gave up on herself.

She couldn't sit still any longer; she felt the shadow of past destruction creeping up from behind her again. She quickly stood up and went to the door to find a maid.

She thought her tone would be harsh, but the words that came out sounded like she was about to cry.

"Why didn't you give my aunt a bath? Why did you leave her wearing those clothes from days ago? How can she rest properly sleeping in a place like that?"

The maid was startled and stared blankly at the young lady from the next room, stammering as she spoke.

"No, it's not that we don't want to give it, it's just... we didn't promise anyone. This is something the older women should do, but they don't want to, so it's been delayed..."

Huang Chu asked, "What about the medicine?"

"My cousin can't drink it..."

Huang Chu closed her eyes briefly. "Is there any medicine left that's been decocted?"

"No... Everyone says that since we can't drink it anyway, there's no point in wasting a stove..."

"Go and prepare the medicine. Go now, I'll wait here. I'll feed it to my aunt when it's ready."

The maid glanced timidly at Huang Chu, mumbled an agreement, and hurriedly ran away.

Huang Chu returned to the room and stood in front of Luo San's bed, watching from a distance.

They were waiting for her to die.

Huang Chu didn't care about anything else. He opened the cabinet to find Luo San's clothes and took out a set of clean undergarments.

There was a washbasin stand and towels by the bed. She called for someone to bring in water, asking for hot water. An old woman came over to inquire, and seeing what Huang Chu was about to do, she waved her hands repeatedly in fright.

"Young lady, you can't do that. What kind of person are you? How could you do such a thing?"

"Why not?" Huang Chu said, her voice choked with emotion. "If you don't want to do it, I'll do it. Don't trouble yourself. Just bring the water."

"Oh dear, oh dear, that's not how it is. Young lady, you're too young to understand..."

Huang Chu knew what her shifty gaze meant, but because Luo San's body was "dirty," they considered it unlucky and couldn't touch her.

She deliberately twisted the truth, saying, "It's not like I haven't washed my little sister before. What's the difference between adults and children? Just go ahead and do it; you're not required to lift a finger. If you keep talking nonsense and cause trouble, can you afford the responsibility?"

The old woman looked inside again, then at Huang Chu, and finally stamped her foot and ran away.

The water has come.

Huang Chu closed the door and drew the curtains to keep out the wind. Once his eyes had adjusted to the darkness, he took off Luo San's clothes.

Nothing much happened. What's terrifying is only the imagination of ignorant people. The human body doesn't change at all. A woman is still a woman. Luo San's body wasn't even as disheveled as Huang Chu's body in his previous life. Who is cleaner than whom?

Huang Chu didn't know where her anger came from, but the more the fire burned, the stronger she seemed to become. She wiped Luo San from head to toe and then changed her into clean undergarments. Since her hair couldn't move, she gathered up the stray hairs and tied her long hair to the pillow.

Perhaps the hot water used to wipe away the superficial body heat, Luo San opened his eyes groggily when Huang Chu was almost done tidying up.

"……you……"

"Auntie, it's me, it's your mother. Cheer up, I'll give you your medicine right away, and you'll get better. Don't give up. Auntie, can you hear me?"

Huang Chu took the medicine bowl from the bedside. Luo San still kept her eyes open, but she didn't look at Huang Chu. Huang Chu fed her the medicine, but she didn't drink it.

"Auntie? Auntie, can you hear me? Don't give up, don't think about anything, just drink your medicine—"

Luo San's eyes moved slightly.

Huang Chu realized that she could hear and was conscious. She was looking at something.

Huang Chu suddenly turned around.

Shen Yurui stood by the door.