The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure

Chapter 1723: 1717: Unless You Can’t Hold Back

Capítulo 1723: Chapter 1717: Unless You Can’t Hold Back

Yi Mingshi listened to these words and his face turned green.

What are men most afraid of? It’s being told they’re incapable! No matter how old they are, they can’t be told they’re inadequate! Right now, Wang Yongzhu directly said in front of so many people that he’s old, his body can’t handle it, his legs are not agile; every word pierced his heart.

He originally wanted to confess that he’s actually very capable! He can climb to the top of the mountain without losing his breath!

But as soon as he tried to stand up, his legs turned to soft cotton, trembling uncontrollably, and his grand words were swallowed back immediately.

Seeing everyone else heading down the mountain, if he doesn’t follow, the mountain can be dangerous.

He had to force a smile, calling out to the man who was raising pigs, and with his help, he barely managed to get down the hill.

By the time he reached the courtyard at the foot of the mountain, it was already the afternoon.

After breakfast, it wasn’t long before they set out. By the time they reached this small village, they had missed lunch time.

However, Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang had anticipated it, bringing dry food and pastries on their carriage.

The other attendants were well-prepared too, munching on dry food while traveling to tide themselves over.

After reaching the village, half a day of climbing up and down the mountain left everyone hungry and tired.

The two tending to the carriage had come along sightseeing with Wang Yongzhu, and had built rapport over the journey.

Their carriage already carried pots, pans, as well as grains and dried meats.

They initially planned to borrow the kitchen of the house for cooking, but found it too dirty to even step in; even these rough-handed men couldn’t tolerate it.

It seemed the family subsisted on vegetable mush for years, with rings of old mush marks on the pot’s rim.

The countertop was strewn with cracked earthen bowls, and the chopsticks were probably made from their own whittled branches, so blackened they couldn’t be distinguished as any type of wood.

Luckily it was already October; in summer, this kitchen would be swarming with flies.

The two men only shook their heads and stepped out, requesting to borrow their firewood, offering a hundred or so copper coins to buy it.

The mountain firewood is plentiful if you’re willing to exert effort; it’s never in short supply.

Even selling firewood, a cart goes for just ten or so copper coins; a hundred could buy their entire firewood stock.

The family’s woman took the coins and swiftly urged her kids to bring out the firewood.

The two men selected a sheltered spot not far from their door, built a simple hearth using large stones, and set a pot of water to boil.

Keeping things simple outside, their staple food was the dry bread they carried, just needing a pot of boiling water to make meat soup with the dried meats they brought, adding some greens. The fragrant meat soup could be paired with crispy toasted bread, or broken into pieces and soaked into the soup, both quite enjoyable.

The scent of the simmering meat wafted into the courtyard carried by the breeze.

The children, too timid to approach, squatted at the door, staring over and swallowing hard.

One of the men waved them over and beckoned them closer, before saying, “If you can find some edible vegetables, I’ll give you this—” gesturing to the dry bread beside him.

The children’s eyes lit up, nodding eagerly and scattering off in different directions.

When they returned, each had a handful of wild greens, handing them over to the man.

The man glanced at them briefly; recognizable sprouts of wild vegetables, and one with a bundle of tender spinach.

He took the greens, giving each child a piece of dry bread, roughly the size of a grown man’s fist, hefty enough that, even for these hardy men, two pieces and soup would fill their bellies completely.

The kids took the bread with dirty hands, nails filled with dirt and grass scraps, not minding, holding the bread close to sniff, then carefully sticking out their tongues for a taste, and with exuberance sprinted home with it.

Before long, sounds of cheerful laughter could be heard from afar at the family’s house.

The two men exchanged a glance; they’ve seen such situations often.

This family was relatively well-off, having raised mountain pigs for local wealthy families, not only having a place to stay but probably receiving grain monthly from their masters.

Hence this family consumed vegetable mush and could sustain a brood of kids.

For average families, these half-grown children eat voraciously, how could they afford to raise them?

This family was fortunate, as our Madam and old lady decided to raise mountain pigs and it was arranged by the cousin’s young master, finding this household.

Once settled, given the Madam’s disposition, this family could expect some ease in their future days.

Yet the two were not gossipy, merely giving them an extra glance and then thinking no more of it.

By the time Wang Yongzhu and the others came down the mountain, the meat soup was already fragrantly ready.

The group washed their hands by the river at the foot of the mountain, chatting and laughing, eating around the makeshift stove by the carriage, each with their own tableware, helping themselves to soup and bread.

But Yi Mingshi, having nibbled on some attendants’ dry food at noon, was now hollow-bellied with hunger, unable to resist the tempting scent.

Brazenly tagging along, the attendants didn’t make it difficult for him, giving him a share, barely filling his tummy.

Seeing the day closing in, once finished eating, everyone tidied up their gear ready to head out.

Yi Mingshi hurried to find the woman of the house, anxious about his robe being ready.

Soon, there was the sound of Yi Mingshi’s frustrated voice: “Is this my robe? What are these black marks on it? How is there a hole here? And what’s with this patch? How did this scorch happen?”

Then came the woman’s stuttering explanation: “No… Noble Patron… humble woman… never, never seen such fine fabric, fearing, fearing it wouldn’t wash clean, hence, hence soaked it in plant ash water, also took a pestle to it. Didn’t, didn’t expect the fabric so delicate, the pestle broke it from pressing too hard!”

“Humble woman got scared, hence, hence cut my husband’s clothes to patch yours, Noble Patron. But humble woman’s stitching is poor, once patched, the robe became all wrinkled. Humble woman thought to iron the robe out; no flatiron at home, hence, hence heated stone; unexpectedly, hence, hence scorched—”

Afterward was the man’s scolding voice: “You fool, how did you ruin the Noble Patron’s robe? Such fine fabric and you used plant ash to soak? Then used a pestle? Why don’t you smash your own head with that pestle too? Such expensive clothing, even selling you wouldn’t cover it, you wretched creature! Misfortune—”

And he continued: “Noble Patron, my wife clumsy-handedly spoiled your robe! You’ve seen our situation, too poor to compensate; maybe, maybe give you my wife instead—”

Silence followed.

“Sigh, Noble Patron? Are you alright? Do you want her or not, give us a word—”

“Noble Patron, why are you running away?”

“Noble Patron—”

Then Yi Mingshi was seen dashing out of the courtyard in a disheveled panic as if chased by wild dogs, haphazardly wearing the robe worn thin by washing.

The fine robe was nearly coming apart, covered in black and darker patches, unrecognizable from its original color.

Especially the chest area, prominently patched with a large piece, very conspicuous.

Yi Mingshi nearly exerted as much effort as a babe sucking for milk, took three steps in two, clambering onto the front carriage: “Quickly, let’s go, let’s get out of here—”

As he climbed onto the carriage, everyone saw the robe’s back had two large scorched black holes, silently accusing.

The attendants were highly trained, generally reserved from laughing aloud, unless unable to contain it.

At this moment, they couldn’t hold it in, bursting into fits of laughter, nearly doubling over, barely managing the carriage despite laughter echoing further and further away.