Chapter 9: An Abundance of Skills

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Xie Guanniang noticed Jiang Yuan’s puzzled expression and smiled faintly. “A daughter of the Xie family must learn not only poetry, prose, and the arts—such as the qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting—but also proper etiquette, managing household affairs, needlework, and cooking.”

“If the girls have other interests, like horseback archery, martial arts, divination, medicine, tea ceremonies, flower cultivation, or winemaking, my father would find the appropriate masters to teach them diligently.”

When she mentioned her “father,” her tone and expression softened noticeably compared to before.

She lifted her face and smiled at Jiang Yuan, whose eyes were deep and seemed to shimmer with countless stars. “So, there are many things I can do. Even if I don’t return to the Xie family, I can support myself with what I’ve learned.”

Jiang Yuan responded with a grunt and quickly set about scrubbing the pots and washing the dishes. “Once you’re better, you can do whatever you want.”

The implication was clear: for now, just rest quietly and don’t trouble yourself with making steamed buns or pastries.

Xie Guanniang caught the meaning and, feeling a bit helpless, was also somewhat touched.

She was just about to say she was feeling much better and could handle some simple tasks when Jiang Yuan brought over a woven basket, presenting it like a treasure trove and inviting her to look inside.

The basket was filled with various fruits: on top were dark purple mulberries, beneath them were light pink small cherries, and under those, unripe white apricots and fuzzy peaches.

The fruits filled nearly half the basket, tightly packed. It was unclear where Jiang Yuan had gotten them. He washed his hands carefully, gently picked out all the fruit, rinsed some of the mulberries and cherries, and arranged them on a plate before handing it to Xie Guanniang.

She felt honored and asked, “Aren’t you going to eat any?”

Jiang Yuan shook his head. “You eat after taking your medicine.”

Xie Guanniang’s feelings were complex. She often made exaggerated faces after taking her medicine, but she hadn’t expected Jiang Yuan to specially find these fruits for her because of it.

She asked, “These look so fresh and juicy; they can’t be wild fruit, can they?”

Jiang Yuan nodded. “I traded for them.”

Mingfu Village, nestled by mountains and water, relied mostly on farming, but villagers also gathered from the mountains or rivers—some foraging, fishing, or hunting, others setting up small ponds or orchards to supplement their income.

The half basket of fruit Jiang Yuan had brought back, along with another basket temporarily stored in one family’s orchard, were traded for wild chickens with a household that grew fruit trees.

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He told Xie Guanniang, “There are many families who grow fruit trees in the village, so eat as much as you want. Don’t hold back.”

Since fruits were neither as popular as meat nor grains, their price dropped when abundant. If Xie Guanniang liked eating them, Jiang Yuan didn’t mind exchanging for a fresh batch every few days.

“You should eat some too,” she said, disliking eating alone, especially when the fruits were acquired by Jiang Yuan’s efforts.

She went to the kitchen and fetched a large bowl, picking out the ripest and presumably sweetest mulberries and cherries to fill half the bowl for Jiang Yuan, who was still working.

Jiang Yuan noticed her careful selection, and his gaze softened.

After she finished selecting, she lifted the medicine bowl and drank it all down in one gulp. Jiang Yuan swiftly cleared away the plate and empty bowl, leaving the better-looking fruits in the large bowl for Xie Guanniang, saying, “I don’t like sweets.”

Xie Guanniang was puzzled: even the ripest fruits nowadays weren’t overly sweet.

A faint smile curved her lips as she plucked a deep purple mulberry from the top of the bowl and popped it into her mouth. The sweet and tart flavor spread across her lips and teeth, masking the bitterness of the medicinal broth.

Wang Xiaozhi, having finished handling her in-laws’ affairs, hurried over and saw her brother and Xie Guanniang sitting together in the courtyard, enjoying fruit and the evening breeze in a relaxed manner.

Seeing them sitting side by side, about three feet apart, Wang Xiaozhi’s apricot-shaped eyes twinkled with amusement.

That night, as Xie Guanniang had said, she did not develop a fever again. Relieved, Wang Xiaozhi decided not to stay overnight to watch over her anymore.

She had come to realize that no matter how much her brother tried to avoid suspicion, he would inevitably have contact with Xie Guanniang, which would bring them closer more than if he kept ordering her around.

The next morning, during breakfast, she told Jiang Yuan about her decision not to stay over that night. He said nothing but quietly pulled out the wild chicken he had set aside for her.

Wang Xiaozhi, not making a fuss, took the chicken home to her mother-in-law as a token of gratitude for caring for her two children while she was staying at Xie Guanniang’s. This also prevented any gossip among the sisters-in-law about favoritism.

After she left, Xie Guanniang finished the last mouthful of dumpling soup. Jiang Yuan gathered the three sets of bowls and chopsticks, took them to the kitchen, and cleaned them quickly.

He had plans for the day: in the morning, he intended to explore the nearby hills to hunt more game, and in the afternoon, he planned to visit the town to buy some supplies.

Xie Guanniang did not want to be alone at home and tentatively asked, “Can I go with you to the mountain?”

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The evening before, while enjoying fruit and the breeze with Jiang Yuan, she had heard him say he hadn’t ventured deep into the dense mountains recently, only roaming the small hills near the village, where no large or medium-sized wild beasts lived.

Although she was still taking medicine, she felt her health had improved considerably and that a bit of outdoor activity would not hinder her recovery.

Her only concern was whether her joining him might interfere with his hunting.

Jiang Yuan glanced at her, eyes filled with both yearning and hesitation. Softening, he nodded instinctively.

Xie Guanniang’s eyes widened, and she cried out in surprise and joy.

Her happiness dispelled the fleeting pang of regret that had risen in Jiang Yuan’s heart.

Well, if she became tired, he would find a place for her to sit and enjoy the breeze. As long as she stayed within his sight, following him might be safer than remaining alone at home.

Having persuaded Jiang Yuan without much effort, she took out four strips of cloth, and he carefully tied her cuffs and pant legs.

He offered no explanation, but Xie Guanniang knew it was to prevent snakes or insects from crawling inside her clothes and biting her.

Today, she wore clothes given to her by a village aunt as a replacement—her own daughter’s new outfit.

Unlike her own skirt, which was wide and ankle-length, this outfit consisted of loose trousers and a loose top that reached just above her knees—a practical, neat “short set” that allowed ease of movement.

“Hang this at your waist.” Jiang Yuan quickly tied the cloth strips and handed her a small cloth bag filled with various herbs.

Xie Guanniang brought the bag to her nose and sniffed. “It’s medicine to repel snakes and insects. Did Doctor Chen prepare this?”

A flicker of surprise crossed Jiang Yuan’s youthful face. “You understand pharmacology?”