"If you want to talk, talk. If not, don't. I'm just going with you, it doesn't matter where," Zheng Wei said lightly, glancing at the corpses on the ground. He added, "As for these people, they're just grasshoppers. So what if they're killed? Do we need to know why?"
As he finished speaking, Zheng Wei raised his eyebrows and looked at Sima Han.
Sima Han smiled and said no more.
That was right. Hadn't he himself never asked why Zheng Wei, a hunter, possessed such excellent martial arts skills? Why he felt an instant connection with a hunter and decided to travel together?
"I wonder how Xin Xin is doing lately. I don't dare to send a letter back; she must be very worried," Sima Han said faintly after a long while, looking in the direction of Baiyun Peak.
Zheng Wei also thought of Shen Xiaoyan, wondering if she would be bored at home or if she missed him.
The two stood silently for a while before walking towards the two horses standing not far away.
With agile movements, they mounted their horses and continued on their journey, leaving behind a ground full of corpses.
The days spent by the two pregnant women together were exceptionally comfortable.
They slept until they woke naturally in the morning, had breakfast, and then took a stroll in the courtyard.
All the flowers in the courtyard had already bloomed, a riot of colors and extremely beautiful.
Once they had enough of the courtyard, they would go to the old courtyard to check on the newly fruited raspberries, the striped watermelons, and the milk fruit.
Further away was the orchard behind the residence.
The orchard was vast. When it was empty, its size was discernible. Now, it was densely planted with saplings, obscuring the view and making it impossible to tell its true extent.
These saplings, watered with immortal spring water, had grown lush and verdant. In just two or three months, they had shot up considerably, and all those meant to flower had already done so.
However, this year was not to be expected for fruit; it would take at least until next year.
Shen Xiaoyan and Yue Qingxin visited every few days, and also instructed Huo Si and the others on how to prune the branches.
Besides their walks, Shen Xiaoyan would also set aside some time for reading. Yue Qingxin initially thought Shen Xiaoyan wanted to study diligently, as she had never been one to read before. However, she later discovered that Shen Xiaoyan was reading only basic primer books, which puzzled her.
Shen Xiaoyan explained, "This is for our children. They can hear it even in the womb."
Yue Qingxin didn't quite believe it, but since she had nothing else to do, she was happy to sit nearby and listen. Even if there was only a one percent chance, she would do anything that was good for the children.
In addition to reading, Shen Xiaoyan would also sing songs. Yue Qingxin had never heard these songs before and found them novel, so she said to Shen Xiaoyan, "It would be wonderful if we had a Qin. I could accompany you."
In her previous life, Shen Xiaoyan most loved watching those ancient beauties play the Qin, finding it full of artistic charm. To sit under flowers while playing would be even more beautiful.
So, the day after Yue Qingxin mentioned it, Shen Xiaoyan and she went to town together and finally bought a Qin.
It wasn't a fine Qin; the wood and strings used were the most common. However, their money could only afford a Qin like this.
Yet, Yue Qingxin and Shen Xiaoyan did not dislike it. It was merely for amusement, and a very good Qin was not necessary.
After buying the Qin, when Shen Xiaoyan sang, Yue Qingxin would accompany her.
Seeing Yue Qingxin's beautiful posture while playing the Qin, Shen Xiaoyan also felt the urge to learn.
With a student, Yue Qingxin naturally had the enthusiasm to teach.
Thus, one taught and one learned, their days busy and time passing quickly, until it was the end of June.
The raspberries were ready for harvest, and without being invited, Lu Taobao showed up.
"Sister-in-law, how have you been? I've been away recently and haven't visited you. I hope you don't blame me," Lu Taobao said to Shen Xiaoyan with a smile as he entered the main room.
Shen Xiaoyan knew that he had refrained from visiting because it was just her and Yue Qingxin in the household. He was now explaining his absence, so she replied, "Why would I blame you? You often send things over. I was already thinking you were spending too much."
"What's there to say? To be honest with you, sister-in-law, I'm just trying to get in good graces early, waiting for your raspberries to ripen so I can eat my fill," Lu Taobao said, chuckling to himself.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, Huo Fen came in with the freshly washed raspberries. Three plates of raspberries were placed on small tables beside each of them.
"Eat. Everything is prepared for you," Shen Xiaoyan said to Lu Taobao, gesturing to the raspberries on the table.
Lu Taobao was not polite; he picked one up and put it in his mouth.
With a bite, the sweet and sour juice of the raspberry filled his mouth, causing Lu Taobao to squint with satisfaction.
He had also asked Shen Xiaoyan for raspberry saplings to plant at home, but the raspberries that grew were not as delicious. He didn't know why.
"You've had your fill of raspberries. Now, I have something to discuss with you," Shen Xiaoyan said after watching Lu Taobao eat raspberry after raspberry until the plate was empty.
"Whatever sister-in-law needs to discuss, I will surely do it," Lu Taobao said, sitting up straight and appearing to be all ears.
"This year, everyone in our village has planted striped watermelons with me. I wanted to ask if you could purchase them as well?" Shen Xiaoyan paused here for a moment, then continued, "Would this be difficult for you?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Taobao burst into laughter and said, "I thought it was something important. This is perfect! Last year's striped watermelons were in short supply. It's naturally a great thing to increase the quantity this year."
Seeing Lu Taobao's genuine happiness and no sign of difficulty, Shen Xiaoyan was also very pleased. "In that case, I will invite the village head over shortly, and you can discuss the purchase of striped watermelons. I will not get involved."
After speaking, Shen Xiaoyan asked Huo Si to invite Bai Yonggui, and then asked Qu Shi to have Huo Fen and Huo Ying hurry to prepare a meal to properly entertain Lu Taobao and Bai Yonggui at noon.
When Bai Yonggui arrived, Shen Xiaoyan introduced the two to each other, and then the three of them sat down separately.
Shen Xiaoyan sat there eating snacks, not interrupting, just listening quietly.
Finally, Lu Taobao and Bai Yonggui reached an agreement. Lu Taobao would purchase the village's striped watermelons at a price of 13 wen per jin. He would send people to collect them when they ripened and settle the payment in cash on the spot.
Bai Yonggui was also very satisfied with this outcome. Although each household didn't plant many striped watermelons, most less than an acre, it was still possible to have over a thousand jin.
Even if each family had a thousand jin, at 13 wen per jin, that would be 13,000 wen, or thirteen taels of silver, a substantial amount of money for the villagers.
Thinking of this, Bai Yonggui's gaze towards Shen Xiaoyan became even gentler. This matter was thanks to Shen Xiaoyan, who not only led everyone in planting but also directly found a buyer, saving the villagers from the trouble of finding a market.
Recalling the gossip the villagers had spread about Shen Xiaoyan before, Bai Yonggui felt ashamed and his gaze towards her was filled with guilt.
Bai Yonggui secretly decided that he would convene a meeting of the villagers upon his return and admonish them, forbidding them from spreading gossip about Shen Xiaoyan. They, he thought, should know how to be grateful.
The midday meal was very abundant, and both Lu Taobao and Bai Yonggui ate to their heart's content. In his happiness, Bai Yonggui also had some wine.
However, he remembered that he had matters to attend to later and dared not drink too much, although his face was flushed.