Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 138 Vermilion Learns Skills, Rouge Switched

Unlike the frigid atmosphere of Chicken and Goose Mountain, the warm pavilion in the west wing of the Chen family mansion in Tianshui City was so cozy it was almost unbearable.

The earthenware radiant fire was burning brightly, and a faint scent of ambergris filled the air.

The over-sixty-year-old Suo Hong leaned against a camphor wood couch covered with a silver fox fur coat, his withered fingers, like vines, repeatedly caressing the body of the girl beside him.

Perhaps the years have drained his energy, for at this age, Suo Hong is particularly fascinated by the vibrant, youthful elasticity beneath a young girl's skin.

He wasn't in a hurry to do anything; he just held the person in his arms, his fingertips sometimes gently rubbing and sometimes slowly gliding over them.

As he lingered on her for a while, the beautiful girl in his arms began to tremble with breath, and soft, delicate moans escaped her lips.

This young girl is Miss Chen, Chen Youchu, the younger sister of Chen Yinjie. However, Chen Yinjie is the legitimate son of the main wife, while she was born to a concubine in the mansion.

"Master..." Chen Youchu's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, with a hint of aggrieved coquettishness.

An unnatural flush spread across her face as she was teased by those hands, caught between a rock and a hard place, yet she dared not pull away.

The man before them, Second Master Suo, was a very important figure whom the Chen family had to curry favor with.

Just then, a hurried, soft voice came from the corridor outside the window: "Second Master, Second Master..."

A hint of displeasure flashed across Suo Hong's eyes. Chen Youchu felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She quickly slid off the couch, picked up the warm shoes, knelt on the ground, and put them on Suo Hong's feet.

Suo Hong propped himself up on the edge of the couch, and Chen Youchu brought him a black mink coat, tiptoed and adjusted the collar for him.

The wind under the eaves was chilly, and Chen Yinjie, wrapped in a blue satin cotton robe, had his nose red from the cold.

Seeing the door to the warm chamber open, he immediately plastered a fawning smile on his face and shuffled forward: "Second Master, about that matter..."

"The study said to close the door." Suo Hong's voice was cold and hard. He didn't even glance at him and walked straight along the corridor.

Chen Yinjie hurriedly closed the door and almost ran after him.

Upon entering the study, Chen Yinjie was the first to turn on the light.

The warm yellow light dispelled the darkness, illuminating the shelves full of ancient books and the calligraphy and paintings on the walls.

Suo Hong sat down in the thickly cushioned armchair and said unhappily, "What's the matter that's so urgent that you can't even have a peaceful night?"

"Isn't this the task you assigned? How could I dare to delay it even for a moment?"

Chen Yinjie rubbed his frozen hands, hunched over the table, and whispered.
"My second master asked me to investigate families in Tianshui City who are expecting children soon. I've searched all over the city, from east to west, and even the villages on the outskirts..."

"Get to the important points," Suo Hong interrupted him impatiently.

"Okay, okay!"

Chen Yinjie nodded quickly: "I've screened out all the women outside the city, they're too far out. There are twelve pregnant women in the city who are due to give birth around New Year's Day."

This afternoon, the daughter-in-law of Butcher Zhang in the south of the city gave birth to a boy; both mother and child are safe and sound.

Suo Hong's cloudy old eyes suddenly lit up, like a hawk hunting its prey in the dark.

His fingertips tapped lightly on the armrest as he murmured, "Born today... six days until New Year's Day."

"Don't worry, Second Master!" Chen Yinjie quickly replied, "In these six days, I promise to report to you immediately if there is any news of a new baby in the city."

"I'm afraid I can't wait six days."

Suo Hong shook his head, then suddenly looked up and said, "I have to leave in four days at most. You can work hard for another four days and keep a close eye on what's happening in the city."

"It's not hard work at all! Serving Second Master is hardly hard work!" Chen Yinjie nodded and bowed, smiling obsequiously. "Second Master, just give the order, and I will do my best even if it means my death."

Suo Hong's lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile: "Have you found out everything about the family that just gave birth?"

Chen Yinjie immediately pulled out a neatly folded piece of hemp paper from his sleeve, presented it with both hands, and his voice was full of self-satisfaction.

"The address is in Wazi Lane in the south of the city. It is the Zhang butcher couple, the young couple, and their unmarried daughter. The number of people in the family and what kind of business they do are all recorded in it."

Suo Hong took it, glanced at it twice, and stuffed it into his sleeve pocket. He nodded and said, "You're quite clever. It seems I can entrust you with any tasks I need in the future."

These words made Chen Yinjie beam with joy, and he quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for your appreciation, Second Master!"
"Don't worry, Second Master. Whatever you assign me, I'll do my utmost, even if it means bowing my head to the ground, to complete it perfectly!"

Suo Hong waved his hand, his tone tinged with weariness.

Chen Yinjie wisely shut his mouth, tiptoed out, and was extra careful even when closing the door.

The study was rather cold, and Suo Hong pulled his fur coat tighter around himself, his brows furrowing again.

He couldn't wait until New Year's Day to go up the mountain. Although the famous doctors he invited all said that Chanzhi's delivery date was within those two days, what if it came early?

He must arrive at Phoenix Villa no later than two days before New Year's Day.

In the next few days, it would be best to find a baby boy who was born later.

But if the baby is to be brought up the mountain beforehand, it has to be done without anyone noticing.

What weighed heavily on his mind was Yang Can. He was clearly working for the Suo family, yet he kept saying that he would take care of the child himself, revealing his blatant ambition.

Suo Hong sneered. He had only made a casual remark back then. He planned to catch Yang Can off guard and force him to use the child he provided. As for the child that Yang Can found, he would intercept it.

……

Yang Can returned to Phoenix Villa late at night, so he got up late the next day.

When the sun was high in the sky, golden light shone through the carved window lattice onto the bluestone floor. Only then did he leisurely instruct his servants to bring rouge and cinnabar to the front hall.

The two little girls were probably sisters who had been separated for a long time. They had so much to talk about that they stayed together all night, and now they both looked a little sleep-deprived.

But she was still a young girl, full of youthful vigor, and her face still radiated a vibrant spirit.

Feeling somewhat uncomfortable being watched so quietly by their master, the two women secretly twisted the hem of their skirts with their fingertips, yet couldn't help but steal glances at him.

Yang Can was holding a moon-white glazed teacup with a dark pattern, wearing a purple-blue silk robe with a dark embroidered cloud pattern. He was sunk into a round-backed chair with a sable cushion, his elbows resting on the armrests, his posture nonchalant.

Yet his eyes were calm and deep, and his whole being exuded an indescribable languid handsomeness that made one's heart flutter.

The congee is so delicious, the more I look at it, the more I like it.

Sweet bubbles rose in the hearts of the two girls, and even the tips of their ears turned slightly red.

Yang Can, however, was oblivious to their thoughts and was still trying to discern things with his keen eyesight.

He had specifically instructed that the two women's attire must be exactly the same today.

Therefore, at this moment, both sisters wore double-looped buns, each with a pearl flower pinned to their hair.

Both were jade-colored short jackets with cross-collar and narrow sleeves, covered by pomegranate-red brocade skirts with scattered flowers.

She wore a pair of identical dark-colored satin boots.

Their clothes and appearances were identical, their eyebrows, eyes, and figures were exactly the same, and even the shy blush on their cheeks was exactly the same.

Yang Can was amazed and overjoyed. "Good, very good!"
At this moment, the pre-set scenario had already appeared in Yang Can's mind:

Inside the hidden wall, Zhu Sha held the baby boy, for whom she had made all the necessary preparations, her fingertips hovering over the switch of the secret passage.

Inside the delivery room, Rouge stood beside Liu and Tao, keeping a watchful eye on everything around her.

After delivering the baby, Liu immediately confirmed the baby's gender and gestured to Yanzhi.

If it were a man, Rouge would lightly tap the wall and go to help. Inside the wall, Vermilion would turn and leave.

If it is a woman, lightly tap the wall twice with rouge, and cinnabar will open the secret passage.

With Tao's help, Liu quickly cut the umbilical cord and handed it to Yanzhi.

Zhu Sha carried the child out of the secret passage, and Yan Zhi entered.

The two sisters passed each other without a word or a word; with just one going in and the other out, the secret passage closed.

Thinking of this, Yang Can paused slightly in his teacup and let out a soft sigh.

"Rouge and cinnabar."

"Yes!" the two replied in unison, their voices crisp and clear.

“From today onwards, you will go and familiarize yourselves with a place and master a… very simple task.”

Yang Can's gaze swept over the two of them, his tone solemn.

The two sisters' contracts were in his hands; he was their only support in this world, and there was absolutely no possibility of betrayal.

Moreover, after spending so much time together, how could he not notice anything?
Upon seeing him, her cheeks flushed, her eyes shone, and she couldn't hide her admiration—a young girl in love, as if no one could see through her.

Even so, he still felt an indescribable tension in his heart.

It wasn't that he didn't trust everyone involved in the plan, but rather that the danger of this operation was no less than the moment he stepped into the entwined branch tent on Dry Bone Beach.

Compared to this, the perilous situation at Canglang Gorge a few months ago is nothing.

At that time, He Youzhen used a diversionary tactic to lure him away, and Zhang Yunyi and others launched a surprise attack on the mansion. Although he tried his best to deal with the situation, he always left himself an escape route.

Even if he were truly in dire straits outside, he would still have a chance to escape.

But this time, it's at Phoenix Manor. If things go wrong, others might still have a chance to turn things around, but he will surely die.

The immense pressure was like an invisible net, tightly enveloping him.

Strangely, this overwhelming heaviness eventually transformed into a strange excitement that made his blood boil.

"Come with me." Yang Can put down his teacup, the lid touching the rim with a soft "ding".

There was no need to hide it now; he wanted to openly take them to the inner quarters.

It's only natural for Madam Qingmei to summon her personal maid to prepare for the delivery room.
As soon as you step out of the room, the scenery of the courtyard comes into view.

The red plum blossoms on half the wall were in full bloom, their bright red petals topped with fine snowflakes, shining like fire in the morning light.

The white snow, red plum blossoms, brown branches, and green walls—the vibrant colors stirred his emotions even more.

Everything is ready, except for...

……

There are only four days left until New Year's Day.

At this time, there was no distinction between the lunar and solar calendars, so the Lunar New Year was the "Spring Festival" that everyone in the world celebrated. Even the wind in Chicken and Goose Mountain carried the warm feeling of the approaching New Year.

Yu Fa's business occupies half a mountain, serving as both an orchard and a poultry and egg production base.

The orchards on the slope had long since lost all their leaves, their bare branches pointing towards the gray-blue sky, while the poultry sheds in the valley were bustling with activity, their roofs practically blown off.

Men carrying plump poultry and livestock shuttled back and forth, the muffled sounds of slaughtering, the hissing of bleeding, and the sizzling of scalding with boiling water all blending together, becoming the most authentic prelude to the New Year festival.

The chickens, ducks and geese that had just been plucked were strung on a long rope between two old fruit trees, and at first they were steaming with milky white heat.

In less than half an hour, it froze solid, and its glossy skin gleamed with a porcelain-like sheen under the cold light.

These are all to be sent up the mountain for the host family to use during the New Year.

The young widow Lanzhu was leading several Xianbei women to air out things. The dried mushrooms in the bamboo trays gleamed with a dark brown light, and the dried meat hanging on the ropes glistened with oil.

She picked up a mushroom with her fingertips, shook off the fine sand, and heard a soft sigh beside her.

“In previous years, by this time, there would already be piles of firewood half a person high outside the tent, just waiting to light a bonfire at night and slaughter cattle and sheep to worship the ancestors.”

It was Agula who was speaking. The pregnant young widow was holding her lower back with one hand and gently patting her bulging belly with the other.

The Xianbei people also celebrated the New Year, but their customs differed from those of the Han people.

Now that they've entered Han territory, they've adapted to local customs, learning from the Han people to sweep dust, set up incense tables, and even put up a picture of the Kitchen God. The picture was drawn by Wangcai; no one had taught him, yet the eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth were drawn remarkably well.

When Yang Xiaoxiao leaned closer to look, she felt something was off, then it suddenly dawned on her:
If the Kitchen God shaved his beard, his eyebrows and eyes would clearly resemble his godfather, Yang Can.

My godfather is the Kitchen God? That's... a bit hard to believe.

A series of heavy footsteps approached; it was Old Ding from the orchard carrying a large bundle of tree branches.

The branches included fruit tree branches pruned in winter, as well as some pine and cypress branches.

According to Yang Can's rules, gardeners were not allowed to enter the widows' living area, for fear of causing trouble.

But with the New Year approaching, it wouldn't be good to let a group of widows and orphans spend the holiday in loneliness, so the ban was temporarily lifted.

The gardeners, who usually could only watch from afar, now had their chance.

Several unmarried old bachelors had been eyeing these young widows from afar for a long time.

Old Ding had his eye on Lan Zhu and planned to ask Master Yang for a marriage decree after she gave birth to his child.

He doesn't want to raise such a small baby, who isn't even his own. If it were a grown boy, he could get help immediately.

However, he had also heard that if he didn't want to raise the child, Deacon Yang was willing to adopt it, then there would be no worries.

Now that this opportunity is rare, I must first get to know Lanzhu better.

Old Ding carried the firewood straight up to Lanzhu, grinning widely: "Young lady Lanzhu, I'll put this firewood in the kitchen for you. Pine branches will keep the fire warm, and cypress branches will help get rid of the smell."

On the other side, Old Zhou, the gardener, also came over carrying buckets of water, and said with a smile, "Old Ding, you're so eager to deliver the firewood, it shouldn't be a problem for me to help carry the water, right?"

The widows were not as shy as unmarried girls; they smiled and agreed, handing over rough porcelain bowls and pouring hot water into them.

These old bachelors long to start a family, and these widows who have lost their support also long for someone who cares about them.

The sounds of laughter mixed with the smell of firewood added a touch of warmth compared to other places.

As they were talking, a howling sound came from the mountain valley. The New Year's gifts that Yang Can had sent had arrived.

The mule carts carrying goods crunched over the frozen ground, loaded with grain, oil, and salt.

There were also some delicate seasonings, divided into three portions according to the number of people: one portion for the gardener, one portion for the widow, and one portion for the orphan.

As soon as the cart came to a stop, people from the valley rushed over, some carrying and others lifting, the noise almost drowning out the bells of the mule cart.

Lanzhu and Agula were pasting red paper on the door frame, and the bright red paper made their faces look radiant.

Agula glanced back at the bustling crowd, and Lanzhu patted her hand: "There are enough people, let's not join in the fun. Straighten yourself, you're crooked."

Just as Lanzhu was about to start using the paste brush, she suddenly heard a cry of pain from the side.

The two turned their heads and saw Huyan squatting on the ground, clutching her stomach, with a ring of water seeping from under her blue skirt.

She had excitedly run off to move New Year's goods, but in her haste, she suddenly started experiencing abdominal pain.

"Oh no, she's going into labor!"

Lanzhu's expression changed instantly. She grabbed Agula and rushed over, supporting her while shouting, "Help! Huyan is about to give birth!"

The crowd that had just surrounded the truck immediately turned away, and several quick-handed men found a door panel and carefully carried Hu Yanshi into the house.

The old midwife, carrying a medicine box, strode into the room, supported by three women who had learned childbirth techniques.

Then, with a "whoosh," a thick straw curtain was placed in front of the door, keeping the cold wind and idlers out.

The men tactfully retreated to the outside of the fence, but the children couldn't contain their curiosity. They huddled together under the eaves, their little hands red from the cold, gripping the door frame and peeking through the curtains on tiptoe.

Their feet were numb with cold, so they stomped their feet on the spot, their breath spreading out in puffs of white vapor, but none of them wanted to leave.

After an unknown amount of time, a loud cry suddenly rang out from inside the house. The children instantly erupted in excitement, jumping and shouting, "It's born! It's born!"

When the straw curtain was lifted, Lanzhu came out.

Inside the house, a pit was burning in the fire. She was busy running around, sweating profusely. Her cheeks were as red as ripe apples, and the stray hairs on her forehead were damp.

Yang Xiao, Yang He, and the other children immediately surrounded her, looking up at her with their little faces and asking, "Aunt Lanzhu, has she given birth? Is it a boy or a girl?"

"It's born! It's born!"

Lanzhu smiled and waved her hand, "You guys go to the next room to warm up by the fire first, and let the chill off your bodies before you come in. Don't let the little one get cold."

Upon hearing this, the children immediately forgot about the issue of "men and women" and cheered as they rushed toward the side room where a charcoal fire was burning.

Actually, Lanzhu deliberately didn't reveal the child's gender.

This was Yang Can's special instruction; he not only instructed her, but also the old midwife and the three women assisting with the delivery.

These herdsmen, who had fled from the grasslands, did not understand why their masters had made such an arrangement.

But Yang Can was their savior, and their savior wouldn't harm them, so they just had to do as he said.

After the children warmed up, they were finally allowed to come inside for a "visit".

They lined up in a crooked queue, like a group of tiptoeing kittens, and tiptoed into the house.

Huyan lay on the bed, her face pale but with a smile on her face.

In the swaddling clothes beside me, there was a wrinkled little thing, its eyes tightly closed and its little mouth unconsciously pursed.

The children held their breath, and although they didn't make a sound, their wide-open eyes and slightly agape mouths clearly screamed "Wow!"

They knew that it grew from Aunt Huyan's belly, but they just couldn't understand how a living person could be born from a person's belly.
How can he breathe inside a person's stomach?

And this little guy is all wrinkled, a bit like a wilted red date, not pretty at all, really ugly!
The midwife didn't say whether it was a boy or a girl. The gardeners, trying to avoid suspicion, were busy preparing New Year's gifts on the front mountain. They had to manage the meat, eggs, and dried fruit to be sent up the mountain, as well as their own New Year's preparations, and didn't have time to ask.

All they knew was that everyone, adults and children, was safe.

However, this mystery won't remain hidden for long. Once the hustle and bustle of the New Year holidays is over, people will inevitably ask about it.

However, Yang Can didn't expect to keep it a secret for long, because Suo Chanzhi's due date was just a few days away.

……

Two days before New Year's Day, on the back mountain of Chicken and Goose Mountain, joy and sorrow collided as two more women went into labor.

First, when the afternoon sun was warm, Madam Ru gave birth to a baby after a series of painful cries. The loud cry made the women waiting outside breathe a sigh of relief.

But this joy did not last into the night, as Pulan's delivery took a sharp turn for the worse.

The excruciating pain from breech presentation kept her howling from dusk till midnight. In the end, the baby was safely delivered, but she herself did not survive the ordeal, leaving behind a tiny, clenching, crying infant.

Lanzhu stood in the corner of the room, supporting her swollen belly. She looked at the servant Lanshi, whose head and face were covered, and listened to the faint crying from the swaddling clothes. Tears streamed down her face, which was red from the cold.

As a fellow pregnant woman, she understood all too well the hardship of being on the brink of life and death; as a fellow widow, she knew even more how much suffering a child without a mother would endure.

Ultimately, the helpless baby girl was temporarily handed over to Ms. Su, who had just given birth and was still weak.

"It's just a matter of having more milk; children without mothers are so pitiful."

Ruoshuo leaned against the straw-covered couch, holding the baby girl and his son side by side in his arms.

The tenderness of a new mother melted into her eyes, but looking at the empty bed of the maid, Pu Lan, she felt a pang of sorrow.

As night deepened, most of the lights in the mountain valley went out, but the door of Ruoshuo's house was gently pushed open.

Yang Can walked in, the firelight from the charcoal brazier casting flickering shadows on his face.

Ruoshu hurriedly tried to get up to pay his respects, but he stepped forward and pressed her down.

"No need for formalities, your health is the most important thing."

Yang Can sat down on the wooden stool beside the couch, his gaze sweeping over the two sleeping infants in her arms, his voice calm.

"When I took you in, I said that once you had the baby and recovered, you could choose any man you liked to marry."

If my husband's family dislikes the child, they can simply leave the baby with me; I will raise it.

He looked at Ms. Ruo, whose mother was only nineteen years old this year. In his time, she would have been sitting in a classroom studying.

But the woman in front of me had fine lines around her eyes, her hands were rough and calloused, and she looked like a woman in her late twenties.

The wind, frost, rain, and snow of nomadic tribes are never merciful to young people; ordinary herders have no opportunity to take care of themselves.

"Originally, we planned to wait until the children were weaned before making any further plans."

But now there's an opportunity. There's a wealthy family in the city who have no children of their own and want to adopt a newborn son, claiming he's the son of their first wife.

Yang Can's gaze fell on the small face of the several women's biological sons:

"If you send your child there, he will never have to worry about food or drink again, and will enjoy wealth and luxury for the rest of his life. Such opportunities are rare. Are you willing?"

Ruoshuo's heart clenched. She had given birth to a son, but was raising a daughter in foster care.

As she ran her fingertips across her son's warm little face, tears instantly welled up in her eyes.

This is flesh and blood that fell from my own body. I've only been holding it for a few hours. How can I bear to part with it?

But she was only nineteen years old; she couldn't spend her whole life alone with her child.

She had already planned that once the child was weaned, she would find a new family to remarry and entrust the child to Yang Can, her great benefactor.

This opportunity is so good that it's hard to imagine anyone not wanting it. A wealthy family would raise their son as their own, which is a hundred times better than having him follow her.

But... the child has just come into this world, hasn't even had a full sip of milk, and is about to be separated from his flesh and blood.

Ruoshu bit her lower lip, tears dripping down her chin and onto her clothes, wetting a small patch.

Yang Can didn't urge her to make a decision; he simply sat quietly to the side.

A spark flew from the charcoal fire, crackling loudly and clearly in the quiet room.

After a long while, Madam Ruan wiped away her tears with her sleeve, her voice choked with sobs: "Master Yang, this is... this is my blessing, I understand."

"I'm just reluctant to part with it, sir, please don't take offense."

Yang Can gently shook his head. How could he be offended? It's just that this child wasn't going to be sent to some wealthy family with no heir.

His future life will become invaluable because of this rewriting of his "origins".

Of course, taking this child away is just to keep him as a "backup plan." Suo Chanzhi's child hasn't been born yet, and it's still unknown whether he's a boy or a girl.

If Suo Chanzhi gives birth to a baby boy, then the child will not need to be moved.

He will either adopt it himself or find a wealthy family to settle it in; he will certainly not treat it unfairly.

Once taken away, there's no reason to return it; otherwise, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.

“The child’s future will definitely be better over there than here.”

Yang Can slowly said, "But if they want to raise it as their own, they can't leave any trace."

Otherwise, if the child tries to trace their roots in the future, it might end up harming the family.

I'll have the midwife help cover it up. Tomorrow morning, we'll announce to everyone that the child has died. We'll also erect a small grave on the hillside behind the house, to make it more discreet.

Ruoshi nodded vigorously, tears welling up again: "Master Yang, I...I want to breastfeed the child one more time."

As she spoke, disregarding Yang Can's presence, she gently opened her clothes and pulled her sleeping son into her arms.

Yang Can nodded, lowered his eyes, stood up, lifted the curtain, and went out, leaving only a gentle sentence: "I'll wait outside."

(End of this chapter)