Traveling through time as a peasant girl to turn things around

Lunch was served at noon, with Sun Gui in charge of the school. Tables were set up under the shade of a tree. A pot of vegetables, meat, and yellow and white flour steamed buns, as well as white steamed buns, were placed on the table. Baskets of leavened scallion pancakes were laid out. Bowls of meat and vegetables were served one after another, but there weren't enough stools, so the villagers brought stools from their homes. Sun Gui brought out a few jars of wine and said, "Everyone, please drink a little. It won't make you drunk, but it will satisfy your cravings." "Thank you, brother." Someone ate and found it delicious! Someone asked what the vegetables were. Sun Gui replied, "We grow them ourselves. Don't be so picky. We villagers rarely go out and haven't seen much of the world, so please bear with us." "Nothing special, just delicious," Sun Gui continued. "This is potato, that's eggplant, fried until soft. Pumpkin, sweet and fluffy. Cilantro, scallions, ginger, garlic. Sesame oil. The less spicy ones are green peppers." These soldiers had never tasted big white steamed buns before, and with both wine and meat, everyone ate well and thoroughly.

The tents were covered with straw and mattresses for sleeping and resting. After having a good meal, the soldiers went to rest one after another. Some said, "I want to live here too. It's like living in heaven!" Others said, "They work all year round and it's not easy. They all have to work hard." "That's right."

Back at the Chai family's home, two tables were set up in the main hall. Chai Zhen invited several people from his village to one table: the Regent, Zhang Qingshan, Chai Zhen, Zhang Bingquan, Qin Han, Kong Ziwu, Li Guang, and Huo Hua. The Regent sat at the head, and the others sat below. Chai Zhen stood up and introduced Li Guang, a skilled weaver, and Li Dong, a skilled carpenter, at the other table. Li Dong stood up and bowed. Huo Hua, a businessman with a heart, had provided rice seeds for the villagers. These others made bricks and led the villagers in building roads and houses. Our village chief, Sun Gui, oversaw the school and also taught students. He presided over the meal there. "I, an old man, am honored to have met you in my lifetime. I offer you a toast." The Regent raised his glass and said, "Cheers, gentlemen." After downing the glass, the Regent asked what kind of wine it was. "It's delicious!" Huo Hua said, "Sir, I bought this in my own shop. Please forgive me." Chai Zhen brought another wine and said, "Would you like to try this?" "Okay." The Regent took a sip. "It's a good wine. I've never had it before. It's a bit sweet, not very strong." "This is home-brewed. Excuse me." "No, it's delicious." Chai Zhen invited everyone to eat. Regent Ye Heng tasted scrambled eggs with tomatoes. It had a slightly sweet and sour taste, delicious. He asked, "What's the red one?" "These are tomatoes grown at home. I just planted them this year. I'm experimenting. Now that they're ready, I'll present them to the Emperor." They can be eaten raw. "Sir, try this one too. It's tomatoes mixed with sugar." "Delicious too!" The Regent's eyes widened. For someone of his status, he'd tasted everything, but not this. Next came stir-fried pork with green peppers, stir-fried pork with beans and bean curd, and a cold bamboo shoot salad. Finally, a large pot of food, accompanied by white rice, white steamed buns, yellow steamed buns, and scallion pancakes. The Regent accidentally overate.

The fourth brother brought digestive tea, a bowl of sour plum soup, a small and exquisite bowl. The Regent also tried it. Once he drank it, he couldn't stop and accidentally finished it.

After dinner, Jiale led the Regent to the new east house to rest. Old Lady Li cleared out the warehouse and spread a freshly made cotton quilt on the bed. The pillows were embroidered with lotus flowers, exquisitely crafted. This was something only found in the palace. This small village was truly remarkable, with so many talented people. On the table in the suite lay pen, inkstone, paper, and inkstone—everything you need. Someone asked, "Is someone studying?" Jiale replied, "I don't know. I'll ask my mother." "No problem. No need."

The quilts were all new, and Ye Heng lay down on the bed, feeling comfortable. Only then did he notice the doors and windows. With a quick somersault, he was up. He walked to the window, reached out, and touched it. He had never seen anything like it before. He had seen a glass cup in his brother's study. It looked like it, exactly like it! It blocked the wind, and it was transparent. Thinking about its uses, this place had given him so many surprises. He couldn't sleep...