My humble days in ancient times

Time flies, and soon it is the autumn harvest season.

The fields are golden, and the ripe rice ears sway gently in the breeze, like a golden ocean, which is very pleasing to the eye.

The people in the village soon became busy, and the scene was bustling with activity everywhere.

Xu Ruyi methodically arranged the work, having people harvest the rice and picking the last batch of chili peppers in the field. He then pulled out the chili oil and dried it in the field, burning it, and finally plowed the land to plant wheat.

This time the harvest was abundant and the results were fruitful. The empty rooms in the two courtyards on the east side were filled to the brim.

Xu Qinghe looked at the full warehouse and asked, "We buy all the rice we need. Now that we have so much, should we sell some?"

Xu Ruyi shook her head decisively: "No, we should always keep some more to be prepared for any disaster."

Xu Qinghe nodded in agreement.

Xu Ruyi said, "Brother, the business in the city is stable now. If possible, we can buy a house there. We can have a place to stay in the future."

Xu Qinghe agreed and said, "Not only the prefectural capital, but also the county town."

"If it's suitable, buy it. If it's not suitable, we won't rush." ​​Xu Ruyi added.

"Okay. It's settled."

After planting the wheat, Xu Qinghe drove his carriage to the provincial capital. It would probably take him a month to return after this trip.

Old Li and the village head would come here every now and then to fish. Whenever they caught a fish, they would take one home to make soup.

When Xu Ruyi has nothing to do, she swings leisurely on the swing in Wutong Courtyard, immersed in the wonderful world of storytelling.

Sometimes Xu Ruyi and Xu Xiaohua would wander around the yard slowly. Xu Ruyi always felt that something was wrong with the yard, as if something was missing, but she just couldn't think of it.

"Miss, if you can't remember, don't think about it. You will remember it later." Xu Xiaohua kindly reminded.

Xu Ruyi came to the kitchen and saw the water tank. It was then that she realized: "It's a water tank. Yes, it's a water tank."

Xu Ruyi then hurriedly ordered Guo Huai, "Go buy two hundred large water vats and place at least five in each courtyard. Five in the chicken coop, five in the horse ranch, five in the peach garden, and twenty in the chili shop. The rest should be placed throughout the courtyard."

"I understand, Miss." Guo Huai responded.

Xu Ruyi was still in shock and was terrified. Why did she only remember such an important thing now?

When frost fell, Xu Ruyi solemnly ordered his servants to wrap the water tank tightly with grass and then cover it carefully with thick cloth.

The weather was getting colder and the chill was getting stronger, so Old Li and the village head no longer came to fish.

Everyone gathered at Uncle Xu's house again. The house was warm and everyone sat together chatting and sharing family matters. Bursts of cheerful laughter could be heard from time to time.

Xu Qinghe had a fruitful trip to the provincial capital this time. He bought a spacious yard in the provincial capital and also purchased yards in two county towns.

Xu Ruyuan ran over happily, picked up the house deed and looked at it carefully.

Xu Qinghe took out another one and said with a smile, "Look what this is?"

Xu Ruyuan couldn't wait to know, and urged: "Brother, let me see it quickly."

Xu Qinghe gave it to her lovingly. When Xu Ruyuan saw it, her eyebrows and eyes were all smiling, curved like a crescent moon: "That's great, another shop."

Xu Ruyi also smiled, her smile as bright as the warm spring sun: "That's good, I can open the shop again."

Xu Qinghe said excitedly again: "Now that there are courtyards in the county town and the prefectural city, it will be convenient for us to go there for fun in the future."

"Yes, let's go when we have time!" Xu Ruyuan's face was full of anticipation and he couldn't wait.

Xu Qingyan sighed at the side: "If you leave now, I won't want to go to school anymore."

After hearing this, several people burst into laughter.

Xu Ruyuan said, "Knowledge is important." There was a hint of playfulness in her tone.

After a few days, Xu Qinghe took Xu Ruyuan to the provincial capital for a trip with great enthusiasm.

Xu Ruyi was worried about Xu Qingyan's studies and life, so even though she wanted to go with him, she ultimately did not go.

The weather gradually became colder, and the wind was biting. Wang Erdan's restless heart began to stir again.

Every now and then, a chicken would be missing from one family or another in the village. Zhuzi's family was not spared, and the once peaceful village was thrown into panic.

Aunt Zhang remembered that Xu Ruyi had picked up a hunting trap, so she bought a lot of them in order to catch the chicken thief.

This night, when Wang Erdan's sneaky voice sounded again, Aunt Zhang said angrily: "Wang Erdan, what are you doing by not sleeping in the middle of the night?" Her voice was particularly loud in the silent night.

Wang Erdan was stubborn and refused to admit it. He argued, "Come here and take a look."

The neighbors gathered around and pointed at Wang Erdan, their faces full of disgust and anger.

The village head came hurriedly and looked at Wang Erdan's appearance. He felt very disappointed and sighed repeatedly.

Finally, Doctor Qian came and carefully pulled out the trap. Mrs. Jiang and the neighbors helped him onto the cart, and then Mrs. Jiang pulled him back with a helpless look on her face.

Now Wang Erdan will have to stay in bed for a few more months.

Xu Ruyi sat beside the warm stove with the charcoal fire burning brightly. She leisurely roasted sweet potatoes and ate them. The aroma of the sweet potatoes filled the entire room.

Sometimes she would cook some pear soup to drink. The sweet pear soup nourishes her heart and lungs, making her feel comfortable in the cold winter.

When the weather is warm, the sun is shining and the breeze is blowing, Xu Ruyi will take them to fly kites together with great enthusiasm.

Children from the village would occasionally run here, then stand timidly outside the yard, tilting their little heads to look at the kites curiously.

When Xu Ruyi heard the clear children's voices coming from outside the yard, the kind-hearted girl would quickly ask Guo Huai to open the gate.

As soon as the naughty children were allowed, they jumped happily into the yard.

The yard was so big that they ran around excitedly, their laughter as clear as silver bells. When they were tired, they simply sat on the ground, gasping for breath.

Guo Huai smiled and patiently led them to the place where they were going to fly kites.

"Wow, it's so beautiful and it flies so high!" The children widened their eyes and couldn't help but marvel at it.

"That's right, that's a frog, and that's a crab, hahaha!" Another child pointed at the kite, dancing with joy and laughing.

Xu Ruyi and the others would walk over with a smile and kindly let them play with the string for a while.

But they were children after all, and they had no patience, so they ran away after playing for a while.

Then they stumbled into the kitchen. The cook had already prepared everything and would take out delicious cakes and buns for them.

They took it happily, with both hands full of delicious food and their mouths stuffed full, and then ran away again.

As they ran, they got lost. These naughty children were like headless flies, running around in panic. Some ran into the vegetable garden and accidentally stepped on some tender vegetables; some ran into the horse farm without knowing the way out, making the horses neigh incessantly; and finally, some children could not find the way out and burst into tears of fear, their sobbing sobs were heartbreaking.

Then Guo Huai heard the crying and hurried over. He took the trouble to lead them to the garden and patiently pointed them in the right direction. Finally, the children left through the gate, looking back every few steps, their faces full of reluctance and nostalgia.