My humble days in ancient times

Huang Guiyun ran to the water tank and looked at the water in it carefully, but he couldn't see anything. He was wondering: what if a few drops were thrown in?

Huang Guiyun took a loofah in one hand and rubbed it vigorously, wiping away even the moss on the bottom of the jar. She then called Xu Shi to fetch water and rinsed it several times, making it spotless inside and out. Still worried, she and Xu Shi carried the jar into the kitchen.

Huang Guiyun was sweating after all this time. She sat down at the stove, boiled some water, and took a bath. While bathing, Huang Guiyun thought about the manure, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She began to think about how to attack Liu. She might as well dump the manure in Liu's vat. But then she thought better of it. Xu Shi would definitely scold her if he found out. Or... Suddenly, an idea flashed, his eyes rolled, and he snapped his fingers: Got it.

At night, when Xu Shi fell asleep, Huang Guiyun quietly walked out of the house, carrying two buckets of manure and going to Liu's vegetable garden...

The next morning, Liu went to the garden to pick onions and found the chopped greens were dirty. Upon closer inspection, she discovered it was manure. She then looked around and found manure all over a large area of ​​green vegetables and spinach, even on the rows of garlic and cilantro.

Mrs. Liu became furious: It’s really true that kind people are bullied!

Although Liu disdains swearing, she is not a pushover. She can still curse people without swearing.

Liu raised her voice, hoping the whole village would hear: "Who is so heartless as to do such a thing? You think you can get away with pouring manure all over the vegetables and no one sees you? I can tell it's you with just my heels. Do you think you're the only one who's smart and capable? Do you think the whole village won't know it's you just because you hide in the house and don't come out?"

Liu's voice was so loud that the neighbors could hear it. Even Xu Ruyi, who was lying in bed, heard it.

Old Li, a villager who loved to stroll around, came over early upon hearing the noise, and then some other villagers followed, including Widow Wang and Zhang San.

Old Li asked Liu, "You're so loud so early in the morning. What happened?"

Seeing so many people standing outside her vegetable garden, Liu said, "Come in and take a look, and you'll know."

Old Li was old and walked slowly, so Widow Wang and Zhang San entered the vegetable garden early. Others came in to take a look.

"Oh my! Aren't these vegetables covered in manure?" Widow Wang's face, already filled with confusion, widened in shock. This kind of thing was unprecedented in the village!

"Yes, that's what I was angry about just now." Liu frowned with a sullen look in her eyes. She clenched her fists tightly, wishing she could vent the anger in her heart right now.

Everyone: This is really scary, as if it's going to eat people. But think about it, anyone would be angry.

Some people wanted to laugh when they saw the manure water on the vegetables, but when they saw Liu's angry face, they suppressed the urge to laugh.

Widow Wang saw this and quickly approached Liu. Her anxious expression was as if she was afraid of missing out on some important secret. She asked, "Do you know who did this?"

Liu pouted fiercely in the direction of Huang Guiyun's house next door, then pointed with her finger and said, "Except for certain people, it can't be anyone else."

Everyone looked at each other, and their hearts were as clear as a mirror: these two families and these two people often quarreled.

At this moment, Huang Guiyun was leisurely making the bed in the room. When he heard Liu's scolding, he was not angry but happy, and his mood was even better.

After making the bed, she leaned against the window and quietly watched Liu's frustrated expression. Her smug look was like a cunning fox admiring its captured prey. The more she thought about it, the more beautiful it became, and finally she couldn't help humming a little tune.

After breakfast, Xu Ruyi shouldered her backpack and headed up the mountain. As she walked, she took note of her surroundings. She wanted to go deeper into the mountains, but she was afraid of tigers.

In the season of awakening, a vibrant green landscape overflows with life. Xu Ruyi searched for medicinal herbs amidst the lush greenery and discovered dandelions and Viola yedoensis.

Viola yedoensis is a small, beautiful plant with lanceolate, bright green leaves that are slightly serrated at the edges. Its flowers are usually lavender, though sometimes white or pink varieties are also available.

Viola yedoensis has the effects of clearing away heat and detoxifying, cooling blood, reducing swelling and relieving pain, and can also detoxify snake venom.

Xu Ruyi carried a sickle and a basket of Viola yedoensis down the mountain. After returning home, she removed impurities, washed them, and placed them in a dustpan to dry.

After lunch, I went to the mountain and picked a basket of dandelions. I still had to remove impurities, wash them and dry them in the sun.

In the evening, Xu Dachuan came back, but as soon as he stepped into the yard, he was called over by Li.

Tian Yuhe said hello to Xu Dachuan and left the yard.

Tian Yuhe was apprehensive, unsure if the plan would work out. She recalled the time she'd visited the empty house in the village and seen rats and cockroaches—so scary! If there were a snake... she'd probably faint from fear.

Xu Dachuan saw that his parents were sitting there waiting for him, as if something happened.

Xu Dachuan was confused: "What's the matter?"

Li said calmly, "Sit down too, and let's talk slowly."

"Say it!"

Mrs. Li glanced at Tian Yuhe outside and said, "Yuhe wants to find someone to live with. Do you think there is anyone suitable in the village?

Xu Dachuan was relieved: "What's the big deal? This is a good thing! If there's no one suitable in our village, we can go to the next village and have a look."

Mrs. Li looked at her silly son and smiled, saying, "There's no one in our village who's the same age as Yuhe. I just wanted to ask you, what do you think of Yuhe?"

Xu Dachuan was stunned for a moment. "He looks okay, but we've never been together, and we don't know each other well. The child's mother just passed away not long ago, so I don't have any idea yet."

Xu Dachuan recalled the night Tian Yuhe first arrived, when she came to his room in the middle of the night and knelt down to thank him. Was she tempting him a little at that time?

Xu Dafu nodded: "Why are you worrying about the child if he is not anxious?"

Li understood this and glared at Xu Dafu, "I've seen Yuhe's guide, and I think it shouldn't be a big problem. He is unlucky, and it's good that you have this thought. But the dead cannot be resurrected, and the living must continue to live. You are still young, and you can't stay single forever. Besides, you have four children, and the young girls won't want to marry you, and you may not be attracted to someone too old. I'm just worried that if you keep dragging it out, Yuhe won't be able to wait."

Xu Dafu was unhappy: "This matter depends on fate. It won't be too late in a year."

Li rolled her eyes at Xu Dafu again. "Can Yuhe wait any longer? She doesn't even have a piece of land. How can she eat or wear anything? Can you give her money to spend? If you ask her to wait for a year or two, will she agree?"

Xu Dafu took a puff of his cigarette and said, "Come on, marrying Yuhe will save you money! Whatever you say is what it is. You two decide on this matter!"

Mrs. Li was annoyed. "What are you talking about? I'm also thinking about Dachuan and Yuhe. Get married soon. Yuhe is getting old now. She needs to take good care of herself. She will eventually have one or two more children. Only with children can she live here peacefully."

Xu Dafu smiled and said, "I have quite a few grandchildren now."

Li was too lazy to pay attention to him.

Yu He lived under Li's watchful eye. Li knew she was a skilled worker with a strong body. She was content with that. He was pretty, but not in good health. She was sickly all day and coughed frequently. Besides, beauty couldn't be eaten.

Finally, Xu Dachuan felt a little relieved and asked Li: "What does Yuhe think?"

Mrs. Li said with satisfaction, "Yuhe has discussed with me privately that she wants to find someone to live with. When I mentioned you, she agreed. She also wants to finalize the matter as soon as possible. I think since you are both getting married for the second time, why not just have a simple ceremony? It won't be a big deal and we won't notify the villagers. But if anyone from the village comes to the wedding to enjoy the fun, we're welcome to do so."