Divorced woman with child travels through time

Chen Wenfang packed her things and went to the market with Uncle Liu. The three children were practicing horse stance under Zhao Lue's guidance, a daily routine for them.

Without the children with them, the three adults walked quickly, pushing the cart, and arrived at the market in about half an hour. At the usual spot, Chen Wenfang had just set up her goods and sat down when someone greeted her.

"Madam Chen is here. How have you been lately? Bring me three packets of herbs. It's been hot lately, and these herbs are great for making tea to cool you down."

"Thank you for your concern, I'm fine. I'll give you a three-cent discount on the three packs, and it'll taste even better with some syrup. Thank you, ma'am," Chen Wenfang said, handing the paper package to the old woman.

Another middle-aged man came up and said, "Madam Chen, my throat hurts. Could you give me two packets of medicine?"

"Here you go, drink less alcohol, Uncle, or you won't get better," Chen Wenfang said.

"Hehe, I can't quit drinking, but try this medicine, it works really well." The uncle left satisfied with the medicine.

After a bunch of customers left one after another, Chen Wenfang's stall finally quieted down. It had been several markets since Chen Wenfang had come, and some people were waiting to buy her herbs.

Chen Wenfang took the layered cake, told Aunt Liu what she wanted, and went directly to the Ouyang residence.

The streets were still bustling. Some people recognized Chen Wenfang, and Chen Wenfang greeted them all warmly.

Upon arriving at the Ouyang residence, the gatekeeper immediately recognized Chen Wenfang.

She said, "Madam Chen, you've come to bring food to our young master, right? Please wait a moment while I go and report to him."

Chen Wenfang stopped her, saying, "No need to trouble yourself. Just take this directly in to the young master as a way of thanking him for his kindness. I won't go in, so as not to cause gossip."

After saying this, he put the things into the servant's arms. Chen Wenfang then turned and left.

"Oh, no! Madam Chen! Madam Chen! Oh!" The servant couldn't chase after her. He stamped his foot and went into the mansion.

Inside the mansion, Ouyang Jin was sitting in a chair, idly reading a storybook.

The servant brought the food and placed it on the table. He said, "Young master, this is food sent by Madam Chen. She didn't even come in; she just put it in my hand and ran off."

Ouyang Jin laughed and said, "This Madam Chen probably doesn't want to take my reward money and feels embarrassed. What food did she send? Let me open it and see."

Chen Wenfang thoughtfully wrapped each pancake individually in oil paper, and then wrapped it in a clean white cotton cloth. The pancakes were still warm when opened.

Ouyang Jin took one and said with a smile, "It's beautifully made, it looks very appetizing. Go and take two to my mother."

The servant obeyed and left. Ouyang Jin took a bite; the taste was truly excellent. Each bite offered a unique blend of wheat aroma and the rich, sweet syrup flavor. The pancakes weren't very big, and Ouyang Jin accidentally realized he'd eaten three. Hmm, he couldn't eat any more; otherwise, there wouldn't be any left for the afternoon. Chen Wenfang had only given eight pancakes in total. Ouyang Jin considered saving two for his father. Looking at the remaining three, Ouyang Jin hesitated. "Never mind," he thought, "I won't save any for my father; I'll save them for the afternoon."

When Ouyang Jin entered his mother's room, Jiang Mingyue was eating a pancake, taking small bites with great elegance.

"Mother, how does it taste? Isn't it delicious?" Ouyang Jin asked with a smile.

"Not bad, not bad. I wonder how Madam Chen did it. Next time, I'll have her teach me some embroidery," Jiang Mingyue said.

"Leave the rest for the master, so he can have a taste." Caixiu took it away.

Ouyang Jin was a little disappointed; he had originally planned to come and freeload off the food he had eaten. Oh well.

"Wangcai, come on, let's go for a stroll in the street." Ouyang Jin took Wangcai to the market. They wandered over to Chen Wenfang's stall.

Chen Wenfang smiled when she saw Ouyang Jin and asked, "Young Master Ouyang, are the pancakes delicious?"

Ouyang Jin said arrogantly, "The taste is indeed good, but why don't you go into the manor to collect your reward? You underestimate me, don't you?"

Chen Wenfang said, "How can I expect a reward every time? But, young master, you seem to have grown taller."

"Really?? You're not lying to me?" Ouyang Jin was overjoyed.

"Really? Didn't you guys notice?" Chen Wenfang asked doubtfully.

"Wangcai, do you have any?" Ouyang Jin asked.

Wangcai said with a bitter face, "I didn't know, I didn't notice."

"I suppose it's because you see each other every day that you didn't notice. But I haven't seen the young master for so long, so I recognized him immediately." Chen Wenfang waved his hand and said, "Young master, don't you have a measuring tape at home? Go and measure it."

"Let's go, let's go. I have a height chart. Let's go back and take a look." Ouyang Jin said, then tossed down a silver coin. "This is a reward for you. Take it! I don't eat for free."

"Thank you, young master." Chen Wenfang happily picked up the silver.

Ouyang Jin ran home, with Wangcai following behind, panting.

Ouyang Jin ran to the wall in one breath, stood still, picked up a charcoal pencil and drew a line. When he stood up and looked at it, it was indeed higher than the last time he had drawn it.

"Haha!" Ouyang Jin ran happily to his mother, "Mom, Mom, I've grown taller! I've really grown taller!"

Jiang Mingyue ran out of the room in surprise, "Come, let your mother see."

“Here, I’ll take you to see it.” Ouyang Jin pulled Jiang Mingyue along, and the two jogged all the way. When they saw the line, Jiang Mingyue burst into tears of joy and said happily, “He really has grown taller! In just half a year, my son has actually grown taller. According to Madam Chen’s method, it should only be a little over two months. I didn’t expect it to be true.” The line below was drawn by Jiang Mingyue herself.

"Come here, stand a little closer, let your mother check if you've made any mistakes in your drawing." Jiang Mingyue was unusually less composed.

Ouyang Jin carefully followed Jiang Mingyue's instructions and stood in the correct position. Jiang Mingyue confirmed several times that he had indeed grown taller. Only then did she feel relieved. She said, "Caixiu, send someone to tell the master that the young master has grown taller, so he can be happy too." Caixiu agreed and went to do so.

Jiang Mingyue wiped her tears with a handkerchief, feeling quite pleased. She vowed to reward Madam Chen handsomely next time.