Divorced woman with child travels through time

Ouyang Jin, standing nearby, ate his dried sweet potato with great satisfaction, thinking to himself, "After Madam Chen leaves, Father will definitely praise me." He felt quite pleased with himself. The dried sweet potato was delicious.

Ouyang Junyan then stood up, clasped his hands in a bow, and humbly inquired, "Madam Chen, is there any secret to this sweet potato? Or can it be grown in a way that yields a thousand catties per mu? If it is true, I will do my utmost to promote it. This matter is of great importance, and I must be cautious. I hope Madam Chen will understand." Ouyang Junyan was already seventy or eighty percent convinced.

Chen Wenfang stepped aside to avoid the courtesy and said, "You're too kind, sir. It's the proper way, and I understand."

He added, "There are no tricks to planting sweet potatoes. The main things are cutting and turning the vines. Uncle Liu Hai can help explain these to the villagers. They are all experienced farmers and can learn everything from one thing to another. There is nothing difficult about it."

Ouyang Junyan stroked his beard and said, "That's excellent."

Jiang Mingyue was more interested in the dried sweet potatoes and asked, "Madam Chen, is it true that these dried sweet potatoes can be stored for up to six months? Are they easy to make?"

Chen Wenfang laughed and said, "That's true. As long as it's placed in a dry and well-ventilated place, it will last for a year without any problems. It's just that the taste isn't as good. It's also very easy to make. Just boil the sweet potatoes, scrape them into thin slices, and dry them in the sun."

Jiang Mingyue laughed and said, "Could we bring it with us when we go out to sea? It's not tasty if it's too hard."

Chen Wenfang chuckled, "Just wrap it in parchment paper to keep it from getting wet. The softer one is the one with syrup added, so it's not as sweet. If it's too dry, you can roast it over a fire to soften it before eating; it'll still taste good then." She paused, then added, "Actually, if you keep it close to your body, the warmth will soften it too." Her voice was now much softer. Chen Wenfang thought to herself, "I've made it so obvious, you should be able to tell by now. I can't say any more."

The words were left unsaid, but Ouyang Junyan and Jiang Mingyue already understood. Jiang Mingyue smiled and said, "My wife is very talented."

Chen Wenfang smiled and said, "Not at all, I just thought of mentioning it to Madam, but I don't know if it will be of any use."

Jiang Mingyue said, "It's very useful, thank you, my wife."

Chen Wenfang smiled and said, "Madam, you are too kind. This sweet potato is a treasure from top to bottom. The tender leaves can be used as vegetables, and the old leaves can be used to feed cattle and sheep. If it weren't for a good official like Lord Ouyang in the imperial court, we wouldn't be able to grow such a good thing."

Ouyang Junyan smiled and said, "As Madam said, Madam Chen is indeed a very honest person."

Jiang Mingyue looked at her husband with satisfaction, her expression full of pride, as if to say, "See? I wasn't wrong."

Meanwhile, a servant came to report, "Sir, when I went to the market, it was indeed as Madam Chen said. Liu Hai's sweet potatoes at his stall were all sold out, and the sweet potatoes he brought were also sold out. Everyone at the stall said they would plant more next year. It seems that the yield of 800 catties per mu is true."

Ouyang Junyan nodded and said, "Later, you can see Madam Chen off, and also meet Liu Hai. Go to the fields with him and help Madam Chen take some things back."

The servant replied, "Yes." Ouyang Junyan glanced at Jiang Mingyue, then turned to Chen Wenfang and asked, "What reward does Madam Chen desire?"

Chen Wenfang waved her hand and said, "Your Honor has judged the case fairly and cleared my name. I do not need any reward. I am only grateful."

Jiang Mingyue smiled and said, "Madam Chen, do you know that my son has grown much taller? It's all thanks to you. I want to thank you properly. This gift is a mother's token of gratitude, and you cannot refuse it."

Chen Wenfang hurriedly said, "But Madam, I have already received enough thanks."

Ouyang Junyan also said, "Madam is right, this is indeed what you deserve. It's just a small gift, nothing to worry about."

Ouyang Jin, who had been eating the whole time, also tried to persuade him when he heard this, saying, "Just accept it if it's given to you. My family is very wealthy and has a lot of money. It's fine."

Jiang Mingyue was both amused and exasperated. "You little monkey, how can you talk like that?"

Ouyang Jin chuckled.

Chen Wenfang and the other two were very firm in their stance, so they bowed and thanked them.

Jiang Mingyue spoke to Caixiu, who then went inside. A moment later, Caixiu returned carrying a box and a small bundle.

Jiang Mingyue laughed and said, "You never bring Xiao Xuan over to play. Are you getting distant from me?"

Chen Wenfang smiled helplessly, "It's not that I'm afraid he'll be disrespectful. Last time he ate three plates of 'Nodding' food, and even took some with him, I felt embarrassed." Actually, Chen Xuanyu had a rather heavy silver lock around his neck, hidden inside his clothes, which was almost invisible unless you looked closely. Chen Wenfang only discovered it after bathing him at home. Madam Jiang was too generous, and Chen Wenfang always felt unworthy of it.

Jiang Mingyue smiled and said, "This bundle contains winter clothes that Jin'er has outgrown. I picked some out to give to Xiao Xuan. Bring him over to play more often when you have time."

"That's fine," Chen Wenfang said, bowing slightly. "You're so kind, Madam. I thank you on behalf of Xiaoxuan." Since winter was approaching, she wouldn't need to buy any new clothes, and Chen Wenfang happily accepted the gift.

Jiang Mingyue nodded in satisfaction, thinking to herself, "I knew she would accept this."

Having achieved her goal, Chen Wenfang rose to take her leave. Ouyang Junyan then said to the servant from before, "Ah Li, go and see Madam Chen off; her things are heavy." The servant agreed.

Chen Wenfang thanked him. Ah Li then took the suitcase and accompanied Chen Wenfang back home.

Ah Li was only about twenty years old. He was a very shrewd and charming person who could get along well with the county magistrate. He didn't talk much, but he was very respectful to Chen Wenfang.

Seeing this, Chen Wenfang didn't say much.

Arriving at the stall, Chen Xuanyu saw her and happily waved, calling out, "Mom, you're back! Look at the money I made!" He tore open the bag to show Chen Wenfang. Chen Wenfang smiled broadly and patted his head, saying, "Xuanzi is so clever, he can even help his mother sell things now."