Daily life of farming and supporting a family on the ancient Loess Plateau

Upon hearing this news, Lin Shengwen immediately realized that the girl who provided the grass seeds was Ji Yongling. Besides Ji Yongling, he couldn't think of anyone else who would know so much about these herbs, and who else would be so bold!

Her image became clearer and clearer in his mind, as if she were right in front of him.

Longing grew wildly in Lin Shengwen's heart like weeds, spreading to every corner. He used to think that the saying "a day apart feels like three autumns" was just an exaggeration by writers. Now, with someone on his mind, he suddenly understood that kind of torment. When you miss someone, every day seems to stretch on endlessly.

He didn't know when it started, but Ji Yongling had quietly taken up residence in his heart.

Perhaps it was because Ji Yongling cured his illness and saved his life? Or perhaps it was her eyes, which were like an unfathomable mist yet infinitely attractive?

Her eyes always gave the impression that she wasn't an innocent young girl, but rather a wise woman who had lived through many lifetimes and experienced the vicissitudes of life, or an elf wandering beyond the mortal world. She always possessed a cold and resolute yet captivating aura, sometimes seeming out of place in this world, yet making him unable to resist wanting to get closer.

After spring arrived, his mother told him that she would start arranging marriages for him. He suddenly realized that he had reached the age to get married, but he didn't want to get married yet. He still wanted to go to the Northwest again.

But his mother had already gone to Zhang Gelao's house.

When he was young and ignorant, he had told his friends at school that he would marry the granddaughter of the Zhang family, who was renowned for both her talent and beauty. His mother took this to heart, and now that the topic of marriage had come up, she hurriedly went to the Zhang family to find out what they thought.

Lin Shengwen recalled the granddaughter of Zhang Ge Lao, whom he had met at a poetry gathering before; she was indeed a woman of exceptional talent and beauty. However, his talk of marrying her was merely a youthful blunder, a casual remark made to show off his abilities. Little did he expect that this unintentional remark would now become the pretext for his mother to arrange a marriage.

But he knew in his heart that he already had someone else in his heart.

"Mother, I don't want to marry the granddaughter of the Zhang family, nor do I want to get married so soon. I have... I have my own ideas. I also want to go to the Northwest to gain experience for a few years, like my brothers, before getting married!"

Lin Shengwen didn't dare to say that he had someone he liked, because it was only at this moment that he realized that he had fallen in love with Ji Yongling.

It turns out that what he had been longing for all along was love! This thought was like a lightning bolt, instantly illuminating the fog in his heart.

He finally understood why his heart always felt warm whenever he thought of her; why her face and her voice were always lingering in his mind; and why, during his time in the capital, he couldn't help but look towards the northwest.

His family says he's changed his ways. He used to like swords and knives, but now he likes to buy a bunch of small knives and put them on the table. He used to like fine food, but now he only likes to eat noodles and steamed buns. He used to like fine clothes, but now he prefers plain clothes.

It turned out that all of this was because of love; he loved her! Seemingly without realizing it, he had begun to fantasize about being with her. He wanted to create a school campus where he could plant flowers and grass, where he and Ji Yongling could study together, practice martial arts…

Thinking of this, he seemed a little shy. How could he have fallen for a girl so easily? What happened to his former pride? He was the young master of the General's Mansion!

But he really wanted to go to the Northwest, to see her.

Although his mother and grandmother strongly opposed his going to the Northwest again, he knew he had to go. There were things he had to do, and people he had to see, or he might regret it for the rest of his life!

He didn't want to hesitate any longer, nor did he want to miss her! He wanted to tell Ji Yongling his feelings in person, to let her know that he had her in his heart.

This thought and impulse reached its peak after his big toe became slightly red and swollen. The lingering pain in his toe constantly reminded him of the embarrassment and awkwardness he felt when he first met Ji Yongling.

He was still too naive back then, while Ji Yongling was as calm as the northwest wind in winter. He wanted to see Ji Yongling and tell her that he was someone she could entrust her life to.

Just leave!

Without further hesitation, Lin Shengwen left a letter explaining his destination and set off alone on horseback on his journey to the Northwest.

Despite the dust and grime of the journey, he felt no fatigue.

He was pampered from birth, seemingly carefree, but in reality, he grew up under the arrangement of his family. This time, he made his own decisions, to do what he wanted to do, to see the people he wanted to see. He had never been so free and unrestrained in his entire life.

"Hurry up, hurry up..."

After many days of travel, Lin Shengwen finally set foot on the loess soil of Northwest China. As he entered the territory of Qingzhou Prefecture, he couldn't contain his excitement. He knew that he was getting closer and closer to her.

He unconsciously swung his whip, and the horse seemed to sense his urgency, its hooves pounding even faster.

Finally, Niujiazhuang, nestled deep in the sunset, gradually came into focus, with wisps of smoke rising from its chimneys. The familiar scene warmed his heart, and he slowed down. At that moment, his heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to leap out of his chest.

He didn't know what he was nervous about, nor how to start a conversation with Ji Yongling.

He knew that Ji Yongling's family had moved out of the cave dwelling. He also knew that Ji Yongling's family had started an oil mill and a woodworking workshop. He had learned all of this from Huo Zhiyuan after he returned to Beijing, when Huo Zhiyuan had told him, pretending to mention it casually.

Lin Shengwen dismounted, straightened his clothes, and slowly walked into the village, holding the reins. The old locust tree at the village entrance still stood tall. He had thought he would see her here, or perhaps the children he used to teach, but there was no one under the tree. He thought that perhaps everyone was busy harvesting wheat and had no time to idly chat under the old locust tree.

Lin Shengwen was right about that; everyone has been busy harvesting wheat lately and is exhausted.