The Farmer’s Wife has a Magical Spiritual Spring
The Farmer’s Wife has a Magical Spiritual Spring Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Concubine Yue

The Inn’s owner was surnamed Zhang, with a very common name, Zhang Dafu. True to his name, he was indeed wealthy. Although he lived in the town, he also had business in the county. However, his fortune was built in the town, so he continued to reside in the town’s mansion. He insisted that his wife and children also live here, while their house in the county became a place only used for leisure.

Zhang Dafu’s house was situated in the town, a lavish mansion located at the westernmost part of the town. It occupied a considerable area, with two stone lions and hitching posts at the front gate, guarded by gatekeepers. Visitors had to be announced before entering. Those of lower status were directed to side gates or back doors. It could be said that they were the most prestigious family in town.

The shopkeeper Zhang was smoothly announced in and met Zhang Dafu.

Shopkeeper Zhang found Mr. Zhang Dafu sitting in the warm room, chatting with his son. Upon hearing Shopkeeper Zhang’s arrival, Mr. Zhang Dafu invited him into the warm room.

“Master Zhang, Young Master.”

Shopkeeper Zhang bowed to Mr. Zhang Dafu and the young man in a sky-blue silk cotton robe sitting beside him.

“Zhang Shun, please have a seat.”

Mr. Zhang Dafu gestured for Shopkeeper Zhang to sit on a nearby chair and inquired, “What brings you here? Isn’t the inn just finished with its busy period?”

Shopkeeper Zhang smiled and replied, “Yes, we’ve just finished a busy period. It’s not too hectic now. I have some matters to discuss, so I came to see you. Today, I encountered two new dishes and a type of staple food. In all my years as a shopkeeper , I’ve never seen these kinds of dishes before. The person selling the recipes asked for forty-five taels of silver for three items. I calculated that it’s a fair price. I also worried that she might sell them to other inns, so I took the initiative and bought them. Here are the recipes. Please take a look, Master Zhang. If you like them, I can have them prepared and sent over today for you to taste something new.”

The young master beside them inquired, “Besides the dishes, what about the staple food?”

Shopkeeper Zhang promptly replied, “Yes, the staple food is a type of delicacy called ‘dumplings.’ They’re made with dough rolled into thin skins, filled with stuffing, boiled in water, and served piping hot. Even those who don’t enjoy rice can have plenty.”

The young master’s face lit up with delight upon hearing about the dumplings.

Shopkeeper Zhang hadn’t even glanced at Mr. Zhang Dafu’s expression yet, but seeing the young master’s pleased look, he felt assured that he had made the right decision. After all, in the Zhang family, although the old master was in charge, whatever the young master wished for, the old master would agree. That’s because he only had this one son.

Indeed, Mr. Zhang Dafu had married once and had two concubines, but he only had one surviving son out of seven children, and he didn’t even have a daughter. This youngest son was born to him when he was already in his thirties, making him exceptionally cherished. Plus, this son was quite bright and good-looking, further earning him Mr. Zhang Dafu’s affection.

The name of this son was Zhang Baozhu, which might sound ordinary, but it represented Mr. Zhang Dafu’s greatest wish—to preserve this last son and ensure the continuity of the Zhang family line. He used to be poor, but as he became wealthy, he attributed it to his name, believing that “Dafu” (大富) brought him prosperity and wealth. With a son named “Baozhu” (保柱), he was certain that he would be protected, just like a sturdy pillar.

This name had been carefully chosen and used. Now, at twenty-eight years old, although his body wasn’t robust enough to “knock down an ox,” he was undeniably healthy and far from the ailments that plagued his six older brothers. He seemed destined for a long life, much like Mr. Zhang Dafu himself. Mr. Zhang Dafu was partially reassured, but he couldn’t shake off the other half of his worries.

You see, Mr. Zhang Dafu feared that his son might die prematurely, so he married him off early, hoping he would soon have grandchildren to secure the Zhang family’s lineage. However, fate had other plans. Zhang Baozhu’s wife, Madam Zhang, couldn’t conceive, no matter what they tried. Mr. Zhang Dafu grew anxious. Six months later, he took another wife for his son, and then another six months passed, still with no sign of grandchildren. He continued to take more wives every year or so, until he had thirteen concubines in total. Yet, despite his efforts, there was still no sign of grandchildren, not even a granddaughter.

Mr. Zhang Dafu consulted physicians who assured him that there was no issue with Zhang Baozhu’s health. However, it was indeed strange that despite having a legal wife and thirteen concubines, not a single one of them could conceive, let alone become pregnant. This was baffling.

Desperate for a solution, Mr. Zhang Dafu also sought the help of monks and Taoist priests, organizing rituals and ceremonies, but all to no avail. He ended up spending a considerable amount of money without seeing any results.

Since Zhang Baozhu got married at the age of fifteen and was now twenty-eight, thirteen years had passed without any sign of children. As a man, he was growing anxious. Seeing others his age with several children, some even old enough to take the imperial exams, only added to his distress. He couldn’t help but feel disheartened even by the presence of the beautiful concubines in his household.

Then, at this critical moment, Zhang Baozhu met a young woman who captured his heart instantly. He felt a connection with her that he hadn’t felt with any of the other women. Unlike the women his father had chosen for him, this one he had chosen himself, based on genuine affection. He believed that perhaps only a woman like her could bear him children. So, he showered her with affection, hoping she would bring him the son and daughters he longed for.

This woman became Zhang Baozhu’s fourteenth concubine. Her surname was Jia, and she was called Jia Yue’er. She disliked being addressed as Aunt Jia by others, so everyone referred to her as Concubine Yue.

Currently, Concubine Yue was feeling unwell, with no appetite for anything. Shopkeeper Zhang knew that she was currently favored by the young master. So, when he heard that Su Zhi had something delicious, his first thought wasn’t about introducing a new dish to their inn, but rather about bringing it to Concubine Yue. He was certain that the young master would be pleased.

“You’d better hurry back and get those two dishes and those dumplings done. No, have the chefs come here to cook. Otherwise, by the time they’re brought from your place to here, they’ll have cooled down.”

Shopkeeper Zhang agreed and glanced at Mr. Zhang Dafu, seeing him looking at the papers. He thought the old master must be very pleased as well.

Mr. Zhang Dafu put away the papers and looked up, saying, “Zhang Shun, you’ve handled this matter quite well. Next time if someone comes to sell recipes again, buy them no matter how high the price. By the way, who is this person selling the recipes? Do you know them?”

Shopkeeper Zhang chuckled and said, “Yes, I know her. Interestingly enough, you also know her, sir. Not long ago, in Riverside Village, didn’t someone kill two tigers? It’s the wife of one of those villagers who made these dishes. She mentioned that she has more recipes and plans to come sell them next time. It seems like the next dish will involve chestnuts, which she has at home, so she’ll bring them next time to cook.”

Mr. Zhang Dafu nodded and said, “I recall one surnamed Shen and one surnamed Li, right?”

Shopkeeper Zhang immediately replied, “Yes, it’s the one surnamed Shen, the taller and more handsome one, named Shen Zi’an. His wife is newly married, with a dignified appearance and excellent cooking skills.”

Mr. Zhang Dafu nodded and instructed Shopkeeper Zhang to go back and call the chefs to come over and cook the two dishes and dumplings. He understood that his son wanted to prepare them for Yue. He didn’t mind at all; his son being close to women might lead to the birth of a grandson. The thought of a grandson made him supportive of whatever his son wanted to do and whatever the women wanted to eat!

Soon, the chefs arrived. Although they had separately learned cooking from Su Zhi, they had observed each other and could both prepare the dishes. They quickly cooked the two dishes and dumplings. Two portions were made: one for Zhang Baozhu to personally deliver to Concubine Yue and one for Zhang Dafu.

After tasting the food, Zhang Dafu couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. With these dishes, the inn’s business would thrive even more. He thought about introducing them to inns in the county town, which would surely bring in more profits. Intrigued by the woman selling the recipes, he considered that a household where the men could kill tigers and the women could cook such delicious food couldn’t be an ordinary one.

It wasn’t just Zhang Dafu who found Shen Zi’an and his wife intriguing; Concubine Yue was also interested.

Recently, Concubine Yue had lost her appetite. At first, she thought she might be pregnant, but after consulting a physician, she was disappointed to learn otherwise, which only worsened her loss of appetite.

Concubine Yue fell in love with the dishes brought by Zhang Baozhu. Although she only had a few bites of the spicy boiled fish, she felt her appetite fully awakened. She particularly enjoyed the shiny Dongpo pork and ate several pieces of it. However, she consumed the dumplings the most, devouring fifteen or sixteen of them until her stomach swelled.

“Master, where did you get such delicious food? You’ve gone to great lengths,” Concubine Yue said with watery eyes, gazing at Zhang Baozhu with affection and gratitude. She was a delicate beauty with a petite melon seed face, eyes like autumn water, a small nose, and a small mouth. Her fair skin had a rosy hue, and her shiny black hair complemented her rose-colored clothes, making her look delicate and alluring. As she looked at Zhang Baozhu, he felt his heart melt.

“It’s all thanks to your good fortune. Honestly, you’re also a lucky star for our family. Today, shopkeeper Zhang heard from his staff about two villagers praising their aunt for her delicious cooking. He immediately thought of when I mentioned that you couldn’t eat. He asked a few questions, and that’s how we ended up with these dishes. Not only will they help you eat, but they’ll also bring prosperity to the business. Aren’t you my little lucky charm?”

“I’m willing to be your little lucky charm,” Concubine Yue said softly as she nestled in Zhang Baozhu’s arms. Her demeanor only deepened Zhang Baozhu’s affection for her. He resolved to protect such a woman well and ensure she never suffered.

“Since you love the dishes this woman makes so much, I’ll arrange for her to come and cook for you whenever she sells her recipes at the inn in the future. But it seems she mostly sells hearty dishes. If you prefer lighter fare, I’ll ask her to teach our kitchen maid specifically. That woman seems to live in the nearby Riverside Village.”

“Riverside Village?” Concubine Yue perked up at the mention, lifting herself from Zhang Baozhu’s embrace, suddenly intrigued.

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

@

error: Content is protected !!