Chapter 30: The Fields

Shen Zi’an returned from Brother Shi​tou’s house with oil and some onions and garlic, aiming to enhance the flavor of Su Zhi’s cooking. He believed that with these ingredients, the meal would be even more delicious. The thought of Su Zhi promising to cook for him for a lifetime warmed his heart, giving him a sense of purpose and direction.

“Wife, what’s the matter?” Shen Zi’an inquired as he entered the room, noticing Su Zhi lost in thought, sitting on the bed with one hand on her face. Concerned, he feared her condition had worsened or that she was upset.

Su Zhi had been contemplating how happy Shen Zi’an would be to see her face improving, envisioning a brighter future for them both. Lost in her joyful thoughts, she had not noticed Shen Zi’an’s arrival. Startled by his voice, she looked up to see him extending his hand towards hers, his face filled with worry. She realized he had misunderstood her expression.

“Zi’an, look at my face. It seems to have improved a bit,” Su Zhi shared with a hint of relief.

Su Zhi inquired, inwardly relieved that only a portion of her face had improved. It had previously shown signs of scabbing, making the sudden improvement slightly suspicious.

Shen Zi’an, who always faced Su Zhi’s appearance head-on, never shied away from her face, even when it wasn’t at its best. As he approached to check on her condition, it was immediately evident to him that her face had changed.

“It’s really better!” Shen Zi’an exclaimed. His attentive gaze had always been on Su Zhi’s face, allowing him to notice the remarkable difference this time. Previously, the areas where scabs had fallen off exhibited a pinkish hue, indicating deeper healing. However, this time, although not entirely pale, the skin displayed a more natural color. Even a spot the size of a child’s fist had regained its normal hue.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Shen Zi’an couldn’t resist reaching out to touch the improved side of Su Zhi’s face, feeling the smoothness akin to caressing the faces of his nieces and nephews.

“Wife, you’re getting better. This is wonderful,” Shen Zi’an beamed with joy, a warm sensation filling his chest, radiating happiness. With one hand on Su Zhi’s face and the other holding hers, his face lit up with a broad smile.

Su Zhi noticed Shen Zi’an’s once handsome face now looking rather silly with his broad smile, but she felt happiness within. As she touched the other side of her face not held by Shen Zi’an, realizing it remained unchanged, she resolved to hasten her overall recovery.

Both of them were elated. Although Shen Zi’an had intended to cook, Su Zhi insisted on preparing the meal herself. They enjoyed dinner joyfully, took a stroll in the courtyard without lighting any lamps due to the scarcity of oil, and eventually settled under the covers for a chat. Su Zhi instructed Shen Zi’an on things to buy, and as they conversed, she drifted off to sleep.

Listening to Su Zhi’s gentle breathing, Shen Zi’an moved closer to her, feeling the warmth, and soon dozed off quietly.

The next morning, Su Zhi woke up in Shen Zi’an’s embrace, her cheeks slightly flushed but content. Shen Zi’an departed with the wild chicken and rabbits, instructing Su Zhi to secure the door.

As the day began to brighten, Su Zhi watched Shen Zi’an’s figure recede in the morning light, reflecting on their wonderful life together. She eagerly awaited her full recovery, envisioning a brighter future ahead.

Su Zhi delved into studying the lotus flowers alone at home, repeatedly experimenting until she discovered their remarkable properties lay in the stamen. The pollen from these flowers could visibly heal wounds at a rapid pace. When mixed with water, it remained effective, albeit with a slower healing process dependent on the water content. Su Zhi breathed a sigh of relief, preferring gradual healing over an overnight miraculous recovery, which might raise suspicions.

Curious about the potential effects of lotus flower pollen on internal injuries like coughs, fevers, or even poisonings, Su Zhi’s confidence in its healing properties grew. She envisioned a future where she could utilize this knowledge, feeling less vulnerable to illnesses in this ancient era with limited medical resources.

After concluding her research on lotus flowers, Su Zhi realized there was nothing left to tidy up at home. Eager to explore outside, she hoped for unexpected discoveries—like those often found in novels where heroines stumble upon treasures. She believed staying indoors wouldn’t bring such surprises, and she also missed the two puppies. Perhaps, she might even encounter them during her daytrip!

Su Zhi veiled herself with a headscarf, planning to ask Shen Zi’an to fetch several buckets of water upon his return. She intended to continue her baths, soaking the pollen in the water gradually for healing while avoiding raising any suspicions. Though she wished to carry the water herself, unsure of where to fetch it, she resolved to dig a well once they had the means, ensuring easy access to water.

Instead of heading towards inhabited areas, Su Zhi went towards the back of the house, knowing it was the land allotted to them by the Shen family, approximately five acres of barren land. Curious about its condition, she wanted to inspect it, considering it as part of their shared assets with Shen Zi’an. With the presence of the spiritual spring, she believed the land could be transformed into fertile soil.

Having tested the spring water recently, Su Zhi understood its effects—similar to the pollen’s healing properties, diluting it with regular water would slow down its efficacy. This reassured her, as she preferred not to draw attention by having her plants grow rapidly. She didn’t want to be seen as a harbinger of bad luck or a freak. Moreover, with the limited amount of spiritual spring water, she aimed to conserve it for future use, planning to blend it into the irrigation channels for convenience.

Reflecting on these thoughts, Su Zhi felt optimistic about her future. She understood why many time-traveling heroines thrived in their new worlds. Believing she could succeed as well, she made a mental note to safeguard the spiritual spring carefully.

The plot of land behind the courtyard was quite spacious. After harvesting the corn, it is now planted with wheat, and now tiny green shoots had emerged, creating a pleasant sight amidst the season where everything else seemed to wither.

Having observed crops before, Su Zhi noted that the wheat seedlings didn’t seem to be growing well. She pondered the potential yield for the following year, understanding why ancient times often suffered from low crop yields.

Despite this observation, Su Zhi remained optimistic. She planned to introduce some spiritual spring water when watering the wheat, confident that it could potentially increase the yield.

Unperturbed by the less than ideal crop growth, Su Zhi strolled along the field’s edge, reaching a wider path where a flatbed cart could pass through. On the other side of the path lay another stretch of land. Glancing at their nearly five acres and the neighboring land, she noticed a pile of useful corn stalks nearby. Su Zhi thought of using them for fuel, given the necessity of cooking and heating water during this time. Corn stalks were indeed valuable resources.

　Just looking at the piles of corn stalks on the edge of a road, with a vast expanse behind, it really feels like looking at a painting.

Su Zhi was pleased with the scenery around her, especially with the path that allowed her to walk easily to the end to explore further. She had heard there was a river at the other end and was eager to see it.

As she prepared to walk along the path towards the river, she heard a faint cry from behind. Turning around, she spotted a woman not far away struggling to stand up, her cries indicating distress. After a moment’s contemplation, Su Zhi decided to approach and offer assistance.