Yang Haiyan carried the heavy basket into the family quarters and ran into a few people.

It was morning, and some were going to buy vegetables while others were returning, but no one had as much as Yang Haiyan—her haul was quite impressive.

“Haiyan,” said Yang Dahu, who was also carrying a basket to buy vegetables.

Seeing Yang Haiyan’s bounty, she was taken aback. “How did you buy so much?”

Yang Haiyan explained, “I’m bringing lunch to my husband, so I bought a bit more.”

Yang Dahu felt speechless.

She knew that Yang Haiyan had once been a prominent maid by the young lady’s side, accustomed to fine things.

Spending money so liberally was understandable, but the captain’s monthly allowance was only one tael of silver—was that enough?

Noticing the curious stares from others, Yang Haiyan quickly clarified, “Don’t worry, Dahu. I embroidered some handkerchiefs and exchanged them for money, so today I’m treating myself.”

Yang Dahu had forgotten that detail.

The Yang family had hired a skilled teacher to teach the young lady needlework, and girls like Haiyan had the opportunity to learn, while she, a more common servant, hadn’t qualified.

However, she never wanted to be a top maid; while it had its status, it also came with risks.

If anything happened to the young lady and she was sent to her husband’s home, she could end up as a secondary maid.

She just wanted to save money to buy her freedom, not to become a concubine.

But the Yang family had fallen.

“I had forgotten that your needlework is excellent.”

With that acknowledgment, the crowd became less judgmental about Yang Haiyan’s spending.

In these times, good needlework was a significant status symbol.

Moreover, a woman making handkerchiefs to sell and treating her husband to a good meal was even more commendable.

Yang Haiyan offered, “If you want to learn, you can come to me, and I’ll teach you.”

“Really?” Yang Dahu asked, intrigued.

“Of course.”

Thinking it over, Yang Dahu said, “I’ll make something nice for my husband at noon too. We can go together, and then I’ll come find you to learn needlework.”

“Sounds good!”

Yang Haiyan had the butcher cut six jin of pig trotters, putting three jin on the trading platform while using the other three to stew with yellow beans.

She also prepared a cold dish of eggplant.

After finishing her lunch, Yang Dahu called out, “Haiyan, I’m here! Are you ready?”

“I’m ready!”

Yang Dahu found it quite strange; she had never imagined she and Haiyan could interact like this. “Haiyan, I really enjoy this life. Becoming a decent citizen, not having to worry about others’ opinions, and marrying a brave soldier—it’s wonderful. If it could stay this way forever, that would be perfect.”

Yang Haiyan replied, “You will be happy, Dahu.”

However, she knew that happiness often came with its challenges.

Though it was a warm story, the protagonist would inevitably face troubles, such as the appearance of difficult parents.

“Thank you, Haiyan. I feel you’ve changed a lot, and it’s for the better.”

Yang Haiyan said, “Going through hardships makes one grow. Being a top maid felt impressive, but now that I’m married and managing my household, I realize this life is much better.”

“Exactly!”

The two chatted and laughed as they arrived at the military camp.

From a distance, Qin Fang approached to greet them as usual.

He instinctively took the basket from her hand.

His face remained cool, but his voice carried an unintentional tenderness. “Don’t come next time. You walk so much every day; your feet must be hurting.”

This woman was so slender—how far could she walk?

If she fell ill, he would have to spend his money on her treatment.

What a hassle.

Yang Haiyan smiled, “I’m not tired. I see it as exercise; walking is good for my health.”

Yang Dahu walked beside them, listening to their conversation and observing their closeness with a hint of envy.

Haiyan was beautiful, and it seemed all men liked her.

Yang Haiyan was oblivious to Yang Dahu’s thoughts.

They reached their usual spot, and Qin Fang opened the basket. “More pig trotters? You must be out of money again?”

With only fish or trotters, his 300 wen must have run out.

He’d better give her more later.

What a nuisance. he couldn’t save any money this year, though at least he wouldn’t eat all the 30 jin of grains he received monthly, especially since he had a lunch brought by this woman every day.

Yang Haiyan responded, “I have some. I made things during my free time and sold them in town, enough to take care of myself.”

Knowing her background from a wealthy family, Qin Fang wasn’t surprised by her skills.

He naturally assumed her work involved embroidery and similar crafts.

Today’s yellow bean trotters and eggplant made for another wonderfully happy day.

Qin Fang took a few bites and saw Han Zhen and Yang Dahua approaching.

Han Zhen had a good relationship with Qin Fang; both were under the same centurion and knew each other well.

Han Zhen said, “Every day I hear people talking about how your wife brings you lunch; it makes me envious. Today my wife brought me lunch too.” He glanced at the dishes on Qin Fang’s side.

Damn, the food looked great—yellow soybean pig trotters and that eggplant sprinkled with scallions made his mouth water.

Seeing Han Zhen’s expression, Qin Fang turned away to block his view.

His wife brought him food; he couldn’t let anyone else enjoy it.

Yang Haiyan couldn’t help but smile silently.

This man really was a bit charming.

Noticing her smile, Qin Fang looked up and caught her gaze before lowering his head to eat again, though his ears turned slightly red.

She looked really beautiful when she smiled.

The dishes Yang Dahua brought today were quite good too.

As a smart woman, she wouldn’t send subpar food for her husband, especially when she was with Yang Haiyan.

She had brought braised pork ribs and stir-fried greens—one meat, one vegetable.

Besides white rice, there were also two sweet potatoes, fearing her husband might not have enough to eat.

Although it couldn’t compare to Qin Fang’s big bowl of rice, it was still quite good.

Han Zhen kicked Qin Fang’s rear playfully, “Get me some soup.”

Qin Fang shot him a glare, picked up the earthen jar, and poured the pig trotter soup directly into Han Zhen’s lunch box.

Yang Dahua observed, thinking their relationship must be quite good. “Husband, you two get along really well.”

Their friendship was indeed strong; the original novel mentioned they were from the same place.

Han Zhen replied, “We’ve known each other since childhood.”

Yang Dahua smiled, “I see.”

Qin Fang added, “Come to my house for dinner on the 20th.”

Han Zhen agreed, “Sure, what’s the occasion?”

“Wedding banquet.”

Han Zhen chimed in, “Then come to my place for dinner on the 21st.” He turned to Yang Dahua, “Wife, I’ll be counting on you then.”

Yang Dahua replied, “No trouble at all.”

Qin Fang listened to their conversation and glanced at Yang Haiyan, silently eating.

He couldn’t bring himself to call her “wife.”

After finishing their meal, Yang Haiyan wasn’t in a hurry to leave.

She pulled out some paper, a pen, and a string from her bag. “Hubby, stand still; I need to take your measurements.”

Qin Fang asked, “For what…?”

Yang Haiyan replied, “I made some things today and traded for some silver. I bought some fabric to make you a couple of outfits.”

Qin Fang protested, “No need; just buy yourself some new clothes.”

Yang Haiyan insisted, “I bought fabric for men’s clothes; it won’t suit me.” She continued taking his measurements.

Qin Fang stood up straight, not daring to move.

He felt her hands gliding over him, sending ripples of sensation through his body.

As a result, he felt tense all over.

Once Yang Haiyan finished measuring, she prepared to leave.

Qin Fang pulled her aside and slipped a money pouch into her arms. “Buy whatever you want to eat. Our… our family wealth is here.” With that, he turned red and ran off.

As he left, he thought he might have given too much, perhaps he should have given one or two silver coins instead.

But she brought him lunch every day and was making him clothes.

In their household, his mother managed the finances while his father worked.

So, it wasn’t wrong for him to give her the household money.

Yang Haiyan had no idea what he was thinking and simply put the money pouch into her bag.

Back in town, Yang Dahua went home to get fabric and sewing supplies, planning to find Yang Haiyan later.

Yang Haiyan went to the carpenter’s workshop and ordered a template model.

This time, it was different; one template had 50 models, each with a capacity of 20 grams, and more importantly, it had engravings.

She ordered two pieces of this wood, and one had floral carvings.

The total cost was 150 coins(wen), as engraving was a skilled craft.

Next, she spent 1,600 coins on furniture: wardrobes, bedside tables, cabinets, chairs, shoe racks, washbasins, and bathtubs.

The money pouch from Qin Fang contained four taels of silver and 100 coins, totaling 4,100 coins.

(4,100 coins = 4 taels of silver and 100 copper coin or wen )

Adding her remaining 629 coins, their total wealth amounted to 4,729 coins.

Thinking of how reluctant he was to spend money made Yang Haiyan smile silently.

She didn’t think he was stingy; he just knew how to manage finances well.

Besides, he was willing to let her buy food and new clothes.

Then, she spent 150 coins on a light blue cotton fabric, preparing to make bedding, as the current sheets and covers were insufficient.

The bed itself was red, purchased by Qin Fang for their wedding.

Once home, she decided to start on the bedding first.

She planned to finish it today so that when the Tang family delivered water tomorrow, they could wash the new items.

“Hi, Haiyan, I’m here!” Yang Dahua called out.

Yang Haiyan replied, “I’m here.”

Yang Dahua brought some fabric and sewing supplies, seeking guidance from Yang Haiyan on embroidery.

She knew how to do basic sewing and mending from her time at the Yang household, where she had learned from the older maids.

However, she struggled with embroidery.

Yang Haiyan was kind and, knowing Yang Dahua’s good nature from the novel, was happy to teach her patiently.

With one willing to teach and the other eager to learn, Yang Dahua had a productive afternoon, and Yang Haiyan managed to finish making a set of sheets, pillowcases, and quilt covers.