Chapter 13: The Fields

The day before, a servant was sent to the farmhouse with a letter, and at dawn the next day, Lin Yun set off by carriage toward the outskirts of the capital.

This time, it was essential to bring along Qian Da, Ruyi, Shi Er—the two maids—and Nurse Yuan. Additionally, they took a nanny and two young servants, while several guards assigned by the steward escorted them. Upon arrival at the farmhouse, the guards would return to the Ningyuan Marquis’s residence.

Qian Da drove the lead carriage, Lin Yun rode in the second with the two maids, and Nurse Yuan and the nanny occupied the rear carriage.

Ruyi looked upon the orderly procession with admiration, silently acknowledging that the households of marquises and dukes were truly extraordinary.

For a farming family, a journey of any distance meant painstakingly gathering travel funds, preparing luggage and provisions, and carefully planning. Unless it was an emergency, from deciding to leave home to actually setting out could take half a month.

Yet the Second Miss had only issued her orders yesterday, and by early morning she was already departing in an assured manner.

Though the letter the steward delivered said she would arrive at the village by evening, leaving so early meant she could reach it by noon. Perhaps the Second Miss truly missed her mother and grandmother dearly.

So deeply missed, in fact, that she had even broken her habit of lying in bed, rolling over twice before rising.

Ruyi’s parents favored only her younger brother—but that was fine. Since they did not care for her, she did not wish to return; it was an even exchange, no one lost out.

In Ruyi’s view, the Second Miss’s parents hardly loved their child. In all the time the Second Miss had been back, they had not so much as glanced her way.

Even a poor relative visiting would be treated with some courtesy, let alone their own daughter returning home.

Ruyi thought such relatives were unworthy of the Second Miss sacrificing the simple pleasure of lingering in bed just to meet them sooner.

Having spent the past two days with the Second Miss, Ruyi realized she was kind-hearted—better even than the best young lady she had imagined before.

Once she firmly established herself by the Second Miss’s side, she vowed to discreetly sow seeds of doubt about the unreliable parents, so the Second Miss would not invest her heart too much in them. It was not worth it.

As their carriage passed through Chessboard Street, Lin Yun, unaware of the maids’ silent support, lifted the blue-green curtain and recognized a familiar breakfast stall, prompting Qian Da to halt.

This time, no red-clad figure appeared; only several officials in deep teal robes conversed as they purchased their meals.

Though she had already eaten a large bowl of wontons, Lin Yun instructed Ruyi to buy a thick stack of flatbreads.

She had overcome the mental barrier of asking her maids to do tasks; now she viewed them as well-paid personal assistants rather than masters and servants.

This thought brought her comfort.

Lin Yun remained inside the carriage, her hand holding the curtain aside, gazing through the window at the bustling morning market.

It was her second time here; the first, she had been on the brink of death and had no mood to observe the diverse scenes.

Outside, the corner sky had not fully brightened, yet the vendors’ stalls were already crowded, arranged neatly like the “Chessboard Street” name suggested, far from chaotic.

Besides breakfast stalls, there were vendors selling vegetables, fruits, live poultry, flowers, and spices. The clucking of chickens and ducks mingled with the merchants’ calls, accompanied by the sizzling sound of glutinous rice cakes frying—a lively symphony of the morning market.

Lin Yun was captivated by the vibrant life until Ruyi returned with the flatbreads, then let the curtain fall.

“Miss, do you want to eat some?” Ruyi asked.

Lin Yun shook her head; having just eaten a large bowl of wontons, she was not hungry.

Passing by the stall reminded her of the frightened look on the vendor’s face when she had coughed up blood earlier. Having scared him so badly, it was only right to support his business.

“Qian Da, let’s continue on,” she ordered.

With a sharp “Drive!” from Qian Da and a crack of the whip, the carriage left Chessboard Street.

Nearby, a sedan chair quickly pulled up where the carriage had stopped moments before. Yan Ming, noticing a nobleman stepping down and staring intently at the departing carriage, leaned forward to see what was so special. Of course, he saw nothing unusual.

The carriage turned a corner and disappeared from view. Xie Jun took a few steps forward, choosing a breakfast stall he had not tried before. Today, the emperor had suddenly called off the morning court due to illness, giving him the luxury of dining out.

After ordering, he was warmly received by the vendor, though the neighboring stall owner eyed him curiously.

This official held a high rank, yet his taste was poor—Old Li’s stall was the worst on the street. Passing by the fragrant smells of other stalls and still choosing Old Li’s was truly unfortunate.

Waiting for his meal, Xie Jun abandoned his usual mental scheming and government affairs to ponder the carriage he had seen earlier. It looked familiar, perhaps the one the Second Miss Lin had used before.

But why would she leave the Marquis’s residence so early? She was accompanied by many, suggesting it wasn’t a casual stroll, but rather a planned journey.

Shi Er had sent a letter yesterday, but Xie Jun hadn’t had time to read it, so he couldn’t confirm if it was truly the Second Miss.

His thoughts wandered aimlessly as the vendor brought out each dish. The neighboring stall had better food, and normally Xie Jun would stick to a good flavor once found. But he recalled that last time sitting there, the Second Miss had coughed blood on him.

Though not traumatic, his fastidiousness and sharp memory made sitting in the same spot uncomfortable, as if reliving that moment.

Upon tasting the crisp flatbread, Xie Jun looked around the stall in surprise—

How could such bad food keep the business going?

***

Once outside the city gates, Lin Yun rolled up the curtain, intending to observe the roadside scenery, but a gust of yellow dust stung her eyes, forcing her to quickly lower it again.

Shi Er, wearing a stern expression, helplessly leaned in to help blow her eyes. Since the Second Miss had cried the day before, she seemed to have become rebellious.

Earlier, Shi Er warned her not to lift the curtain, but the Second Miss insisted on some fresh air—and soon suffered the consequences, requiring Shi Er’s aid.

Nurse Yuan had probably sensed the Second Miss’s defiance even earlier and chose to sit in the rear carriage this morning to lessen her control.

Seeing the Second Miss’s eyes reddened and blurred with tears from the dust, Shi Er felt resigned.

Yesterday’s crying had swollen her eyes; only ice cream had soothed her, yet today’s dust caused tears again. Such beautiful eyes were truly beset with misfortune.

The Second Miss’s eyelids fought like traps against Shi Er’s hands, wrestling for some time but failing to remove the grit. Ruyi, standing by, criticized, “Shi Er, blow more gently—you’re making Miss unable to open her eyes.”

Shi Er rolled her eyes. She had already lightened her breath, but how else could the grit be blown out? She softened her efforts more and encouraged, “Second Miss, hold on, don’t blink.”

Kindness reduced efficiency, and after a long struggle, with the Second Miss’s eyes growing redder, Shi Er finally blew hard, dislodging the sand.

Lin Yun quickly forgot her pain, only obedient for a moment before growing restless again.

The carriage interior was luxurious and spacious, but staying inside too long felt stuffy. Eagerly, Lin Yun reached toward the curtain’s edge again.

Shi Er pressed down on her hand, urging her to move aside. “Miss, if you want to look outside, I’ll go out first to check for dust. Once it’s safe, you can lift the curtain.”

Hearing this, Shi Er was momentarily stunned herself. As a covert guard, even when assigned as a maid, she was not usually so meticulous. She quickly realized the reason—

She needed to earn the Second Miss’s trust swiftly; it was part of her mission.

***

Hearing this, Lin Yun instead grasped Shi Er’s hand and gently disagreed. “If you go out, won’t dust get into your eyes? I’ll just stretch my hand out a little. If I don’t feel any dust, I’ll pull the curtain back.”

Saying this, she freed her hand from Shi Er’s grasp and extended it outside, the curtain’s edge pressing down to keep the wind out.

Shi Er curled her hand inward, about to say it was only a little dust and she didn’t mind, and that their pushing and pulling was unnecessary—but the words stuck.

Looking down at her hand, now warmly covered, she thought—

No wonder the nobleman liked her; if she were him, she would like the Second Miss too.

***

When they truly reached the outskirts of the capital, fields lined both sides of the road and the dust subsided.

It was the off-season for farming; the fields were bleak, with a thin layer of frost covering the soil.

According to northern customs, wheat was commonly grown. Lin Yun calculated the dates—if it were winter wheat, seedlings should have already sprouted. Yet the fields were bare. Could the North prefer sowing spring wheat?

After driving a while longer, Lin Yun spotted a distant village and told Qian Da to head there.

Only then did Ruyi realize the Second Miss’s early rising was not out of longing for her mother, but a desire to visit the village.

Indeed, Lin Yun had planned today’s itinerary since yesterday afternoon.

She knew little of the current state of agriculture in the Great Zhou: what crops they planted, what tools they used, how they tilled the soil, fertilized, watered, and fought pests.

She had been locked away at home, writing and sketching—building knowledge in isolation.

So she seized the chance to visit the Ningyuan Marquis’s farmhouse and made a detour to see the village firsthand, to ask questions in reality.

When the Second Miss suddenly wished to enter the village, Nurse Yuan did not object but insisted she bring all the guards and servants.

“I trust the Second Miss is not acting without reason. If you want to see the village, you must have a plan, but safety is paramount.”

Lin Yun nodded, not ungrateful, and took Nurse Yuan’s advice to bring everyone along.

Upon arrival, Ruyi noticed the Second Miss had a talkative side, warmly knocking on several doors, exchanging greetings.

Eventually, she connected well with one family and decided to visit their home.

Not only Ruyi was surprised, but Wu Erni, who opened the door, was astonished too. They had barely exchanged two words before this noble lady wished to come inside.

Wu Erni’s family was poor and humble, with nothing worth coveting. She asked her mother, who was mending clothes, and then let Lin Yun in.

Lin Yun only brought Shi Er and one guard inside; others remained outside. With fewer people, Wu Erni felt less nervous.

Wu Erni thought the young lady’s delicate face, understated yet elegant clothing, and the golden hairpin made her own home look even more shabby. Wouldn’t the noble lady feel out of place here?

She had no idea why the lady came in or what she wanted to discuss.

But when the refined young lady asked if they grew winter wheat, Wu Erni felt dazed—

Had she lost her mind today, or was the lady the one who had gone mad?