Mu Yuqing stayed bedridden for a full seven days before her body finally began to recover.
Fortunately, it was already mid autumn, and the weather was cool and comfortable. If it had been the height of summer, she probably would have smelled awful after being unable to bathe for so long. The moment she was finally able to sit up properly, the first thing she wanted was a long, hot bath to wash away the exhaustion and discomfort that had built up over the past week.
The second thing she wanted was food, real food.
For days, she had eaten nothing but bland rice porridge and watery gruel. There had not been even a trace of meat on the table. By now, her mouth felt utterly tasteless, and she craved something savory so badly she could hardly bear it.
“Miss, the hot water is ready.”
The nanny carried bucket after bucket of steaming water into the room, carefully pouring them into a large wooden tub.
Warm steam soon rose into the air, filling the room with a gentle mist.
“Miss, would you like me to help you wash?” the nanny asked softly, her gaze full of concern and affection.
For some reason, she felt that ever since her mistress woke up from the head injury, something about her had changed completely. The current Mu Yuqing seemed calmer and more confident, with a quiet strength that had never been there before.
Before she could continue, Mu Yuqing smiled helplessly and interrupted her.
“Nanny, how many times have I told you already? From now on, stop calling yourself ‘your servant.’ You have to remember that.”
The nanny could only nod with a helpless smile, though warmth quietly spread through her heart.
After soaking comfortably in the bath and thoroughly washing her hair, Mu Yuqing carried a rocking chair into the courtyard and sat beneath the sun to dry herself.
Although the place was called an estate, it was really just a slightly larger countryside courtyard.
Outside the walls was a small fish pond, several fruit trees, and a few rows of vegetable fields, together taking up roughly an acre of land. Beyond that lay another fifty acres of farmland belonging to the family. At the moment, the fields were leased to nearby villagers.
Though it was far from luxurious, it was more than enough for Mu Yuqing.
Before her marriage, she had relied entirely on the rent from this land to survive. Back then, while living in the General’s Manor, she rarely needed to spend her own money and had never worried much about finances.
But now things are different.
She had two children to raise, and with four mouths to feed, the one hundred taels she possessed were disappearing faster than expected.
If this continued, life would only become harder.
After thinking for a while, Mu Yuqing suddenly stood up and headed toward the orchard.
She vaguely remembered that there was a small pond hidden among the trees. Their family had not eaten meat in a very long time, and she was beginning to miss the fresh, tender taste of fish.
Of course, catching fish was easier said than done.
Before leaving, she dug up several fat earthworms to use as bait. Then she searched through the storage room and found a fish basket along with an old fashioned fishing net. Judging by their appearance, they were probably things her late mother had purchased years ago.
The two little ones watched curiously as their mother hurried around carrying a bamboo basket and a small hoe.
They exchanged puzzled looks.
What is Mother doing? Why is she carrying all those things?
As they watched her walk away, both children desperately wanted to follow along. Finally, Yang Xingyue could no longer hold herself back.
“Mother, where are you going? Can my brother and I come too?”
Her sweet voice sounded like a tiny songbird. She blinked her large watery eyes, her face overflowing with expectation.
Mu Yuqing stopped and turned around.
The siblings looked at her eagerly, like two baby birds waiting to be fed.
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
“Of course you can. Mother is going to the pond to catch fish so I can make something delicious tonight. But if you come with me, you must stay close and not run around carelessly, understand?”
The children’s eyes lit up instantly.
Yang Xingyue clapped happily. “Yay! Don’t worry, Mother! Brother and I will behave! We definitely won’t run off!”
Beside her, Yang Xingchen nodded vigorously.
After receiving their promise, Mu Yuqing took one small hand in each of hers, and the three of them slowly made their way toward the pond.
A gentle breeze brushed against their faces, carrying the fresh scent of grass and earth. Wildflowers and weeds swayed along the roadside as though greeting them. Under the sunlight, the shadows of the mother and children stretched long across the ground, creating a peaceful and heartwarming scene.
When they arrived at the pond, Mu Yuqing took out the fishing net.
She carefully tried to recall how people had cast nets in her previous life. First, she tossed the earthworms into the water to attract the fish. Then, following her memory, she swung the net outward and cast it into the pond.
“Mother! Xingyue sees fish in the net! There are so many!”
The little girl bounced excitedly on her feet, nearly jumping with joy.
“Haha! We’re going to have a huge feast tonight! Delicious fish!”
Mu Yuqing looked over and indeed saw several fish struggling wildly inside the net.
Excitement immediately surged through her heart.
Without daring to waste time, she quickly began pulling the net back toward shore.
But the closer the net came to land, the heavier it became.
Mu Yuqing frowned and used all her strength to drag it in, yet the net barely moved.
Seeing his mother struggling, Yang Xingchen rushed forward without hesitation to help.
His tiny hands tightly gripped the rope as he used every ounce of strength in his small body to pull alongside her. Though he was still young, his determination to help his mother was deeply touching.
Finally, with the combined effort of mother and children, the heavy net was dragged onto the grass.
Several plump silver fish flopped wildly on the ground, desperately trying to wriggle their way back into the water.
Mu Yuqing swallowed unconsciously as countless delicious dishes flashed through her mind.
At last, a truly happy smile appeared on her face.