What Shopkeeper Li did not know was that Song Xia truly had to farm!
After delaying for so long, the curved-shaft plow was finally finished, so Song Xia’s farming plans had to be put on the agenda.
Early in the morning, Song Xia spread the wheat out to dry in the courtyard and instructed Shen Huaijing, “Shen Huaijing, when the sun isn’t as bright this afternoon, just bring in the wheat like last time. Ah Ming and I won’t be coming back for lunch today. There are leftovers from breakfast, so just heat them up for yourself.”
Having lived in the countryside for nearly a month, Shen Huaijing was now capable of doing some simple chores as well.
In particular, Song Xia had discovered that Shen Huaijing truly possessed an artistic flair, and his hands-on ability was remarkably strong.
Last time, he was able to draw such complex blueprints based solely on her verbal descriptions. Later, the tiny flower patterns on the sour cakes were pressed using small tokens he had carved himself.
So now, when Shen Huaijing had nothing to do, he would sit in the courtyard, bask in the sun, and read, occasionally carving a few trinkets to pass the time.
“Mm, I know. Go ahead,” Shen Huaijing agreed with a nod after listening to Song Xia’s instructions.
After giving Shen Huaijing her instructions, Song Xia went to call Shen Chunming.
“Ah Ming, let’s go! Come out quickly.” After finishing his meal, Shen Chunming had returned to his room and shut the door, leaving no telling what he was tinkering with inside.
“I’m not going! Gathering fruit over the past two days has nearly exhausted me to death! I’m not going to the field!” Shen Chunming shouted from inside the room.
Shen Chunming was growing more and more accustomed to life in the countryside. Although he still missed the luxurious days at the Shen manor at times, over these past days, he understood more and more who truly cared for him. At the manor, they claimed to dote on him so much, yet to this day, not a single person had been sent to bring him back. On the other hand, it was his sister-in-law who—on that first day when Shen Huaijing forbade him from eating—had secretly stuffed plenty of pastries into his hands. Later, his sister-in-law took him up the mountain, wandered through the county town with him, and prepared delicious treats for him. Though he was occasionally scolding by his eldest brother, his sister-in-law always protected him.
Thus, Shen Chunming also dared to act spoiled and play dumb with Song Xia.
“Ah Ming, hurry up! Don’t make me go in there to drag you out!” Song Xia knocked on the door and threatened.
“I’m not going! No matter what you say, I’m not going!”
“Hey, you little rascal!” Song Xia rolled up her sleeves and prepared to head in to drag Shen Chunming out. This boy was starting to thrive the moment she gave him a little sunshine.
Yet just as Song Xia reached out her hand, Shen Huaijing stopped her.
“Ah Ming, open the door and go with your sister-in-law.” Shen Huaijing’s voice was not loud, but his tone was brimming with sternness.
Hearing his eldest brother’s voice, Shen Chunming lost his nerve, opened the door, and looked at Song Xia listlessly. In this household, he truly feared his biological eldest brother somewhat. Although his eldest brother appeared sickly, the authority he projected was the strongest of all. Shen Chunming dared to act throw tantrums with Song Xia, but he did not dare to be stubborn with his eldest brother—this brother of his was truly cold-hearted enough to punish him!
“You won’t listen to me, but you’ll listen to your brother!” Song Xia reached out and pinched his ear, “Let’s go! Today I’ll teach you proper respect for your elders!”
“Ah, ah, ah, ah! Sister-in-law! It hurts!” Shen Chunming thrashed about as he was dragged out by Song Xia.
Watching the two of them making a fuss, Shen Huaijing could not help but burst into laughter.
The curved-shaft plow had actually been transported over for Song Xia by Shen Danu. At the time, the old carpenter had dispatched a sharp apprentice to deliver it, but unfortunately, the hour was already quite late, and Song Xia was thoroughly exhausted, so the young apprentice regretfully missed seeing whether the curved-shaft plow was actually effective.
Thus, today was also the first time Shen Danu had seen the curved-shaft plow.
“Little Song, this curved plow of yours doesn’t look any different from the straight plows we use! It’s just curved a bit here. If you had said so earlier, my household has a plow too!” Shen Danu had no objections to Song Xia spending money to forge a plow; rather, he felt her decision was very sound and showed she intended to settle down and live properly. However, after hearing the price Song Xia had paid, he was strongly opposed to it.
“Brother Shen, you can watch from the side in a bit; this plow works much better!” Song Xia did not explain further—seeing was believing, and hearing was deceiving. Once they were in the field, Brother Shen would understand.
Seeing that Song Xia had not adopted his advice, Shen Danu let out a quiet sigh in his heart: My wife was truly right—this Young Mistress Song sure knows how to make a fuss over nothing!
Along the way to the field, villagers passing by kept greeting them, and everyone harbored a curiosity toward the curved-shaft plow sitting on Shen Danu’s handcart.
Song Xia cheerfully told everyone that she had made a new agricultural tool and was heading to the field to test it out.
The villagers also expressed that any tool Song Xia came up with must be remarkable, and that they would go take a look when they were free.
Exchanging greetings all along the way, before long, they encountered an “acquaintance.”
“Brother Danu! Heading to the field?” A man carrying a hoe and a back basket greeted Shen Danu from a distance.
“Qiangzi! Morning! That’s right, heading to the land!” Shen Danu also called out to him with a smile.
“Brother, which field are you heading to? I remember your good land isn’t in this direction! Yo! Didn’t notice just now—isn’t this that young mistress of the Shen family!” Once they drew closer, Liu Qiang finally noticed that two people were following behind Shen Danu.
“Brother Liu,” Song Xia smiled at him, saying no more. Currently, the only villagers she knew were the few households she had traveled to the county town with; the rest of the villagers were still complete strangers she had never even met.
“Eh, you’re all going to the field together?” Liu Qiang looked at the three of them with some curiosity. Shen Danu, a delicate and pretty young mistress, and a half-grown chubby kid beside them—this combination was far too bizarre!
“Oh, the two of them can’t carry this plow, and our two households happen to be neighbors, so your sister-in-law asked me to help Little Song bring it over,” Shen Danu said honestly.
“Oh,” Liu Qiang understood immediately upon hearing this. This Xing’er was famous in the village for being warm-hearted; it must be that seeing this young girl all by herself made her heart ache, prompting her to help everywhere.
“I heard her man’s health isn’t good? So they let a young mistress and a half-grown kid come farm the land?” Liu Qiang walked over, quietly whispering in Shen Danu’s ear, even subtly pointing his chin at Song Xia.
“Their family’s matters aren’t for us to know,” Shen Danu didn’t want to say too much to Liu Qiang, feeling somewhat repulsed by such questioning. This Liu Qiang was the son of that Aunt Liu who had come to visit on the day Song Xia and her family first arrived. Everyone in their family took after Aunt Liu—gossipy and fond of wagging their tongues.
Seeing that he could extract nothing from Shen Danu, Brother Liu redirected his attention to the curved-shaft plow on the handcart.
“What’s this, Brother Danu?”
Song Xia had already noticed from the side that this Brother Liu was quietly exchanging winks with Shen Danu regarding her. Seeing Brother Liu about to touch her curved-shaft plow now, she felt somewhat displeased.
This person clearly isn’t an honest type!
“Brother Liu, the hour isn’t early anymore, so we have to hurry to the field. My household only has me and Ah Ming, a young child, so we need to make good time,” Song Xia said directly to Brother Liu.
Upon hearing these words, Liu Qiang cast an astonished glance at Song Xia. He had heard his mother mention that the new male head of the Shen family was weak and sickly, and the female head looked gentle and easy to talk to, serving pastries that could only be bought in county town shops.
Having heard his mother’s evaluation of the Shen family, Liu Qiang had assumed that this young mistress of the Shen family would be a delicate, soft woman. He had not expected her to reclaim the land from Shen Hu later on and even work the fields herself. Coupled with her words just now, sure enough, anyone who could be a daughter-in-law of Master Shen’s family was no ordinary person! While thinking this in his heart, Liu Qiang put on an expression of “Aiya, my apologies” on his face.
“Alright then, I won’t delay you any longer. Hurry off to your work,” Liu Qiang waved his hand and spoke casually, clearing the way.
“Then we’ll be going, Qiangzi!” Shen Danu was not polite either. With a greeting to Liu Qiang, he pushed the handcart straight forward. Song Xia offered a subtle smile as she passed Liu Qiang, while Shen Chunming ignored him with a cold, indifferent expression.
“Ptooey!” Watching the backs of the three departing figures, Liu Qiang felt inexplicably uncomfortable in his heart. He spat onto the ground, though it was unclear whom he was spitting at.
“Everyone in their family is like that; don’t take it to heart,” Shen Danu turned his head to comfort Song Xia.
“Everyone in their family?” Song Xia asked with curiosity.
“Do you still remember that Aunt Liu who visited your house last time? That’s his mother,” Shen Danu clued Song Xia in.
“Aunt Liu is his mother? What a coincidence,” Song Xia understood instantly and smiled as well. Last time with Aunt Liu—whom she ought to call “Aunt”—she had left a deep impression. Upon leaving, Aunt Liu had taken many pieces of her pastries, saying they were for her young grandson at home. Since this Liu Qiang was her son, Song Xia found it unsurprising that he was gossiping about her today.
Although she had slight reservations about that person, it was not enough to affect Song Xia’s mood. Feeling indifferent, she and the others continued walking.
Shen Chunming, on the other hand, did not know who Aunt Liu was. Hearing the two of them speaking in riddles, he felt curious.
“What did he say?” Shen Chunming blurted out from the side. Being young and simple-minded, he could not read the subtle interactions among the adults just now.
“Nothing much,” Shen Danu felt this matter was unsuitable for a child to hear, so he answered dryly.
“What was said! Aiya! Sister-in-law, tell me, what did he say! Uncle Shen, tell me, what did that person just say about us?” Although Shen Chunming was young and lacked guile, that did not mean he was slow-witted. On the contrary, his mind turned remarkably fast as he pressed the two of them.
Song Xia had actually heard bits and pieces, and combining them with lip movements, she had guessed eight or nine out of ten.
Seeing Shen Chunming insist so stubbornly, Song Xia did not feel it was inappropriate to share. She quietly repeated Liu Qiang’s words, while Shen Danu pushed the cart alongside them without uttering a word.
“Damn it! How dare he insult my brother!” Hearing Song Xia’s words, Shen Chunming flew into a rage on the spot and wanted to head back to confront Liu Qiang.
Back at the Shen manor, he had been spoiled rotten and lawless. After being disciplined by Song Xia and Shen Huaijing over the past few days, his temper had improved considerably. But now, hearing someone else speak ill of his family, that arrogant streak immediately flared up again.
Shen Chunming was no fool. Over these past few days in the countryside, every time he was scolded or punished, it was because he had done something wrong himself, and Song Xia always protected him. His eldest brother had also changed significantly recently, taking the initiative to talk heart-to-heart and reason with him after disciplining him. Compared to the lawless yet scheming days at the Shen manor, Shen Chunming had gradually grown accustomed to and fond of this place. Now, hearing someone slander his own family, his temper was ignited instantly.
“Aiya, my little ancestor, settle down!” Song Xia grabbed hold of Shen Chunming, who wanted to head back to settle scores with Liu Qiang. “With those skinny arms and legs of yours, are you planning to pick a fight with him? Be careful, or your brother will whip you when you get back!”
Restraining Shen Chunming, Song Xia said to Shen Danu, “The fact that Shen Huaijing’s health is poor is true, so it doesn’t matter. If anyone in the village asks, Brother Shen, you don’t need to cover up anything for us, but thank you anyway, Brother.”
“Sigh, his family is the most gossipy in the whole village!” Shen Danu clicked his tongue as well.
Shen Chunming was somewhat unconvinced, yet he felt Song Xia was right. With his skinny arms and legs, he certainly could not beat that Liu Qiang, who was tall and sturdy. No way! I must eat more to grow taller and sturdier than that guy!
Along the remaining path, they encountered no more indiscreet villagers, arriving smoothly at Song Xia’s field.
“Morning, Little Song!” As soon as they reached the field, neighbors who had been busy early in the surrounding plots greeted Song Xia.
“Ah! Uncle Wang, Aunt Wang, you arrived early too!” Song Xia waved to the elderly couple. They were good-hearted people; during her time working in the field recently, she had received much care from them.
“Danu, you came too, helping Little Song carry things! You sure are a great neighbor!” Aunt Wang joked with Shen Danu. Everyone in the village knew Shen Danu and his wife were thoroughly warm-hearted.
“That’s right, Aunt Wang,” Shen Danu replied with a cheerful laugh as he unloaded the items for Song Xia.
“Alright, I’ll leave the things here for you and head off to my own field first. When you want to take it back this evening, just wait for me here and I’ll bring it back together,” Shen Danu said to Song Xia after unloading the curved-shaft plow.
“Brother Shen, don’t leave just yet! Didn’t you say you didn’t know why this plow was so good? Let me demonstrate it for you.” Song Xia called out to Shen Danu, who was preparing to leave, and grabbed Shen Chunming nearby, who wore a look of utter despair.
“Come on, Ah Ming, just like I taught you yesterday—let’s plow the land.”
The moment Song Xia spoke, the final shred of hope in Shen Chunming’s heart shattered. He truly had to dig soil and farm!
Hearing Song Xia’s words, Shen Danu set down his belongings. He was somewhat curious himself, walking over to see whether Song Xia’s curved-shaft plow was truly as extraordinary as she claimed.
Shen Chunming stood in front pulling the curved-shaft plow, while Song Xia held the plow handle at the back to control direction and width. The curved-shaft plow began to move unsteadily.
Just like a regular plow, it was merely breaking soil, but soon Shen Danu noticed something was amiss. The upturned soil contained quite a few hard black clods!
Shen Danu hurriedly stepped into the field to inspect it. Sure enough, this curved-shaft plow plowed extremely deep, breaking open even spots that were difficult to turn up with a hoe before.
“Little Song! Ah Ming!” Shen Danu shouted to the two who were still pushing the plow ahead.
Hearing Shen Danu’s call, Song Xia’s heart stirred, knowing this veteran farmer must have recognized its worth. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she jogged over.
“Ah! Brother Shen!”
“This plow of yours can dig this deep?” Shen Danu looked astonished.
“That’s right, Brother Shen. Didn’t you watch Ah Ming and me go down into the field?”
“May I give it a try?” Shen Danu immediately wanted to test it himself.
“Of course you can!” Song Xia smiled, calling out to Shen Chunming, “Ah Ming! Step aside, your Brother Shen wants to try it too!”
Hearing this, Shen Chunming happily scampered far away. Song Xia didn’t bother scolding him, simply setting up the curved-shaft plow with Shen Danu once more to begin plowing.
Stepping over, Shen Danu first inspected the plowshare deeply embedded in the soil, then looked at the plow adjustment beam and plow pin beside it, marveling at how ingenious this curved-shaft plow was.
To test the effect of this plow, the positions for holding the plow were shifted: Song Xia pulled in front while Shen Danu held the handle at the back.
Although Song Xia had little strength, the moment Shen Danu took hold and felt it, he immediately realized the wonder of this implement.
Not only did it plow deeper, but the plow was also far more flexible.
Every turn and reversal became remarkably easy and lightweight.
“This plow of yours…” Shen Danu instantly understood the value of this plow.
“Brother Shen, making one of these plows isn’t cheap, and the production time is very long. I thought I’d make one first to see if it works well. Once this busy season passes, let’s head to the county town together and find that carpenter to forge two more for use,” Song Xia said sincerely to Shen Danu upon seeing his expression.
“My land isn’t large. If your side can wait, once I finish plowing my plot, you can take it and use it!”
“How… how could I accept that…” Shen Danu truly lusted after an agricultural implement that could plow so deeply without requiring much effort. However, he also knew this curved-shaft plow was rushed by Song Xia paying extra. Hearing Song Xia say he could borrow it for free made him feel utterly at a loss.
He truly wanted to use it.
Shen Danu pondered for a moment, then raised his head and spoke to Song Xia with burning intensity in his eyes: “Your land isn’t large either—I’ll plow it for you.”
Song Xia froze upon hearing this, having not expected Shen Danu to offer to plow the land for her.
One had to know that plowing land was strenuous manual labor. In an era where people barely dared to eat their fill, exerting physical effort for another household was simply unthinkable.
Just as Song Xia was about to decline, Shen Danu said earnestly: “Little Song, you have a good heart—your sister-in-law and I both understand that. You made this tool, and you’re willing to let us use it for free; we’re certainly grateful. But your sister-in-law and I aren’t the type to take advantage of others. So it works out perfectly: I’ll plow the land for you, and you lend me this curved-shaft plow thing.”
With that, Shen Danu offered a bashful smile and spoke the honest truth: “Besides, looking at you and Ah Ming, who knows how long it would take you two to finish? If I get your land taken care of quickly, I can take it and use it myself sooner, right?”
Hearing Shen Danu put it this way, Song Xia could not help but laugh as well.
Shen Danu was right—at the rate she and Ah Ming were progressing, no matter how good the agricultural tool was, they wouldn’t be able to wait that long.