Qiao Zilin loved this kind of secluded, self-sufficient life. Having grain, meat, and money stored at home was only the beginning. What she truly wanted was a courtyard designed exactly to her liking, a place where she could grow her favorite fruits and vegetables with her own hands. That kind of life felt like a dream come true.
Now, this manor gave her the perfect opportunity.
In her mind, she began mapping everything out. The inner courtyard would be reserved for flowers and daily vegetables, while the outer grounds would be cleared for larger crops and grains. She would even dig a proper fish pond so they would never need to buy fish again. Although her modern farm had come with her, the land there was limited, and it lacked both water features and the beauty of a carefully designed estate.
Since this was her first attempt at farming in this era, she decided not to overreach. One mu of land would be enough to start. According to the Rice Cultivation Techniques she had studied, a single mu could yield over a thousand pounds of rice. Even if she managed only half that amount, she would already be satisfied.
The first step was clearing the land. The weeds needed to be cut, dried, and burned to produce ash fertilizer. Without chemical fertilizers, wood ash was one of the best natural nutrients available.
As she sat thinking through every step, she gradually drifted off to sleep, her head resting on the table.
When Long Zhenting returned after finishing his arrangements, he found her like that, peaceful and unaware. Her cheeks were softly flushed, her lashes trembling slightly, and her lips looked delicate and inviting.
Seeing her like this stirred something in him. He bent down, lifted her into his arms, and carried her to the bed. What followed passed in a blur of warmth and quiet intensity.
…
The next morning, Qiao Zilin did not wake until the sun was already high.
As she got dressed, she could not help but mutter under her breath, blaming Long Zhenting for her oversleeping. She had planned to start clearing the land today, yet he had left her too exhausted to rise early.
After washing up, she took out thirty large meat buns, ten steamed rolls, and a jar of chili sauce from her space. Packing them into a food box, she headed toward the wasteland below the manor.
The location of the estate was excellent, perched on a hillside with fresh air and a wide view. As she walked, she carefully observed the soil. Near the house, the ground was mostly red clay. Further down, it turned into loose black soil, while closer to the mountain base, it became heavy mud.
She found it strange that the soil types varied so much within a single estate, but it also explained why her mother-in-law had managed to acquire such a large area.
Rice thrived in muddy conditions, so the land near the mountain would be perfect for paddies.
By the time she arrived, the men had already cleared a large section of weeds. Their efficiency impressed her.
“Everyone, come eat and rest for a bit.”
Long Zhenting was the first to put down his tools and walk over. “Wife, what did you bring us today?”
He reached for the food box, but Qiao Zilin slapped his hand lightly.
“Wash your hands first. Look at them, covered in dirt. How can you touch food like that?”
The others glanced at their own hands and immediately hurried to wash at the nearby ditch. Soon, they gathered around, eating the buns with great enthusiasm as they chatted.
Meanwhile, Qiao Zilin walked around to inspect the land. Near the boundary wall, she noticed a large water pit. Curious, she crouched beside it and dipped her hand into the water. It was cool and clean.
Could this be a spring?
She leaned closer, pressing her ear to the ground.
A faint bubbling sound reached her.
Her eyes lit up.
There really was a spring beneath it.
If they expanded this pit, it could serve both as a fish pond and a steady source of irrigation water.
Once the men finished eating, they returned to work. Qiao Zilin pointed toward a section of land near the water.
“Husband, let’s enclose this area. We can channel water from the pit and soak the soil until it softens. Then we can prepare a seedbed.”
Long Zhenting looked puzzled. “By enclose, do you mean building embankments?”
“Exactly. Use the wet soil to build them, it seals better.”
She was about to demonstrate when he stopped her.
“Leave the heavy work to us.”
Qiao Zilin nodded and instead began moving the cut weeds to dry areas. Meanwhile, Long Zhenting and the others worked together to build the embankments. Within an hour, they had completed about half a mu.
Next came the water.
While she was considering how to channel it more efficiently, she noticed the men had already started carrying buckets, filling the field manually. It worked, but it was slow and exhausting.
She watched the water level in the pit rise gradually.
The spring must be partially blocked, she thought. Once the seedbed was ready, they would need to dig deeper and clear it.
“Wife.”
Long Zhenting’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.
“I’m craving that spicy chicken. I’ll head into the mountains to hunt a few wild chickens. Make that dish again tonight.”
“Alright,” she agreed readily.
He moved with swift ease, leaping over the high wall in a single motion.
Qiao Zilin stared after him, stunned. She knew some martial arts, but she had never mastered lightness skills like that.
“Qing Mei, let’s go. Time to start cooking.”
At the mention of food, the men’s eyes lit up. They still remembered the spicy chicken from before.
“Madam, make plenty of rice,” Long Shiwu called out. “Buns are fine too.”
“There will be enough for everyone.”
By the time Qiao Zilin and Qing Mei reached the kitchen, Long Zhenting had already returned with the wild chickens. His movements were clean and precise as he handled them, swift and efficient.
Qiao Zilin, who enjoyed cooking but disliked the act of killing, watched with admiration.
“Husband, you’re impressive.”
Long Zhenting finished his work, straightened up, and leaned closer, his voice low.
“Wife, there are many things your husband is good at.”