In the days that followed, Yunyi settled back into her regular routine. On nights when she wasn’t on duty, she would prepare some delicious food and take it to the thatched hut in Nanbai Village to visit Grandfather Yuan and his grandson.
Yuan Yuxun was truly impressed by Yunyi’s astonishing ability to learn.
When she arrived that evening, Yuan Zining was already waiting on the small path behind the house. "Martial Aunt," he said, "I figured you’d be here soon."
Yunyi said, her expression full of concern, "It’s so cold out. Why did you come out? What if wild animals come down from the mountain and hurt you?"
Yuan Zining looked a bit sheepish. He was too embarrassed to admit he was craving her food, so he had told his grandfather he needed to urinate and had then waited there. "I won’t come out again in the future. Please don’t tell Grandpa; I’m afraid he’ll worry."
Yunyi reached out and patted his head. "Alright, but don’t let it happen again."
Elated, Yuan Zining jumped up. "Thank you, Martial Aunt!"
He grabbed Yunyi’s hand. "Martial Aunt, what did you bring to eat? I can already smell the wonderful aroma!"
Yunyi chuckled softly. "It seems our Zining is really craving something."
Not at all flustered at being found out, Yuan Zining retorted, "It’s not my fault! The food you make is so delicious; it really whets my appetite."
The two chatted as they reached the door.
It was cold now, and few people ventured this way, so they didn’t need to be constantly on guard. Besides, if anyone did approach, Yunyi would detect them immediately.
Yuan Yuxun, hearing their voices, opened the door. "Come in quickly. I’m afraid it’s going to snow again."
As soon as Yunyi entered the house, she took the stewed wild boar meat out of her back basket. "Master, Zining, eat it while it’s hot."
Thanks to Yunyi’s care over the past few days, the complexions of both grandfather and grandson had noticeably improved, and their health was on the mend.
Initially, Yuan Yuxun had worried that such a significant change in their physical condition would attract unwanted attention and cause trouble for Yunyi.
But Yunyi had thought of everything. When making clothes for them, she not only aged the fabric to look worn but also deliberately cut them a bit looser than their current garments. That way, even if they gained dozens of pounds, it wouldn’t be apparent.
She had also specially prepared an ointment for them to apply to their faces, necks, and hands, ensuring they still appeared as sallow and gaunt as before.
She knew in her heart that it wouldn’t be long before they would be rehabilitated and allowed to return to the city. Becoming plump wasn’t something that could happen overnight, especially given how severely their bodies had been depleted. By the time they left this place, the most they could hope for was to recuperate from their previous physical losses.
Now that Yuan Yuxun had spent a good deal of time with Yunyi, he no longer stood on ceremony with her.
While the grandfather and grandson ate, Yunyi went outside and headed to the sheep pen. She began pushing the sheep manure, which her master had shoveled into a pile during the day, up a nearby slope.
The slope wasn’t very high, but it was quite steep. Without considerable strength, it was indeed difficult to push the load up.
They could have composted the manure at the bottom of the slope. However, someone in Nanbai Village didn’t want Yuan Yuxun, who had been sent down for reform, to have an easy time. Yunyi suspected this was undoubtedly the work of the Yuan family’s enemies.
First, they had made Yuan Yuxun dig a large pit on the slope, completely excavating the side facing the edge. Then, they required him to push the manure from the sheep pen into this pit daily for composting. When it was time to use the fertilizer, a handcart could be parked below, and the compost could simply be thrown down into it from above, saving a great deal of effort. For origınal chapters go to 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢·𝗇𝗲𝘵
Since this arrangement benefited the village, naturally, no one spoke out against it.
Ever since Yunyi learned of this, she had taken over the task. Yuan Yuxun only needed to shovel the sheep manure onto the dung cart. Given Yunyi’s strength, this was no great effort for her.
Initially, Yuan Yuxun had been against it. After all, the work was smelly, and how could a young lady like Yunyi be expected to do such a task?