Time Travel: The Noble Family

Chapter 223: Chapter 90: In the Fields

Chapter 223 -90: In the Fields

Lunch was had at the family estate, and after finishing, Yueyao headed back with Tingzheng. On the way back, Yueyao saw the lush green rice fields beside the road.

April was the time when the rice shoots were growing vigorously. “Stop the carriage, I want to go down for a closer look,” she said. She had seen rice before, but never up close. Perhaps influenced by the book she read, Yueyao observed these common scenes very carefully, fearing she might miss something.

Yueyao looked closely at the shape of the rice plants and took out paper and pen to describe and even sketch their appearance. For Nanny Deng and Hua Lei, such behavior was nothing new.

This was the first time Tingli had encountered such a situation and found it quite novel. “What is third younger sister doing?” He had seen paintings of mountains, beautiful scenes, and flowers, but never of rice grains.

Yueyao replied with a smile, “I’m afraid I might forget what rice looks like when someone asks me. If I write it down, I can refer to it later.”

Tingli was speechless, wondering if it was really necessary to be so serious about rice, but then he remembered that Yueyao wasn’t a man and didn’t have to participate in the imperial examinations, so whatever she wanted to do was beyond reproach.

Tingli said to Yueyao, “Today is the 11th, and I was thinking of staying in Qi County for a few more days. What does sister think?” It was rare for him to be out, and he wanted not only to spend more time with people his age from the main family but also to travel around and meet more people.

This was Tingli’s first time traveling far from home. He had been studying since he was sensible, and after being admitted to Bailu Academy, the pressure was immense. He had never relaxed like he was doing now.

Naturally, Yueyao had no objections: “Big brother, do what you want to do. I am fine, so don’t worry about me.” Even if she couldn’t make it back before the 26th, it didn’t matter; after all, she hadn’t planned on attending her cousin’s wedding anyway.

Tingli nodded.

Yueyao chuckled, “Big brother, what shall we do tomorrow? If possible, I’d like to go for a walk outside.” She simply wanted to enjoy the springtime outdoors.

Tingli felt a bit troubled.

Yueyao had always heard that March was the month when grass grew and orioles sang, the best season to experience the countryside. Although she had experienced the spring countryside before, this rare opportunity meant she definitely wanted to get out and explore.

Tingli looked speechless at Yueyao’s insistence on going out, knowing that young ladies shouldn’t show their faces in public. Didn’t this cousin of his understand that?

Yueyao didn’t mind: “Don’t worry, big brother. I’ll just stroll around our own farmstead. If we bring more servants, there won’t be any issues.” It certainly wouldn’t do to run off to some other place, but there should be no problem with just visiting their own farmstead.

After some thought, Tingli said, “There is a Tian Zhuang not far from the town that belongs to our family, just a half-hour carriage ride away.” The local customs in the countryside were simple, but it was still necessary to be cautious.

Of course, Yueyao nodded in agreement: “Good. Big brother, when you go out, could you bring Brother Zheng with you? He rarely gets out. It would be good for him to meet more people and broaden his horizons.” Boys were different from girls; boys should socialize more, which would benefit Tingzheng.

Tingli was somewhat troubled, but after some consideration, he nodded: “Alright.” Although he didn’t see much promise in Tingzheng, taking him out for others to get to know him wasn’t a big problem. After all, the second branch had only this one male heir left.

The Lian family farmstead that they had bought in Qi County was close to the town. It was purchased during Lian Cheng’s lifetime, so the location was excellent, with both mountains and water.

When Yueyao talked about enjoying the spring, she really just meant walking in the mountains.

Tingzheng asked plenty of questions, which Yueyao answered one by one. Walking through the fields and looking at the pleasing green rice fields, they saw farmers working hard, sweat on their brows. When the sweat blurred their vision, they wiped their eyes and continued their work: “Planting rice at midday, sweat dripping into the soil. Who knows that each grain of the meal is borne from toil.”

Tingzheng nodded, “It is very hard work.”

Yueyao took a deep breath, “It feels so good.” The air was not only fragrant with the scent of the earth but also carried a comforting aroma. No wonder Elder Tao enjoyed his reclusive life in the mountains and forests; being in such a tranquil environment could allow one to shed one’s burdens and feel at ease in body and spirit.

Nanny Deng looked around at the surrounding rice fields, with tenant farmers weeding, and mountains in the distance. She didn’t feel there was anything special about it. But her young lady was somewhat odd, and she didn’t know what to say, so she remained silent.

After walking through the fields for a while, Yueyao climbed up a hill. With each step on the soft earth, she felt surprisingly grounded. Reaching the top of the hill and looking at the scenery below, the view seemed utterly different.

A breeze swept through, slipping through the gaps in the clothes and gently grazing the skin. It caressed the hair tenderly, offering a refreshingly comfortable feeling. The flowers scattered across the hillside were also stirred by the wind into dazzling waves, blurring one’s vision.

Yueyao gazed enchantedly at the sea of flowers: “This trip wasn’t in vain after all.” Such natural beauty could not be seen while confined within the walls of a courtyard.

Upon hearing Yueyao’s words, Hua Lei hurried to fetch paper and brush. As expected, Yueyao began depicting the beautiful scene right there and even composed a poem afterward.

However, Nanny Deng wasn’t in as high spirits as Yueyao and couldn’t help saying, “Miss, the wind is too strong here. We should go down. If you catch a cold from the breeze, it wouldn’t be good.”

Yueyao did not catch a cold from the wind that day, but Brother Zheng felt somewhat unwell. Brother Zheng had merely caught a chill. After summoning a physician who prescribed a remedy, he sweated it out after taking the medicine and soon recovered.

Yueyao, looking at Tingzheng lying on the bed, shook her head and said, “Brother Zheng’s constitution is still rather weak. It seems Brother Zheng should also start drinking a bowl of sheep milk with every meal.” These days, Yueyao found that her own health had significantly improved after drinking sheep milk. Sheep milk is indeed beneficial and could be promoted to others.

Yueyao no longer let Tingzheng go out with Tingli, much to the latter’s relief. Once Tingzheng’s condition improved, Yueyao took him outside for a walk: “You should exercise more in the future. A strong body is more valuable than anything else.” She would rather he read fewer books than neglect his physical development.

Tingzheng nodded: “Okay.”

On that day, Yueyao took Tingzheng to visit Tian Zhuang again. Looking at the pastoral scenery, she suddenly felt an urge to paint. Being a person of action, she immediately got to work and started to paint.

It was the first time Tingzheng had seen Yueyao paint. Fearing that he might disturb her, he kept quiet and watched intently from the side.

In no time, Yueyao sketched out the scene on the Xuan Paper and rapidly completed the entire piece. However, after examining it, Yueyao tore it up.

Tingzheng, puzzled, said, “Sister, the painting was so good, why did you tear it up?”

Yueyao shook her head, “It’s not good. It has form but lacks spirit, a mediocre work.” She remembered reading that a good painter must have a unique touch; even simple paintings should possess their own characteristics and intended emotions. The painting she just finished lacked both distinguishing features and the intended mood.

Tingzheng didn’t understand: “Sister, let’s stay overnight in the villa!” Tingzheng had grown up in the villa, only being brought back at the age of three. Although he was young and ignorant at that time, he still held a special attachment to Tian Zhuang deep in his heart.

Yueyao laughed, “Of course, we can. Nanny Hao, please make arrangements. Nanny Deng, have someone inform Big Brother.” Spending a night in their own villa wasn’t excessive. Moreover, the villa had separate quarters for them, making it convenient to stay.

At dusk, Yueyao and Tingzheng took a walk in the mountains. Yueyao looked and looked, her eyes unblinking until the sky turned dusky, only to be led back by Nanny Deng.

Upon returning to the quarters, Yueyao unfolded the Xuan Paper and gathered her materials to start painting. She painted until midnight, and when she put down her brush and looked at the work again, Yueyao herself was somewhat amazed.

The setting sun cast its last ray of light, giving the rice fields a layer of pale golden hue, with workers in the fields heading back home, flowers retracting, flocks of birds returning to their nests, and chickens foraging outside all hurrying home, while smoke started rising from a nearby farmhouse.

Tingzheng admired the painting, saying, “Sister, you’ve painted it so well.” Tingzheng might not have understood the techniques, but the painting seemed to recreate the very scene they had witnessed earlier.

Hua Lei whispered, “Miss, are you going to burn this painting? It’s too good to be wasted!” Although Hua Lei wasn’t adept at appraisal, she felt this painting was different from Yueyao’s previous works, and it would be a shame to burn such a beautiful painting.

Yueyao, looking at the painting, couldn’t help but smile. At that moment, she had wanted to convey the joy of the workers returning home and the birds’ eagerness to nest, and now her painting beautifully expressed those feelings: “No, I won’t burn it.” This painting marked significant progress in her artistic journey. The book was right; going out would lead to different experiences. She had only ventured out a few times and had already gained such insight. She should take more opportunities to explore the outside world in the future.

Tingli was somewhat displeased with Yueyao for staying overnight at the villa with Tingzheng without proper consent. He had heard about Yueyao’s assertive nature, but only now did he realize that the rumors were true.

Yueyao didn’t explain much, “I brought maids and an old nanny along with four servants; nothing will happen.” Trouble was not likely to occur so easily on their own property.

Tingli glanced at Yueyao, then said no more: “We’ll return the day after tomorrow.” He had initially planned to stay a couple more days, but considering Yueyao’s restless nature, it seemed best to return earlier to avoid potential complications.

Yueyao felt a bit regretful; she had hoped to spend more time exploring. Since Tingli had decided, any resistance on her part would be futile.

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