Chapter 669 - 346: Integrating into Rural Life

Chapter 669: Chapter 346: Integrating into Rural Life

She saw Juhua’s beaming smile and was about to tease her with some picky retort, but she suddenly changed her tune. "Alright! As long as your babies want to learn medicine, I’ll take them as my apprentices. I’ll be sure to train a few master healers."

Li Changyu quickly chimed in, shouting that he wanted to reserve a spot for his child too. Hearing this, Mrs. Gao blushed crimson and bowed her head in embarrassment.

Zhao Qing looked at Juhua with envy. She absentmindedly started biting her finger as she stared wistfully at Yun Ying. Juhua had told her not to put her fingers in her mouth because it could make her sick, and she always remembered that. But at this moment, wanting so badly to learn medicine, she completely forgot.

Seeing Zhao Qing’s longing expression, Yun Ying’s heart softened. She quickly pulled her closer. "Qing’er, do you want to learn too?"

Blinking her big eyes, Zhao Qing nodded. But then she turned to look at her little brother in the cradle and shook her head. "I don’t have time. I have to take care of my brother. Mother can’t manage all by herself..."

Oh, you poor dear! Yun Ying’s heart ached for the girl. She said to Zhao Qing, "Don’t worry, you’re still young. I can start by teaching you to recognize characters and medicinal herbs. If you don’t find it tedious and you truly enjoy it, I’ll teach you more later. By then, your little brother will be older."

Zhao Qing asked joyfully, "Would that really be okay? Sister Yun Ying, I already know quite a few characters! My big brother taught me, and Sister Juhua taught me some too. It would be enough if you just taught me to recognize herbs. Oh! But I should probably ask my father and mother first!"

She kept changing her mind and felt a little embarrassed by it, looking up at Yun Ying with an apologetic expression.

Yun Ying smiled, unconcerned. She reassured her it was no trouble and said that it was indeed something she should ask her parents about first.

After they had chatted and laughed for a while, Mrs. Gao noticed how busy everyone had become. Liu Yunlan and Shi Tou’s mother were cooking, Juhua and Yun Ying were stewing pork stomach and intestines over a charcoal stove, and even little Zhao Qing was bustling about, jogging to the well several times to wash diapers. Once washed, she’d smooth them out and hang them on a bamboo pole. Mrs. Gao felt too awkward to continue sitting, so she shot Li Changyu a meaningful look and rose to take her leave.

Juhua didn’t insist she stay. ’At such a busy time, there’s no point in empty pleasantries.’ She simply told Mrs. Gao to come visit again when she was free.

Mrs. Gao had never thought she would be one to enjoy visiting neighbors. Looking at Juhua and Yun Ying, she surprised herself by blurting out, "I’ll come visit again in a few days, after you’re not so busy."

When she finished, she saw Li Changyu looking at her in surprise. She blushed and said, "I feel so bad for coming over and disturbing you while you’re working."

Juhua was a little surprised as well, but she quickly hid it with a casual smile. "We won’t be so busy once the wheat is harvested. It’ll be the perfect time for you to come over and teach us embroidery. I’ve seen your needlework—it’s excellent, and my sister-in-law loves embroidery too."

She had noticed long ago that Wan’er’s embroidery was exquisite, which was why she’d said that.

Yun Ying eagerly chimed in, "Wan’er, you must come! Even if you didn’t, I was going to invite you. I’d love to ask your advice on making some pastries. I can also teach you what I know; I can make quite a few kinds myself!"

Delightfully surprised, Mrs. Gao nodded again and again, as if she’d finally found a proper excuse to visit. She exchanged a few more quiet words and laughs with Yun Ying before turning to leave.

Li Changyu took Mrs. Gao’s hand, and they walked slowly down the willow-shaded path. He smiled and asked, "So, you’re getting along with them?"

Mrs. Gao gave a small, demure smile. "It’s alright." After a moment’s thought, she added, "Yun Ying is very nice, and that Juhua... she’s not bad either."

Li Changyu said no more, but he squeezed her hand tighter. It wasn’t until they were walking through their front door that he said softly, "From now on, if you want to go visit, you should."

Mrs. Gao nodded.

Once the wheat harvest was over, Mrs. Gao did indeed start visiting Yun Ying and Juhua every few days. She had initially intended to bring a young maidservant with her, but Li Changyu persuaded her not to. Instead, he would personally escort her there each time, and then return later in the day to bring her home.

Mrs. Gao would do needlework with them or exchange cooking tips, and they all found the time thoroughly enjoyable.

When she took out her embroidery, it instantly earned a chorus of praise, and no one could look away. Only Yun Ying remained composed. Having seen even more exquisite pieces and known many ladies from prominent families with superb skills, she wasn’t quite as astonished.

Juhua, of course, loved it. Mrs. Gao’s work was like a painting, possessing an elegant, ethereal quality. ’In my past life,’ she thought, ’I only ever saw embroidery like this in a shop window. Now, here, any random young lady can create such a masterpiece. It’s truly incredible!’

In truth, Liu Yunlan’s embroidery was also very good, but the two had completely different styles. It was like the difference between folk art and fine art, or between a folk ballad and a piece of classical music.

How to describe it? Liu Yunlan’s embroidery, whether of flowers, grass, insects, or fish, brimmed with the vibrancy of daily life. Her subjects had a festive air, like her flowers, or symbolized good fortune, like her fish, chickens, and ducks. Mrs. Gao’s work, on the other hand, was pure art, imbued with a poetic sensibility.