Chapter 792 - 408: Simplicity is a Blessing

Chapter 792: Chapter 408: Simplicity is a Blessing

That evening, Zhang Huai recounted the day’s events to Juhua, who couldn’t help but laugh. "After hearing all that, you and my brother must be regretting it to death, aren’t you?"

Zhang Huai shook his head, pulling her wearily into his embrace. He sighed. "People only see the Master’s glamorous side, but he may not have actually enjoyed that kind of life. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have lived in seclusion in our village for so many years. Manager Song said the Master has had several rises and falls in his career. Outsiders have no idea how much danger was involved in all that. I think, given the choice, he’d still prefer to live here in Qingnan Village."

Juhua nodded. "That old Master is different from his nephew. His character has been cultivated to the point of returning to true simplicity."

Zhang Huai said softly, "Even so, he still left. He often said that a man must act according to the situation, advancing or retreating freely." Stroking Juhua’s cheek, he chuckled. "It’s all about taking things as they come. A few years ago, he was forced into retirement, and now he’s back in the imperial court. The Master is just taking things as they come!"

Juhua couldn’t help but smile as well. That old Master truly lived an unrestrained life.

They murmured to each other for a while longer. Juhua realized that far from feeling regret, Zhang Huai was deeply moved by the whole affair, feeling that his own life was incomparably blessed. A wave of tenderness seemed to wash over him, and they were lost in each other’s arms until the backyard rooster’s first crow, when they finally fell into a deep sleep.

When a hazy glimmer of light filtered through the window lattice, Juhua woke up right on schedule out of habit, though she hadn’t had nearly enough sleep. She really didn’t want to get out of bed, but the sound of two little children laughing came from the small cot. If she didn’t get up soon, she was afraid they’d be smeared all over with their own mess.

She rose with a sigh of resignation and grumbled at their father, who was already wide awake and watching her with a smile. "What are you smiling at? Go get some water. Let’s give them a bath first. It’s not like winter anymore; it’s better to wash them once in the morning and once at night. When the weather gets hot, we’ll have to wash them several times a day, otherwise they’ll get sick from all the sweat."

Zhang Huai gave a soft, apologetic chuckle and stroked the smooth nape of her neck. "I’ll take them out and get them cleaned up," he said gently. "You sleep a little longer. I’m not going out this morning, I’ll watch them with Pu Pao."

Juhua shook her head. Spring mornings were the most beautiful time of day. From the mountain behind the house, the songs of birds rose and fell—each one clear and sweet, yet distinct, every note striking a chord in her heart and making her spirit tremble. Even though she was short on sleep, hearing that elegant chorus put her in an inexplicably good mood. Besides, with the whole courtyard bustling with activity, it just wouldn’t be right for her to be sleeping in.

Seeing she wasn’t going back to sleep, Zhang Huai quickly got up and went to the kitchen to fetch water to help his wife and sons.

Juhua was quite adept at caring for the babies now. After a flurry of activity, she and Zhang Huai each emerged into the courtyard holding a clean, fresh-smelling baby, joining the Liu family’s little Jing’er to begin their daily morning ruckus of laughter and play.

The sky was bright now. The flowers and trees looked fresh and delightful, and wisps of light mist drifted around the courtyard walls and through the branches of the trees.

Hearing the babies’ laughter, He came out of the kitchen. "Why didn’t you sleep in a bit?" she asked Juhua. "It’s just getting light out. These two little things, they wake up the second the rooster crows—earlier than their grandma does."

Her face was relaxed and cheerful, and she seemed even happier than usual, as if filled with the joy of having weathered yesterday’s storm.

When she saw Banli grinning at her, she puffed out her cheeks and gave the baby a playful glare, chiding, "What are you doing up so early? You can’t carry a hoe and you can’t hold a broom; you just make people carry you. Why don’t you go help Grandpa herd the ox? From now on, our family’s ox is your responsibility."

Hearing his grandma rattle on at him, Banli was so delighted he started giggling happily.

Juhua placed Banli in his little cart, leaving him for Pu Pao and Grandma Liu to watch. She then went to the kitchen to wash up and make breakfast, with Aunt Liu lending a hand. Meanwhile, He gathered a pile of laundry and sat in the courtyard scrubbing it. A smiling Zhang Dashuan shouldered his hoe and left through the courtyard gate with Liu Heizi, the two of them disappearing into the misty fields.

After washing up quickly, Zhang Huai also headed straight for the back mountain to check on the wood ear mushrooms.

It was an ordinary, unremarkable morning. If not for the sudden rumor from the day before, this life, as calm as still water, would not have been disturbed by a single ripple.

By the time Juhua and Aunt Liu had finished making breakfast, the sun had leaped up from behind the old part of the village. The mist veiled its brilliance, leaving only a solid red disk hanging in the eastern sky.

After feeding the chickens, Pu Pao shooed them all out of the courtyard. She then grabbed a broom and swept the yard spotless. Next, she went to the coops in the backyard to collect the chicken and duck eggs, after which she cleaned the house. Then she fetched a basin of water to wipe down the furniture, tables, chairs, and windows. Her small figure bustled in and out, never stopping for a moment.