Su Xiaoqi took six packets of medicine from her sleeve pocket and handed them to Zhao Xiaomei, saying they were for Yu Jiansheng and he could try them, though she couldn't guarantee a cure.
But they wouldn't make him any worse.
Zhao Xiaomei was immensely grateful, her hand clasped with Su Xiaoqi's, at a loss for words.
Seeing that she was about to cry again, Su Xiaoqi quickly patted her hand to comfort her.
She called out Shen Yun, who was with Father Yu and Yu Jiansheng in the main hall.
They should probably leave; they couldn't handle Zhao Xiaomei's tendency to cry at the drop of a hat.
Shen Yun walked out. Zhao Xiaomei quickly wiped away her tears, fumbled through her clothes, and pulled out a talisman, thrusting it at him.
“Yun Ge’er, you’re about to rush off for your exams. I don’t have much to give you.
I went to the city to sell grain that day and drew a lot for you at the City God Temple. It said it was a great omen. Here you go.”
Shen Yun accepted it and thanked her politely.
Su Xiaoqi, however, raised an eyebrow. “Sister Xiaomei, you’re selling grain?”
Zhao Xiaomei nodded, saying that thanks to her, the grain crop was abundant this year, enough for their consumption, so they had sold some.
“That won’t do. Sister Xiaomei, have you thought about how farming families depend on the weather?
This year the heavens were kind, with favorable winds and timely rain. But what if next year is a year of famine again, like last year, and you can’t grow any grain?”
Su Xiaoqi explained anxiously.
If she had a reasonable excuse, she really wished she could clearly tell her that next year would be a year of famine.
“Uh, Husband, Sister Xiaoqi has a point. We must not sell the rest of our grain.” Zhao Xiaomei turned to Yu Jiansheng.
He nodded.
Grain was of utmost importance to ordinary people like them who lived by farming.
They had only thought of selling some for money because they saw they had a surplus and the price was high.
Now that everyone had a good harvest, grain prices had fallen, so there wasn't much point in selling.
Su Xiaoqi kindly hinted to them that they should advise their relatives and friends not to rush to sell their grain.
Keep it, and if next year is a good year, then sell.
The Yu family readily agreed and thanked the young couple again.
Only then did the two of them leave the Yu residence.
Shen Yun naturally took her hand.
Su Xiaoqi didn't pull away.
Walking hand in hand on the country path, listening to the cicadas, and feeling the slightly stuffy breeze, Su Xiaoqi felt remarkably calm.
She had initially expected Shen Yun to ask her some questions.
Such as why she was so sure next year would be a year of famine, or why she was so familiar with these new grain varieties.
But Shen Yun asked nothing.
He simply held her hand, occasionally supporting her solicitously, warning her of mud puddles ahead and telling her to be careful.
Just as Su Xiaoqi thought Shen Yun wouldn't say anything and they would walk back in silence,
Shen Yun suddenly took out the talisman Zhao Xiaomei had given him. He looked at Su Xiaoqi and asked,
“Wife, how do you think this should be kept?”
Su Xiaoqi thought for a moment and said seriously, “It should be kept in a sachet, shouldn’t it?”
If it were modern times, she might have suggested he keep it in his wallet.
But in this era, there were probably only sachets.
Shen Yun stared into her eyes, looking a little wronged. “Wife, you haven’t embroidered a sachet for me yet.”
“Ah… a sachet? What the heck? No, I don’t know how to do that!”
She hadn’t unlocked that skill yet.
Besides, the original owner was a beggar, always hanging around on the streets.
Uh, no. After the original owner was brought back to the Su family by Steward Su, she seemed to have learned a skill from the Su family’s embroidery ladies.
She had even made one for Su Jia Mo.
However, thinking of the original owner’s hands covered in needle pricks, Su Xiaoqi’s heart trembled.
It was too difficult.
But seeing the pathetic-looking Shen Yun before her, Su Xiaoqi’s heart softened, and she found herself unable to refuse him.
After a moment of thought, she gritted her teeth and agreed, “Alright, I’ll embroider one for you.
But let’s make it clear, my ten fingers are only accustomed to delicate work, I don’t know how to do that sort of thing. If it’s not well done, you mustn’t complain.”
“Wife, you jest. As long as it’s made by you, this husband cherishes it more than anything, how could I possibly complain? I wouldn’t dare,”
As Shen Yun spoke, he pulled Su Xiaoqi into his arms, as if she were a ferocious wife.
“Shen Yun…” Su Xiaoqi was angry.
“Oh, right, wife. Since you’re making a sachet, I think a hanging charm wouldn’t be amiss either?” Shen Yun took out the jade pendant given to him by Gu Shicheng from his inner pocket.
“Wife should really make two, one for you and one for me. Otherwise, if this jade pendant isn’t properly secured and falls off by accident, wouldn’t it be a waste of teacher’s kind intentions?”
This argument sounded so reasonable.
Su Xiaoqi’s mouth moved faster than her brain, and she agreed, “Okay, fine.”
Then she was met with Shen Yun’s triumphant smile.
Su Xiaoqi gritted her teeth, muttering to herself, “Hey, if it weren’t for your handsome face, I’d really want to punch you.”
Then Su Xiaoqi heard Shen Yun’s clear and gentle voice, “Wife, do you really think I’m handsome?”
Su Xiaoqi froze.
She suspected Shen Yun could hear her thoughts!
Upon returning home, Su Xiaoqi took out ten copies of the book for him to give to his maternal grandfather, Zhao Ci.
If it were in the past, their most suitable contact would naturally be the village head, Zhao Baoren.
But due to the incident with Zhao Haihua, the two parties had a falling out, and the previous rapport was gone.
To avoid an awkward situation, Su Xiaoqi decided not to seek him out for matters anymore.
Zhao Ci was, after all, the patriarch of the Zhao clan.
He would be able to speak for them.
Shen Yun wanted to invite her along. They had produced this book together.
Moreover, most of the content was her work, and he had only done some polishing and writing on her behalf.
If she went, she might be able to explain things more clearly.
But Su Xiaoqi shook her head repeatedly, saying she didn’t want to go. She might clash with Madam Qian, and if they argued, it would be upsetting.
Shen Yun thought that made sense, so he made the trip alone. He returned quickly, and the matter was handled smoothly.
“Grandfather was very happy to see the book. He praised you for alleviating the suffering of the common people and understanding agriculture, calling it an act that benefits the masses.”
Shen Yun mimicked Zhao Ci’s tone with great seriousness.
Su Xiaoqi felt a little embarrassed.
After all, these things were not her original creations; she was merely a conveyor of knowledge.
She had applied the agricultural knowledge she learned in modern times to the seeds she had been given, combined with the local conditions.
But Su Xiaoqi couldn’t tell Shen Yun this, so she could only cover his mouth and say,
“Oh, don’t just praise me. You contributed too.”
Shen Yun held her fingers and suddenly, with mischievous intent, bit down gently with his teeth.
“Mm… Are you a dog, you bit me?” Su Xiaoqi felt her index finger wet and glared at Shen Yun, quickly pulling it back.