Chapter 65 The Beauty is Sick "What?" Mother Liu looked at him in disbelief...

Liu Yeshu stood at the threshold as the night deepened. She took in the warm candlelight inside, and her mother's slightly awkward demeanor, before gently stepping inside. Her face still wore her usual gentle smile, though her eyes seemed a little more distant than usual.

"It's Aunt Li." She bowed to Matchmaker Li, her eyes scanning her elaborate attire and the gilded sandalwood fan in her hand. "Thank you for your trouble," she said, walking over to sit beside Liu's mother. She took the teapot from the table and carefully poured a cup of tea for her mother and herself. The aroma of tea wafted upward, diluting the slightly awkward atmosphere.

Matchmaker Li's eyes lit up when she saw her enter, and she quickly closed the fan in her hand. "That's right! Miss Liu, you young people often meet in the fields, so I'm sure you have some understanding of Mr. Fang's character. This child is kind-hearted, hardworking, well-educated, and well-mannered. He truly comes from a rare and good family. I hear his ancestors even served as officials in the capital!"

Liu Yeshu lowered her eyelids, watching the steam rising from the tea. The wisps of white mist seemed to bring back memories of Fang Bai—every time he came to help in the fields, he would quietly stand in an unobtrusive place, waiting for someone to need a hand. But the smile in his eyes always made her feel like there was something else hidden behind it.

"Mr. Fang is truly kindhearted. He's been helping Ling'er with our farm work these days. But..." She paused, then looked up at Matchmaker Li, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes. "Matchmaker, I'm really not interested in marriage right now. I still have the land at the General's Mansion to tend. Besides, I'm still young, and I want to share more of the burden with my mother and brother."

Matchmaker Li waved her fan rapidly. "The Fang family is willing to wait! They're in business, but they also own land, perfect for looking after it for you... They also own several shops in the city, so they're quite well off."

Liu Yeshu interrupted her gently but firmly: "Thank you for your kindness, Aunt Fang, but marriage is a big matter and should not be rushed. As you know, my father has gone to the battlefield, so these things need to be considered carefully." Her voice was still soft, but there was a hint of alienation in her tone.

Seeing Liu Yeshu's resolute attitude, yet her words were also reasonable and thoughtful, Matchmaker Li couldn't force her any further and had to get up and leave. Before leaving, she reminded her, "If you think things through, please send someone to look for me anytime."

After Matchmaker Li left, Liu Yeshu gazed at the moonlit courtyard in a trance. The spring night was slightly chilly, and the occasional barking of dogs could be heard in the distance. The fragrance of locust flowers drifted in on the evening breeze. Qi Yu's letter said the flowers at the border had also bloomed.

Back inside, Mother Liu put down her needlework and asked tentatively, "Shu'er, do you like this man?"

Liu Yeshu shook her head, her fingertips gently stroking the edge of the teacup: "It's not a matter of liking it or not."

Seeing her mother's hesitant look, Liu Yeshu smiled slightly: "Mother, don't worry. I just want to take care of these fields now. When Ling'er grows up, our lives will definitely be better."

Mother Liu took her daughter's hand and touched her roughened palm with a tender look. Her once delicate hands were now covered in calluses from working in the fields. She stood up and took out a few clothes from the box. "I embroidered some patterns on these clothes you brought from the General's Mansion. Take a look. Do you like them?"

Liu Yeshu took the clothes, all of which Qi Yu had brought from the capital. Some of them were stained and could not be washed out. But now, her mother had embroidered flowers and plants in detail over the stains, making them look like deliberately designed patterns.

"My mother embroidered it, so of course I like it."

Mother Liu watched her daughter caressing her clothes and asked tentatively, "I wonder if the general is this attentive to other people as well."

Liu Yeshu paused, then smiled and changed the subject: "Mom, tomorrow I'll go to town to deliver your embroidery and bring back some of your favorite snacks. Do you want to buy some red beans? I heard the new ones are especially good."

*

As spring blossomed, matchmakers flocked to the Liu family to propose marriages, even more frequently than the swallows of previous years. Ever since Matchmaker Li's visit, it was like stirring up a hornet's nest, with matchmakers from a ten-mile radius flocking to the door.

Some said the son of the rice shop owner in town had long admired Liu Yeshu, and whenever she went to the market, he would come personally to weigh the rice, even adding a few ounces extra. Others said a merchant family in the capital, impressed by her ability, had secretly sent someone to follow her in the fields, and when they saw her directing the servants planting rice, they praised her profusely. There were even rumors that the nephew of the general's steward also wanted a marriage, since Liu Yeshu already worked there. These rumors, a mixture of truth and falsehood, gave Liu Yeshu a headache.

At first, she patiently and politely declined each offer. But the matchmakers kept coming, as if by appointment. Even while working in the fields, she'd encounter a matchmaker who "just happened to be passing by," claiming to be checking on the crops, but actually rambling on about some young man.

That afternoon, Liu Yeshu had just returned from the fields, her hands still caked with mud. Another matchmaker sat in the main hall. She ate sunflower seeds and chattered nonstop about a young man from a certain family in the prefecture, boasting both talent and beauty, a wealthy family, and, it was rumored, even studied in the capital. As Liu Yeshu listened to these clichés, while discreetly wiping the mud from her hands, an idea suddenly struck her.

She lowered her eyes and sighed deeply: "Aunt, I have a secret that I cannot tell you. Please keep it secret for me."

The matchmaker immediately stopped cracking melon seeds and pricked up her ears: "Miss, please feel free to speak."

Liu Yeshu bit her lip and said with a firm resolve, "During my exile, I caught a cold and became seriously ill. The doctor said..." She paused, her voice lowering, "that I might not be able to have children. In such a situation, how could I dare to delay her?"

The matchmaker's melon seeds clattered to the ground. She opened her mouth, speechless for a moment. Soon, she found an excuse and hurriedly left. Liu Yeshu noticed her hesitation as she left, knowing the rumor would spread quickly.

Sure enough, within three days, the news had spread throughout the village. Fewer people came to propose marriage, but the neighbors looked at her strangely. Even when Liu Yeshu went into the village to harvest grain, she could hear whispers behind her.

Some lamented her difficult fate: "Such a good girl, how could such a thing happen to her?" Others shook their heads: "No wonder she doesn't want to get married, so this is the reason." Some even gossiped behind her back: "Maybe she has a hard life, she will be unlucky and have no children."

Liu's mother heard the rumor from Widow Wang and was trembling with anger that night. Xiao Yu'er was sitting beside her, her nose and tears streaming from a cold. Liu Yeshu was brewing medicine for Xiao Yu'er at the stove when she heard her mother suddenly ask, "Who's spreading this nonsense out there? Shu'er, tell me, is someone spreading this rumor to bully you?"

Liu Yeshu paused with the medicine spoon in her hand. She looked up and saw her mother's pale face and red eyes. Her heart ached. She put the medicine spoon down and squatted gently beside her mother. "Mom...I said it myself."

"What?" Mother Liu looked at her daughter in disbelief. "You've recovered a long time ago, why are you saying that?"

Liu Yeshu held her mother's trembling hand and explained softly: "I just don't want to get married. Mom, don't worry, I don't care what outsiders say. As long as our family is well, I will be content." Xiao Yu'er listened with sobs on the side, not knowing whether it was because she was sick or because she was frightened by Liu's mother's expression.

"Silly child..." Mother Liu finally burst into tears. "Why do you have to do this? If those matchmakers come to your house, you can just send them away. Why ruin your reputation?"

"What's the point of reputation?" Liu Yeshu smiled and wiped Xiao Yu'er's nose. "As long as I can live a quiet life, I'll be content."

"Shu'er, you child..." Mother Liu looked at her daughter's smile, heartbroken and speechless. "If you find a lover in the future and hear these rumors, I'm afraid..."

Liu Yeshu leaned in her mother's arms, her tone calm: "If that's the case, then it's better not to marry."

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Mother Liu was furious and anxious. "Tell me, what kind of husband's family do you want to find in the future?"

"Ah! The medicine I boiled is almost dry!" Liu Yeshu suddenly stood up and ran towards the door. When she reached the threshold, she turned back and stuck out her tongue playfully at her mother, a soft light flashing in her eyes.

"I think someone like General Qi is very good."

*

Back in her room, Liu Yeshu had just stood up and was about to remove her outer garment when she heard the familiar, crisp notification tone. She was startled for a moment, then looked up to see a translucent blue screen slowly unfold before her eyes. The bright blue light illuminated her delicate features, making them appear even more gentle.

[System Notice: Congratulations to the host for completing the task of reclaiming the land in the General's Mansion!]

[Task rewards are as follows:]

Points reward: 500 points

Herbal seed rewards: 10 catties each of angelica, licorice, astragalus, ganoderma, platycodon, and honeysuckle seeds

Special reward: One opportunity to exchange points for silver

Liu Yeshu's eyes swept across the system interface one by one, and a faint smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of her lips.

All her hard work over the past few days had finally paid off, especially the precious herb seeds, which made her eyes light up. Her fingers gently ran over the names of each herb, and her mind had already sketched out their future appearance.

Ganoderma lucidum is the king of herbs; Chinese angelica nourishes the blood and qi; astragalus strengthens the body and replenishes the vital energy...each one is a rare and effective medicine.

In this bitterly cold frontier, these herbs are even more precious. Lingzhi and Astragalus membranaceus are especially rare, as they are not only difficult to find locally, but their successful cultivation would also be of great benefit to their future medicinal uses.

On the system panel, the "Exchange Points for Silver" button was flashing a soft light.

"Bai Ke, is there a limit on the amount of silver that can be exchanged for points this time? How much silver can be exchanged?"

[Host, the maximum number of points you can redeem this time is 300. Every 10 points can be redeemed for one tael of silver. After this redemption is completed, the points will be deducted accordingly, and the system will not charge any additional fees.]

【The exchanged silver can be directly deposited into your wallet and can be used at any time.】

Liu Yeshu's slender fingers brushed across the screen, and after a moment's thought, she decided to leave it alone. Tomorrow, she had to review the accounts with Widow Wang, and there would surely be a substantial share coming in. There was no need to rush into this exchange opportunity.

As the system panel faded, her thoughts became increasingly active. Obtaining these precious herb seeds had sparked the idea of ​​developing a medicinal plant. Ever since the last epidemic, when she'd watched so many people suffer from a lack of medical care and medicine, she'd been searching for a way to stockpile medicinal materials. Now, these seeds were like a timely help, adding fuel to her plans.

Just as she was thinking, the system popped up another gentle reminder:

[System Additional Tip: Before planting herbal seeds, it is recommended to warm them first to improve their efficacy and survival rate.]

This reminder made Liu Yeshu's eyes light up. She remembered that the grain seeds that had been nurtured by the system last year not only had an extremely high germination rate, but also grew much stronger than ordinary farmers' crops. She quickly swiped across the light screen, carefully transferring all the herbal seeds to the nurturing interface.

A faint blue light enveloped the seeds, like moonlight spilling over a clear stream, gentle and mysterious. The system quickly indicated that the seeds had entered the nurturing state. Liu Yeshu finally breathed a sigh of relief and slowly leaned against the headboard.

The moonlight outside the window was deep, and a cool night breeze rustled through the window lattice, bringing a touch of fresh air. She leaned against the headboard, her eyes closed, and her mind conjured a picture of medicinal fields overflowing with fragrant herbs. From the initial flustered state to the current ease and control.

"Although this journey has been hard, it has also been full of surprises."

As the night deepened, she gently drew back the curtains, but sleep remained a long time away. Her worries transformed into anticipation for the future, quietly sprouting in the quiet of the night.

*

The early summer sun bathed the courtyard of the Tang Mansion, illuminating the newly opened pomegranate blossoms with even greater vividness. Liu Yeshu stood before the flower-draped gate and handed a visiting card to the gatekeeper. Seeing that she was Miss Chu's good friend, the maid smiled and ushered her in.

Passing the screen wall and skirting the rockery, the sound of footsteps startled a few egrets frolicking by the pond. Willow leaves fluttered across the splashing water as they followed the bluestone path to the inner courtyard. A young maid led the way, through several corridors, to Chu Yurou's residence. The wisteria was in full bloom, its drooping blossoms tinting the entire courtyard a pale purple.

Chu Yurou was embroidering in the hallway. She looked up at the sound of footsteps, her face suddenly lit up with unconcealable joy. She put her embroidery frame on a chair, hurried over, and affectionately took Liu Yeshu's hand. "You're finally here! I've been thinking about you all these days, saying that you should come and talk to me after you finish your work in the fields."

Liu Yeshu asked her to sit down, and the maid brought her freshly brewed tea, the fragrance of tea intertwined with the scent of wisteria flowers. She pulled a small celadon bottle from her sleeve and handed it to Chu Yurou, "Sister Yurou, a few days ago you said your mother's condition hadn't improved. This is the best medicinal herb I specially asked someone to find. I worked through the night to prepare this elixir. It's very effective for coughs."

Chu Yurou's face suddenly turned pale when she heard this. She looked at the small celadon bottle, tears welling in her eyes, and her voice choked with sobs: "Ye Shu...my mother...is no longer here."

Liu Yeshu was startled and nearly dropped the medicine bottle in her hand. She remembered that the last time they met, Chu Yurou had said her mother was seriously ill. She had searched through the medical books left by her grandmother, looking for the best prescription, and spent several sleepless nights brewing medicine. "How could it be... Last time you said..."

"The last time I saw you, my mother had just passed away." Chu Yurou forced a smile, twisting her handkerchief between her fingers. "I hadn't recovered from the shock at that time and didn't know how to start. Later, you were busy with things in the fields, so I... never said anything."

"I'm sorry, Sister Yurou." Liu Yeshu felt a pang of sadness in her heart and hugged Chu Yurou tightly. "I should come to see you more often."

"How can I blame you for this?" Chu Yurou patted her back, her voice choked with sobs. "I'm very touched that you still remember my mother's illness and even specially prepared medicine for her."

The two of them were silent for a moment. Chu Yurou forced herself to cheer up and wiped her eyes. "Tell me about you. You've been working hard in the fields these days, haven't you? What's the difficulty?"

Liu Yeshu took a sip of tea, watching the tea leaves in the cup rise and fall, and suddenly said, "Sister Yurou... How does it feel to become a concubine?"

This sentence seemed particularly abrupt in her gentle tone. Chu Yurou was stunned for a moment. After a moment, a complex look flashed in her eyes. The brilliance in her eyes dimmed slightly, and she laughed softly, but with a hint of helplessness and forbearance that could not be concealed: "So that's what you're asking."

She lowered her gaze, watching the tea leaves floating lightly in the teacup, her fingertips slowly rubbing the rim, as if searching for the right words: "Sister Ye Shu, a concubine...is like this duckweed, drifting aimlessly, forever lacking a foundation. Although there are days of joy, it is always like walking on thin ice." She smiled bitterly, "Although I am favored, I still dare not expect too much."

Liu Yeshu listened quietly, her eyes deep. Chu Yurou's hand felt a little cold, and she held it tightly, as if to convey a little warmth. Chu Yurou looked up at her, a hint of calmness in her expression: "Although Lord Tang treats me well, and his wife is quite tolerant, but... after all, I am still living under someone else's roof and am inferior to others."

She suddenly thought of something, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "Ye Shu, you're not... thinking of becoming General Qi's concubine, are you?"

Liu Yeshu's body stiffened, the teacup swaying slightly in her hands. She lowered her head to hide her panic, "No...nothing."

"Was it General Qi who proposed this?" Chu Yurou frowned, her tone full of concern.

"No." Liu Yeshu shook her head, her voice very soft. "I can't explain it clearly. It's just... I just suddenly want to know what it feels like to be a concubine." She raised her head, met Chu Yurou's worried gaze, and forced a smile. "Maybe I've been annoyed by those matchmakers lately, so I have these messed up thoughts."

Chu Yurou held her hand tightly: "Ye Shu, you have to remember..." She paused, choosing her words, "Being a concubine is not a way to repay a favor."

Liu Yeshu's hands trembled slightly. "I know. I just... I just feel that if I could stay in the General's Mansion, it might be a stable way to live."

"You..." Chu Yurou looked at her distressedly, "Don't trade your life for that little peace. If you really become a concubine, not only will you lose your freedom, but you will also suffer all kinds of grievances. No matter how well General Qi treats you, it is ultimately the master's way of treating his servants."

Liu Yeshu was silent for a moment, then stood up and straightened her clothes. "It's getting late, I have to go check on the fields. The millet I planted a few days ago should be sprouting by now."

"Go ahead." Chu Yurou gently pushed her, "Remember to come visit me often. Although this mansion has enough food and clothing, it always lacks someone to speak their mind to."

Liu Yeshu nodded, turned, and walked out. The sunlight shone through the lattice windows of the corridor onto her, making her back look particularly thin.

The flower petals fell on her shoulders, like her worries.

*

The setting sun stained the border sky red. A shattered dusk gradually enveloped the battlefield, and a few unburied corpses could be seen on the distant hills. A cold wind, carrying yellow sand, swept through the military tents, ruffling the curtains and bringing an unsettling chill.

Inside the tent, a candle flickered as Qi Yu bent over his desk, poring over a military text. The teapot beside him had long since cooled, its leaves stagnating at the bottom, like soldiers asleep on the battlefield. The desk was piled high with secret reports and maps, each one charting the enemy's movements. The candle, half-burned, cast his shadow against the tent wall, swaying in the breeze, as if interpreting some unspoken omen.

Suddenly, he sneezed loudly.

Qi Yu rubbed his nose with his hand and looked outside the tent. It was late at night. In the distance, he could faintly hear the footsteps of patrolling soldiers treading on gravel, occasionally punctuated by the neighing of horses. Even at the border in April, the night wind still carried a chill, carrying sand and dust into the tent.

He stood up, walked to the bed, and took the breastplate from the box. Moonlight filtered through the cracks in the tent ceiling, illuminating the breastplate and highlighting the delicate, neat stitching. He put the breastplate on and expertly tied the leather straps. The armor seemed to carry a distant memory, pressing against his heart, warm and reassuring.

A whistle blew from outside the tent, and the sound of horses' hooves clattered in the darkness. Qi Yu's expression froze, and he hurried out of the tent. The night breeze lifted his robe, and for a moment, he seemed to smell a faint fragrance. It was the incense she had used to fumigate her breastplate, which was said to repel insects and prevent moths.

"I hope she'll be as attentive during the spring plowing as she was sewing this breastplate." Qi Yu muttered to himself, then shook his head and laughed, "But I don't need to worry about this girl's work."