mugwort fragrance

A few days after the mugwort was planted, it quickly took root in the new environment and sprouted more tender green leaves under the nourishment of the warm spring sun and sufficient water.

When the breeze blows through the medicinal fields, it brings waves of clear and unique fragrance. This smell is not as sweet as the fragrance of flowers, but it has a power that can calm the mind.

That afternoon, Chen Bozhou helped Yunwu spread out a batch of newly picked herbs in the yard to dry.

The sun is shining brightly, and the aroma of mugwort fills the air, intertwining with the bitter taste of herbs to create a unique atmosphere.

"The smell of this mugwort is quite pleasant." Chen Bozhou took a deep breath and said as he sorted the spread out herbs, "It smells better than the incense sold in town."

Yunwu was carefully turning over pieces of white peony leaves. Upon hearing this, she gave a soft "hmm" and her eyes unconsciously drifted to the row of well-growing mugwort by the edge of the field.

In the sunlight, the silvery-white hairs on the back of the mugwort leaves gleam slightly.

"After a few days, when the mugwort leaves are a little older," Yunwu said softly, his hands moving non-stop, "we can harvest the first batch."

Chen Bozhou immediately became interested and came closer to ask, "What are you going to do with them? Are you really going to make moxa? I remember you said that moxa should be aged first."

"Not for making moxa." Yunwu shook her head and turned over a perfectly dried tablet. "Fresh moxa leaves can be used to boil water."

"Boil water?" Chen Bozhou was even more curious. "Drink it? What are its benefits?"

"It's not for drinking." Yunwu finally raised his head, glanced at Chen Bozhou, then quickly lowered his eyes, his voice softer, "It's for soaking your feet. The humidity is high in spring, and after a day of hard work, soaking your feet in mugwort water can dispel cold and dampness, and invigorate your muscles and bones."

Chen Bozhou was stunned. He looked at Yunwu's slightly red ears and suddenly understood something. Yunwu had planted mugwort specifically for him.

He remembered that he had casually mentioned a few days ago that his knees felt sore after working in the fields after the rain. He didn't expect Yunwu to remember it.

A warm feeling suddenly surged into his heart, and Chen Bozhou felt his throat tighten. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found that any words of gratitude seemed pale at this moment.

"You..." He finally uttered only one word in a hoarse voice, looking at Yunwu with burning eyes.

Yunwu felt a little uncomfortable being stared at. She tilted her head away, her ears turning even redder, and her hands quickened the pace of turning the herbs. "It's just by the way," he explained in a low voice, a hint of barely perceptible panic in his tone. "Mugwort has its uses."

Chen Bozhou felt his heart soften as he watched Yun Wu, in this rare state of embarrassment. He knew Yun Wu was a reserved person, and it was incredibly rare for him to think this far for him.

He didn't ask any more questions, but just smiled and replied, "Okay, then when the mugwort leaves are ready to be picked, you teach me how to make them. We can make them together."

The words "Let's do it together" relaxed Yunwu's tense shoulders slightly. He nodded almost imperceptibly, agreeing.

After a few days, the mugwort leaves grew thicker and their fragrance became stronger. After finishing work that day, Yunwu took a small bamboo basket, walked to the edge of the field, and began to pick the outermost dark green leaves.

Chen Bozhou hurriedly followed and imitated him, carefully pinching off the mugwort leaves, trying his best to avoid damaging the plants.

"Is this enough?" Chen Bozhou asked after picking about half a basket.

Yunwu looked at the mugwort leaves in the basket and nodded: "That's enough. The leftovers can be dried and stored."

Back in the Yun family courtyard, Yun Wu carefully washed the mugwort leaves, then put them into a large ceramic pot, filled it with water, put it on the stove and started to boil.

After a while, a more intense and mellow aroma of mugwort than before spread with the steam, filling the entire kitchen and even drifting into the yard.

Chen Bozhou sat in front of the stove, helping to watch the fire. He watched Yunwu's silhouette busy at the stove, the dancing flames casting a warm halo around his thin figure.

The aroma of mugwort in the air, the bubbling sound in the pot, and the person busy for him together create an extremely peaceful and warm picture.

"It's done." After about half an hour of boiling, Yunwu turned off the fire. He placed a cloth pad on the pot and poured the boiling mugwort water into two wooden basins. He then added some cold water and tested the temperature.

"Okay." He brought one of the pots to Chen Bozhou.

The two sat on a small stool under the courtyard porch, took off their shoes and socks, and immersed their feet in the warm mugwort water. A warmth instantly spread from the soles of their feet to their entire bodies, carrying the unique medicinal properties of mugwort, soothing the fatigue and aches after a tiring day.

"Hmm..." Shen Bozhou sighed comfortably and couldn't help moving his toes, causing ripples. "It's really comfortable."

Yunwu didn't say anything, but just soaked her feet quietly, with her eyes slightly closed, and her thick eyelashes cast a faint shadow under her eyes.

The moonlight shone on him, making him look particularly peaceful.

Chen Bozhou looked sideways at him, his heart filled with an indescribable sense of contentment. He suddenly felt that happiness was probably what it felt like at this moment. After a hard day's work, he could sit side by side with his beloved, soaking in the cold-dispelling mugwort water and inhaling the soothing aroma. Without saying a word, he felt that time was peaceful and good.

"Yunwu," he said softly, breaking the silence of the night, "thank you."

Yunwu opened her eyes and turned her head to look at him. Under the moonlight, his eyes were as clear as water.

"Thank you for what?" he asked softly.

"Thank you for the mugwort water," Chen Bozhou looked at him with a gentle and focused gaze, "and thank you... for taking me to heart."

Yun Wu was stunned, as if he had not expected him to speak so bluntly. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end he just lowered his head slightly, avoiding Chen Bozhou's overly scorching gaze.

However, his feet, soaked in mugwort water, touched Chen Mozhou's feet almost imperceptibly.

It was just a tiny movement, not even a touch, but it made Shen Bozhou's heart jump suddenly, and a huge joy swept over him in an instant.

He didn't dare move, for fear of disturbing this moment of intimacy.

The night breeze was gentle, and the fragrance of mugwort flowed quietly through the courtyard. The two sat side by side, soaking in the warm mugwort water, letting the moonlight bathe them.

After a long time, the water gradually became cold.

"The water is cold, it's time to get up." Yunwu said softly and was the first to lift his feet out.

Chen Bozhou also stood up, and the two of them poured out the water together and put away the wooden basin.

"Tomorrow," Chen Bozhou stood at the gate of the courtyard and smiled back at Yunwu before parting, "I'll come again."

In the moonlight, Yunwu stood by the door, thin and tall. He did not say "OK" or nod, but just stood there quietly, watching Chen Bozhou leave.

But Chen Bozhou knew that this meant he had agreed.

He walked home in the moonlight, feeling warm all over and even his steps became lighter.

The fragrance of mugwort seems to still linger in the air.