Rebirth of a Farming Wife

In order to transcribe the military tactics manual, Su Wenyue had confined herself to the study room for the past few days, not allowing anyone to enter. Even General Hu Wei’s military manual was coveted by many, let alone such timeless classics as The Art of War and the Thirty-Six Stratagems. It’s always good to be cautious.

After all, it was a matter of her previous life, and Su Wenyue couldn’t perfectly recite and write down every word. After piecing together bits and pieces for a few days, she finally managed to write down the gist of the contents, and then she recopied it onto fresh paper, binding it into a book once the ink had dried. After the transcription, Su Wenyue burned the rough draft, leaving only the final copy for Han Yu.

“Finally, it’s done.” Holding the two transcribed copies of the military manual in her hands, Su Wenyue felt a great sense of accomplishment. She was eagerly awaiting Han Yu’s return to present her treasure to him. Surely Han Yu would be thrilled to receive these two manuals, she thought, and a smile unconsciously spread across her face.

Han Yu hadn’t returned in the past two days, but he would surely come back tonight. Having hidden the military manual, Su Wenyue could finally sleep peacefully. These past days had been exhausting, and she felt dark circles forming under her eyes. If Han Yu returned and saw her like this, he would certainly catch her for a lecture.

Grandma Chen and Xiao Xi were relieved to see Su Wenyue finally emerging from the study room. Although the first dangerous three months of pregnancy had passed, a pregnant woman should not overexert herself. However, Madam had been like a woman possessed these past two days, and nobody knew what she was doing in the study room. They couldn’t persuade her otherwise.

“Madam, your servant has prepared chicken soup for you since morning. Please finish the soup before you sleep,” said Grandma Chen. As she spoke, Xiao Xi had already gone to the kitchen to bring the chicken soup over.

Su Wenyue felt somewhat tired of chicken soup, but for the sake of the child in her stomach, she took the soup and drank it after testing its temperature.

After sleeping for a while longer, Su Wenyue woke up to have her lunch. She wanted to go outside for a walk when she heard that a visitor had come, so she had to put aside her plans for going out.

“Madam, that woman you saved that day is outside right now, seeking an audience with you. She says she wants to thank you for your kindness. Madam, would you like to meet her?” If it were anyone else, Xiao Xi would have sent them away, but it was an ordinary civilian woman, whom the Madam had previously instructed to pay special attention to because Madam cared a great deal about her, so Xiao Xi was especially mindful and treated this woman differently.

Su Wenyue was momentarily stunned, then remembered who Xiao Xi was talking about and quickly asked Xiao Xi to invite the woman in. She was still considering how to forge a closer relationship with this woman.

The woman Xiao Xi referred to was someone Su Wenyue had met at the entrance of a pharmacy shop. At that time, the woman had no money and was kneeling in front of the pharmacy to beg for medicine to save her critically ill son, but the pharmacy’s staff refused. Overcome with sorrow and despair, the woman fainted.

Moved by the woman’s maternal love, Su Wenyue spontaneously helped her to wake up, and she even provided silver to pay for a doctor to treat and prescribe medicine for the woman’s son.

The woman expressed her gratitude by kowtowing to Su Wenyue, who quickly went to support her. Inadvertently, she noticed a butterfly-shaped birthmark on the woman’s wrist, and a person’s words from her past life flashed through her mind, instantly reminding her of the woman’s identity. The woman was none other than…!

Su Wenyue maintained her composure, but her heart was filled with both shock and joy. Indeed, what goes around comes around. She had serendipitously acted out of kindness to save a woman, only for the heavens to reward her with a windfall. With this woman’s help, Han Yu’s support network would be strengthened. However, the time wasn’t right to reveal the woman’s identity yet. Han Yu’s foundation in the military camp was still not deep enough, and there was much he needed to learn. It wasn’t the best moment. Moreover, even if she planned to use the woman’s status, it had to be at an opportune moment, or it might seem too deliberate, raising suspicions about their intentions, for she would not have known of the woman’s identity without the experiences and memories from her previous life.

“Aunt, please have a seat. I didn’t expect your visit today, and I hope you won’t take offense at any neglect!” Su Wenyue personally greeted the woman at the door and escorted her inside. The woman was flattered and surprised to find that the kind stranger who had saved her and her son was actually the wife of an official. She had followed the address given by her benefactor to find the place, but once she reached the courtyard entrance, she felt somewhat inappropriate to call upon them so abruptly.

“How can Madam speak like this? I am but a crude woman; you mustn’t say such things about me. I am unworthy of Madam’s kindness! I came here today to express my thanks for the life-saving help you gave to my son and me. I have nothing of value to give in return, Madam. These eggs are from my own chickens and these plums I’ve pickled myself. They’re not much, but they represent my sincere gratitude. If Madam doesn’t mind, please accept them.”

“How could I mind? You made these plums yourself, Aunt, and since I’ve been pregnant, I’ve craved sour things. I was just thinking about having some, and you’ve brought them to me,” Su Wenyue said as she opened the container and took a plum to put in her mouth, assuring the woman of her trust.

Grandma Chen and Xiao Xi did not approve of Su Wenyue’s gesture but refrained from saying anything else in front of the woman, recognizing that Madam had a different attitude toward this woman and must have her reasons.

Su Wenyue initially acted as such just to bond with the woman, but her eyes lit up upon tasting the plum; it was really delicious, with a unique flavor that surpassed any plum she had eaten before.

“Aunt, these plums are too delicious,” Su Wenyue remarked as she picked another to taste.

The woman was delighted with the praise for the plums she had pickled and was happy that her benefactor appreciated them. The pickled plums were, after all, a specialty passed down from her ancestors, not easily replicated by others.

“If Madam likes them, I have more at home and will bring them to you next time.”

“That would be wonderful,” Su Wenyue replied, reaching for another plum before being stopped by the watchful Grandma Chen.

“I haven’t yet asked for Aunt’s name. This child must be your son, right? He looks well; has he fully recovered?” Su Wenyue asked with a smile.

The woman had specially brought her son today: “My name is Feng Susu, my husband’s family name is An, and this is my son An Tai. Thanks to Madam’s kind actions, the doctor was able to treat him, and he is now fully recovered. An Tai, you must kowtow to Madam. She is the great benefactor who saved our lives. Remember, a debt of gratitude is to be repaid like a spring for a favor as small as a drop of water. Never forget Madam’s kindness.”

An Tai was a sensible child and before Feng could finish, he knelt and kowtowed to Su Wenyue repeatedly, his face showing deep gratitude: “An Tai thanks Madam for the gift of life and will never forget it!”

If Su Wenyue had any lingering doubts, they were dispelled by the woman’s announcement of her name and her husband’s surname. She swiftly helped An Tai to his feet.