Han Xue and Chun Yu were not surprised. Their young lady's fondness for rainy days meant sleeping.
And she always had a justification, saying that such weather was a waste if she didn't sleep, a disservice to herself and the weather.
After the two maids closed the door and left, Fu Xin Ci slipped into the space.
The space was still verdant, especially the land where the ginseng grew, which was lush and thriving.
Fu Xin Ci had not been idle these past few days. The area of ginseng had almost increased by a third, with many young ginseng sprouts growing around the perimeter.
Sometimes, Fu Xin Ci even thought about selling some of the ginseng once the space leveled up.
Otherwise, she feared her space would eventually be overcrowded with ginseng.
Still, looking at the vast expanse of flourishing ginseng beneath her feet, she felt a sense of accomplishment.
In this era, few could cultivate ginseng on such a scale.
Fu Xin Ci even considered discussing with her grandfather after the space leveled up. She wondered if she could sell some of the medium and lower-grade ginseng from her space to familiar traveling merchants.
As for the high-quality aged ginseng, she would need to consider it carefully.
People in power in this era all liked to collect aged ginseng, so she needed to think it through before deciding whether to part with it.
Fu Xin Ci channeled her power into the ginseng while her mind was occupied with other thoughts.
The result of multitasking was that she failed to notice a slight tremor in the ground after several aged ginseng plants bloomed simultaneously.
"..." Fu Xin Ci's eyelids drooped. Just like the previous days, she emerged from the space only after exhausting herself.
Hearing the rain still drumming on the eaves, showing no signs of stopping.
She was too lazy to even lift her eyelids, muttering something she couldn't recall before falling asleep on the large pillow.
She slept so soundly that she noticed no changes.
It wasn't until she vaguely heard Ning'er's laughter in her sleep that she groggily opened her eyes.
Perhaps due to sleepiness, it took her a while to realize where she was.
When she sat up and looked out the window, she saw that the rain had stopped at some point.
Han Xue and Chun Yu had been sitting in the main hall doing needlework, whispering to each other but always attentive to the sounds from their young lady's room.
"Sister Han Xue, the young lady seems to be awake."
"Yes, I heard it too."
The two women put down their needlework, ready to attend to their young lady, when they saw her emerge with a small, rosy, sleep-flushed face.
"Han Xue, what time is it?"
"Young lady, it is nearing the end of the afternoon."
"I really slept a lot." Fu Xin Ci again swayed her neck before asking Han Xue, "What are we having for dinner?"
"I believe it's pan-fried leavened pancakes, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, salted dried tofu, and clam soup. I overheard the young master asking Madam earlier."
"The young master also said he wanted braised fish, and Madam agreed."
"Hmm, you've made me hungry with your description." Fu Xin Ci actually craved clams.
"Then I'll go to the kitchen now and see if there's anything to eat to bring some for you."
"No need, we'll be having dinner soon. If I eat now, I won't have any appetite for dinner."
"Young lady, how about I bring you some sunflower seeds to pass the time?"
"Better not. In this weather, the sunflower seeds might get damp, and they won't be as fragrant."
Han Xue and Chun Yu really wanted to ask what they should do, as they didn't want their young lady to go hungry.
Fu Xin Ci did not dwell on the matter. "I'll go for a walk in the courtyard."
"I'll accompany you."
Fu Xin Ci smiled and led the way out.
Water droplets still dripped from the eaves. The large trees in the courtyard, washed clean by the rain, appeared exceptionally bright, their green leaves shimmering enchantingly in the sunlight.
The air after the rain was exceptionally fresh, exuding a faint scent of grass.
Fu Xin Ci, however, was instantly reminded of Dragon City and her companions.
The two maids followed behind her, not seeing the trace of melancholy on her face.
Chun Yu, being younger and more lively, pointed at the rainbow in the sky, asking her young lady to look.
"Young lady, look at that beautiful rainbow bridge in the sky. I remember when I was little, my mother told me it was a bridge built by celestial beings, usually hidden in the clouds. Mortals can only see it when the rain clears."
"What your mother said is very nice." Fu Xin Ci didn't say that it was the first time she had heard such a version.
Han Xue was also touched by Chun Yu's words, but she couldn't even remember her mother's appearance, let alone what she had said.
The three mistresses and maids stood on the bluestone paved path, gazing at the rain-washed sky, chattering away. None of them noticed Qi He entering through the main gate with a smile on his face.
It was Ning'er, sitting on the threshold, who spotted him first. He ran over to greet him with a giggle.
"Brother-in-law, you're back early today."
"Yes, Brother-in-law is back a little earlier today."
"I know, Brother-in-law must have something very important to discuss with Grandfather."
"Hmm... Ning'er guessed wrong this time."
"Guessed wrong?" Ning'er sat on his brother-in-law's shoulder and appeared to ponder seriously before continuing, "Then it must be something even more important to discuss with my sister."
"Our Ning'er is so smart, this time you guessed correctly."
The little one giggled at his brother-in-law's praise and put on a knowing expression, raising his eyebrows with mock profundity, as if to say, I knew it.
Grandpa Meng sat under the eaves, watching his grandson's every move, his face creasing with more wrinkles.
Hearing their conversation, Fu Xin Ci looked over, her gaze questioning.
After greeting Grandpa Meng, Qi He waved to Sister Fu.
Fu Xin Ci: What is he doing?
"Sister Fu, I need to tell you something."
Seeing his expression, Fu Xin Ci knew it was something private, so she left the two maids and walked over slowly.
Ning'er, being sensible, asked his brother-in-law to put him down, saying he would wait until Brother-in-law finished talking with sister before he would be held again.
Brother-in-law agreed, and he then happily ran back to sit by his grandfather.
Fu Xin Ci met Qi He by the front courtyard's roof beams and asked, "Brother Qi, what is it?"
Qi He glanced cautiously behind her before speaking softly to Sister Fu, "Sister Fu, Shan Xiao Cong came to see me today."
"Shan Xiao Cong?"
"Yes." Qi He thought of Shan Xiao Cong's awkward demeanor and couldn't help but smile.
"Sister Fu, you didn't see how pathetic that fellow looked today." Saying this, Qi He couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.
"What happened to Shan Xiao Cong? You're laughing like this?"
"Sister Fu, it was the first time I'd seen him act like a giggling young lady." After saying this, Qi He stole a smiling glance behind Fu Xin Ci.