Country Maiden: Fields and Fortune

235, Warmth (1 more

Duobao did not know, but Yuanbao was clear.

What his master was thinking.

Xie Zhinuan heard this and frowned slightly, but she also knew that bandits wreaking havoc in the village needed to be eradicated.

After reprimanding the two to return to the carriage, Xie Zhinuan put down her book.

Yuanbao took over driving the carriage, while the others stayed behind to eliminate the bandits.

The outside was filled with tragic howls; the grey wolf followed suit with a howl, and Xie Zhinuan stretched out her hand to pat its head, signaling it to be quiet.

The carriage started moving again, and Xie Zhinuan stretched out her hand to grab the curtain, wanting to lift it to look outside, but in the end, she let it drop.

“Do you think I’m too heartless?” Li Hengyi asked.

Hearing this, Xie Zhinuan was somewhat surprised but shook her head resolutely, “No, I was just wondering, what kind of mindset does one have to become a bandit? Don’t they think of their parents at home, their wives and children? In this world, as long as one is willing to work hard, one shouldn’t starve to death!”

The world was relatively stable; how could able-bodied men become bandits?

“Being lazy and gluttonous is the original sin, or perhaps becoming a bandit makes silver come quicker. Of course, there’s also the possibility they resorted to banditry because they couldn’t survive any other way,” Li Hengyi explained softly.

Worried that Xie Zhinuan might be thinking too much.

Xie Zhinuan blinked.

Actually, throughout history, there has been no shortage of lazy and gluttonous people; many more are bullies and cowards. Otherwise, why would there be a Governor’s Office, why policemen?

“Hmm!” Xie Zhinuan nodded in agreement.

She didn’t say much more, nor did she ask.

As for the fate of those bandits, she had already cast it to the back of her mind and simply picked up her book to continue reading and memorizing.

The affairs of others may be thrilling and exciting but remain the affairs of others. Studying, recognizing characters, and keeping them memorized in one’s heart – that belongs to oneself, and no one can steal it or snatch it away.

Li Hengyi saw Xie Zhinuan’s diligence and hard work, and he held a bit of curiosity and puzzlement – while men studied hard to pursue official careers, what was the reason for a woman’s diligence? Wasn’t it said that a woman without talent was virtuous? Why then was she so determined?

As for wealth, it wasn’t something Xie Zhinuan placed much importance on.

Xie Zhinuan read for a good while until Yuanbao stopped the carriage, “Master, Miss Xie, there’s a tea house ahead. Would you like to stop for some hot tea?”

“Hmm!” Li Hengyi responded lightly.

There were natural needs to be attended to.

The two got out of the carriage, and the three animals quickly found places to relieve themselves, while the two horses looked on with considerable envy.

As animals, why was the life of others’ beasts not the same as theirs?

The tea house owner hurried out to greet them, “Dear guests, please come inside!”@@novelbin@@

This tea house was quite tidy; most importantly, on one side there was a pond planted with lotus roots. Now, a few withered lotus leaves remained, and there were two tiny lotus buds, huddled in the corner, about to bloom, which looked quite wild and adorable.

Seeing this made Xie Zhinuan feel regretful.

If she knew how to paint, she would have captured this place, this scene on canvas, and when she had free time to look at it later, it would be an interesting diversion.

Li Hengyi, seeing that she hadn’t moved, stood beside her and asked softly, “What’s the matter?”

“Look at this tiny pond, it’s like a little painting. It’s a pity I don’t know how to paint; otherwise, I would have definitely captured it!” Xie Zhinuan said wistfully.

Li Hengyi, however, chuckled lightly, “That’s an easy issue to resolve. You help me boil water for the tea, and I’ll have Yuanbao prepare the brush and ink. I’ll paint it for you!”

“?” Xie Zhinuan raised an eyebrow, looked at Li Hengyi, and seeing his seriousness, was momentarily startled, then started to laugh.

“Okay!”

She went to ask the shopkeeper for a small stove and brought down everything needed for boiling water from the carriage, including a small jar of spiritual spring water. She used just under half a bowl, started boiling water on one side while Yuanbao quickly readied the brush, ink, paper, inkstone, and pigments.

Li Hengyi sat at the table, personally prepared the ink, then gazed at the pond. After a moment, he began to draw rapidly.

Chapter 236