Chapter 7: The Subtle Essence of Tea

Su Jingxuan wanted to say something more, but seeing the resolute expression on her face, he found himself at a loss for words.

“Hmm, sorry to trouble you.”

“I’m not troubled. If you believe me, I won’t feel wronged. But I don’t want to work in the fields. I want to do something else!” Luo Yunhe declared.

She wanted to earn money; having money was the true power.

“What do you want to do? See if I can help?”

“I’ll tell you once I figure it out!” Luo Yunhe replied.

“All right! Whatever you want to do, just tell me. I will definitely support you!”

Luo Yunhe realized that he was truly tolerant of her; it seemed that whatever she asked for, he was willing to do.

That night, as she lay in bed with her eyes closed, a virtual screen from the system appeared before her. After tapping a couple of times, a string of numbers appeared.

Seeing those numbers, her eyes lit up.

Because she had earned a thousand points today alone.

She was thrilled beyond measure.

“System, do you have any excellent brewing recipes? Something even better than my family’s aged wine!”

[Beep! Answer to host: Yes, such recipes exist, but they require points to customize. Choosing one recipe costs a thousand points; the complete set of all wine recipes costs ten thousand points! Which do you need?]

“Ten thousand points? How many recipes are there in total?”

[Reply to host: About a hundred varieties. Fruit wine, grain wine, red wine, yellow wine, medicinal wine, rice wine—each category has many different recipes!]

Luo Yunhe was stunned. In the twenty-first century, all the wines brewed were mainly grain wines, or some floral liquors like bamboo leaf green, the kind commonly seen on the market.

Hearing the system introduce so many varieties of wine instantly sparked her interest.

“System, I want the complete brewing collection for ten thousand points!”

[Sorry, host, you are nine thousand points short. Keep up the good work!]

Luo Yunhe: “...Alright, alright!”

Having found her goal, Luo Yunhe happily fell asleep.

When Su Jingxuan came in, she was already fast asleep.

Looking at her peaceful face, he was filled with tenderness. He carefully covered her with a blanket and lay down himself.

The next morning, Luo Yunhe woke amidst the chaos and commotion.

Early in the morning, her mother-in-law’s loud voice could be heard, as if she wanted everyone within ten miles to hear her.

“You ungrateful creature, only defending her! Has your brain been kicked by a donkey? If a woman has you under her control, are you still a man? Such a lazy good-for-nothing, and you bring home this thing?” Su Chen scolded angrily.

Su Jingxuan ignored her harsh words, grabbed a bucket, and went out to fetch water.

“Ugh, ungrateful wretch!” Su Chen’s eyes were like poisoned daggers as she watched his back.

Luo Yunhe came outside and saw the venomous look in her eyes, immediately frowning.

By chance, Su Chen turned and saw Luo Yunhe standing in the doorway, displeasure etched between her brows.

“What are you standing there for? Hurry up and come cook for me! Our Su family doesn’t marry daughters-in-law just to have them lie around eating for free!”

“Tsk tsk, mother-in-law, scolding my husband first thing in the morning. With such harsh words, anyone who didn’t know might think he’s not your own son!” Luo Yunhe said casually.

But Su Chen’s expression darkened, and she looked nervous.

“What? Did I hit a nerve? Could it be that you’ve been unfaithful to my husband?”

“You shameless girl, what nonsense are you spouting? He’s my son! If you keep talking nonsense, do you believe I’ll rip your mouth apart?” Su Chen didn’t want to argue further and stormed into the kitchen.

Her action only deepened Luo Yunhe’s suspicions.

Su Jingxuan fetched two buckets of water and then helped with cooking.

Luo Yunhe used to be a pampered lady who never touched a drop of water, but now, seeing Su Jingxuan doing everything, she instinctively wanted to help.

“Husband, how do you do this? Can you teach me?” she asked.

Seeing her eagerness to learn, Su Jingxuan nodded and patiently showed her how to pick the vegetables.

She learned with great attentiveness.

Breakfast consisted simply of vegetables and porridge—no meat at all, not even steamed buns.

Yet the Su family ate with relish.

After the meal, Luo Yunhe gathered the clothes she had taken off yesterday along with Su Jingxuan’s clothes, preparing to wash them.

Su Jingxuan saw her and reached out to stop her. “Put them down, I’ll wash them.”

“No! I’m your wife now. It means something for me to share the household chores. You still have to go to the academy, so leave the clothes to me!” she said earnestly.

Suddenly, the door to Su Ruyi’s room creaked open. She carried a stack of clothes over, thrust them into Luo Yunhe’s arms, and said, “And these, wash them clean!” before turning and leaving.

Luo Yunhe: “...Take your clothes away. I’m not washing them.” She dropped all of Su Ruyi’s clothes onto the ground.

“What do you mean by that?” Su Ruyi was taken aback by her outright refusal.

“Nothing. You have hands and feet; can’t you wash your own clothes? Why should I do it for you?” Luo Yunhe sneered.

“Husband, where are we going to wash the clothes? Can you take me there?”

Su Jingxuan was about to refuse on her behalf, but seeing her determined stance, he smiled and took her out the door.

“Mother, Father, look at this woman! She won’t even wash our clothes. What kind of daughter-in-law is she?”

“Ugh! Such a lazy thing!” Su Chen spat toward the door.

There was a small river at the east side of the village, with large stones and sand beneath its clear waters.

The villagers all liked to wash their clothes there.

“Wife, are you really okay doing this while I’m not around?”

“Husband, don’t worry! I won’t let them bully me. If they do, I’ll come back and tell you!” Luo Yunhe said mischievously.

Su Jingxuan liked her straightforward nature. “Good. Don’t be afraid to offend them. I’m here for you.”

“Hmm, husband, hurry to the academy. Don’t be late!”

Su Jingxuan looked at her deeply, gently ruffling her hair before turning to leave.

He had barely taken a step when a delicate voice called out, “Brother Xuan!”

Luo Yunhe shivered suddenly, turning to see a young girl.

Her skin was not very fair; she wore a floral dress and held a basin filled with clothes and a washing stick.

Her eyes fixed blatantly on Su Jingxuan, clearly smitten with him.

Luo Yunhe immediately felt displeased and stepped forward to stand in front of him, locking eyes with the girl.

“What do you want with my husband?”

Hearing Luo Yunhe’s voice, the girl finally shifted her gaze onto her.