Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home

Qiao Xuan was pleasantly surprised, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the strawberries. “Oh, strawberries! Are these from our 20 mu garden?”

Lixia smiled warmly in response. “Old Master instructed Songshi to pick them. He mentioned they ripened a while ago. However, just before you returned, he had Songshi share some with our neighbors. Old Master believed you would enjoy them, so he had Songshi gather a few.”

Qiao Xuan grinned in delight. “They’re delicious, and I love them. Are there any left? You should wash them and have some too. Strawberries don’t keep well and can go bad overnight.”

Thanks to her remarkable gardening skills, these strawberries thrived exceptionally. They were slightly larger than copper coins, almost as big as local eggs, and boasted a plump, bright red appearance. One bite released an enticing fragrance, sweetness, and juiciness. The subtle hint of sourness made them irresistibly delectable, and it was hard not to finish half a plate in one go.

Strawberries not only tasted heavenly but also looked exquisite, making them a favorite among girls. Lixia and Liqiu quickly fetched another plate, and the three of them happily indulged in the delicious treat.

Shortly after lunch, Shao Yunduan returned home unexpectedly early.

Qiao Xuan beamed at him. “What brings you home so early today? I wouldn’t have woken up sooner!”

Shao Yunduan took her hand and led her into the room, teasingly replying, “That would have been a missed opportunity. I should have returned even earlier!”

Qiao Xuan laughed merrily.

As he sat down, Shao Yunduan embraced her, his eyes filled with affection. “My superiors understood my situation, so they allowed me to come home half a day earlier.”

Qiao Xuan nestled in his arms, a contented smile gracing her lips.

It was evident that her husband was thriving in his role at the Ministry of Revenue.

The rest of the afternoon passed quickly as Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan discussed family matters and enjoyed each other’s company.

After a few days of relaxation at home, Qiao Xuan decided to visit their 20 mu of fields.

Songshi proved to be highly dependable. He meticulously planted the 20 mu of fields according to the instructions Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan had given him before their departure.

At this time of the year, the crops were thriving, painting a picturesque scene of lush greenery that delighted the eyes.

Qiao Xuan surveyed the fields and estimated that around 12 mu were dedicated to potatoes. When she had initially provided the potatoes from her own garden, she had brought out an abundant supply from her unique space, resulting in a sizable planting. Potatoes, unlike other crops, could be divided into multiple pieces for planting, hence the surplus.

Additionally, there were over four mu of strawberries, their dark green leaves and vines contrasting beautifully with the bright red fruits. The strawberry plants were in full bloom, adorned with small white flowers, indicating a prolonged fruit-bearing season.

A variety of vegetables had been carefully sown as well, including chili peppers, beans, eggplants, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbages, ginger, scallions, garlic, coriander, radishes, and more. It was safe to say that there would be no shortage of vegetables this year.

However, the abundance of strawberries took Qiao Xuan by surprise. She hadn’t anticipated such a bountiful harvest. Although strawberries were delicious, their household consisted of only five people, including the master and the servants, making it impossible to consume them all.

Unfortunately, strawberries couldn’t be stored; they had to be eaten on the same day they were picked, as they would spoil overnight.

It was no wonder that Shao Yunduan had instructed Songshi to share some with their neighbors. Yet, there was an art to gift-giving. They should distribute them sporadically, one or two times now and then, so that everyone could enjoy a taste without coming to expect it regularly. If they constantly gave strawberries as gifts, people might grow accustomed to it, and if the presents were ever absent, it could lead to disappointment and complaints.

What was the point of leaving such trouble behind?