Ye Zhinan closed her eyes. A sudden dizziness hit her consciousness, and once again she found herself in the shabby hut. The boxes inside were filled with all kinds of food and daily necessities.
She took a cursory glance around, then her eyes stopped at a flat crack on the wall. A look of suspicion welled up in her eyes.
Could there be something special behind it?
Ye Zhinan placed her palm on the crack and exerted a little force. The crack on the wall slowly opened. Looking ahead, she saw a vast expanse of fertile farmland. Taking a couple more steps forward, a spring came into view.
The spring water was blue and crystal - clear, and the surrounding green grassland was lush, exuding vitality.
She was utterly astonished. The space in her consciousness could even allow plants to grow. Could it be used for farming?
It was truly a rarity in the world.
After Ye Zhinan took a round in the space, she found some farming tools from the boxes in the hut. The tools were complete and compact, and very easy to use.
After leaving the space, the surprise in her eyes faded a bit. This supply space was like a utopia left by a reclusive master. If her physical body could enter it, she could live a prosperous life without desires.
She lay down, looking up at the cracked beams and the moonlight filtering through the tile gaps.
With such a precious space in hand, it would only be a matter of time before her family could live a good life in the northern border. She had to make a good plan.
The moon was bright and the stars were sparse. The cicadas' chirping at night brought drowsiness. When Ye Zhinan opened her eyes again, it was already bright outside. The government officials were beating drums and gongs, urging them to go to work.
Ye's mother supported Ye Shenyan, looking worried. "Why don't you talk to them and take a rest? We'll do your work for you."
Ye Shenyan shook his head, his eyes showing some indescribable complexity.
"Mom, I'll accompany Dad. Don't worry."
Ye Yingfeng was holding his work tools in his hand. His wide white clothes revealed his strong muscles. Ye's mother's expression softened a bit. When the door opened, Ye Zhinan was a bit surprised to see the figure standing outside.
"Why is it you?"
"I've been ordered to escort Mr. Ye and the others to work."
Qin Yihuai pursed his lips. His thick sword - shaped eyebrows furrowed slightly, as if he had something to say.
Ye Yingfeng's eyes were deep. This so - called "escort" was actually surveillance. The people above really couldn't stand to see them relax for a moment.
"Let's go." Ye Shenyan coughed a few times, his eyes showing no extra emotions.
Ye Zhinan stepped forward, staring straight at Qin Yihuai. "My dad... Forget it. Be careful on the way."
She smiled helplessly at his confused look. After all, Qin Yihuai was also a victim under the powerful authority.
The mother and daughter could only silently watch the backs of the three of them leaving. It was a long time before they set off to the work gathering place.
This time, Ye Zhinan and Ye's mother were assigned to different tasks, one to weaving and the other to farming. Even without experience, it was obvious which job was easier.
Ye's mother didn't even think and bent down to pick up the hoe on the ground, but Ye Zhinan snatched it first.
"If you get exhausted too, big brother and I won't be able to hold back Dad's stubbornness."
Ye Zhinan showed a smile and pushed Ye's mother into the weaving team. She forced herself not to look at her tender eyes, then shouldered the hoe and a basket of seedlings and followed the team to the fields.
This place was remote and the harvest was meager. A large area of paddy fields had to be planted just to have enough food. The women brought here to work were all convicted official's daughters, most of them were delicate ladies who never did any manual work.
The instructor was a woman holding a ruler. Her face was fierce, and the words she spat out were harsh and unpleasant, making many delicate girls cry.
"There are no young ladies here. If anyone slacks off or does a bad job, don't even think about taking a break or having a meal! Those lingering on the shore, get into the fields quickly!"
The instructor was annoyed by their hesitant looks. She pushed a woman into the field, not caring that she was covered in mud.
"Roll up your sleeves and insert the roots of the seedlings. Just follow the people in front."
"You! The pit you dug is so shallow. Do you want to bury yourself?"
When the sun was high, the instructor announced a break. Ye Zhinan put down the hoe in her hand, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and leaned against a tree trunk.
"You're not like those delicate young ladies. You learn fast and you're hard - working." The woman put the ruler behind her back, and a glimmer of admiration flashed in her eyes.
Then she turned to look at the group of women weaving in the wooden house and pouted. "That girl in green chose weaving on purpose. Even sitting in the house, she tries to slack off. She should be taken out and given a good lesson. Otherwise, you girls won't even know how to make a living. You're supposed to be from noble families."
Ye Zhinan followed her gaze and raised her eyebrows. Wasn't that Wei Shishi?
She looked around. All the Wei family women were farming in the fields, but only Wei Shishi was in the weaving position. It was really funny.
They were clearly a family, but they were like opponents in a competition, vying with each other.
The farming ended quickly. Before leaving work, Ye Zhinan secretly took some seeds. When she got home, she planted them in a wetland in front of the tile - roofed house. The people coming and going were so exhausted that no one noticed her.
But Wei Shishi stopped in front of her. Crossing her arms in front of her chest, she gave Ye Zhinan a disdainful look. "You're really never idle. You're born with a slave's fate. What a waste of your status as the legitimate daughter of the grand tutor."
Ye Zhinan leveled the soil pit, supported herself with the hoe, and ignored her. She turned around and closed the door. She could still faintly hear Wei Shishi's low curses outside.
She put away the hoe. As soon as she entered the door, she saw Ye's mother sitting on a bench, massaging her waist. When Ye's mother saw Ye Zhinan coming back, she quickly put down her hands. "You're back. Did you get bullied today?"
Ye Zhinan reached out and pressed Ye's mother's lumbar spine. Noticing her slightly furrowed eyebrows, she sighed helplessly. "Mom, you don't need to hide it from me. Lie down. I'll give you an acupuncture treatment to relax."
A gentle look flashed in Ye's mother's eyes. Covering her waist, she obediently lay on the bed.
The silver needles pierced the acupuncture points. Ye's mother's tightly furrowed eyebrows relaxed, and her tense body also eased. She sighed. "Your father and I are almost at the end of our lives. It doesn't matter if we suffer, but you two can't suffer with us for a lifetime."
"It won't be like that." Ye Zhinan gently twirled the silver needles with her fingertips, her eyes focused. "Life will get better."
Ye's mother heard the determination in her words. Just as she was about to turn her head in confusion, out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone at the door. She was so shocked that her head went dizzy. "Why are you covered in blood after going to work?!"
Ye Zhinan quickly pulled out the silver needles. Turning around, she was stunned. Qin Yihuai was supporting Ye Yingfeng, whose clothes were soaked in blood. There was still a bit of blood at the corner of Ye Yingfeng's mouth. He was already in a coma.
"What on earth happened? Weren't you transporting goods today?"
Ye Zhinan's expression was serious, and her voice couldn't help but rise.