Picked Up A Husband For Farming Chapter 4 - The Man in the Corn Field

For quite some time, Bai Xian had suspected that the young village girl was not as ordinary as she appeared. Hearing Xu Qing’s confirmation now only intensified his curiosity. After posing a few straightforward questions and learning Xu Qing’s unique methods for healing, he felt his prolonged wait had been entirely worthwhile. With palpable excitement, he presented a box. “This contains five gold bars for your immediate use. I’ve been afflicted by a persistent, difficult illness for many years. If you can successfully treat this patient, I will personally act as a matchmaker for you two. Aside from a slight lack of wealth, you are perfect in every other aspect. As for him, he possesses immense riches but lacks other redeeming qualities. You two are a perfect match!”

“We can discuss this another time,” Xu Qing interjected, her gaze fixed on Bai Xian. It was evident that his malady was his most significant concern. Over their acquaintance, Xu Qing had gained some insight into Bai Xian’s medical expertise, and she surmised that his patient would be exceptionally challenging to cure. She needed to regain her full strength before delving into such matters. If she were unable to find a cure, this elder might very well take the gold bars and depart! After all, a rational person wouldn’t propose such a union, would they? What was her current predicament? She was so destitute she could barely sustain herself, and with three children, whom could she possibly marry?

Had Bai Xian been aware of her internal musings, he would have been incandescent with rage. However, anticipating a period without seeing the man in question, he chose to remain silent and continued his herb-gathering expeditions in the mountains surrounding the village.

Xu Qing spent another ten days recuperating and was finally able to move around. During this time, apart from Qu Feng, Xu Qing’s siblings, and an acquaintance of the Host, no one had visited. It seemed as though she had been entirely forgotten.

Xu Qing recalled that when Qu Feng had visited that morning, despite her best efforts to conceal them, her reddened, swollen face and the injuries on her arms had been inadvertently revealed. She also remembered her emaciated siblings. A cold spark ignited in her eyes… According to the Host’s memories, these children endured lives that were hardly human. In the past, she had been powerless to intervene. However, Xu Qing, having grown up in an orphanage, was not one to accept disadvantage. Once she was fully recovered, the Xu family would likely face….

“Bang!”

A resounding crash disrupted Xu Qing’s thoughts, startling the children in the bed into tears. Xu Qing hurried to comfort them, spending a considerable time coaxing them until the three children finally drifted back to sleep. Xu Qing seethed with indignation! She, a woman who had never even been in a relationship, was now a mother, having to soothe three children! It truly was an arduous situation, wasn't it?

Clutching her stomach, Xu Qing slowly opened the door and stepped outside. Abruptly, a shadowy figure materialized from nowhere and crashed down right at her doorstep, landing squarely within the cornfield she had recently planted! Situated before the humble straw hut was a small cornfield, meticulously cultivated by her mother. The seedlings had only just begun to sprout, and now they were utterly destroyed.

Xu Qing approached the fallen figure. It appeared to be a man. Angrily, she raised her leg to kick him, but alas, the recent childbirth had left her weak, and her recovery was incomplete. The kick lacked any real force, and the man remained unmoving. Gathering her strength, Xu Qing managed to turn him over. To her surprise… this man was wearing a jade mask?

Xu Qing’s eyebrows rose slightly as she observed the strikingly alluring lips beneath the mask. He likely possessed a remarkably handsome visage, did he not? Reaching out to touch the jade mask, she let out a sigh. The mask felt exquisite to the touch, undoubtedly possessing considerable value! This individual cut a rather striking figure, clad in black, adorned with a mysterious mask. However, upon lifting the mask, a ghastly visage was instantly revealed. Xu Qing yelped in fright and tumbled to the ground!

It wasn't that she was being judgmental, but this person was truly hideous. His face was marred by dense, dark lines, and his entire countenance was swollen, resembling a steamed bun – exceedingly ugly! Initially, she had been furious about the destruction of her young corn seedlings and the fright given to the children. She had thought that if he were handsome, regardless of gender, she might find some small consolation. But now….

Xu Qing was incensed. Yet, after observing him for a while, she perceived an issue: he appeared to have been poisoned? A subtle glint flashed in Xu Qing’s eyes. A few days prior, the esteemed physician Bai Xian had bestowed upon her a set of silver needles. Since arriving in this world, she hadn’t encountered a single patient, and her hands itched for an opportunity….

When Qu Feng arrived that evening to prepare food for her daughter, she discovered that all the young corn seedlings by the door had been destroyed. Tears welled in her eyes. This was the sustenance for her daughter and three grandchildren!

“Little Qing, this…” Qu Feng gazed at her daughter, her voice trembling.

“Uh… a gust of wind it was! Mom, don’t worry. Once I’m all better, I’ll make sure to look after you properly.” Xu Qing felt a pang of guilt and could only try to reassure her mother. Suddenly, something came to her mind, and she gestured towards a heap of worn-out blankets. “Mom, when you go out later, please help me toss these. They’ve got bugs in them…”

Qu Feng, still lost in sorrow over the demise of the corn seedlings, barely registered Xu Qing's words and merely gave a distracted nod. Yet, as she hauled the ragged blankets away, she paused. Why on earth were they so heavy? However, her mind was preoccupied with recent events. Assuming they were infested, she unceremoniously dumped them at the village junkyard. Since that place was periodically cleared by fire, Qu Feng, without a second thought, reignited the flames. Watching the blaze climb higher, a sense of relief washed over her as she turned to depart.