Bab 41: Wen Family

Despite the short awkwardness about the guzheng topic, dinner that night still ended in good cheer.

It was Jin Weimin's turn to sleep beside Fu Mei Li that night.

When he came into the room, Mei Li hurriedly pulled him over, her heart itching for answers.

"Big brother Weimin, please tell me about Longwei and his guzheng."

The often energetic Weimin suddenly sighed and sadness came over his face.

Slowly, he told Mei Li about what happened.

When their parents sent them to the school in town many years ago, the five brothers learned several things aside from reading and writing.

Longwei loved the guzheng in particular. During the first year that he learned to play it, he practiced almost every day. He could hardly put the instrument down.

The school's music teacher praised Longwei's talent in playing the guzheng. The teacher even said that Longwei could easily play the kind of music that tugs at the soul, and he was naturally gifted. Longwei even learned to compose music.

Their parents and the rest of the brothers were very proud of their youngest brother's accomplishments. Longwei's guzheng music even became the family's preferred entertainment.

When their mother got sicker and bedridden, Longwei often played for her. Sheng Weilan loved the guzheng's tones and she repeatedly said that Longwei's playing calmed her and relieved her pain.

This went on for years.

And then their fathers and mother died one after another. The sound of music stopped reverberating within the Jin household.

Weimin told Mei Li that the guzheng is a strong reminder to Longwei about the loss of their parents. Because of this, he stopped playing entirely.

Even the other brothers were not so keen on listening to guzheng music anymore. It reminded them too much of the happy times in the family, when the house was filled with laughter and their parents were alive and well.

Mei Li was saddened when she heard all of these. The shadows within the Jin brothers' hearts were probably not going to be dispelled anytime soon.

Hopefully, with more time, their wounds would heal.

Mei Li proactively hugged Weimin to sleep that night as her way of comforting him. She was regretful that she asked him to retell such a painful memory.

The next day, Mei Li was once again a busy bee.

Thankfully, Weimin and Longwei volunteered to help her implement her garden layout.

Her third and fifth husbands helped in turning over the soil and in making raised garden beds.

The raised garden beds were created around the edges of the inner courtyard. A pathway was laid to make it easier for everyone to traverse to the rooms, the kitchen, and around the well. Enough room was also allotted near the well for laundry purposes.

As for the rest of the space, Mei Li designed garden rows on the ground. She wanted the whole area to look organized and easy to clean and maintain.

Haoran and Shufen, meanwhile, were tasked to go to the mountains and procure more of the herbs and flowers needed for their tea blends.

Mei Li was confident that Xintang Medicine Hall and Young Master Xin Lijie would order more of her tea. So she decided to get the gathering and drying process going as early as possible.

Mingyu went to the county town to check on the shops and purchase some more necessities.

The family discussed previously that when villagers ask about their purchases, they won't avoid their questions and would inform them instead that these were for the village doctor, courtesy of Xintang Medicine Hall.

Shufen also informed his master about this matter, and the village doctor readily agreed in exchange for tasting the berries and tomatoes later.

Mingyu also visited Xintang Medicine Hall that day to inform the shopkeeper and to ask a favor for them not to divulge the truth in case their uncles came to ask.

Yes, they were trying to maintain a false story, but this was the best way for now. Otherwise, there would be a lot of trouble and the berries haven't even been planted yet.

Regarding Mei Li's plan to plant more vegetables in the back courtyard, she asked Aunt Li if they could purchase some seeds or cuttings from the village neighbors.

Happy to help, Aunt Li told her about the Wen family who grows and sells vegetables in the village.

Without wasting time, Mei Li went with Aunt Li to visit the Wen family that afternoon.

Aunt Li told her that the Wen family rented eight mu of farm plots from the Jin family and they grew their vegetables in their sizable backyard.

They were well known as old hands in growing vegetables and the produce they sell was often of high quality and very tasty. Hence, many people in the village purchase vegetables from the Wen family even if they could grow their own.

The Wens also sell their vegetables in town and earn enough for their large household each month.

Mei Li and Aunt Li soon arrived at the Wen residence, which was located Downstream. It was a simple four-room house with a small kitchen and a tidy yard.

Although there were some patches of vegetables out front, most of the goods were planted in the backyard.

A matronly lady welcomed Mei Li and Aunt Li. Her clothes were clean and her hair well-kempt. She looked to be the same age as Aunt Li and gave off a sturdy village woman feel.

This woman was Wen Lihua. She was the shared wife of the three Wen brothers. Living with them were First Grandpa Wen, Second Grandpa Wen, and their wife.

Wen Lihua also had five children with her three husbands. There were four boys, with the oldest around 18 years old and the youngest around 10 years old. The youngest child was an 8-year-old daughter.

In total, there were twelve people in the Wen household. All of them were dedicated to growing their vegetables and working out in the fields.

"Mrs. Li, how come you're here? And who is this?" Wen Lihua smiled kindly as she assessed Mei Li.