Chapter 65: The Tortoise

In the courtyard, Bai Jin shoved the candied hawthorn into Jiang Chengyan’s hand, then propped her chin and sat to the side, gazing expectantly at Madam Zhao as she bandaged the rabbit’s wound.

“Mother, is it very serious?” Bai Yan couldn’t help but ask.

Madam Zhao shook her head. “It’s just an injured leg. Once it heals, we’ll have your father set it free.”

Bai Yan nodded eagerly.

Madam Zhao had always been powerless against these furry little creatures. She lingered there for quite a while, and only then remembered that yellow peaches were still cooking on the stove. She hurriedly rushed toward the kitchen, leaving only Bai Yan and Jiang Chengyan in the courtyard.

“Why did Zhao Chujiu catch a rabbit anyway?” Bai Yan glared at Jiang Chengyan as if he too was the culprit.

“To eat it, what else? Did you think he’d marry it?” Jiang Chengyan laughed.

Bai Yan was startled by his words, then shook her head. “That’s impossible.”

She glanced around, making sure no one was eavesdropping, then leaned in closer to Jiang Chengyan. He obligingly let her sit on his lap, and Bai Yan, whispering in his ear as if sharing a secret, said, “On this whole mountain, I’m the only rabbit spirit.”

Her voice was so low, it seemed she was conducting some clandestine activity.

Jiang Chengyan suddenly felt mischievous. He tilted his head, his thin lips near her ear, and softly asked, “What else is easy to transform into a spirit? That Zhao Chujiu is so pitiful—maybe we can find him a good match.”

Bai Yan was stumped by this question. Sitting on Jiang Chengyan’s lap, she took a bite of the candied hawthorn, her big eyes rolling thoughtfully.

“I’ve got it,” Bai Yan muttered.

“What is it?” Jiang Chengyan offered her another candied hawthorn.

“Turtle,” Bai Yan replied seriously. “They live a long time—prime candidates for cultivation.”

But even the best candidates had only yielded her, alone, as a spirit.

Jiang Chengyan chuckled at that. Even if one did manage to cultivate, was he really supposed to tell Zhao Chujiu, “Brother, I’ve found you a turtle spirit bride”?

Clearly, that was absurd.

“Don’t tease her while she’s eating—what if she chokes?” Madam Zhao emerged with the stewed yellow peaches, scolding Jiang Chengyan when she saw Bai Yan snuggled in his arms, whispering away.

Jiang Chengyan promptly lifted Bai Yan up, waited until she finished eating, then set her back down.

The moment Bai Yan’s feet touched the ground, she wrinkled her nose and scampered over to Madam Zhao.

Madam Zhao handed her the small basin. “I need to make tofu. Your father will be back soon with the goat’s milk. Take these yellow peaches home and don’t eat too many at once—they’re very sweet.”

After patiently giving instructions, she couldn’t resist patting Bai Yan’s head before cheerfully preparing to make milk tofu.

Just as Jiang Chengyan brought the basin over, they saw Father Jiang stride in, his expression grim. “Third Wife, the goats at Aunt Wang’s place are acting crazy today—just won’t cooperate.”

Aunt Wang kept many goats. If they couldn’t get milk from her, they’d have to go to another village, which was far less convenient.

Madam Zhao hadn’t yet spoken when Bai Yan, holding Jiang Chengyan’s hand, looked innocently up and said, “Mother, I think I can help!”

Madam Zhao was reluctant at first, worried Bai Yan would dirty her clothes, but remembered Aunt Wang kept her goat pen clean. So, she nodded and agreed.