Chapter 391: Poisoned

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Tian Zao, seeing the heavy snowfall, deemed it unnecessary to water the fields, so the villagers’ labor for the day was suspended.

Jiang Chuan, of course, was even more delighted. With the addition of the snow, the water in the wells would increase, diluting the interspace water so that there would be no concern about the seeds growing too quickly!

Moreover, the villagers had already watered the fields in the morning. With the protection of the interspace water, there was no need to worry that the cold weather would damage the seeds. Jiang Chuan was aware of this, but the villagers were not, so they were still anxious.

With nothing much to do in the village for the entire afternoon, everyone stayed indoors to keep warm by the fire or gathered on the street to chat. The most common topic of discussion was whether the seeds would be able to germinate in such cold weather.

The snow lasted longer than expected. Although it was light, the village’s dirt roads were soaked and became muddy. Walking on such muddy roads, covered in mud, was very uncomfortable.

Even the children, who usually loved to play outside, stayed obediently at home to avoid getting dirty.

Despite the inconveniences, the snow brought endless hope to people during such a dry season.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking and the snow finally stopped, Zhou Lan and the two girls stepped out to see the courtyard covered in pristine snow.

Zhou Lan had often seen snow when she was young, so she was unfazed and stood with her arms crossed, exhaling warm breaths in the cold air.

Jiang Xia, who lived in a city where winters were not cold enough for snowfall, was thrilled to see snow accumulating on the ground for the first time.

Even Jiang Gu, although young and having seen snow countless times before, was still very happy to see it again.

Zhou Lan did not rush them to cook but watched them play joyfully in the courtyard.

Jiang Chuan was woken up by their laughter. Putting on his clothes, he came out and couldn’t help but smile at the sight of his daughters. He joined them in making snowmen and having snowball fights, thoroughly enjoying the frolic. They all worked up a sweat, and the family shared a warm, happy moment in the courtyard.

After they calmed down, Zhou Lan quickly ushered them inside to light the charcoal brazier and warm up, fearing they might catch a cold. Only then did she go to the kitchen to cook.

Although it was very cold and there was no need to work in the fields, the work on Jiang Chuan’s house didn’t stop. Several people close to Jiang Chuan actively came to help with the construction, and the sounds of their work resonated in the quiet, carrying into the courtyard.

Considering the cold weather and the hard work of the helpers, Jiang Chuan specially asked Zhou Lan to stew fish soup and send it to the new house to warm everyone up.

In the days before the snow melted, life was peaceful and quiet. People gradually saw hope in the snowfall and reclaimed the comfort they had known before the drought.

Shen Mo and the troops were also quietly stationed deep in the mountains, not disturbing the villagers.

However, after just a few days of quiet, something happened.

One afternoon, when there was no work at the commune, Jiang Chuan sat at home leisurely reading a book. It was a literary book borrowed from Jiang Xia.

Jiang Chuan mostly read political and economic books in the past and seldom delved into literature. Today, with some rare free time, he was engrossed in the book, thoroughly enchanted.

Zhou Lan and Jiang Xia were in the courtyard pickling vegetables and discussing what to have for dinner. Jiang Xia wanted to stir-fry the green-tailed shrimps from the interspace, and Zhou Lan was pondering what vegetables would go well with the shrimp.

Jiang Gu was focused on playing with a snowman the size of a palm. The snowflakes had hardened, no longer the fluffy snowflakes they once were, and were even showing signs of melting.

Suddenly, a frantic knocking came from the door, accompanied by Shen Mo’s loud shout, “Uncle Jiang, something terrible has happened, come out quickly and see!”

Jiang Chuan, absorbed in his reading, was startled by the interruption, causing him to almost drop the book. Annoyed, he went to open the door, ready to scold the boy. But seeing Shen Mo’s panicked, disheveled appearance, with his hair in disarray and his face smudged with dirt, he knew something serious must have occurred.

He didn’t have time to invite Shen Mo in, instead, he hurriedly asked, “What happened? Catch your breath and speak slowly..”