Chapter 6: Stepping Out of the Hollow

He thought that his teasing words would make Han Youniang both shy and amused, leading to some playful banter between them. Unexpectedly, upon hearing his words, Han Youniang's face turned pale as she suddenly broke free from Yang Ling's embrace and trembled as she said: "Husband, are you implying that I attract suitors and do not uphold the virtues of a wife? A woman's duty is to be loyal and devoted, which is a fundamental principle of human relationships. Although Youniang is the daughter of a hunter, she understands these moral principles. How could I possibly engage in such disgraceful acts that would invite divine retribution and condemnation?"

Han Yoniang felt her cheeks being held, and warmth spread through her heart. She said earnestly, "How can that be? You are a scholar; if you do such rough work, people will laugh at you. My husband, quickly go back inside, don't catch a cold."

Yang Ling saw her in tears and couldn't help but feel flustered. He quickly set down his bowl, walked around the table, and embraced her, gently wiping her tears away while softly comforting her: "Be good, my dear, don't cry anymore. When you cry, it makes my heart ache. Listen to me, the provincial examination will be held next year, and our family can't even gather enough money for travel expenses. How can we go to the provincial capital to take the exam? If we take this desperate step, fighting with our backs against the wall, I can focus wholeheartedly on my studies. You listen to me, the provincial examination will be held next year, and our family can't even gather enough money for travel expenses. How can we go to the provincial capital to take the exam? If we take this desperate step, fighting with our backs against the wall, I can focus wholeheartedly on my studies. I am the youngest scholar in Xuanfu; do you believe I can pass the examination and become a jinshi?"

Yang Ling grabbed Han You-niang's small fist and pounded it against his chest for a while. Seeing her eyes brimming with tears and her face full of grievance, he had a sudden inspiration and pretended to cough a few times. This tactic indeed proved effective, as Han You-niang immediately set aside her own frustration and, in a fluster, supported him, saying: "My husband, are you feeling unwell? Quickly, go lie down."

Yang Ling dismissively remarked: "What is so degrading about this? Is it noble to be unable to even support one's wife?"

Yang carefully calculated that one mu of land yields four taels, so four mu would amount to sixteen taels. This is quite a substantial sum, likely enough for Young Lady to use for over ten years. However, judging by yesterday's situation, if he were not present, it is feared that the Yang clan would not easily allow Young Lady to take possession of the land.

"Only four taels?" Yang Ling was greatly disappointed. Han Yoniang blinked and said in confusion, "Four taels is not a small amount; that's four guan of money. For us farmers, that would be enough for two years.

Yang Ling could only manage a bitter smile; he had intended to take good care of others, yet he did not expect that they had already risen while he remained here asleep. He grabbed some clothes to put on, a padded blue robe that was also patched in several places.

Han Yoniang truly felt an immense sense of satisfaction; heaven had indeed treated her well. Not only had it returned her husband to her, but he was also so gentle and considerate, showing none of the airs of a scholar. This world had given her so much, far more than she could have ever wished for, and her small heart was filled with contentment and happiness. Seeing her so easily satisfied and moved by happiness, Yang Ling couldn't help but embrace her in his arms.

Yang Ling felt a pang in his nose and silently thought: "Ox-headed and horse-faced, you have won. If you do not allow this pitiful yet lovely girl to live a good life, even if you make me a prince for nine thousand years plus an additional thousand years, I will not return."

Yang Ling said with a bitter smile: "In this icy and snowy weather, it is extremely dangerous for a woman like you to go hunting in the mountains. You have suffered these days. I think with my writing skills, I should be able to find a job in the city. I truly... I truly cannot bear to see you, at such a young age, having to support a useless person like me"

Her hands were icy cold, the back of her hands flushed red, and her fingers were somewhat stiff. Yang Ling wrapped her small hand in his palm and quickly walked into the house, saying, "You should hurry inside to warm up; you are dressed too lightly." He said with some sadness, "Is the family so poor that there isn't even a piece of clothing?"

Han Youniang tilted her head and thought seriously for a moment, then hesitantly said: "What my husband said makes sense, but... must we really sell the land at mhetushu.com? How about... we borrow some silver from Uncle for expenses? You can focus on taking the exam, and I will farm at home. Isn't that much more secure?"

Yang Ling was taken aback; she did not expect that a mere joke would provoke such a strong reaction from her. He quickly reassured her, saying: "My dear, you are overthinking it. I... I was just joking with you, complimenting your beauty. I never meant to blame you. Please do not take it to heart. Alright, let’s say I misspoke. Come, come, I will accept my punishment; you may hit me if you wish."

Young Lady Han hurriedly said: "Young Lady believes, Young Lady believes in the gentleman, and will follow whatever arrangements the husband makes."

Yang Ling felt a mix of guilt and anger. He snatched the axe from the young woman's hands and tossed it aside, cradling her rosy little face in his hands. Emotionally, he said: "Young lady, you shouldn't chop so much firewood in the future. You should have woken me up; this work is something we men should do."

Han Youniang widened her eyes in surprise and exclaimed, "What? This... how can this be? That is the property left by our parents-in-law; how can we lose it? Is my husband worried that our livelihood will be cut off? You need not worry. These days, because you have been ill, I have not dared to leave your side. Now that you are recovering, you can focus on your studies. I have learned the skills of hunting from my father since childhood. In a few days, I will go up the mountain to hunt. As long as we can get through this winter, we will be able to repay the debts incurred during the famine once our land yields a harvest."

However, if I want to sell the land myself, no one has the right to stop me. He pondered for a while and then said, "Young lady, I am thinking of selling the land and house to move to the city to live."

Han You-niang withdrew one hand from his embrace, wiped her tears, and shyly smiled as she said: "No, I am just happy. My husband, you are truly too good to me. For You-niang to marry you is a great blessing for me."

Yang Ling was standing by the right wall, gazing down at the mountain. Suddenly, he heard the gate creak open. Turning his head, he saw a large bundle of firewood, with some branches still covered in snow. Below it stood a tiny figure, which seemed insignificant compared to the massive pile of firewood. From the fluffy stack of wood, a small face emerged, its cheeks rosy from the cold.

Han Youniang paused for a moment before saying: "My husband, if the good land in Datong and Xuanfeng is valued at approximately six to eight taels per mu, then the mountain fields here are worth about four taels of silver."

In the early morning light, there is a small village built on the hillside, consisting of about ten houses, most of which are dilapidated. At the foot of the hill, there are several dozen houses that appear to be in better condition, suggesting that the families there are relatively affluent

When the big rooster from the Li family next door was crowing loudly with a "cock-a-doodle-doo," Yang Ling was sleeping soundly. He woke up in a daze and instinctively reached out, only to find his arms empty. He hurriedly opened his eyes, realizing that the bed was already empty, leaving him all alone.

Yang Ling smiled and said: "This is it, then why do you still cherish these few acres of mountain fields? If we are to acquire land, in the future we should acquire a hundred or so acres of good land, to bring glory to our ancestors. Wouldn't it be even more respectable to meet our parents in the future?"

For breakfast, it was still corn porridge and pickles. The porridge made by the young lady was a bit more than last night. After being hungry for two meals, even this unappetizing food seemed somewhat fragrant to Yang Ling. As he stepped on the radish strips with ice shards, he suddenly asked, "Young lady, how much is an acre of land worth now?"

He walked to the outer room, peering around, but did not see Han Youniang's shadow. Yang Ling stepped out of the courtyard; the weather was too cold, the chill striking his nose. He stretched his limbs and expanded his chest, feeling that his energy and spirit had recovered considerably

She lay in Yang Ling's arms, her hands wrapped around his waist, fearing that he might become anxious or angry and something unforeseen might happen. She repeatedly agreed, and after a while, she sighed softly and said: "I will do everything as my husband wishes. However... I kindly ask my husband to allow me a few days. Once you have regained your strength, I would like to return to my family in the mountain hollow to at least inform my father. You were severely unconscious for a while, and my father came to see you, bringing some game he had hunted. However... I kindly ask my husband to allow me a few days. Once you have regained your strength, I would like to return to my family in the mountain hollow to at least inform my father. You were severely unconscious for a while, and my father came to see you, bringing some game he had hunted. However... our family is also quite poor, and my father, brothers, and uncles have not yet returned from hunting in the deep mountains these past few days.

Yang Ling was taken aback; he always habitually approached problems with the mindset of his own era. After skillfully inquiring with her, he learned that at this time, one or two taels of silver was approximately worth one thousand wen. He mentioned that using it over two years was considered conservative, and some small households could stretch it to three or four years if they were frugal. No wonder the young lady said it was quite a lot, but that calculation was based on self-cultivated grain; otherwise, one or two taels of silver would at most suffice for a year.

Yang Ling readily agreed, saying: "Of course, this property needs to be sold, but it's not as simple as just finding a buyer; it will take some time. In a couple of days, I will go with you to meet your father-in-law."

Han Youniang stood up in a panic and said, "My husband, we are married, how can you say such things? You are a scholar, a person of distinction, how can you engage in such base actions"

Yang Ling secretly smiled to himself, realizing that this tactic was indeed infallible against her. He pretended to be genuinely weak as she helped him to the kang, half lying and half sitting. Then he coughed and said: "I am fine, just making a random joke. I didn't mean to say something wrong. Seeing you upset and angry, I am quite clumsy with words and unable to explain clearly. In my anxiety, I just... cough cough..."

Han Youniang nodded eagerly: "Yes, Youniang believes that my husband will definitely pass the imperial examination and then go to the capital to participate in the palace examination, and in the future, he will surely become a high-ranking official"

Yang Ling looked at this desolate and remote place, feeling as if an economist had fallen into a primitive tribe, completely detached from the current system of books and production levels, with knowledge that had no market value. He thought that if he could enter the city, he might be able to achieve great wealth like those fortunate time-traveling geniuses he had read about, making small inventions and innovations to secure a life of comfort for Han Youniang. This is why he was determined to leave this place.

He dragged Han Youniang to the edge of the kang and made her sit down, opened his chest, placed her hands in his embrace, and with a manly demeanor said domineeringly: "Sit still, warm your hands first, look how cold they are."

Han Youniang stared blankly at him, sniffed, and suddenly began to sob, tears streaming down her face. Yang Ling was taken aback and hurriedly asked, "Youniang, what is wrong with you?"

Han You-niang smiled shyly and said: "Not yet, I have a new set of clothes. I was thinking of wearing it during the New Year, so I am reluctant to use it now. My husband, you must be hungry, I will go prepare the meal."

Unexpectedly, Han Youniang, upon hearing this, became so anxious that tears streamed down her face. She cried, "I cannot serve my good husband and let you, a scholar, do those lowly tasks. In the future, how can I face my parents-in-law in the underworld? Husband, I beg you, having a home gives us roots. How can leaving our hometown and wandering elsewhere be a long-term solution?"

However, he naturally could not directly say this to Han Youniang, so he had to make an excuse, saying: "You saw it yesterday; I really do not want to owe any favors to your uncle's family right now. Moreover..." He leaned close to Youniang's ear and joked, "Who did you mistakenly think I was last night? Have there been some scoundrels trying to take advantage of you these days? How could I feel at ease leaving such a beautiful little wife here all alone"

Han Yoniang saw him and was even more anxious than he was. She hurriedly set aside the firewood, picked up the axe, and ran over to support him, her expression filled with worry as she said: "My husband, why have you come out again? It's very cold outside, quickly go back inside."

Yang Ling hurried over, feeling both shy and ashamed, and said: "Young lady, why are you... hurry, hurry and put that down, why are you chopping so much firewood"