Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 118 - 117: Old Huang

Riding a horse is indeed fast; it took only two hours to get from the county to Liu Family Village.

This was Qin Yao’s leisurely jogging speed. If she had ridden full speed, she could have arrived in an hour and a half.

When entering the village, it was around four o’clock in the afternoon.

It had only been two or three days since she had last seen it, but the rice in the fields had already started to turn yellow. It seemed like in about a week, it would reach maturity.

Previously, everything was a lush green, and the ten acres of rice from Qin Yao’s family weren’t very conspicuous. But now, looking at the same fertile land by the river, the rice ears in her field were so heavy that they drooped, bundle by bundle, standing out distinctly.

Old Liu, passing by the river, regretted countless times that if he had planted the last thirty acres of nearby river land using Qin Yao’s transplanting method, the harvest this year would have been delightful.

Unfortunately, time cannot be turned back. Now it’s too late to regret, and he could only comfort himself that there would be another chance, aiming to plant the best land in the same way next year.

Qin Yao leisurely rode her horse through the village and arrived at the riverbank. Along the way, the villagers all widened their eyes, wondering where she had found such fortune to be able to ride back on a horse.

No one in the village had ever ridden a horse before, except for the Liu Family, who owned a short-legged horse for carrying goods. It was entirely different from the one Qin Yao rode, which was clearly for riding.

The horse’s back was almost as high as an adult man, and people had to look up to see her, making quite an impression.

"Mother!"

The girl’s excited call rang out.

Qin Yao rode the horse across the bridge and arrived in front of the water mill. Da Lang and Si Niang, who were guarding the money box inside, ran out to greet her.

"A horse?" Da Lang exclaimed in surprise and reached out to pull himself up onto it.

Si Niang looked with curiosity and compared her height to the horse’s. She was not even as tall as the horse’s belly.

"Reach out your hands," Qin Yao reminded with a smile.

Si Niang wasn’t afraid at all. She raised her little hands, and was lifted onto the horse in front of her brother.

"Mother, is this our family’s horse?" Si Niang turned her head and asked in delight.

Da Lang was already dumbfounded, focused on the colorful ball dangling from the horse’s neck, his small hands tightly gripping the raised part of the saddle, protecting his excitedly squirming sister.

Qin Yao responded with a hum, and with a light command of "Giddy up!", the horse briskly headed towards the house on the hillside.

Second Lang and Sanlang ran outside hearing the commotion and saw their mother and siblings riding in, their mouths gaping in astonishment.

The old horse seemed to want to run freely but was restrained by Qin Yao, who forcibly stopped it by pulling the reins.

The tall hooves lifted and lowered right above their heads, leaving Second Lang and Sanlang frozen in place, unable to react.

Qin Yao dismounted and lifted the two children down, assembling the four kids in front of her and solemnly introducing the newest family member.

"From now on, the old horse will be a part of our family. Be nice to him, as you’ll depend on him for school and travel."

Da Lang asked, "Is ’Old Horse’ his name?"

Qin Yao shook her head, "Not exactly."

Second Lang immediately said, "Then let’s name him. How about Old Huang?"

Qin Yao shrugged nonchalantly.

Thus, the four siblings agreed unanimously, without considering the horse’s opinion, deciding to call him Old Huang.

Sanlang’s large eyes sparkled as he looked at Old Huang, volunteering, "Mother, can I take Old Huang to graze while I catch bugs for the chicks every morning?"

"Not just yet," Qin Yao said seriously, "The horse is not familiar with us yet, so don’t approach him casually, or you might get kicked."

All four children lowered their heads, "Alright."

But their enthusiasm for Old Huang was unabated, and they were already thinking about building a stable for him so he would have a place to sleep.

The family didn’t have a stable, and since Qin Yao had no plans to raise pigs, there wasn’t a pigsty either, so Old Huang was temporarily relocated to the wasteland behind the yard, tethered by the latrine, allowing him to graze and regain strength.

Qin Yao planned to build a stable for him soon. She patted Old Huang’s head, "Be good now."

Removing the items from the horse’s back, Qin Yao entered the house with both hands full.

The four children joyfully followed, happier than during the New Year.

Other than Da Lang, who remembered to inquire about their father’s success in entering the academy, the rest were entirely focused on the oiled paper packages she carried.

The thin layer of oiled paper couldn’t hide the aroma of the delicacies, and Si Niang nearly pressed her mouth against it, ready to chew through the paper.

"You greedy little things, haven’t you been eating well these past few days?" Qin Yao jokingly asked.

Knowing she was teasing, Da Lang and the rest shook their heads sheepishly, smiling at her.

Qin Yao placed the items in the main hall, "Don’t touch them yet, wait for me to come back."

The siblings obediently nodded, "Okay!"

She went back to her room to put down her weapons and changed into a clean, lightweight linen garment, tossing the bloodstained clothes into the stone trough.

Da Lang, perceptive as ever, brought half a basin of clean water for his stepmother to wash her face.

The house had two large water tanks, which Qin Yao had filled before leaving. It was still enough for the kids’ daily use.

Washing her hands and face, and wiping away the sweat from her chest and neck, the once noticeable blood scent was completely gone.

Qin Yao took a deep breath of the fresh country air. After a sleepless day and night, being able to relax a bit, she felt a little tired.

Patting her face to wake up, she walked into the main hall under the expectant gazes of the four children, sat down, and opened one of the oiled paper packages.

Inside was a whole roasted chicken, five braised pig trotters, and a bowl of sweet and sour ribs, all dishes cooked an hour and a half ago, still slightly warm, with an enticing aroma that made Sanlang drool uncontrollably.

Qin Yao waved at Da Lang and Second Lang with a smile, "Go get some bowls."

The brothers rushed out and returned with bowls in hand, eager to serve.

Qin Yao divided the three dishes into three large porcelain bowls, making them look even more tempting against the porcelain backdrop.

Amused by the impatient yet restrained siblings, she nodded, "Time to eat."

The four didn’t pounce on the food like starving wolves. Da Lang ordered everyone to sit properly, and each of them received a piece of sweet and sour rib before starting to enjoy the meal joyfully.

"Mother, it’s sweet," Si Niang exclaimed joyfully.

Qin Yao also took a piece of rib, explaining, "It’s called sweet and sour ribs. The sour and sweet taste can really stimulate the appetite, right?"

"Yes, yes!" Si Niang replied happily, "My brother and I both love it!"

"If you love it, eat more," Qin Yao said, pinching the Dragon and Phoenix Twins’ little cheeks. Looking at their contented faces was truly heartwarming.

After satisfying their craving with two pieces each, they stopped in agreement.

Da Lang covered the dishes with a straw cover Qin Yao had woven, saying happily, "I’ll go cook rice."

Second Lang, Sanlang, and Si Niang also proclaimed they would pick vegetables, actively preparing for tonight’s lavish dinner.

Qin Yao reclined in the chair, her eyes gradually closing.

Knowing she was tired, the four children moved quietly around the house.