Upgraded Once More

Before the setting sun sank behind the western hills, Jiang Fu'an led the three children back to the threshing ground.

From afar, he spotted a beautiful young woman of about twenty standing at the entrance to their little courtyard, looking out expectantly.

She wore ordinary coarse cloth, yet her face was delicate and gentle.

She was Jiang Fu'an's second wife—Su Wanqing.

Jiang Fu'an's first wife had been named Wang Lanhua.

When she gave birth to Stone, she suffered a difficult labor. The child had barely been saved, but she had damaged her health at its root and did not survive that winter.

Whenever Jiang Fu'an thought of it, he still blamed himself deeply.

Stone possessed the "Devouring Physique." He had grown rapidly even in his mother's womb, weighing a full twelve jin and eight liang at birth.

A fetus like that was naturally difficult to deliver safely.

Because of this, Jiang Fu'an had felt guilty for a long time and had never once considered taking another wife.

Until a year ago, when he was hunting in the mountains, he saved Su Wanqing from bandits chasing after her.

She had originally been the daughter of a wealthy household. Her entire family had been killed by bandits, leaving her all alone with nowhere to go.

Seeing how beautiful she was, Jiang Fu'an remembered that he might need to have more children when upgrading the Ancestral Home in the future, so he brought her home.

And so, a young lady accustomed to fine clothes and rich food had ended up with a country boy like him.

"Husband, where did you all go? The meal is ready."

When Su Wanqing saw the four of them, a faint smile appeared on her face as she came forward to greet them.

Her voice was soft, but Stone, Yue'er, and Seedling all tensed at once.

Three pairs of eyes turned in unison toward their father, afraid he would mention the fight from that afternoon.

Jiang Fu'an merely said casually,

"These little brats were being too naughty, so I gave them a lesson outside the village."

Su Wanqing did not ask further, merely giving a soft "Mm."

The three children secretly let out breaths of relief.

The moment the family stepped into the courtyard, an enticing aroma of food slipped into Yue'er's nose.

She turned to look toward the main hall—the square table there was already piled high with dishes.

Her eyes lit up, and she was about to dash for the table when her mother's calm voice came from behind her.

"Auntie from the Wang Family came by just now. She said the three of you ganged up and beat her boy black and blue. Is that true?"

The three siblings froze on the spot. Their faces went pale in an instant as they looked at one another, none daring to make a sound.

Since today was his eldest daughter Seedling's birthday, Jiang Fu'an tried to persuade her.

"Wanqing, I've already spoken to them about it. How about we eat first and discuss it tomorrow?"

"Husband, fighting is no small matter. How can a few words possibly be enough?"

Su Wanqing turned and pointed toward the prayer mats in the corner of the main hall, her tone turning grave.

"Since Father has already lectured you, Mother will not say much more. Go kneel there for one full hour. You may eat dinner after you're done."

Being punished by kneeling was nothing unfamiliar to them.

Stone and Seedling said nothing, lowering their heads as they walked toward the prayer mats.

Only Yue'er still had her mind on the delicious feast. She turned back and looked pitifully at Jiang Fu'an, her eyes full of pleading.

Jiang Fu'an spread his hands, indicating that there was nothing he could do either.

Though he usually did not discipline the children much, he understood that jade could not become a vessel without carving.

Whenever Su Wanqing disciplined the children, he never interfered.

Seeing that her father would not help her, Yue'er pouted and angrily turned toward the main hall, muttering under her breath,

"She isn't even my real mother, yet she sticks her nose into everything..."

"Yue'er! What did you say?!"

Jiang Fu'an suddenly barked.

Being a stepmother was difficult enough already.

Su Wanqing devoted herself wholeheartedly to the children. She disciplined them strictly while caring for them attentively, sharing who knew how much of his burden.

How could he allow Yue'er to be so ungrateful?

Yue'er shrank her neck in fright, then hurried over to kneel on a prayer mat beside her sister Seedling.

She knew she had said the wrong thing. Keeping her head deeply lowered, she did not dare make another sound.

Jiang Fu'an walked over to his wife, his voice softening.

"Wanqing, I'm sorry. This child has no filter... I'll make sure to teach her properly from now on."

Su Wanqing remained calm. She shook her head and said softly,

"You needn't be angry, Husband. I knew long ago that being a stepmother would not be easy. Those words are nothing, so long as you do not blame me."

Seeing how understanding and considerate she was, Jiang Fu'an felt warmth stir in his heart and could not help reaching out to pull her into his arms.

Su Wanqing's face reddened slightly. She glanced at the three little heads in the main hall and gently pushed him.

"I left a few dishes in the kitchen. Take them to Uncle Xu and Aunt Xu."

Uncle Xu's family lived next door and had helped Jiang Fu'an greatly over the years.

The elderly couple's child had died young, and they had always loved Seedling and the others as though they were their own grandchildren.

In the years after Wang Lanhua passed away, Aunt Xu had helped look after the children.

As for Uncle Xu, he had passed on nearly all the hunting skills he had accumulated over half his life to Jiang Fu'an without holding anything back.

With such an abundant meal today, they naturally ought to send some over.

Jiang Fu'an nodded, quietly praising, "You're still the thoughtful one," before turning toward the kitchen.

An hour later, the belated birthday feast finally began.

Su Wanqing reheated every dish, then specially cooked a bowl of noodles for Seedling, topping it with a plump poached egg.

Jiang Fu'an took out candied fruit, taffy, and other snacks he had bought in town that morning.

Faced with a table full of delicious food, the three children had long forgotten about being punished earlier.

For a while, the room filled with the gentle clinking of bowls and chopsticks and the sound of laughter, lively and warm.

During the meal, Jiang Fu'an took out a wooden box three cun square and handed it to the little birthday girl.

"Seedling, this is your birthday gift from Father."

Seedling's eyes lit up as she accepted it with both hands.

"Thank you, Father!"

"Open it and see whether you like it."

Seedling carefully lifted the lid. Inside lay six tiny wooden figurines.

The carving was not especially intricate, but their features and figures could still vaguely be made out.

They were the three siblings, along with Jiang Fu'an, Wang Lanhua, and Su Wanqing.

Yue'er had leaned over curiously at first, but once she saw they were wooden dolls that could not be eaten, she immediately lost interest and turned back to pick up a piece of braised pork rib.

But Seedling loved them dearly. Even when Stone reached out to touch them, she guarded the box and would not let him.

Beside them, Su Wanqing secretly glanced at her husband, confusion in her eyes.

To her, the family saw each other every day. Why go to the trouble of carving these?

There was no electricity in this world, and after dark there was little entertainment. Once dinner was over, the children gradually went to sleep.

Jiang Fu'an, however, was still enjoying the night that belonged only to him and his wife.

Before the children, Su Wanqing was a stern mother whose word was final. Behind closed doors, after shedding her clothes, she became a gentle and considerate wife who blushed and whispered softly.

Though they had been married for a year already, Jiang Fu'an still could not get enough of his wife. He was infatuated with the warmth of her skin and the fragrance in her hair.

After the clouds had scattered and the rain had ceased, Su Wanqing's cheeks were flushed as she lay against his chest and softly said,

"Husband, let's have a child."

Jiang Fu'an paused, then remembered Yue'er's piercing words that evening.

In an instant, he understood what his wife was thinking.

Since their marriage, he had taken precautions because he feared Wanqing might suffer a difficult labor like his late wife.

But perhaps that concern could be put to rest once Seedling was chosen by a nearby immortal sect and they could afford a better physician.

He stroked his wife's smooth back and replied,

"Alright."

The moment the words left his mouth, the ball of white light in his mind suddenly trembled and spread outward in a ripple.

Jiang Fu'an abruptly remembered that seven years ago, at this very moment, his eldest daughter Seedling's clear crying had first sounded in this world.

She was already seven years old!