Maggie

"Come on in," Lily beckoned her family with a smile. "Tute finished work early today just to cook his specialty for you all. He's been bragging about it lately..."

The family entered the house. With daylight still streaming in, the room remained fairly bright. Stuart was setting the table when he saw them come in, and a smile spread across his face. Adam and Penny, meeting their grandparents for the first time, were a bit shy and hid behind their father's legs.

Meanwhile, Lily's family stared at the table laden with a basket full of bread and something steaming with a spicy aroma—they didn't know what it was, but it carried a rich, meaty scent. The two little girls, frightened, clutched their mother's hand tightly, yet their eyes were fixed longingly on the delicious-looking food, making it hard to watch.

"Let's eat first, then talk," Lily said, her voice tinged with sadness she dared not show, lest it upset everyone. She quickly smiled and invited her parents to join them.

"Lily, you, you really didn't have to go to all this trouble! How could you prepare so much food? We can't possibly eat all this!" Lily's mother hurried to the table, exclaiming in rapid succession, "This is far too extravagant! You're being far too wasteful. Only Stuart would indulge you like this. Stuart, please take some back. No one could possibly eat this much in one sitting..."

The elderly woman grew flustered, clearly worried about her daughter. Fearing Stuart might take offense at Lily's lavish hospitality toward his parents and niece's sister-in-law, she rattled on, almost apologizing.

"Mom, don't blame Lily. Look at these dishes—I made them specially! It was all my idea!" Stewart quickly explained with a smile. He and Lily had discussed it beforehand, and he didn't mind at all. Stewart's parents had passed away earlier. Not long after he and Lily started living together, both of his parents died, worn out from overwork. Their bodies were worn out. Back then, Lily's father would always bring his sons over to help. Now that Stuart had some financial breathing room, supporting Lily's family wasn't a burden. Plus, he genuinely remembered the kindness they'd shown him. Seeing them so uneasy and awkward, he couldn't bear it. " Mom and Dad, don't worry. Lily and I have everything planned. Come on, put your things down. Let's try this dish Mr. Lance taught me first!"

"Showing off again," Lily chuckled. She took her parents' belongings and, with her sister-in-law, placed them in the room they would be staying in. Then, holding her sister-in-law's hand, she led them out and invited them to sit down.

Then, after years apart, the family finally sat down to eat together. Stuart closed his eyes and offered a quiet prayer, though his blessing was a bit different: "Thank you, Mr. Lance, for teaching us irrigation and drainage, helping us avoid the rain season's damage to our wheat; thank you for teaching us composting, filling our granaries with grain; thank you for establishing factories, making our pockets full..."

The guests who had just arrived that day stared wide-eyed at this blessing. Lily smiled, then joined Adam and little Penny in repeating it with their father before announcing it was time to eat.

The two little ones simultaneously lifted their cups toward Lily. She picked up the iron teapot beside her and smiled. "We all pray like this because we're so grateful to young Mr. Lance... He truly is a noble and great man. Stewart practically can't stop talking about him every day. You'll get used to it soon enough."

"You mean Mr. Lance the Administrator? We've heard of him too. They say he discovered the fruits of the harvest. Everyone whispers that not only are his deeds great, but he looks just like the Holy Child in the frescoes..." Lily's mother trailed off, realizing her words might be inappropriate, clearing her throat to end the sentence.

Lily, however, remained perfectly composed. Stewart chimed in, "If you ask me, His Grace the Duke is no demon at all. We all feel that someone like Mr. Lance staying by His Grace's side to assist him must be because even the gods couldn't bear the corruption within the Temple anymore."

"Tute," Lily murmured disapprovingly. Though everyone said this, her family had just arrived—she couldn't frighten them. But now, the old man's attention was clearly drawn to Lily's movements. She watched as Lily poured pure white milk from the iron kettle, filling Adam and Penny's cups, then turning to little Polly and filling her cup to the brim.

"...What is this?" Polly asked her mother, staring at the cup before her.

"It's milk. It's delicious," Adam piped up before Lily could answer. He took a big gulp, milk still glistening on his lips, and declared loudly, "Just drink it like this! It's sweet! Later, when we eat the spicy hotpot, you can drink milk to cool down the heat!"

The awkward topic was unintentionally interrupted by the child. Lily smiled and urged everyone to eat. As the bread entered the old man's mouth, his eyes widened in astonishment. This bread contained no wood shavings or sand—it was a perfectly formed wheat loaf! Sweet and soft beyond belief, it likely even contained milk fermentation!

"Lily, this... this..." After taking a bite, even Lily's usually taciturn father spoke up. "Is this how you always eat?"

The old man's tone was clearly disapproving. Stuart quickly stepped in to defend his wife: "Dad, don't worry. Ever since Mr. Lance discovered composting, everyone in the village has been eating like this this year! And we'll keep eating it this way! Dad, here, have some more milk and stew. It's Mr. Lance's special recipe—everyone loves it now! Some folks even order it with bread at the village tavern!"

The meal was delicious, but the two elders felt uneasy about their children's extravagance. Little Polly was carefree. Not long after she was born, her father and grandfather were involved in an accident. Her father died, and her grandfather broke his leg, leaving him limping ever since. After losing two strong workers, only her eldest uncle and uncle supported the family. But as the number of children grew, the household grew poorer day by day. Polly was a girl. She had no father. Although her grandparents cared for her, it was still not the same as the other children.

Moreover, they lacked direct experience of such things, having always lived this way. This was her first taste of sweet milk and soft, fragrant bread that didn't scrape her teeth. She ate heartily, a small, thin girl devouring nearly half a loaf. Only when Lily's sister-in-law grew slightly uneasy and gently reminded her did Polly slow down.

She felt a bit shy, but Lily was delighted. Smiling, she refilled Polly's milk and even topped up her parents' glasses despite their protests. The meal stretched on long into the evening, finally drawing to a reluctant close as the last rays of sunset faded.

Over the course of the meal, Polly and Adam struck up a conversation. Being about the same age as Adam, she was still a child at heart. Though life had worn her down, once her circumstances improved, Polly's personality shed its initial shyness and revealed a lively side. Now, listening to Adam recount everything about York, her eyes sparkled. Before long, the three children went off to the room together to look at the little trinkets Adam and Penny had collected.

Meanwhile, the adults needed to have a private conversation.

Lily clasped her sister-in-law's hand and smiled. "Maggie, I've arranged for you to start working at the factory. You'll begin spinning cloth at eight shillings a month. But Mr. Lance mentioned a one-shilling allowance for those not staying in the factory lodgings. I think you should stay here for now..."

"Eight shillings? Me?!" Maggie's eyes widened. "How could I possibly refuse? Eight shillings—I never dreamed of such a thing... Lily, Lily, I don't even know what to say..."

The emotional woman stood stunned, her eyes welling up almost instantly. She covered her mouth, clearly overwhelmed with emotion. Over the years, Maggie had endured hardships beyond what most could imagine. As a widow, her home life was nothing like Lily's. Her parents showed her little affection. She'd only married Lily's second brother because he'd gritted his teeth and paid a large sum of money and grain to rescue her from that household. Originally, they intended to sell her to an older man offering even more money. But that man was merely passing through the village, and no one knew his true background. The womenfolk whispered among themselves, saying he wasn't looking for a wife at all. He'd bought several girls before, likely intending to resell them for a higher price.

Maggie threatened her parents: either take the dowry from Lily's family, or she would kill herself, leaving them with nothing. It was the most impulsive thing she'd ever done, nearly severing ties with her parents. Yet it was precisely this act that allowed her to escape that household entirely. She received not a penny when she married, yet she remained grateful. She had married the man she loved. Compared to the other girls who had been bought, Maggie felt as if she were in heaven.

Yet Maggie never imagined happiness would prove so fleeting—like a captivating bubble that burst when Lily's second brother passed away. Maggie refused to remarry or return home. She knelt before her husband's parents, begging them to let her stay, for she could not bear to forget the man she had loved.

Yet Maggie felt guilty. Though she stayed and could do some work, sending her back or selling her would bring in more money—clearly a better deal. But they never did. Even if life wasn't great, Maggie was grateful. Still, she feared the feeling of having no control over her own destiny. After her husband died, with no one to shelter her from the storms, that fear only grew stronger.

In modern times, many would wonder why Maggie didn't leave the village to work in places like York. But in that era, it was simply impossible for a woman to travel alone. The dangers on the road were too great. —not just wild beasts and such. A woman traveling the highways unaccompanied by a man was an easy target for others. Robbery and assault were common enough, but those who turned to prostitution by the roadside—who among them had truly chosen that path from the start?

Moreover, even if she somehow made it to York, factory jobs were scarce. Local factories rarely had openings, and countless workers' families or relatives were already queued up waiting for positions. Men might fare better, but opportunities for female laborers were few and far between.

Thus, Maggie’s journey here had been filled with trepidation. Had it not been for Lily’s return causing a stir in the village—and her elderly parents being summoned by Lily with promises of work for them—Maggie would never have dared come alone to seek refuge with Lily.

Even on the journey, Maggie fretted. Though Lily had mentioned the opportunity, Maggie feared too many competitors might have changed things by her arrival. She ate her meals nervously, savoring the sweetness yet constantly anxious, too timid to ask. Now that Lily brought it up herself, Maggie instantly relaxed.

Eight shillings was no small sum to her. Carefully budgeted, it would easily allow her and her daughter to live much better than before—at least they wouldn't have to worry about going hungry or being cold. This wasn't York; prices weren't nearly as high here. Of course, inflation might rise in the future, but Lily had assured her that once she started at the factory, they'd provide lunch. The benefits were far better than what she'd had in York. What's more, with two elderly people here to help care for all the children, Maggie could focus on earning a steady income. The children would grow up safe and happy, and she and Lily could support each other... Tears streamed down Maggie's face as a wave of relief washed over her, settling her heart. For a moment, she couldn't wipe the tears from her cheeks.

Author's Note:

It was the second brother who died. I had written it wrong earlier and have now corrected it.

Also, thanks to the brothers who sent me landmines earlier—you've spent a fortune.

Chapter 37 back

But clearly, Lily and Stuart hadn't revealed all their surprises yet. Seeing Maggie wipe her tears, Lily smiled and comforted her, while Stuart solemnly addressed his in-laws: Mom and Dad, I didn't explain clearly when I sent word through someone else earlier. Here's the thing: I've had this house renovated recently. Look at the floor—it's been cemented over. You'll be living here from now on. As for the empty lot outside..."

"Oh, Stuart..." Lily's mother murmured his name softly, clearly still feeling awkward. But Stuart smiled and said, "Mom, don't worry. I mean, this house is for you to live in. You shouldn't feel uncomfortable... Lily and I are moving into a new place!"

"What?!" " Lily's father's eyes widened as he looked at his daughter. Lily, holding Maggie's hand, wore a blissful smile. She glanced at her parents, then at Stewart, and said cheerfully, "Aren't they planning Swan City below Swan Castle? Since Stewart is the patrol captain, he got a purchase quota for a garden house. Tut already put down the down payment..."

The entire family stared wide-eyed at Lily and Stewart—this was no small matter! While money could buy city dwellings now, residing in the inner city's newly planned garden district was worlds apart from living in ordinary apartment buildings. The neighborhood was filled with wealthy individuals and officials! From now on, Lily would be a true city dweller!

No, to be precise, Stuart was already a patrol captain. He was young yet had already made a name for himself before the magistrates. He had even overseen the construction of the road from York to Black Swan... Stuart's future prospects might extend far beyond this!

The whole family was suddenly filled with excitement. But what Stewart was about to announce wasn't just that. The reason he dared bring Lily's parents here wasn't simply to support the two elders. Though it wasn't a huge burden for him and Lily now, the elderly might feel uncomfortable. Stewart had thought of a solution that would satisfy everyone. He said: Lately, the town's been swarming with merchants, and the inns can't accommodate them all. Villagers have recently whitewashed their homes to house the merchants' journeymen and servants—accommodation in town isn't cheap, Since Lily and I are moving to town anyway, why not expand and renovate this old house? We could live here ourselves, then fence off the open space in front and build a row of cottages to run an affordable inn. Set up a covered pavilion in the courtyard for guests to relax, and sell some rye beer on the side... Mom and Dad, you could oversee things—it'd be a little business for you. What do you think?"

"A guesthouse?! Turn this house into a guesthouse?" Lily's father, who'd been sitting quietly, perked up at this. He was always a capable man, his character somewhat like Stuart's—otherwise he wouldn't have approved of Lily and Stuart's marriage. Back when he'd chosen between the gold coins offered by a local squire and Tut for Lily's hand, he'd told her: Tut was a smart man with a good heart. With him, Lily wouldn't suffer greatly. While being the squire's mistress offered luxury, illegitimate children held no status. The children would be pitiful, and once her beauty faded and she was cast aside, her life would quickly become unbearable.

Lily had been naive back then, but her father was no fool. Unfortunately, his broken leg and the loss of his second son had left him despondent for years. Otherwise, with his skill at managing the household, their family wouldn't have fallen so far.

Throughout the journey and even after the meal, the old man scarcely smiled. Though his daughter had married well and her husband was willing to care for them both—a blessing beyond measure—the old man's mind was heavy with worry. For now, things might pass, but what of the years ahead? To rely on others for daily sustenance, and become a burden when illness struck... His heart was filled with sorrow. Yet now, Stewart's proposal offered him a glimmer of genuine hope.

Lily's mother, hearing her husband perk up, fell silent too. She was deeply moved. Weathered by life's hardships, the elderly pondered more than the young, especially in this era. They'd endured too many famines. No one, regardless of age, wanted to sit idly by, living off others' labor. They dreaded becoming a burden.

That evening, Lily was tender enough to melt hearts. She realized now how perfectly Stuart had handled everything. Her once-dejected parents perked up at his arrangements. Before bed, her father's face glowed with excitement as he already pondered what types of meals to offer at the inn.

Her mother was equally delighted, suggesting they could make their own beds for the inn. After all, their place wasn't large, the prices were affordable, and the food needed to be cost-effective too... The two elders were probably still discussing this in their room. Even Maggie, Lily's sister-in-law, was thrilled. Living with the elders meant not only having someone to look after them but also being able to help out at the inn after work. They were used to living together and wouldn't feel out of place at all.

In the end, Lily's father insisted on paying them annual rent based on their income. After all, the house belonged to Lily and Stuart. Stuart didn't refuse, suggesting they give it to Lily as her own personal spending money.

That night, Stuart experienced what it meant for steel to become as soft as silk. Lily had always been a gentle woman, but he'd never realized beneath that gentleness lay a devilishly seductive charm. When she fully unleashed her allure, Stuart woke the next morning feeling lightheaded, unable to resist telling Lily: "Baby, if every night were like last night... I'd wish you had a hundred moms and dads!"

Lily blushed at his teasing and playfully smacked him. Gathering her golden braid, she rose as dawn's first light touched the sky—time to prepare breakfast!

Stuart had plans before breakfast too. He dressed in coarse cloth, got up, and went out. The children were still asleep, but Maggie was already up. Today was her first day at work. The new life, good food, and rest had made her glow. Her hair was pulled back tightly, and she wore a set of old, patched clothes. Though a bit cramped, she was full of energy, a smile on her face.

"Good morning," Maggie said shyly when she saw Stuart. She hadn't been able to sleep early that morning and had cleaned the house. Outside lay yesterday's leftover vegetables and bread, which Maggie dared not touch. Just then, Lily came out, and Maggie began preparing breakfast with her. Lily explained they didn't eat bread in the morning but something called pancakes. Maggie followed Lily's lead, kneading the flour in confusion. Seeing Stuart head out, she asked curiously, "Is patrol duty that demanding? Starting so early?"

"Not exactly," Lily replied with a smile. "It's morning training. The knight trains the patrol members early. The duke is very strict with them, saying those who aren't strong enough can't protect the townspeople. So while others say patrol duty is easy, Tut and the others are actually quite exhausted..."

Though he spoke of exhaustion, it wasn't complaint. Tut himself enjoyed the morning drills. What man didn't crave strength? Though not the mightiest, Tut felt daily training built his physique. More importantly, being trained by a knight was an honor.

Moreover, it was said the Duke rose even earlier each morning to train knights not on duty. Recently, knights on leave had begun frequenting the city taverns. The personal guards the Duke had brought back were notoriously fierce—unlike knights like Jess and Tute, who had never ventured beyond York. The two hundred-plus bodyguards Edward brought back carried a bloodthirsty aura. They were men with blood on their hands. When they frequented the city taverns, their behavior mirrored Edward's—most people dared not approach them.

Being trained by such intimidating figures... Even during their first patrol in town, when Tut and the others doffed their hats to salute a knight riding by, the knight actually stopped and greeted them with a smile. The patrolmen instantly felt their backs straighten. Now, every word they spoke carried a hint of imitation of those knightly manners. So, though the daily drills left them breathless, they found it strangely exhilarating.

Maggie looked at Lily with envy. "You have no idea how jealous the village women are of you. Now all the girls want to marry into Black Swan City."

"I know!" Lily couldn't help but smile with a hint of pride. "When I went home and saw Mary, she mocked me. Now she must be furious!"

"She's practically gone mad!" Maggie instantly joined in the shared resentment. Living in the same village, she'd endured Mary's taunts for years. Now, speaking with a sense of vindication, she added, "Before I came here with my parents, she was still making those snide remarks... She should see what we ate yesterday! It'd be enough to make that stingy, crazy woman fume for a whole year!"

Talking about their shared dislike for Mary instantly brought them closer. Though they'd felt a bit awkward at first, discussing Mary's antics since her marriage made them feel familiar and warm toward each other. Breakfast time flew by in a whirlwind of cheer. Lily and Maggie worked swiftly, and before long, the two elders rose as well.

Lily's mother was still quite spry. She had her graying hair neatly pinned up under a worn headscarf and wore a slightly frayed white dress. Behind her came the sprightly old gentleman, leaning on his polished wooden cane. He came out to greet his daughters briefly before heading outside.

"He was itching to see how much land we expanded yesterday. It took me ages to convince him to go to bed," Lily's mother said with a laugh before coming over to help the two.

By now, most preparations were complete. Hearing Tut enter the house, Lily finished stirring the batter—a mixture of greens, eggs, milk, and salt. She melted a spoonful of butter, then swiftly poured it into the batter.

Maggie and Lily's mom could only watch from the sidelines. They'd never cooked this way before—in fact, it was their first time seeing this kind of metal pan and frying method.

When Stuart returned, he was no longer sweaty—evidently the patrol had bathed in the river again. He kissed Lily, went inside to change into the patrol's summer uniform, and by the time he emerged, breakfast was ready for everyone.

Maggie took a bite and instantly widened her eyes. The soft, salty pancake was absolutely delicious, carrying a subtle hint of butter. She murmured softly, "If only the ingredients for these wheat cakes weren't so expensive, I'd definitely sell them at the inn—they're both convenient and tasty!"

"That's true," Lily smiled. "After all, it's a recipe passed down from Mr. Lance. It is a bit more refined."

Now that everyone's living standards were improving, these refined dishes were starting to appear on tables. Still, they weren't eaten daily. Even though times were better, thrifty housewives only brought out these precious recipes for special occasions.

"But Mr. Lance is truly remarkable—he seems to know everything," Maggie remarked, her curiosity piqued as she ate her breakfast. "He must be a charming, mature, and elegant gentleman."

Tute and Lily exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

Meanwhile, the mature, elegant, and charming Mr. Lance was seething with frustration. These past two days, he seemed to have finally started growing again. Probably due to sufficient nutrition, he was growing faster at night, and the bone pain had him groaning constantly.

In the middle of the night, Edward felt the little creature in his arms wriggling restlessly. Opening his eyes, he gazed into a pair of deep blue pools. The small figure in his embrace lifted its head like a golden kitten, whimpering tearfully as it clung to him: "My legs hurt..."

All traces of sleep vanished instantly. Edward spent the entire night massaging his legs. His large, warm hands were firm and steady. Over the past two months, Tang Feiliu had suffered more than a dozen flare-ups, each requiring Edward's soothing touch to finally drift off to sleep.

Edward devoted himself wholeheartedly, but physical discomfort inevitably bred irritability. Though Tang Feiliu had once been easily appeased by a simple meal, his recent overindulgence in meat had inflamed his condition. This added fuel to the fire, amplifying his temper. Perhaps it was because the Duke was too easy to push around— Most children spoiled by affection become spoiled. Tang Feiliu, having lived two lifetimes—with parents and friends in his previous life, and the Duke in this one—grew ever more spoiled. He knew full well he was acting out, but since the Duke was willing to indulge him, he grew increasingly willful. His bones ached so badly he refused to walk, demanding to be carried up and down stairs daily. He even regressed to the point of being unable to button his own clothes. When Edward went out for his morning exercise, Tang Feiliu refused to join him, whining and dawdling until Edward was nearly driven to fury. Yet, with his pitiful demeanor, he clearly relished this spoiled, arrogant behavior. exploiting Edward's heartfelt concern for him, becoming increasingly unmanageable. Just as Edward felt utterly helpless, a welcome distraction arrived: Jace and the others returned from their first voyage, bringing back a massive convoy of goods.

Rumor had it they also rescued two men who'd nearly been executed.

Their crime? Grave robbery.

Author's Note:

My eyes are barely staying open...