The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 10 [Parts 1 to 8] by Natsu Hyuuga

Author:Natsu Hyuuga
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter 7: The Farm Village (Part Two)

Lahan’s Brother stared fixedly at the earth. He reached down to check how it felt, and even put a bit of it in his mouth, then spat it out again.

“What do you think?” Maomao asked, watching him work.

A farmer’s day started early. The sun was only just cresting the horizon, but Lahan’s Brother was already up and about. Maomao had been so tired she couldn’t actually sleep well, and then she’d heard the sounds of the farmers up first thing in the morning.

They were in the fields of the farming village where they had arrived the day before. The last night, they’d asked the headman for permission to come out here, so here Lahan’s Brother was without further ado.

Wheat was beginning to sprout in the field. Maomao wondered if the sheep and goats would eat it, but other than when they were put out to pasture, the animals were safely ensconced within a fence, so maybe it worked out.

“I think the soil is all right, and they keep it watered well. If anything, one could wish for slightly poorer soil around here.”

“It’s better if the soil isn’t as nutritious?” Chue asked, poking her head over.

And to think, she can’t have gone to sleep earlier than I did last night.

She’d returned sometime in the wee hours—her negotiations must’ve gone long. In spite of it, she seemed perfectly energetic.

Maomao figured it was best not to ask what exactly she had been negotiating about. Chue had insisted Maomao treat her the same way she always did, so Maomao kept quiet.

Lahan’s Brother stood up and surveyed the field. “Unlike most vegetables, potatoes actually grow best if the soil isn’t too rich. Sweet potatoes, if there are too many nutrients in the soil, they just grow a bunch of leaves, and no potato. White potatoes become prone to disease.”

“Ah, yes, of course. By the way, bread by itself isn’t much of a breakfast, so I’m going to make some congee too.”

“Please do, that would be wonder—”

Chue was peeling a sweet potato.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” Lahan’s Brother demanded, snatching it away from her faster than lightning.

“Awww,” Chue said, twirling around theatrically.

“This is seed stock! For planting! Not for eating!”

“Yeah, but there’s nothing but wheat around here! There’s hardly even any rice. I thought some potato would bulk it up a bit.”

“Potatoe congee does sound good.” Maomao realized her stomach was growling. A nice, hardy congee would be better than bread to start the day.

“We’re going to plant this! You can’t eat it!” Lahan’s Brother said as if scolding a child. He sounded strangely like Frizzy-Glasses. Maybe it was because they were brothers. A nearby sheep looked up and gave a reproving “Baa!” as if to say “Keep it down!”

“Argh... I won’t be able to use this for stock anymore,” Lahan’s Brother groaned, looking miserably at the half-peeled potato.

“It’ll make a delicious breakfast, then!”

“Sigh... I guess it had better.”

“Not by itself, though! I’ll need at least three more!”

“No! Absolutely not!” Lahan’s Brother snapped, stopping Chue before she could do any more mischief.

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