Chapter 114 - 112 — The Missing Key and the Secret of Moon Spring

Chapter 114: Chapter 112 — The Missing Key and the Secret of Moon Spring

Shen Rui had built fences, repaired irrigation channels, restored old buildings, and once stopped a giant pumpkin from destroying an entire food stall.

But he had never expected to negotiate with a goat over a key.

Unfortunately, that was precisely what he was doing that morning.

"Give it back."

Pepper chewed.

Shen Rui stared.

"Pepper."

The goat swallowed.

Shen Rui slowly closed his eyes.

Behind him, Jun was struggling not to laugh.

"Perhaps he thinks the key is food."

"Does it look like food?"

Jun considered the question.

"Not particularly."

"Then why would he eat it?"

Jun shrugged.

"Pepper has unusual tastes."

Shen Rui looked down at the goat.

Pepper looked back.

A moment later, the animal bleated and trotted away.

"STOP!"

Shen Rui hurried after him.

Unfortunately, Pepper was surprisingly fast for an animal with such a round belly.

By the time Lin Yue arrived, her husband was standing beside the old eastern orchard gate, holding a handful of grass.

Pepper was standing on the other side of the fence.

The key was nowhere to be seen.

Lin Yue blinked.

"What happened?"

Shen Rui looked at her.

"Your assistant ate the key."

"My assistant?"

"He is your responsibility."

Lin Yue glanced at Pepper.

The goat chewed happily.

Then she looked at her husband.

"You were supposed to be supervising him."

"I was supervising him."

"Clearly, he learned something."

Shen Rui gave her a helpless look.

Lin Yue burst into laughter.

The old eastern orchard gate stood beneath a thick covering of vines.

Its wooden panels were weathered, and the iron hinges had developed a reddish coating of rust.

A faded carving of a crescent moon remained above the entrance.

Lin Yue brushed away some of the vines.

"This must be the gate leading to Moon Spring."

Shen Rui examined the lock.

"It is old, but the structure is still sound. We may be able to open it without damaging the gate."

"Can you?"

"Of course."

She smiled.

"That sounded very confident."

"I am a carpenter."

"And yesterday you lost an argument with a goat."

"That was a separate matter."

Lin Yue laughed.

Shen Rui took a small tool from his belt and examined the lock.

After several minutes, there was a soft click.

The gate opened with a long, creaking sound.

Beyond it lay a narrow stone path.

The path was almost completely hidden beneath fallen leaves, but small patches of sunlight revealed the outlines of old garden beds.

Lin Yue stepped forward.

Then stopped.

"Oh."

The place was beautiful.

Not in the grand, carefully arranged way of the main garden, but in a quieter, more natural way.

Wildflowers grew between the stones. Old medicinal plants covered the edges of the path, and several fruit trees leaned toward the sunlight.

At the centre stood a small stone pavilion.

Behind it, water trickled from a spring into a shallow pool.

Moon Spring.

They had found it.

Mei and the children arrived shortly afterward.

Jun was the first to rush through the gate.

"WE FOUND IT!"

His younger sister caught the back of his shirt.

"Slow down! You will fall."

"I won’t!"

He immediately tripped over a stone.

Shen Rui caught him by the collar.

"Perhaps you should listen to your sister."

Jun straightened himself.

"I was testing the ground."

"Very thoroughly," Lin Yue remarked.

The children gathered around the spring.

The water was remarkably clear.

Small insects danced above its surface, while tiny green plants grew between the stones.

Lin Yue crouched and dipped her fingers into the water.

It was cool and fresh.

"Look at this," she said. "The spring is still flowing."

Shen Rui examined the stone channel.

"Someone has kept it clear."

Lin Yue looked up.

He was right.

Although the garden appeared neglected, the water channel had not completely collapsed. A few stones had been carefully replaced, and the weeds had been removed from the narrowest section.

Mei pointed toward the pavilion.

"Someone has been here recently."

On the wooden bench lay a small woven basket.

Inside were a pair of gardening gloves, a little hand trowel, and several freshly cut medicinal herbs.

The children exchanged curious looks.

"Is someone living here?" Jun whispered.

"Perhaps not," Lin Yue replied. "But someone certainly visits."

She examined the plants.

There were familiar varieties of mint, chrysanthemum, and several traditional medicinal herbs.

Then she noticed a little wooden sign beside a raised bed.

PLEASE DO NOT PICK THE YOUNG SHOOTS.

Lin Yue smiled.

"Someone has been taking care of this garden."

Shen Rui looked around.

"Then we should find out who."

Their answer arrived in the form of an elderly woman carrying a basket.

She emerged from behind the pavilion, stopped when she saw the visitors, and stared at them.

"What are you doing here?"

The children immediately moved behind Lin Yue.

Shen Rui stepped forward politely.

"We apologise for entering without permission. We found the old gate open and wanted to investigate the spring."

The woman looked at him.

Then at Lin Yue.

Then at the children.

Finally, her gaze settled on Pepper, who had followed them through the gate.

Her expression changed.

"Ah. So that troublesome creature has returned."

Lin Yue blinked.

"You know Pepper?"

The woman snorted.

"Unfortunately. He has been eating my plants for weeks."

Pepper bleated.

The woman pointed at him.

"Don’t pretend you don’t understand!"

Jun looked astonished.

"You know him?"

"I know that goat better than I know some of my neighbours."

Lin Yue struggled not to laugh.

The woman introduced herself as Auntie Qiao, a former herbal garden keeper who had once worked for the estate.

She had tended Moon Spring for many years before the garden was closed.

"Why was it abandoned?" Mei asked.

Auntie Qiao’s expression softened.

"People stopped coming. The old medicinal garden was no longer needed, and the buildings fell into disrepair. I was told to leave it alone."

"But you kept visiting," Lin Yue observed.

The old woman glanced at the plants.

"Some things are difficult to abandon."

She had continued caring for a few medicinal herbs, clearing the water channel, and replacing broken stones whenever she could.

She had not expected anyone to return.

Lin Yue looked at the garden with renewed appreciation.

"You have done a wonderful job."

Auntie Qiao waved her hand.

"It is only a little garden."

"Little gardens can be very important."

The elderly woman looked at her for a moment.

Then she smiled.

"Perhaps you understand."

Lin Yue explained that they had discovered an unusual silver-leaf seedling near the strawberry patch.

Auntie Qiao immediately became interested.

"Silver veins?"

"Yes."

"Small, narrow leaves?"

"Exactly."

The elderly woman led them to a shaded corner behind the pavilion.

There, beneath a wooden cover, grew several similar plants.

Lin Yue’s eyes widened.

"So this is where they came from!"

Auntie Qiao nodded.

"It is called Moonmist Herb. It is not especially rare, but it is delicate. It grows best in cool, moist soil."

Lin Yue carefully examined the leaves.

"Is it used medicinally?"

"Traditionally, its leaves are dried and used in mild herbal preparations. But it must be handled correctly. Too much of anything can become harmful."

Lin Yue nodded.

"Then we should record its growing conditions before considering how to use it."

Mei quickly opened her notebook.

Auntie Qiao seemed pleased.

"Young people who take notes are always welcome in my garden."

Jun raised his hand.

"I can take notes!"

His sister looked at him.

"You cannot spell chrysanthemum."

"I can draw it!"

"That is not the same thing."

Lin Yue laughed.

"Drawing is useful too. We can record the shape of the leaves and flowers."

Jun immediately looked pleased again.

Auntie Qiao showed them the other plants, explaining their names and how she cared for them.

The children listened eagerly.

Even Lumi, who had initially come only because he hoped there would be something edible, became interested.

He hovered above a flowering herb.

"Does this plant make cakes taste better?"

Auntie Qiao looked at him.

"What kind of creature are you?"

"A dragon."

"Then you should eat more vegetables."

Lumi froze.

Lin Yue turned away to hide her laughter.

Aster quietly recorded the exchange.

"Another successful medicinal garden lesson."

Shen Rui spent the next hour examining the pavilion and the water channel.

The pavilion’s roof was still sturdy, but several wooden supports needed attention.

One corner of the water channel had cracked, allowing some water to seep into the surrounding soil.

"I can repair this," he told Auntie Qiao.

The old woman shook her head.

"You don’t need to trouble yourself."

"It is not trouble. The spring is still useful, and the channel can be restored."

Lin Yue joined them.

"We could also create a small teaching area here. The children could learn about herbs, soil, and water conservation."

Auntie Qiao looked surprised.

"A teaching garden?"

"Only if you are comfortable with the idea," Lin Yue added. "You would not have to manage everything yourself. The apprentices and villagers could help."

The elderly woman looked toward the little garden.

For a moment, she said nothing.

Then she nodded.

"I would like that."

The children cheered.

Jun immediately announced that he would become the official medicinal plant inspector.

His sister volunteered to supervise his inspections.

Mei offered to organise the plant records.

Shen Rui promised to prepare a list of repairs and discuss the work with the Willowbank builders.

Lin Yue smiled.

It seemed Moon Spring was about to bloom again.

The peaceful mood lasted until Pepper discovered Auntie Qiao’s gardening hat.

It was hanging from a wooden peg beside the pavilion.

The goat stretched his neck.

Then stretched a little further.

Then pulled it down.

Before anyone could stop him, the hat was on his head.

The children stared.

Jun burst out laughing.

"PEPPER LOOKS LIKE A GARDENER!"

The hat slipped over the goat’s eyes.

Pepper walked directly into Shen Rui.

Shen Rui looked down.

Pepper looked up from beneath the hat.

Lin Yue doubled over with laughter.

"Oh, Shen Rui! Your assistant has been promoted!"

Shen Rui removed the hat and placed it back on the peg.

"I am requesting a transfer."

"To whom?"

"Anyone."

Pepper bleated and rubbed his head against Shen Rui’s leg.

Lin Yue wiped tears from her eyes.

"He likes you."

"I have noticed."

"Perhaps you should give him a name badge."

Shen Rui considered this.

Then he looked at the goat.

"Assistant Pepper. Department of Unauthorised Eating."

Even Auntie Qiao laughed.

The children immediately began chanting.

"ASSISTANT PEPPER! ASSISTANT PEPPER!"

Pepper appeared very pleased with his new title.

Before leaving, Auntie Qiao invited everyone to sit beneath the pavilion.

She prepared a simple herbal tea using a mild blend she had brought from her home.

Lin Yue helped arrange the cups.

Shen Rui sat beside her, looking unusually relaxed.

"Today has been productive," Lin Yue said.

"We found the spring, met its gardener, discovered the Moonmist Herb, and acquired another responsibility."

She glanced at him.

"You make it sound like a burden."

"I was referring to Pepper."

Lin Yue laughed.

Auntie Qiao placed a small plate of dried fruit on the table.

"I hope you will come again. The garden has been lonely."

"We will," Lin Yue promised.

Shen Rui nodded.

"And we will bring the materials needed for the repairs."

The old woman smiled.

"Then Moon Spring may have a future after all."

Lin Yue looked toward the clear water.

The garden had not been lost.

It had simply been waiting for someone to care about it again.

She slipped her hand beneath the table and found Shen Rui’s.

He squeezed it gently.

"You look happy," he whispered.

"I am."

"Good."

She glanced at him.

"Are you?"

"Very."

"Even though your assistant has embarrassed you in front of an elderly woman and six children?"

Shen Rui leaned closer.

"I have a much better reward waiting for me."

"What reward?"

He smiled.

"My wife walking home with me."

Lin Yue’s cheeks warmed.

"You are becoming shameless."

"Only because my wife keeps encouraging me."

She laughed and rested her head briefly against his shoulder.

For a little while, the two of them simply enjoyed the quiet afternoon.

When they finally prepared to leave, Auntie Qiao handed Lin Yue a small cloth pouch.

Inside were several carefully wrapped seeds.

"These are Moonmist Herb seeds. I have kept them for years. Perhaps you can grow a few in your Golden Space, where you can observe them safely."

Lin Yue accepted them gratefully.

"Thank you. I will take good care of them."

Auntie Qiao hesitated.

Then she added, "There is something else."

She walked to a small wooden cabinet and retrieved an old folded paper.

It was a drawing of the Moon Spring garden, showing its original layout.

But Lin Yue noticed something unusual.

Beyond the spring, the drawing showed a second garden.

A much larger one.

There were several small buildings, rows of medicinal plants, and a little greenhouse-like structure.

"What is this place?" Lin Yue asked.

Auntie Qiao looked at the drawing.

"The old Moon Garden."

"Was it part of this estate?"

"Yes. It was once used to cultivate rare plants. But it was closed long before I began working here."

Shen Rui studied the drawing.

"Where is it located?"

Auntie Qiao pointed toward the northern hillside.

"Beyond the spring. There is an old stone staircase, but the entrance is covered by vines."

Jun’s eyes widened.

"Another secret garden?"

His sister sighed.

"Please don’t start another kingdom."

Jun ignored her.

"Can we visit?"

Auntie Qiao smiled.

"Perhaps. But you should go during daylight, and you should bring someone who knows the path."

Lin Yue folded the drawing carefully.

"We will investigate it first."

Shen Rui glanced at her.

"Tomorrow?"

She smiled innocently.

"Why not?"

He gave her a knowing look.

"I suppose our next day off has already been cancelled."

Lin Yue slipped her arm through his.

"Don’t worry. I will make it up to you."

"How?"

She leaned closer and whispered something in his ear.

For the first time that afternoon, Shen Rui looked genuinely surprised.

Then his expression softened into a pleased smile.

"I shall hold you to that promise."

Lin Yue laughed.

That evening, the news of Moon Spring spread quickly through the courtyard.

The apprentices were excited about restoring the old garden. Mei had already started a new notebook, Jun was designing an official gardener’s badge for Pepper, and Lumi was asking whether Moonmist Herb could be used in a special cake.

Aster had firmly advised against experimenting with unknown medicinal plants in bakery products.

Lumi was still arguing.

But Lin Yue had other things on her mind.

She placed the old Moon Garden drawing beside her journal and examined the northern hillside.

The little garden had revealed another forgotten place.

Perhaps it was nothing more than an old cultivation ground.

Perhaps it held a few interesting plants.

Either way, she was curious.

Shen Rui came up behind her and rested his hands lightly on her shoulders.

"Planning another adventure?"

"Just looking."

"You have that expression."

"What expression?"

"The expression you wear when you have already decided to do something."

Lin Yue turned around.

"You know me too well."

"I have had considerable practice."

She smiled and reached up to straighten his collar.

"Then you should know that I need a capable companion."

Shen Rui caught her hand and kissed her knuckles.

"Fortunately, you have one."

Outside, Pepper bleated loudly.

A moment later, Jun shouted.

"SHEN RUI! PEPPER HAS STOLEN YOUR TOOL BAG!"

Shen Rui stared at the ceiling.

Lin Yue burst into laughter.

"Your assistant needs supervision."

"He needs retirement."

"Poor Pepper."

"Poor me."

She kissed his cheek.

"Come on, husband. Let’s rescue your tools."

Shen Rui sighed, but his smile gave him away.

And so another ordinary day in their little kingdom ended with a stolen tool bag, an elderly gardener’s invitation, and the promise of a new adventure.

Tomorrow, the forgotten Moon Garden would finally be explored.

And if the drawing was accurate, it might be considerably larger than anyone expected.