At the moment, the stables of Asker Manor are in a busy state both inside and outside. With the arrival of the harvest season in September, large quantities of hay, wheat straw, wheat, wheat bran, carrots, artichokes, chickpeas, broad beans, peas and other roughage and concentrate were delivered to the owner's stables by tenant farmers who rented the land of the lord of the manor.

While Yul Carter, the senior valet who oversees the stables, directs the men to sort the different types of feed, Michael, who is only 7 years old, stands by his side and is ready for orders. Since Michael had no education and was not old enough to work, Yule had to let him do some errands and deliver messages with him.

After a wagon loaded with large quantities of carrots, artichokes, and chickpeas was driven by the tenant farmers to the open field outside the stables, Michael pointed to the vegetables in the carriage as if he had discovered a new world, and turned his head to look up at Yule, "Sir, I know the food that grows on these lands. ”

Yule nodded indifferently and ordered the tenant farmer who was rushing to the cart, "Hey, you, send this cart of vegetables to warehouse No. 1." Be careful when you get off the bus and don't break the vegetables. ”

When the tenant farmer standing by the carriage nodded in agreement, Michael tilted his head curiously and looked up at Yule again, "Sir, these... Why can't vegetables be broken? ”

"Michael, you have to remember that these fresh vegetables are used to feed the warhorses of the adults and the young lady."

"Oh, I see, what about the hay and straw?"

"It can also be used to feed war horses. However, these feeds do not make the horses grow stronger and stronger. ”

When the tenant farmer loaded a cart of chickpeas with a small cart, Michael swallowed as he pointed to the chickpeas on the cart and grinned, "Sir, I eat this food a lot, whether it's just taken or my mother cooks it, it's delicious." ”

Yule glanced at Michael, who looked greedy, and shook his head, "If you want to eat, go get some." ”

"Yes, sir." Michael, who was already impatient, ran towards the carriage in the clearing. Just as he was running to the rear of the carriage, where the flap had been opened for easy unloading, he suddenly saw his mother Dorothy and his savior walking in the direction of the stables.

Isabel looked at Michael, who was standing at the back of the car in a daze, and smiled lightly at Dorothy beside her, "Dorothy, look, your eldest son wants to eat those chickpeas." ”

"I beg your pardon, Miss." After Dorothy whispered, she lifted her skirt and trotted in front of her eldest son, "Michael, what are you doing?" Stop and salute Miss. ”

"I see, Mother." Michael stood side by side with his mother by the carriage and bowed to Isabel as she approached. At the same time, all the tenant farmers and valets who were busy in the open space also stood in place, bowing and greeting Isabel. Isabel walked straight to the senior manservant who was standing in place after saluting, "Yur, get someone to prepare a horse for me at once, I'm going out." ”

"Yes, miss." Yule agreed, and immediately called a valet to give a few words.

When the manservant turned and ran towards the stable, the clearing was once again busy. Isabel stood beside Yule with the bayonet sword given to her by the Earl of Surrey, and watched with satisfaction as a large amount of feed was unloaded from the wagon and brought into the storeroom, "Yule, it's harvest season, and you remember to have the horses fed more fodder." ”

"Yes, miss."

"Also, if you notice that a horse is having trouble defecating, remember to mix some vegetable oil and lard in the hay, wheat straw and wheat bran for the horse to eat."

At this time, Dorothy came to her side with her eldest son, and Isabel lowered her head and glanced at Michael, who was full of curiosity, and said with a smile: "Michael, your mother told me that the upcoming Michael's Day is also your birthday, right?" ”

Michael's eyes were always fixed on the short sword on the other party's waist and the bayonet sword he was holding, and he reflexively nodded his head a few times, "Yes, Miss." Mommy said that in honor of the man who resisted the invasion of the night... The knights of God's side, so I use the archangel's name as my name. ”

"Well, Michael, you have a good memory." While appreciating, Isabel said casually, "Since your birthday is coming, do you want any gifts?" ”

As the daughter of Sir Augustus, the lord of the manor, she even took the initiative to ask the eldest son of a household maid what he wanted. To Dorothy, a country woman, it was a sense of honor that she had never had to bear. He hurriedly walked up to Isabel and replied, "Miss, you are a forgiving, merciful, and sweet young lady, you are full of grace, and the Lord is with you......"

"yes, I see." Isabel interrupted Dorothy's praise and said that if she continued to speak, she would probably have to live like the Virgin Mary. Then, turning his gaze to Dorothy's eldest son, "Michael, tell me, what do you want?" ”

Michael never knew that he could receive a gift on his birthday. At this time, his little head was full of the appearance and taste of chickpeas, and he hurriedly pointed to several baskets of chickpeas loaded on the carriage, "Miss, if I can eat many, many of those beans, I will already be very happy." ”

"No problem, you know what, I love that kind of beans too. Michael, remember, that bean is called chickpea. ”

"Miss, what... You also like to eat... Chickpea? ”

At this moment, a male servant pulled out a horse from the stable, which was already equipped with harness. Isabel walked to the side of the horse to check whether the saddle was secure, then turned back to Michael and explained with a soft smile: "Because chickpeas will have many benefits for your body, not only can they be made into chickpea sauce for dipping in bread, but they can also be mashed and cooked to make small crepes." Did you know that these beans can also be used to make soups and stews? ”

When Isabel lived, chickpeas were known as the "king of beans". It is rich in nutrients and contains a lot of nutrients that are beneficial to human health, and in addition to the fruit, even its seeds, young pods and young seedlings can be eaten. In her life with her mother, she often consumed large amounts of vegetable salads made with chickpeas and other vegetables.

The daughter of the lord of the manor knew so much about the vegetables that the poor ate or fed the war horses, and even Yule, who was beside her, was attracted by her remarks about nutrition and health. As I listened, I heard Michael say, "Miss, you agree to put this... Chickpeas to give me as a gift? ”

After Isabel checked the harness, she stood on the side of the horse and smiled at Michael, "Yes, I'll give you another trophy." ”