Chapter 34: Unexpected Harvest

  "What test?" Zhao's expression changed, and Qiuniang's change was too big. She couldn't keep up with her thoughts. "What test? Buying a manor is a big deal, how can you let a small servant go? He's just entered the door and doesn't understand any rules. Moreover, he has a grudge against the manager of Qingquan Village, and if they have a disagreement, it will affect the task at hand. What should we do?"

  Chen Ergou had strongly recommended him himself; if he messed up the job, she would lose face in front of Qiuniang.

  "Mother, it's precisely because of these reasons that this is a test. Firstly, we didn't have anyone in our hands before, and now that we've taken one in, we need to know what kind of tasks he can handle;

  "Secondly, isn't Zhao always saying 'knowing people and faces but not knowing their hearts'? Chen Er Gou looks quite decent, but whether or not he's really on our side and willing to genuinely help us with things, that's hard to say;"

  "Thirdly, Zhuangzi's price sounds pretty cheap, but we've never been in touch with farming and haven't even gone to see it ourselves. Whether it's good or not, whether it's worth it or not, we're completely in the dark."

  "Besides, Zhao's wife also mentioned that Chen Er Gou and the people of Qingquan Village have a grudge against each other. Even if he didn't wholeheartedly consider our interests, he definitely wouldn't let the people of Qingquan Village take advantage of us!"

  Wang Qifang didn't know that Zhao Ayi was a bit uncomfortable because of the tomato incident, but she still used her own tone to analyze it with Zhao Ayi, "Ayi, your concerns are also right, Chen Dongsheng hasn't learned any rules and doesn't know the rules of our household. I directly pushed him out, which is somewhat impulsive. However, if he passes our test and becomes a useful person, wouldn't it be better for you to teach him well later?" As she spoke, Wang Qifang held Zhao Ayi's slightly rough hand and rubbed it against her face, "Ayi, you've been working hard these days. We bought the estate and will buy some more servants, you should take a good rest too!"

  "Qī Niáng" Wang Qífāng was being playful like a kitten in Zhao's arms, making Zhao's originally somewhat disheartened heart suddenly fill with the feeling of being needed and valued. She silently scolded herself, "I'm really getting more muddled with age, it's good that Qī Niáng has changed, why be suspicious and doubting because of a small matter? I've failed to live up to Madame's trust, and failed to live up to Qī Niáng's trust."

  In the following days, Wang Qifang became idle. With money in hand and loyal Zhao Ayi taking care of everything by her side, household chores were also helped by Chen Dongsheng's sister Chen Chunni. She herself was being raised like a pig by Zhao Ayi, doing nothing but eating and drinking water.

  The baby in her belly, perhaps due to frequent soaking in hot springs, is particularly well-behaved. Symptoms like morning sickness, indigestion, and limb numbness are nowhere to be seen on her.

  In addition, the month is still small, and her body has not changed at all. From the outside, it's impossible to tell that she's pregnant. However, with the way the nanny is constantly replenishing and supplementing her, she will soon be able to "round out".

  She had originally wanted to practice yoga and improve her physical fitness, but one morning she was caught by Zhao Ayi, who also turned out to have a talkative side. After being lectured by the elderly woman for half a day, Qiu Fang almost raised her arm in oath before Zhao Ayi finally let her off.

  Alas, yoga can't be done, being stared at by the nanny every day, and not even daring to enter the space. Except for strolling around the small courtyard, she basically can't do anything. With nothing else to do, Wang Qifang had no choice but to pick up the fabric of Xiangniang's clothes again, snuggle on the warm kang, under the bright sunshine, and start doing needlework.

  Madam Zhao also said a couple of times, telling her to do less needlework, it's bad for the eyes!

  Although Zhao's nagging was trivial, Wang Qifang didn't feel disgusted at all, because she knew that when someone truly cared about you, they couldn't help but offer advice. If it were a passerby, even if you went streaking on a cold winter day, they wouldn't say anything to advise you, and instead would excitedly watch the commotion.

  Qianfang, who lacked family affection in her previous life, was deeply moved by these feelings. After her mother's death, sometimes on the street, she would see some mothers nagging their children and feel a twinge of envy, wishing that the child being scolded by his mother was herself.

  Now, with a new identity, although she has lost her mother again, there is someone who loves and cares for her like a mother, making Wang Qifang feel cherished.

  So, every sentence of her mother's advice, she might intentionally pretend to protest, but never got tired of it.

  Just then, Wang Qifang had just picked up the needle and thread without sewing a few stitches, when Zhao's voice came after her:

  "Hey, my wife, why are you still opening the window on such a cold day? Although it's warmer now, this cool breeze is unbearable!"

  Put the tray on the kang, Zhao Ayi quickly climbed onto the kang, closed the window that was open a small gap. Then, sat back at the head of the kang, touched the teacup on the kang, "This tea has gone cold, Ayi will change you a cup, now you have a body, everything must be careful!"

  That cup of tea was just poured, how could it be cold? Qifang pursed her lips, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, listening happily to Zhao's nagging.

  "By the way, the manager from Qingquan Village came over this morning and asked if we still want to buy?"

  Mrs. Zhao changed the tea, reached out to take away Wang Qifang's needlework, and handed her a bowl of stewed silver ear soup, thinking of the person she had just sent away, asked.

  "Oh, how did you get back, Grandma?"

  Qifang saw Zhao's nanny take away her clothes with a disapproving face, but she didn't object. She took the opportunity to pick up the porcelain bowl and leaned lazily against the window sill's cushion, gently stirring it with a small spoon, and asked casually.

  "You've already planned everything, what can I say? Of course, I'll speak according to your wishes." Zhao's mother put down the needle and thread basket on the kang, and suddenly remembered Chen Dongsheng who had disappeared for several days. With a hint of worry, she asked: "Qī Niáng, Er Gǒu has been gone for many days, not even a message. Now that the people from Qingquan Village have returned, if Er Gou hasn't succeeded, won't the Zhuangzi..."

  "Auntie, I think it's almost time for the Second Dog to bear fruit," Qifang said with a profound smile after taking two sips of silver ear soup.

  "What's going on?" Zhao Ayi busied herself for a while, seeing that there was nothing to clean up in the room. She sat down opposite Wang Qifang, staring at her as she drank her supplement, and chatted idly.

  "Heh heh, didn't you just say that the manager of Qingquan Village came to find you?" Wang Qifang saw the nod and continued: "We expressed our intention to buy the estate several days ago, why didn't he come then? It wasn't until Er Gou went that he came. I think it's likely that Er Gou has already negotiated a deal, but at a lower price than us. The owners are pressing every day, but apart from us and Er Gou, no one else is willing to buy this estate. So, he's only thinking of us now, wanting us to compete with Chen Ergou on the price!"

  "Ah, that makes sense..." Zhao's nanny heard Qifang's words and turned her head to think about it, just as she was about to say something, the sound of knocking on the door and Chunni rushing to answer it came from outside the window.

  "Who's there? I'll go and take a look!"

  Aunt Zhao heard the sound and walked out with a frown.

  Not long after, she came in again with a joyful face, still holding several yellowed white papers. "Seventh lady, what you said was accurate! Outside, it's Second Dog who has come, he has negotiated the sale of the farmstead. These are the county government's record files, fish-scale map duplicates, take a look!"

  Qifang took the white paper, unfolded it and looked at it carefully. When she saw several thick lines drawn marks, she was stunned for a moment, leaned forward and asked towards the window: "Chen Dongsheng, how much land did you negotiate in total? How much silver is included?"

  "Old Mrs. He, this time we've agreed on the land deal, and it's all marked on the fish-scale map. It includes: 110 mu of good farmland in Xishan'ao Village, Qingquan, plus 30 mu of mountainous terrain, 6 mu of ponds, as well as 20 mu of barren hillside and 10 mu of sloping land to the north, totaling 800 taels of silver!"

  What? Thirty more mu of hillside land, but the silver is less than half of what was expected?!

  Zhao Ayi and Wang Qifang exchanged a surprised glance, nodding to each other in secret. If what he said was true, then this Chen Ergou was indeed a talented person!