Chapter 151: Dragon Boat Festival (Section Middle) 1
"Um... Luo...I can't take it anymore..." Both of her legs were on his shoulders. As her body was entirely like jelly she couldn't help but groan under his body.
"Be patient..." His hardness burying inside her moved faster. Sweat dropped from his forehead and onto her blushing, naked body, which sparked his flame of desire harder.
"Ah!" After a wave of vehement thrusting, he and she came together to the paradise of pleasure they had dreamed for the entire six months; they couldn't escape that state after a long time...
Yes, it's true. This time, he had been gone for half a year. No one knew where he went. Or, to be exact, no one had ever told her whom he had accompanied... Or, he was engulfed by loneliness every night just like she was...
He indulged himself to linger in her body for a while. He stood up and went to the simple bathroom behind their bedroom.
Jiang Ying Yun closed her eyes, trying not to let her tears roll. After the Mid-Autumn Festival's night three years ago that she had initially given herself to him when he was drunk, every time he came to He Yuan for the special occasions, they would sneakily meet up and have an intimate time... She had disdained herself every time she recalled the moments. However, every time he returned safe and sound, she couldn't help but want to hug him, kiss him, want... his... Even though he considered her not more than a prostitute... It was okay...
"Why are you crying?" A rough voice interrupted her thought. She raised her hand to wipe the tears brimming at the corners of her eyes, trying to restrain herself before slowly opening her eyes.
Si Luo furrowed his brows. He sat by the bed and studied her. Seeing tears rolling from the corners of her eyes, many strange emotions crossed his heart. Did he pity her? Ha... He was a ruthless assassin, did he know how to pity people? What a joke!
But why did his heart ache when he saw her pretending it was nothing. He silently watched her wipe her tears, stood up, and put on her torn undershirt he had ripped from her body and shrouded herself with a wrinkled coat.
"Now that you're back... When do you plan to depart again?" Jiang Ying Yun took a deep breath, trying to sound calm.
Si Luo shot her a strange glance, he was still hurt and accidentally burtled out: "What? You want to drive me away?"
Drive him away? No no no, she was desperate to make him stay!
"You... are not going anymore?" Did he mean what she understood?
"We'll see. Why are you asking this?" He avoided her bright eyes.
Walking toward the window, he casually flipped through the pages of a random book. He and his sword had wandered Jianghu for too long. Three years ago, he had actively left to avoid her. However, during three years, every time he returned, she had proactively come to his embrace. Everytime he left, he would leave with bits of her in his heart. Although he was still alone, he was no longer concerned. Moreover, he has had her so many times. No matter what, he should give her a proper title, right?
"Nothing. Then... I should get going." She checked herself before gently making her way to him. She really wanted to hug him, but his deliberate alienation dauted her. She stood still and contemplated for a moment before she smiled faintly and turned to the door.
"Come back here." He turned around and called her. Seeing her surprised face, he suddenly felt satisfied. In front of the others, she was always the sly shopkeeper, who could calculate everything beforehand. Only when she stood in front of him, she was more of a weak girl.
"You... What did you just say?" Jiang Ying Yun blinked her eyes, asking him to confirm. Did she hear correctly? He wanted her to return and stay by his side? He didn't want her to leave, right?
Si Luo didn't say a word when he stepped forward and pulled her back to his bed. He fished out a deep green emerald bangle out of nowhere and put it on her wrist.
"This is..." Jiang Ying Yun studied the bangle on her wrist then lifted her head to look at him. "You..."
"What? You don't like it?" He frowned and intended to pull the bangle off of her wrist. However, she held it tight. "No, don't take it," she said embarrassedly. "Since you gave it to me, it's mine now." How could she let her surprised face ruin his wholehearted first attempt at pleasing her?
"I'm really happy... Si Luo..." Jiang Ying Yun sobbed out in happiness. Damn her tears! How could it casually come out without regarding the current situation!
"So people can express their happiness this way..." Si Luo smiled. Her reaction was beyond his expectation. It had also inspired him, who used to disdain love. He wanted to continue to do more to keep her happy.
"You can keep laughing at me. As long as you're not avoiding me... It's okay if you laugh at me..." She wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her head into his warm and broad chest. She was so happy she started to babble.
"Sigh..." He lifted her face, sighing. "I'm not a good person..."
"I don't care..." She shook her head, choking with her sobs.
"I've been killing people since I was twelve. My hands are full of blood..."
"I don't care..."
"I don't know how to take care of people..."
"I will take care of you..."
"..."
"I'll support you in everything you want to do. As long as you do not abandon me here and leave for another six months... Please..."
Sigh, what could he say? This woman was willing to give up everything to follow him. What more could he ask for?
"Let's get married, Ying Yun..." He whispered his promise into her ear. "I've owed you this proposal for three years."
—
The Dragon Boat Festival dinner in He Yuan eventually turned into a simple wedding between Jiang Ying Yun and Si Luo. It surprised everyone, except for Su Shuilian.
"Although he proposed to you, it's too rushed to get married tonight!" Su Shuilian frowned in disapproval. It was just two hours away from the wedding ceremony and she was sitting with Jiang Ying Yun in the Lin family's bedroom, waiting for the auspicious time. The ceremony would be held in Bamboo Garden.
"It's okay. It's just a ceremony." Jiang Ying Yun smiled weakly. She was already so happy when he proposed to her. So, she wouldn't mind if their wedding was to be solemn or not.
"But... Your sister would be so mad." Imagining Jiang Ying Yun's expression when Situ Yun came and told her the news, Su Shuilian couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"She will surely be happy." The corners of Jiang Ying Yun's mouth lifted. Admiring herself in a light layer of makeup, she felt already satisfied.
"She has prepared several carriages of dowry for you." Su Shuilian smiled reluctantly, pointing at Jiang Ying Yun's forehead. "You, you're even braver than Jing Zhi." She had sneakily been with Si Luo for three whole years. But it couldn't be said "been with him". They had just met several times but they... every time...
"You should be more experienced than me. Why are you still blushing?" Jiang Ying Yun saw her shy face. She couldn't help but roll her eyes and tease.
"Cough..." Su Shuilian faked a cough to hide her blushing face. "I'm going outside to check. If you need anything, call Feng Ting. She's waiting outside."
"Alright. I'm okay. I just need to wait for two more hours and I can marry him when the auspicious time comes, right?" Jiang Ying Yun waved her hand, urging Su Shuilian to leave and do her business.
She was about to get married, and he just proposed to her around six hours ago. She was going to be his wife. As she was afraid that he would regret his decision, she refused to return to the embroidery house or prepare more items. She only asked Shuilian to send someone to notify her sister and invite her sister here to join the ceremony so she would receive her bows during the wedding ceremony.
Her sister's temper was not small, but she would understand eventually. No matter what, Jiang Ying Yue should feel happy as her sister was about to get married. From now on, she doesn't need to spend more effort to find a husband for her younger sister...
Chapter 151: Dragon Boat Festival (Section Middle) 2
"Are we done preparing?" Su Shuilian walked out of the room and saw Chun Lan directing a group of maids and servants hurrying out from Bamboo Garden.
"Yes Madam. We've prepared everything as you wanted. We just need to put up the couplets and the happiness symbols. But I've already asked the servants to affix them." Chun Lan reported smilingly. It was good that they had many helpers in the house during the Dragon Boat Festival so they just needed to hire several helpers from the town to prepare the ceremony. They spent less than two hours cleaning the place and preparing everything. It has been quite a long time since the main house had celebrated such a joyous event. As soon as they heard about the wedding, everybody was so happy.
"Mmm, send someone to wait at the door. I think the embroidery house will deliver the dowry." Su Shuilian nodded, asking Chun Lan then hurried to the octagonal gazebo by the lotus lake. Indeed, except for Si Tuo, who hadn't returned, the other three were standing there, discussing something.
"A Yao," she waved Lin Si Yao.
"What happened?" Lin Si Yao jumped out of the gazebo, supporting his wife as they made their way up the pavilion.
"That, Si Luo, don't you need to change into your wedding attire?" Situ Yun had returned from the embroidery house and brought back Jiang Yun Yue's annoyance together with a pair of wedding attires for the bride and the groom. No matter how rushed, her sister still needed a decent wedding dress.
"Wedding clothes? Right, right, A Luo, I'll go with you." Si Chong hastily pulled Si Luo, who was somewhat in a daze, out of the gazebo.
"The wedding room is right in Bamboo Garden. Don't get lost." Su Shuilian called after them to remind them.
"Are you tired?" Lin Si Yao supported her, returning to the main house.
"I'm not tired. I just feel Si Luo is a little native in some aspects." Su Shuilian muttered angrily.
"Naive? Ha..." Lin Si Yao chuckled, holding her tight, and whispering in her ear. "My performance was much better than his, right?"
Her ears suddenly felt hot as she remembered the scene when they got married. It was still vivid in her mind, as if it had just happened.
At that time, they knew nothing. They had just used the information they could get from their neighbors or their own experience.
"Si Luo is just embarrassed. He has never thought about getting married. In other words, assassins like us never had any hope of getting married or having a family and kids."
"But Ying Yun had been waiting for him for three years." It's not fair! She furrowed her brows.
"She didn't guide Si Luo what to do. Don't think that waiting can give you everything." Lin Si Yao pouted his lips in protest.
"What about you? Why did you... want to marry me at that time?"
"I know more than Si Luo..." A smile sparkled at the bottom of his eyes. The corners of his lips curved, charming her. They had had kids and she was still shy when looking at him...
Around 4 p.m., eighteen horse carriages with the symbol of Yue Yun Embroidery House carrying full of dowry entered He Yuan.
The servants had to unload the dowry until their legs turned sore.
"Since Yun-er likes you, being her sister, what else could I say? I just hope that you will treat her well." Jiang Ying Yue sat on the front seat, receiving a toast from Si Luo. Her displeasure gradually subsided. Right, what else could she say? This simple wedding was much better than leaving her younger sister living absent-minded as she had been the past three years.
"After the wedding, I will not insist Yun-er to still work at the embroidery house, but you two have to come home to visit your sister every Lunar New Year's Eve. Understood?" Jiang Ying Yue understood that after her sister married this man, she would possibly travel around. Except for sighing, she couldn't do anything else. If their parents were still alive, they would never let Yun-er get married in such a condition. Fortunately the embroidery house's business was good. She would divide the profits every year and send one half to Yun-er and her husband. They wouldn't need to wander around much. Jiang Ying Yue didn't know that although Si Luo looked poor, his savings weren't less than the networth of the embroidery house.
"Don't worry, sister-in-law. I will definitely bring her home." Si Luo nodded. He finally felt how important he was in Jiang Ying Yun's heart. She must have explained her intentions to her sister. Otherwise, who would want to give their precious sister to a cold-hearted assassin like him?
After they had done arranging the dowry, the auspicious time came.
Watching Jiang Ying Yue lead Jiang Yingyun, with her red veil on, to Si Luo's hand, Su Shuilian could no longer hold her tears.
Reluctantly, Lin Si Yao hugged her. He knew that she was happy for Jiang Ying Yue, but he didn't feel happy when he saw her cry.
Jian Yue stood behind Su Shuilian, trying to suppress her aching heart. These three years, she had seen all of Jiang Ying Yun's actions and efforts, but she couldn't learn from her. At least, Si Luo came back here several times a year and he didn't avoid Jiang Ying Yun. What about Si Tuo? He tried to stay away from her sight, and he didn't even come home during the Dragon Boat Festival this year.
Three years ago, she felt grateful to her Emperor who had allowed her to stay here and manage the main house of Qing Tian Private Mansion. Her job was to watch over their empty house and cooperate with Fan Hua Private Mansion to protect He Yuan's peace. They surely did hope that she could receive the happiness she deserved. What a pity he didn't want her...
The reception was really elaborate and delicious. Although it was a short notice wedding, no matter what, they were gathering here to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. Anyway, tonight, they welcomed more people from the embroidery house so they only needed to prepare more tables. The house of the Jing family, who had moved to the city two years ago, was really spacious; it was enough to hold a dozen tables, let alone just six tables for the wedding.
After three rounds of wine, the guests left. Si Chong had shooed the newly-wed couple to their wedding room to tease them.
Su Shuilian and Lin Si Yao brought their three kids back to their home. On the spacious yard, except for the maids and the servants, only Jian Yue was sitting absent-mindedly in the corner.
"Eh? Jian Yue? Why are you still here?" Yang Jing Zhi, who forgot her coat, returned to fetch it. Seeing somebody sitting in the dark corner, she asked in surprise.
"Yeah, I'm going now." Jian Yue lightly nodded before getting up.
Yang Jing Zhi looked at her lonely figure moving further away. She couldn't hide her sigh, hurrying to catch up with the other. "It's late tonight, can I stay with you tonight?" She suddenly remembered the girl's night she used to partake in university.
"It's up to you." Jian Yue glanced at her, replying casually. That house was so vast but so lonely. Anyway, she couldn't feel her loneliness for quite a long time.
"Good. Let's go... We can keep drinking; I just stole a jar of Osmanthus flower wine." Yang Jing Zhi sniggered, taking out an Osmanthus flower wine jar that was still sealed.
Men always came and went away... They weren't good at all...
Only women understood each other. They would comfort themselves and drown their sorrows...
Chapter 152: Dragon Boat Festival (Section End) 1
"You're exhausted aren't you" Lin Si Yao washed himself then entered the bedroom. He saw his petite wife return from the kids' room in the West wing.
"I'm fine. I'm just surprised. I didn't expect Ying Yun to be so decisive." Su Shuilian sat at her dressing table and took off her accessories. She remembered Ying Yun's expression when the other told her about her decision. The resolute face was as if she would lose the chance if she hesitated, their relationship will fall back again. When the two were in the middle of their wedding ceremony, Shuilian had seen the pampering gaze from Si Luo's eyes. Although it was just a glimpse of time, it was enough to prove that the man had his wife in his heart.
"Right, A Yao, yesterday the Town Elder told me that we can start farming again after the Dragon Boat Festival, right? The five-acre land we just acquired last year, can we plant on it now?" When Su Shuilian closed the curtains, she saw the canna trees swaying gently outside her window and remembered what the Town Elder had told her yesterday.
Starting three years ago, the kind Liang-momo had continuously brought home the little maids the powerful families had expelled on the streets of Fan Luo. She brought them to He Yuan. Then, Su Shuilian had an idea to help the people living in adverse conditions like the widows or the orphans. First, the private mansion did need more helpers. And second, she couldn't stand to see the young children being backed to the corner...
Two years ago, she and Yang Jing Zhi had discussed this carefully. It resulted in building the Yang Xin House. At first, the people in the city didn't know what Yang Xin House sold. Half a month later, a child around ten years old kneeled by the street near Yang Xin House. He wanted to sell himself for the money to bury his late father. The Manager of Yang Xin House invited him to the House and gave him enough money to take care of his father's funeral. Then, the kid was taken to Qing Yang Clinic for a health-check. When the kid's health was certified good, he was sent to Fan Hua Private Mansion and became the manager's servant.
At the Qingming Festival next year, the twelve-year-old boy came to Qing Yu Pagoda to worship his father. It was then, when Su Shuilian sent him to work at the pickle shop. Except for his accommodation and meals, he received three hundred coins per month. At that time, the city people finally knew the functions of Yang Xin House.
Kids from poor families or orphans could come to Yang Xin House for an opportunity. They could work in the shops in the city or become servants and maids in the private mansions. The news spread out fast. Many orphans and widows came to Yang Xin House for help, and this place actually helped them out with a livelihood. Although the work wasn't easy, it was enough to help them continue their lives safe and sound.
And due to this, He Yuan, the clinics, and the shops had enough staff. They didn't need Prince Jing's mansion or Blood Union to send their staff to help anymore. However, together with this, the amount of food they needed drastically increased.
That was why Lin Si Yao and a group of strong, young men in the private mansion went to claim the five acres of the outermost wasteland by the private mansion after the harvest time last year. They planned to sow seeds in that area this year.
Although the harvest of the newly acquired area would not be very fertile, after half a year under good care, there shouldn't be any problem with the crop.
As for other foods, the quantity of fish and shrimps in the big lake inside Fan Hua Private Mansion was increasing every year. At the same time, a farm where they fed cattle had been built at the farthermost South-East area of Luo Shui Private Mansion. Since last year, it has begun to provide meat to He Yuan. Chickens, ducks, pigs, and cows... As long as they were domestic, the staff would buy the cubs to raise. During the year, besides providing food to people in He Yuan, there was a surplus. It was dried, smoked, and salted into different varieties of cured meat and sold in Fan Luo City.
As for the people living in He Yuan who had extra poultry or pigs they wanted to sell, they could sell them to the workshop to make dry foods. If people were afraid of dirty pens and didn't want to keep the animals, they could come to buy them at the workshop.
Seeing the growth of agricultural activities, Su Shuilian and Lin Si Yao had discussed and decided to build a silk weaving farm by the foothill of Xiu Feng inside Fan Hua Private Mansion.
Xiu Feng had many wild silk worms in the flourishing mulberry trees. In addition, the weather of the southern-located Fan Luo City was much warmer than other cities during four seasons, so it was a reasonable decision to build a silk farm here.
They had asked Guangci House to hire three experienced weavers around fifty years old from other cities in Da Hui with high salaries. After preparing for six months, at the beginning of the new year, they had finished building a new silk farm. It was different from other silk farms in other countries.
Spring was the right time for the silkworms to make their cocoons. Thus, during this time, all the workers of the farm, including the three experienced weavers and the five female weavers who had learned the jobs for half a year, three servants, and a chef had been staying days and nights in the farm. They had even spent the Dragon Boat Festival on the farm.
It was good that with Yang Jing Zhi's suggestion, besides building the silk farm with sufficient equipment and a warm room for the silkworms, the private mansion had also built a dormitory for the workers. Initially, it was the place where the workers taking night shifts could rest, and now it had become a small house for them. As they were single and they had requested, Su Shuilian didn't object to their request to stay. She just asked them to take good care of their health and not forget to rest after work.
And it was how He Yuan had become a small, but self sufficient town. Not only did they not try to compete with Fan Luo City, He Yuan even shared their surplus and shared their benefits.
Chapter 152 Dragon Boat Festival (Section End) 2
"Yes, we've prepared all the tools." Lin Si Yao pondered for a while. "You can ask the Wang family if they want to contract the five-acre land we've just acquired."
"Contract?" She used to hear this word from Yang Jing Zhi. Every time Jing Zhi came to the private mansion to do a health check for people, when she had free time, she would babble a lot to Shuilian, suggesting she let the people in the town contract all the lands in the private mansion and the shops. Every year, she would pay them according to the quantity of the crops.
"Yeah, when the silk farm comes to operation, during the harvest time, we can try to arrange people. But in other times, we would face a shortage of workers." Lin Si Yao frowned, thinking. "The Wang family has been working with crops for many generations. It shouldn't be a problem for them to work with this piece of five-acre land. And, they can work normally during the harvest time."
"Yeah, it's a good idea. Now we have many people working in private mansions. They can try their best during the harvest time, but during the year, they have their own respective jobs. Compared to setting aside other people to work on that five-acre land, it'd be better to ask the Wang family to take care of it and we will pay them every year." Su Shuilian nodded in agreement.
"Now that the situation is solved, can you come over now?" Lin Si Yao glanced at her. There were only the two of them here, and she was thinking about other people and other stuff.
"A Yao!" Su Shuilian didn't know if she should cry or smile. But the night had fallen, so she gracefully took off her coat. She was about to lay on the bed when he suddenly pulled her into his warm embrace.
"You... Aren't you tired?" He had come home after lunch time and he had made love with her right away without taking a rest. After having lunch, he had been busy preparing Si Luo and Ying Yun's wedding. During the reception, Si Chong made him drink many toasts with Si Luo. And now it was midnight and he still wanted...
"I am..." He mumbled as if he was complaining. Then, he turned his body to lay atop her warm and fragrant body. His hands began to wander on her body.
"Didn't you say that you're tired?" Su Shuilian couldn't help but laugh while looking at him. However, her hands obediently wrapped around his neck as she felt his hot breath that heated up her face, ears, and neck... Until his passion burned her entirely...
"Let's do this and I won't feel tired..." Perhaps it was due to the wine, he was more passionate. He freely attacked her body until she was exhausted and slumped under his body. Then, he grunted, releasing himself...
He used a clean cloth to gently wipe hers before pulling her into his embrace. The night grew old and their love remained strong... Tomorrow, they still need to work on a lot of things. However, their busy work was for the prosperity of He Yuan, so he happily endured... Everything was because of her. She was here as his company... Everything was for her.
—
"Mom... Mom..." Five-year-old Lin Xiao charged into the room, calling for Su Shuilian. Searching around, he caught no sign of his mother so he rushed back to the main house. "Sister He, where's mom? She promised to teach me how to make cherry wine today."
"Young Master, Madam just departed. How about this maid go pick the cherries first? We need to pick the cherries then wash them before making wine." Bai He gently persuaded Lin Xiao, who looked as serious as an adult.
Talking about the five-year-old twins, after their first birthday, their contrasting characters became more distinguishable.
The Young Lady Lin Long liked to stay quiet. She could hide in the study room for the whole day without making a sound. Only when the Master of Feng Yao Court came, she would become happy and follow Master Si to study the complicated Heart Sutra in the octagonal gazebo by the lotus lake.
However, Young Master Lin Xiao was completely different from her. Other than his active and lively character, Lin Xiao liked to bury himself in making wines and cooking the dishes he liked. If the staff didn't worry about the boy's safety and didn't let him climb to the stove, he would be able to cook with his ladle now.
Before he turned five, Lin Xiao had already successfully concocted his own sweet-scented osmanthus wine by himself. Liang-momo guessed that their Young Master would become an owner of a successful restaurant one day. However, with his identity as the Elder Wangye's grandson, the elderly would be so mad... If he were to find out, he would blow his beard and give a death glare!
During the wedding yesterday, Her Ladyship had mentioned the ripe cherries in their garden. As there were so many, with not enough mouths to finish it, the cherries may be better to be used to make wine. Their Young Master still remembered this, so as soon as he woke up and before he washed his face, he ran to find his mother.
And their Third Young Master, Lin Xi, was also another character of his own. He liked everything, and to him, everything was precious. During his Zhuazhou, he had swarmed everything on the mattress into his lap. He didn't want to let go of anything... No one knew what he would want to become when he grew up.
"Bai He!" As Bai He was about to take Lin Xiao to wash his face and have breakfast, she heard the clear but cold voice of a child arise behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know who was calling her. It was absolutely the Young Lady Lin Long.
"Young Lady?"
"Where's mom?" Lin Long asked with an emotionless face. It was rare that she wanted to see her mom and she couldn't find her even though it was early in the morning.
"Her Ladyship went to a villager's house in the town. She seemed to want to discuss the new five acres of land they have just acquired. Young Lady, do you have any urgent matters? Do you need this maid to help you?" It was rare that their Young Lady wanted to see her mother, so Bai He thought it may be something serious.
"Nevermind. I will talk to her when she's back." Lin Long waved her hand and turned around, returning to her little study room.
She wondered when her Shifu would arrive. She had already memorized the Heart Sutra. She wanted to learn something new, like qinggong or sword technique... Sigh...
Chapter 153 The Silk Farm (1)
When the Wang Family heard the good news, they couldn't hold their excitement.
"Real... Really?" They would receive three silver ingots after taking care of the new five acres of land for one year and they would even receive one-tenth of the harvest? Where else could they find such a good deal?
"As I'm here talking to you, of course, it's real." Su Shuilian smiled with a nod. In Fan Hua Town, the Wang family were well-known for their agricultural techniques. Moreover, their family had six members, including the old couple, their oldest son and his wife, their second son and their only daughter. All members of their family were good at farming. Besides their own three acres of fertile paddy field, it wouldn't be a problem to take care of the five acres of land of the private mansion.
"Thank you! Thank you Madam!" Missus Wang was so happy she had to wipe the tears at the corners of her eyes. During the last three years, with the help from the Private Mansion, her neighbors could do great business, or received many commissions if they were the craftsmen, and the farmers who fed cattle also found the nice buyers. However, only their family, who had been living on farming for generations, couldn't have good deals to sell their fresh products. Anyway they couldn't just give up their fields to do something else.
For three silver ingots a year, it was more than enough to feed the family of six. They could even sell the grains and vegetables to earn more. If they took good care of the fields, the Private Mansion may extend their contract, and their savings would increase steadily; then they didn't need to worry about their second son's wedding anymore.
"It's me who has to thank you. There aren't many people working for the private mansion. I can ease my mind if you help with the land." Su Shuilian smiled and said. Then, she took out two silver ingots. "It's not that I'm worried about you. It's the rule of the private mansion. These two ingots are the deposit. I'll pay you the other one ingot and one-tenth of the crop after the harvest, okay?" She asked Xin Zhi to invite the Town Elder as witness for signing their contract.
"Yes yes yes." Father Wang and Mother Wang nodded. Mother Wang urged her husband to press his finger on the contract with the Town Elder while she was receiving two silver ingots from Su Shuilian. She had thought that they had to wait until the autumn harvest to receive the payment. She didn't expect to receive the silvers before the harvest season.
"And, for the necessary tools to take care of the land and fertilizer... you can meet Manager Xiao to receive it." All the farming tools of the private mansion were placed in the newly built storage. People who wanted to use these tools could ask Xiao Heng to register and borrow the tools. They didn't need to pay to use them.
"Yes yes yes." The Wang couple nodd their heads vigorously. They couldn't believe that they didn't even need to buy the consumable goods like fertilizer. It meant the three silver ingots they received were purely their labor cost. The Wang Family were so touched as they understood that the Private Mansion wanted to support their family.
"Uncle Wang, Aunt Wang, if you can't handle it... you come to see me. I will arrange for more people to help you. Don't push yourself too hard." Before she left, Su Shuilian couldn't help but turn around and advised as she was afraid that the elder Wangs would have to bear big pressure due to the five acres of land, even perhaps more harm than good.
"Okay. Don't worry, we can handle it. Madam, please don't worry." Aunt Wang patted her chest and affirmed. Normally, their family's three acres of good land was taken care of by their oldest son and his wife. It was no problem for them. This did not include harvest time. However, the Private Mansion said that there would be more people coming to help them during the harvest time, so they didn't need to harvest the entire five acres by themselves. How could they be exhausted with such support? In normal days, their men had so much free time, they often went fishing in Xiu Feng.
"Then um... Madam, if the private mansion needs more maids, could you let our Xiao Mei take a try? She's thirteen years old this year. I'm sure she can do the work in the private mansion." She heard from Aunt Lao that her husband could earn several silver ingots a year as a gardener in the private mansion. If her daughter worked as a maid there, she could earn about the same amount, right?
"Eh?" Su Shuilian halted her steps. She turned around and looked at Aunt Wang, whose face was full of anticipation, and then Xiao Mei, who was twisting the hem of her shirt, standing aside.
She had never proactively recruited the people living in He Yuan to be the maids or servants. First, she was afraid of rumors spreading that the Private Mansion was overbearing and forced the town's precious daughters and sons to become the servants. Second, if the maids and servants lived near their homes, they may be distracted, won't work as diligently, or they would violate the rules of the private mansion. At that time, it was hard for her to scold or punish them.
Thus, she only hired the long-term contracted workers from Qing Tian Town to work at the pickle shop.
She hired the orphans or the people from single parent families to work at the other places through Yang Xin House.
"Do you, yourself, want to work for us?" Su Shuilian asked Xiao Mei, who had her head lowered.
"Yes," Xiao Mei slightly nodded. She had observed the maids working in the main house for quite a long time. They wore better clothes than most of the villagers, and when they went out, they didn't look like a maid at all. The Town Elder said that if they worked well, they could have a chance to go to school to study or they could work at the shops in the city. She really wanted to try. Even if she couldn't become a manager of the wood workshop like Da Bao, she could become an employee with a steady job in the shop, which would help her earn a decent and steady wage every month.
Chapter 153 The Silk Farm (2)
"But we made a long-term contract with you, the shortest term is two years. Are you sure you want to work for us?" Su Shuilian smiled and asked. She didn't intend to trouble them. However, if they wanted to work at the private mansion, they had to receive a one-month training by Chun Lan before their manager arranged tasks suitable with their abilities. Their tasks would be changed every quarter. After one year, they would be assigned to a fixed job which their specialty fit.
"Yes," Xiao Mei puffed out her chest. However, her shy expression showed that she was just a thirteen-year-old teenager, who was still timid.
When Aunt Wang heard Su Shuilian's question, she had already guessed it would be possible. She smiled, and wiped her hands on her apron. "Madam, it's almost lunch time. We don't have exotic or delicious foods, but if you don't mind, would you want to have lunch with us before you leave?"
"No need. Aunt Wang, I still need to visit the silk workshop. If Xiao Mei wants to work for us and you two also agree, I'm willing to accept her. Around 6 a.m. tomorrow, you come and see Chun Lan. She will help you with the procedure. About your salary, it won't be much for the first year. Two hundred coins each month, and we'll take care of your meals and accommodation. It is also possible if you want to return home after your shift. However, you have to stay during your rotation." Su Shuilian briefed them about the salary of the newly recruited maids so as the family would understand. They would have one more night to carefully consider it.
"Yes yes yes, Xiao Mei will go. Madam, don't worry. We will not embarrass you." When Aunt Wang heard that her daughter would receive two hundred coins every month, which was around two ingots a year! Her daily meals and accommodation were also taken care of as well... Such a good opportunity, why hadn't they thought about it before?
Su Shuilian nodded and smiled at Xiao Mei when she noticed the family were firm on their decision. Bidding farewell to the Wang family, she got in Xin Zhi's horse carriage and made her way to the silk farm.
These days, as she had been busy preparing for the Dragon Boat Festival, she hadn't had a chance to visit the silk farm. Lin Si Yao went to the city to find a new headquarters for Feng Yao Court very early this morning, so she had free time to go and check the silk workshop. It would save her from A Yao's nagging that she didn't rest enough and always kept herself busy. However, if she stayed at home all day and watched him busy, she would feel distressed for him. As she was not a store owner like Jing Zhi or Ying Yun, at least, she should be able to visit her business sometimes. Moreover, it was her suggestion to build the silk workshop since she wanted the people here to be able to wear silk clothes.
—
"Madam, why did you come here? Did you have lunch?" Aunt Luo – the chef and also the manager of the silk workshop – just finished cooking lunch. She was surprised when she saw Su Shuilian and Xin Zhi.
When they heard Manager Luo's voice, people working in the workshop, who were about to have lunch, happily ran out from the workshop.
"I didn't visit you during the Dragon Boat Festival yesterday. Have you all eaten the zongzi?" Su Shuilian smiled and greeted the people in front of her.
"We did. We ate all the flavors and the other good foods. We also drank a bottle of Osmanthus flower wine. We were so full..." The chief craftsman scratched his head and smiled.
"Then that's good. Here's some snacks. They are the desserts from Si Tuo and Ying Yun's wedding. As well as wedding candies, please enjoy!" Su Shuilian signaled Xin Zhi to deliver the boxes of snacks on the horse carriage to the workers.
"Madam and miss haven't had lunch, right? Would you want to join us?" Manager Luo received the wedding cakes, actively inviting.
"Alright, we're here to ask you for a meal, manager. Afterward, I want to see the silk. Old Ying, is everything okay?" Su Shuilian nodded, smiling and asking the chief craftsman about the silk workshop's situation.
"Everything is well! The first batch of silkworm cocoons can be used. These days, we've been soaking and softening the cocoons as per the instructions from the previous experiment. The effect is quite good. Qi Luo and Wen Hui have been extracting threads from the very first soaked and softened silkworm cocoons. Although we haven't woven and dyed the fabric, it already looks very promising. After we produce the finished product and debut it in the market, I'm sure it'll cause a sensation in all of Da Hui!" Old Ying explained with gleaming eyes. Everybody laughed while looking at his face full of anticipation.
"Good! Then work hard everyone! We will try our best to produce the first batch of plain woven products with "He Yuan" Brand before the Lunar New Year." Su Shuilian couldn't hold her bright smile. She had interviewed and recruited those workers personally. They all had great interest and expectation of the silk fabric she had mentioned. They believed that in the near future, Da Hui would have a new, praiseworthy fabric that was comfortable and fitted people's bodies – natural silk.
Currently, the weaving process was simple and they only produced 'georgette', which she had replicated through trial and error. Of course, once with her and the experts' current experience and eventual improvement, Su Shuilian believed that the silk workshop will be able to have better quality fabrics produced in the near future. At that time, she would expand the silk workshop into a factory that could do all steps from extracting threads to sewing ready-to-wear pieces for the common people... and not just enjoyed by only the rich.
Ying Yun and her sister also said that if Su Shuilian wanted to expand the silk workshop, their Yue Yun Embroidery House would become the first shop that joined this shop chain. The house she had deeply attached to was the house she and A Yao had joined hands to develop, also the house she had built together with her friends.
Chapter 154 Fan Luo County (1)
After one month of harvesting, the scorching weather arrived. It was the seventh lunar month. Although the paddy fields were all completed, there were more things related to water to be taken care of.
Not to mention the lack of harvesting of the lotus seeds, during the harvest time, they didn't have much time to care for the lotus lake. So, after one month of neglect, the fishes, crabs, and shrimps had overpopulated the lake.
"Old Xia, it seems we caught more fish and shrimps this year than last year..." Aunt Lao stood in the shade of the willow tree by the lake, waving her leaf fan. Cheerily, she asked Old Xia, the manager of the lake. He had been busy all morning and was currently taking a break under some shade by the lake. She turned to see the boats full of fish moored nearby. The smiling servants were agilely moving the fish to the carriage drawn by two horses.
"Of course, we've been catching fish for two whole days and delivered several boats, but there's still a lot." Old Xia took in sips of herbal tea. Wiping his sweat, he answered happily.
"Great! Let me choose two from the next batch. Better to have two crabs for my husband. The old man has been requesting them for a while." Aunt Lao opened her money bag where she kept dozens of copper coins. It should be enough for her to buy a few fish and crabs. Later on, she would cook a great meal for her husband.
"No need. Madam already reminded me. You guys can freely pick from the last boat." Old Xia hurried to stop Aunt Lao when he saw that. Every year, they would catch the fish in the lake twice, and Her Ladyship would always keep part of them for the villagers to choose and buy. However, the prices of the fish for the villagers were very cheap. For example, they had to pay around thirty coins for half a kilogram of fish in the market; however, it cost only eight coins in the private mansion for the same amount.
"Really? Then it's really good! When will you sell the fish? I must come early. Old Xia, remember to save the big ones for me." Aunt Lao happily put away her purse and reminded Old Xia.
"No worry! Don't you see they are all big fish and shrimps on the boat? I don't want to catch the small ones." Old Xia knocked his tobacco pipe, smiling until his eyes narrowed, watching the beautiful lake in front of him where the magnificent beams of sunlight reflected. "It seems we'll need two more days. When we catch the final batch, the Town Elder will knock the gong at the ancestral hall to remind you guys."
"Old Xia, we're done." After the servants had transported the entire boat of fish, they waved at Old Xia. "I heard that the major kitchen will stew beef brisket today. We have to hurry to get a serving before it runs out!"
"Beef brisket? Really good food! I heard that your major kitchen cooks so well. Is the chef from the imperial kitchen? Tsk tsk... My husband eats much better than when he stays at home, doesn't he?" Aunt Lao fanned herself, smiling. "It's getting late. We should get back. Old Xia, you should hurry for beef brisket! Ah, it's better if you ask the chef how to cook it. I stewed it once during New Year, but no one in my family said it was delicious."
"No problem! You come with me. Your husband is there, isn't he? Let's try the chef's lunch. You'll see." Old Xia chuckled, putting his pipe away. He brushed the willow flowers on his shoulder then clasped his hands behind his back, signaling to Aunt Lao.
"How could I do that? I know the rules of the Private Mansion. It's really strict!" Aunt Lao shook her head.
Although Shuilian had told her to visit the place when she had free time, she knew the momo and the maids in the private mansion are all from the Prince Mansion. They were much more strict than the ordinary rich families. Previously, she did come and talk to Su Shuilian together with Aunt Tian. However, since the three towns had been merged into one, that young woman had had so many things to do.
Recently, she heard that the silk workshop was officially working, which made Su Shuilian visit Xiu Feng more regularly. Moreover, Aunt Lao was also busy with her farm. After she was done with her family's paddy field, she had come to work at the main house's fields for a dozen days. It has been almost a month since she's seen that girl.
"You're not going there to break anything, are you? Let's go! At most, I will give you my bowl of beef brisket." Old Xia picked up his straw hat, walking away from the lines of willow trees.
Aunt Lao burst out laughing, shaking her head. Since her eldest daughter-in-law had left to visit her mother's house. If she went home now, she would have to reheat and eat the porridge she cooked this morning for lunch. Thus, Aunt Lao decided to follow Old Xia to the main house. She wondered if she would have a chance to meet Shuilian and hug her three kids!
Chapter 154 Fan Luo County (2)
Currently, the willow trees and the maidenhair trees growing along the streets have become lushly green. As summer came, the tree branches had reached out, shading the streets inside the village. There were only some lucky sun beams getting through the leaves. It could be said that the road from He Yuan's entrance to the main houses of the private mansions was in spring time year round. It was cool during the summer and warm during winter. If the villagers weren't worried about interrupting the horse carriages traveling on the streets, they would bring their lazy chairs and take a nice nap under the shades.
On the way, Aunt Lao listened to Old Xia excitedly rant about the news of He Yuan. For example, the pickle shop was about to open a new branch in Shui Yue City, or a new shop would be opened soon in the main street of the city. He also mentioned that Fan Luo City was about to become Fan Luo County...
"What? When did this happen?" Aunt Lao was surprised. She had heard the other stories from the Town Elder. But why the Town Elder didn't mention the big event of Fan Luo City changing its name?
"Hehe, I just heard this from the Chief Manager this morning. I heard it's news from the imperial city." Old Xia scratched his head. Actually, he had accidently heard the news from the Chief Manager and his wife when he came to see him to report the lotus lake's catching.
"No wonder! This is really good, but why would they change Fan Luo City into Fan Luo County? Is there any other county in our Da Hui?" Aunt Lao didn't get it. However, it was a political matter issued by the imperial court, which had nothing to do with peasant farmers like them. In a harsher way, even if Da Hui had changed its dynasty, their lives wouldn't change much. Now that their taxes were also exempted,, there was nothing that could affect them.
While talking, they reached the major kitchen of the main house. As Aunt Lao was about to enter the kitchen together with Old Xia, she heard Liang-momo's voice. "Aunt Tian! I saw you in the distance. Madam said that after you have lunch, please come to the study room to meet her. She has something she wants to discuss with you!"
"Sigh, Momo, don't treat me so formally! I heard that the kitchen's cooking beef brisket today so I'm here to ask for cooking tips. I'll go see Ma... Madam now." Aunt Lao blushed as if she had been caught doing something bad.
"Haha! Aunt Fang, our chef, was taught by the chefs from the imperial kitchen. You can come here to exchange tips with her anytime. I've sent the message, so I'm going to deliver the meals to Young Masters and Young Lady now. If you haven't had lunch, come to the kitchen and try Aunt Fang's talent!" Liang-momo politely replied. After she delivered Su Shuilian's message, she went to deliver the meals for her little masters.
Aunt Lao gave an embarrassed smile. Remembering Liang-momo said that Su girl wanted to see her, she immediately thought that it would be about the blacksmith workshop of her oldest son. Previously, she had heard about that from Aunt Tian and the Town Elder. However, after the harvest season, she had almost forgotten, and she didn't expect that Shuilian would want to talk to her today.
It was a good event. She had always hoped that her oldest son's family could earn a stable and decent wage.
With that thought in her mind, she didn't rush to have beef brisket anymore. She must go and talk to that Shuilian girl first... A, wrong, she must address her Madam! Or else, the helpers in the main house would laugh at her for being unruly.
Su Shuilian stood at her desk, frowning and contemplating. She had just written to Liang Xuan Jing and his wife in the imperial city a moment ago. Yesterday, she received the news about the imperial city from Guangci House, which had startled her.
Da Hui's Emperor had imparted his throne to the five-year-old Ninth Prince due to his serious illness. Prince Xiang – Lou Xia Er was ordained to be the Regent. Before the ninth prince turned eighteen years old, Lou Xi Er would help the new Emperor solve the nation's affairs.
It was acceptable, however, what made people startled was that Liang Xuan Jing – An Wangye– retired and returned to his hometown; Liang En Zai who controlled the military power now lost his power and became the Wangye of Fan Luo County, managing only Fan Luo County.
Fan Luo County was Fan Luo City. Ten days ago, the new Emperor had changed its name and separated it from Da Hui's territory, which made the place a relatively independent county. Starting from the seventh lunar month, all the policies on management of Fan Luo County would be under the Wangye's command. The people there didn't need to pay any tax to Da Hui. Fortunately, the procedures for entering and leaving the county are much looser than those for entering and leaving the Dahui national border. This was a positive outcome in terms of business and trading between Fan Luo County and the other countries.
And that was how Fan Luo County became an independent city that wasn't under the governance of Da Hui's Emperor anymore. Wangye Liang En Zai 's previously bound arms and hands were released and he no longer needed to worry about being careful when reforming this country.
However, Su Shuilian worried about the Elder Wangye and Elder Wangfei. Although her brother sent her a letter saying that they were all fine. They had been recently dismissing their servants and packing up to move to Fan Hua Private Mansion to live their retired life.
She couldn't suppress her worries so she wrote a letter to her parents. She didn't mention her worries or reluctance in the letter. She just asked her to take care of their bodies and come home soon. Yes, here it was their home from now on.
"Madam, Aunt Lao's here. This maid had her wait in the main house." Xin Zhi softly reported, cutting her train of thought.
"Ok, I'll be right now." Su Shuilian nodded. She put her brush aside and used red clay to seal the letter and handed it to Xin Zhi. "When you have free time this afternoon, please send this to Guangci House for me, and then go to the clinic to tell Jing Zhi that my brother is about to come back."
"Yes," Xin Zhi carefully put the letter into her sleeves then cleaned the table before walking to the main living room with Su Shuilian. "Madam, are you going to have lunch in the main living room? The kitchen made beef brisket today. Everybody said that it's really delicious."
"All right, you should go and have lunch too. Ah, please also ask if Aunt Lao has eaten yet. If she hasn't, invite her to have lunch with me in the main room." Su Shuilian washed her hands in the simple sink in the study room before heading to the main living room.
It was true that she wanted to see Aunt Lao because of the blacksmith workshop. One month ago, Yang Xin House had sent the news that the two blacksmith workshops in the city had a fight because of competing for customers. Someone from the blacksmith workshop had used a hot fork to stab a man from the other workshop in the eye. He must be blinded now. The attacker was jailed by the representative of Castellan.
The workshop's family were all unfamiliar with blacksmithing, so they couldn't receive big orders. So, the Castellan's representative had talked to A Yao to "borrow" Lao Yong Fu of He Yuan to work in the city.
Shuilian had planned to discuss this with the Lao Family by the Dragon Boat Festival, but so many things had happened, she had forgotten it. Today, as Liang-momo said that Aunt Lao was near the mansion, she hurried to call her here for a talk.
"Aunt Lao, you should discuss with Uncle Lao. If he agrees, the official will find a shop for you. You don't need to pay the rent for the first two months. Later on, you can pay the average rate of rent. If he agrees, you can start to work this month. Of course, He Yuan doesn't expect Yong Fu to close the shop here. Every month, he should come here to fix the tools for the villagers."
"No problem. Girl, ah, I forgot my manners. Madam, on behalf of Yong Fu, I agree. There should be more commissions to do in the city. It should be easier to feed the family. Let alone coming back several days a month, he can do ten days or so." Aunt Lao patted her thigh and frankly agreed. The official would find a shop for them. Such a good opportunity couldn't be found even if they looked with a lit lantern. Only the idiot would refuse this offer.
"Aunt Lao, why are you so polite to me? I'm still used to you calling me Su girl." Su Shuilian smiled. Aunt Lao agreed immediately then there should be no problem. As Su Shuilian had solved a knot in her heart, she invited Aunt Lao to have the beef brisket cooked by Aunt Fang.
Chapter 155 Wangye's Knights (1)
"You really don't want to mobilize some soldiers with you?" Lou Xia Er swayed his body, seeing Liang En Zai off the imperial palace. Leisurely, he leaned against the door frame, confirming once again.
"How big do you think Fan Luo City is? If I take a battalion with me, where should I lodge them?" Liang En Zai rolled his eyes, jumping on his horse that was waiting outside the imperial palace.
"Well, you do have many Knights, don't you?" Lou Xia Er curled his lips into a bright smile, asking. He admitted that he was jealous. He was jealous of the heartless man in front of him. This man had just waved his hands and thrown all the pressure from the court to him while packing his things and going South to get married.
"Even if there are many, they can't compare to your army. And, Regent, Your Highness, did you forget? Fan Luo City and Da Hui now don't have a superior-inferior relation anymore. It also means..." Liang En Zai paused, provokingly raised his face, "I'm just the Wangye of the tiny Fan Luo County, and we have to send the tributes to Da Hui yearly. Of course, we must save our money."
"Stop it!" Lou Xia Er rolled his eyes. He fumed, "Not to mention Prince Jing's mansion's properties, those silvers you've robbed all these years... Your assets are enough to buy the whole imperial palace of Da Hui!"
"Oh, brother Lou, why do you underestimate me like that? You hurt my feelings! Without your support, how could our Knights have today's prosperity? But how could you say that the Knights had robbed? During this year, I don't even know how much money I have to give out to make up for the loss!"
"All right, all right! Let's put it aside. I'm annoyed when you talk about it. Remember what you've promised me. Get going and hurry to sign the peace treaty with the Blood Union. Otherwise, I don't care if you live in the East or the West, you have to bring your ass back here and work as the Minister of the Ministry of War for me."
"No worry! I've finished preparing the treaty. You just need to wait for Guangci House to send it to you." Liang En Zai lifted his head to check the sky, the sun was already up in the west. He hurried to turn his horse around and waved Lou Xia Er goodbye. "It's getting late. If I keep talking with you, I'll be forced to camp in the wilderness! When you have time, come visit my humble country!"
Lou Xia Er stood by the imperial palace's gate, looking at the man and his horse leaving far away. He sighed and turned around, walking into the palace when the man's shadow disappeared.
The Emperor's situation was severe. The five-year-old Prince could smoothly enthrone because of the cooperation between Liang En Zai and him. The news of him being the Regent had been spread around the palace or even outside of Da Hui. He knew what they would say about them, especially about him.
However, only him and Liang En Zai knew the truth. Why did they have to help the ninth Prince enthrone while the Emperor was seriously ill and his harem was chaotic? Because, among the princes, only the Ninth Prince was the only son of his late sister. The palace rumored that his sister died after giving birth to the Ninth Prince. However, he knew that she was shocked to death because of Li Wen Xiu's new concubine.
He didn't want to take the world from the Li family, but he didn't want to see his little nephew to be boycotted by the other brothers from the same father but different mothers, either. Thus, he asked Liang En Zai's Knights to threaten the Emperor. If the Emperor didn't agree with his proposal, he would level his harem and kill all of the Li family's offspring. The Da Hui's royal family would have to encounter a major blood change.
It was good that although Li Wen Xiu had so many wives and concubines for his whole life, his Empress had only two Princesses. So, he had no son from the main line to inherit his throne. No matter who would take the throne, they were still sons born by his concubines. And so, the five-year-old Prince now took the throne with the grace of the emperor and was supervised by him.
The Feng Qing era ended from here. Thereupon came the first year of the Xin Qi Regime.
When the last beam of sunlight fell on Yue Kui Town, a man and his horse strolled into town.
"Master, you're finally here. We've been waiting tiredly for you." A young man in his twenties wearing blue clothes stepped forward and respectfully received the reins from the handsome man in white. He took the horse and complained while walking toward Yue Kui Inn.
"No matter what, it's already good that I arrived before sunset." Liang En Zai smiled, cocking his head to one side and sweeping his eyes to aggrieved Qing Feng. "What? Wu Ji provoked you again?"
"He dares!" Qing Feng shook his head in denial. "It's Wu Xing. I don't know who had beaten him up. He came to the Knights with a swollen face."
"Sigh, you've known him for years and still he could affect you? Go, tonight's dinner is on me. Feel free to order whatever you want."
"Psst, it's just a small inn. Except for boiled beef, they have only some salad. Master, dare you purposely doing this? You chose this inn to treat us to? Why didn't you do that when we were still in the imperial city?"
"Well, now we can't compare to the past. Your Master doesn't have a stable salary from the court anymore. And from now on, I have to take care of the people in my county. If I don't tighten my pockets, then what'll come in the future?"
"Don't you dare play games... Regent Lou said that you robbed dozens of thousands of gold ingots from the old Emperor. Feeding the people in a county is no big deal..."
Liang En Zai almost slipped in surprise. "You guys also knew this? No wonder why you didn't want to be dismissed and you were so persistent to follow me to Fan Luo County. I thought that your sleeping conscience finally woke up... I didn't expect you guys to be aiming at my gold! I'm telling you! Fan Luo County is my territory. There are so many masters there. You guys should watch out..."
"Psst... Who do you think you can fool?... Everybody knows that Fan Luo City is remote and desolate. It shouldn't be much different from Yue Kui Town... Master, don't think that just because Qing Feng hasn't crossed Zhong He many times that I'm unaware of what a barren southern city looks like..."
"Aha! Qing Feng, let's make a bet. If you believe this when we arrive in Fan Luo County, I will lose this bet."
"Deal! What do you want to bet?"
"Let's bet on your Wu Ji."
"Can't make a bet on Wu Ji."
"Then we'll make a bet that Wu Ji will sell his life to me."
"This... Deal. If I win, Master, you can't make Wu Ji risk his life anymore..."
"Deal." He actually didn't want to let his Knights continue to risk their lives for him any more. Later on, he had to try his best to reform Fan Luo County, and he needed them to sell their physical strength to him, not their lives!
And that was how the pitiful man was sold down the river by his bedmate and his conscienceless master.
Chapter 155 Wangye's Knights (2)
"We've cleaned the house. I heard that my big brother would bring around twenty subordinates to the city. My parents will come several days later. They said that they haven't had a chance to go sight-seeing around Da Hui. Now that they had the free time, they wanted to visit the other famous places before coming home. I guess it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival by the time they come here. Anyway, our family will be all here this Mid-Autumn Festival." Su Shuilian announced the news she had just received, mildly smiling at Lin Si Yao.
"Mm, it's good. Before Mid-Autumn, we don't have much time to spend with them anyways." Lin Si Yao washed his hands and pulled her into his embrace. Taking in the scent on her hair, he was satisfied.
"Right. I think we will be less busy after this year. Why do I always feel that time moves so fast these years? Every time we completed a construction, it has been months." Su Shuilian leaned her whole weight on him. Squinting with satisfaction, she enjoyed the rare free time they had after lunch.
These days, he was so busy seeking the new headquarters for Feng Yao Court while she was checking the silk workshop in Xiu Feng. They hadn't had much time to rest at home during the day.
"Not really," Lin Si Yao let her lean against his shoulder then hugged her from behind, sitting on a soft couch. "Your brother plans to claim all the wasteland between two main streets. It's not a small effort."
"Right. I almost forgot this. I also want to relocate the pickle shop to that area. We should make it bigger. Not only to make the pickled vegetables or hams, we are going to make other things. It will be named He Yuan Pickle Factory. As for the silk farm, if we plan to mass produce, the workshop in Xiu Feng is also not big enough. Moreover, we have to recruit more weavers soon. It must be more convenient to build it alongside the street..." She counted on her fingers, listing things to do in detail. She quickly realized that they needed several years to completely settle down in He Yuan.
Lin Si Yao couldn't help but laugh. Taking advantage of her face turned to him, he peaked her cheek. "You shouldn't push yourself too much!"
"It's because of my rushing brother. He seems to think that we have a lot of free time!" Su Shuilian couldn't help but pout her lips. But then, Lin Si Yao kissed her red lips. "You shouldn't wear yourself out. I will feel distressed."
"You too. You look thinner after many days of going out early and returning late." She held his angular face, which looked tanner, and lovingly nagged.
"It's okay." He hugged her tight and carried her to their bedroom.
This type of hardship was nothing to him. It was much easier than the dark days of being an assassin.
"Did you find a new place for Feng Yao Court?" It wasn't easy to find a place for several hundred people. The biggest place in Fan Luo City was the Castellan Mansion and then the Lu family's house, which used to be the richest family there. It couldn't be...
"I found a place. I'm just waiting for Si Tuo."
"Where is it?"
"I'll take you there later." Lin Si Yao avoided her question. He put her on their wide bed, laying atop her. "If you don't want to take an afternoon nap, let's do something else."
Oh? Who said she didn't want to take an afternoon nap? She just showed her concerns by asking him some questions before their nap. But he had swallowed her alive. And this afternoon napped led them to sleep until dusk.
The next day, under her reminder, he took her to the city to pick up Liang En Zai and see Feng Yao Court's new headquarters.
As she expected, Lin Si Yao had bought the Lu family's house. It was unknown where the Lu Family had moved to. They just knew that after Hua Kang sold all of their shops, he left Fan Luo County.
The almost bankrupt shops and their house was only sold for three hundred silver ingots.
From that day, the Lu family, which had been famous for dozens of years in Fan Luo City, had exhausted their prosperity during Hua Kang's generation.
The original properties of the Lu Family, that used to be enough to allow several generations to live lavishly, had ended up being sold for three hundred silver ingots.
Sigh! Su Shuilian leaned against the main door of the Lu family. She couldn't hold her sigh.
"Let's go. Your big brother's here." Lin Si Yao walked out of the place then guided Su Shuilian to the Castellan Mansion.
Wangye Liang En Zai brought twenty-eight knights, wearing white clothes, riding nice horses, entering Fan Luo County in people's cheering. This was the place he must use his life to manage, protect, and help it grow.
"I'm your Wangye. From now on, we will live here for the rest of our life. There will be no eight-year office nor the bind of imperial order. As long as it's helpful for Fan Luo County, I will guide you to thrive together..."