stingy landlady

Chapter 38 Explanation

Li was restless at home, a large bag of silver locked in a cupboard. But no one was there to help her.

When I'm busy, I don't have time to think, but when I have free time, I feel like my brain is out of control.

Even when going to the toilet, he would put Siya on the kang (a heated brick bed), lock the door, and then run back as fast as he could.

While Siya was playing by herself and no one was in the room, she secretly opened the cabinet and peeked inside. She opened the package and confirmed that she hadn't misread it; Guizhi had brought back nothing but silver ingots.

She didn't dare to take it out to count, and quickly tied the package back up.

After locking the cabinet, I felt even more restless, like a cat scratching at my heart.

For a moment I wondered, "Did I find these? Where did I find them? How did I find so many?"

Then I wondered if it was stolen? Did the children's father know? Dazhu has always been honest; could it be that the children were just being silly and stole someone's money?

What if they come knocking on our door? Will the police come and arrest us?

No way! No way! Back when we didn't have enough to eat or wear, the children never took a single grain of rice or a thread from others. Now that we have enough to eat and wear, we shouldn't be so reckless.

Sigh! Why didn't I ask clearly last night? Now I'm overthinking things. Where did this money come from?

Will someone steal from me when I go to the bathroom? Dazhu and the others aren't home, will someone try to rob me? Did I lock the door? I think I forgot, no, I have to go check!

What time is it?! Why aren't these people back yet? Were they arrested?

Li Shi had never been so anxious as she was today, constantly listening for any sounds and eagerly anticipating the return of Da Zhu and the children.

The door rang, followed by a "Whoa!" sound.

Li felt that the most beautiful sound in the world was right now, hearing Dazhu call for the cows to stop, and the children knocking on the door and shouting:

"Mom! Open the door! We're back!"

With tears of excitement in her eyes, Li ran out to open the door. When she opened it, Guixiang and Guihong were standing at the door.

Mrs. Li hugged her two eldest daughters tightly and asked in a trembling voice, "Why are you so late today!"

"Mom! It's pretty much the same every day! I didn't buy anything today, and I got back early!" Gui Hong looked a little confused as she was hugged, but she also enjoyed her mother's embrace.

Her mother hadn't held her in her arms for countless years! Ever since her third sister was born, making her the second oldest, and then her fourth sister was born, at which point her third sister was also banished from her mother's embrace.

"Mom! What's wrong? Is someone bullying you at home?" Guixiang noticed something was wrong with her mother's voice and looked up.

Li suddenly felt embarrassed. "Go and move your things! I'm fine, I just dozed off for a bit and had a nightmare! It scared me!"

Li pushed aside her two daughters and went to help carry things from the oxcart into the house.

Lin Xiaoyun came out of the old house to help when he heard the noise. He and Lao Si had just finished watering the vegetables.

Li could no longer contain herself; she felt all her patience had been exhausted.

She said to Lin Xiaoyun, "Xiaoyun! You guys unload the truck, I need to talk to your uncle about something!"

After saying that, she pulled Dazhu back and turned to Guizhi, saying, "Sanya, come here too! Daya, Erya, the three of you take care of things first."

Dazhu was dragged and pulled into the inner room by Li. Guizhi followed closely behind.

"Close the door! Lock it up!" Li Shi practically yelled at Guizhi!

Guizhi obediently closed and secured the door.

Li asked in a low voice, "Tell me! What happened?"

Dazhu was a little confused. He hadn't done anything.

Guizhi saw Li pointing at the cabinet and understood.

She smiled and said, "Mother! It's good news!"

"What good news! You've kept me up all day! There were so many things going on last night, and you wouldn't tell me. And now you're still not going to tell me? I can't take it! I'm on tenterhooks!"

Li's Qi Channel.

"What's wrong? Why are you so worried?"

Dazhu asked, looking rather naive.

Guizhi hurriedly explained, "It's silver! Father, my mother asked you where the silver came from?"

"Hey! Oh, that gave me a fright! I thought something had happened to you!"

Dazhu laughed as well.

"You should ask Guizhi about this! She knows the whole story! Tell your mother about it! Miss Wang Guizhi! I'd like to hear it too!"

Guizhi spread her hands, shrugged, and said:

“Father, Mother! It was the manager of Xiangmanlou a few days ago, the day I delivered shepherd's purse to him. He said that he wasn't selling enough bean sprouts and didn't plan to buy as many in the future.”

To keep selling bean sprouts, I told Manager Qu about a dish I'd learned somewhere—boiled sliced ​​pork. Bean sprouts are essential to this dish, and I really only wanted to sell bean sprouts; I wasn't thinking of anything else. Later, my father found out!

Guizhi casually brushed off the fact that she could cook. Because there was no use for her cooking skills in the kitchen at home!

Dazhu also thought that Guizhi was sweet-talking and loved to chat, and that she had learned cooking recipes from her.

Dazhu then recounted how Manager Qu signed the contract for three hundred taels of silver.

Li opened her mouth slightly, but couldn't utter a word. It felt like a fairy tale.

Ignoring Li's surprise, Dazhu said, "I'll hurry and go find my father to check on the wasteland to the east."

If it goes well, Dad and I will go directly to the village chief to measure the land and buy it.

After saying that, he hurriedly went to the old house to find the old man.

Guizhi had no choice but to say to Li:

“Mom! My dad and grandpa looked at the low-lying area under the West Bridge this morning. It’s a good place to grow rice.”

This morning, Grandpa Zhou said that the wasteland to the east leading to the forest farm is suitable for building houses.

Li felt like she was dreaming.

"Sanya, are you lying to your mother? I feel like I'm dreaming."

Guizhi smiled, reached out and hugged Li Shi, and said:

"Mom! It's not a dream! You're going to have a good life! Mom! We're going to build a big house and live in a big house! Mom! Aren't you happy! Aren't you happy!"

Li suddenly covered Guizhi's mouth, "There's nothing yet! Don't talk nonsense!"

He whispered again, "Don't let anyone hear!"

"Mom! I'm going to herd the cattle!"

Li deliberately raised her voice: "Go! Go!"

Guizhi skipped and hopped away, and Li couldn't help but smile behind her.

Li called out, "Da Ya, Er Ya, you two take your time tidying up. When you're done, go check out the east side."

The clothes Mom made for your dad are almost finished, just needing the finishing touches. Mom will finish them quickly so she can make some for you two.

When you get back, you two put the sauce blocks into the new jar we bought in the garden. It'll be ready to eat in about ten days!

Gui Xiang and Gui Hong agreed.

Outside, Guizhi called out, "Lin Xiaoyun, let's go! Let's go herd the cattle! And while we're at it, let's find Zhou Xing to herd the horses!"

Upon reaching the east end of the village, Zhou Xing led out his horse.

"Third Miss! My grandfather and father just went out. They went with the master and the old master. I heard they went to check the wasteland in the east."

Guizhi rolled her eyes and said, "You two go and herd the cattle and horses! I'm not going!"

Zhou Qiong also came out, "Third Miss! Eldest Miss and Second Miss haven't arrived yet."

"Hmm! Xiao Qiong! Have you been digging for wild vegetables to feed the pigs these past few days?" Guizhi asked Zhou Qiong.

Zhou Qiong replied respectfully, "Third Miss, I dig up a small basketful every day. My mother says the piglets are too small to eat that much. Today I fed some wild vegetables to the ducklings."

Guizhi walked into the garden while talking to Zhou Qiong. "Did Hongmin and Hongli dig for wild vegetables today?"

"They dug them up, and quite a lot were sent over!"

"Did your brother water the vegetables?"

"Miss! My father and brother watered it together."

"Your mother's new clothes aren't finished yet, are they?"

"No! My mom only has time to do it for a little while this afternoon!"

"My grandpa and my dad's are done! Now it's my brother's turn!"

Upon entering the vegetable garden, the piglets heard the sound and, thinking it was someone coming to feed them, began to squeal.

Guizhi observed carefully and found that the piglet was in good spirits, but its feces were a bit loose.

"The piglet has a bit of diarrhea! No need to feed it tonight. Feed it four times a day! Aunt Zhou might have increased the amount, so skip one meal."

Guizhi went to check on the bok choy and could already distinguish what kind of vegetables they were. The baby radishes were quite dense and already over an inch tall!

Guizhi looked around and knew what to expect. In another day or two, the spinach, bok choy, and rapeseed would be ready to be harvested. The celery and cilantro could wait a little longer. The scallions and garlic were already showing their pointed tips.

After coming out, he closed the vegetable garden securely. He then instructed Zhou Qiong:

"Make sure to close the door when you go in and out, so the chickens and ducks don't get in and ruin the vegetables. We'll take some vegetables to sell first thing tomorrow morning."

Guizhi came out and took a look at the shepherd's purse and wild garlic that were drying. She grabbed them with her hands to check their dryness.

She then went to play with the chicks and ducklings for a while. Only then did she go inside, where Gui Xiang, Gui Zhi, and Madam Zhou were picking beans.

"Aunt Zhou! The piglet has a bit of diarrhea."

Madam Zhou immediately stood up nervously. She stammered:

"The piglets were squealing loudly! I thought they were used to it, so I fed them two extra spoonfuls. I didn't expect them to be so delicate."

"Yes, the piglet has a sensitive stomach. We need to adjust it slowly. Since we've increased the dosage, feed it one less meal. If it doesn't improve in a few days, we'll have to give it medicine."

"Yes, yes! Third Miss! I will definitely pay attention!"

"It's alright, Aunt Zhou, go about your business! I'm going out now!"

Guizhi then looked at her two older sisters and said, "Eldest sister, second sister, you take your time choosing. I'm going to find Dad and Grandpa!"

Gui Hong chuckled and teased, "This little tagalong wants to follow Dad wherever he goes!"

Guizhi ignored them and ran off laughing. Zhou Qiong stood there for a while, but no one paid her any attention. After thinking for a moment, she followed Guizhi out.

Looking east from the gate, they saw several people gesturing and talking in the distance. Guizhi and Zhou Qiong went to meet them along the main road.

Dazhu saw Guizhi and asked, "Why are you here? Who went to herd the cattle?"

"Grandpa, Dad, Zhou Xing and Lin Xiaoyun have gone to herd the cattle and horses!"

"Oh! Your father and grandfather are going to the village chief's house."

Dazhu then turned to Old Man Zhou and said, "By the way, Uncle Zhou, tomorrow we need to have Little Zhou lead two boys to water the wheat. It'll be a bit of a hard job if it doesn't rain!"

"Of course! Master, Master, assign them any work to do! They can't just eat without doing any work!"

Old Zhou said respectfully.

"Uncle Zhou! I looked at the carriage manufacturers today and asked about the prices. The cheapest one was twenty taels of silver, and that was if we had our own horses. The more expensive ones were several hundred taels of silver."

After much thought, I decided I still needed to buy a horse-drawn carriage. A carriage is fast and convenient.

Old Zhou thought for a moment and said, "Sir, since you think so highly of me, I'll share my thoughts. If conditions permit, a horse-drawn carriage would be quite useful. Ox-carts and horse-drawn carriages each have their own uses."