Chapter 816 - Chapter 816: Genuine as Promised
Chapter 816: Genuine as Promised
Editor: Henyee Translations
As the couple comforted each other, a carriage bearing the family crest arrived, driven by their own servant. The couple exchanged a glance, abandoning decorum in their haste to approach.
The carriage stopped in front of the government office entrance. The servant hopped down and greeted, “My lord, madam, Miss Yu and Master Zhuang have returned.”
Hearing this, the couple looked up eagerly at the carriage.
A young maid jumped down first, followed by Zhuang Ziqian.
After disembarking, Zhuang Ziqian promptly paid his respects to the Prefect and his wife before turning to assist Yu Wanwan.
Many passersby gathered around, curious about who would warrant such a personal welcome from the Prefect and his wife.
Under the gaze of the crowd, Yu Wanwan lifted the carriage curtain to reveal a fair and beautiful hand, followed by her delicate face and slender figure, presenting an overall stunning appearance.
The Prefect and his wife were stunned by their daughter’s transformation, which was so drastic it was as if she had become a different person.
The onlookers were baffled, wondering who this beautiful lady was to leceive such a reception from the Prefect and his wife.
Yu Wanwan approached her parents with a graceful bow, “Father, mother, your daughter has returned.”
The Prefect’s wife grasped Yu Wanwan’s hand, examining her from head to toe.
The features were somewhat familiar, but everything else was utterly transformed, “Wanwan, is it really you?”
“Mother, it’s me, genuine as promised,” Yu Wanwan replied with a light smile, her transformation so complete her mother thought she had been switched.
The crowd was shocked, recognizing her as the Prefect’s once plump daughter.
“Is that really Yu Wanwan? How could she be so beautiful? It’s unbelievable!”
Zhuang Ziqian, noticing the increasing number of onlookers, suggested,
“Uncle, aunt, Wanwan, let’s discuss further inside.”
“Indeed, it’s not good for a lady to be gawked at like this,” the Prefect s wife immediately led Yu Wanwan inside, protective now that her daughter had become so beautiful.
As Zhuang Ziqian attempted to follow, the Prefect stopped him, “Young Master Zhuang, you’ve had a long journey protecting my daughter. Perhaps you should go home and rest?”
Zhuang Ziqian, unwilling to leave, responded, “My lord, escorting Wanwan was my duty; there’s no talk of hardship. Besides, you, with your responsibilities, are far more burdened.”
The Prefect pointed at Zhuang Ziqian, “It’s up to you whether you stay or leave!”
Zhuang Ziqian didn’t enter the Prefect’s residence but had already gauged the Prefect’s intentions.
Time to prepare a bridal gift!
Meanwhile, Yu Wanwan and her mother retreated to their room, where the Prefect’s wife eagerly inquired, “Wanwan, tell me how you regained your figure.”
Yu Wanwan shared everything without reserve.
Chu Qingzhi’s fame was known to all, leaving the Prefect’s wife astounded,
“You mean Chu Qingzhi cured you?”
Yu Wanwan nodded, “Mother, despite her young age, she’s incredibly skilled.
Not only medicine, but she also has an older sister who specializes in treating women’s ailments, healing many ladies’ hidden troubles. Everyone is grateful to her.”
The Prefect’s wife couldn’t help but remark, “Two female doctors in one family, that’s extraordinary.”
Yu Wanwan clarified, “They’re not from a notable family, just farmers.”
“Are you joking with me at a time like this?”
“Why would I joke about this, mother? It’s true.”
“If that’s the case, then they’re truly rare talents.”
“Mother, Qingzhi is not just a rare talent, she’s a phoenix.”
“Alright, alright. She cured my daughter, so even if you say she’s a fairy, I’d believe it.”
Yu Wanwan leaned on her mother’s shoulder, acting coy, “Mhm.”
The Prefect’s wife affectionately patted her daughter’s head, “Rest for a while.
I’ll prepare dinner. Let’s have a good meal tonight and nourish you.”
“Thankyou, mother.”
In the Chu Village.
Wan Haonan gathered everyone who was idle, “The workshop is collecting mushrooms. After you’ve gathered them, send them directly to the workshop.” “Yes,” everyone responded, maintaining the disciplined habit from their military days.
Now that all the injured soldiers had fully recovered, they officially began their new chapter of life in Chu Village. Wan Haonan remained their leader, sparing Chu Qingzhi the trouble of finding someone else to manage them.
Wan Haonan distributed the tasks and then led the way into the mushroom shed to start picking mushrooms.
They didn’t pull the mushrooms out by the roots; instead, they used scissors to cut them, leaving the roots in the nutrient-rich soil. This method allowed for multiple harvests and ensured a consistent yield without diminishing over time.
A single mushroom shed could yield ten pounds at a time, and with ten sheds, they could collect a hundred pounds. Selling mushrooms at thirty copper coins per pound, they could earn three taels of silver in one go.
Harvesting every three days, they could gather ten times a month, amounting to thirty taels of silver.
Divided among the twenty-five of them, each person could earn a little over one tael, considered as their extra income.
There were also black fungus.
They moved dead wood from near the bamboo grove to the vicinity of the mushroom sheds. The black fungus continuously grew on these logs, which they would then harvest and sell to the workshop.
Many small incomes added up to a substantial amount, something not to be underestimated.
With money to be earned and a stable life, the injured soldiers lived happily every day, the shadows that once lingered in their hearts now completely dispelled.
Just as they finished gathering the mushrooms, Yang Youjiang rushed over, “I saw a lot of fish in the river. Let’s catch some to eat.”
Yang Youjiang was one of the injured soldiers.
Wan Haonan thought it over and said, “Let’s go take a look.”
The group made their way to the riverbank in high spirits. Indeed, the river was teeming with fish.
Seeing the fish, Yang Youjiang couldn’t help but suggest, “Haonan, let’s borrow a fishing net and catch some fish.”
Wan Haonan thought that besides eating, they could also sell the fish, earning some money for New Year’s preparations. “Okay, let’s borrow one from the village.”
Yang Youjiang quickly returned with a borrowed fishing net, “Haonan, I m good in the water, count me in.”
“I’m good in the water too.”
“Count me in.”
Everyone was eager to participate, so Wan Haonan selected six people to join him in laying the net, deciding to test their luck with one haul.
Under Wan Haonan’s orderly direction, they set the net smoothly from a boat by the river.
After laying the net, they waited for half an hour, pulling the boat back to shore to patiently wait.
When it was time, they rowed out to gather the catch.
Pulling the net towards the shore, and once they were on land, others helped to drag the net up.
As the water drained from the net, the sound of splashing filled the air as white fish leaped out of the water, lively and endearing.