Chapter 51
51 Preparing
Li Yu and Zhou Jia had looked at the shop. When they came out of the shop, it was already late in the day. The two of them hurriedly rushed back and finally returned to West Mountain Village at the end of the day.
Li Qing and Li Mei were standing at the door waiting for them. Li Qing saw the mule cart coming from afar and pointed at it happily. “Aunt, look, Brother Ji Xiang is driving the cart. My sister and Sir are back.” Li Mei’s heart finally relaxed when she saw Ji Xiang.
Soon, the car arrived at the door. Li Yu jumped out of the car and smiled at Li Mei and Li Qing. “Aunt, Ah Qing, I’m back.”
Li Mei was about to speak when Zhou Jia also got out of the car. He cupped his hands and smiled at Li Mei. “Auntie Li, I’m sorry for being late and making you worry.”
Li Mei smiled and nodded. “It’s good that you’re back. It’s good that you’re back.” On second thought, she asked, “Mr. Zhou, are those bags saleable?”
Zhou Jia smiled and replied, “They are. According to today’s quantity, those bags can be sold for three to four days at most. Please lead everyone to work harder and make more bags. Before others jump on the bandwagon, we’ll make a name for ourselves first.”
“Are they really that saleable?” Li Mei looked at Li Yu. Li Yu smiled and nodded. “That’s right. Those people want all three sets.”
“That’s good. I was worried sick after making so much at once.” Li Mei looked at them happily. “You haven’t eaten, have you? Come in. I’ve made noodles. I’ll cook you some.”
Li Yu hurriedly pushed Li Mei into the house. “Aunt, it’s already dark. Mr. Zhou is busy and needs to go home!”
Seeing this, Zhou Jia smiled politely and said, “That’s right, Auntie Li. I have to go back. I’ll come again next time.”
Li Mei poked Li Yu and complained softly, “How can you chase him away?”
Li Yu smiled awkwardly and looked at Li Mei without saying anything. Zhou Jia turned around and carried a food box out of the car. He handed it to Li Qing. “Ah Qing, take this in.”
Li Qing bowed and took the food box. ‘Yes, sir.’
After sending Zhou Jia off, they turned around and entered the house to close the courtyard door. Li Mei said to Li Yu, “It’s already dark. I’ll let your Aunt Li and the others go back first. Don’t stay out so late next time. Go wash up quickly. I’ll cook noodles for you.”
Li Yu smiled and promised, “Got it. It won’t happen again.”
Li Qing put down the food box and hurriedly poured water for Li Yu. “Sister, quickly wash up. You must be tired!”
Li Yu took the handkerchief and said to Li Qing with a smile, “It’s alright. Go and do your homework! Sleep early at night.”
Li Qing nodded and returned to the house. Li Yu ate the noodles, washed up, and went back to the house with Li Mei to rest.
After two days, Zhou Jia went to Green Mountain and met Xia Tao at home.
After the meal, the two of them went to the study. Zhou Jia smiled and asked him, “Last time, you said that we would talk in detail alone. What happened? Also, why aren’t you participating in the countryside examination next year?”
Xia Tao sat beside Zhou Jia and said in a low voice, “My uncle sent a letter saying that it will probably not be peaceful in the next few years and asked me to take the exam in two years. Firstly, the Third Prince fell from his horse and has been lying unconscious on the bed for more than half a month. The Empress openly said that the Imperial Consort instructed someone to do it. The Imperial Consort refused to admit it and instead said that the Empress framed her. The two factions were in a mess in the royal court.
“Secondly, there has been a drought in several places in Great Qi this year. It seems to be quite serious. Everyone is worried that the drought will affect Great Yong if it continues. My uncle asked my aunt to store more water and food in case of emergencies.”
When Zhou Jia heard this, he cupped his hands gratefully at Xia Tao. “Zijing, fortunately, I still have you. After Grandfather left, she sealed all the news in the capital. The last time I went to the mountain to pick herbs, I was almost killed by the people she sent. Fortunately, I met Miss Li and escaped.”
Xia Tao looked at Zhou Jia and sighed. “You’re the same. Having a father is the same as not having one. Although my parents are no longer around, I still have an uncle and aunt who treat me well. Your family is the one who has a rotten debt. Your father actually has two wives. One is backed by your grandfather, and the other is backed by your grandmother. One lives in the countryside and the other lives in the capital. They’re both officially married. What did your grandfather and grandmother do back then?”
Zhou Jia leaned back in his chair and smiled bitterly. “I’m not sure about the grudges of the previous generation. Ever since my mother left, I swore never to return to the Zhou family in the capital. No matter how they fight, it has nothing to do with me.”
“It’s right for you not to go back. With those few pieces of trash in your family, I don’t think the Zhou family in the capital can last for more than a few years. My uncle said that the methods in the backyard are even more dangerous than those in the Royal Court.” Xia Tao held Zhou Jia by the shoulders. “To be honest, are you interested in that Miss Li?”
“You’re going too far with these words!” Zhou Jia blushed and patted Xia Tao. “Don’t spout nonsense. I just admire her tenacious personality.” As he spoke, he pushed Xia Tao out and said, “We’re already full. Hurry up and leave.”
Xia Tao turned around and pointed at Zhou Jia. He laughed loudly. “Haha… your love has blossomed.”
“Damn you.” Zhou Jia pushed Xia Tao out. The two of them bickered as they came out of the study. After Zhou Jia sent Xia Tao off, he wanted to tell Li Yu about the food storage as soon as possible. He went out to buy a few bundles of sugar cane and brought Ji Xiang back to Li Yu’s house with the cloth and tung oil.
Zhou Jia let Ji Xiang unload the goods and called Li Yu to the side. He whispered to her, “Miss Li, I received news that there are several places in Great Qi that are suffering from severe droughts. If this continues, I’m afraid Great Yong will be implicated. Save more water and grains for emergencies. Just keep this matter to yourself and don’t spread it. Also, hire a few more people to make bags. I’ve already asked the clerk to bring a few carts of bags to Qingzhou Prefecture.”
Li Yu replied gratefully, “Mr. Zhou, don’t worry. I know what to do. Also, the custom-made bags are ready. Take them with you!”
Zhou Jia glanced at Li Yu and nodded with a smile. “Alright, the tea oil has already been sold out and the bean paste is about to be sold out. I’ll settle the bill with you next time I come.”
Li Yu nodded and took out the custom-made bags from the room and placed them in the carriage. After sending Zhou Jia off, she returned to the courtyard. When she saw the sugar cane under the eaves, Li Yu thought that Zhou Jia was grateful to her for saving his life. That was why he did these things. He was worried that the drought in Great Qi might affect this place.
Li Yu secretly planned what to do to deal with the disaster that might come. After thinking for a long time, she still couldn’t figure it out. She thought to herself, I should hire someone first.
Li Yu went to the side room. After calling Li Mei out, she said to her, “Aunt, go to the village and find another dozen or so women who are fast at needlework and don’t talk much. We have to hurry up.”
Li Mei went through the women she had interacted with in her mind and said to Li Yu, “Auntie Chen’s, and your Auntie Li’s sister-in-law… They don’t talk much and are agile. Why don’t I go to their houses to take a look first?”
“Alright, go ahead!”
Li Mei took off her apron and went to the village to recruit people. Li Yu went to the wheat field and looked at the reservoirs. Seeing that the water in the pool had just covered the bottom of the pool, Li Yu thought that she should hire someone to fill it with water and plant the crops first.