Chapter 749: Bad Feeling
After collecting the herbs, Chu Qingzhi prepared the medicine for Ling Yanjiang back at Zhao San’s place and made sure he took it before leaving.
Before leaving, she advised the villagers not to mention their visit to outsiders unless pressed, in which case they should tell the truth.
The villagers promised to keep their lips sealed.
After leaving the village, Ge Lihua suggested she could take Ling Yanjiang back by herself so Chu Qingzhi could continue her errand of buying cattle.
Chu Qingzhi thought it over and agreed, then went alone to another cattle farm.
In the Chu Village.
Chu Junsong, the manager of the transport team, brought back many letters for
Shen Ruyue, “Sister Ruyue, these are from the storekeeper for you.”
Shen Ruyue took the letters, “Thanks.”
“Don’t mentionit. I’ll be off then if there’s nothing else.”
“Go get some rest.”
Shen Ruyue opened each letter and read them, her face lighting up with joy.
The letters contained feedback on the new packaging for apple pies and taro pies, stating that sales had improved and there were many customers buying them as gifts. Additionally, many customers were drawn to them as soon as they entered the shop…
Shen Ruyue joyfully stored the letters away, “When Qingzhi returns, we can discuss changing the egg tart packaging as well…”
Uncle Chu, the gatekeeper of the workshop area, approached, “Ruyue, someone has delivered oil paper. You need to check the delivery.”
“Coming.” Shen Ruyue got up and went outside.
At the workshop entrance, Chu Feng personally delivered the oil paper, “Ruyue sister, there are a total of five thousand sheets of oil paper. Please check them.” “Wait a moment.” Shen Ruyue had someone bring a scale to weigh the paper. With such a large quantity of oil paper, they couldn’t count each sheet, so they weighed it instead. As long as the weight was within an acceptable range, they could accept the delivery.
After weighing and finding no issues, Shen Ruyue accepted the oil paper,’ Take care on your way.”
“Okay.” Chu Feng rested for a while before leaving the village with his team for the Chu family paper mill.
Shen Ruyue, looking at the oil paper produced by their own family, felt it was somewhat better than others’, “Wonder where they found such a talent. Good eye.”
Having their own oil paper meant they could order less from others. Eventually, switching to their own production could save about a thousand taels of silver a month, enough to pay half a month1 s wages.
After handling the cattle purchase, Chu Qingzhi hurried back to Chu Village.
Not long after her return, Wan Haonan came to see her, “Miss, the horse barn is ready. Please have a look.”
Chu Qingzhi went to see the horse barn…
The horse barn was built in a square shape.
Three sides were used as stables, rectangular in shape, divided into small sections, each capable of accommodating three horses.
Water troughs and feed troughs were placed in front of the stables, offering plenty of space.
The remaining side had two thatched huts: one for storing hay and soybeans and the other for the caretaker to sleep in, as horses needed feeding at night, and it was inconvenient to travel back and forth.
Near the huts, a building would later be constructed for storing carriages, making it easier to unload and reload them as needed.
The layout of the entire horse pen was logical, grand, and refined, capable of accommodating fifty horses, with space for expansion.
Chu Qingzhi was very satisfied, “You’ve done a good job. Move the horses here tonight.”
Luo Hongping volunteered, “Miss, I’m good at taking care of horses. Let me be in charge from now on?”
This relieved Chu Qingzhi of a worry, “That would be great. Thank you.” Luo Hongping responded, “It’s no trouble. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t know what to do. Now thatyou’ve found us work, we’ll do our best.” “After dinner, you can go back. Thank you for your hard work,” Chu Qingzhi was initially concerned about management but was relieved to see everyone cooperating so well.
“Thank you, Miss.”
“Rest for a while. I’m going to check on the cattle shed.”
“We’ll come too, to help set up the cattle shed.”
“Let’s go.”
Shuiyun County.
A sophisticated and aloof woman walked into Wu Yaqing’s not yet renovated shop, looking around as if she owned the place.
Following her were two young girls with expressionless faces, cold and distant, each holding a sword, resembling a wandering swordsman.
The workers, seeing strangers enter, intended to shoo them away but, intimidated by their demeanor, could only ask politely, “May I ask who you’re looking for?”
Wu Wenyu glanced at them, “Wu Yaqing, your shopkeeper.”
“Just a moment, I’ll caliber for you,” the man said before hurrying to fetch Wu Yaqing.
Upon seeing Wu Wenyu and her companions, Wu Yaqing excitedly screamed and ran to hug her, “Auntie, what brings you here?”
Wu Wenyu smiled but her tone remained stern, “I had to come, or else you d be kidnapped.”
Feeling a bad premonition, Wu Yaqing quickly retorted, “What are you saying? I’m too smart to be kidnapped.”
Seeing Wu Yaqing play dumb, Wu Wenyu got straight to the point, Don t pretend. Who is Lu Yichen?”
Wu Yaqing looked everywhere but at Wu Wenyu, “He… he’s just him.”
Wu Wenyu’s lips tightened, her expression becoming more severe, “Let me be clear, your mother does not want you with him. I’m here to stop you.”
Wu Yaqing protested, “I disagree.”
Wu Wenyu was adamant, “This isn’t up to you. You must listen to your mother.”
Wu Yaqing thought it wise to strategize for the long term, softening her stance, “Auntie, let’s not talk about this now. You’ve come a long way. Let me take you out to eat and rest, okay?”
Wu Wenyu, not wanting to press Wu Yaqing too hard upon arrival, agreed, “Alright, show me around the Daling Dynasty and its culture.
Wu Yaqing patted her chest and vowed, “You won’t be disappointed.” As they left, Wu Wenyu expressed her concern, “Your skin isn’t as fair as before. Have you been having a hard time?”
Wu Yaqing responded with a bright smile, “Auntie, you’re mistaken. I’ve been living wonderfully. I’ll tell you all about it over dinner.
Wu Wenyu, who adored Wu Yaqing, conceded, “As you wish. We’ll talk over dinner.”
Wu Yaqing agreed enthusiastically, “Deal.”
In the Chu Village.
Chu Qingzhi returned to the village and called out to Fu Bao, “Bringyour lackeys to stay in your new home later.”
Fu Bao was the leader of the group of horses in the family, so the horses
listened to him.