Nian Qiu choked up and responded, she understood, the Sixth Young Master grew up sticking to the Young Lady, the relationship between the siblings was no worse than that between parents, and those who served him knew very well how differently the Young Lady treated the Sixth Young Master.
The young ladies knew it all, knew their self-blame, knew that they wanted to cover her ears and shield her eyes, but they had overstepped the mark.
"Get up." Hua Zhi stopped there. She appreciated their kindness, but she couldn't really do what they wanted. The fruits were about to fall from the tree and there was no time to waste.
Nian Qiu stood up, thinking about what the young lady had just said, feeling very uncomfortable, "Young lady, the Sixth Young Master will not treat you like that. Even if he marries an unvirtuous wife in the future, the old lady will not allow him to do so. She has promised you."
"Berlin certainly won't, but how can I bear to see him caught in the middle? Grandma won't stand behind me all the time just for the sake of the family's stability. Everyone has their own difficulties. If that happens, I will just live in another house. I will be happy if I can really live a leisurely life."
Hua Zhi really hoped that this day would come soon. She had had enough of the busy days. "Please help me talk to those people. This matter is over."
"It's because we maids are ignorant and make Miss worry about this."
"I am willing to worry about you. When things go smoothly, I will worry about marrying you off."
"Miss!"
"Okay, okay, let's not talk about this." Hua Zhi smiled, "You all should just be old maids and keep me company."
"We are willing!" They are looking forward to it, Nian Qiu thought, afraid that the young lady would really take this matter to heart, so she quickly changed the subject and told her everything the young lady wanted to know.
"Four cellars have been dug as you ordered, three in the front yard and one in the back yard. Wu San is still leading people to continue digging. The first layer of the cellar is sprinkled with lime, and the second layer is sprinkled with sawdust. Waterproof and moisture-proof measures have been taken as much as possible. Liu Qi has made arrangements. When the time comes, men will be responsible for heavy work, and women will do the fine work. The steamers and other things you ordered were delivered early this morning and have been installed. The firewood was bought from the tenants. I was afraid that it would not be enough, so I asked Liu Jiang to help find a few families to continue to deliver it."
Hua Zhi nodded, "Very good."
Nian Qiu looked more relaxed. "Liu Qi has checked with an old farmer. He said that some of the early-ripening fruits are ready to be picked from the trees. He plans to take people to pick them tomorrow morning. However, the new things you bought have never been used before and no one knows how to use them. He is afraid that they will be damaged. I wonder if you can ask someone who knows how to use them to teach them."
"That thing is easy to make. I'll go there tomorrow after we pick the peaches. He'll learn it by following my instructions once." Her mother, Ms. Xu, likes to show her gentle and virtuous side. She'll make this and that from time to time. She's learned how to make them all by watching. The only difference is that they used to make a small amount at home, but now the quantity is much larger. After all, the method is still the same.
"yes."
"Don't report unimportant matters to me. Just handle them on your own."
"yes."
As she was speaking, Liu Xiang came in and reported, "Miss, Liu Yueming is here."
"The peaches are old enough to fall from the tree. It's time for him to come back." Hua Zhi sat up, and the two men hurried forward to help her get out of bed.
Hua Zhi looked at Liu Xiang who was busy with her work and suddenly said, "Liu Xiang, that night... you were thoughtful, I will remember it."
Liu Xiang looked up, her eyes suddenly reddened. She did not regret what she had done that day, but she was also scared afterwards. She was afraid that if this matter got out, she would be ashamed to see people and be looked down upon.
Although she had been comforted by her sisters, she still felt comforted when she heard the young lady's words, but also guilty. She did that because she had no better choice.
Her mother served the eldest lady, her father was the steward of the eldest master, her younger brother was the sixth young master's servant and had learned a few words. The life and property of her family depended on the eldest branch of the family. If something happened to the eldest lady, she would not be able to survive, and her family would not have a good life either. If she sacrificed herself, even if something really happened to the young lady, at least her family would not be implicated.
Hua Zhi might not be unaware of this, but she knows better that human nature forced out in a critical moment is more trustworthy, and Liu Xiang's character is already very good.
The front yard was now a mess, and there were many people living in the backyard, so Hua Zhi simply asked Liu Yueming to come to the backyard to see her.
Liu Yueming thought that the young lady was ill and looked unwell, so he did not dare to look at her any more. He bowed slightly and said, "I have lived up to your expectations. I have spent all the money I have, but it is not enough. I have also made some promises to some small households. In two or three days, someone should send peaches to the farm."
"They're willing to do it even without a deposit?"
"I put the deposit in the orchard. Although the orchard is not big, it has many more trees than individual investors. I did this openly, and they can find out with a little inquiry. Then they are willing to trust me this time."
"Getting something for nothing is not bad." Hua Zhi was quite satisfied. "You can live in the manor for the time being, and you will still be responsible for the follow-up matters."
"yes."
"You've worked hard. Go down and have a good rest for a day. We'll be busy in the future."
Liu Yueming should be happy, and his heart is finally at ease, because the eldest girl will need him in the future!
The ice was delivered by Chen Qing himself in the evening, in twenty carts covered with oil paper. The temperature had dropped since the rain, so not much had melted along the way.
Hua Zhi had just finished her meal and wanted to go to the reception in person when she heard the news. Shaoyao, who was too full, held her down and prevented her from getting up. "I know him well. I'll go."
Hua Zhi laughed. You two are one family. It would be strange if you didn't know each other well. "Then I'll trouble you. Bao Xia, ask Liu Qi to get some help. Release the four cellars evenly."
"yes."
After the two of them left, Hua Zhi said again: "Fudong, go and see how many people have come, and send some food and drinks over."
"Yes, I made a lot of lily and lotus seed soup before, which can be used now." Fudong quickened the cleaning process, and Liu Juan also followed suit with swift hands and feet, with a cheerful look in her eyes.
Although Chen Qing was surprised by the Hua family's politeness, he did not refuse. He motioned for everyone to take the things and said to the maid who came over to thank him, "The master said that if there is anything else, just let Shaoyao pass on a message."
Bao Xia knelt down and saluted, "Yes, I will thank you all for your hard work on behalf of the young lady."
Chen Qing Lian said he didn't dare. He had a good impression of the eldest daughter of the Hua family, and he also had a good impression of these servants who were loyal to their master. He smiled as he spoke.
Later, Hua Zhi asked Baoxia to help her go to the cellar. The cellar was underground and the temperature was already low. It became much colder after large pieces of ice were put in. She put on an extra layer of clothes before coming down, but she was still shivering. Not long after she entered, she was forcibly taken out by Baoxia.
After taking a look at every cellar, Hua Zhi had an idea in mind. The temperature couldn't be any lower, otherwise the fruits would be frozen.
PS: It’s almost the end of the month, and there are only 28 days in this month. Please give me a monthly pass.