Chapter 585: Kowtow
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Most of the sand land in the manor could not be planted on because of the drought, so it was empty. They were preparing to cut the sweet potato vines at the end of the month. The crops were resistant to the drought, so the entire plantation would be useful.
The other portion of the good farmland was planted with drought-resistant
food crops. It was not the driest period yet, and their growth was alright.
When they returned to the manor, the sun was already setting.
An old woman came over to report, “Eldest Miss, someone from the Little Li Manor near the Rogue Manor has come. They heard that Eldest Miss was here and specially came over to kowtow to you.”
The farmland in the Rogue Manor was rented to the people in the Little Li Manor.
In the past two years, the weather had not been good either. Furthermore, there was a shortage of crops. Many of the farmers in the other farms were not happy. Almost all the farmers in Little Li Manor had a lot of food stored.
It was all because Eldest Miss was kind.
Yu Youyao was stunned for a moment. “Invite everyone in!”
She had originally thought that at most, there would be a steward and a few agile men. Unexpectedly, as soon as they were invited into the courtyard, there were dozens of people filling the small courtyard.
When the group saw Yu Youyao, they knelt on the ground and kowtowed without any explanation.
Leading the way was the steward of Little Li Manor. He was about fifty years old and was wearing a set of clothes that were neither new nor old, but were very neat.
This reminded Yu Youyao of Zhou Yongchang, the manager of Little Zhouzhuang three years ago.
As a steward, Zhou Yongchang was wearing silk and looked imposing.
However, Steward Li was a very thrifty servant and looked loyal.
Steward Li said, “In the past two years, the new year hasn’t been good, and every family hasn’t lived well. It’s also thanks to Eldest Miss that life in Little Li Manor can be more stable. When the people in the manor found out that Eldest Miss was here, they wanted to come over and kowtow to her.”
As soon as he spoke, the others below spoke gratefully.
“The Great Li Manor next door has already run out of food. The people in the manor go up the mountain every day to dig for wild vegetables and scrape tree bark, waiting for the harvest in the second half of the year to happen. It’s also because Eldest Miss is kind-hearted and gave us silver in advance. She even reminded us to save our food early…”
“I heard that people in the Wang family village just a few miles ahead eat
Guanyin clay. If it weren’t for Eldest Miss…”
“It’s also because Eldest Miss is kind-hearted. Not only did she sell the food in the manor to us at a discount, but she also asked us to go up the mountain to cut and plant trees. Our family will also have an additional income now…”
Yu Youyao heard them talking at once, but she did not expect the drought to have such a huge impact.
If the treasury was abundant and the court was clear, someone would have long gone to the Imperial Court to relieve the disaster and prepared to open a warehouse to provide food.
However, now, there was no response from the Imperial Court. They had to wait for the disaster to spread on a large scale before the Imperial Court had no choice but to take action.
At that time, the tragedy would have already happened. How many families would have been destroyed?
The nobles in the capital did not like the noise. Steward Li quickly stopped the families from talking at once. “Country bumpkins don’t follow the rules. If they have offended Eldest Miss, please forgive them.”
Yu Youyao shook her head. “Get up quickly. I’ve heard Nanny Yue mention that all these years, the Little Li Manor has done their best in the manor and is very good at taking care of the crops. The method of planting the sweet potatoes was something you thought of. I went over to take a look just now. The sweet potato vines are growing well. Since you’re working hard, I can still afford to give you a meal. There’s no need to bow!”
If someone respected me, I would respect them tenfold.
Steward Li said excitedly, “Eldest Miss, don’t worry. Our Little Li Manor has been working in the Rogue Manor for generations. We’re good at tending to the crops. We’ll definitely do our job well.”
Yu Youyao nodded. “The sweet potatoes in the field are in the first year of planting. There’s a drought this year, and it’s not easy to plant crops. I’ll have to trouble you to take care of them.”
Steward Li hurriedly said, “We’re all old farmers. Potatoes can definitely be planted well.”
Previously, Nanny Yue had taken a fist-sized root and told him that this crop could bear three to four fruits on a vine. Eldest Miss had instructed them to plant the new crops carefully this year.
When he heard that there would be a large production of sweet potatoes, he
was interested.
The sweet potato vines were distributed. He pinched a handful of tender leaves and returned home. He blanched them in boiling water and added a little oil. He scooped them up in the pot and tasted them. They were actually more delicious than many wild vegetables. Then, he threw in a handful of braised rice. They could stave off hunger.
How could he not care about the entire edible crop?
The people in the manor did not dare to be careless.
Yu Youyao smiled and nodded. She thought about how they had to take a short path to rush over from Little Li Manor. Now that the sun was out, it would be dark when they returned home.
Then, she instructed Nanny Yue to prepare some pancakes from the kitchen before leaving.
Steward Li and the others thanked her again.
This was also the first time the others from Little Li Manor had seen Yu Youyao. Although this Eldest Miss was dressed imposingly and luxuriously, she treated others very gently. When she spoke, her voice was gentle and she did not put on airs. She was really a good person!
Yu Youyao returned to the inner room.
Nanny Yue said, “The people from Little Li Manor have sent Eldest Miss some mountain goods, a basket of eggs, and ten hens. What do you think we should do with them?”
These things were probably prepared by Little Li Manor.
Yu Youyao was a little surprised. “It’s always a token of their appreciation, so just accept it. When they leave tomorrow, I’ll bring it back to the residence. I’ll give some things to Steward Li and let him handle them himself. Then, I’ll get the kitchen to prepare more pancakes and let them bring them back.”
Nanny Yue understood. The pancakes were made of flour and oil. They were considered real food. Young Miss had asked them to bring more back to eat with their relatives at home. Although life in Little Li Manor was passable, it must have been a long time since they had seen oil or eaten real food.
She did not take kindness for granted.
A person’s kindness always started from a young age. If one couldn’t even be kind when young, they would never be truly kind.
Yu Youyao rested at the Rogue Manor for the night. The next day, when it was dawn, she had already rushed back to the residence.
When she returned to the residence, it was already noon.
After freshening up, Yu Youyao felt a little more energetic. Liu’er helped Young Miss dry her hair, took out jasmine head oil, and helped her nourish her hair.
Xia Tao leaned over. “Third Miss returned to the residence yesterday and even brought a little girl back with her. Her name is Bai Ye. Third Miss saw that Bai Ye was smart) so she kept her in her room and planned to take care of her.” This was not a big deal. She had to tell Eldest Miss.
Yu Youyao was deep in thought and nodded. “Since Seventh Aunt didn’t stop her, I think she has a clean background. As the third daughter of the first wife of the Yu Residence, it’s only right for her to take a fancy to a maidservant. Besides, ever since Hui Xiang left Yu Jianjia’s side, although she doesn’t lack people to serve her, she still lacks someone who can be focused on her needs..”
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