Chapter 513: Another Windfall
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Nowadays, the girls in the village are even more beautiful and graceful than those in the city!
The girl in front of him was dressed simply, but when he looked at her, he felt as if her entire body was glowing. At a glance, he was dazzled.
Holding his fan, the young man bowed to Chu Qingzhi with great decorum, saying, “It’s my honor meeting Miss Chu.”
“There’s no need for such formalities,” Chu Qingzhi replied, inviting the young man into the living room for tea. “Please speak freely, sir.”
Introducing himself, the young man said, “1 am Xing Jindong from the Xing family of Yong’an City in Dongling. 1 left my family to gain experience and was inspired by the Food Festival organized by Miss Chu in Shuiyun County. I wish to organize a similar event in Dongling, but I’m unable to create those distinctive cute paintings. 1 come to seek your guidance in this matter.”
Assessing Xing Jindong, who clearly came from a prestigious family, Chu Qingzhi inquired, “Do you want me to paint the cute paintings for you, or teach you how to do it?”
Xing Jindong smiled gently. “Initially, 1 wanted Miss Chu to paint for me, but now 1 think it’s better to learn by myself. I am willing to pay five hundred taels for the lessons.”
Chu Qingzhi considered for a moment. “I can teach you, but you must prepare the materials yourself. I will only teach one hour each day for a month. Whether you learn it or not, it will depend on you.”
Agreeing promptly, Xing Jindong said, “Deal.”
Chu Qingzhi listed the materials needed on a piece of paper and handed it to Xing Jindong. “Prepare these, and we will start lessons tomorrow afternoon.”
“Thank you, Miss Chu,” Xing Jindong said, leaving with his servant.
Holding the five hundred taels, Chu Qingzhi lightly tapped them in her palm, satisfied that she had earned another easy 500 taels.
Hong Yujun had prepared a pot of silver fungus soup. Chu Qingzhi took a bowl of it to Tang Jinghong’s house, only to find him with a letter and a troubled expression. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
Handing her the letter, Tang Jinghong replied, “Read it and you’ll understand.”
The letter was from Fang Yuchen, the commander at the border, addressed to Tang Jinghong.
It was the time of year for the border army to clear out wounded soldiers. Those who were injured and unable to return to the battlefield had to leave the camp. Many soldiers struggled to make ends meet after leaving, and even with compensation, their money would eventually run out.
Fang Yuchen, a commander who valued his soldiers, couldn’t bear to see them end up begging for survival after serving their country. He wrote to friends and relatives for ideas on how to settle these veterans, hoping to find a solution.
After reading the letter, Chu Qingzhi frowned slightly. “How many injured soldiers are there?”
“Across all borders, there are over a thousand, with ninety percent having families and the rest being orphans with nowhere to go. They usually find a place to live in the border cities and spend the rest of their days,” Tang Jinghong explained, his brows furrowed.
“Let them come to me,” Chu Qingzhi offered. “I can help them heal, and if they’re willing, 1 can arrange work for them.” She respected these soldiers deeply.
Tang Jinghong hugged Chu Qingzhi in gratitude. “Thank you on their behalf, Qingzhi.”
“It’s nothing,” Chu Qingzhi reassured him, patting his back. “You should reply to General Fang.”
“Of course.” Tang Jinghong promptly wrote a reply and sent it to the border at full speed.
To the right of Tang Jinghong’s house, An Shanwu was busy measuring and planning for the construction of a new house.
Chu Xu jin’s house was already roofed and the workers had started plastering it with lime. Since it didn’t require as many hands anymore, An Shanwu and his team were focusing on building Wen Shaoyang’s house, while Nie Huiyang led a group to construct a new workshop.
Wen Shaoyang was also there, actively participating in the construction. This place was going to be his future home, so he paid extra attention to it.
Hong Yujun had prepared two basins of silver fungus soup and was looking for someone to help carry them. She turned around and saw Wu Yaqing, who seemed listless and dispirited. “Yaqing, can you help me carry this?”
Wu Yaqing was like a willow tree with her head drooped. She slowly walked to Hong Yujun and asked, “Carry what?”
Pointing at the basins, Hong Yujun said, “Silver fungus soup.”
The soup, enriched with lotus seeds, dates, and lilies, had thickened into a gelatinous consistency. Yaqing swallowed hard, showing some signs of life. “I’d like a bowl.”
Hong Yujun promptly served her a bowl. “Help me carry this over, then come back for it, okay?”
Yaqing agreed, “Okay.”
On the way, Hong Yujun asked with concern, “Did you not sleep well last night? You seem out of sorts.”
Yaqing responded dully, “I don’t know. 1 just feel listless and don’t want to do anything.”
Hong Yujun whispered, “Is it your time of the month?”
Yaqing looked around anxiously before assuring her, “No, it’s not.”
Hong Yujun could not guess why.
Yaqing fell silent again, unsure of what was wrong with her.
Upon reaching the construction site, Wen Shaoyang saw Hong Yujun carrying the heavy basins and quickly helped her place them on a stone. He then took Yaqing’s basin as well. “Thank you.”
When Wu Yaqing saw Wen Shaoyuan, she was stunned for a moment. She immediately revived on the spot, as if she had discovered something shocking. “You, you…” Then, she hurriedly ran away to share the good news with her best friend.
Wen Shaoyang smiled warmly and turned his attention to Hong Yujun. “Next time you need to carry something heavy, let me know. I’ll do it.”
“Okay,” Hong Yujun replied with a smile, bringing over a basket full of bowls and spoons. “Call them over to have some. I’ll go check on Yaqing to make sure she doesn’t spread rumors. I’ll be back to clean up.”
Wen Shaoyang watched her with a gentle gaze. “Alright.”
Soon, the news about Wen Shaoyang and Hong Yujun spread among the Chu sisters, leaving Hong Yujun blushing and too embarrassed to face anyone.
At the old house.
Chu Qingzhi placed over three hundred pounds of soybeans into five water tanks. Tang Jinghong drew water from the well and poured it into the tanks to soak the beans. They left them there, planning to process them the next day.
Later, Shen Ruyue arrived with eleven young men. “Qingzhi.”
Approaching Shen Ruyue, Chu Qingzhi glanced at the men behind her. They were all strong and tall. “Are they the ones we recruited for deliveries?”
“Yes, five from Chu village and five from the neighboring village,” Shen Ruyue whispered to Chu Qingzhi. “Those from the other village can read.”
This was important for delivery, as they needed to sign receipts.
Chu Qingzhi nodded approvingly. “i’ll train them, and we can start dispatching them for deliveries tomorrow.”
Shen Ruyue had full confidence in Chu Qingzhi’s abilities. “Okay..”
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