Chapter 137

When Du Juan returned to the small courtyard with a heap of items, she saw her young mistress standing in the courtyard, looking up at something. She hurried over and said, “Miss, the sun is blazing. Why are you standing out here? Come inside before you get dizzy.”

“Du Juan, look at how tall that mountain is!” He Xiuxian pointed at Changle Mountain in the distance.

Du Juan glanced at it and said, “Yes, it’s very tall. Now, let’s go inside!”

“You’re so nervous. I just came out from inside,” He Xiuxian chided her with a look. Then, noticing the items in Du Juan’s hands, she asked, “Why did you buy so much?”

“These weren’t bought; Miss Wang gave them to us!” Du Juan helped her inside while recounting Wang Yuan’er’s words. She concluded, “Miss, I think Miss Wang is very perceptive. It’s no wonder she can run a business and support her siblings even after losing both parents.”

Knowing a bit about Wang Yuan’er’s family situation since coming to Changle Town, He Xiuxian thought of the cheerful young lady and then of her own background. Feeling melancholic, she said, “Indeed, she’s stronger than me.”

Seeing her melancholy, Du Juan realized she had misspoken and quickly said, “Miss, it was wrong of me to say that. Please don’t take it to heart.”

“It’s alright. It’s the truth.”

“Miss, you can’t compare yourself to her. You grew up in luxury as an official’s daughter, unlike these common folks,” Du Juan said hastily.

He Xiuxian smiled bitterly, “What luxury? I’m just a fallen noble. If it weren’t for you and Uncle Gui, I would have long joined my parents in death!”

“Miss, don’t say that. Master was wronged, and Master Cui said he would help clear our master’s name. Once the case is overturned, our family’s honor will be restored, and we can return to the old mansion!”

Thinking of the determined young man, some of He Xiuxian’s sorrow lifted, and she said, “Brother Cui is indeed kind.”

Seeing this, Du Juan teased, “When the case is finally overturned, you can be with Master Cui.”

“Stop talking nonsense,” He Xiuxian’s face turned red, and she scolded, “Master Cui has helped me a lot out of old friendship. Don’t speak carelessly, or he might misunderstand.”

“Alright, alright, I won’t say anymore. Let’s hope for a bright future!” Du Juan knew she was shy and stopped teasing.

He Xiuxian, feeling her cheeks flush, looked at the items in Du Juan’s hands and changed the subject, “You brought back so much without paying. Although she meant well, they are orphans struggling to make a living.”

“Miss…” Du Juan felt uneasy.

“Since we took it, let’s leave it be. Take some of the pastries from the cabinet. Keep one box for you and Uncle Gui, and give the rest to them. It’s polite to reciprocate.”

“But what about you, Miss?”

“It’s too hot, and I have no appetite. I can’t eat the pastries. We’ve had enough Lingnan pastries, haven’t we? Just give them away.”

“Alright!”

Meanwhile, Wang Yuan’er and Qing’er were discussing Du Juan’s attire, noting that even their maid dressed like a young lady, far beyond what village girls like them could compare.

While talking, they saw Du Juan return, bringing pastries as instructed by her mistress, marking the beginning of a courteous exchange.

Chapter 138

After July, the crops around Changle Town had matured. After worshipping the Earth God and burning a string of firecrackers celebrating a bountiful harvest, the farmers began harvesting their crops. The drying grounds were golden and very pleasing to the eye.

When the family split the property, Wang Yuan’er’s household received several acres of land. However, the Wang family’s fields were always rented out, so they didn’t have to toil in the harvest, just waiting to collect rent.

This year, the rice grew well, with high yields. The four-tenth rent was enough to feed Wang Yuan’er’s household for more than a year. She had already prepared the granary, planning to store enough grain for a year and sell the rest.

In the rice fields, farmers smiled as children ran around with baskets, collecting rice ears. Diligent ones could gather dozens of pounds.

Wang Yuan’er had been making lots of fermented tofu recently and had some free time. So when Wang Qing’er said she wanted to collect rice ears and snails, Wang Yuan’er readily agreed.

“Wear a bamboo hat and keep an eye on Lan’er. Don’t quarrel with others,” Wang Yuan’er instructed.

“Got it, got it. Eldest sister, you’re so long-winded.”

“You little brat…” Wang Yuan’er pretended to hit her.

Before she could reach her, Wang Qing’er laughed and ran off with a basket, holding Wang Lan’er’s hand.

Shaking her head, Wang Yuan’er said, “That girl, I don’t know whom she takes after!”

“Eldest sister, don’t worry. She knows her limits,” Wang Chun’er reassured, carrying Wang Baolai into the shop to help watch over him while doing needlework to pass the time.

Baolai was now eight months old, with a few tiny teeth. Grandpa Wang had made a special chair for him to sit and play in. Due to the hot weather, he wore only a bellyband. He was holding a silk ball, drooling and laughing.

“You’re quite an outgoing one,” Wang Yuan’er said, pinching his chubby cheeks, making him laugh even louder.

After playing with him for a while, Wang Yuan’er shielded her eyes from the blazing sun and said to Wang Chun’er, “It’s too hot. I’ll go buy a watermelon and some mung beans to cool us down.”

Wang Chun’er agreed.

In the heat, watermelon and mung beans were the most popular cooling foods. Wang Yuan’er selected a large, heavy watermelon from a farmer and placed it in a basket, feeling the weight on her arm. She bought mung beans and sugar from a grocery shop and headed home.

The sun was scorching, and few people were on the street, everyone seeking shade. Despite this, someone bumped into Wang Yuan’er, causing her basket to fall, and the watermelon rolled out.

Frowning, Wang Yuan’er said, “Hey, watch where you’re going,” as she looked up.

The person wore short clothes and wide pants, revealing two strong black arms, with a cloth tied around his head, a straw in his mouth, and his eyes slightly upturned, exuding a flirtatious look as he stared boldly at Wang Yuan’er.

Feeling uncomfortable, Wang Yuan’er took a step back and bent down to pick up her things. This person was too rude.

“You’re the eldest girl from the Wang family, right?” he said, picking up the watermelon and placing it back in her basket, then lifting it. He spat out the straw and said, “I’m Zhou Shunxing.”

Wang Yuan’er furrowed her brows, recognizing him.

“Give it to me,” she said, reaching for the basket without directly answering him.

Zhou Shunxing dodged and laughed, “I bumped into you. Let me carry it home for you. It looks heavy, and you might have trouble with it.”

Before Wang Yuan’er could reply, a female voice interrupted, “Well, Zhou Shunxing, you said you were too busy to help me wring clothes, but you have time to flatter others.”