Chapter 32: Everyone Competes to Do the Work!

The next morning, Mu Rong Shu woke up early. Xiao Tao opened the courtyard door and was startled, exclaiming, “General, Second Master, Eldest Young Master, Second Young Master… Why are you here so early?”

“Has your young lady gotten up yet?” Mu Si squeezed to the front and asked Xiao Tao.

“Miss said she has a lot to prepare today and has already freshened up. You can all come in and wait for her,” Xiao Tao said, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the crowd.

“We’ll wait for Shu Er here in the courtyard. Go call your young lady,” Mu Si said, successfully becoming the first to step into the Gui Ning Courtyard, with Mu Shi following closely behind.

Xiao Tao had no choice but to go call her young lady. The group sat in the courtyard, eagerly watching the door to Mu Rong Shu’s room.

Mu Rong Shu didn’t take long. When she saw so many people, she greeted them cheerfully, “Good morning, Father, Second Uncle, Brothers.”

“Shu Er is up!”
“Sister, did you sleep well last night?”
“Shu Er, come sit here. Second Uncle has even wiped the stool clean for you.”

…

The group took turns showing their concern for Mu Rong Shu, while Xiao Tao stood speechless by the side.

Fortunately, Mu Rong Shu had already prepared a work schedule for everyone yesterday, which Xiao Tao distributed to them.

“Shu Er, why does Father have to cut lamb and beef skewers? What is this?”
“Sister, why do I have to sharpen bamboo skewers?”
“Shu Er, why am I grinding herbs into powder?”

…

“Everyone, stop asking questions. When the items arrive, I’ll demonstrate. Let’s have breakfast first. I asked the kitchen to prepare it early today,” Mu Rong Shu said, not wanting to explain to each person individually.

None of them were willing to return to their own courtyards, so Xiao Tao went to the kitchen and arranged for breakfast to be delivered directly to the Gui Ning Courtyard. This way, they could start working right after eating without wasting time running around.

As soon as breakfast was finished, the steward arrived with the items Mu Rong Shu had requested, including a barbecue grill and a small hotpot.

Mu Rong Shu had the items sent directly to her room, then took her father, second uncle, and brothers to a large grassy area in front of the Gui Ning Courtyard to set up for lunch.

She directed servants to bring over tables and chairs, and even made sure tablecloths were prepared.

On each table, she placed a ceramic bottle with a fresh flower inside, making the setup elegant and unique.

The group watched in amazement as Mu Rong Shu skillfully directed the servants, transforming the grass into a beautifully arranged area as if by magic.

“Sister, you’re amazing! Is there anything else to do?” Her brothers eagerly asked to help.

“Third Brother, Fourth Brother, can you try drawing some patterns on these?” she asked.

“Don’t worry, Shu Er. We’ll get it done!”
“Shu Er, what else can we do to help?”

“Xiao Tao, bring these things for Father, Eldest Brother, and Second Brother to see,” Mu Rong Shu instructed.

“Miss, please wait. I’ll get them right away,” Xiao Tao said, hurrying to fetch the bamboo skewers Mu Rong Shu had prepared the day before.

“Sister, what are these?” Eldest Brother and Second Brother asked with curiosity.

“These are bamboo skewers. We’ll use them for the barbecue later. Could you please help, Second Uncle, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Father, and make some for me?” Mu Rong Shu asked sweetly.

“Miss, please wait. I’ll go get it right away.” Xiao Tao hurried to the room to fetch the bamboo skewers that Mu Rong Shu had prepared the day before.

“Sister, what are these?” Eldest Brother and Second Brother asked curiously.

“These are bamboo skewers, which we’ll use for the barbecue later. Could you please help, Second Uncle, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Father, and make some for me?” Mu Rong Shu asked sweetly.

“Don’t worry, Shu Er. Father is the best at this. How many do you need?” Mu Shi sighed in relief, glad that Mu Rong Shu hadn’t asked him to draw pictures.

“Then, Father, please help me make a basket of them first.” Mu Rong Shu pointed to the basket Xiao Tao was holding.

Mu Rong Shu’s request stunned Mu Shi, Mu Si, and Mu Si Yuan (Second Brother). Why did Shu Er need so many skewers?

Although they had questions, they didn’t dare ask further, fearing Mu Rong Shu might think they were being troublesome. In their hearts, whatever Shu Er said was right, and they would do whatever she asked.

Mu Rong Shu had arranged for the bamboo to be delivered the day before, and instructed Xiao Tao to bring a few people to move it. Mu Si, who usually had no chance to show off, was eager to demonstrate his skills today.

He outpaced his nephews, making the bamboo skewers quickly and well. After receiving praise from Mu Rong Shu, he was so pleased with himself that he couldn’t help but show off to Mu Shi.

Not long after breakfast, Rong Yun Na and Madam Rong arrived. Rong Qing was happy to see his mother and second younger brother. “Mother, Second Brother, why are you here so early? Have you had breakfast?”

“We’ve already had breakfast. You sent someone home yesterday saying you’d be here early today. Your second younger brother got up early to wait for me,” Madam Rong said with a smile, remembering how her son had woken up at dawn.

Rong Qing laughed after hearing this. He knew his second younger brother rarely left the house these days, and must have been excited about being invited.

“Yun Na is someone Shu Er specifically asked to arrive early. It’s only right for him to be here early, though it must have been tiring for you, Mother,” Rong Qing teased.

“Eldest Sister, stop teasing Yun Na. Isn’t today a rest day? Why haven’t we seen Brother-in-law and the nephews?” Rong Yun Na thought that they had come so early that the others hadn’t woken up yet.

“Ah, once they heard Shu Er needed their help, they went to wait at the courtyard gate before dawn. There was no stopping them, so I just went along with them,” Rong Qing said with a sigh.

“Shu Er is already up!” Rong Yun Na exclaimed in surprise.

“She should be awake by now. Shu Er doesn’t like sleeping in and wakes up early every day. Since they went so early, they’re probably already busy,” Rong Qing explained.

“Then, Sister, you talk to Mother inside. I’ll go find Brother-in-law and the nephews, and see if Shu Er needs my help with anything,” Rong Yun Na said, unable to sit still when he heard the others might already be busy.

“Mother, please let me have someone take you inside. Also, bring the things Shu Er asked you to bring. They should be needed today,” Rong Qing added.

“Thank you, Sister. I’m curious about what Shu Er wanted. It’ll be a good chance to see,” Yun Na said quickly, not wanting his mother and sister to misunderstand.

“You can go ahead. Mother and I won’t mind,” Rong Qing said, turning to one of the maids, Chun Tao, “Chun Tao, have the steward move all of Shu Er’s things from the cart. Take them over yourself with Second Young Master, and tell Second Master not to come back.”

Chun Tao, a loyal maid brought from Rong Qing’s family, was quick and efficient, and she followed the instructions carefully.

---

At Gui Ning Courtyard, Mu Rong Shu was the first to spot Rong Yun Na and waved from afar, “Uncle Yun Na, over here!”

When Rong Yun Na arrived and saw everyone busily working in front of the courtyard gate, he was a bit stunned.

“Shu Er, what are you all doing?” he asked.

“Uncle Yun Na, please rest for a moment. We’re preparing for lunch. Later, we’ll need your help as well. Today, everyone has to do things themselves if we want to eat,” Mu Rong Shu explained.

“Uncle Yun Na, good morning!”

“Good morning, Uncle Yun Na!” several younger relatives rushed over to greet him.

Rong Yun Na greeted General Mu and his brother-in-law. Mu Si, who was focused on carving bamboo skewers, got up when he heard his mother-in-law had arrived, but Chun Tao stopped him.

“Second Master, Madam said the work here is important, and she needs to talk with the old madam. Please stay and finish your work for now.”

When Mu Si heard his wife didn’t want him to return, he obediently sat back down and continued making the bamboo skewers.