This was like a piece of cake, and the two of them exchanged glances, their hearts filled with uncontrollable excitement. Chen Dazhi, in particular, hadn't slept well the previous night, and felt uneasy and deeply regretful for his own recklessness.

Rubbing his hands together, his voice trembled with excitement. "Madam Jane, I really don't know what to say. From now on, just wait for good news. Even if I have to go without food or sleep, I will take over this area in the south. If I forget my loyalty for the sake of profit and betray Madam Jane's trust, I will be struck by lightning and die a miserable death!"

Shopkeeper Tong also said, "That's right. Madam Jian treats us so well. If we betray her trust, we would be worse than pigs and dogs. We will definitely remember Madam Jian's teachings and will never dare to disobey them in the slightest. We will definitely not do anything that would damage Madam Jian's reputation."

Jian Ning smiled and said, "Well done. This is a long-term business. Even if my husband is transferred elsewhere in the future, Qiaofeng will stay here with the orchard. She will open a clinic here and also manage the ginkgo paste business. You just need to rest assured and do a good job in the business."

The two men responded repeatedly, knowing that Jane Ning had a guest, they did not disturb him too much, and bowed and said goodbye with many thanks.

Jian Ning sent the two of them away and went to look for Mei Niang. Xiao Yuer had become familiar with her during dinner yesterday. When he saw her trying to break free from her wet nurse, he tiptoed towards her, his little baby voice filled the room with fragrance. A cry of "Auntie, hug me" was so sweet that it touched Jian Ning's heart.

"Xiao Yu'er is so good." Jane Ning picked her up, and the little girl put her arms around her neck and kissed her on the face. Jane Ning was so happy that her eyebrows were bent with smiles.

"I forgot to ask my sister yesterday, has your girls' school been established?" Jian Ning remembered to ask this while holding Xiao Yuer.

Mei Niang shook her head. "We're not like you. How could this be so easy? You lead the people of the entire county to make a living. If you earn money, you can certainly afford to run a free county school. Where are we going to get so much money to run a free county school?"

Jian Ning thought about it and realized that if the government mobilized the wealthy families in the city to contribute money, not everyone would be willing to respond. The wealthy families all ran family schools, so how many of them would be willing to pay for a county school to support the children of ordinary people?

After chatting for a while, Jian Ning, along with her mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, and wet nurse, brought Xiao Yu'er and Xiao Jiu'er to the bookstore. At home, Mama Li was leading the preparations for lunch. Although there were more than ten people, with Mama Li, a capable person who was used to handling all matters, Jian Ning didn't have to worry much.

The bookstore was doing a booming business. Besides Blind Liu, there were also several local storytellers. Duan Xinyan was very happy to see them coming. She kept calling Erlangzi to bring some tea and cakes, and then came out from behind the counter to take them to the private room upstairs.

Because her father, the Prince of Pingnan, was a high-ranking general, Duan Xinyan was fascinated by Blind Liu's stories about the Three Kingdoms. She listened to them with rapt attention every day, and she grew increasingly fond of her job as a bookkeeper. As she led them upstairs, she took Jian Ning's arm for the first time.

"Now I understand why my eldest sister is so willing to do everything herself. Having something to do keeps her busy all day long. Not only does it not tire her, but it also fills her heart with contentment. Unlike before, when I always felt so bored and anxious, not knowing how to pass the time, and always wanted to make some noise and cause a lot of trouble. Now that I think about it, it's no wonder that my eldest sister didn't like me. I don't like my old self either."

Jian Ning had already asked Blind Liu about her behavior here. Originally, she was worried that she would act like a lady to the people who came to the bookstore and would look down on the customers.

As it turned out, that was not the case. She would occasionally come to the bookstore to take a look, and coldly observe that she was very enthusiastic about her work, warm to others, and always smiling. However, she was worried that she was just looking for something new, and that her enthusiasm would not last long.

I felt relieved after hearing what she said.

"You're just being nice and not causing trouble, so why should I dislike you? What's going on in your little head every day?" Jian Ning said, poking her forehead with a finger.

"That's exactly what I meant." Mei Niang turned sideways, looked back and smiled, "You're her sister. If you're just being nice and not causing trouble, why would she dislike you?"

Duan Xinyan shrank her neck, realizing that she was holding Jian Ning's arm intimately. She felt a little sorry for her mother, but when she saw the smile on Jian Ning's face, she inexplicably wanted to get close to her.

Uh, I feel so confused.

After a while, she came down from upstairs with a frown on her face and twisting the handkerchief in her hand. On the stairs, she ran into Erlangzi who was carrying a pot of scented tea upstairs.

"What's wrong?" Seeing her bitter face, Erlangzi stamped his feet and asked.

After asking, Erlangzi stepped aside to make way for her. He thought Duan Xinyan would scold him angrily as usual, saying, "What's it to you? Why are you asking so many questions?"

However, Duan Xinyan just glanced at him sideways, her eyes moved across his face, and went downstairs without saying anything.

Erlangzi scratched his head, a little confused about what was going on. The baldness on his head was gone now, and his hair had grown back densely. Tong Bajin had trimmed it with scissors, and it looked like a modern short flat head.

Jian Ning had just had a cup of tea with Mei Niang when Xu Dali came to find him. He and Niu San had gathered a group of young and strong people in the city, and took their tools to go up the mountain to plant fruit seedlings. They came to invite Jian Ning on the orders of Ding Youtian.

"If you have something to do, just go and do it. Don't bother with us. We'll just listen to the book here and leave by ourselves later. Don't worry about us." Mei Niang said as she stood up and took off her cloak, smiling and trying to put it on Jian Ning's shoulders.

Jian Ning waved her hand: "Sister, do you want to go to the orchard?"

Mei Niang shook her head. "It's too windy up there. I won't go today. It won't be too late to go again when the wind stops. Hurry up and put this on. It's cold up there. Be careful to avoid the wind. Don't take your health lightly, okay?"

When she refused to go, Jian Ning was ready to accept her kindness and let her put the cloak on her, but Xu Dali said, "The master has brought a cloak for the lady."

Mei Niang laughed when she heard this and said, "Oh, it's because I feel sorry for you. There are people who care about you. Go quickly and don't keep your husband waiting for a long time."

"Then I'll go." Jian Ning said hello to Aunt Feng again, and then went downstairs with Xu Dali. When he came down, he saw Old Qin with his hands folded in his sleeves, sitting in front of the charcoal brazier with a few others, staring intently at Blind Liu, who was wearing a long gown and telling a story on the stage with great emotion.

"Uncle Qin." Jian Ning walked up to him and greeted him. He said "hmm" without even turning his head. When they came before and called him, he just waved his hand. Even when Xiao Jiuer called him, he just turned around and glanced.

He is really a bookworm. Jian Ning stopped bothering him and nodded her chin at Xu Dali. The two of them came from the lobby one after the other. Jian Ning heard Xu Dali say "Huh" as he was walking behind her. She paused and looked towards the aisle on the left following his sight. She saw Duan Xinyan holding a handkerchief and wiping the face of the fool who was holding a charcoal basin in both hands, mumbling something.