Granny Lu said, "Sister He's whole family is in Hexi. Ganzhou is so far from Hexi, it's inconvenient for them to go back. A family should stay together."

Xu Bai sighed and walked towards the small kitchen in the main courtyard with his head down. Xu Zhi was busy preparing dinner for the family. As for the servants' dinner, there was a large kitchen not far in front of the main courtyard. Granny Lu had bought a family of three from outside a long time ago. The woman in that family was a good cook, so she became the cook in the mansion. Sister He was busy preparing meals for the masters in the small kitchen.

Xu Zhi was busy in the small kitchen with Qingmiao and Qingsui. The stove and pots in the small kitchen had been repaired. The pots were all newly bought. When Xu Bai came in, Xu Zhi was washing the pots. New pots need to be properly cleaned before use.

When Xu Zhi saw Xu Bai come in, she said, "Little brother, if you're hungry, have some snacks to tide you over. I'll have dinner ready in a bit."

Xu Bai said, "Sister, shall I help you start the fire?"

Xu Zhi smiled and said, "Okay, why not? You can take Qingmiao's place."

Qingmiao was sitting in front of the stove tending the fire when she heard Xu Zhi asking Xu Bai to take her place. She quickly made way and went to the side to pick and wash vegetables.

After Xu Di unloaded all the luggage with the steward of the mansion, he saw that it was getting late and went to the backyard.

Zhang Zhaoci was putting away her luggage in her room when Xu Di came in and said, "Mother, why don't we also buy a house in Ganzhou?"

Zhang Zhaoci said, "I've also been thinking about getting a house. I don't feel at ease living in a place that isn't my own, but there's no suitable place for me right now."

Xu Di said, "I'll go and ask around. We're renting someone else's house, but there are so many problems. It's really cramped."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "I happen to have some silver notes here. If you see something suitable, just buy it. Even if the house has been vacant for a long time, we can buy it and renovate it properly. It will still be our own place. By the way, have you gone to see your father?"

Xu Di said, "When I arrived, I went to see him at the government office first. I felt that my father was under a lot of pressure this time. He looked much thinner in just a few days."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "He was appointed to this position in a time of crisis. This case involves so many people, so he'll be swamped with work as soon as he arrives."

Xu Di said, "They're really incredibly busy. I'll bring the food to my dad later when I'm done cooking, so he won't be in such a rush when he gets back and can't eat properly."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "Okay, I'll go see what your sister is cooking."

Before Xu Zhi could even finish cooking, Xu Rao returned.

When Zhang Zhaoci saw Xu Rao, she said, "Have you not been eating properly these past few days? How come you've lost so much weight?"

Xu Rao waved his hand and said, "There are too many things to do, and I'm extremely busy. It's not just about what those people who have been arrested have done; I also need to dredge the river channels before the flood season. Who knows when God will bring another few heavy rains? Those river channels have been in disrepair for years, and a heavy rain can make them even more dilapidated."

Zhang Zhaoci said worriedly, "Those people were arrested because of the river. Is this river really that difficult to repair?"

Xu Rao said, "There's no large equipment available now, and everything has to be done manually, which is very difficult."

Xu Di asked, "Has the Ministry of Revenue stopped allocating funds here?"

Xu Rao said, "The wealth confiscated from the homes of those who have been arrested is enough to settle this debt. However, there are not many people who understand waterways. I have already sent a letter to the capital. The Ministry of Works should be able to send someone over, but I don't know who they will send."

Xu Di said, "If all else fails, we can recruit ourselves. We can send out invitations to gather a group of people skilled in water management. With more people, there's more strength. How could we not repair the river?"

Xu Rao said, "It's easy for you to say, but it involves too many things. I'm really overwhelmed right now. I have the will but not the strength."

Xu Di said, "How many people do you have on hand right now? Delegate the powers that should be delegated. You're just one person, how can you handle so many things?"

Xu Rao said, "I can't find anyone to delegate my work right now. I've already submitted a memorial to the court, asking them to send someone over here as soon as possible. But the memorial has to be sent to the capital. Even if they send someone there, they'll have to search carefully before sending someone over. It always takes time. Before that, there are many things that can't be left undone."

Xu Di said, "I understand. It's your duty. As your family, the only thing we can do is to provide you with logistical support, so that you have food to eat when you come home from work, clothes to change into when they're dirty, and if you're in a bad mood, I'll bring Xiao Jiu and Xiao Qi to entertain you. What do you think?"

Xu Rao said, "That's good enough. Alright, alright, go and see if Xiao Jiu's food is ready yet. If it is, come up here quickly so I can have a hot meal. I've been having the cooks from the government office cook for me these past few days, and the food they make is really bad. I've had enough of it."

The Xu family had a lively meal after arriving in Ganzhou. After the meal, Xu Rao did not go out. She washed up in the backyard, put on loose and comfortable clothes, held Xu Bai, and sat Zhang Zhaoci, Xu Di, Xu Zhi, and Granny Lu. The whole family chatted on the kang in the backyard.

After that day, Xu Rao was so busy that he was nowhere to be seen all day. Zhang Zhaoci found out a few recipes for food therapy and, together with Xu Zhi, stewed various nourishing soups for Xu Rao. Xu Di then took Xu Bai to deliver them to the government office.

The Xu family gradually adapted to life in Ganzhou. Because many people had been dismissed from their posts and some had even lost their heads, the usual gatherings among the wives of officials were no longer organized. Zhang Zhaoci enjoyed her current life. Besides studying medicine at home, she and Xu Zhi researched some dietary supplement recipes. The two of them were leisurely and content every day, which made Granny Lu furious.

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