Chapter 505 He Xiao is leaving
Autumn brings a lot of rain, and it's raining again in Dahe Village.
Fortunately, autumn rain is gentler, unlike summer rain which is often accompanied by thunder and torrential downpours.
A large pavilion was built in the courtyard to shelter from the rain, and Cheng Wanwan led people to peel lotus seeds in the pavilion.
Lotus seeds that have just sprouted in summer are very tender and can be eaten right away, but they gradually become older. These older lotus seeds are harvested, dried, and stored. When you want to eat them, you can process them to make soup, which is very nutritious.
“Lotus seeds are a tribute item. I thought only noble ladies in the palace could afford to eat them,” Granny Ma said as she busied herself. “I never imagined that after coming to serve Lady An, we lowly servants could also enjoy lotus seed soup.”
Granny Qi nodded: "That's right. In winter, when the lotus roots are dug up, they can be made into lotus root powder. It is said that only favored empresses can drink this stuff. It is good for beauty and health. Ordinary people have never even seen it."
Cheng Wanwan laughed and said, "I have plenty here."
She cultivates hybrid lotus, which can flower, produce lotus seeds, and grow lotus roots. Because it develops in multiple ways, none of them are particularly outstanding, and the yield is just barely acceptable. In this way, she doesn't have to worry about it being selected as a tribute.
The annual output of the 200-mu lotus pond not only supplies the village's tourism industry and the Daheyan Restaurant, but also provides more than the family can eat every day.
Speaking of digging lotus roots, Cheng Wanwan sighed. This job is even more tiring than clearing land and digging ponds. The bottom of the lotus pond is silt, and people will sink in as soon as they go down. Not to mention that, because the lotus roots are buried deep at the bottom of the pond, people who dig lotus roots need to bend over and work all day long. Even a strong man would probably not be able to endure working for days on end.
Last year, we could still ask the migrants for help, but this year they have all settled down in the village and have their own jobs, so it is impossible for them to come and do hard work anymore.
It seems that only by raising the price can we attract people to dig for lotus roots.
Just then, Cheng Jia walked in from the doorway: "Madam, Master Cao has arrived."
Cheng Wanwan clapped her hands: "Please come in quickly."
It must be that the birthday gift was completed and they helped deliver it to my door.
Cao Defu led his men in, carrying two large boxes, a quilt, a mattress, a pair of dragon and phoenix pillows, and a set of dragon robe undergarments, all neatly stacked in the two boxes.
"Mother-in-law, I've delivered the items to you. Please see if they're acceptable?"
Cheng Wanwan had already inspected it carefully last time, and it was perfect in every way. She was very satisfied and thanked him with a smile: "Father-in-law, you have been a great help this time. Please stay for a simple meal."
“Shitou has been sick these past two days and can’t be left alone, so I have to go back right away,” Cao Defu sighed. “I’ll just see Yingying for a moment and then leave.”
Granny Qi immediately went to the second courtyard and called Cao Yingying over.
Now Cao Yingying's belly is quite large. She is five or six months pregnant. After getting used to the various discomforts of pregnancy, she has gained weight rapidly, like a balloon being inflated. Her cheeks are round and her figure is plump.
In those days, married daughters rarely returned to their parents' home. Cao Defu sometimes came to Dahe Village to discuss business and wouldn't see his daughter. But now, upon seeing her, he was immediately shocked: "Yingying, how did you get so fat..."
When Meng was pregnant, she wasn't this fat.
Cao Yingying was initially quite touched that her own father had come to visit her, so how could she not be moved? But the first thing he said was that she was fat, which made her turn away in anger and ignore him.
“Oh, sir, you can’t say that,” said Granny Li, Cao Yingying’s wet nurse. “Miss is carrying a baby, so she’s eating for two at once. Of course she’ll get fat. It’s good that she’s fat; she’ll have more strength and suffer less during childbirth…”
Cheng Wanwan was speechless. Women hate being told they're fat, and this Boss Cao really knows how to bring up the most sensitive topic.
"Ahem, Yingying, your father misspoke." Cao Defu took something out of his sleeve and handed it to her. "A few days ago, Meng went to the temple to burn incense and got you a peace charm to bless you with a safe and smooth delivery. You must keep it with you at all times."
Cao Yingying took the amulet and smiled, "I'll go home and talk to Aunt Meng when I have time."
Because Meng Shi was too close in age to call her "Mother," the two of them agreed that calling her "Aunt Meng" would be more appropriate and would sound closer.
After seeing Cao Defu off, Cheng Wanwan pondered who should go to the capital, and finally decided on Cheng Jia and Cheng Yi.
Cheng Jia cupped his hands and said, "My lady, I can go alone. Cheng Yi will stay here to protect your safety."
Of the four guards, one was accompanying Cheng Zhao to take the imperial examination and would probably not return for another six months. He and Cheng Yi were escorting the birthday gifts to the capital, which would take at least two or three months. If anyone were to sneak into the residence and harm Anren, they would be guilty of a thousand deaths.
Cheng Wanwan didn't care at all: "Dahe Village has a patrol team, and every man in the village has learned a few moves. There won't be any danger. You two can go without worry."
Even if there is danger, having Cheng Yi around won't make much difference; the birthday gift is still more important.
Just as Granny Qi was about to offer some advice, He Xiao and Zhao San Niu walked in through the door.
Zhao Sanniu said happily, "Master heard that Mother is going to arrange for someone to go to the capital. He wants to go on this trip. Hehe, I want to go with her too."
He had studied kung fu for so long and really wanted to leave Dahe Village to gain some experience so he could find out his true abilities. And now, the opportunity had come.
He Xiao said calmly, "I can make this trip by myself."
Zhao Sanniu cried out anxiously, "Master, I am your disciple. Wherever you go, I will go. Don't leave me behind."
He Xiao pursed his lips and remained silent.
Cheng Wanwan noticed something amiss. They had agreed on a year, but now it had been a year and a month. It seemed He Xiao had made up his mind to leave.
She spoke softly, "Xiao He, will you come back after you leave?"
"Cousin, I'm sorry." He Xiao lowered his eyes. "I'm not from Dahe Village, I don't belong here. If I leave, I probably won't come back."
Zhao Sanniu's eyes widened: "Master, what do you mean by that? What do you mean by 'once they leave, they won't come back'? Why?"
The village head, who had just entered through the main gate, was also taken aback. He rushed inside, saying, "Master He, why are you leaving so soon? What happened? If you have any questions, please let me know, and I'll help you resolve them."
He Xiao cupped his hands and said, "I am very grateful for Uncle Lizheng's care during my year in Dahe Village, but now I am really leaving. I have already chosen a new captain for the patrol team, Wang Yongcheng, who is fully capable of this position."
The village head didn't care whether Wang Yongcheng was capable or not. He grabbed He Xiao's hand, his emotions getting out of control: "Why are you leaving so soon? Is there something I did wrong that made you unhappy? Tell me, tell me, and the whole village will try to help you solve it..."
“Uncle Village Head!” Cheng Wanwan said, “Xiao He’s coming here was an accident, and we shouldn’t stop him from leaving. We should just let things take their course.”
The village head reluctantly let go of her hand: "Fine, let him go. It's normal for the kids to want to leave now that they're all grown up. I'll tell the patrol team, so we can at least have a farewell dinner..."
The old man went out with faltering steps, completely forgetting that he had something to discuss with Aunt Dashan.
Cheng Wanwan looked at everyone in the courtyard and said, "Go ahead and get busy. San Niu, don't just sit around. Chop the firewood in the backyard. You're not allowed to eat until you finish chopping it."
Zhao San Niu went to chop wood, crying. His mother was being too much; he was so upset and she still made him work…
Soon, only Cheng Wanwan and He Xiao remained in the pavilion. She poured two cups of tea and said calmly, "Sit down, let's chat for a while."
He Xiao sat down and took a sip of tea. No matter how many times he drank it, the tea was always so fragrant and mellow, just like the sky over Dahe Village, which was always so clear.
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