The following days were relatively leisurely. Every day, besides getting up early to pick vegetables from the greenhouse, I also cooked for the children.
Every few days, Duan Yingying would send over the finished embroidery, and Xiao Yunying would count out the coins for her on the spot, never delaying her payment.
When Xiao Yunying learned that the embroidery she had taken to Jinxiu Pavilion was quickly sold out, she decisively bought the best silk thread and light-colored brocade, and gave them to Duan Yingying along with the remaining bolts that Madam Chen had given her.
She was given several animal pictures with different shapes, which reassured her to proceed with the design.
This time, in addition to making handkerchiefs and purses, Xiao Yunying also taught her how to make three-dimensional cushions and dolls.
The inside is stuffed with cotton, and the outside comes in two materials: fine cotton cloth and brocade. The price varies from small to large, but the profit margin is higher than that of small embroidered items such as purses and handkerchiefs, all exceeding 80%.
Meanwhile, Xiao Shanhai had already contacted craftsmen and purchased bricks, tiles, and timber as quickly as possible to begin building the new house.
Xiao Yunying had complete confidence in her father's work and only occasionally went to take a look.
In mid-February, Xiao Yunying realized that time was running out and wanted to persuade her mother to go with her to see Xiao Yuntao.
Mu Lianrong didn't want to go. She had no reason to go to the Ge family, but after hearing her youngest daughter talk about whether her third daughter could get pregnant, she changed her mind.
"Then let's go early tomorrow morning. It takes an hour to get from our house to the Ge family's house by oxcart."
I'll go and see for myself. What if it really is my son-in-law who's no good? Then it won't be my daughter who's in the wrong.
Having received confirmation that she could go, Xiao Yunying returned home and the first thing she did was tell the children about the arrangements for the next day.
"If you come home from school tomorrow and find I'm not home, then go to my mother's house for dinner. I've already told my sister-in-law and the others."
If I'm not back by tonight, you should go to bed early and remember to lock the door. Don't wait for me.
I'll give you an extra ten coins later. If I don't come back, you can go to town to buy some food for breakfast the day after tomorrow.
Since the children went to Yunshan Academy, they only eat breakfast and dinner at home. For lunch, Xiao Yunying gives each of them ten coins so they can eat in the city.
As for the greenhouse vegetables, her father and sister-in-law helped with that.
Upon hearing this, both Luo Chen and Luo Yang felt a pang of anxiety.
Luo Yang composed himself and asked, "Mother, is something the matter?"
Xiao Yunying held Luo Xin and let her sit on her lap, replying, "Tomorrow, my mother and I are going to visit my third sister, who is already married, in a village outside the East Gate. The journey isn't short; it will take more than two hours to go there and back by oxcart. I'm not sure if we'll be back late."
Luo Chen and Luo Yang both breathed a sigh of relief and felt at ease.
Luo Chen said, "Then Mother, please be careful. If it gets too late, you can stay in the city for the night. Don't travel in the dark. We will take care of my little sister, so there's no need to rush back."
Xiao Yunying nodded: "Okay, we'll see how things go then."
Then she lowered her head and said to Luo Xin, "Xin'er, did you hear that? Tomorrow, Mother has to go out. Get up early in the morning and come with me to Grandma's house for the day. Your brothers will come back to pick you up in the evening, okay?"
Luo Xin nodded solemnly like a little adult and said, "Mother, please go ahead and do what you need to do. Xin'er will be a good girl and wait for you and brother at Grandma's house."
Xiao Yunying praised the little girl without reservation: "Xin'er is really great."
After settling the children in, she went to the kitchen to start preparing dinner.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Xiao Yunying got up from the kang (a heated brick bed), washed up, and made a simple and delicious noodle dish with pickled mustard greens and shredded pork.
It involves stir-frying pickled mustard greens and shredded meat in oil, adding an appropriate amount of water, and then cooking noodles after the water boils.
Add a fried egg and two blanched bok choy, it's not difficult at all, and its main selling point is convenience and speed.
Luo Chen and the others needed to take a carriage to the academy, so they had already gotten up early. After she finished cooking and made sure they were awake, she woke up Luo Xin, who was still sleeping.
Luo Xin was very sensible and didn't have any morning grumpiness. She obediently rubbed her eyes, got up, got dressed, washed up, and ate noodles.
After breakfast, Luo Chen and the other two went out, got into the carriage, and left. Xiao Yunying locked the gate and led Luo Xin back to her parents' home.
The oxcart was already harnessed, with a bamboo basket on it, which must have been something her parents were bringing for the Ge family and her third sister.
Xiao Yunsong sat on the oxcart waiting for her to arrive. When Luo Xin saw him, she sweetly called him "Uncle".
Xiao Yunsong immediately jumped off the carriage and picked up Luo Xin: "You're such a good girl, call me again so I can hear you."
Luo Xin obediently called out "Uncle" again.
Xiao Yunsong was so happy that he laughed so hard his eyes almost disappeared.
Xiao Yunying knew that her older brother preferred daughters, but unfortunately, he only had sons so far. She smiled and asked, "Brother, will you take Mother and me there today?"
Xiao Yunsong said, "Yes, my second brother also wanted to go, but Mother said that so many people didn't need to go, so she didn't agree."
Xiao Yunying guessed that her mother might have had a premonition that Xiao Yuntao might not be doing well in the Ge family. She thought that her eldest brother was more stable than her second brother, so she chose her eldest brother to drive the carriage to take them there.
"Let's go inside first. Hasn't Mother gotten up yet?"
Xiao Yunsong put Luo Xin down: "Get up, everyone's finished eating and is waiting for you inside. I'll drive the oxcart out first, go and call your mother, we should go."
Xiao Yunying said, "Then I'll take Xin'er inside first, and then I'll have Mother come out right away."
She led Luo Xin into the main room, where her family was having breakfast. Her mother was giving her some instructions, and when she saw her daughter arrive, she walked straight towards the door.
He added, "Alright, I'm leaving. You all stay home and have a good time."
Xiao Yunying didn't have time to say goodbye to her family before Mu Lianrong quietly urged her to leave.
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