Under their grandmother's enthusiastic encouragement, the two children quickly couldn't resist joining in the fun.
Marquis Qingping was pleased to see this and would occasionally observe Shen Qingyu.
Shen Qingyu also allowed him to observe her in a natural and generous manner.
The old woman also served Shen Qingyu tea and snacks, which Shen Qingyu tasted and found to be quite delicious.
These little snacks look tiny; one bite is just the right amount.
But when you eat it, it's layered, with red bean paste, glutinous rice flour, and puff pastry inside...
There are also translucent flower-shaped ones filled with jam made from rose petals.
These are not the pastries from an ordinary pastry shop.
Because this dessert is so time-consuming, it would be profitable to sell it at an exorbitant price if made this way.
Shen Qingyu was secretly amazed: The Qingping Marquis's mansion is quite wealthy!
I can't believe I can afford such a skilled private chef!
But Qi Yunxiao had said before that the Qingping Marquis's mansion relied entirely on him to make money from his mother's dowry to support itself.
Why is Qi Yunxiao so generous to his stepmother and father?
Shen Qingyu had a vague feeling that something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
At this moment, Marquis Qingping also started chatting with Shen Qingyu.
Of course, as a marquis, his imposing presence was innate, naturally giving him a superior air.
Therefore, even with the best efforts to be approachable, the pressure is still very noticeable.
"You're in the village, I heard life used to be very hard?"
Shen Qingyu nodded: "Mm."
"How have things been going where you are lately? I heard there was a drought before?"
Shen Qingyu had a lot to say about this, so she talked for about half an hour.
Marquis Qingping listened attentively. After Shen Qingyu finished speaking, he asked, "Since you have already helped them find the spring, why do you still need to help them find ways to make money?"
Shen Qingyu spread her hands: "The village head said that some fields still can't be irrigated, and some people are so hungry that they have to flee the famine. Even if it rains, they will have missed the rice planting season."
"We can't just watch them starve to death, can we?"
"Why can't we just watch them starve to death?" Marquis Qingping asked earnestly.
Shen Qingyu gave him a strange look: "They are all fellow villagers who see each other all the time, and they are all related by marriage. If I have the ability to help them, I would feel guilty if I just watched them starve to death."
Marquis Qingping was moved: This little village girl actually has such a broad mind!
And he was able to say it so sincerely and frankly!
Just as Marquis Qingping was about to praise her noble character, Shen Qingyu grinned and said, "Besides, I also make money."
Marquis Qingping: "..."
Okay, maybe my thinking was too one-sided.
When it comes to making money, Shen Qingyu speaks eloquently: "My braised meat sells very well. The villagers help make it, and I pay them wages. They can survive, and I can also make a lot of money."
"And those bean sprouts, the guests at Guiyunlou love to eat them. I heard that many people have even had their constipation cured after eating them... I just need to hire someone to water them."
"There's also the sweet potato starch workshop. Although it doesn't make much money, it's the one that needs the most manpower, and the whole village benefits from it."
"In this way, our villagers will not starve to death."
After explaining her business, Shen Qingyu looked at Qingping Hou with a smile and stated her final conclusion: "Therefore, I can support my child on my own, and I don't need you to take responsibility for him."
“If you feel that my existence will threaten the future inheritance of the Hou family’s property, I can also write a guarantee to ensure that my children and I will not need a single needle or thread or a single penny from the Hou family in the future.”
Therefore, I can make money; I don't need to rely on you.
Therefore, I am not a burden.
So, are we able to leave safely?
Shen Qingyu's gaze was so frank that it took Marquis Qingping a while to react.
Was she flaunting her earning power just to protect herself?
Marquis Qingping felt a rare sense of guilt.
"I'm so sorry. Don't worry, I will make sure you and the child are safe."
However, the promise from Marquis Qingping did not put Shen Qingyu at ease.
"Can I take my child back to Hengshui Town?"
Marquis Qingping looked intently at Shen Qingyu: "With your knowledge, you should know that if the child stays in the capital, he can have a very good teacher."
"I don't want to." Shen Qingyu shook her head without hesitation.
"Even for the sake of the child, it's not allowed?" Marquis Qingping was somewhat incredulous.
Isn't it said that all mothers in the world are devoted to their children?
Shen Qingyu explained earnestly, "I agree with what you said. There will definitely be more good academies and good teachers in the capital, and the children will be able to see more of the world..."
"But the waters of the capital are too deep, my children. I can't bear to see them, so young and inexperienced, facing all sorts of covetousness and scheming."
"I will protect them," Marquis Qingping solemnly promised.
"I don't believe you."
Marquis Qingping: "!!!"
Shen Qingyu was afraid he would misunderstand: "It's not that I don't believe in your feelings, it's that I don't believe you can take care of everything at all times."
"Throughout history, the most powerful family has always been the imperial family, right?"
"Are the guards adequate?"
"But look at those sons and grandsons of emperors, how many of them have never been betrayed and have grown up safely?"
After saying this, Shen Qingyu regretted it: Why did I bring up royal matters for no reason?
If someone with ulterior motives overheard this, they might accuse me of treason or something...
Modern people's mindset hasn't fully adjusted yet, and that's unacceptable!
I should be more careful with my words next time.
While reflecting on herself, Shen Qingyu chuckled dryly, "I'm sorry, my analogy was inappropriate. I'm just a country woman talking nonsense, please don't mind."
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