Liang Hemiao drank two more glasses of water, then put the glasses down. She dragged Ye Yunniang to the bed and covered her with the blanket.
Liang Maimiao pushed open the door and came in carrying a bowl of noodles. "Why are you alone? Where's Yunniang?"
"Sister Yunniang has returned to Qunfanglou." Liang Hemiao said, taking the bowl and eating noodles in big bites, looking extremely hungry.
"Yunniang, why didn't you wait for me?" Liang Maimiao muttered.
"Sister, your noodles are still the best." Liang Hemiao sighed as she said this, "It will be hard to eat them again in the future."
“That’s easy. You can come to my house anytime you want to eat. I’ll not only make noodles, but also your favorite stir-fried pork with chili peppers.”
"I knew it, my sister loves me the most." Liang Hemiao was deeply moved.
"You eat your noodles, I'm leaving now." Liang Maimiao couldn't stay in the new house any longer.
"I'll see you off." Liang Hemiao was about to get up when Liang Maimiao stopped her.
"Don't send her off. The bride should stay in the house."
Liang Maimiao left the new house.
As soon as the door closed, Liang Hemiao immediately stopped eating her noodles.
He spat out the noodles in his mouth into the bowl.
The chopsticks were carelessly tossed onto the table.
"It tastes awful."
***
"Isn't the Wang family's garden quite nice?"
"Yes, the scenery is very beautiful." Ye Yunniang sat down next to Baise and poured herself a cup of tea.
"There's still some time before the banquet starts. If you like it, watch it a little longer."
"I wore soft-soled shoes today, and my feet hurt from walking," Ye Yunniang said, frowning slightly.
"After the banquet, you and I will take a carriage back together."
"Will this cause trouble?"
"Perfect timing, I'll go see my future home." Tie Yi had been declining to go to Wanxia Lane in Baise.
Ye Yunniang recalled what she saw at the Tie family's house: scattered ironware and coal, as well as various signs of a struggle on the walls.
"It's not really suitable to go."
After hearing Ye Yunniang's story, Baise was even more determined to go and see for herself. Just how badly had the house been damaged?
"I heard there's a lot going on in your Sunset Lane?"
"Yunniang, I'm here." Liang Maimiao strode over. She picked up a clean cup, poured herself some tea, and took a sip. Glancing at Baise out of the corner of her eye, she greeted him warmly, "Manager Baise, it's been a long time! How have you been?"
"Thank goodness, not bad. I'm getting married on the 16th, come and have a drink at the wedding." Baise said, pulling out an invitation and handing it to Liang Maimiao.
"Congratulations. Who is the groom?" Liang Maimiao offered her congratulations, accepting the invitation with both hands.
"You know him too, Tie Yi."
"Master Tie!" Liang Maimiao was very surprised, never expecting these two to get together.
"What, we're not a good match?"
“No, no, you two are a match made in heaven. A perfect couple.” Liang Maimiao shook her head.
After Liang Maimiao finished speaking, she poured herself another cup of tea and drank it.
Ye Yunniang also drank a cup.
"Something's not right with you two. Why are you drinking the tea so much?" Baise looked at Ye Yunniang and Liang Maimiao.
"I've been walking around in the garden for too long and I'm a little thirsty," Ye Yunniang said, pouring herself another cup.
“Yes, it’s only the beginning of March, and the weather is already so hot.” Liang Maimiao looked up at the sky.
"The weather is hotter this year than in previous years."
"Could this be?" Liang Maimiao didn't finish her sentence.
"Life goes on whether it's hot or not." Baise takes it all in stride.
“Manager Baise, the weather doesn’t affect your embroidery shop, but it’s difficult for us to make food.” Liang Maimiao thought of the drought 10 years ago.
Drought led to poor harvests.
Despite rising grain prices, grain merchants are still hoarding grain, selling only small amounts each day.
Fortunately, the in-laws decisively closed the noodle stall and kept the wheat for their own consumption. Otherwise, the family would have starved to death.
“The family in the old No. 7 courtyard in our alley couldn’t buy food. The old folks in the family wouldn’t eat it, saving it for the younger generation, and they starved to death.”
"Lord Bao is a good official; he won't let the people starve to death." Ye Yunniang had great faith in Bao Min's abilities.
"I hope so," Liang Maimiao said, not holding out much hope.
"Keep plenty of food at home," Baise reminded the two.
Ye Yunniang nodded and went home to tell Cai Damei about stockpiling grain.
Ye Yunniang had never experienced a drought, so she inquired about Baise and Liangmaimiao's stockpiling of grain.
The two recounted everything they had done back then and pointed out many areas for improvement.
Ye Yunniang listened attentively, repeatedly asking questions and discussing any points she didn't understand.
A gurgling sound interrupted their conversation.
"I haven't eaten since this morning," Yang Maimiao said, rubbing her stomach sheepishly.
"Have some snacks," Ye Yunniang said, reaching for the snacks on the table.
An empty plate.
Why wasn't it continued?
Ye Yunniang found it strange that after she finished eating a plate of pastries, the Wang family servants would very observantly bring her a new plate of pastries.
"Judging by the time, it should be time to start the banquet now." Baise sensed something was wrong.
"Is something wrong?" Liang Maimiao asked, worried about her younger sister. She got up and said, "I'll go check on the new house."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Ye Yunniang asked, standing up.
Liang Maimiao stopped Ye Yunniang, saying, "I'll go by myself."
Ye Yunniang sat down and watched Liang Maimiao walk to the door and be stopped by someone.
Baise approached Ye Yunniang and said, "Something's not right with you."
Ye Yunniang looked back at Baise, "What did I do wrong?"
"Something's wrong with you. There are so many problems," Baise said, looking Ye Yunniang up and down. His expression seemed to say, "I see all your secrets."
Ye Yunniang remained calm and composed, allowing Baise to scrutinize her.
Baise suddenly laughed, "I was just kidding, I didn't see anything."
“That’s what you’re telling me, that’s what you’re lying to me about.” Ye Yunniang’s words made Baise laugh even louder.
"Not bad, not bad. You've only been with me for a few days, but you've already mastered my skills. I'm relieved to hand over the embroidery shop to you." Baise was very satisfied with Ye Yunniang's performance.
"I still have a lot to learn," Ye Yunniang said, taking a sip of water to calm her wildly beating heart.
Liang Maimiao walked back looking unwell.
"What's wrong?"
"They didn't say anything. They just told me to come back and sit down, and wouldn't let me leave."
What is the Wang family up to?
"How dare you stop my daughter? Get out of the way." The voice at the door attracted the attention of the three people.
Baise immediately recognized who the mistress behind the maid who spoke was.
"This is going to be interesting."
Who is that lady?
"Xing Jinxiu, the widowed younger sister of Prefect Xing Wenzhi."
"She's a widow, why is she still called a girl?" Liang Maimiao asked, puzzled.
"The widow, whose fiancé died in a horse-riding accident the day before their wedding."
Originally, the man's family wanted to marry her and have her live a life of widowhood.
The Xing family disagreed. After some arguing, Miss Xing refused to go to her husband's family home to remain a widow. She stayed at her parents' home, keeping her hair in a traditional Chinese style. "Baise said, moving closer to Ye Yunniang.
"I heard that Miss Xing has taken a liking to our Lord Bao. Magistrate Xing, who dotes on his younger sister, has said many times, both openly and secretly, that he wants to marry Miss Xing to Lord Bao. But Lord Bao has declined them all." Baise said, sharing the information he knew.
"As the manager of the embroidery shop, you must be careful not to say anything related to Lord Bao when dealing with Miss Xing," Baise instructed Ye Yunniang.
Ye Yunniang carefully observed Miss Xing and memorized her face. She would tell Cai Damei about it when she got back.
Bao Min has a persistent admirer.
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