Chapter 101: Grandma sells sweet radishes and Xu Nian returns to Wansheng County
When Xu Nian and others returned to Zheng's house, the yard was still bustling. Not only did people from Yakou Village bring beets to sell, but people from nearby who heard the news also rushed over with their baskets on their shoulders.
Originally, Father Zheng was undecided whether to harvest the beets from the villagers. Fortunately, Xu Nian left Yanfu behind, and with Yanfu's order, Father Zheng and Zheng Donglai picked all the beets and put them in the cellar.
As soon as Xu Nian and others sat down in the main room, they heard a noise outside.
"Girl, please be kind and accept these too. My daughter-in-law is about to give birth, but I can't even afford the money to hire a midwife. I finally heard that these sweet radishes can be exchanged for money. I walked 20 miles over the mountains to pick them. Why don't you want them?"
However, Yanfu remembered that what the young lady wanted was the white radish, not the red radish in the old woman's hand.
"Grandma, I'm buying white sweet radishes. We don't buy your red ones."
The old woman looked at the radishes in the basket and sat down on the ground, beating her chest and stamping her feet. "It's all my fault. My daughter-in-law said to plant white radishes, but I thought the red ones were better for cooking, so I didn't listen to her. Now there's nothing left... It's all my fault, this blind old woman..."
Yanfu has never encountered such a situation. She can beat people up, but she doesn't know how to comfort people.
Yanrong came out in a hurry, frowning and asked, "What happened to Yanfu? The young lady just took a rest and there was a commotion here."
Seeing the girl coming out in a domineering manner, the old woman wiped her face and stood up quickly.
"Don't blame her, young lady. I am an old woman who doesn't know better. I am leaving now, leaving now."
As she was about to pick up the backpack and go back, Yanfu felt sorry for the old woman and tried to keep her.
"Grandma, please wait a moment."
Yanfu told Yanrong about the old lady's situation.
"Sister Rong, this old lady has traveled more than 20 kilometers to get here, and the daughter-in-law who is about to give birth is waiting for this money to hire a stable mother-in-law."
Yanrong looked at the uneasy old lady and said, "Then I'll go ask the young lady. Yanfu, you continue to collect the others. Grandma, put down the backpack and follow me."
The old woman obediently put the backpack aside and followed Yanrong into the main room.
Xu Nian was just listening to his second aunt and Zheng's father and mother discussing the gift of becoming a disciple when he saw Yan Rong walk in with an old woman.
After hearing what Yanrong said, Xu Nian saw the old woman rubbing her hands in anxiety and thinking for a moment, and then ordered: "Go out and tell Yanfu to buy both kinds of beets, but the red beets are one cent and two pounds."
The old woman was extremely happy when she heard that she could collect it. Although it was only half the price, the money she brought today, if she exchanged it for silver, would be enough to hire a stable mother-in-law for her daughter-in-law.
"Thank you, miss, thank you, miss," the old woman said, bending over.
Xu Nian felt sad watching this. The mother-in-law in front of her was about the same age as her grandmother, but she was bending over for her just for a few coins.
"Yanrong, help grandma up, and you can give her another ounce of silver."
"Yes, Miss," Yanrong took out a piece of silver from her purse and put it in her mother-in-law's hand.
The old woman shook her hands and muttered to herself, "This is not allowed. How can this be done?"
Xu Nian said softly, "Grandma, please keep this money. My aunt is pregnant too. It seems that your daughter-in-law and I are destined to be together. Consider this money as a gift from me in advance."
The old woman's eyes filled with tears and she thanked him again before following Yanrong out of the house.
He did not forget to hide the silver before leaving the house. This one or two ounces of silver was almost as much as their family's annual harvest, and he couldn't let anyone see it.
The yard finally became quiet until the sun set. After Xu Nian took a look, he had an idea in his mind.
The reason why Xu Nian decided to collect red beets was because he thought of Madam Rong’s rouge shop. These beets can also be used to make lip balm.
Moreover, compared to luxurious flowers in northern Xinjiang, beets are more cost-effective. The reason why she lowered the price is also for the future production of white beets, because the current priority is to produce white sugar rather than making lip balm.
Xu Nian handed the written envelope to Yan Rong and asked her to deliver it to the post station tomorrow.
At this time, Yan Fu came in with a small bamboo tube, "Miss, this is a letter from the prince."
Xu Nian hurriedly took it and saw that it was a letter asking her to go to the royal city. Xu Nian also knew that building a sugar factory was not a trivial matter, and she was afraid that she really had to make this trip.
In the evening, Xu Nian found Zheng and told her his plan.
"Aunt, I have to leave for Wansheng County tomorrow. I will leave my guards with you to ensure your safety on your return trip."
Zheng asked anxiously, "But what happened?"
Xu Nian did not hide it either, "Luo Jin'an has something that requires me to go to the royal city. He has already written to General Wang Qian, asking him to escort me to the royal city, so I have to hurry back to meet with General Wang Qian."
Although Xu Nian didn't explain in detail, Zheng knew that this must be an important matter.
"Then I'll go back with you, otherwise I won't be at ease."
"Aunt, it's okay. I have Yanfu and Yanrong by my side."
Zheng was very stubborn, "No, we came here together, so we must go back together. Now I have found my parents' home, and I will come back when I have time."
Seeing that Zheng was determined to do so, Xu Nian stopped trying to persuade her. She was indeed in a hurry, otherwise she could take the Zheng family back to Wansheng County to live for a while.
On the second day, Zheng's family was sad for a long time when they learned that Zheng and Xu Nian needed to rush back to Wansheng County, especially Zheng's mother, who hugged Zheng and cried for a long time.
"Okay, it's not like we won't see each other again in the future. Chunzhi and the others have important things to do right now, so don't waste time, old woman."
Zheng's mother let go of Zheng and instructed, "Then be careful on the road, and remember to bring the child with you next time you come." Zheng nodded repeatedly with red eyes.
"Mother, here are twenty taels of silver. I give this as a gift to you and father. Please keep it."
Zheng's mother was not willing to accept it at all. After some persuasion, she finally failed to convince her daughter.
Xu Nian also took out sixty taels of silver and handed it to Old Man Zheng.
"Grandfather Zheng, here are fifty taels for the next beet harvest, and the remaining ten taels are for you and Uncle Donglai's wages."
Father Zheng felt very nervous when looking at the bag of silver. He didn't dare to sleep with the silver at home.
"Xu girl, just keep the money for collecting beets. Your second uncle and I are just helping out. There is no way we can ask for your money." What's more... this is too much.
Xu Nian looked at Zheng, who understood and took the silver and handed it to Old Man Zheng.
"Dad, please keep it. If you keep pushing it back and forth like this, we won't be able to leave."
After hearing this, Old Man Xu took the silver. At this time, the guards who went out to rent a carriage also came back. When the villagers of Yakou Village learned that the distinguished guest from the Zheng family was going to take the sweet radishes back to Wansheng County, they all came over spontaneously to help load the carriage.
With everyone's concerted efforts, the goods were loaded onto the truck in less than half an hour. Xu Nian bid farewell to the enthusiastic villagers and set off on the journey back to Wansheng County.