After being scolded by Yan Qingqing, everyone perked up.
Yan Qingqing then asked, "Second brother, how's the fruit seedlings I ordered coming along? Is it likely to be delivered on time?"
Li Xiang'an replied, "I asked when I went to the county town yesterday, and a batch of fruit seedlings will arrive in the next couple of days."
Because we need a large quantity, the fruit shop can't get that many trees all at once; they need to deliver them to us in batches.
Yan Qingqing nodded and said, "Okay, then this matter will be handled by your third uncle."
Tell him to find some reliable and capable people in the village to plant trees for our family. The pay will still be thirty copper coins a day, excluding food and lodging.
Li Xiang'an quickly replied, "Okay, I'll tell my third uncle later and ask him to find workers first."
Actually, recruiting workers in Canghe Village is the easiest thing to do. Now that the New Year is over, everyone is bored out of their minds and is eagerly waiting for Yan Qingqing's family to recruit workers.
Li Xiangping then asked, "Mother, what can I do?"
Yan Qingqing replied, "You should continue clearing the wasteland. Only half of those thirty acres have been cleared."
I originally planned to develop a tourist area and plant apricot trees everywhere. It would be a place for dignitaries and students to visit and enjoy.
Then we can brew apricot blossom wine, make apricot blossom pastries, and even make lip balm.
The only question is whether we can buy that many seedlings.
"That's alright, if all else fails, we can always plant sweet potatoes or taro."
Li Xiangping knew that Yan Qingqing was a person with ideas and plans, but every plan of Yan Qingqing's was beyond his expectations, such as developing tourist attractions, which he had never dared to think about.
As the eldest son in the family, he knew he had no special abilities and could only steadfastly support his mother's decision.
Li Xiangping looked at Yan Qingqing and said, "Mother, I'll go to the fields to clear the wasteland in a bit."
Even if we can't buy that many fruit seedlings this year, it's okay, there's always next year, and the year after!
Yan Qingqing looked at Li Xiangping with satisfaction, thinking that one must have this kind of tenacity in both life and work.
Just as the mother and her children finished their discussion, Li Yueniang rushed in excitedly and said, "Mother, Grandma is here!"
Li Yueniang was young and unaware of what had happened to the Yan family during the New Year.
Upon hearing this, Yan Qingqing quickly straightened her clothes and asked, "Where are you? Why didn't you come home?"
Li Yueniang smiled and said, "I was at the door when I came back from the workshop to get something. I found Grandma lingering at the door, so I pulled her in."
Yan Qingqing heard this and immediately went out to greet them.
Old Mrs. Yan had been so good to her; she couldn't let such a small thing upset her. Besides, she was the original owner's own mother.
When Yan Qingqing arrived at the second courtyard, she happened to run into Old Madam Yan.
Yan Qingqing smiled and stepped forward, saying, "Mother, I was just about to finish up my work and have the children pick you up. Why did you come by yourself?"
When Grandma Yan saw that Yan Qingqing had no lingering resentment about the New Year's incident, she breathed a sigh of relief.
She doted on this daughter the most in her life, but she still schemed against her own daughter for the sake of her good-for-nothing daughter-in-law and granddaughter.
To be honest, she had been feeling terrible for so many days, and she really hoped that Yan Qingqing would send someone to pick her up and bring her to the embroidery workshop as soon as possible.
But she waited and waited, and by the eighth day of the month no one had come to her door, so she couldn't sit still any longer and went to them herself.
Grandma Yan took a deep breath and asked, "Daughter, I was confused this time, but children are a debt to us. I also need to think about your brother and the unmarried children in the family."
Old Mrs. Yan's frankness made Yan Qingqing feel much better.
If Old Mrs. Yan tries to be witty or pretends to be confused, she might really be heartbroken.
Yan Qingqing helped Old Madam Yan up and said, "Mother, it's all in the past. Let's not mention it again, but I don't want it to happen again."
Grandma Yan repeatedly assured her, "Daughter, don't worry, there will definitely be no next time."
By the way, what have you been so busy with during the Chinese New Year? You just said you were taking care of some things and would pick me up; did something happen at home?
Yan Qingqing didn't hide it from Old Madam Yan, because she knew she couldn't hide it. Even if Yan Qingqing didn't say that Old Madam Yan taught embroidery in the embroidery workshop, she would find out with a little inquiry.
So he told Grandma Yan everything.
Upon hearing this, Old Mrs. Yan flew into a rage, slapped her thigh, and exclaimed, "Who is so utterly heartless? You should report him to the authorities and have him arrested!"
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Mother, you don't need to worry. I already have someone I suspect."
"Mother, don't worry, he'll expose himself sooner or later."
Grandma Yan nodded in agreement. There was nothing she could do for her daughter now, except to do her best to teach the embroiderers in the workshop.
Several more days passed, and everyone thought that the matter of Yan Qingqing's chickens and ducks being poisoned was over and done with, but then the county magistrate came to Canghe Village in person.
They even went to Yan Qingqing's house; the people of Canghe Village had never seen such a grand spectacle before.
This was the county magistrate, and everyone was so frightened they didn't dare to breathe.
However, after the county magistrate entered Yan Qingqing's house, they began to whisper among themselves.
Some people say that Yan Qingqing's family is now quite powerful, able to attract the personal attention of the county magistrate, which shows that their business is very large.
No one mentioned that because Yan Qingqing's chickens and ducks were poisoned, her family reported it to the authorities, and the county magistrate would definitely come to investigate.
……………………
When village chief Li Kaishan heard that the county magistrate had come to Canghe Village, he rushed to Yan Qingqing's house.
Yan Qingqing was unaware of Magistrate Ling's sudden visit, but fortunately, the children were all home. So, she, along with Li Xiangping, Li Xiang'an, and Li Xiangjian, received Magistrate Ling together.
Yuan Huiniang, Li Xinniang, and Li Yueniang are women and it is not appropriate for them to meet outsiders. Li Xiangkang is too young, and Xiao Mochen is not suitable to appear.
After Yan Qingqing invited Magistrate Ling to sit down in the front hall, she had Li Xiangping and the others serve him tea.
Seeing the grand scale of Yan Qingqing's house, Magistrate Ling felt somewhat embarrassed and said, "I have made an uninvited visit this time and have truly caused you a great deal of trouble."
Yan Qingqing replied with a smile, "What are you saying, Magistrate?"
Your presence in person truly honors my humble abode.
This was the scene that Li Kaishan saw when he entered: Yan Qingqing was chatting and laughing with Magistrate Ling.
He was filled with admiration for Yan Qingqing. This was the county magistrate, the highest-ranking official in Chengyang County. In all his years, this was the first time he had ever seen the county magistrate up close.
Now, let alone chatting and laughing with the county magistrate, even just a few steps away makes him tremble, and he feels like he can't even walk properly.
Yan Qingqing looked up at Li Kaishan and noticed that he was walking with his arms and legs moving in unison. She knew that he was nervous about seeing Magistrate Ling.
So he turned around and gave Li Xiangping a look. Li Xiangping quickly went over to help Li Kaishan up and said, "Grandpa Village Chief, what brings you here? Didn't you hurt your leg a couple of days ago? Can you get out of bed now?"
Li Kaishan was completely bewildered by Li Xiangping's words. Then, seeing Li Xiangping give him a meaningful look, he instantly understood.
The child said that on purpose because he was afraid of losing face in front of the magistrate.
Yan Qingqing found Li Xiangping's words somewhat amusing. She hadn't expected that Li Xiangping, who was usually so honest, would be so quick-witted at a crucial moment.
However, with Magistrate Ling still sitting to the side, Yan Qingqing could only suppress her laughter.
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