Yan Qingqing, Xu Shi, and Yuan Huiniang chatted for a while longer. Xu Shi then showed Yuan Huiniang the drawings Yan Qingqing had made. After looking at them, Yuan Huiniang exclaimed in amazement, "These animals can actually be drawn so cutely!"
Yuan Huiniang was unaware that Yan Qingqing planned to make dolls; she simply thought Yan Qingqing was just drawing them for fun.
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu laughed and said, "If this is done well, it will bring in a lot of money. How could it not be lovely?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Huiniang exclaimed, "Ah! Can this really make money?"
Seeing her like this, Madam Xu smiled and explained it to her again. Yuan Huiniang then realized that this was a new design from Yan Qingqing. She hadn't been to the embroidery shop for several days, and Yan Qingqing hadn't mentioned it to her. So she smiled and said, "Oh dear, it's all my fault for being so lazy; I didn't even know Mother was planning to make a new design."
Yan Qingqing teased her, "If you know you're lazy, then be more diligent. There are so many young women and wives in the embroidery workshop, you can talk to them more. What's the point of following around an old woman like me all day?"
This was the first time Yan Qingqing had ever referred to herself as an old woman. Although it was a joke, Yuan Huiniang still said, "Mother, don't say you're old. You look at least ten years younger than you actually are. When I go out with you, I feel like your maid, so I want to stay by your side and learn from you."
Yan Qingqing knew she was deliberately trying to flatter her, but she was still very happy, since everyone loves to hear nice things. So she smiled and said, "Alright, your third aunt is still here, so let's not let her laugh at us."
Xu exclaimed, "Second sister-in-law, what are you saying? I can only be envious."
Xu was speaking from the heart. She truly envied the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship between Yan Qingqing and Yuan Huiniang. She thought that she would be content if her own daughter-in-law were half as good as Yuan Huiniang. Of course, Xu knew that Yan Qingqing treated Yuan Huiniang even better.
Yan Qingqing said to Yuan Huiniang, "Go to the storeroom and see if there are any brightly colored fabrics that feel comfortable and soft to the touch with a bit of fine velvet. If so, bring over two bolts. While your third aunt is here, let's try our best to make samples."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Huiniang hurried to the storeroom and returned shortly with two bolts of fabric. Yan Qingqing, seeing that they were quite suitable, urged, "You two, make a Donald Duck based on my drawing. First, cut the fabric into..."
It wasn't that Yan Qingqing didn't want to do it, but rather that her needlework was simply not up to par, so she had to direct Xu Shi and Yuan Huiniang to do it.
Since it was their first time making it, Yuan Huiniang and her companion had no experience and could only proceed cautiously. They worked until dark before finally finishing a Donald Duck, but something felt off. Yan Qingqing noticed that the proportions were not quite right.
Nothing can be accomplished overnight, so Yan Qingqing wasn't in a hurry. She simply said, "It's okay, it's done quite well, it's just that the proportions aren't quite right. Let's continue working on it tomorrow. It's too late today, it's not good to stay up late doing needlework."
When Xu Shi and Yuan Huiniang saw that the first sample was unsuccessful, they were eager to make another one, but Yan Qingqing was right and there was no rush.
Seeing that it was getting late, Xu Shi stood up to go home. Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "It's so late, you'll have to cook when you get home. Why don't you eat here? We can call our third brother over later; he's been working hard these past few days."
Xu didn't refuse. Li Xiangbao was working as an assistant to Li Xiang'an in the shop in the county town, and Li Sanniu had recently been leading people to dig ditches and plant trees. Since they had already benefited so much, they wouldn't mind having this meal.
After finishing her meal, Yan Qingqing rested. In ancient times, there was no entertainment at all, and she couldn't do anything else except sleep.
The next day, Yan Qingqing got up very early, exercised as usual, and then ate breakfast.
Li Xiang'an was busy with business at the shop, Li Xiangjian and Xiao Mochen were training on the mountain, and Li Xiangkang was always at the academy. Only Li Xiangping and a few others were left at home, and Yan Qingqing suddenly felt that the house was deserted.
It has to be said that habit is a terrible thing. Before, when the family was poor, the children would chatter incessantly at mealtimes. Now that it's just the few of them eating, it's not lively anymore. And what if they all get married and start their own families in the future? Won't she be all alone? Thinking of this, Yan Qingqing sighed.
Yan Qingqing's sigh startled Yuan Huiniang and the others. Li Xiangping asked, "Mother, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Should I go and get a doctor to take a look at you?"
It's no wonder Li Xiangping was suspicious. His mother was full of energy practicing boxing this morning, but now she's sighing and groaning at mealtime. He hoped she might have some kind of serious illness.
Yan Qingqing didn't hide anything from them and said, "I'm fine. I just feel that it used to be so lively when all of you were at home. Now it's a bit deserted."
Li Xiangping exchanged glances with Yuan Huiniang and the others. They knew their mother missed Li Xiang'an and the others, but there was nothing they could do. Some were busy with business, some were studying, and Li Xiangjian was going to join the army in six months. They didn't know when they would be able to see each other again.
Yan Qingqing was just expressing her feelings, and then she put the matter out of her mind. Because she knew that no one could be with her forever.
Just as Yan Qingqing finished eating, her maid Ruyi said, "Madam, the village chief has arrived."
Yan Qingqing was taken aback. This was the first time she had ever heard the title "Village Chief." Actually, Yan Qingqing would prefer the girls to call her "Auntie" or "Grandpa Village Chief." However, Yan Qingqing knew that she would definitely need to hire servants in the future, and if the titles were mixed up, Yuan Huiniang would be even more difficult to manage.
Thinking of this, Yan Qingqing said, "Go and invite the village chief to sit in the front hall. I'll go over there."
Yan Qingqing quickly tidied herself up and went to the front hall. Servants had already served tea to Li Kaishan. When Yan Qingqing arrived, he was holding a teacup and staring blankly.
Yan Qingqing asked with a smile, "Uncle Village Chief, what brings you here today?"
Li Kaishan glanced at Yan Qingqing with a complicated expression. He hadn't noticed anything wrong with Yan Qingqing's family when they only had a three-courtyard house, but now they had hired servants. Just now, when that little girl served him tea, she even called him "Village Chief." He had never received such treatment in his life.
Seeing that Li Kaishan was just staring at her without saying a word, Yan Qingqing thought there was something dirty on her face. She reached out and touched her face before asking, "Uncle Village Chief, what's wrong? Is there something on my face?"
Upon hearing this, Li Kaishan snapped out of his reverie, his old face flushing red. He had been lost in thought, staring at his niece-in-law like that; if others found out, they would surely scold him. Fortunately, Yan Qingqing was no ordinary woman.
So Li Kaishan quickly said, "It's nothing. I was just amazed at how much your family has changed. Not only is the house so nicely built, but you even have servants now. To be honest, this is the first time I've ever been called 'Village Chief'. I haven't quite come to my senses yet."
Yan Qingqing chuckled dryly. She knew that the villagers would need a few days to process the news of the purchase.
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