"Fatty, when will the ice be ready?"
Fatty demonstrated to Pillar how to make ice in a small vat, and then let Pillar practice in a large vat. By the time Pillar finished, he was already drenched in sweat.
"The ice in this big vat won't be ready until at least tomorrow morning."
Fatty pointed to the small vat again, "There's not much water in here, so it should be ready before dark!"
Zhu Zi couldn't wait any longer. "Fatty, shall we leave tonight?"
Now that they've stolen the ice-making method, all they need to do tonight is check the results and verify them before Zhu Zi can go back and report.
"OK!"
"Well, we still have so much time in between, and we might as well just sit around doing nothing. There are also large vats in the other rooms, let's make ice in them all!"
After saying that, Fatty put the bamboo basket on Zhu Zi's shoulder: "You know that Fatty's back hurts, so I'll have to trouble Brother Zhu Zi with this job!"
"..."
With victory so close, I'll endure!
Zhu Zi gritted his teeth and pushed open the door—he almost collapsed to the ground.
Good heavens, why are there three more big vats?
Fat Ball laughed heartily: "There are only three, Brother Pillar, don't think it's too few!"
I hate your mother!
Zhu Zi remained silent and immediately got to work.
In the cool summer, a group of tall and strong men sat leisurely in the backyard, blowing their farts and enjoying the cool air. Only the thin and frail Zhu Zi was taking used saltpeter from a small vat, then adding more saltpeter, capping it, adding water, and busy as a bee—of course, in his eyes, he was just adding quicklime.
"Fatty, your cousin's not bad!"
"Yes, that's a great physique!"
"Why don't we keep your cousin here for a few more days? That way, we can have some peace and quiet!"
I'll keep your mom!
Zhu Zi continued cursing inwardly, channeling his anger into strength as he carried on with the burden...
...
"Young Master!"
Jing Zhe was lying in the room resting with his eyes closed when Hanhan rushed in.
"What's wrong? Why are you in such a panic?"
"Two girls have come in!"
"Two girls?"
After a moment's thought, Jing Zhe guessed who the visitor was.
When he arrived at the front hall, he found that Fatty and the others were gathered there, staring intently at Chen Mo in women's clothing, their mouths so big they could fit an egg in them.
"Miss Chen is here!"
Miss Chen?
Everyone savored it carefully.
Wearing a snow-white chiffon tassel dress and with her hair casually tied up with a silver hairpin, Chen Mo no longer had her previous straightforwardness. Instead, she transformed into a refined young lady, curtsying to Jing Zhe with a gentle smile.
"This humble woman greets you, young master. I am very pleased!"
"..."
Seeing Jing Zhe's slightly embarrassed and uncomfortable appearance, and recalling the little things between the two from the time they met to their daily interactions, Chen Mo couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.
Already radiant and captivating, her gentle smile was like a blooming flower, possessing a mesmerizing charm that left the men opposite her speechless.
"Young Master, who...who is this?"
Although the woman was beautiful, she looked strangely familiar, and something about her seemed off. After hesitating for a long time, Fatty finally asked.
Chen Mo remained silent, waiting for Jing Zhe's reply.
"This one... is Brother Chen's older sister, Miss Chen!"
"Young Master Chen's sister..."
After much deliberation, everyone finally understood.
"No wonder this young lady looks familiar, she's Young Master Chen's sister!"
"Yes, Young Master Chen is naturally handsome and refined, so this must be his sister!"
"So this is the legendary Miss Chen!"
He blinked his little eyes, as if he had discovered a new continent.
"I overheard Young Master Chen mentioning that he has an older sister in Jingzhou, and that he's going to marry her to the young chieftain—oh, Miss Chen, could it be that you really are going to marry the young chieftain…?"
"..."
His words made both Jing Zhe and Chen Mo blush deeply.
"Are you all just sitting here doing nothing?"
Jing Zhe's face darkened, and he asked in a cold voice.
The others noticed Jing Zhe's change in mood, but only Hanhan said blankly, "Yeah, the guy Fatty brought did all the work. He's really free, isn't he?"
After finishing speaking, he went to solicit everyone's opinions.
"Are you free? No, you're not."
"Yes, I just remembered I still have work to finish!"
"That's right, I'll do it too!"
With a whoosh, the crowd that had been watching the show inside the house vanished instantly.
Only Hanhan scratched his head, saying, "I'm clearly very free!"
"You're really free, aren't you?"
Jing Zhe glanced at him and said, "Then go back up the mountain and cut some more bamboo tubes!"
How much to cut?
"We'll keep chopping until nightfall! We need at least three thousand bamboo tubes!"
"..."
...
After Hanhan left, only Jing Zhe, Chen Mo, and her maid Guizhi remained in the room.
Guizhi also changed into women's clothing and looked like a very spirited young girl.
The atmosphere was now awkward compared to before.
"Cough cough."
Jing Zhe coughed twice, breaking the silence first: "I wonder what brings Miss Chen here?"
Chen Mo glanced at him a few times, then pursed her lips: "What, can't I come if there's nothing wrong?"
"..."
The tone, which sounded like both a coquettish plea and a question, left Jing Zhe speechless for a moment.
Seeing Jing Zhe's slight embarrassment, Chen Mo decided to stop teasing him. He took out the small porcelain bottle Jing Zhe had given him earlier and said with a smile, "I came here today to thank you, young master. This floral water is very useful. It not only repels mosquitoes but also has a great effect on reducing swelling and relieving itching! Look, my neck is all better now!"
As he spoke, he reached for his clothes, but his hand froze in mid-air after he had only pulled halfway up.
Jing Zhe glanced at her snow-white neck and quickly looked away.
Chen Mo was somewhat annoyed. Ever since she revealed her identity as a woman, their relationship had been subject to many invisible constraints, which was truly frustrating.
"Miss Chen, you don't need to be so polite. It was just something I did on a whim."
Jing Zhe shrugged and said calmly.
"What is a simple matter for you, young master, is of great value to me. I should still express my gratitude."
Seeing Chen Mo bow to him again, Jing Zhe's eyes lit up and a plan came to mind.
"If Miss Chen really wants to express her gratitude, then I do have a favor to ask of you!"
"Oh, what is it?"
Chen Mo asked curiously.
"As you know, with the increasing number of people ordering popsicles, there are just too many people who want to order them. Our small yard is not enough to handle the demand."
Jing Zhe looked at Chen Mo and smiled, "So I would like to borrow your courtyard for a few days to expand my business and try to turn all the saltpeter into ice and sell it within these few days. That way, I can go to Jingzhou without any worries!"
Upon hearing Jing Zhe say "going far away to Jingzhou," Chen Mo readily agreed without even thinking.
————
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