After Xu Zhi explained her purpose, Madam Ning pondered for a long time and said, "Xiao Jiu, in our household, there are basically only 'one person in one position' and it's probably not feasible to transfer people over like you suggested. However, we do have quite a few women and daughters-in-law in our several estates who are good at needlework. If you don't mind their rough skills, I can transfer people from the estates for you."
That would be the best option, of course, but considering it was harvest time, Xu Zhi felt a little embarrassed and said, "Aunt, that would be the best option, but isn't it time to harvest the crops on the estate? If you transfer people to my place, what will happen to the crops on the estate?"
Upon hearing this, Ning smiled and said, "Our family's estate was planned with the help of your eldest brother. He knew what kind of crops were suitable for which land, what to plant after three or two years, and whether the land needed to rest. The estate manager followed your eldest brother's instructions. In recent years, thanks to your eldest brother's planning, our estate has harvested a lot of grain every year. Everyone is used to it, so it's not a big deal if one or two people are missing from each family."
Xu Zhi nodded after hearing this, thought for a moment, and said, "In that case, please ask Aunt to help Xiao Jiu find about twenty older people. These people will be responsible for checking whether everyone is carrying anything that is against the rules before entering the yard to do their work. They will also be responsible for the daily discipline and hygiene in the yard. I will give them ten large coins for their wages every day."
Ning nodded, and Xu Zhi continued, "Then we should find some younger ones who are good at needlework. The money will be calculated based on how much needlework they do. If they do it quickly, they will earn more money, and if they do it less, they will earn less."
After listening to Xu Zhi's words, Ning stood up and said, "I will tell Li Mama to quickly prepare the carriage and go to the estate. Xiao Jiu, the estate is quite far from the capital, so you'd better find a place for us to stay."
Xu Zhi nodded and said, "I'm already looking. If they come, they'll be provided with three meals a day. I won't say lavish meals, but at least they'll have plenty of steamed buns."
Upon hearing this, Madam Ning immediately ordered someone to go to the estate to find the person. After thanking Madam Ning, Xu Zhi went to the Grand Madam's place.
When the weather turned cool, the old lady's respiratory system became a little uncomfortable, and she couldn't sleep well at night. Chen Zhaoci prescribed some medicinal herbs for her and asked the kitchen to prepare medicinal meals for her every day.
Chen Zhaoci got up in the morning, picked some flowers and plants in the garden, and took them to the Grand Madam's room, saying that he wanted to arrange some flowers for the Grand Madam so that they would look nice in the room.
When Xu Zhi arrived, Chen Zhaoci had already finished making preparations. In the Grand Madam's room, there were vases filled with flowers and plants on the corner tables and the kang table.
Upon seeing Xu Zhi arrive, the Grand Madam quickly took Xu Zhi's hand and asked her to take off her shoes and get on the kang (a heated brick bed). Xu Zhi did not refuse, took off her shoes, got on the kang, sat down next to the Grand Madam, and talked to her about things in Wuzhou.
Upon hearing this, the old lady sighed and said, "Oh, Wuzhou, I used to live in Wuzhou. How old was I then? I think I was only ten or so years old, not even ten. I remember that it was all barren there. There was a very wide river, I think it was called the Boundary River. This side of the river was our Liang territory, and across the river was the territory of the Yan."
Xu Zhi smiled and said, "Grandma, you have such a good memory. I've also heard about that boundary river, but I've never been there. I think I'll go to Wuzhou again in a few days and go see it, to see the place my grandma once visited."
After hearing Xu Zhi's words, the old lady said with great interest, "I went with my mother at that time. I have forgotten many things, but I still remember a boat coming from the other side of the boundary river. Someone came and gave my mother a box. My mother took that box and returned to Wuzhou. That night, I woke up in the middle of the night and saw my mother touching that box and crying."
Perhaps it was thinking about those past events that made the old lady a little down. Chen Zhaoci looked at Xu Zhi, and Xu Zhi quickly said, "Oh dear, Grandmother, was Wuzhou City very big back then?"
The old lady raised her head, squinted her eyes and thought for a long time before saying, "It's not that big, is it? In the courtyard where we live, there is an osmanthus tree. It seems that the osmanthus is in bloom. I can smell the sweet fragrance of osmanthus. I even told the nanny who takes care of me, 'In such a remote place, there are still people who grow osmanthus.'"
Xu Zhi spent the Mid-Autumn Festival in Wuzhou. Indeed, some people in Wuzhou had planted osmanthus trees, and Xu Zhi had smelled the fragrance of osmanthus while walking on the street.
Xu Zhi smiled and said, "That's right, Grandma. When I walked on the streets of Wuzhou, I did smell the fragrance of osmanthus. There's also a shop in Wuzhou that specializes in making southern-style pastries. Their osmanthus cake is especially delicious. I didn't ask them at the time if they had osmanthus trees in their yard."
The old lady nodded, looking at Xu Zhi with affection, and said, "Our little Jiu, running around like this every day must be very tiring for you. You must take good care of your health."
Xu Zhi smiled and smoothed the old lady's hair, saying, "Grandmother, don't worry. My health is my own, and I will definitely take good care of it."
Chen Zhaoci and Xu Zhi came out of the old lady's courtyard and walked along the path in the mansion towards the Pear Blossom Courtyard. Xu Zhi looked at the somewhat withered grass by the roadside, hesitated for a long time, and said to Chen Zhaoci, "Mother, don't you think that Grandmother is a little different from before?"
Chen Zhaoci nodded and said, "Have you noticed it too? Your grandmother has been a bit confused ever since summer. She used to always pull me aside and tell me about things from her earlier years."
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