Hearing the commotion, Yun Qiang'er was already standing at the door. When she saw Ming Shi, her eyes were red as she said, "It's all because I'm useless and have brought such trouble to the family, causing my mother so much worry and hardship."
Ming always felt sorry for her eldest daughter, Yun Qiang'er, because Yun Qiang'er had a younger brother and sister. She was sensible from a young age, not only helping her mother take care of her younger brother and sister, but also helping her mother with housework. However, she was a little soft-hearted.
Yun Wei'er was already seven years old, a somewhat precocious child. Seeing her mother's expression, she took her older sister's hand and said, "Sister, since you know that Mother is sad and has to worry and suffer, you should take good care of yourself. Look at how many days it's only been, and those maids in your courtyard are acting like old women on the street all day long. What are they trying to do? Don't think your reputation is still intact. If it is really damaged, do you want to be driven to death by these people?"
Yun Qiang'er shook her head repeatedly. Seeing her youngest daughter's shrewish manner, Madam Ming felt somewhat gratified. It wasn't a good thing for a girl to always be virtuous and obedient.
Madam Ming nodded and said gently, "Qiang'er, your sister is right. That's exactly how you should be. We're not some official family that cares about reputation. You haven't done anything wrong, so why should you care what others say?"
With tears in her eyes, Yun Qiang'er shook her head and said, "Mother, I always bring trouble to the family and cause people to criticize me. It makes me very sad."
Madam Ming sighed and said, "Qiang'er, you should put these things aside for now. I came here this time to talk to you and Wei'er about something. There will be a lot of things to do at home in the future, and Mother will be too busy to handle them all. Your grandmother said that you and Wei'er should come and help Mother with these things."
Yun Qiang'er didn't ask, but just looked at Ming Shi. Yun Wei'er, on the other hand, was very interested. As a seven or eight-year-old girl, she was just at the age where she wanted to do something to make her family affirm her. She pressed on and asked, "Mother, Mother, tell me quickly, what is it?"
Madam Ming pulled the two girls to sit at the table in the room and said, "Just now, the wife of the Prefectural Magistrate and the wife of the Registrar came over with a written plan for your grandmother to see. This plan was written by Madam Zheng. Mother also read it. The plan is about the prevention measures to be taken before the flood, self-rescue during the flood, and things to pay attention to after the flood."
Hearing this, not only Yun Weier but also Yun Qiang'er stared intently at Ming Shi. Miaozhou was prone to floods every few years. The one two years ago was particularly severe, with water accumulating in the mansion for several days without being drained. Even the grain prepared in advance was of little value. Yun Qiang'er had suffered alongside the adults in her family during those days. Moreover, she knew very well from what those around her often said that the Miao River was now higher than the flat land on both sides. If there was a flood, the riverbanks would break, the fertile fields would be submerged, and the crops that were almost ripe would be ruined.
Thinking of the figure that pulled her out of the water, Yun Qiang'er exclaimed in surprise, "Mother, are you talking about the lady of the guard sister's family who saved me that day?"
Madam Ming nodded and said, "Yes, it is indeed this lady."
Yun Qiang'er thought of the woman who looked young but was so poised and elegant, and said with some longing, "This lady is truly a woman of extraordinary beauty. I never expected her to have such insightful views. I heard He'er from the Feng family mention her, saying that this Madam Zheng is the kindest person imaginable."
Thinking that the two children would inevitably meet Xu Zhi and Ping Shi in the future, he said, "This lady comes from the Marquis's Mansion in the capital. She is a daughter of the Marquis's Mansion. I also heard that she spent many years in the Northwest with her parents. Naturally, she has extraordinary knowledge. Most importantly, your father has secretly inquired and found out that this lady is the behind-the-scenes owner of the most famous pastry shop in the capital."
The Yun family was no ordinary family. Naturally, they would find a way to buy cakes from Xu Zhi's pastry shop in the capital and have them delivered to their home so that the elderly and children in the family could taste them.
Thinking of the taste of that cake, Yun Weier couldn't help but swallow and said, "Mother, is this Madam Zheng really that amazing?"
Madam Ming nodded and said earnestly, "I'm telling you sisters these things because I'm thinking that in the future, you'll be helping me with things, and you'll inevitably have to interact with this lady. I want you to get to know her beforehand so you don't offend her without knowing it."
The two girls nodded. Madam Ming said to Yun Qiang'er, "Qiang'er, I'm taking your servants with me now. You're all grown up now, so I'll find you a few suitable servants to stay by your side. You must remember that you are the master of these servants who serve you. Their favor comes from you. You don't have to argue with them, but they must put you first."
Yun Qiang'er responded softly, "Yes." Seeing that she didn't seem to care much, Madam Ming sighed inwardly, gave her a few more words of instruction, and then returned to her own courtyard.
Yun Weier and Yun Qianger lived in the same courtyard, one in the front yard and the other in the back yard.
Yun Weier returned to the backyard, while Yun Qiang'er stayed in her room, quietly pondering her own thoughts. She hadn't yet recovered from the farce that had unfolded in the garden that day. When she closed her eyes, all she could see was a dark expanse of water, making it hard to breathe. When she opened her eyes, her vision would blur in waves.
Yun Qiang'er knew that her family had recently encountered difficulties. She thought that she had already caused trouble for her family, so she didn't want to make her already overwhelmed grandmother and mother worry about these things. However, she couldn't muster any interest and felt listless about doing anything.
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