The next day, at the crack of dawn, Mu Run woke up.
I cooked two bowls of porridge and stir-fried some pork. After finishing everything, I cleaned the courtyard inside and out until it was spotless. Then I picked up a basket and a small shovel and left the courtyard.
Yesterday, Manager Yang said that we couldn't go down the mountain, but we could go up, so she decided to go up the mountain to take a look.
As she was leaving, she ran into Manager Yang, who raised her hand in greeting.
Manager Yang was stunned for a moment before realizing that this person was new to Yihua Garden.
Seeing that she was dressed in casual clothes for going out or working, he hurriedly asked, "Where are you going, young lady?"
"Go up the mountain. If you need anything delivered to me today, just leave it at the door."
"Oh, okay. Take care, young lady, the mountain path is difficult to walk on, be careful not to fall."
"Okay, thank you."
Mu Run happily headed up the mountain path.
Manager Yang continued with his own business.
After climbing the mountain path for a short while, Mu Run stopped, looking in astonishment at a tree growing on the edge of a cliff, as thick as an arm...
She...she must be seeing things!
Mu Run rubbed her eyes vigorously, then looked closely again.
The tree is still there!
"My God! How is this possible? Wild tea trees!"
The hillside closest to the tea trees was covered with thick moss, and one could easily slip and fall. Mu Run carefully walked to the edge of the cliff, afraid that he was seeing things.
"It really is a tea tree." Mu Run smiled happily, her smile as gentle and warm as the morning sun. What made her even happier was that the tea tree was covered with new buds, just the right time to pick them.
Mu Run, who had followed her parents to pick tea leaves since childhood, immediately picked up a basket and climbed towards the wild tea tree. Completely unafraid of the moss underfoot and the hundred-foot abyss, her eyes were only on that tea tree.
Thick moss grows at the base of the tea tree, its branches are gnarled and strong, and its leaves are lush and green, full of vitality.
I couldn't wait to pick a green leaf, rub it, and smell it... The rich aroma of aldehydes filled my nostrils!
"Good leaves." Although I don't know how the finished product will turn out, the fresh aroma of the tea leaves suggests it must be good.
Mu Run, carrying a basket on her back, began picking tea leaves.
The more she picked, the happier she became, her eyes shining, her mind racing with ideas on how to process the tea leaves. Her family made rock tea, so she could start with what she was good at.
Before long, she had picked all the buds and leaves off the wild tea tree, leaving only bare branches and old leaves.
Mu Run gestured towards the tea tree, "Thank you for the gift."
This tree yielded about half a basket of fresh leaves, weighing two or three pounds, which would make about two ounces of dried tea.
"I wonder if there are any other tea trees?" He looked around.
After not seeing a second tea tree, we continued climbing up the mountain.
When they were almost at the top of the mountain, Mu Run stopped again and held his breath!
here!
There is a patch of wild tea trees! Among them are several ancient tea trees that look to be hundreds of years old.
"Really? Did God take pity on us and leave behind a tea grove?" Mu Run looked at the tea trees in disbelief.
She picked two leaves and smelled the aroma of the tea leaves. It was different from the ones she had picked before. This one didn't have such a strong aroma, but it clearly had a faint, sweet floral scent, similar to gardenia.
Completely absorbed in the tea grove, Mu Run was unaware that Qiao Dongzi had come to Yihua Garden to find her.
"Old Yang, I'm busy." Qiao Dongzi came over carrying several bundles.
Upon seeing that it was Qiao Dongzi, Manager Yang respectfully said, "Congratulations, Master Qiao, on the birth of your son."
In the village, Qiao Dongzi is the head of the punishment hall. He seems like an easy-going, jovial person, but in reality, he is ruthless. Anyone who falls into his hands will at least be skinned alive.
"Thank you, thank you. I'll definitely come to your full moon celebration sometime."
"We're just waiting for what Hall Master Qiao has to say," Steward Yang said with a smile, then looked at the bundles he was carrying. "What's this?"
"Oh, these are my sister-in-law's things. I've come to see her. Where is she now?"
Manager Yang was stunned. "Sister-in-law?"
"The woman who came back with me yesterday is the wife of the chieftain of Bianyun Village. Isn't she at Yihua Garden?"
"You mean that Miss Mu? Is she the chieftain's wife?"
"What Miss Mu... Oh, her surname is Mu. Where is she?"
"Miss Xiaowan has settled her in Mingxiang Residence. Master Qiao, please come with me."
"Mingxiangju?" Qiao Dongzi chuckled when he heard where Mo Xiaowan had settled Mu Run. "Xiaowan is usually very thoughtful, but this time she's really fallen short."
Manager Yang had served two generations of chieftains and was used to all sorts of things. Hearing Qiao Dongzi's words, he immediately understood the intricacies of the situation. "It's not that I can't understand it. Everyone in the village knows how much Miss Wan feels for the chieftain. She's practically made it clear."
Soon the two arrived at Mingxiangju.
Looking at the lock on the door, Steward Yang slapped his forehead. "Look at my memory. This morning, Madam went up the mountain with a basket on her back."
"Going up the mountain? What for?" Qiao Dongzi looked up at the mountain. Yesterday he clearly looked disgusted about climbing the mountain, but today he went up on his own initiative.
"This lady didn't say, should I send someone up the mountain to look for her immediately?"
"Go ahead. This person can't get hurt, otherwise none of us will be able to explain ourselves."
"Okay, I'll lead the team myself."
Qiao Dongzi looked at the bundle in his hand, then at the lock on the door, and leaped into the courtyard.
The quiet courtyard was adorned with a clump of green bamboo, and the doorframes were freshly wiped clean. A reclining chair sat in the yard, with snow-white socks and a small red jacket embroidered with the character for "happiness" draped over its armrests and backrest.
Upon seeing the small garment, Qiao Dongzi quickly averted his gaze, grabbed his bundle, and ran away.
He didn't stop until he was some distance away from Mingxiangju, his ears still a little red, his whole face pale... Oh no! If the boss finds out, he'll kill him.
...Wait, nobody knows he's been to Mingxiangju. Only heaven, earth, and himself know. As long as he doesn't blab, how would the boss know?
Thinking about this, he felt relieved.
"Is this Master Qiao?" A melodious voice called out.
"Who!" Qiao Dongzi immediately turned his head to look, his eyes flashing with an unconcealed ferocity.
The visitor was startled and dropped the small jar he was holding to the ground with a 'thud,' releasing a sweet aroma of wine.
"Uh!" Qiao Dongzi looked at the newcomer, who was wearing a light veil and dressed in white, and quickly clasped his hands in a half-bow, "Miss Baochan."
Bao Chan took two steps back, moving away from the broken wine jar shards and distancing herself from Qiao Dongzi. "Why has Hall Master Qiao come to Yihua Garden?"
Qiao Dongzi said, "I've come to see my sister-in-law."
...
'Achoo!'
While picking tea leaves, Mu Run suddenly felt an itch in her nose and sneezed.
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