Chapter Sixty-Nine
Zhang Ding and Li Er never dreamed that they would live to see their young lady again, and that they would be able to live with her. The two grown men were so excited that they kept wiping away tears.
The two families, Zhang Ding's wife Jia and Li Er's wife Jiang, led their respective families to kowtow to the young lady and acknowledge her as their master.
That night, Kangzhuang hosted a grand gathering, and Qin Zhining's makeshift team was initially established. The farm and future businesses were about to get on the right track.
After a hearty meal, early the next morning, Qin Zhining sent Chai Bao to the prefectural city to deliver the receipt to her mother's eldest cousin from back then—Manager Xie.
Manager Xie was in the silk business and had a high reputation in the prefectural city. He was also extremely shrewd.
Qin Zhining stood at the gate of Kangzhuang's courtyard, watching Chai Bao carefully stuff the last jar of pickled vegetables into the corner of the carriage, and pursed her lips.
The mouth of the jar was sealed tightly with oil paper and wrapped with two layers of coarse cloth. She had specifically instructed that it be given to her uncle, Manager Xie.
When the original owner's mother, Xie Mingyuan, was alive, her favorite food was this sour and crisp pickled vegetable. Bringing it over was not only a token of her affection, but also a way to remind her maternal grandparents of their past relationship.
Of course, the crisp pickled vegetables she gave as a gift were no ordinary items; they were retrieved from interstellar space and cost her nearly 500 points.
Five jars of pickled cabbage, a bolt of exquisite silk fabric, along with lip rouge, blush, hair ornaments, top-quality writing implements, and two small round mirrors.
The reason Qin Zhining only gave two small round mirrors was because she considered that the scarcity marketing strategy would bring the greatest profit. So, even though she knew that Manager Xie had two daughters-in-law and three daughters, she didn't give any more.
"Miss, everything is installed. Would you like to take another look?"
Chai Bao straightened up, rubbed the back of his hand on the hem of his clothes, and looked a little nervous.
He just turned sixteen this year, two years older than Qin Zhining. He usually does chores like carrying water and feeding pigs on the farm. He is quick and efficient but has never traveled far, let alone gone to the prefectural city to see a "big shot" like his "manager uncle".
Qin Zhining stepped forward, gently tapped the pickled vegetable jar with her fingertips, and then opened the cloth bag next to it—inside were two bolts of fine cotton cloth, one sky blue and one moon white, both of which were her private property brought from the Qin family. They were not valuable, but they were respectable enough.
"Don't knock the jar over. Keep the cloth bag inside the carriage shaft. Remember to touch it when you stop to rest along the way, so that no one can take it."
She paused, then took a heavy cloth bag from her sleeve and handed it to Chai Bao. "There are ten taels of silver in here."
"Choose reputable inns for lodging along the way, and don't skimp on your meals. If you encounter difficult people, don't confront them directly; protect your belongings first. Once you reach the prefectural city, find Manager Xie, and you'll be safe."
As soon as Chai Bao's hand touched the cloth bag, it recoiled as if it had been burned.
Ten taels of silver!
In all his life, the most money he had ever seen was the two hundred coins the estate had given him last year. It felt soft and yielding in his hand. Unlike now, the silver in the cloth bag felt heavy against his fingertips, making it hard to even breathe.
"Miss... this is too much..."
His voice trembled, and the tips of his ears were so red they looked like they could bleed. "I'm just going to the prefectural city to deliver a message. Why do I need so much money?"
Qin Zhining couldn't help but smile as she looked at him.
Chai Bao is indeed the son of Aunt Qiu Xiang. He has the same honest and hardworking nature as his parents.
The purpose of sending him to the prefectural city this time was both to deliver a letter and to test his adaptability.
In the future, when she goes into the interstellar exchange business, she will need a few people around her who can run errands and handle things.
Chai Bao was the first 'little brother' she focused on cultivating.
"Take it." She shoved the cloth bag into his hand, her eyes filled with extreme infatuation. "This money isn't for you to spend; it's for my cousin Xie."
Let him know that I, Qin Zhining, am not here to beg anyone for help or charity. Besides, you are someone I sent out. If people see you as shabby, it will be a disgrace to me.” These words were like a reassuring pill, allowing Chai Shun and Qiu Xiang, who were standing by anxiously, to breathe a sigh of relief.
Chai Bao regained his composure.
He nodded vigorously, tucked the cloth bundle tightly into his inner garment, and pressed his hand to his chest, as if the warmth of the ten taels of silver could penetrate the fabric and reach his heart.
"Don't worry, Miss. I will definitely deliver the letter and hand over the goods properly. I will never let you down!" With that, she nimbly jumped onto the donkey cart and cracked the whip in her hand.
"Giddy up—" The donkey brayed twice and slowly walked towards the city. The wheels rolled over the bluestone road, leaving a series of creaking sounds.
Qin Zhining stood there, watching the shadow of the donkey cart grow smaller and smaller until it disappeared at the alley entrance before she looked away.
The old nanny Cheng couldn't help but speak up, "Miss, Chai Bao is so young, and this is his first time traveling so far. Won't that be..."
Even the taciturn Chai Shun looked worried.
Qiu Xiang, on the other hand, was quite open-minded. She thought that boys should go out and gain experience, otherwise, how would they serve the young lady in the future?
"Don't worry, Granny."
Qin Zhining trusted Chai Bao completely. She turned around and walked back with steady steps, saying, "I've already asked Qin Wensong to speak with the guards at the city gate and ask them to take good care of him."
Besides, my cousin has been doing business in the prefectural city for many years and has a wide network of connections. As long as Chai Bao finds him, nothing will happen to him.”
She paused, then added, "This letter is a stepping stone. If the Xie family remembers my mother's kindness, they will naturally reply to me."
If they blame me for not visiting them or making holiday visits all these years, then I know how to proceed. It's better than carrying this burden in my heart forever.
As Granny Cheng listened, she couldn't help but admire her.
My young lady is only fourteen years old, but she is more meticulous than many adults. After severing ties with her family, she did not panic or lose her composure. Instead, she laid out her future plans step by step.
First she took over Kangzhuang, then she contacted her maternal grandparents, and now she has to go to the government office to fulfill her promise. She doesn't seem like a girl who has just escaped from a fire pit.
As the two were talking, Qin Wenzhang arrived in an oxcart.
There were two cloth cushions on the carriage shaft, which he had specially asked a farmer's wife to sew for him, in case the young lady sat on them for too long and felt uncomfortable.
"Miss, the oxcart is ready. Shall we go to the county government office now?" He held the ox whip in his hand, his face showing a hint of restraint.
Ever since the young lady said that he would learn to read and write with Qin Wenzheng and the others, he has always felt uneasy. Now that he sees the young lady, he doesn't even dare to raise his head too high.
Qin Zhining got into the oxcart, with Granny Cheng and Qin Xiaoxiao sitting beside her.
The oxcart slowly started moving, and Qin Wenzhang, while driving, couldn't help but report, "Miss, last night, Grand Secretary Zhang sent someone to pick up Steward Zhou."
They also brought two constables who searched Manager Zhou's house and found a lot of silver ingots and silk, all of which he had embezzled from the estate.
Several old servants said they wanted to go with Steward Zhou, and the steward sent by Grand Secretary Zhang didn't stop them. He let them pack their things and leave, not daring to take a single needle or thread from the estate. Qin Zhining twisted the hem of her clothes with her fingers, her eyes turning cold.
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