When she arrived in the yard, everyone was preparing to set up the shed.
Xu Han looked at the size of the oilcloth they had set up and nodded in satisfaction. "It's just the right size, and it's connected to the main hall on the east side, so it'll be convenient for you to get the sweet potatoes."
"Even if it snows tomorrow, it won't stop us from cooking sweet potatoes in the workshop."
Lu Chuan walked towards her, saying as he went, "When you're setting up the tent later, I'll have them build this side a bit higher and the back door side a bit lower."
Whether it snows or rains, the water will flow towards the back door, making it easier to clear snow in the morning and evening.
The snow is driven directly to the back door, and when the weather clears and the snow melts, the meltwater flows away through the drains, leaving the yard dry and allowing us to work without getting any snow water on it.
Xu looked around and said, "I think we don't need pillars for support. We can tie a rope to one corner of the tarpaulin and then tie the other end to the window upstairs. We can tie several ropes in the middle to distribute the weight, so we won't have to worry about snow."
"We can put a few long wooden stakes in the middle to hold it up in case of heavy snow."
Lu Chuan looked at the location Xu Han pointed to and thought it was indeed a good idea.
This awning is only for temporary use for a few days, so it doesn't need to be very good or sturdy. It just needs to be able to keep out rain and snow.
"Yes, but if you do that, you'll need to clear the snow promptly, otherwise the snow could easily collapse the shed."
Xu Han agreed, "That's for sure. We'll just have someone use sticks to poke the snow from below, and it will slide down in that direction."
"Okay, let's do it that way. You go and rest. I'll go with them to set up the tent. It's easy, we can finish it in no time. After we're done, I'll take you home."
Xu Han waved her hand and quickly shooed him away. After being outside in the cold wind for a while, she no longer felt sleepy, so she watched them set up the shed in the yard, occasionally giving them some instructions.
Half an hour later, the makeshift shed was finally completed.
Xu Han shook the pillar to make sure it was sturdy, and then left it alone.
Lu Chuan had finished getting ready, and the two of them, hand in hand, drove the carriage back to the mansion first.
Meanwhile, the servants here are also finishing their work; the weather today is even colder than yesterday.
After the shed was set up, Xu Han told them to start tidying up their work and go home to rest today, and continue working tomorrow.
The wind howled outside all night, as if it might tear the roof off at any moment.
Xu Han was unaware of all this. After returning home, she snuggled into bed and went to sleep. The room was warm and cozy, with a fire burning on the floor, making her drowsy. Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.
The next day, when she got up, the only people in the house besides her were Wei Yan and his wife.
The rest of the people went to work at the workshop early in the morning.
Xu Han had expected that the sky would be completely white when she woke up today, since the wind was quite strong last night and she had been woken up several times in the middle of the night by the sound of the wind.
To my surprise, when I woke up this morning, the sky was still overcast and it hadn't snowed.
It would be best if it didn't snow, as this is the crucial time for harvesting sweet potatoes, and Xu Han naturally didn't want it to snow.
After getting dressed, I went to the kitchen to find breakfast. Although there were many servants in the house now, they were all helping out at the shop, so I had no choice but to fend for myself.
In the kitchen, Wei Yan and Guo Daya were preparing lunch. When they saw her arrive, Guo Daya quickly stood up.
She smiled at Xu Han, wiping her wet hands haphazardly on her apron. "Madam, you're awake. I'll prepare some water for you to wash up right away."
"Hmm, is there any breakfast left in the pot? I'm starving. Why didn't anyone wake me up today? I don't even know when they left."
Xu Han told Lu Chuan before going to bed yesterday that she should wake her up this morning, but he didn't take it seriously at all.
While filling the hot water container, Guo Daya replied to Xu Han, "Haha, Master cherishes Madam. Before he left this morning, he specifically instructed us not to disturb Madam's sleep."
They said there are plenty of people at home to do the work, so you don't need to do anything, and you can just get a good night's sleep.
Xu Han smiled but didn't reply. Lu Chuan knew that Xu Han was the most reluctant to get up in winter, and she wished she could stay in bed all day.
However, this winter has been busy, and with winter almost halfway over, Xu Han has barely slept in. Now, whenever there's a chance, I want her to sleep a little longer.
"Don't bring water to the main hall. I'll just wash here and have breakfast here too. It's not cold eating by the stove."
Guo Daya was stunned for a moment, and just as she was about to say something, Xu Han spoke up again, "You should have noticed these past few days that our family is not a wealthy or powerful one. We are just ordinary farmers, making a living from the land, and we don't have many rules."
Before you arrived, the others were people I had only brought back in the latter half of this year.
Before you guys came along, I did all the laundry and cooking myself.
So you don't need to be so reserved, just relax and be casual.
"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. Hurry up and bring the food out. After you eat, I'll go to the workshop. I reckon even though it didn't snow today, quite a few people have come to deliver sweet potatoes."
Guo Daya wanted to say something more, but Wei Yan quickly gave her a wink, and Guo Daya turned around to get the food.
Xu Han sat on a small stool, eating her meal while chatting with the couple. They didn't talk much, just asked how they were feeling these past few days and if they had any trouble adjusting.
The couple were very satisfied. Although they hadn't spent much time with the master and mistress and others these past few days, they both felt very relaxed, and more importantly, the working atmosphere was great.
Here, all you need to do is cook. There's none of the backstabbing and infighting like in the previous owner's house, and life isn't stressful.
On the contrary, in the past few days, the two of them have become more cheerful. They no longer live the life of being cautious and careful, afraid that if they don't cook well, they will be sold or beaten by the host, and they live with their heads on the line all day long.
Xu Han finished the last mouthful of porridge, wiped her mouth, and said, "Well, you two keep up the good work. I'll take you back to the mountains after this busy period is over."
Although the living environment in the mountains isn't as good as here, the air is fresher and it's more comfortable. I think you'll really like it.
Once they started chatting, the two became less reserved, and Wei Yan said with a smile, "Then I'll be looking forward to it."
"Haha, I promise you won't be disappointed." After saying that, she turned to leave, but stopped after a few steps and asked, "What are we having for lunch today?"
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