Just as Er Ya was immersed in her own daydreams, Jiang Yaojie had already carried two basins of washed vegetables into the kitchen.
Jiang Ling frowned as she looked at the two plates of vegetables and asked, "Yaojie, did you wash all of these?"
Jiang Yaojie nodded, not understanding.
"Where's Er Ya?"
"Er Ya?" Jiang Yaojie scratched his head, somewhat bewildered.
"Oh! Mother, is that the little girl who was washing vegetables at our door just now?" Jiang Yaojie suddenly realized.
Jiang Ling frowned and looked towards the door, somewhat displeased. Jiang Yaojie noticed her unusual expression and quickly explained, "I thought that girl was too rough and might ruin the vegetables!"
"Okay, you can go now! And call Er Ya over while you're at it!" Jiang Ling didn't say anything more.
A moment later, Er Ya stood timidly at the door, looking at Jiang Ling. Jiang Ling pointed to the firewood next to the stove and asked, "Do you know how to start a fire?"
Upon hearing this, Er Ya inwardly groaned. She knew that starting a fire was the most complicated and dirty task, and she could easily end up with a face covered in grime. But then Er Ya thought, what if this was Jiang Ling testing her? She nodded repeatedly and agreed, "Yes! Yes! I always do these chores at home!"
After saying that, he quickly picked up the firewood and prepared to place it under the stove.
Jiang Ling did not refuse, silently watching Er Ya's back. The temperature of the flames gradually began to scorch Er Ya, and Er Ya secretly groaned. She looked up and stole a glance at Jiang Ling but dared not say anything, and could only silently endure it all.
After working for an unknown amount of time, Jiang Ling patted Er Ya to tell her to stop.
Er Ya's lips were already cracked and she was dizzy. As soon as she stood up, her legs went weak and she almost fell to the ground.
"Watch out!" Jiang Yaojie, who was standing nearby, quickly helped Er Ya up.
Er Ya was overjoyed when she opened her eyes and saw that it was Jiang Yaojie. She grabbed Jiang Yaojie's hand and said excitedly, "Thank you, Young Master Jiang!"
Jiang Yaojie felt a little uncomfortable being addressed like that. He quickly pulled his hand back and laughed awkwardly, saying, "I'm not some young master Jiang. I'm older than you. You can call me Brother Jiang. If you think that's too intimate, you can call me Yaojie like everyone else!"
Jiang Yaojie's seemingly indifferent remark rekindled Er Ya's dreams of a happy life after marrying him.
Jiang Ling looked at Er Ya, who had a blank stare, and patted her shoulder with some displeasure, saying, "Alright, Er Ya, you've helped a lot today. Take these dishes back with your aunt and the others, and keep these ten copper coins!"
Er Ya immediately waved her hand in refusal: "No need, no need! Aunt Jiang, I'm already very grateful that you've provided me with such a good working environment, this money..."
"Just take it. One thing at a time. Alright, it's getting late, hurry up and go home!" Jiang Ling impatiently gave him the order to leave.
Even if Er Ya was stupid, she understood Jiang Ling's words. She thanked her again and left Jiang Ling's house with a lot of food and ten copper coins.
Before leaving, Er Ya looked at Jiang Yaojie one last time with lingering reluctance.
Zhao Erleng's house.
Zhao Erleng's wife was standing at the door looking around. When she saw Er Ya, she walked over quickly and angrily.
"You brat, why are you back so late! What have you been doing!"
Er Ya was a little annoyed by Zhao Er's shout. Holding the food Jiang Ling had prepared for her, she said, "It seems Aunt Jiang's family is having a party. I was helping out there!"
Looking at Er Ya, Zhao Er Leng's wife said meaningfully, "Others may not know what you're like, but as your aunt, I know that this is the first and last time! Your Aunt Jiang is different from us peasant women! Do you understand?"
Er Ya pouted and muttered something after hearing that. Zhao Er Leng's wife then grabbed Er Ya's arm and led her back to her home.
The production of sanitary napkins was a bit tiring, and Er Ya had helped with the fire for quite a while. After dinner, Er Ya went back to her bedroom and fell asleep immediately.
That night, Er Ya had a dream in which a man riding a tall horse, wearing a red wedding robe and a red flower on his chest, married her and took her home.
Three crowings of the rooster couldn't wake Er Ya from her dream.
Seeing this, Daya nudged Erya. Erya, annoyed that her sweet dream had been interrupted, glared at Daya and got out of bed to wash up by herself.
Daya stared blankly at Erya's retreating figure, trying to recall what she had done to offend her.
A sanitary napkin factory.
Today, Jiang Yaojie happened to be coming to pick up the goods. Er Ya, who was busy at work, saw that it was Jiang Yaojie and hurriedly ran to his side, saying in a affected manner, "Hello, Young Master Jiang!"
The sudden sound startled Jiang Yaojie. He turned around and saw Er Ya staring at him intently with a lovestruck expression. Jiang Yaojie, who had never been looked at like that by a woman before, felt a little uneasy.
"Didn't I tell you not to call me Young Master Jiang? And everyone's busy right now, what are you doing?" Jiang Yaojie said, frowning.
"Huh? Is he...is he concerned about me?" For some reason, Jiang Yaojie's words, which were originally slightly reproachful, sounded like words of concern to Er Ya.
Er Ya stroked her hair and immediately put on a shy look. Just as she was about to speak, Zhou Daxia grabbed her arm and dragged her behind her.
"You silly girl, don't you know you'll get your pay docked for leaving your post without permission? Get back to work! Your master's been looking for you like crazy!" Zhou Daxia scolded Er Ya as she dragged her inside.
Er Ya was definitely unhappy that Zhou Daxia had suddenly interrupted her, as she had prepared a lot to say. However, she knew the saying "when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head," so she could only mutter to herself, "Hmph! Just wait until I marry Jiang Yaojie, I'll make sure you go hungry!"
Despite thinking this way, Er Ya could only continue doing her work in a miserable manner.
On the other hand, Jiang Ling's feast from yesterday once again pleased Eunuch Yin. Jiang Ling then made some snacks overnight, one for Eunuch Yin and another for him to deliver to the Emperor.
After exchanging pleasantries, Eunuch Yin reiterated to Jiang Ling that once all the equipment was completed, she should definitely send a message to him through someone!
Jiang Ling smiled and agreed.
After seeing Eunuch Yin off, Jiang Ling looked at the village chief and said, "It seems we need to speed up our plan!"
The village chief nodded: "I know. Leave this to me. Thank you so much, Yaojie's mother. If it weren't for you, perhaps... perhaps our village wouldn't even have enough to eat!"
Jiang Ling smiled faintly and remained silent.
Jiang Ling quietly arrived at the sanitary napkin factory and gestured for Zhou Daxia to come out first.
Zhou Daxia put down her work and walked out, somewhat puzzled.
"Yaojie's mother, you called me? Is there a problem with the goods?" Zhou Daxia asked nervously, as she was the main person in charge here.
Jiang Ling noticed Zhou Daya's nervousness and patted her on the shoulder: "Don't panic, I just wanted to ask how Daya and Erya are doing?"
“Da Ya is quite good, smart, capable and reliable, but Er Ya…” Zhou Daxia paused deliberately at this point.
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