On the river west of the county town, a large yellow boat came from the north under the setting sun.
The setting sun shone on the river, casting a warm glow on the people on the deck.
Xie Zhong stood respectfully behind Xie Yun, a gentle breeze caressing his face. "I never imagined that Fenggu County would undergo such a dramatic change in just one winter."
That textile factory wasn't there when they left last year.
Xie Yin looked at the embroidered building and said, "Uncle Zhong, you are a man of wide experience, have you ever seen a woman like Manager Qin before?"
Xie Zhong was stunned, as if his memories had suddenly broken free of their shackles and surged forth.
That was in the North forty years ago. He was only five or six years old. At that time, the court was corrupt, and natural and man-made disasters were frequent. His hometown was trampled by the northern barbarians. Just when he thought he was about to die, two spirited horses led a thousand troops to fight a bloody battle with the barbarians.
Years later, he suddenly remembered the way the two women who were driving side by side had their hair tied up high and fluttered in the north wind.
That was a rebirth under that corrupt dynasty.
Unfortunately, the two women died one after another within just three years, and the dynasty fell into chaos again until it was unified by a new dynasty eleven years ago and stabilized.
"I've seen it before, but unfortunately, it was a shooting star."
A flash of light that pierced the sky for only a moment illuminated the lives of many.
Xie Yin looked up at the county town to the east, "Then I hope Manager Qin is like an undying star hanging high in the night sky."
She smiled charmingly again, "However, I do want her husband."
Xie Zhong asked, puzzled, "Didn't Miss give up last autumn and winter?"
"Who said I gave up?" Xie Yin was determined to succeed. "Lu Yunfeng has something that no man in this world has ever done: unwavering devotion. I want such a good man. I want him to be devoted to me too."
Xie Zhong tried to dissuade her, saying, "Miss, Qingming Festival is just around the corner. We've come back to pay respects to our ancestors. Master has instructed us not to stay any longer. Your marriage should be settled by now. If you're involved with a man in Fenggu County, Master will be angry."
Xie Yin raised her chin. "Then I'll marry Lu Yunfeng."
“Miss, please don’t talk nonsense. Lu Yunfeng is already married. Besides, he is just a merchant. How could he be worthy of you, Miss?”
"So what if he's a merchant? If I marry him, I'll be happier than many, many women in the world. Haven't you seen how free and happy Manager Qin is?"
Have you forgotten what happened to my cousin back then? So what if the daughter of a high-ranking official of the fourth rank married the son of an earl? She was married for only two years before her husband took a concubine, and the concubines fought and framed her because of jealousy.
There was never a day of peace in that backyard. After finally giving birth, her mother-in-law would take the child away and wouldn't allow her to keep the child by her side. What was the point of being imprisoned in that square courtyard for the rest of her life?
Why not marry Lu Yunfeng and become a merchant's wife? Like a bird soaring freely in the sky, how carefree that would be!
Lu Yunfeng was unaware that someone was targeting him. At that moment, he was coming down from Lanyue Mountain and rowing his boat across the river from Xiulou Wharf to go home.
Holding a freshly dug orchid in my hand, I planted it in a porcelain pot and placed it on the windowsill; my wife will surely love it.
He couldn't help but smile at the thought. Qin Xiaozhou also liked ginkgo trees. He would plant a few in the schoolyard, and in autumn the ground would be covered in golden leaves. She was such a money-loving young lady, she would even love the yellow leaves.
"Young Master Lu!" Xie Yin waved from the deck to the people on the small boat in the river.
She recognized him from afar, and it turned out to be him. She was overjoyed to see the person she had been longing for on her first day in Fenggu County.
Lu Yunfeng looked up and bowed to the people on the deck as a greeting, then turned and headed towards the back gate of his house.
Only small rowboats like his could stop at this small dock at the back gate, and fortunately, only the Lu family used this small dock.
He moored the boat, knocked on the back door, went inside, found a porcelain pot, planted some orchids, and took it to the study to show Qin Xiaozhou. "I dug these up from the mountain today. Aren't they pretty?"
The orchid leaves swayed, and two flowers bloomed with pale yellow blossoms, emitting a faint fragrance.
Qin Xiaozhou was delighted. "It looks great."
Lu Yan called out for dinner in the yard. She had just sat down at the table when there was a knock on the back door. Lu Yan ran to open the door, paused for a moment, and said, "Sister Liu? Come in quickly."
She looked towards the river again, but there was no one in Liu Hehua's small boat. "Why didn't Brother Liu come along?"
Liu Hehua cradled her five-month pregnant belly, tears streaming down her face before she could utter a word.
Lu Yan was startled and quickly welcomed the person in.
Liu Hehua looked travel-worn, dressed in tattered gray clothes and a headscarf, and hadn't washed or groomed in a long time; she looked no different from a beggar.
He knelt down at the kitchen door and kowtowed to Qin Xiaozhou at the dining table, "Manager Qin, please take me in. I am willing to sell myself to you and serve you like a slave."
Qin Xiaozhou rushed out and pulled her up, "Sister Liu, why are you alone? Why didn't Brother Liu come in? Xiao Yan, go and invite him..."
Liu Hehua held Qin Xiaozhou's hand tightly, tears streaming down her face. "The Japanese pirates came again in winter, causing chaos along the coast. The situation was only quelled last month. My husband was killed by the pirates. I had nowhere to go, so I came to you for help."
In fact, she had only met Qin Xiaozhou twice and shouldn't have caused him trouble, but as a pregnant woman, she would have a miserable life if no one protected her.
She was very embarrassed and nervous, her ears turning bright red. If she had a better idea, she wouldn't have come so shamelessly.
Qin Xiaozhou grasped her hand in return, "Okay, I'll buy you. We'll go to the government office to register your household tomorrow."
She didn't know how this woman had gotten here, but she had finally made it this far, and she couldn't just abandon her.
If Liu Hehua were a widow from a respectable family, she would be forced into marriage within two years. Moreover, if she did not sell herself into slavery, she could not register her household registration at will. If she stayed in Fenggu County for too long, she would be driven out.
Qin Xiaozhou sent someone to prepare hot water for Liu's wife to take a bath.
She dared not clean herself up along the way, only by looking like a beggar could she reduce the covetousness of those around her. Now she even had a stench.
Jingyue took her clothes and knocked on the door of the southernmost house in a row of bungalows in the backyard. "Sister Liu, these are the summer clothes that were just issued yesterday. Wear them for now, and I'll go to the embroidery shop tomorrow to get another set."
Now, all the staff in Qin Xiaozhou's shops wear the same clothes, with each person receiving three sets of clothes for each season, all of which are directly taken from the embroidery shop.
Liu Hehua carefully washed her body, and the feeling of the hot water flowing over her skin made her feel like she had come back to life. "Thank you, sister. I'm just shameless for asking for a place to stay, and I've only caused you trouble."
Jing Shu smiled and reassured her, "We all live under Manager Qin's protection, so we should support each other. Sister, don't be so polite."
His gaze lingered subtly on Liu Hehua's five-month-old belly, filled with unspoken envy.
She had been pregnant twice before, but the mistress aborted both times and didn't take any care of herself. Now her health is ruined and she can't get pregnant again. "This shop is busy, so even if you just come and wash the cups and dishes, it will be a great help."
Sister Liu felt slightly relieved. "I'm a rough person. Even though I'm five months pregnant, I can still do all this."
After she finished showering, Jingyue warmly pulled her to the kitchen, "Sister Liu, this is all the food I saved for you, please eat quickly."
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