From that day on, Zhao Fang noticed that her sister-in-law was always absent-minded, but she was oblivious and couldn't persuade Lu Yu. When Lu Yu ruined the pattern on the third cake, she couldn't help but say, "It's been hot these past few days, and the shop isn't busy. When Er Yun comes over at noon, why don't you go home with her to see your mother?"
The two old women and Jingyue and Jinghe are all hardworking people who rush to do any chores. Zhao Fang and Lu Yu actually have a lot of free time.
Lu Yu lowered her head and put down the pink cream in her hand. It was dyed with red water made by boiling perilla leaves, and it was very pretty for making latte art on cakes.
"What about my nephew..."
She had been intentionally or unintentionally avoiding Qin Xiaozhou for the past two days. Fortunately, Qin Xiaozhou was busy every day and rarely came to the kitchen. She had never met anyone like Qin Xiaozhou before. He always spoke and acted directly and to the point.
Zhao Fang pushed her out of the kitchen, saying, "Don't worry, she's been busy preparing for the opening of her clothing shop these past few days and doesn't have time to look after you. You can come and help out the day before the opening."
At noon, Lu Yu followed Er Yun home and found Wang Lan by the duck pen. The weather in May was hot and humid with a scorching sun. No one was working in the fields at this time. Several old women from the village came to talk to Wang Lan. They sat idly on the rocks by the Qingzhugou Stream, each holding a needle and thread, mending clothes.
With its streams and bamboo groves, this place is a perfect summer retreat. Now that the Lu family has prospered, many people are coming to curry favor with them. Even the village chief's wife came here today.
Li Fengxian, with her sharp eyes, spotted Lu Yu from afar. "Hey, Xiao Yu, why are you back from the city? If you hadn't appeared here, I almost wouldn't have recognized you. You look exactly like a city girl."
Today, Lu Yu wore an elegant light green belted dress with bamboo leaves embroidered on the hem. With every movement, she looked like a gentle breeze rustling through green bamboo, exuding a graceful charm. She had also become much fairer and had delicate skin, making her naturally beautiful.
Lu Yu gritted her teeth, not daring to face so many eyes at once. "I miss my mother. I also need to help my niece-in-law check how many clothes the embroiderers have made. I don't want to delay the opening of the shop."
The village chief's wife eagerly took Lu Yu's hand. "Your hands are so soft! Tell Xiao Zhou not to worry, all the embroiderers in the village are very enthusiastic, and with your Uncle Village Chief watching over things, it won't delay Xiao Zhou's shop opening. Has Xiao Zhou said when he'll hire more embroiderers?"
Those who weren't selected often come to the village chief to ask about it. Now, young and old alike in the village who know a little needlework are diligently practicing embroidery, hoping to be selected as embroiderers next time. Embroiderers earn high wages, and everyone who sees that is envious. Even people from nearby villages who are related to Wangjia Village are inquiring about it.
The people who were chatting idly fell silent. This was firsthand information! Everyone has relatives. If we get useful information today, we can send our family members to participate in the election.
Lu Yu didn't care much about Qin Xiaozhou's business dealings, so naturally he didn't know anything about them. At this moment, he actually felt guilty and could only shake his head.
Wang Lan smiled, her gray hair neatly combed. Although her outer garment was still made of indigo coarse cloth, it was unpatched and fit her well. She pulled her youngest daughter over and said, "Everything is fine at home, so don't worry. You're back today, so stay for the night. Tomorrow at noon, when you go to the county town with Eryun to deliver fruit, come on, I'll get you some pickled cucumbers. They're good for your appetite."
The mother and daughter talked, and no one else dared to join in. They sat in the bamboo grove for a while, and as the sun gradually moved westward, they all went home. Lu Yu told Wang Lan about Li Yang and repeated everything Qin Xiaozhou had said. "Mother, what should I do?"
She liked Li Yang; he was good-looking, kind, and hardworking. Marrying someone like him would be a good match. However, she was also a little worried that her future in-laws might really interrogate her about how she made the cake, or use her to extort money from the Lu family. These past two days, she had been so worried that she couldn't sleep at night.
Wang Lan was initially surprised that her daughter had found such a good match in just two or three months in the county town. She was also worried that all of Qin Xiaozhou's guesses would come true. In the end, she gritted her teeth and said, "If you like him, then marry him. As long as he is a good person, he will naturally be on your side."
Back then, she married Lu Ji, who was penniless. Lu Ji was a good person and always thought of her, so she lived a good life. Since Li Yang is a good person, her daughter should be able to marry him without any problems.
Hearing her mother's words, Lu Yu smiled again. "Mother, I'll go pick some cucumbers and pickle them to take to the county town. They'll be good with rice in this hot weather."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com