The next day, before dawn, Wu He stood at the gate of the villa, motionless. When a passing farmer greeted him, he just nodded with his eyes.
Qi Lianghan set up tables and chairs not far from the door, and took his men with him to prepare, waiting for the farmers to sign up or collect resettlement fees.
The area in front of the villa was bustling with activity. As expected, more than 90 percent of the people chose to stay and grow medicinal herbs. As for the few who wanted to leave with a real "huge sum of money", Qi Lianghan registered them and gave them the resettlement fee without a penny less.
Grateful to Wu He for leading them forward, almost every family would come to Wu He to express their concern after finishing their business.
It happened that someone arranged by Ling Xiang was delivering water to Wuhe River. A farmer asked about it. The person delivering water followed Ling Xiang's arrangement and explained:
"Wu He gathered a crowd to cause trouble yesterday and deserved to be punished. Miss, considering that his actions were justified, will give him a lighter punishment. He will be punished to stand here and reflect on his mistakes."
Most farmers have simple ideas. Although they are grateful for the generous conditions offered by the third lady, some people still feel sorry for Wu He.
Wu He put down the water in his hand and said seriously, "I made a mistake and deserved to be punished! The Third Miss is so clear about rewards and punishments. It's a blessing for us!"
Wu He himself had no complaints, so naturally others could not say anything. The first day was fine, but on the second and third days, Wu He was still standing in the punishment. Someone couldn't stand it anymore and asked Qi Lianghan:
"Manager Qi, Wu He has been standing for two days straight. Why hasn't this punishment ended yet?"
Qi Lianghan looked up at the person who asked the question. He was a man in his forties, and the worry on his face didn't seem fake.
He patiently explained, "Once we're done here, Wu He's punishment will be over."
"Then let's hurry up and try to get Wu He home early!"
On the third day, all 587 households, including Wu He's family, had completed registration, and 562 farmers were willing to stay and grow medicinal herbs.
After the punishment was over, Wu He immediately went to find Ling Xiang.
Ling Xiang was very satisfied with Wu He's attitude: "Tell me what you think about these three days."
Wu He said respectfully, "The Third Miss is a man of her word and very kind to the farmers. It is our blessing to follow her."
"Are you willing to work with Manager Qi?" Ling Xiang had already asked Qi Lianghan. Qi Lianghan said that being able to subdue Wu He for his own use would definitely be of great help in promoting the cultivation of medicinal herbs.
Wu He had been observing Qi Lianghan closely these past few days and was very impressed by his way of dealing with people. "Wu He is willing!"
"I will promote you to deputy steward from today. You will work hard under Steward Qi. When the herb cultivation is on track, Steward Qi will leave. At that time, you will be the new steward."
Ling Xiang was very satisfied. This trip to Zhuangzi had discovered the talent Wu He, which was a great gain.
Wu He immediately knelt down and kowtowed: "Wu He will definitely live up to the Third Miss's high expectations!"
"Call me Miss from now on."
Third Miss, that was what everyone called Ling Xiang when Ling Chengfu was in charge of the family; Miss, that was what Ling Xiang's own people called her.
Wu He quickly realized that he had been included in Ling Xiang's camp and said quickly:
"Yes, Miss!"
After winning over Wu He, Ling Xiang began to ask questions:
"By the way, I find one thing very strange. Steward Qi has been at the farm for quite a while now, and the idea of switching to growing medicinal herbs has been raised for quite some time. Why did you all wait so long to come together and ask for my explanation?"
The newcomer from Wuhe reported that he must make meritorious deeds as soon as possible, without hiding anything:
“In fact, when we first proposed growing medicinal herbs, Manager Qi said that growing medicinal herbs could greatly increase our income. We were skeptical at first, but we didn’t dare to act rashly.
"But, just after the young lady arrived, I overheard the second young lady mentioning switching to growing medicinal herbs. She said that farmers like us wouldn't know how to grow herbs, and that the young lady would definitely chase us away. That's when I got anxious, and I organized everyone to come to the young lady to ask for an explanation."
Ling Xiang suddenly lost her temper: "How dare you! How dare you slander the Second Young Lady so casually!"
Wu He knelt down quickly: "I swear, I never told a lie!"
"Do you know what will happen if you sue your master as a slave?" Ling Xiang said sternly.
Wu He kowtowed heavily: "Wu He is just telling the truth, and I have a clear conscience!"
Ling Xiang was sure that Wu He was not lying, and that sowing discord was indeed something Ling Yan could do.
She softened her tone and said, "Okay, I believe you're not lying, but this matter is of great importance and must not be leaked. Besides you, who else knows about this?"
"The first few brothers I called upon all knew about it."
Ling Xiang nodded and suddenly asked, "You don't seem to be married yet, nor engaged. Do you have a sweetheart?"
Wu He was a little embarrassed: "No..."
"Then, I'll propose a marriage to you. Are you willing?"
"Yes!" It was a great honor to have the head of the family personally propose marriage. Wu He was happier than if he had become a deputy steward.
Ling Xiang: "Okay then, go call your brothers to the meeting room."
After Wu He left, Ling Xiang immediately went to Zhang Qian's yard.
This was her first time to see Zhang Qian since arriving in Zhuangzi.
"Xiang'er?" Seeing Ling Xiang, Zhang Qian thought she was seeing things. She immediately moved over and tried to grab Ling Xiang's arm. "Is it really you?"
Ling Xiang glared at her coldly: "I'm not here to reminisce about the past with you. Even if I rescued you from prison, it was out of self-interest. Zhang, have you thought about it? What surname will your child be given after he is born?"
Zhang Qian withdrew her hand in dismay: "Of course he has the same last name as his biological father."
Ling Xiang taunted, "You're going to tell everyone that you were pregnant with someone else's child when you were still Mrs. Ling. Even if you don't mind others stabbing you, even if I don't care if you bring shame to Ling Chengfu and bring disgrace to the Ling family, what about your daughter? Can Ling Yan accept it?"
Zhang Qian had thought about this, but she knew very well that Ling Xiang was willing to withdraw the lawsuit to save her because of He Xun. Now, He Xun was the only one she could rely on. She had no choice...
"I'll find a way to make her accept it."
"She's not so easy to persuade." Ling Xiang frowned. "Zhang, you know, three days ago, the farmers united to ask me for an explanation, and almost ruined the plans of the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion. This was Ling Yan who secretly stumbled on me."
Zhang Qian couldn't believe it: "What? Impossible, this won't benefit Yan'er, Yan'er won't do this."
Ling Xiang's eyes suddenly turned fierce. "But she still did something that did not benefit her in any way and harmed the interests of everyone in the Zhenguo Marquisate Mansion! What a good daughter you have taught her!"
Zhang Qian found it hard to accept. "How could that be? What does she want?"
"Does it matter what she wants? As a member of the Zhenguo Marquisate, she did something that harmed the interests of the Zhenguo Marquisate. How could the Zhenguo Marquisate tolerate her?"
If Ling Yan is really not tolerated by the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion, she will never be able to hold her head up again in this life! Zhang Qian panicked and immediately begged Ling Xiang:
"Xiang'er, you two are sisters. Yan'er is the only young lady from the Zhenguo Marquisate who can accompany you now. Can you forgive her this time?"
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