“The fields still need to be looked after, and I also plan to start some renovations in the Xiaoliangshan area behind.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Zi immediately perked up. He knew that whatever Ning Yao wanted to do, she would definitely be paid.
"Third Miss, please give your instructions, and I will certainly do as you say!"
Ning Yao thought for a moment and said, "How about this, still those two thousand day laborers. Tell them they are going to work in Xiaoliangshan now, with the same wages and meals provided."
Liu Zi quickly agreed, then asked, "Xiaoliang Mountain is a barren mountain. What does the Third Miss plan to do on there?"
Ning Yao said, "I want to build an orchard. Here are the blueprints. I only made slight modifications, but the overall structure remains the same. There's a staircase leading straight to the top of the mountain, as well as the specific construction details for the different orchards."
"I hope to transform Xiaoliangshan into a mountain garden, so this time I will probably need to find a team of experts in this field."
"In addition, after the project starts, take a close look at these 10,000 mu of fertile land from the top of Xiaoliang Mountain to the bottom. What's the best way to enclose all of them, build a wall around them, and plant thorny bushes to climb the wall?"
Liu Zi was a little confused: "I don't really understand this either, but the master should know about this."
Ning Yao thought for a moment and said, "How about this, you start working on the road up the mountain tomorrow. Once we find the master craftsman, I'll have the steward Ning Lang go over and explain the matter in detail."
Liu Zi breathed a sigh of relief. He was just a waiter, and he had been entrusted with an important task by his employer, so he had been very careful.
Now that Butler Ning is helping him, he's not afraid of not knowing how to do things well.
"Understood! I'll notify you as soon as I find the master!"
After Liu Zi left, Zhi Lan came to report that the one-month period for Ting Yun and the other five had come to an end, and asked what their plans were for the future.
"Hmm, let them go back to Pinglanlou to prepare. When I return from Yunxiang City, I want Pinglanlou, Shuiyunjian, and Yingkelai to become an instant sensation!"
Zhilan's eyes lit up: "Miss, what are you going to do?"
Ning Yao smiled mysteriously: "It's a secret!"
—
Time flies, and Li Dashan's culinary skills have improved by leaps and bounds, and his son Li Lang is also able to take on the role of head chef.
With Ning Yao's permission, Li Dashan also took on several apprentices and trained them.
To demonstrate their loyalty, Li Dashan and Li Lang signed a lifelong contract with the Ning family as long-term servants.
Yingkelai hasn't changed much; like Shuiyunjian, the interior has been almost completely renovated.
The entire four-piece bedding set has been replaced with one filled with cotton, which has significantly improved the quality.
The guest rooms in the "Tian" and "Di" sections are all decorated with silk, shimmering satin, and cloud brocade.
The most mysterious place is the Pinglan Tower. Workers always close the gate tightly when they come in and out. Although people are busy going in and out, no one knows what they are doing inside.
Finally, one day, the gate was closed again, and no one entered or left. The pavilion returned to its tranquility.
"Zhilan, find a way to spread the word that there will be an auction at Pinglan Tower on the tenth of July, where treasures from the reclusive Ning family will be on display, and invite people from all walks of life to share in the grand event!"
Zhilan's eyes widened: "An auction? Miss, I understand!"
The rain started falling again in Licheng, marking the third rain since the first one.
After spending a few days arranging everything at home, Ning Yao prepared to set off for Yunxiang City.
"Daughter, Dad's going too!" Ning Wenyi, carrying a bundle and leading a horse, waited at the door.
Ning Yao was dressed in a tight-fitting outfit that accentuated her beautiful figure, and Yun Xiangnanshan stood beside her.
She plans to travel to Yunxiang City alone and return quickly.
News of the auction has already started to spread, and she needs to get back before then.
Ning Yao ignored Ning Wenyi and looked at Madam Ning: "Mother, are you sure Father is coming with me?"
Madam Ning waved her hand: "I know why you're going. Even if I don't let him go, he'll secretly follow you anyway. I'd rather let him come with you; that would put my mind at ease."
Ning Yao thought about it and agreed. Her father was a member of the Ning family, and even though he had been away from home for many years, he was still better than her, who knew nothing.
"Alright then, Father, you come along, let's set off immediately!"
"Okay, all right!"
Ning Yao stepped forward and hugged Madam Ning and Ning Qiong: "Mother, eldest sister, second brother, we're leaving. Take care. I've arranged everything at home. With Ning Lang and Zhi Lan here, there's no need to worry."
"In addition, Miss Chen's medicine has one more course of treatment. She will recover after finishing it. At that time, whether she stays or leaves will be up to her."
"If she stays, Mother, give her that letter."
Madam Ning nodded: "Alright, Mother will remember. Be careful on your journey and return safely!"
"Third sister, be careful on the road!"
Be careful on the road!
Ning Yao nodded: "Take good care of Second Sister-in-law and Yi Yi!"
Inside the guest courtyard, Xiao Yuanhuai leaned against the pavilion, reading a book.
Ning Yiyi was practicing her swordplay not far from him.
"She's gone?"
Xiao Yang replied, "They've already left."
"I heard there's a woman with her, is she from the Yunxiang clan?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Xiao Yuanhuai closed the book, a bitter smile appearing on his lips: "She left so gracefully, completely disregarding whether I live or die."
Xiao Yang was taken aback and said, "Master, the Third Miss said that your body still needs to be carefully nurtured, and the detoxification should not be rushed."
"I know."
"I heard that Pinglan Tower is going to auction off the legendary treasure of the Ning family?"
Xiao Yang replied, "That news is indeed true."
"Can you find out who it is?"
"I haven't found out yet, but this Pinglan Tower belongs to the Third Miss's family, so it should be related to them, right?"
Xiao Yuanhuai shook his head: "Not necessarily. Ning Yao's family came from the capital and seems to have no connection with that Ning family. She went to Yunxiang City this time and probably won't be back before the auction starts."
"The rest of the Ning family are just ordinary people, and none of them can afford this auction."
"You must know, that's the reclusive Ning family, a family that drives countless people crazy!"
"Xiao Yang! How much medicine does the Third Miss give us still have?"
"When the Third Miss left this time, she gave me a considerable amount of medicine, enough for about three months!"
Xiao Yuanhuai stood up: "In that case, let's go home!"
—
Licheng is not far from Yunxiang City, but it is farther than Qingzhou City.
There are approximately two journeys to Qingzhou City.
Ning Yao and the other two traveled at high speed, rarely resting.
When they get hungry, they stop to eat, and after resting, they immediately continue on their way.
"We'll be outside the boundaries of Yunxiang City in about twenty li. Are you ready?" Yunxiang Nanshan asked.
Ning Yao took a bite of the pancake and swallowed it: "What preparations?"
Yun Xiang Nanshan was anxious: "Prepare to enter the city! The area of Yun Xiang City that I'm talking about is not just outside the city gate. This area is still hundreds of miles away from the city gate."
"This hundred-mile journey is the reason why our Yunxiang clan cannot leave Yunxiang City! Although I don't know how Chen Sheng brought me out, I really have no way to go back this time."
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