Mrs. Li and Mr. Zhan ignored the clamoring little Mrs. Yao, and she just took advantage of her words. Looking at the villagers on the side, she knew that except for the sweet-scented osmanthus sister-in-law who was not dealing with Li, everyone else was embarrassed.
stood aside.
"Niece-in-law, look at my green peppers and cucumbers, they are best picked at this time." An aunt smiled and smoothed things over.
In addition to the two vegetable plots behind her house, her family also has three neat plots on the hillside. The vegetables planted in March and April are now ready to be eaten.
"And from my family, sister, look at these eggplants and broad beans, they are all very juicy. I come to the fields to water them every day before dawn." The woman next to her also hurriedly promoted her own vegetables.
Jinlin Village has a good climate and fertile farmland, and on the hillside is the village's vegetable plot, which can range from two to three plots, and many families have seven or eight plots.
Little Yao and Ma looked at the various green leafy vegetables, melons, and beans that were growing rapidly in front of them, which formed a sharp contrast with the vegetable patch of Zhan's family not far away.
Without Mrs. Li's care, a lot of weeds grew in the vegetable field, and the vegetables didn't grow well either. It looked like there wasn't enough water, so the cucumbers, eggplants, etc. were all wilting.
When Zhan Feiyu returned to the village in the light of the setting sun, Zhan Laoer happened to come to the vegetable field, but he was surrounded by men from various households.
"Mom, what are you planting?" Zhan Feiyu walked over in three or two steps. The small green seedlings were neatly arranged one by one, as if measured with a ruler.
Mrs. Li took advantage of the sun to go down and watered the newly planted vegetable seedlings. She said with a smile: "They are all your favorites. Here are winter melons and pumpkin seedlings. At your feet are peas. There are watermelons and watermelons planted at the foot of the mountain.
Cantaloupe, there will be enough for you to eat when the time comes."
In the Zhan family, Li grew more. She grew all the vegetables that the family of more than ten people needed to eat. Now that there are only two of them, she and Zhan Feiyu, they just picked out what they like to eat and grew a little.
.
"Mom, I'll water the water. You have a rest." Before Li could refuse, Zhan Feiyu took the gourd scoop in her hand and bent down to pour half a scoop of water into a hole.
Muramasa looked at Zhan Feiyu, who was helping Mr. Li with his work not far away, his eyes full of relief. That is to say, Lao Zhan's family preferred the second and third bedrooms, which made the big room feel alienated.
Zhan Laoer glanced at it and then withdrew his gaze, and said to Muramasa: "I have already negotiated with Taifu Restaurant. I want all kinds of vegetables, including cucumbers, lettuce, and eggplants, which cost 50 cents per pound and 30 cents per day.
A pound of green vegetables, cabbage, etc., a pound of three cents each, costs fifty pounds a day, but you have to clean them up before sending them to my house."
"This is what it should be." The villager looked majestic and looked at the women who liked to take advantage of him with sharp eyes. "No one should be short-sighted and put the rotten, bad or wilted ones in. If there is no integrity, it will be broken."
It’s too late to regret this way of making money!”
Several women lowered their heads. Although they were not happy, they did not dare to refute. At worst, they would keep the bad food for themselves.
"Second brother, I made an agreement with my sister to collect my vegetables first." Sister-in-law Osmanthus hurriedly interjected, fearing that her vegetables would not be sold.
After all, there is a fixed amount of food to be collected every day. If you collect the food from the East, you will definitely not want the food from the West.
"Second brother, I also made an agreement with my second sister-in-law, and I have to collect the ones from my house first." The woman who spoke smiled with her face and was glad that she listened to her mother-in-law and gave twenty eggs to little Yao.
.
The people in the village suddenly became anxious, talking all over the place, all wanting Zhan Laoer to collect their own vegetables.
Although the vegetables are cheap, they only cost 30 to 50 cents per catty, but if you look at the cucumbers on the shelf, there are more than 20 cucumbers if you pick them at will.
Including other vegetables, you may be able to sell hundreds of silver a day, which is one tael of silver in ten days! And vegetables like cucumbers are picked today, and they will be picked again in seven or eight days.
It’s all silver!
Neither Zhan Feiyu nor Mrs. Li are nosy people. It doesn't matter whether they are rich or poor in the old house, as long as they don't disturb the mother and daughter.
Li carried the empty bucket, smiled and touched Zhan Feiyu's head, "I'm going back."
Zhan Laoer, who was standing on the roadside, also waved his hands to calm down the noisy villagers, "Don't argue, everyone. I have made an agreement with the village chief and the clan elders. Every ten households will be divided into groups and take turns delivering food to my house."
.”
Some families have a lot of melons, and some have a lot of green vegetables and cabbages. Fortunately, the vegetable fields are concentrated on the hillside. After the village elders took a rough look, they divided them up. In this way, it was ensured that each family
We can sell all the dishes, but we won’t compete with each other for them.
Muramasa also said loudly: "Come to me soon and I will tell you your name. No matter whether you have quarreled or made trouble before, don't get into trouble with money. Clean the Tatsuki appetizers every day, weigh them and send them to the old man."
Zhan family, then you can share the money privately, and the food money will be paid once a day."
The scrambling villagers all calmed down after hearing this. This grouping is fair. There are more than 100 households in the village, excluding those like Li who don't know how to sell vegetables. They are divided into ten groups. The vegetables picked every ten days can be divided into ten groups.
It has grown well and is ready to be sold as the second crop.
"Sister-in-law, you are also a good at growing vegetables. If you want to open more vegetable fields, the boss and I will still harvest the vegetables you grow, sister-in-law." Little Yao raised his chin arrogantly and looked at Li who was walking over like a charity.
Shi and Zhan Feiyu.
"No need." Ms. Li refused.
Little Yao couldn't get used to Mrs. Li's indifferent look. Her smile froze and her voice became three points sharper, "Sister-in-law, if you don't make any money yourself, how can you rely on the gifts given by dignitaries to support Xiaoyu's education?
If this is spread, it will damage the reputation of scholars. It does not mean that you should not eat borrowed food."
Zhan Feiyu suppressed a smile, held Mrs. Li's hand and walked forward, "Mom, we are going back."
Seeing the mother and daughter leaving like this, little Yao's face twisted in anger, but even if she could lead the villagers to make money, the most important thing in the village and the clan was that dead girl Zhan Feiyu, who was waiting for her.
Take the county exam next February!
"Mom, if the old house is looking for trouble, you can make it clear that the little daughter of Taifu Restaurant is not smart." Zhan Feiyu originally thought that it would be a good thing and a good thing.
But the old house has turned around now, and if it really makes money in the future, it will only become more miserable.
Ms. Li was startled for a moment, then hesitantly said: "This is not good, we must not ruin the reputation of the girl's family."
Zhan Dalang is only thirteen years old now. Even if he gets engaged, it will take several years to get married. The Xie family's youngest daughter is not smart. This is also the Xie family's business. Speaking of it now will ruin the little girl's reputation.
Zhan Feiyu lowered his head, covering up the coldness in his eyes, "Mom, as long as they don't go too far, you won't tell the whole village, but by mentioning this matter, the second wife will not dare to make trouble again, at least it will be clean.
.”
After all, selling one's son for glory is also the second wife, Zhan Dalang's biological father and mother.
Mrs. Li was right at first thought, "Okay, Mom, I will remember it."
…
In May, the pomegranate flowers are blooming beautifully, and the green poplar trees are drooping heavily with the rain. Five-color new silk is wrapped around the corner of the rice dumplings, presented on a gold plate, with two phoenixes painted on a raw silk fan and plate.
On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, the scent of rice dumpling leaves wafted in the air, two handfuls of mugwort were placed at the door of every house, and the private school also had a day off, but Zhan Feiyu still went to the private school on time.
study.
"Master, are you okay?" Zhan Feiyu looked at the pale Master Lin, quickly put down his book and came over, "Master, do you want a doctor to come over?"
Master Lin sat down and said nonchalantly: "It's okay, I just have a little headache. Today's symptoms are much lighter than yesterday."
"So, senior brother, are you feeling better?" Seeing that Master Lin was in good condition, Zhan Feiyu was more worried about the frail Lin Xiuyuan.
But Wang was so obsessed with getting Zhan Feiyu and Lin Xiuyuan engaged that she did not dare to visit the doctor, lest Wang think too much about it and become more determined to get the two engaged.
"Xiuyuan drank the medicine, and it's no big deal. He'll be fine after just two days of rest." Mrs. Lin just went to see Lin Xiuyuan before coming to the study. The night before yesterday, when father and son were discussing an article, they both caught cold.
.
When Zhan Feiyu finished a new art article, Master Lin drank a cup of strong tea to refresh himself and analyzed the deficiencies in the article for Zhan Feiyu.
"Respect Luo Yi first and then respect people. This is not advisable when dealing with people, but as a teacher, I think it can be used to judge articles. Words and literary talent are the clothes of an article. If your clothes are ragged, who is willing to study it deeply?
What is the classical philosophy contained in your article?"
Zhan Feiyu nodded after hearing this. There are hundreds of papers in the imperial examination, and even if the handwriting is not neat, the examiner will even fail it directly.
And my own articles lack literary talent. No matter how good the content is, it may look dry at first glance, but it will be fine if they are pragmatic graders. If they are those who like literary talent, they may also be rejected.
"Just stick to writing your calligraphy every day." Master Lin looked at the neat and square Taige style on the paper. Although it was an exam-oriented font, it already showed its character.
"Master, how can I improve my literary talent?" Zhan Feiyu asked humbly. The literary talent of this article is her shortcoming just like her poetic talent.
"You have been in school for a short time, and you have read the Four Books and Five Classics, as well as Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, all for the imperial examination. But there are tens of thousands of books in the world, among which Han Fu pays attention to vocabulary and allusion, and pursues parallel couplets and rhythm.
"Master Lin handed the "Collection of Han Fu" on the bookshelf to Zhan Feiyu.
"You already have "The Book of Songs" and "Chu Ci". This book contains all classic long fus, mainly four-character and six-character fuses. The words are gorgeous, pay attention to plainness, and rhyme throughout. They are also called fu styles.
It’s authentic, but it’s difficult to use difficult words in the sentence, so you won’t be able to read it quickly.” There was a bit of reluctance and nostalgia in Mrs. Lin’s eyes.
This "Collection of Han Fu" was given by Mrs. Lin's close friend at that time, who came from a scholarly family. Mrs. Lin also had great ambitions, but unfortunately she ended up being a tutor in a rural private school.
Zhan Feiyu took the book with both hands and solemnly thanked him, "Yes, Master."
While waiting for lunch break, Zhan Feiyu looked at Mr. Dong and whispered: "My wife is making rice dumplings?"
"Yes, Mrs. Lin and Master Yuan caught cold in the past two days. Madam was busy taking care of them and didn't bother to make rice dumplings. She just went to the kitchen with Grandma Lu." Mr. Dong said with a smile.
The servants of Mr. Dong's Lin family, the father and daughter were bought by Mr. Wang from the tooth shop three years ago. If Mr. Wang had not been kind-hearted, Mr. Dong's adopted daughter would have been sold to some dirty place.
"I understand, thank you, Uncle Dong." Zhan Feiyu breathed a sigh of relief and then walked to the backyard.
Wang Linlang, who had just come out of the house, frowned, then stepped forward to block Zhan Feiyu, "Brother Xiuyuan has taken medicine and fallen asleep. Sister Zhan, please don't go in and disturb me."
Mrs. Lin and Lin Xiuyuan fell ill at the same time. Ms. Wang was unable to do anything. Fortunately, although Wang Linlang was young, she was very considerate and considerate in taking care of others. So Mrs. Wang took care of Mrs. Lin. Lin Xiuyuan was taken care of by Wang Linlang, and Aunt Lu
Grandma is responsible for three meals a day and decoction.
"Miss Wang, I am just a student of Master, the classmate and junior sister of Brother Xiuyuan as you mentioned." Zhan Feiyu made her attitude clear. She was not afraid of Wang Linlang, a scheming little girl, but there was no need to waste time and money on her.
energy.
As for Wang Linlang's desire to marry Lin Xiuyuan, even if Wang did not agree, Mrs. Lin would not agree either. Zhan Feiyu was a little hesitant at first, and she could not say bad things about Wang Linlang to Mrs. Lin without any evidence.
But Zhan Feiyu was also worried that the three people in the Lin family were honest and kind-hearted. Even the mistress, Wang, was just a little more aloof and sharp. The three of them together were probably not as thoughtful as Wang Linlang, a twelve-year-old girl.
However, Mrs. Lin saw that she was absent-minded during class and almost moved the ruler.
Zhan Feiyu, who was afraid of being beaten, immediately explained the reason as if pouring beans out of a bamboo tube, "Master, I have met Miss Wang Liu several times. She is hostile to me. She seems to be planning to marry my senior brother."
"What?" Mrs. Lin was stunned for a moment, really shocked by these words.
Not to mention that Zhan Feiyu is only eight years old, Wang Linlang is also a little girl who has not grown up in the eyes of Master Lin. Although Master Lin has not had much contact with her, in his opinion she is a gentle and gentle junior, with a few
In terms of talents, he knows a little bit about chess, calligraphy and painting, and he is also good at cooking, but he is less agile and naughty than Zhan Feiyu.
Zhan Feiyu knew this would happen, and sighed like a brat: "Master, you must not have the intention of harming others, and you must have the intention of being on guard against others. Don't you see that Miss Wang is very gentle and considerate to my senior brother?"
"Men and women are not seated at the same table when they are seven years old. Miss Wang always follows the rules when getting along with the master, but she takes the initiative to talk to the senior brother, with intimacy and concern in her words. Isn't this contradictory?" Zhan Feiyu was afraid of irritating his wife.
, I guess they all have to say: Showing courtesy for nothing is either a traitor or a thief!
Master Lin had not thought about this before. After all, Wang Linlang only came to the Lin family for a short stay and would leave in a year at most. But after hearing Zhan Feiyu's reminder, Master Lin also noticed something was wrong.
"Master, I know." Master Lin looked at Zhan Feiyu, whose eyes were wide open and excited, and raised his hand to knock her on the forehead, "Your master will not agree to this."
It stands to reason that this is a matter of the Wang family, and it involves Wang Linlang, a junior. As an elder, Master Lin is upright and upright in his behavior, so he cannot talk about people behind their backs, but he can't stand this girl Zhan Feiyu's shameless persistence.
Master Lin finally revealed a little bit, but Zhan Feiyu figured out the whole process.
Wang Linlang was born in the Wang family, but she was not born to Mrs. Wang or Wang Gui's concubine, but was raised in an outer room. Looking at Wang Linlang's outstanding appearance, and her gentleness everywhere
Petty behavior.
Zhan Feiyu guessed with her toes that her mother was not an ordinary foreigner, but a girl from a brothel. Her mother passed away a few years ago, so Wang Gui took her back to the Wang family, and she became Miss Wang Liu.
.
Not to mention Wang's identity as a merchant, just because Wang Linlang was a daughter of a foreign concubine, Mrs. Lin and the Wang family would not let her marry Lin Xiuyuan, so Zhan Feiyu's worries were unnecessary.
Of course, if Wang Linlang was not twelve years old, but had already reached the age of hair extensions, she would still have to worry about Wang Linlang making a private decision for the rest of her life, or even crawling into bed or something. Now that she is too young, any conspiracy would be useless.
Retracting his thoughts from his memories, Zhan Feiyu ignored Wang Linlang in front of him, but looked past her toward the house. They were talking loudly, and the senior brother did not come out. It seemed that he was really asleep.
"Sister Zhan, since you have Ling Yunzhi, don't have too much contact with Brother Xiuyuan. After all, Sister Zhan, you are talented. I'm worried that Brother Xiuyuan will have other thoughts. In the end, not only Brother Xiuyuan will be injured, but also Sister Zhan, you will not
I can find a way to get along with my uncle." Wang Linlang's voice was soft and concerned, but her words were also reasonable.
"This is my business. Don't worry about it, Miss Wang." Zhan Feiyu glanced at Wang Linlang, who looked tired. After taking care of her senior brother for two days, her eyes were now grayish-grey from lack of sleep.
There was a scalded blister on the back of Wang Linlang's hand that was deliberately exposed. It was probably caused by boiling medicine or pouring water.
There were still a few drops of brown water stains on her white dress, which looked like splashes of concoction. This made people believe in her care for Lin Xiuyuan.
"Sister Zhan doesn't seem to like me?" Wang Linlang bit her red lips, looking like she was about to cry, as if she had been greatly wronged. Her words and deeds were learned from her deceased mother, and she was very effective in fighting for favor.
means.
Zhan Feiyu ignored the pretentious Wang Linlang. After thinking about it for a moment, he realized that she was using a bitter trick to let her master and mistress see her consideration for her senior brother. It was a pity that her identity as a concubine was here. No matter how hard she tried,
It's all in vain.
"Sister Zhan, walk slowly." Seeing Zhan Feiyu turn and leave, Wang Linlang not only did not feel the joy of victory, but felt that something was wrong. Unfortunately, she could not see through Zhan Feiyu, let alone guess her thoughts.