Qian Dong was somewhat puzzled. Regarding the matter of identity, young master Yuan Bao had not said anything, nor had the Heir apparent given any instructions. Before coming, he had speculated about Miss Qi, but he hadn't expected her to be this kind of person. She wasn't a delicate young lady; her words and actions were very straightforward and seasoned.
Without overthinking it, Qian Dong cupped his hands, "I'll listen to you, Miss."
"Then I'll be relying on you, Elder. I wonder about the grafted sweet apricot branches..."
"It's still a bit cold these few days, not quite suitable. Once it warms up, the manor will send them over. Don't worry, Miss, it won't be delayed. This first year after grafting, they won't bear fruit. If tended to properly, next summer will bring a bountiful harvest. Generally, grafting takes at least three years to bear fruit." Qian Dong's expression was animated, full of pride. When it came to tending fruit trees, he always had endless things to say.
Qi Zhenzhen listened attentively. Remarkable, he was truly a capable person.
Qian Dong felt he hadn't spoken so freely in a long time, talking for a good fifteen minutes.
Looking at Qi Zhenzhen's earnest expression, completely devoid of impatience, Qian Dong thought this young lady was truly good.
"I've found a place for you in your village, and it's been tidied up. Will you be going over with me today, or...?"
"It's fine to go today. I don't have many things, and I can pack them up shortly." After speaking, Qian Dong hurried back to the east wing.
Qi Zhenzhen sat drinking tea, with Manager Lin accompanying her. "Miss Qi, our stored kimchi will only last until the end of the month."
"Mm, after a busy winter, it's time to rest." Qi Zhenzhen smiled.
"Such a profitable business, and you, Miss Qi, are just letting go?"
"Money can't be earned endlessly. Besides, is it really letting go? When winter comes, won't it start again?" Qi Zhenzhen smiled.
Manager Lin chuckled, "Miss Qi is truly admirable."
Qian Dong soon finished packing. Manager Lin arranged for people to escort them back to Xinghua Village.
The place provided for Qian Dong was the old Song family residence, where they had temporarily stayed when the house was being built. It had now been simply repaired and was temporarily for Qian Dong to live in. After the thaw in spring, a manor would be built next to the apricot grove, and once it was completed, he would move into the manor.
"The place is a bit humble. Uncle Qian, please make do. You can eat at my house." Qi Zhenzhen led Qian Dong around, familiarizing him with the layout.
"Where is it humble? The bedding is all new, and the heated floor is installed. It's a good place." Qian Dong was very satisfied. Although the house was a bit old, it was tidied up cleanly and efficiently, showing that thought had been put into it.
"Alright, then Uncle Qian, you rest first. If you have nothing to do, you can wander around the village." Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile, "When the snow in the mountains melts, I'll take you for a walk in the mountains."
As she came out of the old Song family residence, Qi Zhenzhen bumped into Bai Xuelian.
"Oh, isn't this Miss Qi?" Bai Xuelian spoke softly, "What wind has blown you over here? Come home for a sit?"
Qi Zhenzhen keenly noticed Bai Xuelian's hand on her waist, her flat abdomen deliberately pushed forward.
Is she pregnant?
Before the New Year, Lin Ruixue had broken up with Li Shan. Today was the fifteenth of the second lunar month. At most, a month and a half had passed, and she was already pregnant?
Qi Zhenzhen subtly took two steps back. It was better to keep a distance from such a person. Who knew what wicked ideas she was harboring in her belly?
"Oh, Miss Qi, why aren't you responding? Regardless, we are now villagers. We see each other every day." Seeing Qi Zhenzhen remain silent, Bai Xuelian spoke again in a delicate tone, "I know you resent me and Brother Shan because of Ruixue's matter, but you can't blame Brother Shan and me entirely. Since ancient times, there have been many instances of two women serving one husband. Why is it not acceptable for you, and you have to be so dramatic."
Qi Zhenzhen was amused. They were both women, how could Bai Xuelian have such an idea? What's more, she said it so righteously!
The world is vast and full of wonders.
Qi Zhenzhen disdained talking to Bai Xuelian. After greeting Uncle Qian in the courtyard, she left.
Bai Xuelian removed her hand from her waist, stomped her foot, her eyes darting around, and entered the old Song family residence's courtyard.
"Sir, what is your relationship with the Qi family? Will you be living here from now on? I live next door to you. As the saying goes, a distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor. If anything happens in the future, just call out." Bai Xuelian chattered on, while inwardly guessing what kind of relationship this old man had with the Qi family. Qi Zhenzhen personally escorted him to settle down; was he a relative or...?
Qian Dong had overheard this young woman's words earlier. The Qi family's young lady had not responded at all, leading him to infer that their relationship was not good. This young woman had also mentioned serving one husband with two women just now. Tsk, to be able to say such things so casually, it showed she was not a settled person.
Qian Dong remained silent. Seeing a broom in the courtyard, he picked it up and started sweeping. Bai Xuelian stood wherever he swept, until he had forced her out of the courtyard. Only then did he drop the broom and slam the door shut. Throughout the entire interaction, he hadn't even acknowledged Bai Xuelian.
Bai Xuelian stomped her foot in anger, her face darkening. This damned old man.
"Lian'er, Lian'er!" Li Shan's loud voice called out.
Bai Xuelian smoothed her expression and, twisting her waist, entered the house.
"Brother Shan, someone has moved into the old Song family residence next door. It's an old man. That girl from the Qi family was also here just now. It looks like that old man has a connection with the Qi family," Bai Xuelian said in a sweet voice.
The Qi family, Qi Zhenzhen.
Li Shan's brow furrowed. His originally carefree and pleasant life had been ruined by Qi Zhenzhen.
If it weren't for Qi Zhenzhen, how could Madam Lin have been so resolute? If he had coaxed her a bit, this matter would have passed. He could have had the best of both worlds, with a son and money. What man in this village could have been happier than him? Now, he only had Lian'er by his side. It was good, but this delicate young girl couldn't do this or that. Apart from being comfortable when sleeping at night, she couldn't manage any household chores.
"I'll inquire about who that old man is in the village later..." Li Shan muttered in a low voice. "Qi Zhenzhen cut off my source of wealth. I can't just let it go without a word."
Bai Xuelian nodded. When she had taken a liking to Li Shan, wasn't it precisely because of the kimchi business? Now, that business had been directly taken away by Qi Zhenzhen. Although they had nearly two hundred taels of silver at home, the money was all held by Li Shan. She wanted to live the life of a wealthy family, not be cooped up in the village living the life of a country wife.
"Where did Madam Lin go? Do you know?" Li Shan asked.
"I found out. She went to the county town to open a noodle restaurant. That girl from the Qi family hasn't been home these past few days either; she's been busy with this matter in the county town," Bai Xuelian said.
Li Shan clenched his fist. The matter of the noodle restaurant was something they had agreed upon earlier, and he was supposed to be the one to do it, but instead...
Madam Lin was in the county town by herself. Li Shan's eyes darted around. Husband and wife for a day, affection for a hundred days. They had been affectionate for several years, and he knew her very well. If he went to coax her, would Madam Lin change her mind? Then the noodle restaurant in the county town would become his, Li Shan's!