Yun continued, asking Qi Zhenzhen what had happened. Qi Zhenzhen recounted the events without concealment. Yun clutched her chest, a wave of fear washing over her. If something had happened, Zhenzhen's life would have been ruined. Although they were here now, she didn't truly want Zhenzhen to marry a rustic villager; it felt unfair to her daughter. She knew Zhenzhen could have a better life, a more respectable family.
"From now on, if anything happens, Mother will go out," Yun suddenly said. "You just stay home."
To be raised like a pampered young lady? Qi Zhenzhen almost retorted.
But she knew Yun was worried about her, genuinely cared for her.
"Mother, this is Xinghua Village, not the Marquis of Changping's manor," Qi Zhenzhen said softly.
Yun froze. After a long while, she gave a wry smile. Yes, what was she thinking? Did she still see her daughter as a young lady of status? That engagement arranged years ago, perhaps only she still took it seriously. She had been too naive, foolishly so, that an adult couldn't grasp things as clearly as her daughter, who was not yet eleven.
In that moment, Yun hated herself. If she hadn't been so naive, if she had known how to fight for what was hers, how could her two children have ended up in such a predicament?
They were clearly born to privilege, yet destined to be buried in the countryside.
"From now on, if anything happens and we need to go out, Mother will go with you," Yun said again.
"Mother, please don't worry too much. I'm not the timid and weak Qi Zhenzhen I used to be. I know how to protect myself," Qi Zhenzhen said. "Don't worry, I won't let myself suffer any losses. If Mother has time, please teach Yi'er more. There's still so much I don't know."
Hearing Qi Zhenzhen's words, the guilt that had just begun to subside in Yun's heart resurfaced. Yi'er was already seven years old and should have started his education. For the past two years, she had been wallowing in self-pity, neglecting these matters. Even though they were no longer in the Marquis of Changping's manor, she shouldn't have overlooked Yi'er's education. Studying cultivates understanding and reason; no matter what one did in the future, it would only bring benefits.
"Mother understands. I'll teach you both later."
Yun included Qi Zhenzhen in her thoughts. Young ladies from good families were learned and cultured. Although they didn't need to study as rigorously as men, they should still be well-read. Even though they were in hardship now, learning something would be an advantage when it came to future marriage prospects, Yun mused.
Qi Zhenzhen remained composed, not showing any excitement about this matter. Qi Yi, however, was beaming with excitement, wishing Yun would start teaching him immediately.
Qi Yi ran out to fetch a slate and neatly wrote down the characters Qi Zhenzhen had taught him. "Mother, look, Big Sister taught me this."
The characters were somewhat childish, but their structure was well-arranged, neat and proper.
Yun stroked Qi Yi's head and praised him.
Qi Zhenzhen mentioned her desire to go to town. Yun was a little worried, but Qi Zhenzhen assured her she would travel with the village ox cart. Everything had to start somewhere; one couldn't stay indoors forever out of fear of accidents.
After much persuasion, Yun finally agreed. Her daughter was right. They had to settle down in Xinghua Village, and life couldn't continue as it had before. They had to try their best to integrate into this place.
"Miss Qi." Zhang Erniu's gruff voice sounded from outside.
Qi Zhenzhen hurried out.
This time, it wasn't just Zhang Erniu who had arrived, but also a dark-faced stranger. He was thin and dark, standing beside Zhang Erniu like a child beside an adult.
"This is Changshan. We used to work together. He's very skilled, and the people who work with him are also quite capable," Zhang Erniu said. "I brought him here today to take a look and figure out how much material we'll need so we can purchase it as soon as possible."
Changshan nodded at Qi Zhenzhen and greeted her as Miss Qi.
Qi Zhenzhen produced a silver ingot and handed it to Zhang Erniu. "Brother Zhang Er, I'm entrusting all matters to you. My mother is still ill. For the craftsmen's meals, Brother Zhang Er, please find two capable aunties from the village to help with the cooking. As for the wages, Brother Zhang Er can figure that out."
In her previous life, this would be considered subcontracting; the employer wouldn't worry about anything, leaving it all to the foreman.
"Alright, leave this to me. This afternoon, Changshan and I will go to purchase materials. San Niu and Xiao Niu will come to set up a shed," Zhang Erniu informed her in advance. "Tomorrow, Xiao Niu and I will stay here."
Qi Zhenzhen then stated her specific requirements: when building the courtyard wall, a trench was to be dug within the wall and filled with sharpened bamboo pieces.
Changshan's face twitched upon hearing this. He had never encountered a request to build a courtyard wall with such an addition.
Zhang Erniu was not surprised. Qi Zhenzhen was building this wall for security in the first place. But no matter how high the wall was, it wouldn't be difficult for someone determined to climb over it. Climbing required landing, and the trench would act as a deterrent. If an intruder were injured, they would cry out, alerting the people inside. Considering Qi Zhenzhen's agile movements, Zhang Erniu wasn't surprised she would come up with such a tactic, commonly used in warfare.
"Shanzi, do everything exactly as Miss Qi says," Zhang Erniu said, patting Changshan's shoulder.
Changshan nodded. He knew that when working, one had to follow the employer's instructions. He had only been surprised for a moment.
With everything arranged, Zhang Erniu and Changshan left without delay, after bidding farewell to Qi Zhenzhen.
Qi Zhenzhen returned to the house. Yun was already guiding Qi Yi in reciting, the most basic text for beginners, the "Three Character Classic." Qi Yi's eyes sparkled; it was evident he was delighted with the prospect of studying. Yun, on the other hand, explained things meticulously, appearing extremely familiar with the task, as if she had done it many times before. Perhaps she had taught the original owner? Although she possessed the original owner's memories, they were too distant and vague. The original owner likely couldn't remember all the events from her childhood.
Since she was going to town tomorrow, she couldn't just buy seeds. Qi Zhenzhen took out all the family's chests. The weather was gradually getting cooler, and they needed to check their cotton-padded clothes and quilts, preparing them in advance.
The three of them had cotton-padded clothes, but hers and Qi Yi's were clearly too small.
After some consideration, Qi Zhenzhen added cotton cloth and cotton to tomorrow's shopping list. The old padded clothes felt quite thick; they could be taken apart and replenished with new cotton. The old cotton cloth could also be pieced together for use. This expense shouldn't be too significant. Besides that, they also needed to stock up on grains, both refined items like rice and flour, and coarse grains. Qi Zhenzhen was meticulously planning when she heard a commotion outside.
She calmed Yun and slowly went out. Such a disturbance, Qi Zhenzhen didn't believe it was someone visiting casually. The loud shouting and vicious curses could only mean Er Hei had brought reinforcements.
There were quite a few of them, more than ten by a rough count.
Leading them was a short, stout, dark-skinned woman, standing with Er Hei. It was obvious to anyone that they were mother and son.
The woman was the most vociferous and abusive.
From a distance, one could see her spitting as she yelled, one hand on her hip, the other clenched with only her index finger extended. She would hop and point her finger into the air, muttering curses.
Qi Zhenzhen felt an inexplicable urge to laugh. This was what was called a shrew scolding on the street, wasn't it? Paired with Er Hei's mother's dark and plump appearance, it was quite comical.
"Slippery slut," "seductive vixen," "bitch," the insults poured endlessly from Er Hei's mother's mouth.
Er Hei stood beside her, his dark, swollen face looking even more like a pig's head. His small eyes gleamed, fixed on Qi Zhenzhen. In his eyes was resentment, and… possession.
"What stray dog is barking so loudly?" Qi Zhenzhen asked lightly, standing within the fence.
Er Hei's mother's voice stopped abruptly, as if her throat had been suddenly choked. Since only she was yelling, the "stray dog barking" naturally didn't apply to anyone else.
"You slut, what are you saying? Who are you calling a stray dog?" Er Hei's mother paused for only a moment before roaring furiously, "You outsiders, coming to our Xinghua Village and not knowing your place, why are you so arrogant? I am your elder, how can you speak to me like this?"
Qi Zhenzhen calmly replied, "Oh? An elder? What kind of elder? I don't recall having an elder like you. Truly, all sorts of strange things happen. People who are completely unrelated come to our door and impersonate elders. Could it be that all the younger generations in your family—"
Qi Zhenzhen paused for a moment before continuing, "—are dead?"