Zhao Xiaozhu's progress was astonishing. Su Xiaoqi was shocked when she first heard from Granny Wen about her performance.
Granny Wen was very satisfied with Zhao Xiaozhu's progress, partly due to Zhao Xiaozhu's talent, diligence, and rapid improvement.
Secondly, she was humble and extremely filial.
As Zhao Xiaozhu had never experienced maternal love from Madam Qian, with Granny Wen's careful care and guidance, although not a mother, she was even better than one.
Slowly, their relationship underwent a qualitative leap.
Several times Su Xiaoqi heard Zhao Xiaozhu tell her that when Aunt Wen grew old, she would care for her until her last breath.
Upon hearing this, Granny Wen's mood became even more joyous, and she smiled so broadly that her eyes crinkled.
However, both of them felt grateful to one person: Su Xiaoqi.
They unanimously believed that without her, their current good life would not exist.
Therefore, when they learned that Su Xiaoqi was going to the ready-made clothing shop to buy clothes, Zhao Xiaozhu took on the task without a second word.
She insisted that Su Xiaoqi not go out to buy them, saying she would make them herself.
Su Xiaoqi thought that the clothes from the ready-made clothing shop were naturally not as good as those made by Zhao Xiaozhu.
She then brought over several bolts of thick silk, cotton cloth, and cotton that Madam Yu had given her, asking her to help make some thick winter jackets.
It took Zhao Xiaozhu almost half a month to finish. She immediately had Xiao Yi deliver a message to Su Xiaoqi.
Today, Su Xiaoqi took the mule cart to pick them up.
Zhao Xiaozhu had made a total of eight sets.
Su Xiaoqi counted on her fingers. There was Zhao Shi, Old Madam Yu, Shen Yun, Xiao Mei, herself, and Zhao Liushun, making a total of six sets.
As Zhao Xiaozhu reminded her that one set was for her grandfather, Su Xiaoqi nodded. This was Zhao Xiaozhu's filial piety, and she had no objections.
But who was the last set of dark blue short jackets for?
Zhao Xiaozhu's face turned red when asked.
Su Xiaoqi blinked her eyes and immediately understood.
She finally remembered that person was Zhao Ye.
After the fish in the pond were poisoned by Zhao Guanggun, Su Xiaoqi settled the accounts for renting the fish pond with Zhao Huizi.
As for the fish pond belonging to Zhao Baoyi's family, although she didn't know why Zhao Guanggun took all the blame, Su Xiaoqi did not believe Zhao Baoyi was entirely innocent.
Therefore, not only did she not give him any fish for renting the pond, but she also accepted ten strings of cash as an apology from him.
However, she did not keep it for herself but gave it to Zhao Huizi instead.
Su Xiaoqi was never a hypocrite.
She did not believe that money should not be handled by people like Zhao Baoyi.
She felt that Zhao Baoyi poisoning her fish and not being sentenced to hard labor due to kinship had already been too lenient for him, and it was natural for him to compensate her.
Losing the fish pond meant that Zhao Ye's livelihood was gone.
This was secondary; primarily, he felt he had lost the opportunity to get close to Su Xiaoqi.
He was therefore quite dejected for a while.
But fortunately, the Shen family also cultivated a few mu of land for Zhao Liushun.
He helped harvest and tidy everything up and delivered it to the manor.
Steward Li led him in to see Su Xiaoqi. It was only then that she remembered Zhao Ye had been idle all along.
And she had previously thought about treating his throat condition.
But due to too many things happening recently, she had forgotten when she got busy. Now that she remembered, she felt very sorry for him.
So she asked him if he wanted to find a job himself or if he was willing to help in her shop.
Zhao Ye naturally chose the shop. He followed Xiao Yi, and his living quarters were moved from the thatched hut by the fish pond to the small courtyard behind the supermarket.
Originally, in the past, whenever Su Xiaoqi made clothes or bought food, she would prepare a share for him.
Now that he was not around, Su Xiaoqi did not think of him when making clothes.
But she didn't expect Zhao Xiaozhu to still be thinking of him.
Su Xiaoqi looked at Zhao Xiaozhu, a thought flashed through her mind. She smiled and didn't take it to heart.
Everyone had their own destiny. Although she was his nominal sister-in-law, she couldn't control his personal life.
However, thinking of Zhao Ye's dark, thin, yet enduringly handsome face, Su Xiaoqi felt relieved.
Being good-looking could indeed put food on the table and make people overlook his inability to speak.
Su Xiaoqi once again took Zhao Ye's muteness to heart.
He was a decent person and willing to work hard. If possible, she hoped she could cure him.
Thus, Su Xiaoqi began to ponder this matter quietly.
As she was thinking, Zhao Ye returned from outside.
Seeing Su Xiaoqi standing in the courtyard, bathed in a rare ray of winter sun, her slender figure appeared even more graceful.
Zhao Ye was stunned.
He held his breath, afraid of disturbing her.
He wondered how long it had been since he had last seen her.
"Hey, Zhao Ye, you've returned at the perfect time. I have a set of clothes for you." Su Xiaoqi took out the dark blue thick jacket that Zhao Xiaozhu had prepared for him and handed it to him.
Zhao Ye was touched and bowed to her in thanks.
Su Xiaoqi saw the thick affection in his gaze as he looked at her. She wanted to introduce Zhao Xiaozhu and tell Zhao Ye that she had made it.
But Zhao Xiaozhu pulled her sleeve and shook her head at her.
Su Xiaoqi suddenly realized.
Oh no, this was the Great Liang Dynasty. If an unmarried woman made clothes for a man, it wouldn't be appropriate.
Su Xiaoqi jumped in surprise and swallowed the words that were about to be spoken.
She turned and saw Xiao Shisan also returning from outside. He paused when he saw her, a flicker of panic crossing his face, then he hurried to bow and ran inside.
Su Xiaoqi frowned. Zhao Ye saw this, and his gaze drifted towards Xiao Shisan's receding figure.
After collecting the clothes from Zhao Xiaozhu, Su Xiaoqi returned to the manor.
At the entrance, she happened to meet Zhao Huizi and Li Shushao, who were driving a mule cart full of buckwheat.
Su Xiaoqi stood in front of the screen wall and called out happily, "Brother Zhao, you're here! Where did you go to collect today?"
Most of the buckwheat in Zhao Family Village and surrounding villages had already been collected.
But there were still a few scattered households that hadn't sold their crops. After finishing his own potatoes and corn, Zhao Huizi would occasionally call Li Shushao to drive the mule cart from Furong Manor for a trip.
"Yujia Village. Here, this cart is from Sister Xiaomei's family. I heard they've also been waiting for you to collect."
Su Xiaoqi nodded. Zhao Xiaomei's family now followed her lead closely. Whatever she told them to plant, they planted, and they also helped her with some work. Now their family's life was much better.
The couple also cherished their relationship with her, so it was normal for them to keep it for her instead of selling it to the He family.
"By the way, Sister Xiaomei asked me to ask you, will you collect potatoes and corn?"
Su Xiaoqi shook her head, "I won't collect potatoes and corn. Are many people wanting to sell?"
Zhao Huizi scratched his head and said, "Yes. I've been to so many villages these days, and many people have stopped me to ask if you were collecting potatoes.
Even many people in the village have gone to the city to inquire about prices." Zhao Huizi remembered that someone in the village had spread the word that they wanted to sell their produce.
Upon hearing this, Su Xiaoqi raised her eyebrows and asked who was spreading it.
Zhao Huizi shook his head and said he didn't know, but his wife had mentioned it.
Su Xiaoqi pondered for a moment and then said seriously, "Potatoes and corn have had a bumper harvest this year. I suggest they shouldn't sell them.
After all, farming relies on heaven's favor. This year the weather has been good, which is a blessing from heaven. But what if next year the weather is not good, and heaven doesn't bestow its bounty, what will they do?"
Su Xiaoqi's words were very direct, almost telling Zhao Huizi that there might be a famine next year.
Zhao Huizi was a farmer who had been rooted in the fields for over twenty years. He deeply agreed with what Su Xiaoqi said.
Initially, seeing the bumper harvest this year, he had also considered selling some of it.
But he thought that potatoes and corn could be stored, and the prices were not high now, so there was no hurry to sell.
After hearing Su Xiaoqi's words, he completely abandoned the idea of selling them.
He decided that not only would he not sell, but he would also go back and persuade the villagers not to sell.