The Lucky Farm Girl-Chapter 25 - Late Return Arrangements_1

Chapter 25: Chapter 25 Late Return Arrangements_1

Chapter 25 -25 Late Return Arrangements_1

“Jiujiu, can you read?” Seeing Yang Mengchen bringing them to the bookstore and carefully browsing through some books, Yang Chunling and the other three all widened their eyes in surprise.

“I know some.” Yang Mengchen nodded. “From now on, every evening after dinner, your entire family will come to my house, and I’ll teach you to read.”

The moment they heard this, their faces flushed with excitement and enthusiasm. Not only did Jiujiu know about herbal medicine, but she could also read, which was truly remarkable.

After looking through all the books in the bookstore without finding anything on military strategy, Yang Mengchen eventually bought some brushes, ink, and paper before leaving with the group.

“Brother Huzi, do you know where we can buy cows in town?” Yang Mengchen asked Zhou Pinghu. They needed to start cultivating five hundred acres of wasteland tomorrow, and the few cows owned by several households in the village would not suffice, let alone relying solely on human labor.

Zhou Pinghu shook his head. “Cows are very valuable, and all cattle must be registered at the Government Office. I heard from my father there are none in town—you’ll probably find some in the county city.”

Hearing this, Yang Mengchen felt somewhat disappointed. It looked like she would have to visit the county city when she had time. She would also ask Uncle Luo tomorrow if he could help buy a few cows.

After Yang Chengrong and his two brothers finished delivering the goods, the sun was already slanting to the west. The group rented an ox cart and hurried home.

As they approached from afar, they saw their mother waiting eagerly at the doorway, and Aunty Zhuzi along with Madam Zhou Li were also there. Yang Mengchen felt a bit guilty.

They were supposed to return after noon, but she had been held up talking with Uncle Luo and then delayed in treating that man. It was the first time the Zhou’s family siblings and Yang Chunling had gone to town with her, yet she hadn’t managed their time well, causing the elders to worry and become anxious.

“Mother, we’re back,” said Yang Chunling and Zhou Hui as they also saw their own mothers standing at the doorway of the Yang family home.

The safe return of their children relieved all three mothers.

A flash of white light streaked towards Yang Mengchen like lightning, and on realizing it was a small white tiger, the uncle driving the ox cart turned pale with fear.

Yang Mengchen stroked Xiao Guai’s head. “Don’t be afraid, Uncle. Xiao Guai won’t bite people indiscriminately.”

The uncle, seeing the small white tiger not getting angry but instead happily rubbing against the young girl’s palm, was secretly amazed. He took the fare and left, marveling at the girl’s remarkable nature.

“I’m sorry, Aunty Zhuzi, Aunt Zhou, I lost track of time. I made my brothers and sisters come back late too, and even caused you to worry. I’ll make sure to be more mindful next time,” Yang Mengchen apologized to the two elders.

Madam Zhou Li waved her hands with a smile, “As long as you’re back, that’s all that matters.”

“It must have been Tie Zhu’s mischief that led to your late return,” scolded Aunty Zhuzi, giving her youngest son a stern look.

Yang Tiezhu immediately put on a wronged expression. “I wasn’t playing around; please don’t wrongly accuse me, Mother,” he said, making everyone laugh heartily.

Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.

Seeing several pieces of pork in the children’s carrying baskets, along with rice, flour, and fabric, Madam Zhou Li couldn’t help feeling distressed. “Why did you buy so many things?”

“Mother, Jiujiu bought a lot of pork, rice, flour, fabric, and snacks for each of our maternal families. Big brother and I wanted to show our filial piety to our grandparents as well, so we bought some too,” Zhou Hui coaxed her mother, linking arms with her.

Madam Zhou Li tapped her daughter’s forehead. “It’s rare for my Huihui to become so filial and sensible. This is all thanks to Jiujiu.”

“Qiu Lan is truly blessed to have such a smart, capable, and filial daughter. We are so envious,” Aunty Zhuzi agreed wholeheartedly.

“Mom, am I and my younger brother not also filial and sensible?” Yang Chunling said on the side, feigning anger, “My younger brother and I also bought pork, rice, flour, and fabric to honor our maternal grandparents. Why haven’t you praised my younger brother and me?”

“Yes, yes, you are all good children,” Aunty Zhuzi said with a smile that she couldn’t hide.

Shen Qiulan felt sweetness in her heart upon hearing the compliments for her daughter. “Let’s not stand here any longer; let’s go inside and talk,” she said.

“No need to fuss, Auntie, we have to hurry back for dinner and then come to learn reading with Jiujiu,” Zhou Hui said cheerfully.

Aunty Zhuzi and Madam Zhou looked at Yang Mengchen in surprise and joy. “Jiujiu, is what Huihui said true?”

Yang Mengchen nodded with a smile.

“Thank you, thank you so much, Jiujiu!” Both Aunty Zhuzi and Madam Zhou had tears in their eyes. Neither of their families had done much for Jiujiu and the Yang family, but Jiujiu always thought of them when it came to good fortunes, and now she was even teaching their families how to read. How could they not be moved to tears of gratitude?

After the two families left, Yang Mengchen walked into the courtyard to see her waiting family members. She greeted each one of them with a cheerful smile.

Everyone had learned from Yang Chengrong that Jiujiu had not only bought many things for the three maternal grandparent families but had given each of them twenty taels of silver. Everyone was moved and comforted, especially Wu Xuehua, Liu Xiuyun, and Shen Qiulan, who were on the verge of tears.

Over the years, they hadn’t taken so much as a needle back to their parental homes. Far from being looked down upon, their families often helped them, filling them with guilt.

Now that Jiujiu had made some money, she thought of repaying their parental homes and fulfilling their filial duties on their behalf. How could they not feel joyful and touched?

“I have something to tell you all,” Jiujiu said.

Yang Mengchen, with one arm linked to her grandparents, led the way into the main house. When everyone else was seated, she began solemnly, “Tomorrow, Grandpa and Dad should go find the village head and the Lizheng, and tell them that Uncle Luo is funding the villagers to cultivate those five hundred mu of wasteland. Remember to find those diligent and hardworking families, and for the wages, pay ten wen more than what they get in town.”

Old Master Yang and Yang Chaoyi nodded in agreement, “Don’t worry, Jiujiu; we are familiar with the character of the villagers.”

“We should also cultivate the remaining one or two hundred mu of wasteland. It’ll be convenient for the villagers to plant medicinal herbs later. Also, ask the village head, the Lizheng, Uncle Daming, and Uncle Changsheng to supervise the work. They must cultivate the land according to the drawings I made, and I will pay them sixty wen a day for their labor.”

“Alright.”

“Keep this one thousand taels safe, Big Uncle; when Grandpa and the others need money, they will take it from you,” said Yang Mengchen, handing ten silver notes of one hundred taels each to Yang Chaowen. Then she took out five more and gave them to Madam Yang Zhou, “The family’s living expenses will be managed by Grandma. Don’t be hesitant to spend; if it is not enough, I will give you more.”

Everyone knew that the ginseng had sold for ten thousand taels of silver and that Yang Mengchen had cured a patient, for which the Drunken Immortal Tavern had paid three thousand taels in remuneration. Naturally, they followed her arrangements.

Meanwhile, in a private room of the Drunken Immortal Tavern, Nangong Lingfei listened to his subordinates’ reports, his peach blossom eyes gleaming with a fox-like cunning light. A peasant girl, not only skilled in medicine but also literate and trained in martial arts, handling affairs comprehensively and with both kindness and authority, interesting, truly interesting.

On the following day at the appointed time, Yang Mengchen and her three siblings arrived at Apricot Forest Hall.

“You’ve come,” Doctor Luo said as he led the four upstairs, whispering a caution to Yang Mengchen, “Little girl, be extremely vigilant later.”

Yang Mengchen nodded slightly to show she understood.

Upon entering the room, they saw a young man seated at the table, his appearance pristine and beautiful like an exiled immortal. Gentle radiance gleamed from his handsome brows, his lips the color of a baby’s, skin as white as snow, every gesture exuding elegance and refinement. Yet his slender eyes were as deep and unfathomable as the ocean.