Chapter 774: Rain Trouble

Translator: Henyee Translations | Editor: Henyee Translations

Xu Zeliang candidly admitted, “Yes, I’m happy. Aren’t you?”

Tian Xiaoqiu, much cheerier now, clenched her fists tightly, “Of course, I’m happy. I’ll continue to work hard next time.”

Xu Zeliang nodded in agreement, “Yeah.”

The happiest among them was Chu Laner. For her, who started halfway, scoring so well was beyond her expectations. She thought to herself that her late-night studies were not in vain.

Zeng Yiping and Sun Tianyang were the dark horses. Usually unremarkable, no one expected them to get all the questions right. They were extremely surprised by their performance.

With the midterm exams over, the teaching would become more challenging, incorporating practical lessons like accounting, inventory, and warehousing.

Slowly but surely…

In the vegetable garden.

Li Zhangjie, looking expectant, found Chu Qingzhi feeding the fish, Sister

Qingzhi, I have an idea I want to share with you.”

Chu Qingzhi turned to look at Li Zhangjie, “Tell me.”

Li Zhangjie said, “Sister Qingzhi, I want to bring my parents and siblings here

to live. Can they move here?”

“Of course, they can.” Chu Qingzhi asked, “Are you asking about household registration?”

Li Zhangjie nodded earnestly, “Since this land is under your domain, registering their household requires your consent, so I came to ask you.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “No problem, I agree.”

Li Zhangjie’s face lit up with joy, “Then I’ll write a letter immediately. When

they arrive, it will be just in time for the New Year.”

Chu Qingzhi said, “Go ahead.”

Li Zhangjie returned to his room, quickly wrote the letter, and sent it off at the post station.

After mailing the letter, he walked out of the post station with a smile, thinking that the best decision of his life was to come and serve as Chu Qingzhi’s servant in gratitude. Otherwise, he might never have been able to earn so much money or bring his family to live near the capital.

So far, he had saved two hundred taels of silver, from wages, bonuses, and extra rewards from Chu Qingzhi. He had scrimped and saved every bit of it.

Next, he planned to spend fifty to a hundred taels to build a spacious courtyard

to provide a better living for his hardworking parents.

Then, he would use the remaining money to buy farmland or clear new land, which would exempt him from taxes for three years.

Life was looking up for him.

With a smile, Li Zhangjie returned to the village to start looking for a place to build a house.

At the Li Family Porcelain Workshop.

Li Shaoliang rushed to the kiln, his face beaming with joy, “Qingshuang, I have good news to tell you.”

Chu Qingshuang was making porcelain and looked up at his words, “What s the good news?”

Li Shaoliang pulled out a stack of silver notes from his pocket and flaunted them in front of Chu Qingshuang, “I brought you some silver. Are you happy?”

Chu Qingshuang was thrilled, “All these silver notes are for me?

Li Shaoliang nodded, “Your porcelain sold very well. This is your share of the profits. There’s another batch of goods that hasn’t been paid for yet. Once we collect the money, you’ll get another share.”

Chu Qingshuang quickly washed her hands and took the silver notes, counting them. Two hundred taels of silver, “So much!”

Li Shaoliang, seeing Chu Qingshuang’s happiness, shared her joy, “There will

be more in the future.”

Chu Qingshuang was overjoyed, “I will work even harder in the future.

Li Zhenzong came over, looking at Li Shaoliang with satisfaction, then turned his gaze to Chu Qingshuang and gestured her over, “Qingshuang, come here.”

Chu Qingshuang quickly stored the silver notes and approached Li Zhenzong, “Master, what is it?”

Li Zhenzong led Chu Qingshuang to the reception room, “Young Master Zhang took a liking to the set of porcelain bowls with cat patterns you made. Speak well later and earn more money.”

Chu Qingshuang looked at Li Zhenzong and smiled slightly, “I understand, master.”

Li Zhenzong was hinting that Chu Qingshuang could set a higher price. She thought to herself how kind her master was, always making sure she didn’t lose out and always looking out for her.

Li Shaoliang followed, glaring at Li Zhenzong’s back with resentment. His father was becoming more biased, treating Qingshuang far better than him. To outsiders, it might seem like he was picked up from the streets.

Dark clouds gathered in the sky, signaling an impending heavy rain.

A raindrop landed on Chu Qingzhi’s nose, which she brushed away gently, quickening her pace towards home.

After getting home, she hurriedly went to her room and set up a defense under the eaves where the parrots lived to prevent rain from wetting their nests.

In total, there were thirty-five parrots. Initially, they had flown inside to avoid the rain, but seeing the rain blocked outside, they flew out again, perching on the pole to enjoy the rain.

The rain intensified, hitting the roof, leaves, and creating mist. The distant mountains appeared shrouded in haze.

Shuang’er stood on the windowsill, and Chu Qingzhi gently stroked its head, watching the rain together.

After a while, she raised her arm and spoke to the Golden Phoenix, “Jinghong, it’s raining heavily here.”

Soon, Tang Jinghong’s voice came through, “Put on an extra layer of clothes. Don’t catch a cold. I had someone make you a garment from snow rabbit fur I received half a month ago. It’s on its way.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “I know. The border areas are even colder. Take care of yourself too.”

Tang Jinghong expressed his concern, “I know. Don’t worry about me. Just take care of yourself.”

The two chatted back and forth until Shuang’er, feeling jealous, interrupted,

“No more talking, no more talking…”

Chu Qingzhi chuckled and tapped Shuang’er’s head, “Don’t be naughty…” Shuang’er immediately told Tang Jinghong, “Don’t be naughty, don’t be naughty.”

Tang Jinghong couldn’t help but laugh, “The ‘don’t be naughty’ is meant for you, not me, Shuang’er. Are you trying to take my place?”

Shuang’er tilted its head in thought, “Take your place, take your place…” Tang Jinghong playfully threatened, “If you dare to compete with me for Qingzhi, next time I go to the border, I’ll take you with me and never let you see Qingzhi again.”

Shuang’er was startled, shrinking its neck, then jumping up and down, angrily callingout, “Meanie, meanie…”

Both of them were amused by Shuang’er’s reaction.

In this joyful atmosphere, a series of urgent knocks on the door interrupted them. “Sister, there’s trouble,” said Chu Xuhua’s anxious voice.

Chu Qingzhi immediately went to open the door, slightly frowning, “Brother, what’s wrong?”

Chu Xuhua couldn’t wait to explain, “Sister, the rain is too heavy, and our transport cart is stuck in the mud, unable to move. If we leave it like this, the horses might fall sick, and our goods could get soaked.”

Chu Qingzhi asked, “Where is the cart? I’ll take a look.”

Chu Xujin, wiping rain and sweat from his face, replied, “It’s on the road between Xu Family Village and Xu Family Village. I’ll take you there.”

The two donned raincoats and plunged into the rain, their figures soon swallowed by the curtain of rain.