Chapter 18 Helping

There was a strong wind last night, blowing the fallen leaves everywhere. The maids were cleaning the inner courtyard early in the morning. Shen Yu opened the window and suddenly felt cold air on her face. She couldn't help but wrap her clothes tighter. Ruo Wei saw her standing in the wind, so she took out a jacket from the closet and put it on her. Shen Yu turned around and held her hand, feeling it cold, and frowned slightly: "Your hands are so cold, how come you are so cold? Don't you know how to put on more clothes?"

Her eyes were full of concern. Ruo Wei smiled and said, "I have never been afraid of the cold. On the contrary, you can't stand the wind. It would be bad if you catch a cold."

"You I worry too much." Shen Yu looked up at the sky, her eyes fell on the maid cleaning the yard, and said, "Today is the beginning of winter, it's time to buy winter clothes for the maids and servants in the mansion." Since she returned to the mansion, Shen Yuandao gave her the power of housekeeper in the inner house, and now she has to decide all the affairs of the mansion, big or small.

Ruo Wei nodded and asked her, "Is it the same as before?"

Shen Yu lowered her eyes and fell silent for a moment, then said, "Also give the steward 20 taels to buy some mutton and make broth for everyone, which can warm them up."

In the afternoon, Shen Yuandao returned home after finishing his official duties. Shen Yu went to pay his respects with washed fruits and vegetables, and saw that he's frowning and looked worried.

"What is father worried about?" Shen Yu poured tea for him.

Shen Yuandao raised his eyes and sighed, "I have been an official for ten years. My former colleagues all have smooth careers, but I don't know how many more years I will have to stay in Pingyang County. If this is the case, Shu'er, Jin'er and your studies will probably be delay because of me."

"Father, please do not underestimate yourself. Although you are a seventh-rank county magistrate, The prefect praised you highly in this year's official assessment. I think you will have hope for promotion."

"Yu'er doesn't know the ways of the officialdom. If you only rely on my prefecture County magistrate assessment order, as a father, I have done my duty to the people of the county and have a clear conscience, but the promotion of officials in the court is inextricably linked."

Shen Yu immediately understood what he meant, "This daughter knows why father is worried. Tomorrow I will go to the warehouse to find some treasures as gifts for the visit."

Shen Yuandao raised his hand, "Absolutely not, it might cause gossip. Asking for recommendations is important, but we can't lose our integrity."

"This daughter is dull and can't help her father solve his problems. "Shen Yu handed the fruits on the table to him, "You must be thirsty from handling official business, why not eat some fruits to moisten your throat."

"This is from Madam Qi's hand?"

"Yes, father can try it."

Shen Yuandao picked up a small orange-yellow fruit and asked, "What is this..."

"Madam Qi said it is loquat." Shen Yu took it, peeled it carefully, and said patiently, "It moisturizes the lungs, It has cough-relieving effects and can be made into loquat and tremella soup."

Shen Yuandao tasted it and nodded in praise, "It's really good, Madam Qi is really amazing."

Shen Yu smiled and said, "If father likes it, I will send someone to the orchard to pick some more tomorrow."

Shen Yuandao's eyes darkened slightly, as if he was thinking about something. After a long silence, he said, "I remember that Zhuangzi was in Yunyan Village, and every year, the taxes collected from Yunyan Village were the least. I have encouraged people to learn agriculture and sericulture, as well as build water conservancy projects but they still can't do it."

"It's not difficult. Madam Qi can do it."

"Don't exaggerate, Yu'er."

Shen Yu told him about Qi Sui's land reclamation and autumn harvest, and said seriously, "This daughter has witnessed it with her own eyes, so she dares to tell you. Father I recommended that this matter be handed over to her."

Seeing her determined eyes, Shen Yuandao couldn't help but believe it a little, but he still had doubts: "If it is really like what Yu'er said, this is indeed a good thing that benefits the people's livelihood. But will she be willing to give away such a good thing?"

"This daughter once asked her the same question." Shen Yu began to recall Qi Sui at that time, and said, "She said that it was God who pitied the hard work of the farmers and asked her to bring it to everyone."

Qi Sui at home sneezed several times, rubbed her nose, and said in a muffled voice: "Who is talking about me behind my back?"

System: "Host, take care of yourself and don't catch a cold."

"It must be Madam Shen who is thinking about me."

System {Shocked}, this guy is hopeless!

Qi Sui had just harvested the newly grown cantaloupe. This time, she learned from her last lesson and just let these melons grow naturally. She slowly split the cantaloupe, and a sweet fruity aroma wafted towards her, and her heart finally settled down.

She picked up a scoop and after eating it, the taste was exactly the same as she remembered. Qi Sui smiled and said, "It will definitely work this time."

She left a piece for Shen Yu, and then gave a few to Aunt Zhang. Seeing that it had been a long time since she came, Aunt Zhang insisted that Qi Sui stay for dinner. Qi Sui had no choice but to agree. "I've only prepared some simple meals, please don't despise it, Sister Sui."

Aunt Zhang warmly handed her the bowl and chopsticks.

Qi Sui quickly said, "How could it be! I'm so happy."

Zhang Yuero sat aside, picked up some dishes for her attentively and whisper, "Sister Sui, try it. I made it myself."

Qi Sui ate heartily and praised, "Delicious! Delicious! Sanniang's cooking skills are really good."

Zhang Yuerou felt happy, "As long as Sister Sui likes it."

So she kept picking food for her. Aunt Zhang smiled and said, "Sanniang is much more sensible now. She asks me how to cook every day."

Zhang Yuerou lowered her eyes and glanced at Qi Sui, blushing quietly, "In two years, we will discuss marriage. I... I want to learn more so that I can cook for my family in the future."

Qi Sui paused after hearing this, raised her head from the bowl, and said seriously: "Sanniang is a good child. It's my fortune to have a sister like you."

Aunt Zhang said, "Silly child, Sanniang also wants a sister."

Zhang Yuerou felt startled and looked at her in confusion, because that was obviously not what she meant.

Qi Sui took the opportunity to say, "In this case, from now on Aunt Zhang is my godmother, and Sanniang is my sister."

Zhang Yuerou hesitated to speak, but she understood what she meant. Her voice trembled slightly, "Who wants to be your sister? ? I don't want it."

Qi Sui felt stunned and said, "I'm sorry, Sanniang."

The meal was not pleasant, Qi Sui apologized to Aunt Zhang again and again before leaving. Aunt Zhang comforted her, "Don't mind what Sanniang said, it will be fine in a few days."

At dawn the next day, Qi Sui took Changsheng to the town, and after selling the vegetables, they rushed to Yanchunlou. "What is this?" Yun Chan watched her cut it open with a knife.

Qi Sui said, "Cantaloupe, it's so sweet." Then she handed it to her, Yunchan raised a hand to pick it up, and then ate slowly, "Did you really grow this yourself?"

Qi Sui readily agreed, "Of course!" Then she asked, "Does it suit your taste?"

Yunchan ate half a piece and said reluctantly, "It's okay."

"If you don't like it, forget it. I'll give it to Miss Ying'er."

Qi Sui pretended to get up and leave, but Yunchan stopped her and said, "Why do you take it so seriously, young lady??"

"The cantaloupe you grow haven't even been sold by the Zhang family. If I help you attract business, it will be a big deal."

Qi Sui sat down and said, "It's enough to win Miss Yun's favor. As for the future, we can discuss it later."

Yun Chan stared at her: "I don't believe you don't want to make money."

"Of course I do, but I want Miss Yun to do me a favor."