Chapter 322

Chapter 322 “Anthony, the herb seeds and seedlings we ordered have all arrived. We’ve also got the workers and fields ready. So what are we still waiting for? Why don’t we start planting now?” Sophie stood in Anthony’s courtyard, flipping through the account book with increasing impatience before she finally snapped and asked him outright.

“Eliza already started nearly a month ago, and she’s way ahead of us! If we keep stalling like this, we won’t be able to catch up.”

Sophie added “Calm down, Sophie,” Anthony replied.

He, too, was reading something, but it wasn’t the account book. Upon closer look, it turned out to be a handwritten manual on medicinal herb cultivation.

Had Eliza been there, she would’ve immediately recognized the handwriting. It was distinct and familiar.

“This planting manual from Father is incredibly detailed. As long as we follow the instructions carefully, we’ll definitely be able to catch up.” Anthony explained.

Hearing this, Sophie leaned over to peek at the book in his hands and asked, “Seriously? That amazing? Who wrote it? Why don’t we just have Father track this person down and pay them to plant the herbs for us? Wouldn’t that save us all the trouble?”

Anthony shook his head and replied. Tm afraid that won’t work. This manual looks pretty old. Whoever wrote it is likely no longer alive:

Sophie’s mood instantly deflated, and she thought bitterly. ‘Seriously!

Why did they have to die so early? How useless.

‘Ever since I returned to the Duke’s estate, I’ve been living the life of a proper noble lady. Using silk sheets and silver spoons. But after that damn little tramp, Eliza, escaped from me and ran away from the Duke’s estate, my days have been filled with scoldings and beatings.

‘But after that damn little tramp, Eliza, escaped from me and ran away from the Duke’s estate, my days have been filled with scoldings and beatings. And now they want me, a noble daughter of the Duke’s household, to go down into the dirt and plant herbs?

“Even if I don’t have to do it with my own hands, it’s still humiliating. What kind of noble lady does manual labor like this?‘

Sophie hadn’t felt this strongly at first, but in the past few days, whenever she went out and ran into daughters from official families, some of them had already started mocking her behind her back.

They hadn’t said it to her face, but just one look at their eyes told her exactly what they were thinking.

Anthony, why don’t we let you take care of this instead? I’m too clumsy, I’ll probably mess up Father’s orders. But, you’re so smart, you’ll definitely do a better job than 1, Sophie said sweetly.

Let Anthony handle all the grunt work of fetching, planting, and organizing.

Then, when it’s time to reap the credit, I’ll show up and take the glory. What’s the point of me doing the dirty work myself? she thought smugly.

Anthony couldn’t help but smile when he heard her compliments and roused to himself, I really am just a useless cripple, but in Sophie’s eyes, I’m still someone reliable.

He reached out and gently patted Sophie on the head, replying. Td love to help you, but unfortunately, this is something Father insists on. So I’m afraid it’s up to you, Sophie. But don’t worry–I’ll give you my full support.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw a flicker of disappoitment cross Sophie’s face. Hut she quickly put on a brave expression and nodded, “Alright. With you helping me. Anthony, I know I can do it!”

Useless cripple, Sophie cursed silently the next moment.

She thought. It’s probably because your body is such a wreck that Father wants me to handle it instead.

Feeling bitter, Sophie mentally pinned all the blame on Anthony Unaware of Sophie’s inner complaints. Anthony offered her a few more words of comfort.

Just then, a servant’s voice came from outside, “Lord Anthony, Lady Sophie. Lord Caleb has arrived.”