"Alas, you silly girl," said Song Lizheng, accepting the silver.
"Grandpa Lizheng, this apricot grove is a treasure, it will make money in the future," Qi Zhenzhen said playfully, "Do you want to invest some shares and wait for the money?"
Treasure? What treasure? Their Xinghua Village had guarded this apricot grove for generations. If it were truly a treasure and could bring in money, would it be so easily given to this girl? Song Lizheng dismissed Qi Zhenzhen's words as a joke and ignored her. Song Mingyue, who had been eavesdropping at the door, couldn't help herself, "Zhenzhen, don't be sad. If Grandpa doesn't invest, I will. I've saved two taels of silver, and I'll invest it all."
Song Lizheng wanted to scold Song Mingyue, but he felt it wasn't right. The money was saved by his granddaughter herself, little by little. He was an elder and couldn't interfere.
"Then don't cry later," Song Lizheng said unhurriedly, "Grandpa won't take care of you then."
"Hmph, when Zhenzhen and I make a lot of money, you'll be envious," Song Mingyue said indignantly, then stuffed the purse of silver coins into Qi Zhenzhen's hand.
Qi Zhenzhen was touched by Song Mingyue's thoughts. This girl surely didn't think about making money. She had just heard her grandfather's words and thought the apricot grove would be a failure. To help her lose less, she offered her private savings. This friendship truly moved her.
"Mingyue, don't worry, we will definitely make money," Qi Zhenzhen said, holding Song Mingyue's hand with a determined expression.
Song Mingyue was indeed as Qi Zhenzhen thought. Whether it made money or not was secondary. She just wanted to help her good sister share the burden. She knew that Qi Zhenzhen's money was earned by hunting in the mountains. It looked simple, but her mother said that hunting in the mountains was risking one's life. If not careful, one could lose their life. With such hard-earned money, she wanted to help share some of it.
"Zhenzhen, the kimchi you sent is so delicious. I ate three bowls of rice with it and my stomach is bloated. My mother kept massaging my stomach all night before I felt a bit better," Song Mingyue whispered, as the matter was not something to be proud of.
Qi Zhenzhen was amused, "If it's delicious, you can't eat so much. Be careful you don't get tired of it."
"How could I get tired of it? It's almost gone..." Song Mingyue said with a crestfallen face.
Qi Zhenzhen was surprised, "Two jars, and it's only been two meals. Did you, did you eat it all?"
Song Mingyue gave her a reproachful look, "How could it be so exaggerated? We ate more than half a jar. My eldest sister is pregnant, and she can't eat anything lately. My grandmother and my eldest aunt thought the kimchi had a unique flavor and might be something my eldest sister would like, so they sent my eldest uncle to deliver a jar before dawn."
So that's how it was. Qi Zhenzhen smiled. Pregnant women had unique tastes, and perhaps she would really like it.
"I still have a lot at home. If you like it, I'll bring you another jar," Qi Zhenzhen smiled, "As long as there are cabbages, I can make as much as you want."
"Zhenzhen, you're the best."
After their sisterly affection, Qi Zhenzhen left the Song family with the land deed. Now, everyone disliked this apricot grove, but in the future, it would surely be a golden goose. At that time, many people would regret it.
After the spring arrived, the apricot trees would need to be pruned, and some would need to be removed. The apricot trees in the grove were too dense, which was not conducive to fruiting. Right, she needed to find someone who knew how to manage fruit trees, and also find branches from the large sweet apricot trees for grafting. There were many things to do.
What if she couldn't find any fruit farmers...
Qi Zhenzhen shook her head vigorously. How could she not find any? She had already made plans and absolutely would not allow this situation to occur.
All of this was recorded and sent to Gu Sinian.
As winter approached, the Duke of Huguo had more smiles on his face than usual. Not for any other reason than his "孽子" (unfilial son) had been staying honestly in the mansion lately. Although the rumors in the market about him and Qian Yuanbao had not subsided, because the two of them were not always together, those colleagues who were watching his mansion could not use this matter to criticize him.
"Where is the Heir?" Duke of Huguo Gu Changwei asked the attendant beside him.
"After paying his respects to the Madam, he returned to his courtyard," the attendant replied respectfully.
"Let's go visit the Heir's courtyard." Gu Changwei thought that after he had angrily scolded his younger son that day, the father and son had not seen each other. Now, he actually missed that小子 (kid).
Gu Sinian sat on the couch by the window, engrossed in reading the letters from Xinghua Village, transforming the dry words into vivid images in his mind.
"Heir, the Duke is coming to our courtyard," Gu Qing, after receiving the report from the young servant, did not dare to delay and quickly informed Gu Sinian.
Gu Sinian slowly folded the letter in his hand and put it away, then picked up a military book to read.
Gu Sinian had been reading for a quarter of an hour, and his father still hadn't arrived. He looked up at Gu Qing. Gu Qing nodded, lifted the curtain, and went out. A moment later, he returned with a displeased expression, "The Duke went to the eldest young master's place. Someone from the eldest young master's side invited him, saying they found some precious item."
Gu Sinian's expression was dark and unreadable. He gave a self-deprecating smile. His elder brother was like the women fighting for favor in his father's backyard. He most liked to snatch people from him. However, let him do as he pleased. He didn't care.
Knowing that his father wouldn't come over, Gu Sinian took out the letter again and read it slowly.
After finishing more than ten pages of paper, Gu Sinian picked up his brush and wrote a long piece. After drying the ink, he handed it to Gu Qing, "Have someone do the things on this list. Make it natural."
Gu Qing put it away and personally went to arrange for people to do it.
Gu Sinian felt extremely bored and changed his clothes to go find Qian Yuanbao.
As he exited the Duke's mansion, Gu Sinian felt the air was much fresher. He mounted his horse and galloped towards the outskirts of the city.
Qian Yuanbao knew how to enjoy himself. Several hot spring eyes were discovered on Mount Qiming, thirty miles outside the capital. This fellow was well-informed and bought the entire mountain at the first opportunity. He built a manor, incorporating all the hot spring eyes into it, creating a hot spring resort. As soon as it snowed, that guy moved to the resort to live.
A line of luxurious carriages was parked outside the resort. Qian Yuanbao was surely enjoying himself counting his silver.
The resort was built exquisitely, with a bit of the garden style of the Jiangnan region. It stood out among the rough northern architecture and was very popular, especially among the young ladies and madams of official families. Even the gentlemen who knew how to enjoy themselves loved to come here.
Good food, good drinks, and fun. After eating and drinking their fill and playing enough, they could soak in a hot spring. Was there anything more leisurely in the world?
Others had to register and show their cards to enter. For Gu Sinian, none of that was needed. That handsome face was his pass. Joke, their master was trying to please him, so how could they not serve him well? If they displeased him, how could they keep their jobs?