Days turned into days.
Everything on Song Qingchao's side proceeded in an orderly fashion.
Her team attracted many more people to join them.
Whether it was her own people or those seeking odd jobs and sustenance, their numbers gradually increased.
The name of her Song family had been established.
Now, in the northwest corner of Lingshi Valley, they were considered a dominant force.
As Song Qingchao intermittently sent money to the guards, they turned a blind eye to her activities.
As long as they didn't stir up rebellion and worked diligently, the guards pretended not to see.
And Song Qingchao indeed, as outsiders said, had secured a leisurely post in the labor service.
Each day, she only needed to leave her residence at Mao Shi and arrive at the registration desk in front of the mine by Chen Shi.
The work was not complicated, merely requiring the registration of the quantities of ore moved by the miners.
Most of the miners she faced daily were her own people, making the work exceptionally easy.
The only displeasing aspect was the old gentleman who was originally responsible for this task.
She heard that this gentleman was once a scholar, who was later implicated and sent to this place.
After a lifetime of studying, he could only end up in this small account book, possessing a fervent heart but only able to express his loneliness towards the mine.
He did not make things difficult for Song Qingchao, but he remained aloof and indifferent every day.
Song Qingchao understood this "scholarly pride."
Therefore, she had no intention of bribing him or anything of the sort.
Instead, she would leave a book on the desk before departing each day.
The baffle and brazier she had made for warmth were also still kept.
There was no other reason than it was rare to encounter such a person in this desolate wilderness.
Her shift was only half a day, so upon finishing at noon, she would pack her things and return to the camp with Mu Mu from another mine.
It was also because she gave too much to the soldiers.
Therefore, the labor overseers relaxed the rules for the miners.
As long as the miners completed their standard quotas, they could leave.
Most of Song Qingchao's people had been well-trained, their bodies far stronger than ordinary people.
Therefore, what ordinary people needed a full day to do, they could accomplish in almost half a day.
This not only improved efficiency but also allowed the soldiers to save on "rations."
The benefits they gained from Song Qingchao, coupled with the saved rations, were substantial.
Moreover, the miners worked diligently to finish their work early, eliminating the need for soldiers to wield whips and watch them laboriously.
They gained both ease and wealth.
Thus, they viewed Song Qingchao with even greater favor.
As for the group under Song Qingchao's command.
Every day, they only thought of finishing their labor service quickly, then returning to their small homes to rest with their families for a while.
They never considered escaping.
Because seeing the current situation, even without earning merits to leave, life here was quite good.
It was very possible that life outside would not be as good as it was here.
Therefore, compared to leaving, they preferred to follow Song Qingchao and enjoy the good life.
Furthermore, roll call was taken during daily work. If a person was absent for three consecutive roll calls, they would be presumed dead.
Without a name or identity, even if they escaped from here, they would be hard-pressed to survive.
Moreover, the surrounding area was heavily guarded, and three hundred li beyond Lingshi Valley was the territory of the Northern Barbarians.
No matter where they went, it would be a dead end.
So, it was better to stay.
Song Qingchao's requirement for reporting to work was Weishi.
They could rest for an hour after returning to their residences from the labor overseer's construction site.
Song Qingchao truly managed to keep them fed and warm, so they now sincerely worked for her.
When the time came, they would proactively gather with their comrades in their respective teams, with their arms around each other's shoulders.
The enthusiastic spirit they displayed made Song Qingchao wonder if she had somehow drugged them.
Song Qingchao continued to conceal her strength as usual.
In front of most people, she was a delicate young lady who easily fell ill, and spent most of her time confined to her room when not at work.
Yet, this delicate young lady handled matters with great decisiveness.
Earlier, there were troublemakers who, instead of gaining any advantage, were trounced so badly that they could never recover.
From then on, there were no more disturbances.
Perhaps there were still issues, but with Aunt Fang and the Zhou brothers, she no longer needed to worry.
Old Yu was getting along famously with Song Qingmu.
Song Qingchao had never seen her younger brother speak so much.
Perhaps compared to a career in her previous life, being a "contractor" might suit him better.
With Su Nan Yi in Zhangpu, she had no need to worry.
However…
While everything else was progressing smoothly, there was only one thing that displeased Song Qingchao.
Since that day she saw Bai You'an in Xiyun Pavilion, Bai You'an had not appeared in her sight again.
Xiao Guo also kept sending good news, but none of it was related to Bai You'an.
Song Qingchao almost started to have an illusion.
Did such a person as Bai You'an even exist in this world?
She pinched her thigh in disbelief, the pain bringing tears to her eyes.
This scene was witnessed by Aunt Fang.
Frightened, Aunt Fang dropped the window paper she was holding and rushed over, "Mistress, what are you doing? Please don't despair!"
Song Qingchao: "..."
She quickly explained, which finally reassured Aunt Fang.
Aunt Fang then picked up the window paper and began to paste it onto the stone wall nearby.
Song Qingchao noticed Aunt Fang pasting it upside down and reminded her, "Aunt Fang, the character for 'fortune' is pasted upside down."
Aunt Fang simply smiled and replied, "Yes, Mistress, fortune has arrived."
Song Qingchao also came to her senses.
Fortune has arrived, and good days are coming.
Unknowingly, it was already New Year's Eve, and the next year would involve planning for spring plowing.
She could only hope that among these people, there was someone who understood farming.
Song Qingchao stood up from beside the stove, the sound of firecrackers crackling in her ears.
It seemed that even though Lingshi Valley was remote, the joyous festive atmosphere had reached this silent valley.
"Aunt Fang, give everyone an extra meal tonight."
The revelry outside lasted for half the night.
Song Qingchao was not resting in her room either; she was wondering if Bai You'an would come.
But until she drifted off to sleep, she did not see even a glimpse of Bai You'an, and she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
Did Bai You'an really go to Shuiyun Jian for those...
Although she didn't believe Bai You'an would be that kind of person, they had made an appointment...
It wasn't until the next morning.
Song Qingchao was again woken by the continuous sounds of "crackling."
She quickly washed and dressed with Aunt Fang's assistance.
As soon as she sat upright.
Zhou Ri rushed in to demand red envelopes.
Fortunately, she had prepared enough.
Following him was Zhou Yi, along with his guard team.
Song Qingchao was initially energetic.
But she hadn't expected that these New Year's greetings would continue until almost noon.
Only when someone announced that a guest had arrived did Song Qingchao manage to break away from the crowd.
She couldn't help but say, there were too many people!
A guest... but who could it be?