It rains a lot in autumn, and it’s raining again in Dahe Village.
Fortunately, the rain in autumn is gentler, unlike in summer where there are always thunder and heavy rains.
A large pavilion was built in the yard to provide shelter from the rain. Cheng Wanwan led people to peel lotus seed shells in the pavilion.
The lotus seeds that have just grown in summer are very tender and can be eaten when picked, but they gradually become old. These old lotus seeds are taken back, dried and stored, and can be made into stew when you want to eat them. They are very nutritious.
"Lotus seeds are a tribute. I thought only the nobles in the palace could eat them." Madam Ma said as she was busy, "I didn't expect that when I came to An Ren's side, we rough messengers could also drink lotus seed soup."
Mrs. Qi nodded: "Isn't that right? In winter, when the lotus roots are dug up, they can also be made into lotus root powder. It is said that only favored ladies can drink this stuff to beautify their skin. Most people have never seen it."
Cheng Wanwan smiled and said, "I'll take care of that."
What she grows is a composite lotus, which can bloom, grow lotus seeds, and produce lotus roots. Because it develops in multiple ways, no one is outstanding, and the yield is only about average. In this way, there is no need to worry about being selected as a tribute. .
The annual output of the two hundred acres of lotus pond not only supplies the village's tourism industry, but also the Dahe Banquet Restaurant, and the rest of the family can't finish it every day.
Speaking of digging lotus roots, Cheng Wanwan sighed. This work is more tiring than clearing wasteland and opening ponds, because the bottom of the lotus pond is silt, and people will sink in as soon as they get in. I won’t talk about it anymore, because the lotus roots are buried deep in the pond. After all, those who dig lotus roots need to bend down and work all day long. Even a strong man may not be able to endure continuous work.
Last year, we could still ask the refugees for help, but this year, these refugees have settled down in the village and have their own jobs, so they can no longer do hard work.
It seems that only raising the price can attract people to dig lotus roots.
While he was busy, Cheng Jia walked in from the door: "Anren, Master Cao is here."
Cheng Wanwan clapped her hands: "Please come in quickly."
The birthday gifts must have been completed and help has arrived.
Cao Defu walked in with someone, carrying two large boxes, a quilt, a mattress quilt, a pair of dragon and phoenix pillows, and a set of dragon robe linings, neatly stacked in the two boxes and cages.
"My mother-in-law, I have delivered the things to you. Can you see if you can do it?"
Cheng Wanwan looked at it carefully last time and everything was perfect. She was very satisfied and thanked her with a smile: "My father-in-law has been a big help this time. Let's stay and have a meal."
"Shitou has been sick for the past two days and can't stay away from anyone. I have to go back quickly." Cao Defu sighed, "I'll just take a look at Yingying and leave."
Mrs. Qi immediately went to the second courtyard to call Cao Yingying over.
Now Cao Yingying's belly is already very big. She is five or six months pregnant. After getting used to the various discomforts during pregnancy, she quickly gained weight like a balloon, with round cheeks and plump figure.
In this era, married daughters rarely return to their parents' families. Cao Defu sometimes comes to Dahe Village to talk about business and does not meet his daughter in person. Now when he saw her, he was shocked: "Yingying, why have you become so fat?" …”
When Meng was pregnant, she wasn't so fat.
Cao Yingying was quite touched at first. How could she not be touched when her own father came to see her? But as soon as she opened her mouth, she said she was fat and turned away angrily.
"Oh, sir, you can't say that." Cao Yingying's nanny, Mrs. Li, said quickly, "Young lady has a child in her belly. If she eats for two people at a meal, wouldn't she be fat? It's good to be fat. She will have more strength to give birth to the child. Suffer less..."
Cheng Wanwan was also drunk. Women hate being called fat. This Boss Cao really doesn't like to pick up any of the pots.
"Ahem, Yingying, dad said the wrong thing." Cao Defu took something out of his sleeve and handed it over, "A few days ago, Meng went to the temple to burn incense and asked for a peace charm for you to wish you a safe and smooth delivery. , be sure to keep it with you at all times.”
Cao Yingying took the peace charm with a smile on her face: "I will go home and talk to Aunt Meng when I have time."
Meng and she were too close in age to call her mother, so the two agreed to just call her Aunt Meng, which would make them look closer.
After sending Cao Defu away, Cheng Wanwan thought about who to send to the capital, and finally decided on Cheng A and Cheng B.
Cheng Jia cupped his hands and said, "An Ren, one of my subordinates can go alone. Cheng Yi stays to protect An Ren's safety."
Among the four bodyguards, one of them followed Cheng Zhao to take part in the imperial examination and would probably not be back for half a year. He and Cheng Yi escorted Shou Li to the capital for at least two or three months. If someone sneaked into the house and harmed Anren, they would definitely die. Take the blame.
Cheng Wanwan didn't care at all: "There is a patrol team in Dahe Village. All the men in the village have learned a few tricks. There will be no danger. You two can go without worry."
Even if there is danger, having one more Cheng Yi doesn't have much effect. The birthday gift is more important.
Mrs. Qi was about to offer advice when suddenly He Xiao and Zhao Sanniu walked in at the door.
Zhao Sanniu said happily: "Master heard that mother is going to arrange for someone to go to the capital. He wants to take this trip. Hey, I want to go with you."
He has been learning kung fu for so long, and he really wants to go out of Dahe Village and practice it, so that he can know how much he weighs. Now, the opportunity has come.
He Xiao said quietly: "I can just make this trip alone."
Zhao Sanniu was anxious: "Master, I am your disciple. I will go wherever you go. Don't leave me behind."
He Xiao pursed his lips and said nothing.
Cheng Wanwan saw some clues. It was originally agreed to be a year, but now it has been one year and one month. He Xiao has made up his mind to leave.
She spoke slowly: "Xiao He, will you come back after you leave?"
"Cousin, I'm sorry." He Xiao lowered his eyebrows, "I'm not from Dahe Village. I don't belong here. If I leave, I probably won't come back again."
Zhao Sanniu's eyes widened: "What does Master mean by this? What does it mean that if you leave, you won't come back? Why?"
Li Zheng, who walked in from the main door, was also shocked. He took three steps and rushed in: "Master He, why are you leaving? What happened? If you have any questions, you can ask them and I will answer them for you." solve."
He Xiao cupped his hands and said, "I thank Uncle Li Zheng for taking care of me this year in Dahe Village, but now, I really have to leave. I have selected the new captain of the patrol team, and it is Wang Yongcheng. He is completely qualified for this job." Position."
Li Zheng didn't care whether Wang Yongcheng was qualified or not. He took He Xiao's hand and couldn't control his emotions: "Why are you leaving? Is there something I didn't do well that made you feel uncomfortable? Say it, say it, and our whole village will try our best to help you solve it..."
"Uncle Li Zheng!" Cheng Wanwan said, "Xiao He came here by accident. You shouldn't stop him from leaving. Just let nature take its course."
Li Zheng let go of his hand in frustration: "Okay, let's go. It's normal for the child to want to go out when he is older. I told the patrol team that we should have a break-up meal at least..."
The old man walked out with a staggering step, completely forgetting that he had something to discuss with Dashan Niang.
Cheng Wanwan looked at the people in the yard and said, "Go and get busy. Sanniu, don't be idle either. The firewood in the back yard has been chopped. You won't be allowed to eat until it's finished."
Zhao Sanniu cried and went to chop wood. Mom was too much. He was so sad now and she still asked him to work...
Soon, Cheng Wanwan and He Xiao were the only two people left in the pavilion. She poured two cups of tea and said quietly: "Sit down, let's chat for a while."
He Xiao sat down and took a sip of tea. No matter how many times he drank it, the tea was still so fragrant, just like the sky in Dahe Village, always so clear.
