Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 637 - 593: A Request for Help (2)

With Zhou Pandi’s help, Chai Eying found it much easier to take care of the child.

Changing diapers and washing them used to be tasks Chai Eying handled alone. Princess Consort Luling and Nanny Jiang only came to help after finishing their chores.

Li Xingmao went to the fields during the day, only helping with the child during meals and in the evening.

Most of the time, it was Chai Eying managing by herself, and as a new mother, she often found herself overwhelmed.

When the child cried uncontrollably, and she couldn’t soothe it, she would cry too.

Having Zhou Pandi assist her made things much lighter.

Though Zhou Pandi was just an eleven-year-old girl, she knew quite a bit.

Growing up in the village, she had heard about different things, like how families raised their children or managed their household chores. She listened, observed, and remembered.

At eleven, she possessed the knowledge and maturity of someone fifteen or sixteen, to Chai Eying’s surprise and relief.

She was grateful to Li Yuzhu for finding her such a capable helper.

The South Courtyard House had three rooms: the central hall, the left room for the children, which was currently empty because Guoguo and Jingjing stayed in the North Courtyard House with Princess Consort Luling.

The big room on the right was Chai Eying and Li Xingmao’s room.

To have Zhou Pandi at hand for assistance, Chai Eying arranged for her to stay in the left room.

Noticing the good rapport between Zhou Pandi and Chai Eying, Li Yuzhu went to the kitchen to see Song Chunniang at work.

In the kitchen, it was bustling with activity.

Princess Consort Luling was there helping Song Chunniang and her two daughters prepare dinner.

Princess Consort Luling explained everything to Song Chunniang, from how many people lived in the household to how much rice was used daily, to the quantity and style of dishes to cook.

Song Chunniang managed the cooking, while her second daughter, Zhou Zhaodi, washed and cut vegetables, and her youngest daughter, Zhou Zhaizhao, tended the stove.

The division of labor was clear and orderly.

The household consisted of twenty people, including adults and children.

Despite the quantity needed, for Song Chunniang, who had prepared banquet meals in the village, cooking for twenty was no problem at all.

Her former in-laws were well-off, with four generations living together and many laborers, so there were quite a few people.

She was used to cooking for a large family.

Though it was her first time using the Li Family’s kitchen stove, she managed to prepare eight dishes and rice for twenty people in just over an hour.

With so many people, the portions were large, with several dishes served in three or four portions.

Chai Eying continued her special postpartum meals, eating with Li Xingmao in the South Courtyard, now joined by Zhou Pandi, for whom Princess Consort Luling prepared an extra portion.

Since a nursing mother can’t go hungry, Princess Consort Luling instructed Song Chunniang to serve their meal first, which Zhou Zhaodi carried to the South Courtyard.

Next were Uncle Gui and Li Yu En’s two guards, who ate in the front courtyard, catered by Song Chunniang.

Nanny Jiang, sleeping in her room, had her dinner brought to her by Li Yuzhu.

Prince Luling and his wife, along with their three children, the two Li Family sisters, and Li Xingsheng and Mu Yuanxiu, ate in the North Courtyard House.

Song Chunniang and her second daughter served the meal there.

With extra food remaining, Song Chunniang and her daughters ate in the kitchen.

After arranging everyone’s dinner, Princess Consort Luling instructed Song Chunniang, "In the future, unless there are special instructions or guests, follow this dinner arrangement. Prepare eight dishes for dinner, ten for lunch, and for breakfast, cook porridge or noodle soup with three to four side dishes. The young mistress requires special postpartum meals, which I’ll handle separately, so you don’t need to concern yourself."

Song Chunniang noted carefully, "Understood, Mrs. Li."

Everyone went to enjoy their dinner.

Today’s meal, prepared by someone new, naturally differed in taste.

It was expected that the hastily prepared meal by Song Chunniang might not be very tasty, but surprisingly, it was not inferior to dishes prepared by Nanny Jiang, who had years of experience.

Moreover, it seemed even more flavorful.

Due to her age, Nanny Jiang preferred soft, easily digestible food, and even vegetables were boiled. But except for Uncle Gui, the Li Family and Prince Luling were all relatively young and didn’t favor soft meals.

Out of respect for the cook, no one complained, and they willingly ate whatever Nanny Jiang prepared.

But Song Chunniang, being younger, preferred to cook crispy, firm dishes, which met everyone’s tastes.

Even Prince Luling couldn’t help but praise the meal.

After dinner, Song Chunniang and her daughters washed the dishes.

At dusk, it was time to relax.

Since Nanny Jiang was no longer cooking, her room was vacated for Song Chunniang and her daughters, and Princess Consort Luling arranged for her in one of the rooms in Li Yuzhu’s row of houses.

Of the three rooms there, Li Yu En lived in one, another was used by Li Yuzhu as a storeroom for herbs, and the last one was empty.

The room was furnished with a bed and tables and chairs, and was ready for someone to move in.

Li Yu En lives in a room by herself and is afraid at night.

A few days ago, the daughters from the Liu Family would come to accompany her, but now it’s the busy spring season, and Liu Er Niu and Liu San Niu have been busy at home and haven’t come to the Li Family.

Seeing Nanny Jiang moving in, Li Yu En was very happy and kept asking to sleep with Nanny Jiang.

Li Yuzhu chuckled, "It’s Nanny Jiang who’s accompanying you."

Li Yu En blushed, "Why expose me?"

Nanny Jiang laughed, "Alright, alright, I’ll keep you company."

"Nanny is still the best, hehe." Li Yu En was delighted.

Song Chunniang was very attentive. After washing the dishes and settling her two daughters to sleep, she fetched bathing water for Nanny Jiang.

Watching her take good care of the family, Princess Consort Luling was very satisfied with her, even gifting her a set of clothes and giving Song Chunniang’s daughters some of Li Yuwen and Li Yu En’s slightly worn clothes left at home.

The Li Family was generous, making Song Chunniang secretly vow to do her job well.

With the help of Song Chunniang and her daughters, Princess Consort Luling and Chai Eying felt significantly relieved.

The days passed peacefully, and it was now early summer.

On this day, Princess Consort Luling arranged for Li Xingsheng to fetch Li Yuwen to stay at home for a few days.

Since Chai Eying’s child reached the full month on March 12th, Li Yuwen hadn’t returned home.

Now that she had some free time, Princess Consort Luling wanted to gather with her daughters.

Li Xingsheng had lunch and then hurriedly left with the carriage.

However, he returned after just two-quarter hours.

Uncle Gui asked him, "Why are you back already?"

Li Xingsheng pointed to the village road behind him, "Why would I need to invite her? Look, Yuwen has returned by herself."

Uncle Gui looked ahead, and indeed, there was the Pei Family’s servant driving Pei Shenyan’s carriage.

He smiled and said, "Madam and Yuwen have a heart-to-heart connection; as soon as one thinks of the other, she arrives."

Li Yuwen returned alone; she had changed her usual bright smile into a tearful face as she got off the carriage. She didn’t greet anyone and quickly ran into the courtyard.

Uncle Gui and Li Xingsheng looked puzzled.

Li Xingsheng called after her, "Yuwen, what’s wrong?"

Li Yuwen didn’t turn back, "I’m looking for my third sister. Is she at home?"

"She’s in the room of your elder sister-in-law," Uncle Gui replied.

Li Yuwen lifted her skirt and headed towards the South Courtyard House.

"What’s happened? She never used to be like this." Uncle Gui rubbed his forehead.

"I’ll go take a look." Li Xingsheng followed her.

Li Yuwen ran into the South Courtyard House, and sure enough, she saw Li Yuzhu there, talking with Chai Eying.

"Third sister, come out." Li Yuwen didn’t even greet Chai Eying and hurried over to pull Li Yuzhu out of the house.

The two of them rushed, almost tripping together on the threshold, "Elder sister, what’s wrong? Why are you in such a panic?"

"Come with me to see Pei Shenyan; he doesn’t seem well." Li Yuwen’s voice trembled as she spoke.

Grabbing Li Yuzhu’s arm, she hurriedly walked towards the front courtyard.

Chai Eying overheard and instructed Zhou Pandi to take care of the children, then quickly caught up, "Yuwen, what did you just say? What’s wrong with Brother-in-law Pei?"

"He’s fallen ill, not doing well," Li Yuwen replied without turning back.

Chai Eying quickened her pace and caught up with Li Yuwen, "Don’t worry too much, Yuwen. Yuzhu has good medical skills and will take good care of Brother-in-law Pei."

"Sister-in-law, you should go back. I’ll accompany my elder sister to see my brother-in-law," Li Yuzhu waved her away.

"Don’t worry too much; everything will get better," Chai Eying comforted them from behind.

Li Xingsheng came over, hearing their conversation, and frowned, "Hey, Li Yuwen, since when did you start caring about Pei Shenyan’s life or death?"

Li Yuwen, filled with worry, was angered into raising her eyebrows at these words, "He is my husband; of course, I care about his life or death."

Li Xingsheng looked at her leisurely, "When you got married, you didn’t say that, did you? You used to dislike that Pei Shenyan."

Li Yuwen’s face flushed with embarrassment. The past was the past, but now was different. She realized that Pei Shenyan had his unique virtues.

She didn’t want this man with his unique virtues to die of illness in front of her.

She wanted him to live.

She bit her lip, "I... can’t I change my mind?"