The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 825 - 824: Is There a Problem?

When Old Granny Zhang looked at Liu Xiaoqiao’s belly, Liu Xiaoqiao’s heart couldn’t help but jump. Her whole body was tense, and she didn’t dare to take a deep breath or look at Old Granny Zhang’s expression.

It wasn’t until she felt Old Granny Zhang’s gaze move away from her belly that she secretly let out a sigh of relief.

She certainly knew that she had been married into the Wang Family for almost half a year now, and still there was no sign of pregnancy.

But it wasn’t her fault. They had only been married for a few months when her father-in-law passed away, and they had to observe mourning. How could there be any sign of pregnancy?

Thinking further, she and Wang Yongping had to observe mourning for three years, Liu Xiaoqiao felt bitter.

A few days ago, she took the opportunity to return to Xia Chongzi Gully to collect mountain goods while visiting her mother, and told her about this matter. Mother Liu was very worried.

Everyone could understand that they had to observe mourning.

But if her mother-in-law nitpicked, she could only endure it.

Therefore, Liu Xiaoqiao had been anxious, always fearing her mother-in-law would ask about her belly.

This time, her mother-in-law returned, and she carefully and diligently served her, hoping that Old Granny Zhang would let her off considering her filial piety.

Old Granny Zhang didn’t say anything, so Liu Xiaoqiao naturally breathed a sigh of relief, knowing her mother-in-law had let her off.

Now that her mother-in-law had left, she wouldn’t have to live in constant fear every day.

Old Granny Zhang wasn’t an unreasonable person. Liu Xiaoqiao was a daughter-in-law chosen by Old Granny Zhang and her daughter, and among the four daughters-in-law, she was the most sensible.

Besides, it’s quite common for a new daughter-in-law not to get pregnant within a year, especially when they have to observe mourning. If they really got pregnant during the mourning period, it would be a joke.

She was looking at Liu Xiaoqiao’s belly not to rush her but worrying that the young couple’s feelings might be too strong to restrain themselves, and if they really got pregnant, it would be troubling.

She originally wanted to remind them, but then thought about it, this Fourth Daughter-in-law was sensible. If she spoke out in front of everyone, it would surely make Fourth Son and his wife embarrassed.

She restrained herself and eventually didn’t say anything.

Since the family division, Old Granny Zhang didn’t like to meddle in her sons’ households. She only spoke up in Eldest Son’s house fearing it would affect her daughter’s and son-in-law’s reputation.

In Fourth Son’s house, they didn’t speak. In Third Son’s house, Laosan was very clever, naturally didn’t need her worry, and there was no need to remind him.

Having said her piece, Old Granny Zhang started to drive people away: "Alright, it’s getting late, everyone goes back to your own courtyards!"

Liu Xiaoqiao and Lady Jiang hurriedly helped to clean up the tableware, washed them clean, and then went back to their own courtyard.

Wang Yongfu seemed to have something to say but ultimately swallowed his words.

Nothing happened overnight, and early the next morning, naturally, Wang Yongping drove the cart to take them to town.

Besides their three people’s luggage, there were mountain goods to sell inside the cart.

When they arrived in town, they first sent Old Granny Zhang and the others to the Escort Agency and then went to see Guan Yifei.

Guan Yifei smiled when he saw Wang Yongping and roughly examined the mountain goods, then offered a price higher than before.

Wang Yongping was stunned and looked at Guan Yifei.

Guan Yifei smiled, patting Wang Yongping’s shoulder: "Our boss, Boss Zhang, specifically instructed. This time regarding the tea leaves matter, you Wang Family brothers also contributed, our Boss Zhang naturally won’t let you suffer. From now on, the mountain goods you bring will be priced higher than before."

Only then did Wang Yongping understand what Wang Yongzhu had meant when he privately said Boss Zhang wouldn’t treat them poorly after Lady Lin’s commotion.

He felt a mixed emotion in his heart.

Seeing Wang Yongping’s dazed look, Guan Yifei thought he was overwhelmed by joy and didn’t take it to heart, merely reminding him to continue bringing good mountain goods.

Feeling disoriented, Wang Yongping left and subconsciously drove the cart to the Escort Agency, just as Wang Yongzhu and the others were about to set off.

Seeing he came, they thought something had happened. After hearing what Wang Yongping had to say, Wang Yongzhu smiled: "I said back then, Boss Zhang is a straightforward person, handles matters very well. Offering money as gratitude would seem too distant, increasing the price steadily is better. As long as he continues doing the mountain goods business, we will always benefit."

"Alright, Fourth Brother, I understand the matter. You go back and just collect better quality mountain goods, Boss Zhang can handle however much we bring."

Wang Yongping nodded.

"By the way, about the mountain goods stored in the warehouse, because they can’t be stored long, I found out the reason on this trip. Yesterday I was busy and forgot to mention it, today is just right to tell you. Go to Shopkeeper Wu’s general store and bring back more lime, spread more in the warehouse."

"Spring is rainy and humid, lime absorbs moisture to keep dry, allowing the mountain goods to be stored longer," Wang Yongzhu instructed.

Wang Yongping remembered this, reluctantly watching his mother and sister getting into the cart, moving farther and farther away.

Remembering Wang Yongzhu’s words, he bought ten bags of lime and brought them back to Qilidun.

Seeing a whole cart of lime, Wang Yongfu asked, "Why buy so much lime?"

Wang Yongping relayed Wang Yongzhu’s words faithfully without thinking much, but Wang Yongfu’s expression turned serious immediately. freёwebnoѵel.com

Hurriedly had someone call Wang Yonggui and Lady Jiang.

Wang Yongping explained Boss Zhang voluntarily increased the price by one-tenth and repeated Wang Yongzhu’s instructions, then marveled, "Boss Zhang is really generous, not saying anything else, just this increased price, if we work hard and diligently, just the increment alone could yield hundreds of silver annually."

Wang Yongfu’s face darkened, recalling Lady Lin’s words the other day, feeling his face burn.

Soon Wang Yonggui, Lady Jiang, and Liu Xiaoqiao arrived.

Wang Yongfu asked, "Younger sister-in-law, the warehouse has been under your care. Is lime used for disinfecting daily?"

Although Liu Xiaoqiao didn’t understand why Wang Yongfu asked this, she thought and then honestly answered, "Last year I wasn’t married yet, so I don’t know the situation. This year, I along with the sisters-in-law manage the warehouse, following the previous routine, disinfecting every three days, and spreading lime. Is there a problem?"

She sensed there might be a reason why Wang Yongfu asked this question.

Wang Yongfu’s face indeed darkened, then asked Lady Jiang, "Third sister-in-law, how was the warehouse disinfected last year?"

Lady Jiang hesitated for a long time before saying, "Last year the warehouse was supervised by younger sister, disinfecting daily and placing lime piles in the warehouse corners to absorb moisture."

By now, the Three Wang Brothers all understood. Wang Yonggui immediately stood up, and his gaze at Lady Jiang changed: "Since younger sister did this last year, why do you only disinfect every three days this year?"

Lady Jiang stammered, "Eldest sister-in-law said lime is expensive, disinfecting every three days would suffice! We clean the warehouse daily, what illness or poison could there be? Besides, the lime in the corners doesn’t need to be replaced so frequently—"

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