Additional update, asking for support.

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The Zhao family’s matter was efficiently handled by Lian Manman’s family, and afterwards, they entrusted someone to keep an eye on the County Yamen’s interrogation. The family’s main focus was still on the autumn harvest.

All the grapes have been harvested and processed into wine. This year, 68 acres of vineyards yielded 61,100 pounds of grapes. These were divided into three grades: A, B, and C. Grade A grapes were used for producing premium wine, Grade B for medium quality wine, and Grade C for grape juice.

Lian Manman roughly estimated that in about two months, approximately 30,000 pounds of premium wine, 11,000 pounds of medium wine, and 5,600 pounds of grape juice would be ready.

The two grades of wine differ in taste and shelf life, and grape juice has the shortest shelf life. These details are clearly stated on the final packaged barrels and thoroughly explained to buyers.

All the corn has been stripped of its husks, piled into corn cribs for drying and storage, ready for shelling before sale. Peanuts have been piled on the roof, and currently, sorghum, millet, and various beans are being threshed in the yard. Sweet potatoes have also been sorted; the large, good-looking ones without blemishes are stored in the cellar for future consumption and propagation, while the ones with slight imperfections are kept in the warehouse, partly for sale and partly for consumption. The tiny sweet potatoes are steamed and dried in the sun for storage.

The land for planting winter wheat is also being prepared.

This season is also when fish, shrimp, and crabs are at their fattest, so even after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the fish, shrimp, and crabs in Lian Manman’s family fish pond are still in high demand. Lotus seeds, water caltrop seeds, and Euryale seeds are also sold out because their prices are lower than similar products transported from the south, and there is no significant difference in quality, making them very popular.

Each family member has their own tasks, and no one is idle. Yet, everyone is happy in heart, as the busier the autumn harvest, the more rewarding the year’s hard work. This year has been another bountiful and prosperous year.

There is news from the County Yamen. Lady Zhao and her daughter-in-law were each fined thirty lashes (fearing they couldn’t handle it all at once, the thirty lashes were spread over several days) and put in the stocks for public humiliation for ten days.

The direct result of this incident is that, when Lian Manman enters the village, she no longer sees Yingzi’s father. A few loafers who used to hang around the fish pond are also nowhere to be seen, and Woo Ergou and Woo Sangou no longer dare to address Lian Shouxin as brother.

Congratulations are in order.

As for Zhao Wencai and his father, they remain detained. The matter is yet to be concluded because their confessions keep changing.

Lady Wu Wang also brought news to Lian Manman’s family that Zhao’s family already has relatives who have gone to Taicang. After a family discussion, they concluded that they went to alert, align their statements, and seek help.

In response, Lian Manman said simply, "When soldiers come, we counter with generals; when water floods in, we cover with earth."

In short, "Let it be what it will be."

"Since we exposed the issue, there is room to reconcile. If Taicang learns a lesson and changes because of this, then we’ve done a great deed." That’s what Lian Manman told Lian Shouxin.

These days, with Lian Manman and Wu Lang patiently explaining, Lian Shouxin is very supportive of their actions in this matter.

Again, congratulations are in order.

The land for planting winter wheat is ready, but the Lu family’s caravan has not yet returned, and there has not even been a word from them.

The family couldn’t help but become suspicious.

"How strange," Lian Manman said, "even if something delayed them on the road, there should be some word back."

"Exactly, the Old Lu Family is as anxious as we are. If there’s no news in the next couple of days, they’ll send someone out to meet them," Lady Zhang said.

The winter wheat seeds haven’t arrived, and they’re anxious, but the Lu family is even more so. It’s the first time their caravan is so overdue without any news.

"It’s said that the whole road is official, and they haven’t traveled just once or twice. There shouldn’t be any issues," Lian Shouxin said.