Shortly after returning home from the prefecture, it was time for the wheat harvest.

Just like last year, Tong Huaqiong’s family had a bumper harvest of wheat again this year.

When the wheat was harvested, County Magistrate Liu sent weaving machine blueprints from Hua Ting County to Tong Huaqiong that could be used for weaving cotton fabric, stating that he couldn’t procure a loom.

After all, looms were treasures of this era and were not easily lent out, which Tong Huaqiong understood.

Even though it was just blueprints, Tong Huaqiong was still ecstatic.

Ever since coming to this era, Tong Huaqiong never dared to underestimate the wisdom of the people of this time.

For example, when she brought out a pesticide formula, the alchemist hired by Gu Dashu was able to concoct it, and even adjusted the formula based on it.

The reason Tong Huaqiong’s wheat yield was higher than last year was due to the quality seeds and the alchemist’s adaptation of modern formulas to make pesticides and fertilizers suitable for Qinghe Bay’s soil.

Therefore, Tong Huaqiong had no doubt that with these blueprints, the skilled craftsmen of Pingchuan County would certainly be able to come up with a cotton weaving machine.

With this in mind, Tong Huaqiong took the blueprints to the cotton fields at the foot of West Mountain to find Gu Daqiao.

Thirty acres of cotton had already grown to thigh height, and the gentle breeze, along with the green grass and trees on the gentle slope, created waves of greenery that lifted one’s spirits.

Gu Dahuan was busy in the field with others, as Tong Huaqiong had instructed him that these thirty acres of cotton were crucial; whether their family could do the cotton fabric business depended on whether Gu Dahuan could ensure a bountiful cotton harvest.

Gu Dahuan dared not be careless, and as soon as the wheat was harvested, he started leading people to water the cotton fields.

Their nephew, Gu Daqiao, sat under a makeshift shelter, deep in thought over a weaving machine.

Besides helping Gu Dahuan manage the hired workers in the cotton fields and recording the growth of the cotton, Gu Daqiao spent the rest of his time pondering the weaving machine.

He was grateful to Aunt Tong for giving him a chance to work despite his disability. Since he started working for Aunt Tong, no one in the village called him useless anymore.

He knew Aunt Tong wanted a loom suitable for weaving cotton fabric, so he had been spending most of his time recently thinking it over, but after nearly two months, he was still at a loss, and was so anxious that his lips had become blistered.

"Aunt Tong, you’re here."

Gu Daqiao saw Tong Huaqiong approaching the shelter and stood up on one foot to greet her.

Tong Huaqiong waved her hand at Gu Daqiao and said, "You don’t need to get up."

Gu Daqiao pointed at the loom and the cotton nearby, feeling troubled, and said, "Aunt Tong, I don’t have the skill to modify this loom properly."

Tong Huaqiong said, "Don’t lose heart. I brought you something good. See if you can understand it."

Tong Huaqiong took out the blueprints from her sleeve and handed them to Gu Daqiao.

Because of his disability, Gu Daqiao couldn’t work in the fields or take jobs elsewhere, so he spent his time at home pondering various tools to prove he was useful, especially since he was literate.

For instance, he thought about how to make a sickle cut wheat faster and how to improve a plow, and after his tinkering and modifications, he really did improve production.

If anyone’s farm tools broke or their cart wheels had issues, they would find Gu Daqiao; he’d inspect and figure it out quickly.

Tong Huaqiong believed Gu Daqiao had the potential of a skilled craftsman, so she gave him the blueprints first, planning to ask County Magistrate Liu to find someone else if he couldn’t do it.

Holding the blueprints, Gu Daqiao frowned, then relaxed his brow from time to time, and after two cups of tea’s time, he said to Tong Huaqiong, "Aunt Tong, we haven’t seen a real cotton loom before, so I can’t say whether I can make an exact copy from the blueprints. But I’ll do my best to figure it out."

Tong Huaqiong believed Gu Daqiao would succeed.

She said, "There’s still a few months until autumn, plenty of time for you to think it over."

Gu Daqiao laughed.

In the whole village, only Aunt Tong cherished his skills like a treasure.

Gu Daqiao said, "There’s no way I could ponder until autumn. By then the pickled vegetables would be cold. I have to figure it out before picking the cotton. After making the loom, we have to test if it works. If it doesn’t work, we need to adjust it; this back-and-forth will take a lot of time. Aunt Tong, I value your trust in me, so I’ll assemble the loom even if I have to work without eating or drinking."

Tong Huaqiong said, "Alright, since it’s up to you, you handle it. Whatever tools, manpower, or silver you need, just ask Dahuan."

Gu Daqiao said, "I understand."

After instructing Gu Daqiao, Tong Huaqiong headed home from the cotton fields.

At this point, Mrs. Hong came to the cotton field with Hua Er to meet Tong Huaqiong.

One could say that since Tong Pandi arrived at Qinghe Bay, Hua Er had been raised with Mrs. Hong’s help.

"Call Auntie Grandma," Mrs. Hong said, holding Hua Er and teaching her to call Tong Huaqiong.

Hua Er babbled incomprehensibly, but that didn’t stop Tong Huaqiong from reaching out and holding Hua Er in her arms, mainly to let Mrs. Hong have a rest.

Hua Er was well cared for and chubby, holding a piece of cake in her little hand, trying to feed it to Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong was utterly charmed by Hua Er and gave her a couple of affectionate kisses.

"Hua Er is such a good girl."

As they teased Hua Er, Tong Huaqiong and Mrs. Hong walked toward the house.

"Sister Tong, look."

Mrs. Hong gestured to the pig farm with her mouth full of gossiping fire in her eyes.

Tong Huaqiong looked closely and saw a clear-eyed man in a green robe pacing outside the pig farm.

Who else could it be but Mr. Su?

Mrs. Hong said, "Mr. Su used to be able to use monitoring Jingzhe’s studies as an excuse to come over, but now that Jingzhe is studying in the prefecture, if he comes again, Pandie might understand his intentions."

Tong Huaqiong said, "I think Pandie already understands."

More than just coming again.

Tong Pandi is so smart; she probably already understood Mr. Su’s intentions long ago.

Take, for example, his frequent visits to Tong Huaqiong’s home, always bringing gifts for Duo Er and Hua Er, making his thoughts quite apparent.

Mr. Su’s frequent trips to Qinghe Bay, each time accompanied by Tong Pandi’s excuses of staying at the pig farm and not returning home.

Mrs. Hong said, "Mr. Su coming to your house all the time is bound to spread rumors."

Mrs. Hong didn’t mention that now that Gu Jingzhe went to the prefecture to study, the village school teacher remained Su Chengmin. If Mr. Su frequently visited Tong Huaqiong’s house, it would either spark rumors about Tong Huaqiong or Pandie.

The aunt and niece pair, one a widow, the other divorced, were natural rumor generators.

Tong Huaqiong understood Mrs. Hong’s implication and laughed, saying, "Let them talk, it’s not like they haven’t before."

For instance, recently Tong Huaqiong was involved in a rumor.

The subject of the rumor was Mr. Qian, who moved to the village during the New Year.

After Mr. Gu passed away, Tong Dajiao was concerned about bringing trouble to a widow’s doorstep, and had even avoided stray dogs in the village. Now, facing rumors about Mr. Qian, she faced them calmly, which made some village women a bit envious.

It’s not just that, having a grandchild and being admired by a wealthy middle-aged man made people regard Tong Huaqiong differently.

As Tong Huaqiong and Mrs. Hong walked along the path to the pig farm, they encountered Mr. Su.

Upon seeing Mr. Su, Hua Er wriggled, wanting him to hold her.

Mr. Su took Hua Er from Tong Huaqiong’s hands, pulled out a wooden puppet, and while entertaining Duo Er, he formally inquired about Gu Jingzhe’s situation at Wanliu Academy.

Tong Huaqiong answered truthfully.

Then Mr. Su brought news that made Tong Huaqiong and Mrs. Hong feel astonished.