A Good Country Wife
Chapter 388 - 382_1

Chapter 388: Chapter 382_1

There really isn’t much to conceal, Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue explained the whole situation and its causes and repercussions to Manager Liu. Manager Liu also sighed with emotion. He had not expected matters to turn out so badly. The new magistrate was not only neglectful but also insatiably greedy, with powerful backers. Even the Judge did not dare to challenge the Magistrate’s actions.

Although the Jiang Family wielded significant influence in the Capital, offending the Empress favored in the palace required careful consideration. It was mainly unclear if the Family Head would risk offending Consort Cheng for the sake of Lin Yue, a mere peasant woman. It was truly difficult to give any guarantees. Nevertheless, although Lord Cheng was blustery, he would likely still have some apprehension regarding the Jiang Family. Since Zhao Erhu’s restaurant and grocery store had closed, ensuring their family’s safety was not an issue, something that the Family Head had requested.

Manager Liu quickly said, "Brother Erhu, Lady Lin, you need not worry too much. Since you have closed down the restaurant and the grocery store, those schemers will struggle to find an opportunity to act against you. I will make sure the government knows that you are under the protection of the Jiang Family. Although the Magistrate has Consort Cheng’s support, the Jiang Family is not to be trifled with in the Capital. The Family Head does have some say in front of the Emperor. If the matter involves the Jiang Family, Lord Cheng will not dare to blatantly target you and will at least not be able to falsely accuse you without cause."

"Thank you so much, Manager Liu. My husband and I are extremely grateful," Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue felt much more at ease after hearing Manager Liu’s words. Otherwise, if Wei’s master managed to convince the Magistrate to act against them, they didn’t really have anything to counter the Magistrate with. Today’s visit was essentially to understand the Jiang Family’s stance, so that they could prepare accordingly for their next move.

Manager Liu humbly dismissed their thanks, "Brother Erhu, Lady Lin, please don’t mention it. What can a mere manager like me boast of? It is all per the instructions of the Family Head. So if you truly encounter any difficulties, just come to me. Although I can’t promise anything else, ensuring your safety is definitely within my power."

After the restaurant and grocery store closed, Lin Yue and Zhao Erhu earnestly began managing their lands as landlords, arranging for the servants and farmhands to work the fields. With so much unleased land to farm, hiring a few more farmhands was necessary. The workshop continued to provide goods to the Capital City as usual, keeping them as busy as they were before.

In recent days, Lin Yue had been busy with the pondside. The newly dug large pond was planted with lotuses by Lin Yue. The blooming lotuses in summer were extremely beautiful, creating a splendid view. She took the opportunity to display her refinement; moreover, every part of the lotus was valuable. The roots and seeds could be eaten, and the seed pods, rhizomes, nodes, leaves, flowers, and even the seed embryos could be used medicinally. She also released many fish fry, crabs, and shrimp into the pond, so by autumn, they would have several additional sources of income, truly killing many birds with one stone.

Lao Lu and the workers toiled from dawn till dusk for more than two months. Finally, the farmstead was built according to Lin Yue’s plans. Lin Yue and Zhao Erhu purchased all the necessary items for the farmstead and chose a good day to invite everyone over for a meal to celebrate. According to village custom, a feast should be held on the day the roof beams were raised, but since they were establishing a farmstead instead, they followed their own schedule, just maintaining the spirit of the tradition.

After the Dragon Boat Festival in May, another letter arrived from the Capital. Jiang Ziqi, having learned about the situation in Xin’an City, once again invited Zhao Erhu and his wife to the Capital City.

"Erhu, Brother Jiang’s letter mentions inviting us to the Capital again. What do you think?" Lin Yue asked for Zhao Erhu’s opinion after reading the letter.

"We don’t have anything urgent at home right now, and since the ingredients for the palace are continuously being shipped from us and it’s not convenient, we will need to make a trip to the city sooner or later. It seems like an appropriate time. Wife, what do you think?"

"Of course, I want to go. The farthest I’ve ever been is Xin’an City. They say the Capital City is very prosperous; of course, I want to see it. It’s just that Dalang and the others are still at the academy studying, so I’m a bit worried about leaving the children at home," she said.

"That’s not an issue. They’re old enough to take care of themselves. If we do go to the Capital, we can ask eldest brother and sister-in-law, along with Qiangzi, to look after them," he reassured her.

After discussing it together, Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue decided to make the trip to the Capital City. First, since the restaurant and grocery store were closed, they had fewer responsibilities. Furthermore, the Wei Residence was still eyeing their recipes and had yet to find an opportunity to act. Going to the Capital would allow them to lay low and also give them a chance to experience the local customs there.

Having made their decision, Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue went to the herbal shop to inform Manager Liu and also wrote a letter for him to carry to the Capital, letting Jiang Ziqi know about their plans in advance.

"Fantastic! The Family Head will certainly be pleased to know that you are coming to the Capital. I will send the letter right away." Having worked with Jiang Ziqi for a significant time, especially during Jiang Ziqi’s stint in Xin’an City, Manager Liu often handled affairs for him and had noticed some of the Family Head’s personal interests, or at least he knew the Family Head’s attitude towards Zhao Erhu and his wife, or rather towards Lin Yue, was different. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have invited them to the Capital repeatedly.

Although they had decided to travel to the Capital, it was not going to happen immediately. They needed to arrange all matters at home first, as well as prepare everything they needed to take with them, such as small gifts to be given upon meeting new people. They were uncertain about the Jiang Family’s circumstances and considering their relationship with Jiang Ziqi, they would probably need to interact with members of the Jiang Family once in the Capital. It was always better to be prepared, especially since the items were produced by their own establishment and didn’t cost much. Otherwise, last-minute purchases in the Capital could cost them a significant amount of silver.

While the three brothers, Dalang included, couldn’t accompany them due to their studies at the academy, Lin Yue contemplated whether to take their fourth son. After discussing with Zhao Erhu, they decided to leave the boy at home, as this was their first visit to the Capital, and they were uncertain of the circumstances there. Besides, with business to attend to, it would be inconvenient to manage with a child in tow. Eventually, they decided to entrust their fourth son to Zhao Dahuo’s care.

"Axin, immediately order the cleaning of Qiwu Courtyard and ensure that all items are well prepared; we will have esteemed guests staying," Jiang Ziqi, having received the letter from Xin’an City and learning that Zhao Erhu and his wife had finally agreed to come to the Capital, promptly instructed his servants. Although he knew that Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue would not arrive so soon, he was still eager to make preparations.

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