A Good Country Wife
Chapter 560 - 554_1

Chapter 560: Chapter 554_1

After trying several blacksmiths who couldn’t produce springs to Lin Yue’s specifications, it was finally Old Lu who, seeing how hard Lin Yue was working, recommended one. Naturally, someone recommended by Old Lu wouldn’t be mediocre, but even he only agreed to give it a try and didn’t guarantee he could make an exact copy. After all, the work is completely handmade; it can’t be perfectly standardized.

"I say, Erhu’s wife, what new fancy thing are you up to now? If it turns out well, don’t forget to get one for this old man," Old Lu said in the carpentry workshop upon encountering Lin Yue, who was directing Zhang Qiusheng to make something like a bedside cabinet and a wardrobe with sliding doors. Sliding door wardrobes sounded quite novel, and Old Lu knew that whatever Lin Yue came up with was bound to be good stuff, so he didn’t forget to ask for one for himself.

Lin Yue would hardly refuse such a small request. "Alright then, no problem. Once it’s made, I’ll have someone send it over to you, Old Lu. You’re guaranteed to be satisfied with its use."

Right now, Lin Yue’s biggest wish was for Zhao Erhu to bring back a craftsman capable of firing colored glazes. Then, she could place a couple of delicately made colored glass lamps on the bedside cabinets—how beautiful that would be. Thinking of this, Lin Yue had someone call over Liu Aniu. The former Liu Aniu, now already the manager for Zhao Erhu’s household, had not sold himself into the Zhao family, but because of his loyalty, many external affairs of Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue were entrusted to him to manage. Of course, for confidential matters, Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue still preferred to arrange for servants who had signed a binding contract to handle them.

"Madam, you were looking for me?" As the manager of the outer court, Liu Aniu was also busy. Hearing the madam’s summons, he quickly put aside his work and came over.

"Manager Liu, have you purchased all those materials I asked you to buy?"

Although Lin Yue wasn’t sure whether the craftsman skilled in firing colored glazes could be brought back, she had already prepared all the required materials well in advance to save time, just waiting for the craftsman’s arrival so they could start immediately. Ideally, she wanted to produce a batch of glass bottles before Zhao Erhu set sail. Liao Ruyan had already made a batch of essential oils, and Lin Yue wanted to use glass bottles for the best quality oils, as they looked not only beautiful but also significantly upgraded their value. However, if getting a craftsman proved impossible, she would have to ask a few workers skilled in the field to experiment slowly. Given that they had the recipe, they would surely find a way eventually.

Although Liu Aniu didn’t know why Lin Yue had asked him to procure these materials—stones, of all things, were they for building a wall? That didn’t seem right. Building a wall wouldn’t require just those few particular types of stones. He couldn’t figure it out, but understanding the madam’s intentions wasn’t something he could ascertain. Even so, Liu Aniu’s efficiency in completing tasks was as good as ever, strictly fulfilling Lin Yue’s instructions without any deviation.

"Madam, rest assured. The items you asked me to buy have been ordered and will be delivered tomorrow. For some items that weren’t for sale, I found another way to obtain them. However, madam, please instruct where to store these items once they arrive."

"Just put them in that newly constructed workshop. Also, find some people to separate those stones and grind them into powders, make sure to store each type separately and not mix them up," Lin Yue instructed. She did her best to complete all the preparatory work that could be done before the craftsman arrived, which would save a lot of effort.

"Yes, I will arrange for someone to take care of this matter immediately." Liu Aniu found the workshop increasingly odd as he considered the layout and furnishings. Could Madam be planning to make her own porcelain? But this didn’t resemble the kilns used for regular porcelain firing. Liu Aniu’s guess was merely out of curiosity, his expression revealing nothing. He certainly would not disclose even the slightest detail to others since Madam entrusted him with such an important task, believing in him. He could not let down the trust of Master and Madam."

Lin Yue nodded, then instructed, "Find some reliable people. This matter must not be leaked. Actually, let’s have the household servants do it, ultimately they’re more dependable."

Liu Aniu immediately went to carry out Lin Yue’s order. Although the task she asked him to do felt more and more peculiar, he didn’t ask further questions. It was precisely this quality that Lin Yue valued in Liu Aniu, which is why she entrusted him with the job.

Watching Liu Aniu leave, Xixi came in beaming with joy, visibly elated. Lin Yue couldn’t help but take a second look, considering Nurse Xu’s age, seniority, and character, which were all well-known. Usually, she was very steady and unsmiling, and even though she was gentler in front of Lin Yue, she rarely showed too much emotion. What could have happened today to make her so happy?

"Nurse Xu, what brings you such joy?" Lin Yue asked with a smile, noticing that Xixi, too, shared Nurse Xu’s cheerful expression. This made her even more curious. Was today a special day that everyone was so happy?

"Madam, you don’t know, Fangcao felt unwell and fainted this morning. Later, Nurse Xu had a doctor come to see her, and it turned out that Fangcao is a month pregnant. It’s truly wonderful news. Nurse Xu sent someone to inform Master Zhang, and the entire Zhang family was ecstatic. They hurried to pick an auspicious date to bring Fangcao into the family sooner, so she can be properly cared for at home. Right now, Old Madam Zhang even made a special soup to nourish Fangcao, concerned that she wouldn’t eat well and it would affect the baby. They are treating Fangcao like a precious jewel."

"Oh, Fangcao is pregnant?" Lin Yue was somewhat surprised. The odds were incredibly high, as Fangcao and Zhang Qiusheng had conceived after just one encounter. It seemed that fertile land did indeed yield good crops. Chen Family’s own daughter, Zhang Xiaoyu, and Zhang Qiusheng had been together for many years, yet they only had a daughter like Zhang Xiaoyu, who was raised in such a way.

Lin Yue thought for a moment and then turned to still-smiling Nurse Xu and Xixi. "Why are you both so happy about Fangcao’s pregnancy? Usually, I haven’t seen you two get along that well?"

"Madam, we are happy for you. That little vixen, Zhang Xiaoyu, isn’t young but lacks sense. And she’s so unprincipled, daring to set her sights on the Master. Fangcao already despises her, and once she’s part of the family, she certainly won’t let that little harlot, Zhang Xiaoyu, have any good days! But after all, Zhang Xiaoyu has her own mother, grandfather, and grandmother shielding her. Although Master Zhang is angry with her for being such a disgrace, he still feels somewhat sorry for his daughter who he’s brought up for over a decade. But now that Fangcao is pregnant, the situation is different.

Grandfather Zhang and Grandmother Zhang have longed for a grandson for so many years. Once Fangcao is part of the family, they will surely pamper and take good care of her. Zhang Xiaoyu will naturally be put aside, and even if she suffers some indignities at Fangcao’s hands, she will have to endure it, all for the sake of the child in Fangcao’s belly. Besides, Zhang Xiaoyu recently did something very shameful."

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