With Du Xiao Hui around, making green herb ointment became much easier for Li Yao. This girl was quite nimble and clever. She could grasp most tasks after being told only once.
After finishing up the green herb ointment, she went on to help Liu Sao with washing vegetables and geese. Once that was done, she swept the house and courtyard until they were spotless.
Finally, seeing there was nothing else to do, she picked up her basket, preparing to go cut grass again.
"Xiao Hui, no need to cut grass today," said Li Yao.
"Then..." Du Xiao Hui looked left and right, "It's getting late. How about I help make dinner?"
"No need. Come with me," said Li Yao.
Every evening when the children were having lessons with Tutor Lv Xiucai, Li Yao brought Du Xiao Hui into the "schoolroom" and had her sit in to learn as well.
"Auntie Li, I...I can't study," said Du Xiao Hui.
"Why not?" asked Li Yao.
"My grandma said a woman's lack of talent is a virtue," explained Du Xiao Hui. "Only young ladies from wealthy families can study."
Li Yao had no patience for such feudal principles. She cut her off directly, "You work for my family. You'll do as I say. If not, you can go back home."
Du Xiao Hui was frightened by her tone. She absolutely did not want to go back.
She also knew Auntie Li meant well for her, so she obediently sat down without further protest.
Seeing the girl so obedient, Li Yao didn't say anything more. She turned to Lv Xiucai and said, "Mr. Lv, I hope you don't mind teaching one more?"
"Not at all, not at all," said Lv Xiucai happily.
Eating lunch at the Lv's every day was like living the life of a rich man. He got to eat meat every meal! Now he was just being asked to teach one more little girl. How could he possibly refuse?
Offending Li Yao's fierce temper would be a huge loss. He'd lose this cozy western-style seat for sure.
After getting Du Xiao Hui settled, Li Yao went into the incubation room.
He Xiaoya had been watching the goose eggs day and night. Her complexion was looking rather poor from the effort. Fortunately, everything had gone smoothly over the past half month.
Li Yao tested the temperature of the eggs and said to He Xiaoya, "At this stage, the goose eggs will start heating up on their own, so we can reduce the oil lamps below. Just come check them once a night and get some more rest."
"Yes, Mother," said He Xiaoya.
She was filled with anticipation and nervousness.
In another half month, the little goslings would hatch. Da Zhuang had woven the fence for the gosling pen already. They just didn't know how many goslings would hatch successfully.
If this worked out, they could incubate large amounts of goslings, chicks and ducklings in the future.
Thinking of the courtyard filled with fluffy little cuties, He Xiaoya felt her heart would melt. An unconscious silly smile spread across her face.
Over the next few days, Li Yao increased her own exercise regimen. She went running in the mountains morning and evening, and cleared out a space deep in the woods to build training equipment like pull-up bars, parallel bars, plum-blossom piles, etc.
When home, she slowly pressed some tea seed oil and soaked medicinal herbs, while making some green ointment. Her days passed calm and peaceful, as if the famine plaguing the land had nothing to do with her family.
...
In the old Wang manor, Wang Jia Gui sat in the courtyard with knitted brows.
Ever since playing the kapok cotton at Li Yao's house days ago, he had been somewhat obsessed, constantly thinking of playing it again.
The problem was, there was no kapok anywhere else in the village for him to play.
So he racked his brains and decided to go to the market town to play for wealthy households. Not only could it satisfy his craving, if he played well, he might even earn some money.
But when he mentioned this idea, it met with strong opposition from Xue.
"A man your age coming up with such ideas!" Xue had always been a commanding woman. She yelled loudly, "This work earns just pennies! You might even damage the instrument and have to pay for it!"
"My skills aren't that terrible..." said Wang Jia Gui.
"You've only played it a few times!" Xue retorted. "Even making those cotton-padded mattresses, you still needed Daughter-in-Law Yuan Shan there to teach and supervise you every step. Do you think you're skilled at it now?"
Wang Jia Gui felt wronged but didn't dare talk back.
In this household, Xue had always called the shots.
"Then what's the plan if we're just sitting around idle all day?" said Wang Jia Gui. "Second Son's family is getting by selling braised meat rice, at least. But in the long run, won't folks start gossiping about them?"
"I know the family's affairs better than you!" Xue thought for a moment before saying, "Just wait!"
After that, Xue took some chicken eggs from home and went to Li Yao's house.
Li Yao was sitting in the yard sunning herself when Mother-in-Law arrived, feeling puzzled.
Although the old woman had helped make quilts and cotton-padded clothes last time, she had clearly been very kind to the children and maids, speaking gently to them.
But only when talking to her was she still cold and curt, often reproaching her.
Who knew what she was here for this time.
"I've brought some eggs for Er Lang. A scholar needs good food," said Xue.
"Just tell me straight out why you've come," said Li Yao.
Xue set down the eggs and finally said, "Alright, I'm here to swallow my pride and ask a favor. Go ahead and laugh if you want."
Li Yao scoffed internally. She didn't have time for such antics.
"Yuanshan Dad wants to go to town to earn money playing kapok," Xue continued. "But he's unskilled, and we have no cotton at home for him to practice. So I wanted to ask if you have any left, and have him make you some more padded mattresses."
"The cotton I bought last time is used up," said Li Yao.
"Then forget it," said Xue. "This is just as well, it'll stop him from getting fanciful ideas."
Although she said this, Li Yao knew Xue still wanted Father-in-Law to take this job, or she wouldn't have come herself. Having him idle at home all day clearly wasn't a solution either. Earning a little money each day would be better.
"If he wants to do it, I can buy more back for practice," offered Li Yao. "The weather is getting colder. A thick quilt at night would be nice."
"You still find that heavy quilt not warm enough?" Hearing this, Xue reflexively raised her voice. "Do you think you're some young mistress from a rich clan?"
Li Yao's brows furrowed. "So do you want it or not? If not, then forget it."
Normally, Xue would have refused to swallow her pride no matter what.
But the situation now left her no choice. Although the family still had food and Second Son could earn money, the famine had only just begun. Who knew how things would become?
"We'll take it."
The next day, Da Zhuang brought back twenty catties of kapok cotton from town, along with bamboo beds, catapults, and other items. These were all delivered to the old manor.
Having cotton to play with, Wang Jia Gui couldn't even be bothered to eat. He ceaselessly practiced.
Following Li Yao's advice, he took apart the cotton after playing it well once. Cutting the threads allowed the cotton to be re-played many times without any waste.
After two days of practice at home and dozens of padded mattresses later, his skills had reached a proficient level.
Seeing the mattresses he made independently, even Li Yao agreed he was ready to earn money.
"Wonderful, wonderful!" Wang Jia Gui was excitedly rubbing his hands. "I'll go to town tomorrow!"