Chronicle of Farming in Muxianfu

Chapter 56 Gossip
Aunt Guo thought about it carefully, and said, "Go back to Madam, half a month ago, after the land was fixed in our house, the fat aunt in the west of the village asked me a few words, but I diverted the conversation and didn't say anything. I remember the rules clearly. Afterwards, I never heard of it again.”

Mu Ai saw that she was a little nervous, smiled slightly, and said comfortingly, "Aunt Guo, I know that you all know the rules. I usually don't like to be a director, and I don't want to deal with people. This mansion is thanks to your husband and wife. I know what people are working hard for. I have nothing to say when I came to you today. I just saw that the weather was getting warmer, and I thought that when Aunt Guo had free time, she would not be confined to the mansion, and would lead the little girls to familiar places. People go for a walk, or go to the river to do laundry, and listen to what's new in the village. If there are folks who care about our house, tell them about the new seeds that Uncle Xiao entrusted our house to try this year. These people are naturally curious , if we don’t talk about it, everyone will feel mysterious, but if we really tell them, it might be boring again. Do you understand?”

After all, Aunt Guo was older, and when the little girls were still wondering and blinking, she had already understood.The madam wanted to grow some fresh food again. Due to her status as a widow, she didn't want to be too conspicuous, so she had to take shelter of the name of the Xiao family.In the past few days, many seeds have been given away to the village for free, and they are planted together with the villagers. At that time, the villagers have made money. If there is a difficulty in their own family, the villagers will also help.Thinking of this, she feels distressed for a woman who has to spend so much effort to support a mansion and take care of the livelihood of a dozen people.So, he quickly stood up, bowed his head and saluted, and replied, "Madam, don't worry about this matter, I know how to do it, and I will take care of the little girls."

Mu Ai helped her up with a smile, "Aunt Guo, don't be too polite, it's not a big deal, it's okay if it goes wrong, but our house has only been built for a few months, the foundation is still shallow, and we get along well with the villagers It's always a good thing. You are cheerful and easy to be liked by the women in the village, so please take care of me."

"Yes, ma'am."

Mu Ai took a sip of tea and watched the three little girls being taken by Xia Zhi to eat snacks on the small table by the window. Xiaoqing was lively and could eat a snack with just a few mouthfuls, but Xiao Miao Xiaoan was more sensible and quiet A little, stuttering with gentle movements, occasionally turning his head to listen to the movement here...

"Aunt Guo, you have taken good care of these children. They are much fresher than when they first came to the house. Eleven or twelve years old is when they are growing up. Don't treat them badly when it comes to food. What heavy work is there for Guo Uncle arranged for Ah Da and the others to work together, saying that sons raised by poor people are raised by daughters richly, if they are not forced by life, they are also delicate girls in the hands of their parents." Mu Ai asked Chun Equinox to give the cake she was holding to a few little girls She took it over, watched Xiao An stand up and took it with both hands, and nodded in satisfaction. This girl is not bad in terms of etiquette and rules, and she is also smart enough. If you observe it for a while, maybe she will be a good helper like the spring equinox in the future.

Aunt Guo's eyes dimmed for a moment, obviously remembering the difficult days before, but they immediately lit up again, "I'm not flattering Madam, most of the people in our house have gone through great difficulties, let alone Those who climbed out of the pile of dead people were similar. Let’s say that our family of three had a flood last year. Except for people who escaped, everything was washed away by the flood, and the few acres of land at home turned into a vast ocean. My family Because I have studied for two years, I stubbornly refused to sell myself as a slave. As a result, I was so angry that I couldn’t wake up from the cold and sick. I couldn’t find any of my original relatives and friends. For a lifetime, the master sold a family of three and managed to save him with two taels of silver. Perhaps it was because of the virtues we had accumulated in our previous life that we were brought back by our wife. It’s okay before the disaster, we can’t repay the kindness Madam has treated us even if we spend our whole life working hard.”

As she spoke, her tears fell, she got up and knelt down in front of Mu Ai, all the maids in the house heard her words, and the four of them, including Chun Equinox, knelt down and kowtowed to Mu Ai.

Mu Ai quickly put down the teacup and helped Aunt Guo up. In her heart, it was only natural for her to feed and clothe these people for her.However, she didn't know that in this time and space, her behavior was the pinnacle of benevolence.It seems that she will need to adapt to this time and space for many years.Pushing Aunt Guo on the chair, Mu Ai turned around and glared at Chunfen and the others with a smile, "It's fine if Aunt Guo isn't by my side often, you walk around me every day, and why are you joining in the fun? I don't know I don't like people kneeling down. Well, don't bring the things yet."

Spring Equinox responded with a smile, turned around and entered the room with Xia Zhi, and took out several bolts of plain cotton cloth, a box of brightly colored embroidery threads, and a tray covered with red cloth.Mu Ai took a piece of pure white cotton cloth and touched it carefully, it was very soft and fine.Handed it to Aunt Guo, "Aunt Guo, you all know that our family has a weak foundation, and we need a little accumulation of everything. You all entered the house empty-handed, and you must not have much clothing and accessories. These cotton cloths were collected years ago. New Year's ceremony, I think it's soft and dense, very suitable for making inner clothes, you take these few bolts of cloth and embroidery thread back, teach a few little girls how to learn female reds, and make two sets for yourself to change and wash. "

"Ma'am, this... this fabric is so good, you can save it and let the winter solstice girl make you an inner coat, it will be too useless for us." Aunt Guo only touched it, and knew that this fabric is a good thing, she quickly declined , They are all slaves, how can they use such a good material to make their inner clothes.

Mu Ai pushed the fabric back into her hand, and said, "What are you blind? Every woman should have several sets of good underwear. After all, it is a close-fitting thing. You don't have to worry about me. Everything I made for the winter solstice is perfect." There are a dozen sets."

Aunt Guo had no choice but to hold it, fondling it lightly, Xiaoqing couldn't help but leaned over and reached out to touch it, but she was so angry that she slapped it away, the little girl stuck out her tongue in a strange way, making Mu Ai laugh, Turning her head to signal Xia Zhi to take the square plate, she said, "In our house, including me, there are only nine women in total. I don't like wearing these ornaments, so I inevitably forgot to buy them for you. I will make up for you today. Let’s go.” Then, she lifted the red cloth, revealing the eight sets of silver jewelry on the plate, which were originally sent by Xiao Heng for her servants, and she has not worked hard enough, so she decided to do it together today .There are eight sets of jewelry in eight colors, including earrings, hairpins, rings and bracelets.Except for the vernal equinox, everyone else was attracted. Women like jewelry. They usually use ebony hairpins to tie their hair, and they don’t have any earrings or bracelets. Today, my wife bought them all in one go. I’m really overjoyed. Xia Zhi stared at the hibiscus-colored set with burning eyes, and his brows and eyes crooked with a smile. When he looked up and saw his wife's smile, he realized that he was too rich, so he turned around and hid behind the autumn equinox in shame.

(End of this chapter)