The Story of a Destitute Noblewoman Farming

As soon as Lu Linlang went out, she saw Xiao Liu and her daughter walking towards the town. Xiao Liu's mother was carrying a big backpack.

"Boss, are you going to the county town?" When the two saw Lu Linlang, they greeted her with a smile.

Compared to the first time they met, both mother and daughter looked much more energetic. They were now renting a house from a widow in the village. Lu Linlang had originally wanted them to live in her home, but they felt they couldn't keep bothering their employer.

Moreover, they are now cooking for the people who are building the academy and get paid every month. Living outside will allow them to relax more. Today, the construction of the academy has been suspended and everyone will have to wait until after the New Year to return to work, so the mother and daughter have time to go to the town.

"Yes, you all get in the car and I'll take you to town." Lu Linlang invited.

"No, no, it's not far from here to town, and we just need to get familiar with the way. You go ahead and we'll walk there slowly." Xiao Liu's mother waved her hand to refuse and left with Xiao Liu.

When she saw Lu Linlang's carriage overtake them, Xiao Liu's mother Xia Chunfang slowed down her pace.

"Xiao Liu, you have to remember that it was Boss Lu who helped us, but we also have to know our own limitations and can't just rely on Boss's help. Look, the people in the village didn't take Boss's car, so we shouldn't take it either.

Our lives are much better now. Miss Xing'er has given us plenty of clothes to wear, and we can get paid for helping with cooking. We don't get beaten or scolded by people like your father. We should learn to be content."

"Mom, I know the boss is a good person. We can't ask for everything just because she's nice. Next year, I'll work for Dahua and the others and get paid every month. When we have enough money, we can rent two rooms, one for sleeping and one for cooking."

Xiao Liu nodded. She also knew this truth, so she was very satisfied with her current situation.

"Yeah, that's right, but I heard that all the girls in the village are studying. It would be great if my little Liu had the chance to study. If she knows how to do accounting, she won't suffer any loss. I used to think that getting married was just about living and raising children, but now I know that, as a person, you have to live well yourself first before you can make those around you happy. If you meet someone who treats you badly, don't be reluctant to let them go, and don't make the same mistake over and over again."

"I'm now studying with Sister Dahua and the others. They're all very kind and have even taught me how to read. I can even write my own name now. Mom, I'll write it for you to see. This is my name, Xia Xiaoliu."

Xiao Liu stopped, found a branch, and wrote the name he had just learned on the ground.

"Okay, okay, Xiao Liu can write now. This is your name. Mom must remember it. Remember how to write our name, Xiao Liu." Xia Chunfang did not blame Xiao Liu for wasting time. Instead, she watched and carefully imitated the way Xiao Liu wrote just now, using her fingers to gesture and write her name.

"Mom, don't worry. I will study hard and make good money in the future to build a house for the two of us. No one will drive us away or sell us off. I will be filial to you."

"My Xiao Liu has grown up. Let's go. If we go any later, I'm afraid others will buy all the things." She wiped off the name written by Xiao Liu with her foot to prevent others from stepping on her name, and then ran all the way with Xiao Liu.

"Mom, I heard there are a lot of things in town and they won't be sold out." The laughter of the mother and daughter could be heard from far away.

In the car, He Yue had just seen the appearance of the mother and daughter. He had a strong observation ability and guessed that they were probably not from Xishan Village.

"Miss Lu, I heard that you've helped many people, especially women. No matter where you are, you always think about women's rights. Those two people just now were also women you helped, right?"

"Yes, they are from the Chongshui people. Women have a harder time in this world than men. No matter what situation they encounter, women are the first ones people want to abandon. In many cases, they don't even have a say.

In people’s minds, women seem to be men’s objects, who can be abandoned at will. But as a woman, I know how difficult it is for women, so I try to help in any way I can.

The world is difficult and life is short. Doing something that can change people's minds in your limited time will make your life worthwhile."

"Miss Lu's ideas are indeed different from those of most people in the world. I feel that your thoughts are often not like those of an ordinary inner-house woman.

You're more like a radical civil servant, like a reformist official. You have many ideas and novelties in your head. You can handle business well while shouldering the heavy burden of national justice. You take the initiative to stand out when the Great Qi is in turmoil, and you can also retreat into the crowd when peace is restored. You're quite like a hermit who doesn't seek fame or fortune.

"General He, you are too kind. I am just an ordinary person. You see, I want to buy land, make money, and gain fame.

Human beings have endless desires. I am a woman and I also understand the feelings of family and country. Many times, I am not the one who takes the initiative to walk, but I am pushed to walk.

In the torrent of history, we may be a drop in the ocean, or we may have the opportunity to become famous through the ages, but it is us who are standing in the torrent, not the past or the future.

So it is important to live in the present moment. I do what I want to do now so that I won’t have regrets later.”

"No wonder everyone who meets you admires you. Miss Lu's thinking is very advanced. In life, everyone has their own choices. We just need to be spectators, not give instructions. I have learned a lot today."

As the two chatted, they arrived at the county town. Today, the county town was bustling from the city gate. Even the carriages could only move slowly. People were selling things on the streets, and many people had their backpacks full of things.

The two of them came here today not just for a stroll. He Yue had already bought a courtyard in Chongshui, which happened to be next to Lu Linlang's courtyard. In addition, Lord Xu heard that General He had arrived in Chongshui and had been inviting the two of them to his home, so they came here today just to please him.

Lord Xu brought officials from the county government to host a banquet at a restaurant to entertain the two of them. As soon as they arrived at the restaurant, Lord Xu was already waiting there.

"General He, Miss Lu, please come in quickly. Everyone is here and we are waiting for you. Today happens to be a day off for officials, so we have time to host a banquet. It will be simple food, so please don't mind."

"Thank you, Lord Xu and all the other gentlemen, for your hospitality. Chongshui is now even more prosperous than the last time I was here. This shows that Lord Xu manages the city well. I admire him deeply. There are also police patrols along the way, which has greatly improved the safety of the people. This is what it means to truly serve the people."

"General He, you are too kind. We have only followed Lord Zhao's methods and consulted Miss Lu, but have only added to them. When Lord Zhao was in Chongshui, he often reminded us that the people's problems are the government's problems. Solving the people's problems will solve the government's problems. I dare not take credit for Chongshui's prosperity today. It is all Miss Lu's masterpiece."

"Yes, yes. The pens, inks, paper, and inkstones made by Miss Lu and her staff have provided livelihoods for most of the people in Chongshui. It can be said that without Miss Lu, there would be no Chongshui today."

"Thank you for your kind words, gentlemen. If it weren't for your great help, Chongshui would not be what it is today. We are all old acquaintances. If you praise me any more, I will feel shy." Seeing them flattering each other, Lu Linlang had to stand up and toast everyone with tea instead of wine.