The abandoned concubine who transmigrated woke up shouting "Long live the widow!"

"Miss, I'm here! What can I do for you?" Xiaoman pushed open the door and came in.

"So, are there 22 people in these two courtyards combined?" Jingxue asked.

Xiaoman smiled and said, "Miss, including me and the leap month, there are 24!"

Jingxue laughed, "Then why didn't you add An'an and Yingying? It's almost the end of the month, it's time to pay you your wages! I was so busy I forgot."

"Hmm! Miss, how much would you like to give these people?"

"Xiaoman, Runyue and An'an are still young. I'm afraid they might get lost. Just give each of them 20 coins for pocket money. I'll take care of their money from now on!"

“Yes, Miss!” Xiaoman nodded.

“Give each servant who came back from Jizhou two taels of silver! Although it has been less than a month, these people did not bring anything back with them. A few days ago, Lixia made two sets of thin cotton clothes for them, and then two sets of thick cotton clothes for them, as well as shoes.”

After Jingxue finished speaking, she suddenly remembered that there were still some servants on the estate. She had returned in such a hurry that she didn't know if Steward Yuan could pay them their wages. She could only make up for it next month.

"In addition, I also want to make two sets of work clothes and hats for the people working in the yard next door!"

Xiaoman was familiar with the term "work uniform." She knew things like the clothes worn by the shop assistants with the "Li Ji" logo, and the identical dresses worn by the girls in the beauty salon.

"Miss, are you looking for a tailor or...?"

Jingxue understood Xiaoman's intention and asked, "Can the wet nurse and the three girls, Chunqiu and Dong, also be chosen?"

"Miss, do you have a pattern? We should be able to make it. What kind of fabric would you like to use? Your dowry is all silk, so work clothes won't be suitable, will they?"

“Yes! Then we’ll have to go out and buy some. Can you calculate how much fabric they’ll need for eight people? I haven’t even told you what kind yet! Here, I’ll draw it for you.”

When Ye Muchen brought Gao Chi to Jingning Garden, they heard laughter and cheerful voices coming from inside the house as soon as they entered the courtyard.

He returned earlier today than yesterday, and after quickly tidying up at Mingyuan Pavilion, he came over.

The servant opened the door for him, and through the door to the main hall, he saw Runyue wearing a gray robe and a hat of the same color, jumping around in the room.

Little Yingying was running around her too.

"Old Sun is here! Haha..." It was Jingxue's voice.

However, everyone fell silent when they saw Ye Muchen enter.

The servants bowed in unison, and even Yingying bowed her small body in a very proper manner.

"Get up, everyone! What's making you so happy?" Ye Muchen asked.

Jingxue saw that Ye Muchen's smile had also faded. "It's nothing, I was just joking! You're back pretty early today!"

Ye Muchen walked to the seat next to Jingxue and sat down, lifting his robe.

"Yeah! I got back early today, so I came over for a free meal!"

Jingxue: They're used to eating well and running errands! It's only natural for them to come and freeload!

"In the leap month, take off your robe. Xiaoman, check if the kitchen has prepared dinner yet?" Jingxue instructed.

"Yes, Miss!" Xiaoman reached out and helped Runyue untie the straps at the back of her work clothes.

Leap Month took off his hat himself.

"Why are you wearing this kind of robe?" Ye Muchen asked.

"Oh! I haven't had a chance to tell you yet, I'm planning to make tofu in the yard next door! It's one of the crops grown on the estate, soybeans. A food made from soybeans is called tofu, and you can make a lot of dishes with it!"

"Ok!"

"I'm sorry! I didn't tell you beforehand. If you don't agree, I'll go out and buy a shop to do it!" Jingxue

At this moment, Xiaoman had already led several children and maids out. Ye Muchen turned to Jingxue and said gently, "Didn't I say that you can do whatever you like? There's no need to go out and look for a shop. There are many courtyards in the manor. You can arrange it as you please!"

Jingxue avoided his gaze. "Then thank you! Don't worry! Once the tofu is made, I'll send it to the main kitchen in the manor. Also, if your army wants to make this kind of food, I can send someone over to teach them!"

Ye Muchen laughed, "Then I should be thanking you! The soldiers will have another dish to eat, and I'm really looking forward to it!"

"Next spring, the army will have to grow its own food. The soldiers have been fighting on the battlefield all year round. Although they are strong, they don't know much about farming. So, I suggested to the Emperor that we send some people to Dashan Village, to your and Xiao Jing's greenhouse, to learn from the villagers. After all, there are ready-made crops there, which is better than just talking about it on paper! You don't have any objections, do you?"

Jingxue: Oh my god! Another new person is coming to the village!

"I have no objection. What you said makes sense and is very thoughtful. However, there's nowhere to stay!"

"That's not a problem. Soldiers are used to sleeping in the open during battles. They can just set up tents near the shed!"

Jingxue sighed. The weather was getting colder and colder, and she was suffering enough already!

"That!"

"This afternoon, more than 50 people were selected from the main camp and temporarily formed into a small team. I will lead them there tomorrow!"

"Okay!" That's quick execution.

Just then, Gao Chi announced from outside that the butler was requesting an audience, and the two stopped talking.

"Let him in!" Ye Muchen ordered.

When the steward entered, he was holding something that looked like an invitation. He bowed and reported, "Your Highness, Your Highness, this is an invitation from the Imperial Princess's residence. They invite you both to attend the housewarming banquet at the County Princess's residence tomorrow!"

Jingxue had a very bad impression of Princess Xuanhui, and her first reaction was to refuse her.

Ye Muchen frowned. He was going to the manor tomorrow, and besides, he knew that the Princess of Kangping County might be interested in him, so he was even less willing to go, nor did he want Jingxue to go.

But he turned to Jingxue and asked, "Do you want to go?"

“I don’t want to go! But…” Jingxue said it directly, but she was afraid of making things difficult for Ye Muchen, since she had already promised him to put on a show in front of outsiders.

"Then I won't go. I have important matters to attend to tomorrow and don't have time!"

Jingxue was surprised that Ye Muchen agreed so readily; that was wonderful! In a good mood, she said, "Butler, just say I've caught a cold and shouldn't go out to see guests!"

Ye Muchen instructed the steward, "Tomorrow, go to the storeroom and find a screen or similar decorative item to send over!"

"Yes, this servant understands!"

Ye Muchen wanted to talk to Jingxue about the grain again, so he casually dismissed the steward, saying, "If you have nothing else to say, you can leave now!"

The butler withdrew.

Then Xiaoman came to serve the meal, and Ye Muchen didn't say anything more.

After dinner, Jingxue called over Uncle Lian and a few others from next door to carry over the beans, and directed them to pick and soak the beans. Ye Muchen and Gao Chi also went to the neighboring yard to see the small tofu-making workshop.

He really wanted to know what kind of food could be made from this tiny bean.

After leaving the neighboring house, it wasn't appropriate to go back to Jingning Garden, so Ye Muchen took Gao Chi back to Mingyuan Pavilion.