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Chu Qingzhi raised her head, scanning the surroundings, “Can I go dig in other places as well?”

Xu Guifang eagerly responded, “Of course, you can dig wherever you like.” Qingzhi selected a cluster of taro from each of the four directions within the village. They were all similar in size and of good quality. “These taro are acceptable.”

She headed back to the village entrance, “Let’s sign the contract now.”

The village head was thrilled at this, “Yes, yes, please come in.”

Xu Guifang had already briefed the villagers on the situation, and everyone agreed wholeheartedly. They even promised to treat Xu Guifang to a meal once the taro was sold.

Chu Qingzhi signed the contract with the entire village, paying a deposit of five taels of silver. Starting the day after tomorrow, the villagers would deliver two hundred pounds of taro to the workshop every morning. The payment would be deducted from the deposit until it was depleted, after which they would be paid in cash.

After finalizing the deal, the villagers gifted the taro Chu Qingzhi had dug up as a gesture of goodwill.

Gratefully accepting, Chu Qingzhi returned to Chu Village.

In the Chu Village.

Li Qingyu had just arrived home when He Cuiyun came to visit, her expression awkward as if harboring an unspoken dilemma.

Li Qingyu faced her squarely, “We’re from the same village, just speak your mind.”

He Cuiyun struggled to find the right words but eventually said, “Today, while chatting at the village’s edge, the topic of Qingyue marrying into a family in the capital came up. There are many girls of marriageable age in our village, and I was wondering if Qingyue could help set them up to marry into the capital as well?”

Li Qingyu was astonished, “Why would you want that?”

He Cuiyun hesitated, “Well, seeing Qingyue marry into a wealthy family in the capital, it’s enviable, isn’t it?”

“Qingyue is an exception. Everyone knows the reason behind it. Otherwise, do you think Qingyue can marry into the capital?”

Not every young master is like Ning Yuting, and village girls without family backing would only be bullied in a wealthy household. Why suffer such fate?

He Cuiyun understood the logic but still harbored hope, thinking that if Chu Qingyue could meet such a good husband, their daughter would definitely be able to too. “Qingyu, everyone envies Qingyue now. Please, could you help?” Li Qingyu calmly asked, “Setting aside the capital for a moment, do you think even families in the county to? would choose our village girls?”

He Cuiyun opened her mouth but had no reply.

Families in the county to? sought alliances with other wealthy families, unlikely to consider village girls unless for concubinage.

Li Qingyu patiently explained, “Do you understand what I’m saying now?” He Cuiyun reluctantly admitted some understanding but clung to the hope of exceptions, “There’s always an exception, Qingyu. Just think, if our village girls could also marry into the capital, they could support each other with Qingyue. Wouldn’t that benefit your family too?”

Li Qingyu, feeling helpless against such wishful thinking, suggested, “Aunt

Cuiyun, let me discuss this with Qingzhi and see what can be done.” ’ “Alright, I’ll listen to Qingzhi. That’s for sure,” He Cuiyun left cheerfully. Upon Chu Qingzhi’s return, Li Qingyu relayed He Cuiyun’s request, “Qingzhi, what should we do?”

Chu Qingzhi remarked indifferently. “Agree to their request, then have our second sister introduce them to matchmakers. After that, we needn’t involve ourselves further.”

Li Qingyu sighed, “Marrying into the capital could be life-threatening, these people…”

Chu Qingzhi replied coldly, “Mother, they’ve lived half their lives. If they can’t understand such a simple issue, it’s their own fault, not others’.”

Seeing that Li Qingyu couldn’t bear it, she added, “Mother, how about this? Tell the villagers about the drawbacks. If they still insist on going to the capital, do as I said just now.”

Li Qingyu nodded. This was as much as she could do. “1 know what to do now.”

Chu Qingzhi made her way to the apple pie workshop, ready to experiment with making taro pie.

Shen Ruyue was settling accounts in the office. Tomorrow was payday. When she saw Chu Qingzhi, she walked out of the office. “Qingzhi.”

Chu Qingzhi stopped in her tracks. “Ruyue, are the accounts settled?”

Shen Ruyue nodded. “It’s almost done.” She walked towards Chu Qingzhi. “What are you doing with the taro?”

Chu Qingzhi said, “Make taro pie to add a new flavor.”

“Coincidentally, I have something to tell you.” Shen Ruyue glanced at the taro and said, “Today, Chu Haodong told me we can’t get any more apples. Without a new supply, the apples stored in the cellar will only last three months.”

Chu Qingzhi asked, “Have you checked other counties?”

Shen Ruyue said, “We’ve checked the surrounding counties, but no luck. That’s why he came to me.”

Chu Qingzhi suggested, “Tell him to consider looking in the larger cities nearby or to negotiate with traders. Write a letter to our second sister later, asking if she can source apples…”

Chu Qingzhi explained many feasible methods unhurriedly. After that, she added, “If all else fails, it’s okay. Taro can substitute for a few months. Also, buy as much red and green beans as possible.”

“Are red and green beans for making bean pies?”

“Exactly.”

Shen Ruyue heaved a sigh of relief. A change of taste was better than a shortage. “Alright, I’ll get it done immediately.”

Chu Qingzhi carried the taro into the workshop and began to make the taro pie. Shen Ruyue returned to the office to settle the accounts. After that, she went to Chu Haodong’s house and told him what Chu Qingzhi had said.

Chu Haodong said that with the right connections, he would definitely be able to continue buying apples so that Shen Ruyue wouldn’t have to worry.

At the ancestral hall.

It was time for school to let out.

Chu Qingning reminded, “Make sure to complete your homework. Tomorrow morning, Sister Lihua will check. Those who haven’t finished won’t be able to stay for class.”

“We’ll make sure to do it.”

“Alright, pack up and get ready to head home.”

The children reluctantly left, cherishing the rare moments of full bellies without the need to work.

Xu Songnian and Xu Wenlin packed up, joining their peers in leaving the ancestral hall.

They couldn’t go home just yet. They needed to feed the wolf pups first. After feeding, they could head home.

The two stood at the entrance, waiting for Chu Qingning to come out so they could all leave together.

Tian Xiaoqiu, seeing them waiting, approached hesitantly, “Aren’t you leaving yet?”

Xu Songnian replied, “We’ll leave in a bit.

Tian Xiaoqiu eagerly asked, “Can I walk with you?” Their villages were neighbors, and they could walk part of the way together.

Xu Songnian nodded. “Sure, but we still need some time. If you go home late, your aunt won’t make things difficult for you, will she?”

Tian Xiaoqiu flinched instinctively but decided to stay, “It’s okay. I’ll tell her I was helping my cousin with something. She won’t say anything.”

“That’s fine then.”

Chu Qingning emerged from the classroom, locked the door, and approached the three children, “Let’s go..”