叭哒漫画

The three of them moved in unison, each eagerly taking a bite.

Madam Zhang’s demeanor was relatively more graceful. As one of the more respectable maids in the household, she often had the chance to eat meat. The two laborers, however, were not as fortunate. In previous years when the harvest was abundant, they had meat more often. However, in the last two years, they only got to taste meat during special occasions and holidays.

They assumed that being able to eat meat was already a luxury. But when they tasted it, they were all astounded – even Madam Zhang was no exception.

It didn’t taste like what they had eaten elsewhere!

How could the meat be so delicious?

The three of them dug into the rice that was mixed with fragrant meat broth. It was beyond delicious.

They ate quickly at first, but towards the end, they slowed down considerably.

The fast pace was because the food was too tempting, making them want to take one bite after another, whereas the slower pace was their attempt to truly savor the taste instead of finishing it off in a few bites.

Having finished their meal, the two laborers didn’t say anything. However, Madam Zhang couldn’t help but ask Wei Ruo, “Miss, was this meat cooked by the kitchen staff? How did they manage to make it so delicious?”

“It was cooked by Xiumei,” replied Wei Ruo.

“Lady Xiumei is such an excellent cook!” Madam Zhang couldn’t help but praise her. At the same time, her gaze towards Xiumei contained something different from before.

Ever since the day she first met Xiumei, she looked down on her because she was a maid brought into the Wei Family by the He Family to attend to Wei Ruo. She always stayed at the countryside with Wei Ruo and lacked proper manners when compared to those who came from the Military Prefecture.

But to her surprise, this girl had such remarkable skills! Not all those from the countryside were unruly and narrow-minded. Some of them did have their own amazing aspects!

Feeling the astonishment in Madam Zhang’s gaze, Xiumei couldn’t help but smile.

This was the first time she had seen the usually snobbish Madam Zhang look at her with such an expression!

Wei Ruo addressed Madam Zhang and the two laborers: “Providing you with a good meal is just one aspect. As long as you work hard for me and complete the tasks I assign to you, I promise I won’t treat you unfairly.”

At this point, one of the laborers, Agui, finally couldn’t help asking, “Miss, does this mean you would continue providing us with such delicious meals in the future?”

“Not only meals, but you can also expect other benefits,” promised Wei Ruo.

“Miss, rest assured, we will work hard for you!” Agui quickly reassured her.

“Count me in too!” chimed in the other laborer, Xiaoba.

Though it was just a single meal, it was indeed very rare for them. Although they didn’t know what other benefits Wei Ruo was referring to, it was already enough to motivate them to work even harder for her.

Madam Zhang remained silent. Despite finding the meal are prepared by Wei Ruo delicious, she was not that gullible to easily change her opinion about Wei Ruo over a mere meal.

While she was thinking about it, Xiumei came over and handed a small cloth bag to her.

Xiumei also gave a similar bag to both Agui and Xiaoba. Each bag was of equal weight, and felt bulky to hold.

Curious, Madam Zhang opened the bag, saw the food inside, and asked, “Are these the same sweet potato chips that Miss Wei had brought for the other ladies before?”

Madam Zhang had heard about this incident. Reportedly, they were unanimously appreciated by everyone, but she had never seen them in person.

“Yes, these are very easy to preserve and are also quite filling. You can snack on these when you are hungry, or take them home for your family to try,” replied Wei Ruo.

Out of curiosity, both Agui and Xiaoba tasted a piece at once.

Neither of them said anything, but their expressions indicated that they enjoyed eating the dried sweet potato. For them, sweets were a luxury, so their reactions were more pronounced than any ordinary person.

Madam Zhang watched them for some time. The chips weren’t particularly attractive, especially compared to the delicate cakes that she had seen before.

Yet under the influence of her curiosity, she also took a bite.

Although her reaction was not as extreme as the two laborers’, she did actually like it.

The very same Madam Zhang who had just decided not to change her opinion about Wei Ruo over a mere meal was now wavering once again, all thanks to a bag of dried sweet potatoes.

It seems this Miss Wei really is quite generous towards those who work for her…

Each of them only ate a piece and didn’t eat more. Firstly, they were full from the hearty lunch Wei Ruo had given them, and secondly, they wanted to take the rest back home for their families to try.

After they finished lunch, everyone went back to work. This time, the two laborers worked even harder than before.

They hadn’t slacked off before, but now they had extra motivation to work wholeheartedly for Wei Ruo, and their spirits were obviously improved.

###

Not too far away, another group of people, like Wei Ruo, had just left through the South Gate of the city.

Chu Lan’s gaze swept over the South district of the city, which was desolate and barren. He did not expect to see several figures working in the stark field. “What’s going on?” Chu Lan asked his attendant.

“Your Highness, these people belong to the Wei Family. They said they were trying to plant crops in barren lands. If successful, they could guide the city’s citizens to farm here once the war situation improves. This was permitted by Qian Magistrate,” reported an attendant following behind Chu Lan.

As Chu Lan’s attendant, it was his duty to research the basic conditions of the places that Chu Lan planned to visit in advance.

“People from the Wei Family?” Chu Lan asked, visibly surprised. “When did the Wei Family start doing such things? It doesn’t sound like something they’d typically do.”

Lu Yuhong chuckled and said, “Your Highness, it seems that the Wei Family is full of surprises. First, they impressed everyone with their calligraphy, and now they’re trying their hand at farming.”

Chu Lan didn’t argue with Lu Yuhong’s comment. His gaze remained fixed on the people from the Wei Family who were busy farming, and asked, “Who is the person who is directing them over there?”

The subordinate took a careful look and made a guess, “It may be the young lady of the Wei Family who just returned home.”

“The young lady who just returned home?” Chu Lan asked with a trace of curiosity.

“The Wei Family claims that due to her poor health, she was raised in the countryside and had just been brought back,” the subordinate explained.

“Raised in the countryside, so she is proficient in farming, is it?” Chu Lan asked.

“It appears so,” was the reply.

Lu Yuhong laughed and said, “A county-raised, farming-skilled lady from an earl’s family. That’s quite novel.”

“Whether she is proficient or not remains to be seen. We have to wait and see what she can cultivate. Just because she can work in the fields doesn’t mean that she’s an expert,” Chu Lan said, appearing skeptical.

“That’s true. It only counts if there are results. In comparision, that Four Treasure House shop is more interesting,” Lu Yuhong added.

Despite being politely declined by the shopkeeper during their last visit, Lu Yuhong was still thinking about the Four Treasure House. He felt that it was a great opportunity to make money.

After a brief pause, Chu Lan led the group towards Wangyue Mountain, without being too distracted by this small deviation..