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墨書 Inktalez
Xiao Lihua put a lot of thought into decorating her new home. She was not an inexperienced villager but someone from the modern world. Even if she hadn't visited many famous landmarks, she had seen plenty of ancient home decorations on television. Coupled with modern home decor, and with money at her disposal, she naturally made her new home very pleasing.
Not only did Xiao Ziyi admire it greatly, but even Hua Heng showed appreciation in his eyes.
Xiao Lihua smiled and humbly said a few words before asking Xie Youshun to keep them company while she went to make tea. The house had hot water, and soon she brought the tea over and sat down with them.
Xie Youshun was talking with Hua Heng about business matters. Xiao Lihua listened for a bit before joining in, realizing that Hua Heng was discussing how their recent business was going. When Xiao Lihua arrived, Hua Heng explained the purpose of their visit: they were interested in the fish in the rice fields. Previously, Xie Youshun had informed them about raising fish and suggested selling the fish to them, promising to provide some recipes for cooking fish once they received the catch.
Hua Heng and Xiao Ziyi naturally believed that Xiao Lihua's recipes would be excellent; as long as they had those recipes, they wouldn't worry about selling any amount of fish. So they readily agreed to take the fish. However, their visit wasn't solely about buying fish; they wanted to see how raising fish in rice fields was working out.
Xiao Ziyi said, "To be honest with you, Brother Xie, if raising fish in the Paddy Field really works out, we have another request."
Xie Youshun and Xiao Lihua exchanged glances, realizing that this couple had come not just to admire the rice and fish but for another reason. However, since they were being so straightforward, they would help as much as they could; after all, they were partners!
Xiao Lihua smiled and said, "Raising fish in the Paddy Field will definitely work. The fry are already much bigger than when we first released them, and the rice is growing well too, which shows that this method is surely effective. I wonder what we can do to help you; if you can share now, please do so. We are already prepared. Rest assured, if we can help, we will definitely do so. We are familiar with each other; you know what kind of people we are."
Xie Youshun nodded in agreement.
Xiao Ziyi smiled and said, "Of course we know that you are good people, Brother Xie. Since you say so, we can rest easy knowing that you can definitely help us with this matter, which will also be greatly beneficial for you."
Xiao Ziyi looked at Hua Heng, who took over the conversation. He wanted to wait until raising fish in the Paddy Field was successful before informing officials he knew and reporting it to the court. Hua Heng had already shared his family's situation with Xie Youshun and Xiao Lihua, so he didn't hide this matter either.
Xiao Ziyi said, "Brother Xie, Li Hua, don't worry. This idea came from you; you deserve the most credit."
Xiao Lihua smiled and replied, "Ziyi, we naturally trust you. This is a good thing; we initially thought that if this method works out and spreads through the county, it could allow everyone to raise fish in the rice fields together—providing more opportunities for everyone to earn money. Farming is tough; more harvest means more ways to make a living! We never intended to keep this method a secret; now that you can help find better ways to spread it, that's fantastic news. Even without credit for it, we would still be willing."
If Hua Heng informs the officials he knows about this matter and that official reports it to the emperor later on—if the emperor is pleased—they will naturally receive significant credit as well.
Xie Youshun and Xiao Lihua, as the earliest initiators of this matter, certainly deserve a great deal of credit. However, the extent of that credit will ultimately be determined by the person who submits the report. After all, common people are too far removed from the court, much like the distance between mud on the ground and clouds in the sky. If no one brings up Xie Youshun and Xiao Lihua, or if there is an intention to conceal their contributions, then the emperor might not even be aware of their existence, and the credit could end up going to someone else.
So it is truly uncertain who will benefit from this.
When Xiao Ziyi made this statement, it was genuinely heartfelt towards them. Otherwise, they could have easily found another piece of land to raise fish and report it; who would know who came up with this idea first?
Xiao Lihua thought that she had not misjudged Hua Heng and Xiao Ziyi. Since they had been honest with her and did not play tricks, it meant that this significant credit had nothing to do with her and her husband, which she did not mind at all.
"Husband, don't you think so?" Xiao Lihua looked at Xie Youshun. Although he entrusted all major and minor matters in their home to her, she still gave him face in front of others. Mutual respect between husband and wife is essential for a lasting relationship.
Xie Youshun nodded and said, "If this method can help more people earn silver to fill their stomachs, that would be wonderful. Even if our names are not mentioned, we would still be very happy."
Hua Heng and Xiao Ziyi were even more impressed with them. They thought this was a good deed that needed to be reported to the court, yet they only considered how to help more people live better lives without caring about the benefits that might come to them. Truly benevolent. They assured Xie Family that if this succeeded, they would definitely not let them down.
After discussing this matter and finishing their tea, the group headed towards the rice fields.
In early summer, it was a time when plants grew wildly. Walking along the edge of the fields, one could see nothing but green and yellow stretching out before them, which was truly refreshing. Even though the weather was a bit hot, it was bearable.
Xiao Ziyi and Xiao Lihua walked together under an umbrella, both graceful and elegant as they leaned closely together, pointing at something in the distance while occasionally bursting into light laughter. Those nearby heard them and couldn't help but feel envious—envious of their beauty and wealth, envious that they were carefree unlike themselves who had to toil under such heat.
Xiao Lihua walked slowly behind with Xiao Ziyi while Xie Youshun took Hua Heng to see the fish in those rice fields. He wanted Hua Heng to observe several plots of land and also engage in conversation with those working there so that Hua Heng could understand the situation better. Although Hua Heng trusted them, they needed to ensure he learned more than just their perspective.
Hua Heng admired Xie Youshun even more for his sincerity. He thought Xiao Lihua was fortunate; she had become open-minded and was an extraordinary farmer. Initially, they felt that if she were unmarried, she could find an excellent man like her sister Meihua did—someone better than Xie Youshun. Although Xie Youshun was decent, he wasn't considered the best. However, as they interacted more with him, they began to appreciate him increasingly; it seemed he was indeed the most suitable match for Xiao Lihua.
"Mother! Mother!"
Mu Tou called out from afar like a small cannonball rushing over and dove straight into Xiao Lihua's arms. She had already bent down with her hands outstretched just in time for him to land in her embrace.
"Mom, look what I found!"
Little Wood was picked up by Xiao Lihua, first giving her a kiss on the cheek, then extending his small fist in front of her. In his chubby hand was a shiny Gold Ring.
"Sweetheart, where did you get this? Did you pick it up?" Xiao Lihua initially thought Little Wood was going to show her some wild fruit he had picked or a bug he had caught. She had mentally prepared herself to be startled, but she didn't expect him to show her a gold ring, especially one that had a green jade stone set in it. The gold and jade were distinctively beautiful, and the quality was clearly excellent.
How could such a fine gold ring be found in this rural area?
Xiao Lihua first looked at Xiao Ziyi and asked, "Ziyi, is this yours?"
The reason Xiao Lihua asked Xiao Ziyi first was that this Gold Ring was of high quality and craftsmanship. Even if the villagers could afford something like a Gold Ring or Golden Hand bracelet, the quality would rarely reach this level. Such a ring wouldn't be cheap, and the jade seemed far more valuable than the gold. Who in the countryside would be willing to spend so much money on something like this? A ring like this could buy a Golden Hand bracelet.
Thinking about it this way, the possibility of it belonging to someone from Xiaqiao Village seemed slim. It was quite a coincidence that Xiao Ziyi and her group had just arrived, which is why Xiao Lihua asked her first.
Xiao Ziyi looked at the Gold Ring and shook her head, saying, "No, it looks really nice. I didn't expect Little Wood to have such good fortune. Little Wood, you weren't home just now; why don't you go back and see your aunt? Aunt misses you so much. Come give Aunt a kiss."
Xiao Ziyi particularly liked Xiao Lihua's two children. Now both children were well-fed and looked plump and tender, like little ginseng dolls—one dressed in light blue and the other in soft green, both with their hair styled in little topknots. They looked incredibly cute, making her want to hold them.
Little Wood was still somewhat shy but much better than before. Seeing Xiao Ziyi smile at him made him grin back. He stretched his little neck forward from Xiao Lihua's arms and gave Xiao Ziyi's approaching face a kiss before suddenly turning around to hug Xiao Lihua and giggling.
Xiao Ziyi chatted with Stone, patting his head while thinking how wonderful it would be if she could have two sons like them.
"Stone, Stone, why are you running so fast? You almost exhausted us!" Standing about six or seven meters away were two children—a boy and a girl—Copper Coin and Xiao Yue. They looked at Xiao Ziyi but were hesitant to approach.
Xiao Lihua set Little Wood down and waved at them. Only then did they come over, staring wide-eyed at Xiao Ziyi. They knew she was the wife of a wealthy family and felt a bit intimidated; however, seeing her smile made them less afraid and more curious.
Xiao Lihua asked them if they knew anything about the Gold Ring.
"Copper Coin" nodded and said, "I know, it was 'Little Wood' who found it first, right under that big tree over there."
"Xiao Yue" said, "That one looks really nice. My mother's 'Gold Ring' isn't as pretty as that. I think I saw someone wearing this 'Gold Ring', but I didn't see clearly who it was."
"Xiao Lihua" asked, "How could you not see clearly?"
"Xiao Yue" replied, "That time when my mother and I went to the market, there were too many people, so I couldn't see the person's face. But it definitely was this 'Gold Ring'; the patterns on that ring are exactly the same. I heard someone say that ring is one of a kind."
"This little girl has a great memory," "Xiao Ziyi" praised, quite fond of "Xiao Yue", and took out two small pieces of "Silver" to give to "Copper Coin" and "Xiao Yue" as a greeting gift. The two children initially hesitated to accept but eventually took them shyly.
"Xiao Ziyi" said, "I think this ring is very exquisite; it's quite possible that it is indeed one of a kind. Moreover, it was seen in town, so how could it appear here? And it was lost."
"It must have been lost," "Xiao Lihua" said, thinking that perhaps it was dropped and then picked up by someone from the village. If that's the case, even though the person who picked up the ring isn't its true owner, they should still return it. After all, this is just their speculation; maybe the ring's origin is legitimate, and keeping it wouldn't be right.
"Xiao Lihua" thought that such a valuable item being lost would surely lead someone to look for it. They wouldn't need to approach the owner; the person would find it themselves and return it later.
"Xiao Lihua" told the four children not to mention finding the ring to anyone. If someone came looking for it, they should inform her. She was worried that if word got out and they returned it to the wrong person, she didn't want to make such a mistake.
The four children obediently agreed.
"Xiao Lihua" and "Xiao Ziyi" stood by the edge of the field talking with the four children while waiting for "Xie Youshun" and others to return, also waiting for someone to come looking for the ring. Eventually, "Xie Youshun" and his group slowly walked back and heard a series of cries.
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