She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 586 - 584: Ways to Show Off

Chapter 586: Chapter 584: Ways to Show Off

Qi Sanshun was already twelve years old this year, and at this age in that era, he was considered a big kid. He not only often helped with the farm work but had also been studying martial arts with Guan He for three years, so he was certainly capable of catching a few rabbits. At this moment, sharing some food with the kids in Peach Grove would be no problem, and when he had free time, he could go out and catch some wild rabbits and chickens to replenish his friends.

Therefore, he could easily make such a boast to the other kids. Xiao Si and a few others who were close to him would also learn some legwork from him on ordinary days. If Qi Sanshun really planned to go out and hunt some small game, they could help out as well.

Overall, this gang had not come off badly these past few years, and although the food brought by the Qi family was good stuff, they didn’t mind sharing it with others.

Upon hearing Qi Sanshun’s orders, Xiao Si went to call the other children from afar.

But when they heard Xiao Si’s invitation, they looked at each other hesitantly, unsure what to do.

Probably, for them, such good fortune had never come their way before in their lives. The clothes these village kids wore were not much different from theirs. But the snacks and desserts laid out on the mats and tarpaulin, as well as the meat roasting on the fire, were all delicacies they didn’t normally get to see.

The sizzling meat dripping with oil and the smell of char wafting from both the fire and the meat were delightful foods they had never experienced before. Could they really have such treats for free?

While a few of the older children were still hesitating, a younger child couldn’t resist the temptation and quickly ran toward the campfire cooking crowd while his older brother wasn’t paying attention.

Qi Jiaer was watching this way and saw a little tyke of about three or four years old toddling over. He quickly passed a piece of frangipani cake to him, smiling and saying, "Little brother, have this first. The skewers will be ready soon, and Brother will dip them in the sauce for you. They’ll be really tasty."

The child’s older brother couldn’t hold onto him, and looked anxiously in the direction he ran to. He saw the richly dressed young master smiling and talking, even handing his little brother a pastry to eat. The little boy accepted it—not only did he eat it with relish, but he also kept waving at him, beckoning him to come over.

Seeing this scene, and after being called again by Xiao Si, the rest of the children rushed over following Xiao Si.

Qi Sanshun waved his hand generously, "Come on, everyone, help yourselves. Here, take this piece of meat and roast it for yourselves."

Lady Zhao watched in surprise as two groups of more than twenty children quickly mingled together, indistinguishable from one another, feeling both astonished and moved.

Miss Ye must have a lot of silver on hand, for even the children who played with her Brother Jia had such a generous spirit, freely distributing the Qi family’s exquisite food to others. The pastries, meat, and those dipping sauces she had never even seen before were a rarity that common people might not taste once in a lifetime, yet Qi Sanshun could casually call people over to enjoy them.

The family members and children of the craftsmen did not know the people of Clear Water Village, but the craftsmen had moved there from the workshops in Clear Water Village and were certainly familiar with the young masters of the Qi family and their playmates.

A few of the craftsmen, seeing their own children eating and drinking with the young masters, were naturally grateful.

Yet, having nothing impressive to offer in return, they clenched their teeth, slaughtered a few young cocks they had raised that year, and entrusted two managers, Du Dazhong and another, to send the cleanly plucked young cocks over so the children could roast them, contributing an additional dish to their meal.

Du Dazhong expressed the gratitude of the craftsmen’s village to the wife of the heir apparent and the two young masters on behalf of the craftsmen.

...

By the end of September, Ye Xinyan and Qi Younian had already finished handling the affairs of Yuyuan Prefecture and Clear Water Village.

After two months of frequent use, the wooden railroad tracks had passed muster. Despite two minor malfunctions during the trial runs, they were easily fixed without hindering operation.

During this time, there were several rains followed by blistering sunshine, but the railroad ties and tracks remained intact, providing the court with a satisfactory report.

With all matters settled, Qi Younian and Ye Xinyan organized their staff, preparing to move their entire household to the capital.

Strictly speaking, Clear Water Village was Ye Xinyan’s hometown in this era, the place she knew best. The capital was far from Clear Water Village, and as she left this time, she had no idea when she would be able to return.

Looking at the familiar village and its people, Ye Xinyan felt a sourness in her heart that she couldn’t quite identify.

Qi Younian felt an even stronger reluctance in his heart. He had left home on a whim in his youth and now, only a few years after returning and laying some foundations, he had to leave again.

But for the sake of the aspirations in his heart, for the future of his grandchildren, this journey was necessary.

He only hoped he could live as long as his granddaughter had said and work for another ten years; then he could hand over the Construction Industry to her. He wanted Wong Qiao to assist his granddaughter and grandson in running the business and continue it.

By that time, he would be able to retire to Clear Water Village with ease, and also tell his parents below ground that although he had not fulfilled his duties as a son when he left home, he did not waste the skills he had learned. With his craftsmanship, he had earned honor for his ancestors. A century later, when he met his parents in the afterlife, he could have a proper explanation for them.

Originally, Ye Xinyan planned to entrust the three snack shops in Yuyuan Prefecture to Nanny Jin as her retirement assets. But since she was returning to the capital, leaving Nanny Jin here alone, without support, was worrisome.

Moreover, Nanny Jin herself did not want to take over the shops, especially the branch in Yuyuan Prefecture, which had become a two-story business. In her heart, she had managed it for Miss Ye; she wanted to stay by Miss Ye’s side to feel assured for Miss Ye and for her own future.

In the end, the snack shops were handed over to Qi Cheng to manage, with a thirty percent share going to the main branch of the Qi family, while Nanny Jin accompanied Ye Xinyan back to the capital.

On the day of departure, the entire village, young and old, along with some influential figures from neighboring villages, came to see them off.

When the second branch of the Qi family returned years ago, they came in an old donkey cart, bringing a pile of old luggage and belongings, settling in two abandoned adobe houses at the north end of the village.

No one had expected that in merely three years, not only had the second branch of the Qi family earned a substantial fortune, but they had also brought prosperity to Clear Water Village and the surrounding villages.

Now, in Yuyuan Prefecture, boasting about one’s wealth was done by referencing the proximity to Clear Water Village. Clear Water Village had become the most well-known prosperous township in the entire prefecture. Except for those who were really hapless, anyone willing to put in the effort was guaranteed a sizeable income.

While the surrounding villages were not as well-off as the people of Clear Water Village, they were much better off compared to other places. Simply by planting alfalfa on the wasteland and cutting grass, a family could have enough to fill their stomachs.

If someone from a household could get a job at the Qi family, it was assuredly the good life.

Now, the people who brought them these good times were leaving, and the villagers suddenly found themselves feeling lost, even those few families who usually complained about the Qi family were particularly unwilling to part with them.

Without the second branch of the Qi family, without Qi Younian and Ye Xinyan, could their good days continue?