Chapter 1634: Cloud Water Town
Chapter 1634: Cloud Water Town
It wasn’t until the 11th that Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan finally took a break and headed straight to Cloud Water Town with Lixia and their companions.
On the farmland in Cloud Water Town, land lay bare and untended. The earliest they could start cleaning and preparing the land would be February. Actual farming would commence when the weather warmed up, with the subsequent two rounds of spring rain nurturing the soil.
Despite the barren fields, the manor was brimming with activity.
Qiao Xuan had become a favorite among the children, who adored her warmth and the abundance of sweets, snacks, and fruits she shared.
Qiao Xuan enjoyed preparing various foods. With a sizable crowd around, cooking might be inconvenient, but barbecue, dumplings, buns, and steamed rice cakes proved to be practical choices.
Laughter echoed through the entire courtyard every day.
Occasionally, when the weather permitted, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan would venture out to climb mountains. Under the vast sky and expansive landscape, clarity and openness prevailed.
Ah-Ye, Sun Bai, and Sun Qian excelled at hunting, and Qiao Xuan’s interest in hunting rekindled. She joined them in the forest for a hunting expedition.
Winter prey tended to be adept at hiding and less active, making it a challenging time for hunting with limited harvest expectations.
Yet, Shao Yunduan had no expectations as long as his wife was happy. Sun Bai, Sun Qian, and the others were eager for the outdoor activity.
Additionally, Liu Fu, Wu Guan, and several others formed a sizable team.
With Qiao Xuan leading the way, even winter hunting promised a fruitful outcome.
After successfully hunting more than ten pheasants and rabbits, Sun Bai and the others were elated. They discovered a surprisingly abundant array of prey in the forest near Cloud Water Town. It turned out to be an excellent hunting ground!
Their luck today was exceptionally good. They successfully hunted two wild goats—one weighing approximately 60 to 70 catties and the other around 50 catties. Gleefully, they carried their prized catches back.
Upon returning to the farm, a crowd gathered to witness the commotion.
Qiao Xuan reserved a leg of lamb, some lamb chops, mutton, and haggis for themselves, while the rest was handed over to the women in the large kitchen for cooking the next day.
Joy radiated through the farm.
Zheng Sangge and the others joined Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan for dinner. Fresh lamb bones were stewed along with the mutton, and a hearty bowl was served with cabbage, vermicelli, scallions, and coriander. The enticing aroma wafted throughout the yard.
The table was adorned with steamed mutton, stewed pheasant with wild mushrooms, spicy rabbit meat, stir-fried pea seedlings, stir-fried eggs with winter melon slices, pickled radish shreds, and pine eggs—a festive spread befitting the Spring Festival.
Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan departed on the 18th day of the first month.
In the preceding days, news had spread across the farm that their Old Master and Madam were leaving the capital.
The tenants continued with their farming duties following the established routines, and their own farmers performed their assigned tasks. Adhering to Songshi’s recommendation, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan appointed Zhang Jie as the leader of this area.
Zhao Shu would send periodic checks on Zhang Jie, and Qiao Xuan provided a means for him to communicate with Zhao Shu.
Zheng Sangge and the others continued to reside on the farm, receiving wages according to the terms of their contract.
During their time on the farm, Zheng Sangge and the others enjoyed a tranquil and secure life. They harbored no worries about securing hard work or food for the next day. Grateful and trusting, they held Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan in high regard.