The larger-scale workshop in Tunan City was handed over to Jiang Zhen to manage; she only needed to invest for technical support and tool forging.
How to sell and open up channels were matters she didn’t need to worry about extra.
Whilst waiting for the spinning wheel, she and Xie Huai’an strolled through the market in Tunan City, buying a lot of trifling items to take back.
During this ti, she noticed two entire baskets of wild blueberries in a vendor’s basket.
The vendor was a child and wouldn’t shout about his goods. Wild blueberries seed unpopular here; Ruan Mian watched for a long ti without seeing anyone stop to inquire.
She stepped forward and tasted one, finding it sweeter than she had imagined.
She promptly bought all of the two baskets of wild blueberries.
She would keep so for planting in space, and the rest would be considered local specialty fruits, to be shared with neighbors when she returned.
She purposely picked a few fresh ones for Xie Huai’an and casually asked him a question.
"Sir, was that pendant truly yours?" Xie Huai’an, knowing she’d held it in all the way, smiled lightly and truthfully told her: "This pendant is not actually mine; it was gifted to by Yun Xiu."
"Yun Xiu?"
This was unexpected for Ruan Mian.
Could it be... Yun Xiu has connections with Prince Hu Shi’s family?
But clearly, he was just a little slave rescued by herself from the Beast Fighting Arena, and that rescue happened afar from Liao Lie, in a place thousands of miles away.
It seed unlikely to associate him with the Liao Lie Royal Family.
Xie Huai’an, seemingly understanding her thoughts, said calmly: "When you rescued Yun Xiu and let him co to , I had already asked about his past."
"This child followed his brother through hardships from a young age, only knowing his brother as his sole family. Later, he was sold as a slave and brought into the Beast Fighting Arena; his brother died under the beasts’ claws."
"This pendant is his token of gratitude to , regardless of his background; now it’s not important."
Ruan Mian discerned his implicit aning, smiled approvingly, and nodded.
"Indeed, he is now part of our family, living well in the valley."
He would study with Ruan Qingsong, help Mrs. Zhang with farming, occasionally play with Rui and others, and sotis help the village chief organize road repairs.
In everyone’s eyes, Yun Xiu was a passionate and sensible lad, earning nothing but praise.
Old Mr. and Mrs. Zhang adored him like a younger son.
Thus, who he truly was and his identity had long ceased to matter.
The two tacitly chose not to discuss this topic any further and instead returned to Tuji Mansion with plenty of goods.
Because the road back to Longchang Mountain was uneven, they didn’t use a carriage to transport goods but bought three little donkeys, carrying the goods along the way.
Seeing this, Ruan Mian almost wished to confess to Xie Huai’an about her secret space.
That way, they wouldn’t have to pretend by carrying those items and delay the journey.
She could absorb everything into the space, ride the White Tiger, and race down the path without needing a whole day to get back to Longchang Mountain.
But she ultimately restrained herself.
So things needed to be weighed carefully.
When they returned to the manor, the person dispatched by Jiang Zhen had already carried a sowhat bulky spinning wheel to the estate.
Looking at this massive contraption, Ruan Mian suddenly realized.
Just as she had suspected, the spinning tools of this era hadn’t been sufficiently improved; hence their efficiency was quite low.
Thus, she took paper and pen, first sketching out the existing spinning wheel structure, then made changes based on that, integrating books she had read before and her own manual work skills honed in the end tis, to produce a blueprint for innovation.
Qin Sang, who understood textiles, took several more glances at the design and then gleefully remarked.
"Was this entirely Mianmian’s idea?"
Ruan Mian laughed, actually unpretentious in seeking credit, after all, she had a cheat.
Simply said: "During exile, I once saved a woman, saw her house had such tools. You see, compared with the current spinning wheel, so extra structures were removed and foot pedals were added."
"Here more spindles were installed, allowing two hands for spinning and foot pedals for spindle operation. At the sa ti, the overall structure is much lighter, fully operable by a female worker."
"This composite spinning wheel’s production rate can be several tis higher than single-spindle ones. When the ti cos, I’ll give the blueprint to cousin, and you hire a good carpenter to make more. It will save considerable weaving ti in a day."
Jiang Zhen, imdiately intrigued upon hearing this, quickly asked Qin Sang to bring the blueprint over for careful inspection.
"Indeed, as Mianmian said, the efficiency would indeed be much better! I’ll arrange for a carpenter tomorrow."
"There’s no rush, only have the workshop built before the mountain silkworms cocoon. Earlier, there’s plenty of silver coin, cousin and cousin-in-law, use it freely; investnt is necessary for later returns."
"When we make money, we’ll split according to the contract’s described ratio."
Jiang Zhen didn’t truly care about contracts, but unable to resist Ruan Mian’s strong request, they signed it with ink and paper.
No one would treat anyone unfairly.
After arranging these matters, Ruan Mian decided to set out overnight.
With three donkeys, one horse was enough.
Just that it would definitely take more ti compared to coming.
Before they departed, Jiang Zhen wrote a letter to Auntie, which Ruan Mian carefully placed in her coat.
Thinking of Auntie’s family matters, brought sighs and lant.
"People say ’a tiger wouldn’t harm its cub’, and blood ties are unbreakable, yet in this vast world, what impossible things could occur."
"Auntie selflessly cared for her family, but faced betrayal from her husband and was hunted by her own child. If not for an adopted son who knew gratitude, I wonder how bitter Auntie’s life would have been."
Fortunately, Auntie grasped life anew, understood her desires, hence becoming open-minded, avenging grievances as fit.
Now settled, she no longer feared pursuit, grievances and obsessions resting, going forward will only go with us on the broad road, living for herself and the future."
Xie Huai’an listened with full attention, sitting behind her, tightening his grip on the reins like enclosing her in his arms.
His voice brushed her earlobes lightly: "People have destinies, but only by striving can they change fate."
"Mianmian, you’ve done more than enough. I only hope you lead the life you desire, and that will be enough."
Ruan Mian turned to look at him, night winds swept through, yet the road ahead was bright with moonlight.
Her heart seed filled to the brim by sothing.
But co late night, the weather suddenly changed; who knows at which segnt of the road, when suddenly a strong wind picked up.
The once bright moon hid within clouds, before they could react, the sky began pouring heavy rain, clattering furiously!
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