Chapter 837: Doubts in the Heart
Editor: Henyee Translations
Faced with such a significant matter, Chu Qingzhi didn’t make an imdiate decision. “Village chief, I’ll think it over. Once I’ve considered it carefully, I’ll announce the decision to everyone,” she said.
The village chief, beaming with hope, nodded in agreent. “Then we’ll wait for your good news.”
“Alright.” With thoughts swirling in her mind, Chu Qingzhi headed ho. Midway, Wang Yuanlin approached, greeting her with a bow. “Miss, I’ve delineated the fief’s boundaries as you instructed, and here are the official docunts from the governnt office, all processed and approved.” Chu Qingzhi tookthe docunts to review. “Let’s go take a look.” “Very well.” Wang Yuanlin led the way to the nearest boundary of the fief. Boundary delineation was a serious matter…
Within the boundary lay private property, sacrosanct and inviolable by others. Even taking a stone required the landowner’s consent; otherwise, it constituted theft.
The boundary was marked with a wooden fence about half a person tall, constructed from aged bamboo. If left undisturbed, it could last decades without rotting.
Chu Qingzhi tested the sturdiness of the fence with her hand, finding it firm. “Well done.”
Wang Yuanlin sighed in relief internally. Chu Qingzhi’s standards were exacting, and failing to et them could an reprimand or having to redo the work.
As they walked along the fence…
Chu Qingzhi suddenly shared, “The village chief proposed an idea to . I’d like to hear your thoughts on it.”
Wang Yuanlin, not letting the praise go to his head, maintained a modest deanor. “Please, Miss, go ahead.”
“The village chief suggested that we establish a school on the fief to teach the children so literacy, so it’s easier for them to find work in the future. What do you think?”
Wang Yuanlin, careful not to presu Chu Qingzhi’s stance, hesitated to speak. Chu Qingzhi glanced at Wang Yuanlin. “Speak freely. If I were not open to different opinions, I wouldn’t ask. Don’t try to guess what I might want to hear.”
Caught off guard by her insistence on candor, Wang Yuanlin feared losing Chu Qingzhi’s trust and this opportunity, so he responded carefully, “Yes, Miss.” Chu Qingzhi stopped in her tracks before a grassy field. The winter grass, though not withered, looked sullen and cramped, a sight that did not please her.
After a mont, Wang Yuanlin weighed in, “I agree with the village chief’s proposal because, Miss, you need more capable people to help manage your affairs.”
Chu Qingzhi remained silent, continuing forward with Wang Yuanlin following a step behind.
She pondered her journey to this land, initially seeking to experience love, but eventually taking on much more. Now a respected landowner and adored figure, she had left a profound mark in this historical era.
Besides, she had a boyfriend everyone looked up to, who treated her with respect and care. She had true friends and family, and more money than she could spend. Everything missing in the cultivation world, she found here. Honestly, she could live in luxury for the rest of her life without doing anything else.
At this mont, her only question was about ascension. She had experienced love, but why were there no signs of ascending?
Her ultimate goal was still ascension, a goal she had strived for over centuries. She looked up at the sky, so high and endless, wondering who could answer her doubts.
After a long mont of reflection, Chu Qingzhi returned to the present. “If I can’t go back, then I must move forward.”
“A school will need staff. Do you have anyone in mind?”
Wang Yuanlin modestly suggested, “I would like to recomnd my cousin to assist you with the school.”
“My cousin was once an arithtic teacher at the academy but had to leave due to family complications. He’s been in low spirits at ho, despondent. If you could consider him, he would be imnsely grateful and dedicate himself to repaying your kindness.”
Chu Qingzhi considered this for a mont. “Let’s walk along the fence; we’ll pass by your ho shortly, and I can et your cousin then.”
Wang Yuanlin was overjoyed. “Thankyou, Miss.”
As they continued…
Chu Qingzhi asked, “With so many people in your family, is your cousin the only one available?”
Wang Yuanlin quickly replied, “Everyone is at ho during the winter. I’ll have them co out to et you shortly, and if you see fit, you can assign them tasks.”
Chu Qingzhi nodded slowly. “Let’s go.”
They chatted as they walked, soon reaching the boundary near Wang’s village.
Wang Yuanlin said, “Please wait, Miss. I’ll call them out.”
Chu Qingzhi stopped him. “No need for such a fuss. I’ll go take a look myself.”
A surprise visit might reveal more genuine aspects of a person.
Wang Yuanlin led the way. “After you, Miss.”
At the Wang household…
Du Qiaolan and other female family mbers were sewing winter clothes.
By late November, Wang Yuanping and Wang Yuanlin had received their salaries, enabling the family to buy cotton and fabric. After purchasing, they had to make the clothes themselves, and the won of the family were busy at work.
The n weren’t idle either; they were making furniture in the yard. Unskilled and clumsy, their handiwork was not particularly attractive, but their effort was evident.
Wang Xuwen couldn’t help laughing. “Brother, your craftsmanship is sowhat lacking.”
Wang Xuhuai, holding a crudely shaped leg of a stool, retorted, “What can I do? I’ve never done this before. It’s bound to be rough around the edges the first ti.”
They were from the second branch of the Wang family, the “Xu” generation. Wang Xuhuai, the cousin Wang Yuanlin had ntioned, was notably skilled in arithtic. After becoming a scholar, he was hired as a math teacher at the academy, but his promising career was cut short due to his family’s misfortune. Wang Jiaqi waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t mock Xuhuai; considering he’s more accustod to holding a pen, it’s impressive he could make sothing that even resembles a leg.”
He was from the third branch, the “Jia” generation.
Wang Xuhuai, caught between laughter and tears, asked, “Are you praising or mocking ?”
“Ha ha…”
Chu Qingzhi, standing at the doorway, stopped Wang Yuanlin from announcing her arrival, taking in the scene inside the house at a glance.
Wang Yuanlin explained, “This is how we usually are, a bit disorganized. My apologies for any impropriety, Miss.”
Chu Qingzhi responded, “This is what a ho should feel like-relaxing and joyful. Too many rules and constraints would make it less welcoming.”
Wang Yuanlin wholeheartedly agreed. “You’re right, Miss.”
Turning to leave, Chu Qingzhi added, “When it’s ti to build the school, bring your cousins over.”
Wang Yuanlin, filled with joy, hurried after her, “Won’t you et them now?” Chu Qingzhi revealed a slight smile, “I’ve already seen what I needed to.”
Wang Yuanlin respectfully bowed, “Thankyou, Miss.”
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