Chapter 957: Chapter 955 Lady Huang
After sending off the Cao Family, Song Chongjin intended to stay at ho, but seeing the old woman Xiao Wu brought along, who seed awkward and unsure of where to put her hands and feet, made everyone else uncomfortable as well.
She simply got up, said a word to Wang Yongzhu, and went to the front yard to find Gu Zikai. The academy was on holiday these days, so Gu Zikai should be at ho.
Once Song Chongjin left, the old woman was sowhat better.
Xiao Wu then led her forward for introduction: “Scholar’s Lady, this is my foster mother, surna Huang. Her family has been growing flowers for generations, you can ask her for any flowers you want.”
While holding the old woman’s hand, he added, “Mother, this is the Scholar’s Lady.”
This Lady Huang, unsure of what to say, simply knelt down and kowtowed several tis to Wang Yongzhu.
Wang Yongzhu had never seen such a thing, this kneeling with no prior disagreent.
For a mont, she didn’t react, but once she did, she quickly avoided Lady Huang’s salute. Old Granny Wu and Old Madam Ding next to her realized too and hurriedly dragged Lady Huang up, “Lady of the Huang Family, isn’t this shortening our lady’s life treating this way? Speak properly, no need for such grand gestures.”
Lady Huang was helped up, rubbed her hands, and after much effort managed to say, “Greetings, Scholar’s Lady.”
Wang Yongzhu looked at Lady Huang, whose clothes were clean and neat but which she kept tugging at.
Then at Lady Huang’s face, her skin was dark and yellow, showing signs of weather exposure. Yet, her facial features were delicate and pleasant; with fairer skin and youth, she would be a lovely beauty.
Her exposed hands had coarse joints and many scars, indicating they had been cleaned and grood carefully before, yet the black dirt under the nails hadn’t been washed away.
Seeming to notice Wang Yongzhu’s gaze at her hands, Lady Huang unconsciously tried to hide them behind her.
Seeing Lady Huang’s growing tension, Wang Yongzhu retracted her gaze and said with a smile, “Lady Huang, no need to be nervous. Yesterday, I saw the basket of jasmine and gardenia Xiao Wu bought, blooming beautifully, clearly grown with care by soone like you. So I thought of planting a few in my yard as well.”
“I wonder what kind of flowers the Scholar’s Lady wishes to plant?” Speaking of flowers made Lady Huang less nervous, and she proactively asked.
Wang Yongzhu rose, walking with Lady Huang around the yard, which wasn’t large and could be seen at a glance.
“I’m thinking of planting a jasmine and gardenia under the window, a row of climbing roses in this corner, and here and here I’d like to scatter so flowers and grasses for embellishnt. Do you have any recomndations, Lady Huang?” Wang Yongzhu pointed out locations as they walked.
Lady Huang followed Wang Yongzhu’s gestures, looked around, thought for a mont before saying, “Lady, jasmine and gardenia are both strongly fragrant flowers, planting them together might mix their scents.”
“Perhaps just plant one type under the window, and the other in this corner away from it. Even if the wind blows, being further apart won’t be an issue.”
Wang Yongzhu found Lady Huang’s advice reasonable, nodded in agreent.
Lady Huang, seemingly possessing her own plans, pointed to the corner saying climbing roses don’t need a whole row; two or three would suffice, with careful nurturing, pruning, and trellising, two years should be adequate.
To cover the wall with roses, constructing a trellis is needed, regularly pruning, stretching branches, and shaping them.
She pointed to so scattered spots suggesting small rocks could be buried, with a few Arum lilies planted in the crevices, and so hydrangeas in another spot. A small water jar could be placed in the corner, with water lilies inside.
Nearby, a small wintersweet could be planted, blooming in winter and eye-catching amidst the white snow.
Under the corridor, a magnolia flower could be planted, blooming in spring, softly fragrant with few pests, very suitable.
Listening to Lady Huang’s arrangents, Wang Yongzhu couldn’t help but think how the small yard could have flowers all year round.
Best of all, using space efficiently without occupying extra areas gave a reminiscent charm of ancient gardens Wang Yongzhu knew from a past life.
Wang Yongzhu regarded Lady Huang highly, surprised there was such a skillful gardener in Jing County.
She imdiately decided: “Let’s go with your plan. How long will it take to set up?”
Lady Huang hadn’t expected Wang Yongzhu’s promptness, was stunned for a second, then said, “Everything else is easy, just transplant the plants over. But for the roses, I’ll need my husband to take a look; he’s skilled at setting up trellises. This takes longer, around half a month or so. He’d need to visit every two weeks afterward for pruning.”
These were acceptable; the more Wang Yongzhu observed Lady Huang, the more interesting she found her, unsure whether ancient gardeners were generally this skilled, or was it just this Lady Huang.
She discussed prices and deposits, arranged for the easy transplant flowers to be brought over tomorrow.
As Wang Yongzhu went back inside for the deposit, she noticed Xiao Wu’s restless look, throwing glances at Lady Huang.
But Lady Huang acted as if unaware, speaking calmly with Wang Yongzhu.
It piqued her curiosity, considering Xiao Wu’s unusual eagerness, Wang Yongzhu suspected sothing.
She asked Old Granny Wu to take Lady Huang to find Old Granny Zhang for the silver, leaving Xiao Wu to privately question him.
She asked about his family situation and Lady Huang’s circumstances.
Xiao Wu blinked, his eyes lit up, he answered all Wang Yongzhu’s questions honestly.
It turns out Xiao Wu is also surnad Huang. His family historically grew flowers, renowned for their beauty and longer blooming seasons in Jing County.
Many households loved ordering their flowers, living quite prosperously.
A relative was said to have, due to the constant blooming flowers, leisure indoors, loved blending rouge and powder, creating superior products, indulged due to the family’s endless flowers.
This rouge and powder were used casually at ho.
Later, a rouge and powder shop owner, often buying flowers from the Huang Family, beca a close family friend.
Accidentally witnessing this relative’s products, was astounded.
Claiming never had shop’s seen such quality. With flattering words, convinced Huang Family to join him in business.
Huang Family provided recipes and materials, he handled sales, profits split 60-40, Huang Family taking 60%.
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