Top Assassin Retires and Becomes a Farmer After Time Traveling to the Past Chapter 32: Hatching

With Du Xiao Hui around, making green herb ointnt beca much easier for Li Yao. This girl was quite nimble and clever. She could grasp most tasks after being told only once.

After finishing up the green herb ointnt, she went on to help Liu Sao with washing vegetables and geese. Once that was done, she swept the house and courtyard until they were spotless.

Finally, seeing there was nothing else to do, she picked up her basket, preparing to go cut grass again.

"Xiao Hui, no need to cut grass today," said Li Yao.

"Then..." Du Xiao Hui looked left and right, "It's getting late. How about I help make dinner?"

"No need. Co with ," said Li Yao.

Every evening when the children were having lessons with Tutor Lv Xiucai, Li Yao brought Du Xiao Hui into the "schoolroom" and had her sit in to learn as well.

"Auntie Li, I...I can't study," said Du Xiao Hui.

"Why not?" asked Li Yao.

"My grandma said a woman's lack of talent is a virtue," explained Du Xiao Hui. "Only young ladies from wealthy families can study."

Li Yao had no patience for such feudal principles. She cut her off directly, "You work for my family. You'll do as I say. If not, you can go back ho."

Du Xiao Hui was frightened by her tone. She absolutely did not want to go back.

She also knew Auntie Li ant well for her, so she obediently sat down without further protest.

Seeing the girl so obedient, Li Yao didn't say anything more. She turned to Lv Xiucai and said, "Mr. Lv, I hope you don't mind teaching one more?"

"Not at all, not at all," said Lv Xiucai happily.

Eating lunch at the Lv's every day was like living the life of a rich man. He got to eat at every al! Now he was just being asked to teach one more little girl. How could he possibly refuse?

Offending Li Yao's fierce temper would be a huge loss. He'd lose this cozy western-style seat for sure.

After getting Du Xiao Hui settled, Li Yao went into the incubation room.

He Xiaoya had been watching the goose eggs day and night. Her complexion was looking rather poor from the effort. Fortunately, everything had gone smoothly over the past half month.

Li Yao tested the temperature of the eggs and said to He Xiaoya, "At this stage, the goose eggs will start heating up on their own, so we can reduce the oil lamps below. Just co check them once a night and get so more rest."

"Yes, Mother," said He Xiaoya.

She was filled with anticipation and nervousness.

In another half month, the little goslings would hatch. Da Zhuang had woven the fence for the gosling pen already. They just didn't know how many goslings would hatch successfully.

If this worked out, they could incubate large amounts of goslings, chicks and ducklings in the future.

Thinking of the courtyard filled with fluffy little cuties, He Xiaoya felt her heart would lt. An unconscious silly smile spread across her face.

Over the next few days, Li Yao increased her own exercise regin. She went running in the mountains morning and evening, and cleared out a space deep in the woods to build training equipnt like pull-up bars, parallel bars, plum-blossom piles, etc.

When ho, she slowly pressed so tea seed oil and soaked dicinal herbs, while making so green ointnt. Her days passed calm and peaceful, as if the famine plaguing the land had nothing to do with her family.

...

In the old Wang manor, Wang Jia Gui sat in the courtyard with knitted brows.

Ever since playing the kapok cotton at Li Yao's house days ago, he had been sowhat obsessed, constantly thinking of playing it again.

The problem was, there was no kapok anywhere else in the village for him to play.

So he racked his brains and decided to go to the market town to play for wealthy households. Not only could it satisfy his craving, if he played well, he might even earn so money.

But when he ntioned this idea, it t with strong opposition from Xue.

"A man your age coming up with such ideas!" Xue had always been a commanding woman. She yelled loudly, "This work earns just pennies! You might even damage the instrunt and have to pay for it!"

"My skills aren't that terrible..." said Wang Jia Gui.

"You've only played it a few tis!" Xue retorted. "Even making those cotton-padded mattresses, you still needed Daughter-in-Law Yuan Shan there to teach and supervise you every step. Do you think you're skilled at it now?"

Wang Jia Gui felt wronged but didn't dare talk back.

In this household, Xue had always called the shots.

"Then what's the plan if we're just sitting around idle all day?" said Wang Jia Gui. "Second Son's family is getting by selling braised at rice, at least. But in the long run, won't folks start gossiping about them?"

"I know the family's affairs better than you!" Xue thought for a mont before saying, "Just wait!"

After that, Xue took so chicken eggs from ho and went to Li Yao's house.

Li Yao was sitting in the yard sunning herself when Mother-in-Law arrived, feeling puzzled.

Although the old woman had helped make quilts and cotton-padded clothes last ti, she had clearly been very kind to the children and maids, speaking gently to them.

But only when talking to her was she still cold and curt, often reproaching her.

Who knew what she was here for this ti.

"I've brought so eggs for Er Lang. A scholar needs good food," said Xue.

"Just tell straight out why you've co," said Li Yao.

Xue set down the eggs and finally said, "Alright, I'm here to swallow my pride and ask a favor. Go ahead and laugh if you want."

Li Yao scoffed internally. She didn't have ti for such antics.

"Yuanshan Dad wants to go to town to earn money playing kapok," Xue continued. "But he's unskilled, and we have no cotton at ho for him to practice. So I wanted to ask if you have any left, and have him make you so more padded mattresses."

"The cotton I bought last ti is used up," said Li Yao.

"Then forget it," said Xue. "This is just as well, it'll stop him from getting fanciful ideas."

Although she said this, Li Yao knew Xue still wanted Father-in-Law to take this job, or she wouldn't have co herself. Having him idle at ho all day clearly wasn't a solution either. Earning a little money each day would be better.

"If he wants to do it, I can buy more back for practice," offered Li Yao. "The weather is getting colder. A thick quilt at night would be nice."

"You still find that heavy quilt not warm enough?" Hearing this, Xue reflexively raised her voice. "Do you think you're so young mistress from a rich clan?"

Li Yao's brows furrowed. "So do you want it or not? If not, then forget it."

Normally, Xue would have refused to swallow her pride no matter what.

But the situation now left her no choice. Although the family still had food and Second Son could earn money, the famine had only just begun. Who knew how things would beco?

"We'll take it."

The next day, Da Zhuang brought back twenty catties of kapok cotton from town, along with bamboo beds, catapults, and other items. These were all delivered to the old manor.

Having cotton to play with, Wang Jia Gui couldn't even be bothered to eat. He ceaselessly practiced.

Following Li Yao's advice, he took apart the cotton after playing it well once. Cutting the threads allowed the cotton to be re-played many tis without any waste.

After two days of practice at ho and dozens of padded mattresses later, his skills had reached a proficient level.

Seeing the mattresses he made independently, even Li Yao agreed he was ready to earn money.

"Wonderful, wonderful!" Wang Jia Gui was excitedly rubbing his hands. "I'll go to town tomorrow!"