In the countryside, there’s this characteristic: whenever there’s sothing going on, there’s generally no need for a special announcent. Everyone naturally plays the role of a communicator. One thing gets passed around from one to ten, ten to a hundred, and soon enough, it becos common knowledge.
Lian Manman originally planned to start assigning work tomorrow, but since soone ca so eagerly, she just went with the flow.
Lian Manman prepared a notebook to record the nas of those who ca to pick up tasks and the quantity of tasks they took. Since Lian Yeye had learned so characters from Lian Manman and was familiar with the people, Lian Manman arranged for her and Xiao Qing to record the details and set deadlines based on the quantity of tasks each person took.
By dinner ti during the Chinese hour, Lian Manman called the kitchen to prepare a al and invited Lady Zhao, Lian Yeye, Lady Wu Wang, and others to join for dinner. After eating, everyone resud their work.
To finish the tasks quickly, Lady Zhang selected a few girls and daughters-in-law from those who ca for work to help with cutting. The group responsible for cutting was divided into three shifts, planning to work around the clock. Since Lian Zhizhi was pregnant, she naturally couldn’t overexert herself, so after dinner, Wu Jiaxing took her ho. As she left, she took a few tasks with her, saying she’d do them slowly.
In the courtyard workroom, Xiao Xi, Lady Zhao, Han Zhong’s Wife, and Chunzhu’s Wife took turns watching over things. So, Lady Zhang and Lian Manman returned to the backyard. The mother and daughter prepared so fine silk and satin, intending to make so knee pads, insoles, and other warm garnts specially for Shen Liu.
"...I went to our shop that day and picked out a few of the best down comforters. We’ll send them to him when the ti cos. With these hides and cotton, besides making the knee pads and insoles, we could also make a couple of pairs of warm boots," said Lian Manman as she worked on her needlework, discussing with Lady Zhang.
"Alright." Lady Zhang almost always followed Lian Manman’s advice, "Start with the easier things. Don’t touch the boots; I’ll make those. You’re not ready for those yet; they require skill."
"Okay." Lian Manman nodded and smiled, "Mom, you’re taking on more work again."
"This little work is no burden at all," Lady Zhang laughed, "By the way, Manman, don’t we have Sixth Master’s shoe size? What if the boots don’t fit when they’re done?"
"They’re just a couple of pairs of warm boots for wearing while resting, so it won’t matter too much if they don’t fit snugly. We can make them a bit larger, and just add an extra insole; that’ll make them warr anyway." Lian Manman said, not too concerned.
"That won’t do," Lady Zhang stopped her work to seriously tell Lian Manman. Needlework is a serious task for a woman and shouldn’t be done sloppily. Especially when making shoes, at least make sure they fit properly. "Manman, let tell you, making shoes requires care and thought. Like you said, if the shoes are too big, you add an insole. But if they’re too small, can you just force them to fit? What’s that going to turn out like?"
"Only soone like Yaya’s mother would do that kind of thing, don’t follow her example."
"Mom, I know, I was just saying." Seeing Lady Zhang took her words seriously, Lian Manman quickly smiled and explained.
"Then what do we do without Sixth Master’s shoe size? Is it too late to send soone to get it?" Lady Zhang asked anxiously.
"...Xiao Xi probably has it," Lian Manman said as she continued her needlework.
"Xiao Xi has Sixth Master’s shoe size?!" Lady Zhang looked at Lian Manman, and seeing her with her head down, Lady Zhang’s tone paused and lowered her voice subconsciously, "Manman, how does Xiao Xi have Sixth Master’s shoe size?"
"Didn’t I ntion the other day about sending winter clothes and shoes? Xiao Xi and Xiao Qing were outside and overheard. Xiao Xi, being ticulous, just traced Sixth Master’s shoe outline since it happened to be snowing that day... She told yesterday, that’s how I found out. Having the shoe size, I thought we could make a couple of boots." Lian Manman said, sneaking a quick glance at Lady Zhang.
Lady Zhang nodded, obviously believing Lian Manman’s words.
"Xiao Xi and Xiao Qing, those two girls, not only are they easy to direct, but I also find them pretty good. Xiao Qing is lively, Xiao Xi is ticulous." Lady Zhang said, "And those other two little girls, Ji Xiang and Ru Yi, they’re growing more capable by the day... Next ti we buy servant girls, we’ll hand them over to you first for training before assigning them."
User Comments
0 comments from readers