Even if the stitching isn’t pretty, as long as the work is done diligently and solidly, Xiao Qing and her group will accept it, but will secretly note down who is responsible. For future jobs, they’ll weigh their choices accordingly. As for cutting corners or even swapping out new fabrics for old ones, and replacing good new cotton with ragged stuffing, Xiao Qing’s group will not tolerate that at all.
There are only two families bold enough to do so. Upon closer inquiry, one of them has a wife with a poor reputation, while the other’s mother-in-law is stingy and always tries to take advantage of others.
These two families aren’t from Thirty Mile Camp but co from more distant villages. They were introduced by so middleman, who gave verbal assurances. Now, with these families pulling such shaful stunts, the two won who vouched for them also feel embarrassed.
Besides being embarrassed, they are worried they will be seen differently from now on.
Lian Manman had already made it clear that these two families would not receive any wages. The two won who were involved even took the initiative to visit these households to retrieve the embezzled items.
Lian Manman did not stop them.
Although Lady Zhang was angry about the actions of these two families, she eventually softened, feeling that letting these won confront the families would have a severe negative impact, making it difficult for these families to recover in the future.
Lian Manman persuaded Lady Zhang not to interfere.
If it was truly a matter of desperate poverty, Lian Manman would not have hesitated to help with wages. However, this conduct was not just due to poverty but pointed to a fundantal flaw in character. Lian Manman did not wish to tolerate such behavior, as it would only create the wrong impression, set a poor example, and be unfair to those who abide by the rules.
In matters like this, actions must match words, with clear rewards and punishnts.
Compared to the qualified work, unqualified work was rare. Lian Manman didn’t ask anyone to redo tasks, as she had initially estimated such losses and prepared accordingly. In handling significant tasks, such preparations are essential. The final result was considerably better than her estimations.
With all the work gathered, the Lian Manman family sorted, packed, and loaded it onto carts. Besides these warm garnts, the Lian family’s preparations included fifty sides of pork, fifty sheep, fifty fat geese, and fifty jars of fine wine, all sent to the Prefecture City that day with Lian Shouxin escorting the carts. Of course, there was also a more exquisite package that included knee pads, insoles, and sheepskin boots specifically prepared for Shen Liu by Lady Zhang and Lian Manman.
All these items would be delivered to the Shen Mansion in the Prefecture City. The clothes specifically for Shen Liu wouldn’t be stated as being from Lady Zhang and Lian Manman, but rather, like all the other items on the carts, they were funded by the Lian Family and sewn by the people of Jinyang County.
Once in the Shen Mansion, these items would be arranged by the Shen family’s steward to be delivered to Border Town.
After Lian Shouxin delivered the items to the Shen Mansion, he returned with a few attendants. The carts and the n escorting the items remained in the Prefecture City, as they were to follow the steward of the Shen Mansion to deliver the items to Border Town.
Successfully completing such a significant task made the whole family exceptionally happy. Lian Manman gave a reward to Xiao Qing and the others who worked hard on this task, and then she prepared gifts with Lady Zhang to give extra thanks to those who had put in considerable effort in the past few days.
Chunzhu’s Wife, along with two other won in the village, as well as Lady Wu Wang, Wu Jiayu, Lady Zhao, and Lian Yeye also received a share. In addition, Lady Zhang prepared a gift for Shang Baorong as previously discussed.
Shang Baorong had not embroidered on any more tasks and finished a few pieces properly. Xiao Qing collected these works, and they were sent to the Prefecture City. As for those with embroidery, Shang Baorong also delivered them, and Lian Manman instructed Xiao Qing to collect them.
These "exquisite" tasks, of course, would not be packed and loaded onto the carts. Lian Manman did not let Lady Zhang keep them; instead, she instructed Han Zhong’s Wife to store them temporarily.
"We can give them to the long-term workers and staff at ho as rewards in the future," Lian Manman said and didn’t concern herself with it further.
...
That afternoon, as the family was having a discussion, soone ca in to report that Si Lang from the old house had arrived.
Since Si Lang returned two days ago, Old Master Lian had not scolded him even once and didn’t allow others to raise their voices at him either, only telling him to rest well and pleasantly chatting with him. Besides this ntal care, Old Master Lian also had Lady Zhou prepare special als for Si Lang.
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