Father and son Zhao Laoji and Zhao Yuancheng have been waiting at the foot of Wild Dog Ridge for a long time. After not seeing each other for more than a year, Zhao Laoji seems to have aged a lot. His back is stooped, his hair is grayer, and he is wearing a cane. He seems to be in poor condition.
Zhang Yanling hurriedly asked for the reason. In less than two years, it would not be like this. At this time, Ah Xiucai told the reason.
It turned out that Zhao Laoji had a serious illness last year and almost lost his life. Fortunately, the Zhang family had money and medicine, and Axiu came back to take care of him for a month before slowly recovering. But as he got older, after a serious illness
Naturally, it is not as good as before. Now it is no longer stable to walk, and the body is much weaker.
This was the first time Axiu and Xu Wanyi had heard about it. After asking, she found that both Tan Ruqing and Xu Youtang knew about it, and Xu Wanyi suddenly felt a little unhappy.
"Axiu, why didn't you tell me earlier? Your father was seriously ill, and he hid it from us. Isn't this a betrayal? Isn't your father also my elder? How could this be? Doesn't this make us look cold and cold?" Xu
Wanyi blamed.
Axiu didn't know what to say for a moment. Zhao Laoji said with a smile: "Princess, I didn't let her say it. Yanling is fighting outside, and you are worried about Yanling at home. There are many things, and you may not be in a good mood. I also
Why are you causing trouble? If Axiu Niang hadn't told Axiu, I wouldn't have even told her. We don't want to cause any trouble for you."
Axiu's eyes were a little red, and she said to Xu Wanyi: "The princess was in a bad mood, so I didn't tell you. Sister Youtang and Ruqing are the ones I asked them to keep secret. Why should my own affairs affect everyone's?
Life and mood. Ru Qing came here for treatment twice, and Youtang worked here, so they knew about it. They didn’t hide it from you on purpose. "
After hearing this, Xu Wanyi sighed and said: "Axiu, actually you don't have to be like this. I know that your family are all good people, and they would never rely on you to take advantage of our family. However, we are sisters.
We are a family. There is no need to think so. The more you act like this, the more uncomfortable we become. You know?"
Zhang Yanling listened to their words and felt very emotional in her heart. Although Axiu married herself, she never wanted to be talked about. The family was all pure and knowledgeable, and they never wanted to treat Axiu as marrying the country.
The father became so proud that he became his concubine, and his face changed towards others.
A Xiu is self-respecting and does not want to be talked to. She is always a Ding Mao and a Mao. Even when she buys food for her parents, she uses her own private money. The government accounts are clear and reported to Xu Wanyi every year.
There will be absolutely no additional expenses on the account.
The reason why Axiu is loved and respected by everyone in the house is obvious to everyone. Although she comes from a poor family, her character is not inferior to anyone else.
"Axiu, the princess is right. As a family, we must not care too much about certain things, otherwise we will get sidetracked. I am not at home and cannot take care of such a big matter. You should tell the princess that you can think about it together.
We must find a solution, unite as one, and overcome any difficulty. If something happens to the old man, wouldn't the princess feel guilty?" Zhang Yanling said.
Axiu nodded in agreement. Xu Wanyi felt a lot comforted after hearing Zhang Yanling's words. She understood Axiu's psychology, but she couldn't accept that she was kept in the dark. She was the matron of the family, and she needed to have herself.
status. Moreover, she is definitely not someone who ignores family affection.
After a small storm subsided, everyone entered the outer wall and walked up the mountain. The overall changes in Wild Dog Ridge were not big, except that many facilities were added around the foot of the mountain wall. Peach trees, pear trees and other trees were planted lushly, and many houses were planted.
Cover it up.
"Where's Youtang? Introduce him to us as a tour guide. Didn't you say there have been big changes? What are the changes?" Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Xu Youtang pointed to the side road covered by trees and said with a smile: "It's over here, you follow me."
Everyone followed Xu Youtang into the foot-long green brick path between two rows of trees. There were fruit trees on both sides of the road. After the flowers faded, they had already produced small green fruits.
Not long after walking along the road, the sound of chirping children came from a small courtyard surrounded by a colorful wall ahead.
"This is... a kindergarten?" Zhang Yanling said in surprise.
"Yeah. How about it? Pretty," Xu Youtang said proudly, holding her hands behind her back.
Zhang Yanling approached in surprise and saw a group of four or five-year-old children running around in the yard inside the big iron gate, making noises like a group of little sparrows.
Through the iron railings, you can see a large number of recreational facilities in the yard. Slides, small swings, rows of small wooden horses, etc. These facilities are painted in colorful colors, with little birds painted on them.
Colors such as horses, deer, flowers, and the sun make Zhang Yanling almost dream back to her childhood.
"How about it? They are all made according to what you said and the shapes of the toys you drew. Small slides, small wooden horses, and small swings for them to play with. Look at the paintings on the walls. They are all made according to what you said.
It’s a painting of that kind of situation. Not to mention, the children like it very much.” Xu Youtang said with a smile.
Zhang Yanling was full of praise. Before going to sea, Xu Youtang asked Zhang Yanling what she wanted her to do in Xishan Manor. Zhang Yanling asked her to build kindergartens, nursing homes and other facilities. She also drew many sketches of toy facilities.
The original intention was just to give Xu Youtang something to do so that he would not be bored. Zhang Yanling thought that he would have to come back to handle these things by himself. It would be a bit difficult for Xu Youtang to take care of these things. Unexpectedly, she actually succeeded. The toys and facilities were all restored.
It's exactly the same as in my memory.
"Awesome. I didn't expect you to actually do it. Are these the children of ordinary people in our Xishan Manor? Now they have nothing to worry about." Zhang Yanling looked at the noisy children in the yard and said with a smile.
Xu Youtang nodded and smiled: "Yes. They are all children of our Xishan Manor. There are sixty or seventy of them. This way, their parents can work with peace of mind, freeing up their hands whether it is working or farming. The children don't have to
I rolled around in the mud every day. I asked Sister Xing'er and several sisters from the mansion to help, and also hired more than ten local women to help. Sister Xing'er and the others were very happy. Look, Sister Xing'er is here.
"
Xing'er was walking from the yard to the door. When she saw Zhang Yanling, she saluted happily and shouted: "Master, Princess, Miss Ruqing, oh, you are all here. Xing'er kowtows to you."
Zhang Yanling laughed and waved her hands: "What are you kowtowing for? I said I didn't see you, but it turned out that you were dragged here by Youtang. How about it? There are so many children, does it give you a headache?"
Myolie smiled and said: "Not at all, I like it very much. I am very happy here."
Zhang Yanling nodded and said: "That's good. As long as it's not forced."
Xing'er was Zhang Yanling's former personal maid. In the past few years, she, Putao'er and the others had been serving Axiu in the West Courtyard. Many of the maids in the mansion were already quite old. Originally, Zhang Yanling, Wanyi Axiu and the others had discussed finding a good family for them.
They were free. But in the end, neither Tao'er nor Xing'er wanted to leave. They were used to being in the Zhang family, and they didn't know what would happen if they got married, so they refused to leave.
Both of them have some status in the Zhang family. After all, they were Zhang Yanling's original personal maids. They can only be left to their own devices.
When Zhang Yanling was not at home, after Xu Youtang built this kindergarten, she wanted to find someone with a gentle temperament to help her take care of these children. She felt that Myolie was suitable. After asking tentatively, Myolie actually agreed. Now she is like this
The steward of the kindergarten named Little Red Riding Hood spends time with these children every day.
"Husband, let me tell you quietly that Xing'er has fallen in love with a young craftsman from the smelting workshop and has already given a betrothal gift. They will get married this year." Xu Wanyi said with a smile.
Zhang Yanling laughed and said: "Congratulations, congratulations. Why am I so happy? It turns out that a happy event is coming soon. Let the princess and the others take care of it for you."
Myolie blushed and felt ashamed.
Zhang Yanling looked at the children running and laughing in the yard, and she felt really happy. Although this was only a small benefit and could only benefit the people in the manor, for some reason, Zhang Yanling felt as if she had returned to her previous life.
"Miss Youtang has put a lot of thought into this matter. From building this place to decorating it, she has been busy for half a year. The villagers are very happy. The child has a place to shelter, and everyone can work with peace of mind.
Not only here, there is also a nursing home built in the village. Dozens of elderly people live in it, and there are dedicated people
Serving. Trillium, if nothing else, these two things are simply a great thing that the villagers have never thought of. I don’t know how grateful you are to your family. In the small temple at the entrance of the village, incense is burned on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month.
When the time came, the villagers would not forget to burn a note for you and ask Bodhisattva to bless your family for safety." Zhao Laoji laughed.
Zhang Yanling, Xu Wanyi and others looked at each other and smiled, feeling very good. Although they were not grateful for these things, they were essentially to solve their worries, so that people could work with peace of mind and improve labor efficiency. These things actually cost money.
Not much.
But it is always a comforting thing to receive the sincere love and gratitude of the people.
"What a surprise. Youtang, you did a good job. Thank you for your hard work." Zhang Yanling said with cupped hands.
Xu Youtang felt a little embarrassed when Zhang Yanling thanked her so formally.
"What is this? I am the manager of Wild Dog Ridge. Dad is not here, so I have to worry about it. Besides, this is not a surprise. Brother, I will give you a real surprise later." Xu Youtang said.
"Oh?" Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "There is still a surprise? What is that?"
"It will be kept secret for now, you will know later." Xu Youtang said.
Tan Ruqing said with a smile: "You are actually trying to hide your secrets. Isn't it because the golden house hides a beautiful woman for you, right? That would really suit the wishes of the Duke."
Everyone burst into laughter. Zhang Yanling glared at Tan Ruqing fiercely, angry and helpless. This girl looked quiet and calm, but in fact she was the best at sarcasm and hurting others. Xu Wanyi often fell into her hands. She really had nothing to do with her.