Country Maiden: Fields and Fortune

408, No Regrets (2nd Update)@@novelbin@@

Xie Zhinuan, however, had her own ideas.

The silver she had earned over the past six months certainly wasn’t solely her doing.

Firstly, she had borrowed money from Li Hengyi and, although it was now repaid, she owed him a favor at the very least.

Furthermore, they had agreed to partner in the old clothes business, with Li Hengyi having fifty thousand taels of silver with her. Some had been used, but a lot remained.

Second, in these days, whether at the shop or at home, with Silly Girl, Aunt Chen, Grandma Chen, and Mute Uncle around, she didn’t have to worry too much about either the home or the shop. Even after Ayi arrived, she wasn’t overly concerned.

All she needed to do was work hard.

“All of this, according to what’s in my heart, is actually less than what’s due!” Xie Zhinuan said softly.

“But I feel that, measuring our relationship in terms of money, is too superficial!”

From initially being employed, to doubting, abandoning, rehiring, evaluating, leaving, and finally trusting, she had wrestled with contradictions for a long time, yet suddenly saw the light, leading to the Xie Zhinuan of today.

Grateful, open-minded, striving to earn money, yet not restrained by wealth.

She even transitioned from a small familial mentality to embracing the responsibilities of a bigger household.

She felt she had made progress.

In both conduct and work, there had been advancements.

Mute Uncle chuckled warmly and gently, “Then I’ll accept it.”

The past was behind him; ever since following Xie Zhinuan to Fengping County, it was history.

He didn’t have to worry about food or clothing, Xie Zhinuan treated him with great respect, and the servants dared not show him any neglect. As for spending, Xie Zhinuan had arranged everything perfectly, so he didn’t need to fret, but he agreed with her on one point: having silver in hand was different from not having any at all.

He had his own desires, things he wanted to buy, gifts he wanted to prepare for Xie Zhinuan and Xie Yi. Without money in hand, it indeed wouldn’t work.

Seeing Mute Uncle accept the offer, Grandma Chen and Aunt Chen found it difficult to refuse any longer.

Silly Girl accepted hers with ease and integrity.

Xiaoyuan pursed her lips, silently swearing in her heart to listen to her master’s orders for life, not shying away from walking through fire and boiling water for her master.

On New Year’s Eve, Xie Zhinuan distributed New Year’s money to everyone in the residence and prepared a lovely large jar for Xie Yi.

“This is Ayi’s New Year’s money!”

Into the jar, Xie Zhinuan placed ten small gold ingots.

“…”

Xie Yi was surprised.

So was everyone else.

Was Xie Zhinuan already starting to save for such a young child’s future?

Many people felt that, since he wasn’t her biological child, it was enough just to get by.

But Xie Zhinuan thought differently. Precisely because he wasn’t her biological child, she needed to care and protect him with even more heart and love, especially since Xie Yi had health issues. For now, it might be fine, but as he grew older and became more sensitive, whether he would thrive or fail actually hung by a thread, and a mother’s love was the most indispensable.

Others might understand or not understand her efforts, but she didn’t care about that. What mattered to her was whether she could be a good mother.

Xie Yi was happy.

Not because of the amount of money, but because of his mother’s love for him.

The family sat together in the Warm Stove, staying up late to see the New Year in, talking and chatting, making plans and hopes for the coming year.

Xiaoyuan sat at the doorway, her expression distant.

Seeing this, Xie Zhinuan handed Xie Yi over to Aunt Chen to look after and sat down beside Xiaoyuan, grasping her cold hand.

“It’s so cold, hold a Warm Stove!”

The Warm Stove room was heated from below and quite warm, yet Xiaoyuan’s hand was still chilly.

Xie Zhinuan was somewhat concerned for her.

Xiaoyuan had gone back to Fengping to finalize her divorce from Dong Sheng, and now it was done, but she didn’t seem very happy about it.

“Thank you, Master, I, I’m fine!” Xiaoyuan quickly spoke up.

Her eyes were full of remorse.

Xie Zhinuan didn’t dwell on the issue but asked softly, “Are you thinking about home, or are you thinking about Dong Sheng?”

Chapter 410