"Snow is falling!"
An exclamation came from outside the door. The villagers looked out at the fields. Overnight, the boundless land had been covered in a thick layer of snow.
Ye Zhinan wrapped herself in a woolen coat and rushed towards the ridges.
Goodness! The greenhouse was intact. There was a world of difference between the inside and the outside.
Looking at the neighbor's place, the Wei family's greenhouse had collapsed again under the heavy snow.
Sister Zhang was scolding at the Wei family's door at this moment.
"Listening to your family's advice, my family is completely ruined this year. You should compensate me for the grain."
Wei Shishi had just been scolded by the Wei family's elder and was feeling depressed. When she met Sister Zhang, she vented her pent - up anger.
"I didn't beg you to listen to me, nor did I take your money. I built the greenhouse for your family for free, but still got blamed. Where can I go to reason?"
She wiped her tears, looking extremely aggrieved.
"Your family is on good terms with the Ye family. How come I never saw them help you? Now you come to blame the one who helped you. You're really like the dog that bites Lü Dongbin, not knowing a good deed when you see one."
Seeing more and more onlookers, Wei Shishi shed tears like a delicate flower in the rain, looking so pitiful. Sister Zhang was at a disadvantage and left covering her face.
Not satisfied with this, Wei Shishi ran to the Ye family's door and started scolding loudly.
"You guys always steal the limelight on normal days. Why do you hide when something happens? I bet you're secretly hiding and enjoying good food. I even smelled the aroma of meat from your place the other day!"
Hearing about the meat, the onlookers couldn't hold back anymore and pointed their fingers at the Ye family one after another.
"How could a banished criminal family get meat?"
"It must be from an improper source!"
The words became more and more outrageous and excessive. Ye Zhinan angrily pushed through the crowd and shouted back.
"We've been working hard in the fields. Where's the improper source? You tell me..."
She pointed at the person who slandered them.
"How did you get the aroma of meat in your house?"
The person felt guilty but still argued stubbornly.
"I ate my own duck. What's it to you? You can eat your own ducks too. Blaming others for raising fat ducks just because you can't raise yours well, where's the logic in that? If you guys don't mind, I can generously share my duck - raising method. Let's all study and discuss it together. Wouldn't it be great if we could eat duck meat sooner?!"
With a turn of her words, everyone looked happy. The slanderer's face changed. He asked excitedly, "Really share it?"
Ye Zhinan nodded firmly and blocked Ye Yingfeng who rushed out with a shovel.
Ye Yingfeng loosened his hand casually, and the shovel fell at the feet of Wei Shishi, who was watching the fun.
With a clank, she was so frightened that she took two steps back. Seeing that the situation was not right, she left awkwardly.
Everyone made an appointment for a time and gradually dispersed. Ye Zhinan called Sister Zhang.
"Here are some seeds. They have a short growth period and a high survival rate. If you don't mind, you can give them a try."
Sister Zhang looked embarrassed and took the seeds shyly, thanking Ye Zhinan repeatedly.
When everyone had left, Ye Zhinan walked towards the tree.
"Come out!"
A wintersweet flower fluttered out. Qin Yihuai said in a low voice, "A free feast?"
"Exceptions happen, but it's not a complete loss. At least it laid the foundation for duck feather reserves."
Ye Zhinan's optimism always surprised and made Qin Yihuai reflect.
How many more ingenious ideas did this little woman have?
"You still have something to say, don't you?"
Ye Zhinan was taken aback.
How could this man be so perceptive?
She hesitated for a long time. "I'm an insignificant person, and with my family's status, some things are not easy to say or do."
Qin Yihuai's eyes darkened. "Would you like to go with me to see the prefect?"
"Okay!"
Ye Zhinan agreed without hesitation. Suddenly, a voice sounded.
"I'll go with you."
Ye Shenyan walked out leaning on a walking stick.
After all, his daughter was a girl. It was not appropriate for her to be too prominent.
Since the last meeting, Shen Beiting, the prefect, had lost a lot of weight, and the furnishings in his house were even more shabby. It seemed that he was burdened with heavy official duties and was having a hard time.
"I heard that it was you who came up with the idea to reinforce the greenhouse. On behalf of the people in the northern border, I thank you!"
Facing Shen Beiting's grand gesture of gratitude, Ye Zhinan was at a loss and quickly looked at her father for help.
"Brother Shen, you're overestimating. It was just my daughter's random remarks. Fortunately, there was Inspector Qin, so no extra trouble was caused."
Ye Shenyan shifted the topic and pushed all the credit to others.
Qin Yihuai didn't decline either and accepted it all.
He was not the type to grab credit, and he understood the implication of the other's words.
"Prefect Shen has always been worrying about the people's livelihood in the northern border. We should do our best to share the burden. However, if we want to improve the current situation in the northern border, we must vigorously develop commerce and make the market circulate. That's the best strategy."
Ye Zhinan couldn't stand the three of them beating around the bush. She got more and more impatient. Ignoring Ye Shenyan's angry glare, she said straightforwardly,
"Prefect Shen, what she means is to fundamentally help the people improve their living environment. For example, the greenhouse we're doing now creates good conditions for farming, and the sowing methods. The Ye family has a lot of experience in this aspect and can share some of your burden."
Qin Yihuai added calmly, "Miss Ye can elaborate."
He was good at leading others to speak. Ye Zhinan continued her vision following his lead.
After listening, the three people present were all amazed. Even Qin Yihuai tried his best to hide his inner shock.
This little woman really had too many ingenious ideas. Although they were not well - organized, he would help her realize them one by one.
After listening, Shen Beiting pondered for a moment and said, "Miss Ye is really an extraordinary person."
Ye Zhinan quickly explained, "It's all thanks to my father's good teaching. I'm just imitating."
"Be that as it may, it won't be easy to change the situation in the northern border overnight!"
Shen Beiting's eyes darkened again. "Miss just mentioned revitalizing the school, which has always been on my mind. But the people are struggling to make a living. How can they have the heart for study?"
"Then we should focus on the economy first."
Ye Zhinan's eyes sparkled. When it came to making money, she was more excited than anyone else.
One of the main reasons she studied medicine in modern times was the high salary. If she hadn't been the daughter of a grand tutor and had enough to eat and drink here, she would have gone out to make money long ago.
"Focus on... what?"
Shen Beiting looked blank.
Ye Zhinan quickly changed her words. "Agriculture, sir!"
She just made up something casually without caring about Ye Shenyan and Qin Yihuai's expressions beside her and continued, "I've studied the geographical location of the northern border. There are many things that can be developed or are waiting to be developed, such as on the mountains and underground. Once the people are well - fed, they'll have time to do other things. When the market opens, it will surely be booming."
Hearing "open the market", Shen Beiting's face darkened.
"Our dynasty has always emphasized agriculture over commerce. It won't be easy to open the market."
"All things are difficult before they are easy. As long as we persevere, we can succeed."
Ye Zhinan wanted to continue, but Ye Shenyan coughed twice.
"Grand Tutor Ye, your body is not fully recovered yet. You'd better go back and rest earlier."
Qin Yihuai immediately supported Ye Shenyan as if the other was so weak that a gust of wind could blow him down.
Ye Zhinan understood and asked to leave as well.
The conversation was not finished, and Ye Zhinan was in a bad mood. She was silent all the way.
After sending Ye Shenyan back to his room to rest, Qin Yihuai didn't leave immediately.
"There's no food at my place today."
Ye Zhinan showed her mood without any reservation in front of him.
Qin Yihuai was neither angry nor annoyed. He spread out his right hand, and a maltose candy appeared in front of her.
"Don't think a piece of candy can buy me off. I'm expensive!"