Ordinary observers in fast time travel

Chapter 1280 Another Hope

Upon hearing this, Prefect Wan was somewhat disappointed, but he quickly couldn't help but laugh at himself for actually expecting a young woman to improve the grain varieties.

Suppressing the inexplicable disappointment in her heart, she casually suggested, "That makes sense. If Madam Li is interested in farming, she can go to the estate and ask the experienced farmers."

Shi Jia nodded, "What you say is true, sir. I will go and take a look when I have time." As she spoke, she frowned, remembering the cook contract she had signed with the Wan family. There were still three months left.

"What difficulties are you facing?" Magistrate Wan raised an eyebrow when he saw her brows furrowed.

“It’s not that difficult, but the contract with the household still has four months left, and I’m afraid there won’t be time in the next few months.” Shi Jia shook his head and said, “However, there’s no rush. We can find a way to improve the sweet potato variety next year.”

"The contract is still four months away?" Prefect Wan was caught off guard.

“Yes, I work as a cook in the manor,” Shi Jia said.

Prefect Wan's pupils dilated in shock. Only four months left, and Lady Li is leaving? Only four months left before he can't enjoy delicious food anymore?
Prefect Wan realized what was happening and immediately tried to persuade her to stay, saying, "Madam Li, are you having a hard time at home? If you have any difficulties, please tell me. I will definitely help you."

"No, if it weren't for Young Master Wan Anlu's earnest pleas, I wouldn't have come to your manor to work as a cook." Shi Jia shook her head with a smile, feeling somewhat helpless. During this time, Lu Xing'er had already used every trick in the book to keep her here.

However, she wasn't actually a cook, so how could she stay here? Besides, she had her own things to do.

Prefect Wan immediately pictured himself kneeling and begging Lady Li. A chill ran down his spine, and he frantically shook his head, shouting, "Stop! Shut up! Stop thinking!"

Excuse me, that's so rude!
He was a prefect of a state, about to be promoted to county magistrate, cough cough, how could he do something as humble as begging a cook!

"Lord Wan? Have you caught a chill?"

When Magistrate Wan came to his senses, he saw a worried face. He subconsciously took a step back and forced a smile. "It's nothing."

"Does Madam Li not intend to continue working at the manor?" Prefect Wan resumed his usual tone. "In that case, I will not keep Madam Li any longer."

Shi Jia was somewhat surprised. Had she come to her senses so quickly? But she didn't say anything. She bowed to Prefect Wan and prepared to leave with the book she had just borrowed.

After leaving the Wan family's study, Shi Jia prepared to return to the kitchen to prepare dinner. For some reason, Lu Xing'er had become even more picky about food lately, and would only eat food made by Shi Jia.

Shi Jia had already been able to eat Wang Quan's cooking before. She even suspected that Lu Xing'er was trying to keep her here.

In the afternoon, Shi Jia had just finished eating when Lu Xing'er sent someone to fetch her. Indeed, this was a newly added activity. Lu Xing'er had to see her every day to confirm that the food was prepared by her.

Shi Jia was speechless. You've already eaten lunch and you're only now asking if she made it? Isn't that a bit unnecessary?

However, Shi Jia should not get angry with pregnant women, especially those who are about to give birth.

"Sister Li, you're here!" Lu Xing'er, heavily pregnant, greeted Shi Jia cheerfully. Granny Lu stood by, supporting her with trepidation.

"Young Madam, please be careful." Shi Jia said helplessly. Look, she didn't even know when the way she addressed him had changed.

Lu Xing'er immediately pouted, "Sister Li, don't call me Young Madam, you promised to call me Sister Xing'er!"

"Sister Xing'er." Shi Jia rarely argued with her. To be honest, she was willing to be friends with her, but their statuses weren't exactly equal right now.

"Mmm." Lu Xing'er grinned happily. "Sister Li, how did you make that lion's head meatball? It wasn't greasy at all."

Shi Jia could only patiently explain. After listening to the explanation, Lu Xing'er nodded in satisfaction, "Sister Li, what are we having for dinner?"

Shi Jia then told her the menu for the evening. Lu Xing'er looked on expectantly, but soon she pouted, "Sister Li, I wish you could stay at the manor and cook all the time. Sister Li, why can't you stay..."

"Young Madam, please relax. There are still four months left. Who knows, Master Li might change his mind by then?" Granny Lu quickly comforted her.

Shi Jia pretended not to hear. To be honest, she hated Lu Xing'er at this moment. This brainwashing-style questioning, or even interrogation, disgusted her and made her want to slap her twice.

However, considering there were still four months left, she didn't directly confront her.

Just as she was lost in thought, Lu Xing'er suddenly cried out, "Ah, it hurts, Granny, my stomach hurts!"

Granny Lu was terrified. "The amniotic sac has broken! Quickly, go and call the midwife!"

The huge courtyard immediately descended into chaos.

Shi Jia consciously stood outside the crowd. When she heard Granny Lu say that she was going to prepare ginseng soup, she went back to the kitchen. A little while later, Hong Liu came over with ginseng and asked her to make the soup.

"Master, what happened?" Wang Quan asked, leaning closer.

"The second young mistress is about to give birth." After Shi Jia finished making the ginseng soup, she asked Wang Quan to prepare the dishes. She then went to Lu Xing'er's courtyard to ask what kind of food a woman who has just given birth can eat.

As she approached the courtyard, she heard a loud baby cry.

"It's a boy! It's a boy! Master, Madam!" A sharp voice rang out, followed by cheers from the courtyard.

But miraculously, no matter how loud the cheers were, they couldn't drown out the baby's cries. He was like a drumbeat, domineeringly announcing yet another hope to the world.

Shi Jia couldn't help but smile, suddenly feeling a sense of relief wash over her, as if the heavy burden on her shoulders had vanished. "That's wonderful."

Shi Jia saw Lu Xing'er again a month later. On the first day after Lu Xing'er finished her postpartum confinement, she called Shi Jia over, held up the baby and smiled at Shi Jia, "Sister Li, look, this is the baby I gave birth to."

"Congratulations, Xing'er. The little boy is very cute." Shi Jia's heart softened when she saw the child.

"Isn't he cute, Sister Li? I'll give you half of Rong Ge'er." Rong Ge'er is the baby's nickname.

Shi Jia was stunned for a moment, and before she could speak, Granny Lu scolded Lu Xing'er, "Madam, you can't say such things!"

"I wasn't making things up. Rong-ge'er is so cute, I just asked Sister Li to be his godmother," Lu Xing'er pouted. "Sister Li, do you like Rong-ge'er?"

Looking into those bright eyes across from her, it was really hard to say no. However, Shi Jia couldn't help but sigh, "Xing'er, I have a child."

"Oh? Another child means one more person to take care of you in the future." Lu Xing'er looked at her seriously.

Looking at her expression, Shi Jia understood that the other party was serious. After thinking about it a little more, she understood the other party's purpose. She shook her head and said, "Sister Xing'er, recognizing a godparent is not a small matter. If you really have this idea, you should discuss it with Second Master Wan first, and ask Prefect Wan and Old Madam Wang before making a decision."

Perhaps it was Shi Jia's serious tone that made Lu Xing'er a little uneasy. She whispered, "Then, if I ask my husband, father, and mother, will Sister Li agree to be Rong-ge'er's godmother?"

Shi Jia pretended not to hear and casually tried to change the subject.