Exiled to Lingnan, the Crown Prince's wife raises children, cultivates the land, and leads the

"What kind of in-laws are these? They're terrifying!"

Jin Xue'er turned pale with fright.

Liu Suyi remained silent. These evils were merely outwardly displayed, which was the most foolish approach. In Kyoto, there was much evil, even hidden behind smiles.

Lin Huilan didn't speak. She had seen people even worse off than Zhuang Sanmei.

"That's right. Later, she settled down in the village and raised the child alone. The house at the foot of the mountain on the east side of the village is where she and her son lived!"

Sister-in-law Rong replied, "Qiqi, Zhuang Sanmei is even more capable than men at work. It's just that she's a bit too assertive. But if she weren't, she would be bullied."

Looking at Zhuang Sanmei who had stood up, Sister Rong felt a sense of admiration for her.

"Madam Cheng, although I am a widow, I am just as hardworking as anyone else. As long as I am here, no one in our Guihuali shop will dare to cause trouble!"

Zhuang Sanmei wore faded, patched clothes. Her tanned, even slightly dark, skin could not hide the beauty of her features. Under the moonlight, her resolute eyes shone with an alarming intensity.

"The shop needs you!"

Cheng Qiqi spoke with a smile.

After the selection was finalized, everyone dispersed.

"Qiqi, don't be afraid. If anyone in the Jin family dares to bully you, I'll be the first to punish them!"

Liu Suyi spoke up to comfort Zhuang Sanmei, who was covered in bruises from being beaten by her in-laws, and she was deeply moved.

"Thank you, Mother."

Cheng Qiqi smiled faintly. Compared to Zhuang Sanmei, her in-laws were much better. Her father-in-law gave her fifty taels of silver without hesitation!

If he were in the Marquis's mansion, fifty taels of silver wouldn't be much, but now that he's in exile and a prisoner, fifty taels of silver seems exceptionally precious.

Her mother-in-law treated her like her own mother, making shoes and socks for her. She learned to cook from her, and gave her all the money she earned.

"We're family, why are you saying these things?"

Liu Suyi smiled and her eyes narrowed.

"Sister-in-law, can I...can I sleep with you?"

Jin Xueer suddenly spoke.

Cheng Qiqi paused for a moment without speaking. Although her opinion of Jin Xueer had changed, it hadn't changed to the point where they could sleep in the same bed.

"Sister-in-law, I've never managed a shop before, so I don't know what I need to pay attention to. I'd like to ask you some questions."

Jin Xueer quickly spoke up.

"I've never managed a shop before. Why don't you ask your brother?"

Cheng Qiqi refused decisively and turned to go back into her room.

Selling goods in a shop isn't difficult at all. When she goes to the shop, she can explain it to everyone, and they'll definitely be able to learn it.

Is Jin Xueer getting special tutoring?

I'd rather sleep with my soft, squishy daughter.

"daughter."

Still half asleep, Jin Sui'an shifted her body and patted the warm blankets, saying, "An'an, warm up the blankets for Mom."

"Good girl."

Cheng Qiqi lowered her head and kissed her sleepy-eyed daughter. The next moment, she saw Jin Sui'an fast asleep.

"Sister Qiqi, An'an has been keeping her eyes open and not sleeping while waiting for you."

Chun Tao was overjoyed to think about the scene where Jin Suian was almost asleep, but she forced him to open his eyes with both hands.

"Silly girl."

Listening to Chun Tao's description, Cheng Qiqi could imagine it all. She looked at her daughter's sleeping face, her eyes gentle as water.

How could she not love such a lovely daughter?

"Chuntao, you should go to bed early too."

Cheng Qiqi held her daughter as they drifted off to sleep. The next morning, she heard faint noises outside. She rubbed her eyes, glanced at the sky, and realized it was still dark.

Cheng Qiqi ignored it, probably because Jin Yanzhi and his brothers were going to the mountain to practice their skills.

Cheng Qiqi covered her daughter with a blanket and went back to sleep.

When Cheng Qiqi got up again, the sky was already turning a pale white. As soon as she came out, she was stunned by the mountain of mosquito-repelling trees piled up in the yard!

Jin Cizhi, who was standing next to them, was in charge of keeping count, while Leng Yu and Zhuang Haichao were in charge of weighing.

"Did you not sleep all night?"

Cheng Qiqi rubbed her eyes. There were so many mosquito-scarred branches covered in dew!

"Sister-in-law, they went up the mountain early this morning to pick mosquito-scaring trees."

Jin Cizhi's pen never stopped; the accounts of the sugar shop, as well as the mosquito-scaring tree and flower dew, were all handled by the three of them.

"oh."

Cheng Qiqi was surprised for a moment, but then she didn't think much of it. For everyone, making money was the most important thing.

"By the way, they go up the mountain at night to pick mosquito-scarring trees, can they even see anything? Aren't they afraid of snakes...?"

Cheng Qiqi now carries a stick with her whenever she goes up the mountain.

Summer comes early in Lingnan. It's only April now, but it's already very hot, and the small animals in the mountains are starting to come out and move around.

"No, the places we're going to are all nearby and safe."

Leng Yu spoke up. Since what happened last time, Leng Yu originally wanted to avoid suspicion, but later he realized, what was there to avoid suspicion about? He hadn't done anything, his mind was completely open and honest, so what was there to be afraid of?

Zhuang Haichao said, "Madam Cheng, don't worry, we'll be going up the mountain in the summer too, so we're not afraid."

"As for you, if you go up the mountain, be sure to bring a sachet of insect repellent and a stick in your hand. Walk and tap the insects as you go, and walk on well-lit paths."

Zhuang Haichao spoke very loudly, as if he was deliberately speaking to certain people.

"Also, no matter what you're going to get, make sure there are no snakes or insects nearby first."

When Zhuang Haichao talked about his experience living in Lingnan, he spoke eloquently and knowledgeably.

"Thanks for reminding me."

Cheng Qiqi didn't think Zhuang Haichao was making a mountain out of a molehill at all; there really are a lot of snakes and insects in the mountains of Lingnan.

"My mother said, 'Are all these mosquito-scarring branches meant to help with chores?'"

Zhuang Haichao asked again.

"Yes, these things need to be cleaned thoroughly before they can be steamed to repel mosquitoes."

Cheng Qiqi was doing it all by herself, and she didn't know how long it would take for the land to become barren.

Soon, Tian brought several hardworking women to help with the work. They finished in no time, so Cheng Qiqi didn't have to worry about anything. She just needed to keep an eye on the fire to steam the mosquito repellent!

"Qiqi, I ran into Granny San a couple of days ago."

Third Granny.

Did they deliver Gao Shenglan's baby?

Do you still want to find her a husband?

As soon as Cheng Qiqi's face darkened, Madam Tian immediately said, "I'd like to inquire what your sister-in-law's requirements are for her future husband, the head of the household?"

Sister-in-law?

Jin Xueer?

Cheng Qiqi's eyes softened. If anyone dared to mention matchmaking to her again, she would definitely lose her temper. She said, "I don't know anything about Xue'er's matter."

"Why don't you ask him yourself?"

Cheng Qiqi tilted her head and asked in return.

"..."

Tian immediately shut up. She had only been secretly inquiring about it. If she had actually asked Xue'er, Zhuang Haichao would have... made a scene.

That brat Zhuang Haichao has taken a liking to that girl, but he insists that he won't ask someone to propose marriage until she agrees.

If we just wait like this, the daylily will get cold.

Tian's eyes darted around, and when she saw Lin Huilan, her eyes lit up.