stingy landlady

Chapter 136 Autumn Harvest (1)

Guizhi hurriedly brought several people home. When arranging accommodations, she hesitated only briefly before saying to the three women:

"There are still empty rooms in the west wing; the three of you can stay in one room for now. During this autumn harvest season, you'll all be busy working every day!"

I need to cook, and also go to the fields to do as much as I can! After the autumn harvest, I'll find some time to make the bedding and clothes!

He then said to the two brides-to-be:

"There's no time now, you can get married after the autumn harvest! Now, bring all the fabric and cotton inside! Make your own wedding dresses whenever you have time! And make clothes for your husbands too, you'll have to take their measurements and make them yourselves!"

When the three of them came out after settling into their rooms, Guizhi didn't allow them to speak and said:

"Come with me, Aunt Zhou is giving birth. Let's all go see if there's anything we can help with!"

Pan Sen and Pan Qiang left the group and went back to the fields to harvest rice and thresh it. Everyone was busy during the busy farming season!

The younger ones were also busy in the field. The older ones, Jixiang and Ping'an, could help cut some rice or bundle it with straw, while the younger ones, Xile, picked up the fallen rice ears on the ground.

Jinxiu and Ruyi had to boil water at home and deliver it to the fields! Li Shi and Zhou Qiong also helped Zhou Niangzi cook, feed the chickens, ducks, and pigs!

Guizhi gave names to the three newly arrived women! The eldest was named Chunlan, Pansen's wife was named Xiahe, and Panqiang's wife was named Qiuju.

Guizhi turned around and realized she hadn't brought any fine cotton cloth, so she asked Chunlan to go and bring it out. Chunlan carried a bolt of fine cotton cloth, and then she and Guizhi hurried towards where Madam Zhou lived!

The midwife has arrived and is talking to Mrs. Li.

"She's only three centimeters dilated, so we'll have to wait a while! Get the hot water, scissors, swaddle blanket, and everything ready! This isn't her first pregnancy, and she's always active and energetic! The delivery will be quick!"

Just as he turned around, he saw Guizhi leading several people in, pointing to the fine cotton cloth:

"Oh my! This fine cotton fabric is perfect for making swaddle blankets for babies! This fine cotton fabric is so precious!"

Turning to Li, he asked:

"Dazhu's wife! Is this for the lady inside?"

Li saw Guizhi, but the others behind her didn't recognize her. Before they could answer, Guizhi's clear voice rang out:

"Auntie! This is for Aunt Zhou's child! Shall we tear off a piece to use as a swaddle blanket?"

The midwife thought for a moment and asked Guizhi:

"You're Sanya? I was the one who delivered her! You've grown so big and tall in the blink of an eye!"

Guizhi nodded and said:

"Auntie is amazing! She guessed right away! Aunt Zhou will have to wait a while before giving birth, right?"

The midwife's wrinkles seemed to radiate a broad smile.

"Auntie, you're not amazing at all! I just guessed based on your age! Hahaha! Hurry up and tear off the fine cotton cloth and bring it inside. I need to go inside and take a look too!"

"Auntie, please take it inside and tear only what you need! Let Aunt Zhou keep the rest for now. You can come back here to get it when you need it later! It's too inconvenient to tear it in the outer room, and it's easy to make a mess!"

Guizhi stuffed a bolt of fine cotton cloth into the midwife's hands. Then she said to Li Shi:

"Mom! It's getting late, haven't you made dinner yet?"

Li looked up at the sky and said:

"Oh dear! It's so late! I need to hurry up and cook with Jinxiu and the others! The people who do the work should be back soon!"

"Mother! Let them go! Just tell them what to do! Aunt Zhou needs someone to look after her too! We don't know anything about this!"

Li looked the group up and down, deciding to act quickly in this urgent situation. She then led them to cook.

There are too many people working and eating, so we haven't bought any meat. We have chickens and ducks at home, and eggs—duck eggs! We'll kill a duck and a chicken. Perfect timing, Zhou Niangzi can have some chicken soup to nourish herself!

During dinner, "Wah!" came the cry of a newborn! Aunt Zhou had finally given birth! The midwife tidied up the inner room, wrapped the baby up, and brought it out to Li Shi!

"Dazhu's wife! She gave birth to a healthy baby boy! Look!"

Only then did I hear a commotion in the courtyard. I glanced outside and saw about a dozen men and about a dozen teenagers.

"Dazhu's wife! Why are there so many people in your family? You scared me!"

Mrs. Li has gotten used to it these past few days.

"These farmhands, young and old, we do a lot of work during the busy farming season, so we don't have many concerns! At first, I wasn't used to it either, but I gradually got used to it after seeing it more often!"

"Sister-in-law! Don't mind the food later. Let's eat together after Yangliu is all ready!"

Guizhi was bringing chicken soup into the house, intending to nourish Zhou Niangzi's blood and energy. Hearing their conversation, she sensed something was amiss.

Nowadays, the separation of men and women is still strictly observed, although it's not as strictly enforced in the village. However, there are too many unmarried men in the family, all young and full of vigor. And then there are the three newly arrived young women, in the prime of their lives!

Li took the chicken soup and said to Guizhi:

"Your Aunt Zhou just gave birth, and there's a strong smell of blood inside! You young girls shouldn't go near her! I'll take the chicken soup in, you go do something else!"

"Have someone bring some food for your aunt and me later; we'll grab a bite in the outer room!"

As they spoke, the midwife, carrying the chicken soup and the baby, went into the inner room.

When Madam Zhou saw Madam Li, she hurriedly said:

"How dare you, Madam, come into the house yourself! It's filthy here!"

Li placed the chicken soup within Zhou Niangzi's reach and said:

"What's all this about filth and uncleanliness! Aren't we all women? I've already given birth to several children, why would I care about these things!"

Guizhi brought you some chicken soup. Drink some while it's hot to replenish your energy and blood!

Guizhi then secretly consulted with Dazhu:

"Dad! My Aunt Zhou's stomach hurts today, she says she's going into labor! My mom went to find a midwife! But when I looked at the table, I realized that just a few of us girls wouldn't be enough! There are so many of us to feed!"

I was thinking of hurrying to buy a few useful people! And while I was at it, I also got Pan Sen and Pan Qiang to settle down on their wives! Dad! I even bought one more because I was soft-hearted!

Dazhu glanced into the stove and saw three thin women busy at it.

Dazhu whispered:

"Hmm! Okay! Guizhi did a good job! I'll take the money from you! As long as Dad knows! Now that the rice is harvested and threshed, it's all piled up in the granary. When the price gets better later, we can sell it along with the wheat and then we'll have more money!"

Dazhu's tone was slightly excited! Guizhi knew that it was inconvenient to speak with so many people around.

"Dad! We're all eating in this one spot, so it's okay for now! But lots of people mean lots of trouble, Dad! We need to clear some space for them!"

Dazhu looked at Guizhi and asked:

"Tell me what you're thinking! Let Dad hear it and see if it's alright!"

Guizhi considered for a moment, then slowly said:

"Once the autumn harvest is over, we'll build two more thatched huts on the west side, one for Pan Sen and his wife! The farmhands all live there too, so Xia He, Pan Sen's wife, can cook there! They'll all eat there!"