Picking Up a General to Plow the Fields

Chapter 378: Doubts

“Miss has arrived!”

“Miss Lian, you’re here!”

Wang Da and Wang San spoke at the same time.

Master Ding turned to look and saw a young girl of fifteen or sixteen, wearing a water-red linen dress and her hair in two side buns.
She was slender with pretty features and her black eyes were bright and energetic.
Overall, she looked smart and capable.

Master Ding smiled slightly.

Coming forward, Lian Fang Zhou bowed her knees to Master Ding.
Smiling, she said: “I did not know Elder had arrived, please forgive me for any negligence!”

Her expression was natural and open and the smile on her face was clean and bright.
She was neither humble or flattering, not nervous or shy.

“This is the young miss? Haha, no need to be polite, no need to be polite! This old man was just passing by and was curious, wanting to come over and take a look!” Master Ding waved his hand with a smile.

“Thank you, Master!” Lian Fang Zhou smiled slightly.
Standing up, she said: “I have heard that Master cared about farmers and agriculture, and I have seen today that this is true! If Master is interested, please take a look!”

Master Ding laughed: “This old man has also heard of Miss Lian and has seen at first glance that she is different than ordinary people.
This cotton field is also much better managed than other people’s cotton!”

Lian Fang Zhou was a little stunned when she heard this and didn’t know what to say.
The only thing she was sure of was that Master Ding had not come by her fields on a whim, he definitely came here with a purpose.

To say he was curious, he had obviously never seen the fields before, so what would he be curious about? Besides, his own family should have allocated two to three hundred acres to grow his own cotton, right? Since he had his own, why would he bother to come see hers?

Qin Feng’s ability to handle affairs was really agile!

In any case, now that Master Ding had come, it was indeed a good thing! She had to take advantage of it!

Lian Fang Zhou smiled humbly: “Master is too serious, making a person feel embarrassed! Us countryfolk use the same care when tending our crops so naturally other people’s cotton fields are also very good!”

Master Ding shook his head, smiling faintly: “Miss Lian is too humble! I don’t know how many people simply sowed the fields and left them alone.
Even my own cotton fields are not as good as Miss Lian’s! Miss Lian has worked hard to support the imperial degree, very good, very good!”

These words really touched Lian Fang Zhou’s heart.
Under Master Ding’s words, no matter who wanted to find trouble with her, they would have to weigh themselves first!

She smiled more naturally and said: “Since Master has praised, people tremble!”

Hearing this, Master Ding couldn’t help but laugh, delighted.
In his heart, he thought: This young miss is really skilled! Just a one sentence answer; it seemed unremarkable but in fact it did not leak at all.

“This old man is only telling the truth, it’s rare to see a woman like Miss Lian!” Master Ding laughed.
After chatting with her for a few minutes, he finally said goodbye.

When he was gone, Wang Da said: “Miss! I didn’t expect Master Ding would come to our cotton fields! This is really great, no one else has this glory!” He and the other two were very excited, smiling and laughing.

Lian Fang Zhou smiled noncommittedly.
“This is indeed a good thing but when discussing it with others, you should not exaggerate and only speak respectfully.”

Wang Da and the others immediately nodded, saying they understood.

Seeing that the three of them were still excitedly discussing it between themselves, Lian Fang Zhou added: “You three continue to patrol the fields, don’t be careless! I will go back, I still have things to do.”

The three workers agreed and saw her off.

Instead of going home, Lian Fang Zhou went to the compound to look for Qin Feng.
After explaining everything to him, she smiled and said: “Manager Qin is very skilled! What did you say to Steward Ding? Today Master Ding came specifically to see our cotton fields and even talked with me for a while.
His words have settled my worries, when it’s time to sell, our name will be well known.”

She paused, suddenly realizing something, and slapped her own forehead.
“I was really confused! I should have asked you to go with me!” She said with regret.

Qin Feng saw her dull expression and blinked.
With some doubt, he asked: “Miss, you said Master Ding came to speak about your cotton? I have only established a friendship with the steward and haven’t even had a chance to talk about the cotton fields.
If Steward Ding mentioned it to him, it has nothing to do with me!”

“…” Lian Fang Zhou stared at him in surprise.
“Nothing to do with you? You mean you haven’t even mentioned it to Steward Ding?”

“Yes!” Qin Feng nodded.

Lian Fang Zhou’s brain felt sluggish, this was just too strange!

She knew her own family’s status, they had nothing to do with someone like Master Ding.
Other than letting Qin Feng deliberately approach Steward Ding, they had never come into contact with the Ding family!

But now Master Ding had stopped by for no reason and had even spoken with her specially.
What did he mean by showing good intentions like this?

“Miss,” Seeing her look so confused, Qin Feng couldn’t help but smile and persuade: “Master Ding has a very good reputation in Yuhe county and is a man of high morals.
Presumably, he just cares about agriculture and appreciates Miss Lian’s hard work.
Anyways, this is a good thing!”

“As you say!” Lian Fang Zhou laughed.
“For the time being, let’s just take it as a good thing.
No matter if he is kind or malicious, his true purpose will be revealed eventually!” All she needed to do was act carefully and cautiously, that would be enough.

“Miss Lian is correct!” Qin Feng agreed.

~

After leaving Lian Fang Zhou’s cotton fields, Master Ding relaxed elegantly in his carriage.
Stroking his beard, he stared out the window and no one could guess what he was thinking.

After a moment, he suddenly sighed slightly and shook his head, smiling.

That Miss Lian was really interesting! Not to mention ordinary country girls, not even most of the ladies in the capital could be considered more skilled than her.
No wonder…

He chuckled, thinking of Cui Min Zhi, the grandson of his old friend, who had come to visit him yesterday.
Originally, he had thought the young man had come to see him for a favor and was interested in hearing him out, only to find out he had a different request.

In hindsight, it wasn’t too surprising.
After all, what interest would a young man like him have in an old, bald man like Master Ding?

Though the young man had spoken very vaguely, Master Ding had understood that he was asking him to take care of the eldest miss of the Lian family, particularly not allowing others to attack her cotton.
He repeatedly asked him not to let her know what Cui Min Zhi had spoken to him.

TN: Ah, Cui Shao Xi! So much work for a girl that won’t be yours! Second male leads are very pitiful, I hope he finds a girl that loves him.