There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 328 Rescuing the Cotton

Li Shuchen felt a little guilty after seeing the seeds; the seeds he bought from Zixing Dynasty were definitely different from those produced by Xiao Jizi.

That patch was planted with seeds from the Dynasty variety, and she had already used nutrient solution to boost the stats, but it still wasn't working.

"Perhaps it's because the quality of the cotton seeds obtained from different places varies, which is why this is the case."

Princess Changning: "Indeed, it's not easy to gather so many kinds of seeds. If they can bear fruit, they are good seeds. Why should I complain about them being short?"

Li Shuchen patted Princess Changning on the shoulder: "That's right, our Changning is very enlightened. If we leave behind large, plump seeds, we can reap good fruit every year."

Princess Changning: "Mmm..."

The carriage pulled up in front of the house, and the three of them got off.

Gu Ziying touched the soft cotton and said, "Shu Chen is indeed good at growing everything, even rare cotton, which he grows so well."

Li Shuchen: "It's thanks to Princess Changning's workers that the cotton was taken good care of. I've never taken care of cotton before."

Princess Changning: "Don't underestimate yourself; you've also made contributions."

Gu Ziying: "After I finish making clothes for the children at Aiyoutang, how about I make a thick winter coat for Shuchen?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen's eyes lit up, and he nodded hastily.

"Okay, okay, Ziying, make it for me."

Princess Changning crossed her arms and said, "Me too!"

Li Shuchen complained, "You already have so many mink, fox, and rabbit fur winter coats, why do you need cotton winter coats?"

Princess Changning raised her chin and said, "I want it."

Li Shuchen kindly advised, "This cotton winter coat isn't as warm as your other clothes. Wearing it will only make you catch a cold."

Princess Changning: "If you can all wear it, why can't I?"

Gu Ziying pulled the two apart from their bickering: "Alright, alright, I'll make them all, one for each of you, okay?"

Li Shuchen: "Hmph"

Princess Changning: "Hmph"

Dark clouds suddenly gathered in the sky, turning the once bright sky gloomy and oppressive, sending a chill down one's spine.

Li Shuchen's expression turned serious: "This is bad, it's going to rain. Changning, quickly give the order to have everyone pick cotton, hurry!"

Princess Changning: "Alright, Jade, Pearl, notify everyone to pick cotton, and be quick."

"Yes, Princess." *2

The two gave the orders, and the workers raced against time to pick the cotton.

Li Shuchen grabbed a large cloth bag and rushed to the field, picking cotton with both hands.

Princess Changning: "Li Shuchen, what serious consequences will occur if the cotton gets wet in the rain?"

Li Shuchen: "Yes, we must finish picking the cotton before the heavy rain comes, otherwise the cotton will get moldy, harden, and breed bacteria if it gets soaked in the rain, and then it will all be unusable, and the children will have nowhere to wear their clothes."

Princess Changning immediately grabbed a cloth bag and joined the cotton-picking team after hearing this.

Gu Ziying followed closely behind, not forgetting to tell the servants beside her, "You guys go and help quickly."

"Yes"*n

Everyone was rushing to pick cotton, their hands straining with all their might, moving so fast they seemed to be flying.

But the rain showed no mercy, and soon large raindrops began to fall from the sky.

It became increasingly dense and larger.

"Take the cotton you've picked to the warehouse, quickly."

Princess Changning shouted in the rain

Upon receiving the order, everyone hurriedly carried the dry cotton they were holding to the warehouse.

Li Shuchen's vision was blurred by the raindrops. After handing the dry cotton in his hand to the servant beside him, he grabbed a new cloth bag and continued frantically picking cotton.

This applies to Li Shuchen, and it applies to everyone else as well.

Raindrops fell from the ends of people's hair, the corners of their clothes, and the soles of their shoes, dripping onto the ground and forming puddles.

The mud and raindrops mixed together, making the path difficult and slowing everyone's cotton-picking speed considerably.

Li Shuchen wiped the raindrops from his face, kicked off his shoes, and continued picking.

Grape stood nervously behind Li Shuchen, wanting to tell her young mistress to put on her shoes, but knowing her mistress's temperament would prevent her from listening to her, she simply followed closely behind, blocking her view.

Li Shuchen: "All the men took off their shoes to pick the fruit."

She knew that a woman's feet should not be shown to others, and if a man saw them, he would have to offer himself to her. Therefore, she only asked the man to take off his shoes.

Princess Changning: "Listen to Miss Li, the men should take off their shoes to pick and transport the cotton, while the women can simply stay where they are and pick cotton."

"Yes"*n

Everyone worked tensely, constantly trying to salvage the cotton in the rain, for an unknown amount of time.

All 160 mu of cotton have been harvested.

Princess Changning plopped down under the eaves, exhausted, her eyes glazed over, unfocused.

Gu Ziying wasn't in much better shape; her hair was disheveled, her clothes were covered in mud, and many of her hairpins were missing.

Li Shuchen still had the energy, so he immediately went to the kitchen to boil water and make brown sugar ginger tea.

After it was cooked, I handed each of them a cup.

"Drink it while it's hot, be careful not to catch a cold."

The two took it, slowly blew on it to cool it down, and drank it.

Gu Ziying lowered her eyes to drink her tea, but when she caught sight of Li Shuchen's bare feet, she stopped drinking and hurriedly pulled Li Shuchen into the house.

Why did Shu Chen take off his shoes?

Li Shuchen: "I took off my shoes when I couldn't walk anymore."

Gu Ziying glanced around and asked, "Has any man seen your feet?"

Li Shuchen: "Many people saw me brewing the tea."

"What should I do?"

Gu Ziying put down her teacup, frowned, and kept sighing.

Li Shuchen looked down at his feet, which were thickly covered in mud, with not a single gap showing. He then comforted Gu Ziying.

"Ziying, look, my feet are covered in mud. Nobody has ever seen what my feet used to look like."

Gu Ziying looked over and breathed a sigh of relief: "I'll go get some water for Shu Chen to wash his feet. Shu Chen, don't move around here."

"it is good"

As soon as Li Shuchen finished speaking, Grape came in carrying a basin: "Miss, quickly wash your feet. I've already cleaned your shoes, but they're a little wet. I'll take them to the fire to dry them."

"No need, just leave it here, it'll dry in a bit."

As Li Shuchen spoke, he put his feet into the basin and scrubbed them. The basin was filled with muddy water, and he had to wash his feet several times before they were clean.

Princess Changning entered the room carrying a pair of shoes, looking much better: "Li Shuchen, wear my shoes first. After you bathe, I'll find you some of my clothes."

"Good"*2

After bathing, the three of them, all dressed in red, sat together to dine.

Li Shuchen gulped down a bowl of hot porridge and asked, "How much cotton got soaked by the rain?"

Princess Changning: "About half."

Gu Ziying frowned: "So many, Shu Chen, is there any room for negotiation?"

Li Shuchen nodded: "Yes, it depends on whether the weather cooperates."

Princess Changning: "Heavens?"

Li Shuchen nodded: "Cotton that gets wet from the rain can be washed and dried in the sun and then reused. However, if the rain continues and the cotton gets moldy, it cannot be saved."

"Then I'll tell them to wash the cotton."

Princess Changning got up to leave

Li Shuchen grabbed her arm: "Let's eat first, then we'll go. The rain isn't going to stop anytime soon, there's no rush."

Gu Ziying: "Let's listen to Shu Chen."

Princess Changning sat down and continued her meal upon hearing this.

After the meal, the three of them went to wash cotton and worked non-stop until dark.

Exhausted, everyone went to bed early, awaiting the arrival of tomorrow.