Qin Yao looked at the late afternoon sky.

It’s often said that morning clouds mean you shouldn’t go out, while an evening glow can lead you a thousand miles—recently, indeed, it’s been a series of rare sunny days.

"Alright, then you clean up." Qin Yao grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and started cracking them. "As usual, list the expenses and give them to me for review tomorrow."

Liu Ji had been waiting for her to say these words, and immediately got up to make a list in the study.

Qin Yao didn’t bother with him and, remembering the seedlings at home, took a hoe and went out.

According to the weather these days, the seedlings in the field should be ready for transplanting in about ten days.

Because of Liu Family Village’s harvest last year, quite a few in Lower River Village, feeling bold, left behind twenty to thirty acres to farm intensively.

Regarding this year’s grain output, both villages took the matter very seriously.

This time, Song Zhang even sent a message, asking Qin Yao to inform Liu Family Village about the transplanting schedule ahead of time.

At that time, he plans to lead people from various villages and towns to observe and learn their planting techniques. In the coming year, he intends to promote a seven-to-three ratio of coarse to fine farming countywide to increase grain production.

With this in mind, the community’s seedling transplanting became even more crucial.

Qin Yao had to pay attention, checking on the seedlings’ growth every day to notify Song Zhang to bring the group over in advance.

The village chief was now focusing on his health, so he entrusted the entire matter to Qin Yao.

Hosting so many people at once requires thorough preparation, as Qin Yao didn’t want to tire herself out alone.

After inspecting the seedlings in the field, she headed back to the village.

Passing by the village well, she called Da Lang, Sanlang, and Si Niang home, and went alone up the hill to Liu Dafu’s house.

His family had already finished dinner and was resting in the courtyard.

As soon as Qin Yao entered, she heard the clacking of the loom. The women in Liu Dafu’s family weaved whenever they weren’t eating or using the toilet.

The brocade they made was a key source of income and they were reluctant to stop.

Of course, weaving at night used up more candles than other households.

However, the extra candlelight was not wasted, as Liu Dafu’s courtyard was illuminated, creating a warm and comforting atmosphere.

Liu Dafu wasn’t surprised by Qin Yao’s visit. As soon as she sat down, he asked, "What brings you here?"

Qin Yao curiously asked, "Has the village chief told you that the County Magistrate is bringing people to our village to learn about rice planting?"

Liu Dafu nodded and brought over a plate of washed wild berries, "Try some. The eldest picked these from the mountains this morning. They’re sweet and sour, just what you young girls love."

Qin Yao didn’t hold back, popping a few into her mouth. The berries were juicy, better than expected, and she couldn’t resist eating a few more.

Then she smiled and asked, "Uncle Dafu, how about having County Magistrate Song and others come on the eighth of this month?"

Liu Dafu shrewdly laughed, "The village chief assigned this to you; make the decision yourself. Why ask me?"

Qin Yao sighed appreciatively, saying, "I’m still young and inexperienced. A large group of prominent people are coming this time, and without an experienced elder like you, Uncle Dafu, I’ll feel overwhelmed."

Liu Dafu knew she was being polite, but he was pleased nonetheless and waved it off with a smile:

"Alight, alright, as if you’re not capable. Save that talk for others. To me, you’re like an all-powerful Manager Qin from heaven to the earth."

"But indeed, when it comes to hospitality, I have a bit more experience than you young folks. If you trust me, I’ll handle the arrangements. Just bring the people over when the time comes."

He wouldn’t miss the opportunity to connect with the County Magistrate and other local village chiefs and headmen.

Of course, hosting such a large group would require spending money.

But if he could make some connections with a few village headmen, it would be worth it.

Qin Yao expected his intentions, and with a few exchanges, they quickly agreed on the reception process.

When she left Liu Dafu’s home, Qin Yao also took half a bowl of wild berries back home, which the children loved.

Ah Wang said, "Tomorrow morning, I’ll go to the mountains to pick more. Any leftovers can be made into berry jam for Mrs. Li to use in pastries."

This time of year, the wild berries up the mountain were ripe. Thumb-sized, a deep red, they were sweet, sour, and juicy.

Then there were those tiny ones that grew in clusters, in patches, some purple, some yellow, but with tiny flesh, so much so that the village children overlooked them.

With no school tomorrow, upon hearing Ah Wang’s plan, the Da Lang siblings also clamored to join.

Ah Wang glanced at Qin Yao, saw her nod, and then nodded to the children, "After morning practice and breakfast, we’ll go."

Going too early meant heavy dew before sunrise, making clothes wet and reducing the berries’ flavor.

The children agreed enthusiastically, almost impatiently.

Second Lang added, "I’ll invite Little Lai Fu tomorrow."

Qin Yao instructed, "Be safe and don’t stay too long."

The siblings agreed, washed up, and went to bed to rest for their mountain adventure the next day.

Returning to her room, Qin Yao prepared the letter for Song Zhang, blew out the candles, and went to sleep.

The following morning, after completing morning exercises with the children, Qin Yao took the letter to the stationery factory and handed it to Liu Zhong, who was going to town for supplies, asking him to deliver it to the Song Family.

"Second Brother, make sure to hand it directly to Mrs. Song or County Magistrate Song," Qin Yao urged.

Liu Zhong felt a bit nervous at the thought of meeting the County Magistrate, as it made him weak in the knees just thinking about it.

However, he didn’t want to let anyone down and nodded resolutely, "Don’t worry, I’ll definitely get it to them."

With that, he left for town with the letter in hand, filled with apprehension.

Upon arrival, he realized it wasn’t difficult to knock on the back door of the County Magistrate’s house when mentioning his sister-in-law’s name.

The Song Family servants led him to Mrs. Song, and Liu Zhong dared not lift his eyes, afraid of being disrespectful. After handing the letter to Mrs. Song, he was about to leave promptly.

"Please wait a moment." Mrs. Song stopped Liu Zhong, turning to instruct a maid to bring a long rectangular wooden box.

Two maids handed over the box, slightly struggling under its weight.

Though ready to receive it, Liu Zhong staggered under its heaviness, quickly stepping forward to brace it with his knee.

He wondered curiously about its contents due to its weight.

Mrs. Song said, "This is something my brother owes to Miss Qin. We were going to send it over these days, but since you’re here, take it with you to save Miss Qin from waiting."

Liu Zhong responded, "Alright then," and took his leave.

Upon exiting the Song Mansion, he glanced back at the grand white-walled, green-tiled residence, realizing with awe—it truly was the County Magistrate Song’s home, mighty impressive indeed.