Chapter 51: Not a Day Without Hate

Thinking about how her rashness just now had cost her a chance to feed Zaituan, An Luo was filled with regret.

The customer service wasn't doing much better either, darting up and down in a frenzy, practically going out of its mind.

"Why won't she rent it?"

"Is the price I set still not low enough?"

"Ahhh, why won't she rent it?"

"If you won't rent, I can't get Reputation Points — how am I supposed to restock…"

Of course, An Luo knew none of this. Alongside her heartache, she was relieved she hadn't lost her head and cleared the Reputation Points Zaituan had worked so hard to earn.

Meanwhile, the Cheng Family members who had received the Little Booklet were all unsettled, one and all.

"What is this?"

Cheng Old Madam flipped through the Little Booklet in her hands, deeply shaken.

This paper was so immaculately white!

Wang Shi sighed in admiration at the side as well.

"Who would have thought the Immortal's painting skills were so superb — this Portrait is painted exactly like a real person, as if it could come to life the very next second!"

Hearing her words, An Luo's habit of embarrassment flared up again.

Fifty-million-pixel ultra-wide-angle camera, anyone?

Cheng Old Madam studied the illustrations on it carefully.

The Immortal must have had a deeper meaning in this.

Cheng Qiuluo leaned her head over and stroked her chin.

"This thread looks much thicker than what we normally use — there's no matching embroidery needle for it at all, is there?"

Saying so, she covered her mouth and laughed twice.

"Besides, if you used this thread to sew clothes, wouldn't it just be full of holes, letting wind through everywhere?"

Wang Shi reached out and pinched her arm, her eyes warning.

"Why so much talk? Knowing so much, and yet I've never seen you sit down quietly and properly do a few days of needlework."

Cheng Qiuluo rubbed her arm while muttering under her breath.

"With that time, I'd rather practice my blade for a few more hours."

Only then did An Luo realize she hadn't sent Zaituan any knitting needles — it seemed she'd have to wait for another chance to send them.

She poked the little fellow.

"Yu'an, this is the method for making wool yarn. Wool yarn can be knitted into sweaters and pants, gloves, hats, and socks — in winter, it keeps you very warm."

Yu'an nodded his little head, tilted his face up, and grabbed his great-grandmother's sleeve with his small hand, shaking it.

"Make wool yarn, knit sweaters and pants, warm!"

Wang Shi nodded in understanding.

"So that's how it is."

"The Immortal is truly thoughtful — seeing that we're preparing for winter, he sent us the method for making cold-proof clothing."

Saying so, she crouched in front of Yu'an, reached out to scratch the little fellow's squishy baby fat, her tone doting.

"Our Yu'an is truly blessed."

"All of us here have benefited from Yu'an."

"Haha."

Yu'an was tickled by the scratching and giggled nonstop, then stretched out his little hands to wrap around Wang Shi's neck, offering up his plump little cheeks full of blessings, nuzzling her face — left side, then right — while saying softly in his voice:

"Then Yu'an will share the blessings with Uncle-Grandmother."

Hearing such thoughtful and heartwarming words, Wang Shi's heart nearly melted.

Meanwhile, at the side, Cheng Old Madam lowered her eyes in thought — she was considering more.

This wool yarn was something never seen before; if they could make it, it would be one of a kind…

Having made up her mind, Cheng Old Madam looked at Cheng Feng and the others and instructed.

"First peel off the sheepskin, then shear the wool off separately and wash it clean."

"I'll do it!"

Cheng Qiuluo called out, then took the Dagger and walked toward the two Sheep.

Cheng Qiuluo's hands moved with extreme speed — in just a few strokes she peeled off one sheepskin, then the other…

Cheng Lei and Cheng Yu put away the sheepskins and tried to take the Dagger from her hand.

"Third Miss, leave the rest to us."

Cheng Qiuluo said nothing, drove the Dagger firmly into the mutton, stood up, and walked to the side while wiping the blood droplets that had splashed onto her face.

Seeing that something was off about her expression, Cheng Old Madam's brow knit tightly.

Wang Shi also wore a face full of worry.

"Luoluo, you…"

"Grandmother, Mother, the smell of blood is strong in this courtyard — you two should take Yu'an inside to rest. Tonight we'll stew the mutton and roast the lamb legs, how about it?"

Cheng Old Madam looked at her deeply, then slowly nodded.

"Good."

Having said that, she took Yu'an's hand, gave the others a look, and led several people back to the main hall.

Wang Shi lingered at the door watching, and saw Qiuluo take two cleavers out of the Chu Fang and swing them at the skinned sheep.

Clang clang clang — chopping through the bones.

Seeing this, the worry on her face deepened all the more.

It's all her fault—she cared too little for Luoluo along the way.

Wang Shi turned her head and looked toward Cheng Old Madam as if seeking help.

"Pomo?"

After the mutton was dealt with in the courtyard, Cheng Old Madam had her summon Qiuluo to the room.

Looking at the little granddaughter before her, Cheng Old Madam's face was full of heartache.

Yes—that time at the foot of Qiling Mountain when they fought off the assassins, that night the bandits slaughtered the village.

Even earlier than that, Qiuluo had already been showing signs that something was wrong.

In the end, it was she, as Grandmother, who had been negligent.

This child Qiuluo looked brash and careless, as if she were heartless, but in truth she was rough outside yet fine within.

Though clever and sharp, she was not as level-headed and steady as Qiuyun and Qiuruo.

She was the sort who'd charge at a wall and never turn back.

Cheng Old Madam let out a heavy sigh.

"Qiuluo, rice must be eaten one mouthful at a time, the road must be walked one step at a time. Some things can't be rushed, and rushing won't help. Don't get so stuck in a rut—besides tormenting yourself and your family, it serves no purpose at all."

Hearing these words, Cheng Qiuluo lowered her head.

"I'm sorry, Grandmother. It's Qiuluo's fault for making you and Mother worry."

She walked over to Cheng Old Madam and crouched down, her eyes bloodshot, her fists clenched so tight they trembled.

"Grandmother, I just miss Father, Second Uncle, and my elder brother so much, so very much—not a single day goes by that I don't."

Qiuluo bit down hard on her teeth.

"And not a single day without hatred!"

"I wish I could rush to Tai'an Palace this very instant, rush to the side of that Dragon Throne, and before all the civil and military officials and the people of the realm, expose that Emperor's true face!"

"Use that Emperor's blood to lay offerings to the heroic spirits of the Cheng Family's sons!"

Cheng Old Madam reached out and wiped the tears from her face, her expression full of heartache.

"These past days have truly been hard on you."

Qiuluo shook her head.

"Grandmother, Qiuluo isn't suffering. With Father and brother gone, Qiuluo must protect Grandmother well and hold up this family."

"You child, saying such things—where does that leave me, your mother? I'm still here, there's no need for you to step forward!"

Wang Shi walked over, her eyes swollen and red.

She reached out and gathered her daughter in, weeping so hard from heartache she could barely stand.

Qiuluo said nothing more, only pressing her lips tightly together, holding her mother as tears streamed down without pause.

Cheng Qiuruo, who had come in later, had tears in her eyes that never once stopped flowing.

Cheng Old Madam blinked her reddened eyes, drew a deep breath, and steadied her emotions.

"The Cheng Family's vengeance must be avenged!"

"But right now we have no money, no grain, no territory—everything still needs careful planning."

Mother and daughters nodded heavily.

"Understood!"

Cheng Old Madam sighed once more.

"But the time left to us is not much."

"So we must absolutely pull ourselves together!"

"Not a single step can be misstepped!"