Chapter 21

“Young Master, you should go over and take a look yourself. It’s unbelievable.” The servant quickly ran back to Rong Yupeng and whispered what he had just seen.

Rong Yupeng was dumbfounded. When he came back to his senses, he quickly walked to the cart. After taking a look and confirming that it was indeed as the servant had said, he could not help but feel that the people in front of him were all fools. They actually sold ice that was as expensive as gold so cheaply.

The servant licked his lips. “Young Master, should we buy one to try?” He really wanted to eat it.

“Buy it.” Rong Yupeng pretended not to care and walked to the side like a young master.

The servant went forward and bought two ice cream bars. He paid twenty copper coins and thought to himself that he was in for a treat today.

He walked towards Rong Yupeng. “Young Master, try it. There’s a strong orange fragrance.”

Rong Yupeng swallowed his saliva. After taking the ice cream bar, he took a bite.

It was so cool and fragrant…

And such a delicious ice cream bar was actually sold for ten copper coins. It was not an exaggeration to say that it was worth at least a hundred copper coins. What a bunch of fools!

Suddenly, Chu Qingzhi’s voice was heard. “It’s sold out. It’s all sold out. Come early tomorrow. There’s nothing left today!”That’s it?”

“Is there really nothing left?”

Everyone craned their necks to look into the wooden box. When they saw that there was indeed nothing, they turned around and left unwillingly.

After everyone dispersed, Rong Yupeng looked at the group of fools and had an idea. Then, he strode away.

Chu QIngzhi and the others returned.

On the way back, the four of them were overjoyed, but soon, Chu First became worried again. “Fifth Sister, we don’t have any oranges left. How are we going to sell ice cream bars tomorrow?” n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Chu Qingzhi glanced at Chu First and gave him five taels of silver. “Brother, go and use this money to buy sugar.”

Although Chu First was a little older than Chu Qingzhi, he already treated Chu Qingzhi as his boss now. He immediately agreed. “Okay, I’ll go do it immediately.”

Chu Third pushed the cart, and the three of them continued to walk into the village.

Chu Qingzhi thought for a while and asked the two of them, “Which families near our village have oranges?”

Chu Second said, “Someone in the Zhang Village has an orange orchard, but the oranges are not sweet and are a little sour. It’s not easy to sell. I heard that the orchard owner is very troubled.”Chu Qingzhi’s eyes lit up. “Let’s go and take a look.”

Chu Second nodded. “Okay.”

…

Zhang Village.

As the sun set, the villagers were busy watering the crops in the fields.

Because the three of them were strangers, they attracted everyone’s attention as soon as they entered the village. An auntie passing by stopped and asked, “Who are you? What are you doing in our village?”

Chu Qingzhi smiled and said, “Hello, Auntie. We’re from Chu Village. I heard that there’s an orange seller in your village, so I came to take a look.”

The auntie was very kind. “You are here to buy oranges? The family you’re talking about is my neighbor. I’ll take you there.”

Chu Qingzhi said sweetly, “Thank you, Auntie.”

The auntie was happy to hear that and said with a smile, “You don’t have to be so polite.”

They followed the auntie to a small courtyard.The auntie opened the courtyard door and walked straight in. “Zhang Lin, come out. Someone is here to buy oranges. Weren’t you worried that you couldn’t sell them? Now, business is knocking on your door.”

When Zhang Lin heard this, he immediately walked out of the house. When he saw the three children who were not dressed well, the light in his eyes was extinguished.

“How many oranges can you buy?”

Chu Qingzhi said, “If the price is right, I want all of it.”

When Zhang Lin heard this, he perked up. “Is that true?”

Chu Qingzhi nodded and said, “Is it convenient for you to take us to the orchard now?”

When Zhang Lin heard this, he was extremely enthusiastic. “Sure, sure. Please follow me.”

Following Zhang Lin, the three of them arrived at an orange orchard at the side of the village. This location of the orchard was very special. There was enough sunlight in the morning, but there was basically no sunlight in the afternoon. That was why the oranges were sour.

Zhang Lin looked at the bright yellow oranges hanging all over the branches. He spoke with not much confidence. “This is my orange orchard.”

Chu Qingzhi went forward to take a look. “Can I try one?”

Zhang Lin hesitated and said, “Sure.”

Chu Qingzhi picked one, peeled it, and ate a piece. She immediately frowned. It was indeed sour, but it was suitable to make ice cream bars.

When Zhang Lin saw Chu Qingzhi’s expression, he felt dispirited. This business was most likely going to fall flat. Who would buy sour oranges?

Chu Qingzhi turned around and asked, “How much is this orange for a catty?”

Hearing that, Zhang Lin was delighted. “It’s sold at ten copper coins a catty at the market. If you want it all, I’ll give you eight copper coins per catty.”

Chu Qingzhi bargained. “Seven copper coins.”

Zhang Lin gritted his teeth. Selling seven copper coins a catty now was better than watching all his oranges go bad. “Alright.”

Chapter 22

Chu Qingzhi nodded and said, “We’ll pick 500 catties of oranges now. Get some people to help us. Oh right, we still need you to find someone to transport it for me.”

Zhang Lin agreed readily. “Sure.”

Zhang Lin went to call many people over and quickly picked 500 catties of oranges.

Chu Qingzhi was about to pay, but it was not convenient to pay with copper coins. “Can you send the oranges to my house and I’ll pay you with equivalent taels?”

As long as he was paid, everything would be fine. Zhang Lin said readily, “It’s fine, it’s fine. Chu Village is close.”

…

In Chu Village.

The villagers were all busy in the fields now. When Chu Qingzhi and the others returned, they immediately attracted everyone’s attention.

“They are carrying big boxes in and out. What is the Chu family doing?”

“Don’t tell me they’re really doing something illegal?”They seem to be transporting oranges.”

“Why did they bring so many oranges back?”

As the villagers discussed, Chu Qingzhi and the others carried the oranges into the house. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

When Li Qingyu saw that Chu Qingzhi and the others had returned with so many oranges, she quickly ran home. “Qingzhi.”

Chu Qingzhi explained the ins and outs of the matter to Li Qingyu and said, “Mother, go and get three taels of silver for Brother Zhang.”

“Okay.” Li Qingyu quickly ran into the house.

After receiving the payment, Zhang Lin brought his people back happily.

Seeing that Li Qingyu was still a little confused, Chu Qingzhi explained, “Mother, these are the oranges we’re selling tomorrow. Without the oranges, we won’t be able to sell the ice cream bar.”

Li Qingyu slapped her forehead. “Look at how slow my brain is. I even forgot this.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled. “Mother, go and do your thing. Leave the rest to us.”

Li Qingyu said, “Alright, the fields will be watered soon. I’ll come back to make dinner later.”Zhao Xiuhua shouted impatiently, “This jinx is Chu Qingzhi. Ever since she returned, our village has been suffering from a serious drought. Now, even the river has dried up.”

Everyone’s gaze instantly landed on Chu Qingzhi. Some were suspicious, some were unconvinced, and some were disdainful.

Chu Rong immediately protected Chu Qingzhi behind him. “My daughter is not a jinx. Don’t talk nonsense.”

Zhao Xiuhua glanced at Chu Rong disdainfully. “Everyone knows very well if I’m spouting nonsense or not.”

Chapter 23

A villager called Chu Ping thought for a moment and said, “Ever since Chu Qingzhi returned, the drought in the village seems to be getting worse.”

Chu Rong retorted, “Chu Ping, don’t talk nonsense. How can someone be blamed for the drought? Moreover, it hasn’t rained for a long time before Qingzhi returned. Is this her fault?”

Chu Ping was not afraid of Chu Rong and said unreasonably, “Perhaps that was a prophecy that a jinx was coming to our village.”

Chu Rong gritted his teeth. “Nonsense!”

Zhao Xiuhua wished she could pin all the blame on Chu Qingzhi. “It’s Chu Qingzhi who harmed everyone. Ever since she returned, the village has been in chaos. It’s her fault. She shouldn’t have returned to the village. She was given away. Why did you take her back at all?”

Tang Jinghong glanced at Zhao Xiuhua sharply and spoke up for Chu Qingzhi. “Don’t you think what you said is too harsh? I feel that whoever did something evil in the village recently is the cause of the drought.”

Zhao Xiuhua immediately felt guilty and said fiercely, “Tang Jinghong, shut up. You disrespect your stepmother and are lazy.. What right do you have to speak?”

Tang Jinghong’s face darkened. “When did I disrespect my stepmother? When was I lazy?”

The villagers looked at Zhao Xiuhua in disapproval. They had all seen Tang Jinghong working under the hot sun. How could he be lazy?

As for being disrespectful to his stepmother, that was even more ridiculous. Everyone knew Zhang Xiuqin’s personality. She was always making things difficult for him!

Chu Qingzhi said coldly, “Old witch, if you don’t have evidence, don’t spout nonsense.”

Zhao Xiuhua hated Chu Qingzhi to death. “Chu Qingzhi, you deserve this. Who asked you to urge my daughter-in-law to divorce my son?”

Chu Qingzhi was disgusted. “You hit Fu Haiyan like she’s an animal. Do you treat her as your daughter-in-law at all?”Zhao Xiuhua looked away. Even though she felt guilty, she did not feel that she should be blamed for this.

In the past, she had also hit Fu Haiyan, but Fu Haiyan had never resisted. It was only because of Chu Qingzhi’s support that Fu Haiyan dared to resist and divorce her husband. In the end, it was Chu Qingzhi’s fault!

“If not for you, Haiyan wouldn’t have left. It’s all because of you. You were the one who destroyed my family. You’re vicious.”

Chu Qingzhi couldn’t help but want to roll her eyes. This was the first time she had seen such an unreasonable person.

“If you treated Haiyan better, she wouldn’t have wanted to leave your family. At this point, instead of repenting, you actually thought you did right.”

Zhao Xiuhua said righteously, “Why should I repent? It’s clearly your fault!”

Chu Qingzhi was speechless.

Seeing that the topic was off the track, Chu Ping quickly changed the topic. “Let’s talk about the drought now. Let’s put the personal grudge between your two families aside for the time being.”

At this moment, the village chief shouted. He could tell who was the troublemaker now. “What I want to say is that the thing about the jinx is all nonsense. Don’t believe it…”

Chu Qi suddenly stepped forward and said, “I think there’s a way to solve this drought.”

Chu Tai’s heart skipped a beat and he felt vaguely uneasy.

The village chief looked at Chu Qi with a serious expression. “Tell me, what way?”

Chu Qi said with a smile, “Let Chu Qingzhi tell everyone how to make ice. As long as we earn money, won’t the drought problem be resolved?”

Then, he said to Chu Qingzhi righteously, “Qingzhi, as long as you tell us how to make ice, the entire village will treat you as our benefactor. How about that?”Chu Qingzhi was surprised. She turned around and looked at the Chu family, wondering who revealed this secret.

When Chu Tai met Chu Qingzhi’s gaze, he lowered his head guiltily.

“So the Chu family is secretly making ice at home.”

“Ice is something only the nobles and ministers can enjoy in the summer. It’s very expensive.”

“If we master the method to make ice, we’ll be rich.”

The villagers discussed animatedly. The more they talked, the more excited they became. They wished they could immediately make a fortune and become rich.

As they spoke, their eyes were focused on Chu Qingzhi, as if she was a gold ingot.

Chu Qingzhi’s face was cold as she mocked, “How about taking out your money and sharing it with everyone? The villagers will also treat you as their benefactor.”

Chu Qi’s face stiffened. How could he take out his money?!

Chu Qi threatened, “Chu Qingzhi, if you don’t tell us how to make ice, we’ll tell your adoptive parents that you stole the formula from them to make ice. At that time, they’ll send you to jail.”

Chu Qingzhi was puzzled. When did she steal anything from her adoptive parents?

Chu Tai quickly said, “Qingzhi, he was just guessing.”

Chu Qingzhi was extremely speechless. “Are you stupid? If my adoptive parents know how to make ice, why didn’t they make it and sell it?”

When Chu Qi heard this, he felt that Chu Qingzhi was right. No one in the county sold ice!

However, he would not admit it. He only thought that Chu Qingzhi was quibbling. “They might have sold it to the city. The county people are too poor to buy ice.”

Chu Qingzhi thought to herself that now that the matter of making ice had been exposed, it was impossible to cover it up. In that case, she could only come up with another plan.

Chu Qingzhi looked around at everyone. “Do you all want the formula to make ice?”

Everyone nodded in unison.

Chapter 24

Chu Qingzhi took a step back and said, “It wasn’t easy for me to come up with this formula. It’s not from my adoptive parents, but if you want it, it’s not impossible.”

When everyone heard this, their eyes lit up.

Chu Qingzhi glanced at everyone and mocked, “As long as you pay, I’m very willing to tell you.”

Chu Ping jumped out again and said righteously, “Chu Qingzhi, we’re all from the same village. How can you take our money?”

Chu Qingzhi turned her face in Chu Ping’s direction and asked, “Oh? Then can we eat at your house for free tonight?”

Chu Ping glared at Chu Qingzhi and stopped talking.

Someone asked, “Then how much do you want?”Chu Qingzhi raised a finger and smiled. “A hundred taels.”

Everyone gasped. It was impossible for an ordinary family to earn a hundred taels in their entire lives, but Chu Qingzhi actually asked for a hundred taels!

Chu Ping scolded, “Chu Qingzhi, what kind of dream are you having? You actually want 100 taels! Impossible, we won’t use 100 taels to buy a formula.”

Chu Qingzhi shrugged, indicating that she didn’t care. “In the city, ice is sold at one tael per catty. If you sell 100 catties, you can earn back the money. Water is everywhere. You won’t suffer a loss, okay?”

Everyone thought about it and thought that it made sense.

Chu Qingzhi ignored everyone’s reaction and continued, “However, if you want to sell it in the county, you can only sell it like I do. One ice cream bar can only be sold for ten copper coins. Otherwise, no one will buy from you. In other words, you can only bring the ice to the city to sell at a high price. The ice in the city is monopolized by those big families. If you go to sell it, be careful. Don’t offend the rich and powerful. You won’t have a good ending.”

When everyone realized that the dream of making a lot of money was gone, they regained a little rationality.

Chu Qingzhi continued, “If you want to sell ice cream bars like my family, you have to first have oranges. You have to peel the oranges, squeeze them into juice, make a mold, freeze them, and store them. By the way, before doing all this, you have to save a hundred taels of silver.”

“In summary, I agree to sell the formula to you for a hundred taels. If you want it, go home and save the money. Don’t waste time.”Chu Ping pointed at Chu Qingzhi and said angrily, “Chu Qingzhi, I think you’re saying this because you don’t want to give us the formula.”

“You’re right. Who would be willing to give their good things to others for no reason? Are you that generous?” Chu Qingzhi’s voice became stern. “If you want to get the formula for free, go home, lie in bed, and dream. I don’t have time to waste with you.”

A villager said indignantly, “Chu Qingzhi, Chu Ping is right. You just don’t want to share the good thing with us.”

Chu Qingzhi retorted, “Are you willing to give your food to my family for free? If you’re willing, I’ll go and get it immediately.”

The villager stopped talking. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Another villager said, “Chu Qingzhi, 100 taels is too expensive.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled. “I think you have more than twenty hens at home. I’ll buy them from you for a copper coin per catty. Do you agree?”

The villager stopped talking. A copper coin per catty of chicken was too unreasonable.

Chu Qingzhi was impatient. “Is there anything else you want to say? If not, I’m gonna leave. It’s almost dark.”

Zhao Xiuhua said loudly, “Chu Qingzhi, the village chief hasn’t given the word to disperse us. The drought in the village is getting worse and worse. It hasn’t been resolved yet.”

Chu Qingzhi narrowed her eyes. Everything that happened today was caused by Zhao Xiuhua. “Village Chief, as long as you chase this wicked old witch out of the village, I’ll help everyone find a water source.”

She couldn’t be bothered to deal with Zhao Xiuhua every day and waste her time.

Chapter 25

Zhao Xiuhua’s face turned pale. If she was chased away, her ending would be miserable.

Zhou Qingzhong stood in front of Zhao Xiuhua. “I think you’re the one who should be chased away. Chu Qingzhi, if you can find a water source, I’ll go by your surname from now on.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled. “Do you even know how to write my surname?” n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Zhou Qingzhong’s face immediately turned red. He had never gone to school before, so how could he write?

At this moment, the village chief said, “Chu Qingzhi, if you can really find a water source, I can promise you that.”

Compared to the entire village, Zhao Xiuhua was nothing.

Zhao Xiuhua staggered as fear overwhelmed her. “No, Village Chief, you can’t promise her that…”

Chu Qingzhi glanced at Zhao Xiuhua, hoping that she would remember this lesson and be kinder in the future. “Follow me.” After saying that, she turned around and walked straight ahead.

Tang Jinghong caught up and walked to Chu Qingzhi’s side. “Little girl, can you really find a water source?”Chu Qingzhi had a good impression of Tang Jinghong. “Get a few people to go back with you to bring the tools to dig out the water source.”

Tang Jinghong said without hesitation, “I believe you.” Then, he stopped and called a few people to get the tools.

Chu First chased after Chu Qingzhi worriedly. “Fifth Sister.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled at him confidently. “Brother, it’s fine. Don’t worry.”

Zhao Xiuhua nudged Zhou Qingzhong and urged, “Son, go and keep an eye on Chu Qingzhi.”

“Okay.” Zhou Qingzhong followed everyone.

When the cold wind in the ancestral hall blew on Zhao Xiuhua, she couldn’t help but shiver. This place was spooky. She scurried away.

Finding a water source was easy for Chu Qingzhi. She observed her surroundings and walked towards the foot of the mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, there was a bush that was very lush. It was very different from other places.

Chu Qingzhi picked up a rock and placed it in the middle of the grass. “This is where the water source is. Dig it.”Everyone felt that Chu Qingzhi was playing with them. Their eyes revealed doubts. Would there be water in this place?

The village chief was also in disbelief. “Chu Qingzhi, are you sure there’s water here?”

Chu Qingzhi said casually, “You’ll know when you dig it up.”

Coincidentally, Tang Jinghong came over with a few people with hoes and other tools.

Chu Qingzhi took two steps back. “Dig.”

Tang Jinghong removed the grass and started digging with the hoe. Everyone stared at the ground intently.

Now that the river had dried up, if there was no water, what would happen to them in the future?

Fortunately, the soil was moist, which gave everyone hope. Zhao Xiuhua, who was hiding behind the crowd, clenched her clothes and thought to herself, “Did Chu Qingzhi really find a water source?” This made her panic.

Chu Second walked to Chu Qingzhi’s side and intertwined her hands. Chu Second was also very nervous. If Chu Qingzhi could not find a water source, she would definitely be ostracized in the village in the future.

Chu Qingzhi patted Chu Second’s shoulder and said confidently, “Second Sister, believe me.”

Chu Second nodded. “Qingzhi, how did you know there was a water source here?”

Chu Qingzhi stretched out her finger and pinched at her eyes. “I can see through the ground. Do you believe me?”

Chu Second definitely didn’t believe her. “Don’t joke around. How can you know this legendary ability?”