Free Web NovelChapter 290: Chapter 290: Greenhouse
That night passed without anything notable, and the next day, Bai Suihe woke up to see a blanket of white snow before her eyes, knowing that her days ahead would be spent indoors once more.
Chunxiang and the others brought hot water, assisting Bai Suihe with her washing, "Miss, is there anything you fancy eating today?"
In the past few days, the two maids had showcased their culinary skills countless times, eager to make up for what they missed along the journey.
"Something warm," Bai Suihe fancied having hotpot, but there were no chili peppers available here. In the space behind the greenhouse, there were some chili peppers, but she hadn’t found a good excuse to take them out.
"Where is your husband?"
"The master went to the backyard; should I go and call him back?"
Bai Suihe shook her head, "I’ll go have a look."
"But it’s snowing outside, and the ground is a bit slippery," Dongmei and Chunxiang immediately blocked the door, "Miss, if you need anything, just instruct us servants."
The stone path in the backyard hadn’t been paved yet. A few days ago, it rained lightly, and the ground turned into mud. After a whole night of snow, it froze over, making it risky even for them to walk on. Needless to say, they can’t let the lady venture out.
Gu Kaiyuan had repeatedly instructed that Bai Suihe mustn’t go into the backyard.
Bai Suihe had forgotten this matter, and considering the previous rain mixed with snow, the ground had long frozen, so she didn’t insist further.
"Why did your husband go to the backyard?"
"Previously, Miss mentioned about the greenhouse, and since we still have plenty of tarpaulin left, the master wanted to give it a try in the backyard."
They arrived too late to stock up on winter vegetables, settling only for some dried vegetables bought from the market. Getting through the winter this way seemed challenging.
When Miss mentioned greenhouse planting, the master and everyone thought it was worth a try, so at dawn, the master took Zhuang Datou and others to work at the back, hoping to plant vegetables a day earlier.
"I was merely giving it a casual mention," Bai Suihe truly didn’t lack vegetables, having plenty in space; she just couldn’t find an excuse to take them out.
"Go call them back from the backyard; in this cold weather, catching a sickness isn’t worthwhile."
"It’s alright, Miss, doing some work now helps move the body, and I’ve already prepared ginger soup in the kitchen," Chunxiang felt it was fine to do some work; the worst fear was having nothing to do, sitting idly.
With snow still fluttering outside and Bai Suihe knowing she couldn’t go to the backyard, she followed the two maids into the kitchen. On such rainy and snowy days, there’s not much to do, so she just took care of the meals for a few people, without bothering the village head’s wife.
Meanwhile, in the backyard, owing to the mountain’s shape, this section of the mountain depression surprisingly lacked snow accumulation. Thanks to the dwelling’s cover upfront, standing amidst the mountain depression, there wasn’t a hint of cold wind, making it even feel warmer than outside.
Gu Kaiyuan was full of joy, "It seems this place is indeed suitable for setting up a greenhouse. Fasten the bamboo stakes first; I’ll bring the tarpaulin over."
Here, they weren’t affected by the wind and snow, capable of showcasing their skills fully, and who knows, maybe in a single day, they could build a small greenhouse.
Zhuang Datou and Lin Hua got right into action upon hearing this. These men, being strong, were good hands at work back at the estate. Cooperating well, they quickly fixed the stakes and began constructing the wooden frame.
Whether this greenhouse could succeed or not, if it did, winter would be more bearable.
Gu Kaiyuan went back to fetch the greenhouse blueprint Bai Suihe had drawn earlier, carrying the tarpaulin to the backyard.
"Take a look first," Gu Kaiyuan called them over, Bai Suihe’s blueprint was very clear, and anyone with a knack for handiwork could understand it.
Upon viewing it, Zhuang Datou and his team felt confident and decided not to bother Gu Kaiyuan with help; they took over the task themselves.
Gu Kaiyuan also wanted to test his team’s efficiency, hence handed over the materials to them, then walked towards the courtyard.
The aroma drifting from the kitchen confirmed that Suihe was certainly getting hands-on.
Upon arriving at the kitchen, he saw the three women busily engaged with cooking, Gu Kaiyuan hurriedly took the spatula from Bai Suihe’s hand, "What are you trying to do?"
"Craving something sweet, so I’m making sweet and sour pork ribs," Bai Suihe was melting sugar, quickly taking back the spatula, "It might burn soon, don’t create chaos here."
Gu Kaiyuan hadn’t heard of this dish, knowing he was of no help, obediently stepped aside. Yet, he didn’t leave, quietly observing Bai Suihe’s method, mentally noting the steps.
Watching the sugar bubble up, Bai Suihe quickly added the previously fried ribs to coat them evenly with syrup before plating.
"Perfect," Bai Suihe felt the video she watched earlier wasn’t in vain; she hadn’t made this dish before but believed it should taste good.
Gu Kaiyuan promptly reached out to take the dish, placing it on the table, "What other dishes would you like? We can make them."
Seeing Bai Suihe’s belly bumping against the stove, he couldn’t resist extending his hand as a shield, afraid of bumps and knocks.
"Leave the rest to us," Dongmei and Chunxiang, discerning the situation, stepped in.
They initially wanted to take charge of the sweet and sour pork ribs, but Miss insisted on doing it herself, so they just complied as long as she didn’t go to the backyard.
However, catching the reproachful glance from the master earlier, the two sisters dared not let Bai Suihe carry on unchecked.
Bai Suihe knew when to stop, "Weren’t you going to build a greenhouse?"
"I handed them the blueprint, letting them handle it," Gu Kaiyuan guided her to sit down by the table, "The belly’s growing bigger by the day, isn’t it time to find a midwife and a wet nurse?"
Bai Suihe felt somewhat repulsed by the idea of both, yet knew hiring a midwife for delivery was the only choice. As for a wet nurse, Bai Suihe deemed it unnecessary, as she truly didn’t want to entrust her child to another for feeding.
"I inquired with the village head’s wife the other day, she recommended a woman. I specifically sent Dongmei to investigate; kids in the village are indeed delivered by her. Being from the same village, not engaging her might be improper."
Gu Kaiyuan, "I’ve inquired in the county town too. The medical hall has a female doctor specializing in women’s health, so I plan to invite her over in advance."
Bai Suihe, "Would she be willing?"
"Just offer more silver," Gu Kaiyuan figured if she couldn’t be invited, it’s likely due to insufficient silver.
Bai Suihe, "You should restrain yourself, don’t flaunt wealth; we need to be cautious due to our current status."
Until all matters are settled, they didn’t dare establish a livelihood lest they face manipulation anytime.
"Rest assured, I know what I’m doing." Gu Kaiyuan, outwardly, wouldn’t act rashly, "What about a wet nurse?"
Bai Suihe pondered for a while, "I want to breastfeed the child myself."
"That would be too exhausting for you," Gu Kaiyuan frowned, thinking of his nieces and nephews at home, always cared for by wet nurses. Bai Suihe must endure hardships following him.
