Kapitel 71: 71. Ongoing preparations

Mingli came in and was greeted by her big smile. ''Miss?'' he just shook slightly his head to show her he can't call her name in open.

Shu Ya pouted and scratches her head. ''I promised you that you will rest a bit and again I have something for you to do. Can you go to the main office and buy a simple house nearby for Lou and his family. I plan to give him a gift as he was quite protective in his children sake. Do you have some idea?''

Mingli scratched his beard making Shu Ya have goosebumps all over her body. ''Stop scratching. If it itches go shave it away.''

Mingli chuckled. ''I always do that when I think... Miss, we still have all those blankets from before and I do not think they have enough money to buy new. Maybe we can gift them those, heaters for rooms, old pots, pans, bowls and cutlery. Clothes for winter? Food?''

Since they met Shu Ya all of them started thinking logically and simply.

Shu Ya nodded. ''Then let's do that. Check with him the new house and see if there is a need for reparation. Then bring him and children all the things we do not need. Are blankets clean?'' That was first she was thinking about.

Mingli smiled. ''Luli and Lumei took all the old blankets and washed them. Now they are all clean.''

Shu Ya nodded with a smile. ''Which of them two had the idea?''

''I am not sure, but I could hear Luli complaining that Lumei isn't doing good enough job and snapped few times at her to do it better. Just when she was satisfied they let them dry outside. Miss., we found as well some old servant clothes and a few sets of kids clothes. The girls can't wear those so we were thinking to gift them away to the poor. But wouldn't this be a good chance?'' Mingli smiled while explaining.

Shu Ya nodded but became serious. ''They have to check if those clothes are not broken. If they have holes throw them away. And while you are at the city go to a seamstress and get them each one new set for summer and one winter set with thick shoes. Even tho I am gifting away stuff, I can't be a cheapskate. The blankets are thin so you can tell him I will buy him the top blankets as a gift. But he has to buy himself the heating coal. I can pay him money in advance. Gift him ten bags of rice when it comes in a few days. Not as a loan, its a gift. One set of salt, oil and dried vegetables as well. The meat he can buy himself as I am not sure what kind of meat they eat.''

From the door, they could hear a knock. Shu Ya called. ''Enter!'' And Bolin came in.

He looked at Mingli. ''I am done with dinner. You go eat now. Louli and Hualing as well. I will help miss with the food.'' He started taking out big basket the food that was prepared for Shu Ya and putting in front of her carefully.

Louli rushed to bring her water to wash her hands and after she dried it, Louli left to eat together with Hualing as they two knew that Bolin wanted just to talk alone with Shu Ya.

When they heard the steps going away Shu Ya looked at him curiously. ''Did something happen?''

He smiled brightly. ''I just got a note from Shin Young. They are on their way back. And they are bringing a few people with them. Miss, how will we handle all of them?''

Shu Ya sighed. ''Hualing and Louli can sleep together. Lou will leave his rooms tomorrow. The four of you will have to sleep together. Wen Dalun will probably have to share his room with other people when they come or go to the city and sleep there as long they are here. Do you know how many people are coming?''

Bolin shook his head. ''He just said he will bring some people with him.''

''We have the main room, but it can't be used as a sleeping place. My room and Louli's is off-limit. How many family rooms and how many guest rooms do we have?'' She had and idea who will come but who else would arrive...

''We have six main rooms with side rooms for servants. Three guest rooms with no rooms for servants and seven servant rooms. I was thinking that I and others just sleep at servant building until the new guests leave. It's better for you as well. Miss, you have to think about many things. We will start with two shifts again. Day shift and night shift when Shin Young and Mingyu come. I planned to add one simple guarding room nearby gate. We can put the heater inside and just make rounds more often. The two girls and their mother will stay in that's servant room, but girls have to work more often.'' Bolin sighed.

Shu Ya smiled while eating. ''Mingli just told me they washed all the blankets and clothes they found in the old building. For two girls of that age, such work is not easy. Do not complain, they are doing a great job. Now approximately when they will be here?''

Bolin showed her bright smile. ''In three days.''

Shu Ya almost chocked when she heard that. She started coughing while scaring Bolin. ''Water...'' She tried to speak while still coughing.

He jumped and poured some warm water into her cup.

As she started drinking the cough slowly disappeared and red-faced Shu Ya stared at him with annoyance. ''How can you drop such big news now? Why didn't you say it before? This can't wait. Is everyone in the dining hall?''

Bolin nodded and saw her walking swiftly out of the room while her food slowly cooled down. But at this moment, she didn't care. Porridge can be reheated but this news...