When Song Ci and her party arrived at the estate, it was already nearing noon. The manor head and a group of people were kneeling at the main entrance to greet them.
"Have them all rise and disperse. It’s the middle of the day, the sun is scorching, let them stop kneeling." Song Ci instructed the matron outside.
The matron smiled and went to convey the message. Li Da, the manor head, instructed the other estate workers to leave, while he stayed, awaiting respectfully with the maids and his wife.
Song Ci alighted from the carriage and was invited into the inner hall. As for the scenery and such, it was too hot in the midday heat, and after the tiring journey, who would be interested in sightseeing?
The inner hall had already been tidied up. Without needing Song Ci’s instructions, Nanny led the people to start organizing, bringing water for Song Ci to wash up and to reapply fragrance balm.
Even when washing her face, a maid helped to wipe her face. Song Ci increasingly felt her own debauchery. If by any chance she could return to the modern era, without anyone to serve her, she was so used to being a worthless good-for-nothing, what would she do?
After freshening up and changing clothes, Song Ci returned to the outer room feeling refreshed. She had just sat down when a young maid brought up tea.
Song Ci looked at the two lotus seed-like objects floating in the tea and couldn’t help but ask, "What tea is this?"
"Madam, this is our estate’s lotus leaf and lotus seed tea, made from lotus pods, lotus seeds, and lotus leaves. It’s great for relieving summer heat and detoxifying. You can try it, and if you don’t like it, I can change it for you." Li Da’s wife explained with a respectful smile.
Song Ci found her round face quite pleasing and said, "Thank you for your hard work."
Li Da’s wife seemed flattered and replied, "It’s no trouble at all; it’s what we are supposed to do."
Song Ci sipped the tea, indeed tasting the delicate fragrance of lotus leaves, and instructed Nanny, "This tea is good, Nanny, you should have some too, to cool down. By the way, where are the second son and the little boys? Let them have some of this tea too to beat the heat, don’t let them get heatstroke."
Li Da’s wife said, "Madam, the second master, the fourth master, and a few young masters have gone swimming in the river. The servants have also brought tea with them."
Song Ci was taken aback, "What, they just arrived at the estate, haven’t even sat down, and are already swimming? Aren’t they feeling tired and hungry? The noon sun is also quite strong."
"Madam, rest assured, there are a few large date trees upstream by the river, it’s shady, and not too sunny. The servants have also prepared snacks for the young masters to take with them to fill their stomachs." Li Da’s wife added.
Song Ci still felt uneasy and told Nanny, "They are just a few half-grown boys, not fully aware yet. Relay my message, send a few guards over there to watch, to prevent any drowning accidents."
If anyone drowned, it would turn a joyful event into a tragedy.
"Understood." Nanny laughed and went to convey the message.
"I won’t wait for those mischievous boys, I’ll have my own meal when they return." Song Ci looked at Li Da’s wife and said, "Are you Li Da’s wife? Serve the meal, no need for extravagant dishes, just something refreshing from the estate. Hongtao, go check if Doctor Lin has finished freshening up? Invite her over to dine with us."
Lin Qing soon arrived. She too had changed into a fresh, light green dress and held a cup of tea. Upon learning it was lotus leaf and lotus seed tea, she advised Song Ci not to drink too much, lest her elderly stomach and intestines couldn’t handle the overly cooling tea.
Song Ci didn’t argue with her; with this body, she indeed didn’t dare indulge recklessly.
"Madam, Madam Wei sent a matron over to say she wants to visit you for a chat after lunch." Nanny came in to relay the message.