The weather was sweltering.
Life had become difficult for everyone.
Cheng Hao could only issue instructions for people to brew more of the herbal tea concocted by Su Miaomiao. Normally, drinking three large bowls daily helped dispel the summer heat, preventing them from being unable to work or falling ill.
Thus, everyone could still manage.
However, looking at the enormous sun scorching above them.
It was truly intimidating.
Li Datou and Wang Daming, who were preparing to fetch tea soup from the main kitchen, were astonished.
The floor was smoking.
Xiao Wuzi and Xiao Liuzi, hiding under the eaves and helping to shell beans, saw
the flagstones in front of them emitting heat waves as if it were normal. Sweat beaded on their foreheads and rolled down their necks, slipping into their collars.
It was unbearably hot.
"I wish I could stick my tongue out like the dog on the street to cool down, it's too hot!"
"Yeah, why is it so hot here in Quezhou City? It's unbearable!"
This was around noon.
It was the hottest part of a summer day, and the Cheng family's workshops had halted operations.
Everyone was therefore on their midday break.
Just by not doing much work, they were already drenched in sweat.
If they had to do any heavy labor.
People would simply die of heat.
The young couple attached great importance to this, emphasizing everyone's health as the priority.
The midday break was extended.
Although they would have to work a bit more at night, it would be much more comfortable after dark.
During this time.
People were either gathered in small groups to cool off and rest, or napping.
The servants of the Cheng family's caravan were very diligent and did not like to be idle. They would start on small tasks, feeling ashamed of doing nothing.
And so.
Li Datou and his companions were preparing to carry the herbal tea soup to the adjacent room.
So that everyone could quench their thirst.
The stove there was being used to make pastries, and the items to be steamed were still steaming.
The kitchen was warm.
Too warm.
The tea soup would not cool down.
So it was being brewed in the kitchen of the Cheng family's courtyard. It would be cooled and then carried over, so everyone could drink it and relieve the heat.
Xiao Wuzi and Xiao Liuzi, meanwhile, were shelling small green beans, which were to be eaten for lunch. Cai Shi and Xi Shi had said they wanted to cook these beans to accompany the congee, and the two boys loved this dish the most, so they came to shell them during their break.
This was because although the beans were delicious, they were quite troublesome to prepare.
But since they had nothing else to do, they came here to shell beans and cool off at the same time.
Li Datou and Wang Daming, hearing the two children chattering, poured each of them a large bowl of herbal tea soup as they passed by. "The weather is so dry, why are you two still talking so much? Drink more tea soup and talk less. The young master and young mistress said that everyone needs to drink more tea soup!"
Wang Daming chimed in, "Many people on the street have died from the heat recently and couldn't be saved. You two must not take it lightly, understand?"
After giving them the medicinal soup, the two men left, carrying a large barrel of herbal tea soup together.
Xiao Wuzi and Xiao Liuzi naturally obeyed and agreed. They then felt the large bowls placed nearby; the tea soup had already cooled.
Each of them immediately picked up a large bowl and drank half of it. It was cool and very comfortable!
Although there was a slight bitterness.
It was very thirst-quenching!
The two smacked their lips, then resumed their murmuring, "Uncle Datou is much easier to get along with than before, and so is Uncle Daming."
They no longer seemed as cold and unapproachable as before.
Xiao Wuzi and Xiao Liuzi looked up at the sun again, it was blindingly bright, and they quickly averted their gaze. In this kind of weather, one careless moment could be fatal!