Today, Gu Qingli had called for Mrs. Li and Mrs. Zhang. They were originally household slaves from a wealthy family, but after their masters met with misfortune, these servants were sold off. They weren't skilled in farm work either, being thorough city dwellers. Gu Qingli had asked them to come out mainly to help her carry some firewood and gather fodder for the cattle and horses.
Seeing their mistress working so hard while they only helped gather the firewood, Mrs. Zhang felt quite uneasy. She stepped forward and offered, "Third Mistress, let me do the chopping."
Gu Qingli glanced at her, nodded, and handed her the hatchet.
Mrs. Zhang learned from Gu Qingli to cut only the dead branches from the trees. If the mistress can do it, why can't I, at my age? she thought.
Gu Qingli saw she was managing well, so she picked up the sickle from the ground and began cutting grass.
Around noon, the three of them headed down the mountain, carrying bundles of grass and a load of firewood.
