Chapter 269: No Matter How Expensive, You Must Try It

Sure, our country still doesn't have Shampoo Paste, though we do have remedies for bruises and injuries; let's see how it goes, and if it doesn't work, I'll give you another prescription to replace the Honghua Oil.

Honghua Oil sells quite well at the local apothecary, and many people say its effect is good; varnish is also popular at the Woodworking Shop, and compared to Tung Oil, pine oil's scent is more pleasing.

Hmm, you handle it as you see fit.

I will have someone deliver the monthly income to the Cow Shopkeeper here.

No need, just keep your own ledger over there; the court forbids officials from doing business, so the accounts can be under my name, and I don't want you to have to ask me for silver, that way you'll be a bit freer.

Wife, you're so kind.

That's how it is; wanting to change wives is impossible. I don't marry anyone, but once I do, I'm serious. The two of us become husband and wife, and in this life we must grow old together.

It will definitely happen.

In the blink of an eye, the two Fengyun brothers have been gone for several months, and Mu Guniang keeps them in mind, often writing letters to the Duke of the State, asking him to send someone into the army to check on the Fengyun brothers' situation.

The Duke of the State heard that his son-in-law had enlisted to go to the front lines, and immediately felt a surge of pride; after all, they are scholars, and how many people in this world join the army without seeking Merit?

Every time Qiao Mai looks at him she wants to laugh, "Chuan'er, are you too heartless?"

Actually several of the children at home each have their own worries; she clearly knows but doesn't want to expose them. The Fengyun brothers want to stay at the Qiao Family, yet their biological parents treat them well, so they want to return to bring glory to their parents' household and vent their resentment, but also don't want to leave the Qiao Family, feeling very conflicted.

There is also Yuan Jiaqi and Chuan'er; as for Ling'er, she is his own biological daughter, but if one day she were to betray him, he would show no mercy.

No wonder, the temptation of gourmet food is truly irresistible, and it's no surprise that Qiao Mai can sell things at such high prices.

Everyone's mood is easy to imagine; all are excited, and even the three tenant families of the Qiao Family plan to plant new Wheat Seed.

So they immediately sent someone to the front lines to inquire, and hearing that the two brothers were safe, they promptly wrote a letter to comfort the young lady, telling her to stay well in Tianshui Town.

Last year they earned money by planting Warm Shed Vegetables with the Main Family, and used it to buy land elsewhere, but they were reluctant to leave the Qiao Family's land because Qiao Mai, as the Main Family, is so kind; they couldn't bear to abandon it.

The north wind swirled snowflakes through the sky; at that moment the Dameng of Jixiang Yuan rang, and Qiao Mai looked over with her spirit.

Seeing his eyes flicker, Qiao Mai knew he had something on his mind, and said:

Of course, unlike the dishes at Wang Family Restaurant, some people even travel specially to taste the dishes at Jingtai Restaurant.

"Master, this is the Yong'an Tea House notice."

After Chuan'er left, Qiao Mai sighed; even such a small child already has worries, fearing that when he marries a wife, she might follow his own mother's old path.

This year they are still the same as last year, each household only plants five mu, and no matter how much money they earn, the farmers still feel that having grain as insurance is reassuring.

This year, several more families want to also plant Warm Shed Vegetables.

Don't be fooled by his being thirteen; he's already 1.7 meters tall. The Qiao Family's meals are so good that this guy, without a conscience, only grows taller but not flesh.

It's really overthinking, and I shouldn't even think about it; after all, I'm that kind of person.

The matriarch took the notice, nodded in agreement, the assistant left, and Qiao Mai raised an eyebrow.

"Because at home you're the glutton, you're the skinny one, even Ling'er is fatter than you."

At that moment, her chest ached.

Qiao Mai also agreed; she had someone open a back door, and those who wish to learn can enter through the back door.

"Mother, why do you say that?"

"Send it to the old madam; she should like listening to opera."

"I hadn't thought about it; the son is still young, it's just that we are looking for someone to be filial to our parents."

Mu Guniang heard that Feng'er was safe, so she relaxed and told the news to Qiao Mai.

The matriarch opened the door, and a young man looking like a servant handed over a notice with both hands.

"Hehe, this is perfect, no need to diet."

For her, nothing is new; whatever she wants, Xiao Qing will prepare for her, but she will have the Cow Shopkeeper often go to the market to look, and bring home any good items, all to care for families who hustle for a living.

She doesn't know that Qiao Mai has planted spiritual awareness in the two brothers, and also the protective talisman she bought on the Platform; with these two things, the two brothers will be safe no matter what.

She thinks they're not good people; there is give and take, and now the two brothers owe her a debt of gratitude.

Qiao Mai published the drying method for Persimmon Cake; she hopes the common folk have a craft, so that even if not for profit, they can turn mountain persimmons into tasty treats to keep for themselves.

"Rest assured, Mother won't be like your former Grandmother; people treat each other with empathy; your daughter-in-law is kind to me, and I will be kind to her."

Because it's seasonal, Qiao Ji Snack Shop often sells Persimmon Cake, Hawthorn Roll, and other seasonal foods.

The Fengyun brothers are not at home; Chuan'er seems to have grown up all at once, only three years younger than them, yet already thirteen.

Qiao Mai doesn't force them; whoever wants to plant, she welcomes, whether from the Town or the village; as long as they want to plant, she lets the land‑overseeing matriarch teach them.

She doesn't want to take a stance, because she wants to give the choice to the two brothers.

The matriarch left, and Qiao Mai stared blankly at the empty air; the spiritual awareness she planted in the two brothers shows no abnormality, the peace talisman remains calm, and both are safe.

Heaven loves to look after those with heart; some people get it at a glance, others become interested, memorize the prescription, practice at home, and once made, take it to the market to sell.

In golden October, the villagers of Tianshui Town are busy harvesting; after this harvest, they will plant a new type of Wheat Seed.

This year's vegetables are all planted differently; each household grows something different, but all are vegetables everyone likes.

In November, as the weather turned cold, Yuan Jiaqi had people deliver coal by the cart to his home.

During this period, the market gained many vendors; when Qiao Mai has free time, she goes to the market to look around.

In the Town there are many households; everyone plans their vegetable planting in advance—those that sell well are planted more, those that sell poorly are planted less.

One cannot have both fish and a bear's paw; you can't eat what's in the bowl while watching what's in the pot. Since they didn't choose the latter before, it is no longer an option for them.

In addition, she also published the craft of Hawthorn Cake and Hawthorn Roll.

"Of course, otherwise how could we have raised such a little foodie as you."

"Chuan'er, have you ever thought about what kind of wife you want to find in the future?"

Besides studying with his master every day, he also began to care about household matters; he often idles wandering around, and when free, he goes to Xiu Zhuang to look.

This year Jingtai Restaurant ordered many dishes from Qiao Ji Snack Shop; many recipes were bought from Qiao Mai.

At the current level here, making some sales this season is possible, but after the season it's really hard to obtain them.

"I am a junior assistant at Yong'an Tea House in the Town; today our tea house opens, the first three days offer free tea and opera listening; if interested, you can come support us?"

If someday I truly have to abandon myself and go, I must be able to bear the cost.

A glutton will try anything for a bite, no matter how expensive.

Chuan'er seemed to sigh in relief, "I know mother and father are both good."

As she thought, snow began to fall from the sky—it was the first snow of the year.

It seems Tianshui Town has developed well these past two years; even a Small Town now has a Tea House. It used to be just tea stalls. The old woman, holding a notice, walked straight into her Yuanzi.

The pain was still unbearable for her; her silhouette flashed and vanished on the spot.

In the sky, she flapped the Butterfly's wings, putting in Effort as she flew full‑speed toward Nantian.

Half an hour later, she appeared beyond Nanguan, on a Battlefield.

At that moment, smoke filled the Battlefield; Ming warriors had retreated back to the pass, and the invaders may have withdrawn as well. Corpses littered the Battlefield.

(End of Chapter)