Chapter 91: You Say It, I Get Craving

Afterwards the three of them ate and lived together here, and all expenses were taken from the accounts.

Niu Shopkeeper saw that the East Wing Room owner was a woman, but her speech and conduct were beyond those of an ordinary woman, and felt rather satisfied.

Before arriving, the Yahang person had told him that this Qiao Niang was a great benevolent person, and working under her would never be wronged nor be mistreated.

So he kept silently observing this Master, whose appearance was ordinary but exuded confidence; the first time she commanded a servant, she was remarkably composed.

The arrangements were also perfectly in order; it seemed the Yahang's words were correct.

He took two assistants, bought all the necessary daily necessities, then allocated the rooms behind the shop.

The Upper Room had three chambers; the Keting was for receiving guests or temporary rest, and had to be kept ready whether used or not.

The left side was the Chufang for cooking and meals, the right side was his bedroom.

The two assistants each got a room in Xi Xiangfang; the East Wing Room had one room for storage and one for miscellaneous items.

"Hm? What's wrong?"

Lu Shopkeeper heard she had hired someone, went to the Qiao Family, and almost fainted on sight.

"Otherwise, like many great households, they have too few concubines; they wouldn't look down on people like us."

Lu Shopkeeper gritted his teeth, took a bundle and left, but returned a short while later.

Qiao Mai opened the bundle and said, "It's already like this; how can we repair it? It's impossible."

During the day she helped with housework at home, and at night stayed in the shop's backyard; for now that was the only arrangement.

Some of the Chufang's seasonings were unknown even to them, let alone the various fruits and vegetables.

Hearing the East Wing Room owner say the shop sold fruit and snack foods, Niu Shopkeeper immediately bought several loads of bricks and had the backyard's houses and yard paved with blue bricks.

With these people, she now saved much time and effort: two Wang Jiaru's Servant Girls helped watch Ling'er, five Cushi Popo handled daily cleaning, and two Kitchen Maid cooked in the Chufang.

"All right, you bought an Embroidery Lady; she'll earn money for you."

In terms of serving people, that's top‑notch, especially those two Wang Jiaru's Servant Girls, who are very perceptive.

Lu Sanniang, hearing this, felt a bit regretful, "Next time I'll come to your house for a meal; I'll go ahead."

"Yes, Master."

"So many?"

It was only April; the market had virtually no fruits or vegetables, yet at the Qiao Family, the two Kitchen Maid exchanged a glance.

Qiao Mai recalled that this screen was taken from a space, not embroidered by her; logically, when the old one is destroyed, the space produces an identical new one.

On the second day after they arrived, Qiao Mai took them to the Ready-to-wear Puzi, bought several bolts of cloth and needles, so that they could make clothes for each other during idle daytime.

"It's said to be for the Thirty-load Bride Price."

"That person likes the peacock‑spreading‑its‑feathers painting."

Lu Shopkeeper was extremely envious, "Look at the people you bought, now look at the people I bought."

He handed the shop over to Niu Shopkeeper, leaving everything to his discretion; whatever he says or does must have his reasoning.

"Take a look at this screen; can it still be repaired?"

This is something even great households can't obtain; for it to appear in such a small family, the Master must be extraordinary.

"His family isn't as rich as ours, that's fine; as long as he treats my daughter well, that's all."

"Mm‑mm, I plan to set up two shops for my eldest daughter in the County Town, and arrange a dowry of three thousand taels of silver, plus a thousand taels of cash; what do you think?"

"Hehe, speaking of that, I intend to buy two Wang Jiaru's Servant Girls as dowry companions when Ruxin gets married."

The reason is that food sellers must be clean; muddy conditions on rainy days are unappetizing.

"You're giving so many dowry companions to your daughter; what about the Feng Family?"

"Fine."

"Let's eat here at noon and taste our Kitchen Maid's cooking."

April twelfth, the remaining people were also in place.

"Hm, if you don't buy it, I'll buy it; after we live together, will you go home to eat?"

"Girl?"

"Hehe, that person left; I'll have lunch at your house."

"Hehe, then thank you."

"Alright, in half a month she'll come to collect; because it's urgent, I added five hundred taels, and the screen cost her five thousand five hundred taels."

But a short while later, Lu Shopkeeper took a bundle and ran back.

Their cooking skills were still good; they came from great households, and could even make ordinary pastries.

"The faster the better."

So she searched with her mind, and indeed it appeared.

Everyone wore fine cotton cloth, far better than what they usually wore.

"It's necessary; with our own Kitchen Maid, why eat out? It's so expensive."

"Twelve, plus three in the shop; we'll open in mid‑month."

"When does she need it?"

"Not many left; when Ruxin gets married, I'll also contribute this amount—after all, as a master, it can't be lacking."

"Must it be exactly the same?"

"You're interesting now; from now on it must be like this—good things should be pricey, and expedited ones even pricier."

Lu Sanniang swallowed, "When you mention it, I get cravings."

"Hehe, when will you produce two more Embroidery Work?"

Sure enough, with extra hands, life became much more leisurely.

"Don't want the pretty ones; those that are too beautiful tend to be restless—watch out they crawl onto your son‑in‑law's bed."

Seeing that the proprietor didn't inquire, Niu Shopkeeper developed a new understanding of Qiao Mai, and the three of them looked forward to the shop opening early.

"Half a month; if we can't wait, then never mind."

What kind of person is the new Master? They don't want to guess, but they do know that the new Master must not be an ordinary person.

According to Qiu Yaren, it's not that they erred; it's the Main Family's transgression that led to the sale, which indicates that these two have no real problem.

"Then what to do? The customer said the child slipped accidentally, the candle fell onto the screen, caught fire, and by the time they rescued it, it was like this. This is your embroidery; could you think of a solution? Huh?"

There really was no space at home, so Qiao Mai first placed the nine people in the back courtyard of another shop.

Just as they were speaking, Xiuhong appeared at the courtyard gate, "Proprietor, a customer is looking for you in the shop."

"I think his family isn't very strong; Thirty-load, a thousand taels of silver would be good enough."

Actually, without the two saying it, they could see it; they all came out of the Ya Sect Special Training.

"Hehe, I always feel it's unnecessary."

"You decide, it's fine; as a master, when I take on a disciple I charge a thousand taels of silver, and I won't add any makeup or ornaments."

Privately, the two Kitchen Maids also greeted everyone else, urging them to be more perceptive, not to underestimate the Master; if trouble arises later, they shouldn't blame them for not warning.

As a leader, being too lenient in governance isn't a good thing.

Lu Shopkeeper left, Qiao Mai lowered her head and continued the Embroidery Work, while the two Wang Jiaru's Servant Girls played with Ling'er on the side.

"We moved houses; such a huge Zhai, just the few of us living here, it's still scary. That's thirty‑five mu of land; without dedicated cleaners, how can it work? And feeding so many people, if I have to cook alone, I'll die of exhaustion. You just talk big, saying you'll hire Kitchen Maids, yet I haven't seen you actually hire any."

Qiao Mai set aside the Embroidery Work, "May, I'll give you three pieces."

"Now I teach the two of them the same dish every day; when we move, they can make everything I usually cook."

"You really are capable; not buying is fine, but once you buy, it scares people."

Qiao Mai said nothing in response.

Qiao Mai addressed the Kitchen Maids, "Zhang Momo, Zhou Momo, make a few good dishes at noon; my sister will eat at home."

"How many people have you bought?"

"I look down on such families; having concubines at home is chaotic."

Qiao Mai's eyes flashed; the damned old society, where men having three wives and four concubines is normal, even the strong Lu Sanniang has resigned to fate.

Fortunately, here women are allowed to remain single, unlike what's written in some books where, in certain dynasties, a girl of a certain age must marry, otherwise the authorities would arbitrarily assign her to a man.

If in the future Yuan Jiaqi falls in love with someone else, she will gladly give him freedom.

She has always been rational; regardless of whether she likes this man or not, if he's not hers, she will never force it.

(End of chapter)