Chapter 243: Chapter 244: Wanting the Recipe
Huang Zhong’an had clearly encountered this situation before and said calmly, "My apothecary has pamphlets with precautions for pregnancy. Scholar Gu can just send someone over to fetch a copy.
"If Madam has no particular reactions, there’s no need for any medication. I will come by again after some time to check her pulse."
Jin Qianqian secretly tugged at his robe. ’With all the books I’ve collected in my space, I could pull out a whole stack of pregnancy manuals. Why are we making things difficult for a doctor?’
Gu Wenheng understood her unspoken message and politely had Housekeeper Fu prepare a generous parting gift before seeing the doctor off.
"Are you sure you’re not feeling unwell?" Gu Wenheng still sounded worried.
Jin Qianqian dismissed the servants. Once everyone had left the room, she pulled Gu Wenheng into the inner chamber.
Gu Wenheng was still processing the fact that he’d suddenly appeared in the space when Jin Qianqian vanished from before his eyes.
Just as he was wondering what she was up to, a large pile of books materialized on his desk, and Jin Qianqian reappeared, hugging a large bag of spicy gluten strips.
"You were in such a rush just for this?" Gu Wenheng walked over and carefully helped her. "You really should try to rein in that impetuous nature of yours. Don’t forget, you’re not just looking after yourself anymore."
Jin Qianqian didn’t answer him. She tore open the package, took a huge bite, and let out a sigh of contentment. "Ah, that’s the stuff."
Unable to resist the temptation, Gu Wenheng took a bite from the very same spot. "Once the chili peppers are harvested, I’ll make some for you myself."
Jin Qianqian had no objection, of course. "They should be ready for harvest in the next day or two. I had planned to go oversee it myself, but it looks like I’ll have to trouble you with it again."
The main issue was the road to the manor; it was a rough ride, even in their modified carriage.
Gu Wenheng was now being personally tutored by the academy’s headmaster, so he did much of his studying at home and had more free time than before. "Of course. For these first three months, you should visit the workshop less. Just stay home and rest, and focus on the pregnancy. Leave all the miscellaneous tasks to me and the others."
Jin Qianqian nodded along as she listened, then suddenly piped up, "They say cravings for sour food mean a boy, and spicy food means a girl. Does that mean I’m having a daughter?"
"Actually, I’d rather it be a boy," Gu Wenheng said, gently stroking Jin Qianqian’s flat belly.
"Are you one of those who favors boys over girls?" Jin Qianqian demanded, waiting for an explanation.
Gu Wenheng pressed his lips together. "This dynasty is still very unfair to women. If we have a daughter, I’m afraid she’ll be trapped by the confines of the inner courtyards for the rest of her life."
A shiver ran down Jin Qianqian’s spine. "But what if it really is a girl?"
Gu Wenheng’s expression immediately turned grim. "Then we’ll raise our own son-in-law. I refuse to believe I can’t raise a man who is utterly devoted to one person."
Jin Qianqian rolled her eyes at him. "People’s hearts are fickle. Instead of raising a son-in-law, you’d be better off training a retinue of loyal followers for her. That way, if she’s ever mistreated, our daughter will have the backing to walk away."
At that, Jin Qianqian clutched her stomach and burst out laughing. "We’re getting so far ahead of ourselves! The baby’s not even a blip on the radar yet. Oh, this is too funny. I need to laugh for a bit."
But Gu Wenheng said languidly, "A decade or so will pass in the blink of an eye. Don’t forget, this is an age of early marriage and childbirth. People start preparing dowries the moment a daughter is born."
"Er..." Jin Qianqian rubbed her belly. "You’d better be a boy. Otherwise, your parents are going to have an endless list of things to worry about."
"..."
* * *
They had just made one delivery of vegetables to Dao City when, on the very next day, Ouyang Bing arrived in Fu County with Mudou.
"Brother Gu, I didn’t get a chance to congratulate you properly before you rushed off last time. I’ve come specially to deliver your congratulatory gift," Ouyang Bing said. He had Mudou and his men carry in the presents, which quickly took up half the main hall.
Gu Wenheng didn’t believe for a second that he was so polite as to chase him all the way here just for a gift, but he let none of it show on his face. "I had been away from home for so long and had a mountain of things to attend to. I never thought I’d trouble Brother Ouyang to make the trip himself."
"What’s with the formality between us? We’ve done business several times now. Strangers once, friends twice—we’re practically family at this point." Ouyang Bing sized up the courtyard as he entered. "Life is treating you better and better, Brother Gu. When good fortune comes your way, don’t forget about your brother here."
Gu Wenheng usually associated with fellow scholars, so he was a little unaccustomed to such a worldly, almost roguish, manner of speaking.
"Didn’t my fourth brother just send you some of our specialty dishes yesterday? Were they not to your satisfaction?"
The moment Gu Wenheng brought it up, Ouyang Bing’s eyes lit up. "The food was fantastic, but it spoils too quickly. There’s no way I can supply it to my other restaurants."
Ouyang Bing had tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep since tasting the tofu feast the day before. This was a one-of-a-kind business opportunity; only a fool would let it slip by.
"The dried tofu skin can last for several months if stored properly. You can ask my fourth brother and his team to make more of that for you," Gu Wenheng said, sipping his tea unhurriedly. He had already guessed the real reason for this visit.
"But the other dishes are just as important! Surely you wouldn’t have the heart to watch silver fly right out of my grasp."
Gu Wenheng smiled and shook his head. "It’s not as if it’s flying into my purse, either."
"Alright, I won’t beat around the bush. I heard from your brother that you’re the one behind these secret recipes. Just name your price."
Gu Wenheng stared at him intently. "Boss Ouyang, are you asking me to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs?"
Ouyang Bing knew the proposal was a bit unseemly. "You name the price. With that much silver, your brothers wouldn’t have to toil from dawn till dusk anymore. They could buy some land and live out their days as wealthy, carefree squires."
Gu Wenheng said nothing, simply staring at him.
Ouyang Bing was the first to back down, his shoulders slumping. "If that’s a no-go, we could also cooperate. You could send people to set up workshops at my various restaurants, but you’d have to give us priority supply."
It was a decent idea, but Gu Wenheng had no intention of taking that step so soon. "I’m afraid that’s not possible right now. My brothers are still getting the hang of it.
Besides, the market is so large; I doubt you could corner it all by yourself."
Ouyang Bing sighed. "I knew it wouldn’t be that simple.
You don’t need to worry about me not being able to afford it. As long as you give me the recipes, I guarantee I won’t shortchange you."
Seeing his ostentatious display of wealth, Gu Wenheng couldn’t help but laugh. "It’s a rare occasion for Brother Ouyang to visit me here. I must play the part of a proper host and invite you for a tour of our town."
Ouyang Bing had no idea what Gu Wenheng was planning, but he followed his host’s lead and stood up. "I’ve always been in such a rush on previous visits. This time, I ought to have a proper look around. I’ll be in your hands, Brother Gu."
