Chapter 112 - 112: Worth A Lot
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Qiao Mai smiled and left. Shopkeeper Lu found Old Mister Wang. They had just finished their meal, walking in the courtyard to aid digestion.
“Sir, I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not teaching my daughter well and not stopping them. I’ve been negligent.”
“No one is to blame. She simplifies things. It’s just that I don’t want to take in any more students. I’m getting old and lazy, but there are some principles she needs to understand. People should learn to be grateful. Madam Qiao is grateful for your help and has been exceptionally kind to your family. However, it doesn’t mean you can take advantage of her. Some things should be discussed with her first. Do you understand?”
“Yes, you’re right, Sir.”
“No matter how close the relationship between sisters is, they should still observe decorum. They shouldn’t take undue liberties.”
“I’ve learned my lesson, Sir.”
“Although I got to know you late, I have some acquaintance with Mayor Qian. I know about your situation. Once your second daughter is married, the old fool in his family should have passed away. It’s been dragging on for so many years. You should understand his feelings towards you. It hasn’t been easy for him to wait for you all these years, and he doesn’t even have a maid by his side. His feelings are quite clear.”
Shopkeeper Lu blushed, “I will consider it!”
“Go then!”
“Yes, Sir!”
After Shopkeeper Lu left, Old Mistress Wang smirked. “It’s rare that you didn’t scold anyone.”
“Why should I scold them? That would only cause trouble for Madam Qiao.”
“You know that? You shouldn’t have said all those things in the morning. You should have refused directly. You said so much as if they were living here, and Madam Qiao might have grievances that she couldn’t express.”
“If there’s no trust between sisters, why live together?”
“Hmph, if someone is petty, they might think Madam Qiao said something outside.”
“If Lu Sanniang really thinks that way, Mayor Qian’s affection for her would have been in vain.”
“Do you think those pickled vegetables she made can be sold out?”
“They can. Trust her. Have you seen any snacks she’s made that didn’t sell well?”
“True. When those pickles are ready, we should try them.”
“We must. Everything she makes is so delicious, you want to bite your tongue off.’
“Old man, let’s go check the vegetable garden in the back. It’s been planted for several days and should have sprouted by now.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
The two of them, accompanied by their maidservant, went to the back. Inside the warm shed, a servant was watering, and they bent down to take a look.
“Look, it’s really sprouting. Oh my, this girl is quite something. It’s this time of the year, and she can still grow vegetables.”
“Don’t be so surprised. The flowers in our warm room bloom just as well in the winter. But I wonder how it’ll hold up when it gets colder.”
“Anyway, she knows how to handle it.”
They had great confidence in Qiao Mai. In fact, Qiao Mai wasn’t concerned about how much money she could make in reality, as she had the business from the Interdimensional Platform Trading Network.
She was doing all this to give her money a legitimate source and to provide a purpose for the things she brought from the space.
After all, if she could grow vegetables in winter, she could also obtain rare fruits and other items.
Furthermore, she wanted to make these pickled vegetables for herself.
Sauerkraut dumplings, stewed ribs, and pickled vegetables with porridge were even more refreshing than salted vegetables. Spicy cabbage was also delicious, and mixing it with rice was a delight.
She also made some pickled and dried vegetables, which would be delicious in winter.
Fresh vegetables, dried vegetables, pickled vegetables, fermented vegetables, and marinated vegetables all had their unique flavors.
At the end of October, the weather got colder, and it felt like water would freeze instantly when it was poured outside.
All the cotton clothes for the Qiao family had been distributed, one set per person. Even the servants had their clothes, and the same went for the masters.
All of them were custom-made from the clothing store in the county.
When Shopkeeper Lu held the clothes, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Since they moved to Lucky Garden in August, she hadn’t spent a single penny.
Qiao Mai had spent a lot of money on her daughter’s wedding, but she didn’t say anything about it.
Lu Sanniang took a box from the cabinet. It contained a pair of jade bracelets that Mayor Qian had given her, which she hadn’t worn.
The jade bracelets were a pair. She kept one for herself and wrapped the other one in cloth. Then, she went to find Qiao Mai.
It was already cold at this time, and her pickling business had stopped.
To prevent the large jars from cracking due to the cold, Qiao Mai had them wrapped in quilts, and they were sealed tightly on top.
She didn’t continue with the pickling. At the moment, Qiao Mai was watching Ling’er playing on the floor, with Yue Hong and Yue Xia accompanying her. The Qiao family had an ample supply of charcoal, and the fire had been lit early in the house. They had started the heated beds as well.
When Shopkeeper Lu came in, she was busy embroidering.
“Sister, you’re here. Have a seat.”
Shopkeeper Lu went over and pinched Ling’er’s little face. “You’re so busy, yet raising this child so well. You’re amazing.”
“Hehe.”
Shopkeeper Lu reached out and put the bracelet on Qiao Mai’s wrist.
“Oh, are you trying to bribe me?”
“Of course, our whole family has been eating well, drinking well, and living well at your place. We haven’t spent a penny. I’m afraid if we don’t show something, you’ll drive us away after the New Year.”
“You’re considerate. That’s right, you can continue living here after the New
Year.”
“Haha, talking to you always makes me happy!’
Qiao Mai touched the jade bracelet with her hand. “It’s quite valuable, isn’t it?”
“Just wear it.”
Suddenly, Qiao Mai remembered something. She turned and took a piece of paper from the drawer in the cabinet and handed it to Shopkeeper Lu.
“I’ve written down a recipe. You bought two stores for Xin’er, but renting them out for a year won’t make much money. Give her this recipe and let her hire a few employees to start her own business. As long as she follows the instructions, she can definitely earn a lot of money.”
Shopkeeper Lu trembled as she held the recipe in her hand. “I gave you a bracelet, and you gave me a recipe. I could never pay you back.”
“Just take it. If I treated you all as strangers, I wouldn’t have let you stay here with us in the first place.”
“Hehe, what kind of recipe is this?”
“It’s a delicious snack. If you’re not sure, you can help her make it. Once the shop gets on track, you can let go. Remember not to set the price too low; snacks can make good money. Look at me.”
Lu Sanniang licked her lips. “Alright, I’ll thank you on behalf of Xin’er.” “That child is sincere. After marrying, his family may no longer support his education. Knowing Xin’er’s dowry, they will surely make her support it. It’s not good to rely solely on others. I hope this recipe can help her.”
Lu Sanniang sniffled. “I can’t find another woman as good as you.”
Qiao Mai smiled. “Why would you want to find me? I’d find it troublesome. When the twelfth month comes, I’ll give you a folding screen and two pieces of clothing. You can sell them for a good price. Ruyi is not young anymore. It’s about time to talk about marriage, right?”
“The matchmakers are practically trampling our doorstep.”
“Yeah, no rush. If your son-in-law passes the imperial examination next year,
Xin’er’s future in-laws will be even better.’
“True. Is your husband taking the examination next year?”
“He is. I’m counting on him to become a scholar or even higher, so I can put our land under his name. That way, I won’t have to pay taxes. Those government officials come to collect taxes twice a year, and it’s annoying. Besides, I’ve been supporting them for so long; I should at least get my investment back.”
“But a scholar can only be responsible for ten acres of land, and you have sixty-five acres.”
“That’s why I want him to aim higher. Being a Recommended Scholar is close enough.”
“Don’t you want him to become an official?”
“If he wants to, he can. I won’t stop him. We’re a fake couple, remember?” Lu Sanniang pursed her lips. “Sister, I think he’s a good guy. Wouldn’t it be nice if you were a real couple?”
“Let’s talk about that later. I’m not in the mood for that now. I have several children to support at home.”
“Good men should be taken early, or someone else might snatch him away..”
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