~ A WEIRD HONEST INTELLIGENT MAN ~
Seeing that Mu Yunyao didn’t take any offense, Liu Liang’s whole body relaxed, “Yes, Mistress. Do you want to punish Qi Ming?”
“Why should I punish him? I wish I could have a few more of these people.” Mu Yunyao’s face is full of smiles. “Jin Lan, in a while, go and wrap up five hundred taels of silver in a red envelope and have Liu Liang send it to Qi Ming.” If there is a penalty for wrongdoing, meritorious service will be rewarded. It shouldn’t make people feel disheartened.
“Yes, Miss.”
After Liu Liang left, Mu Yunyao busied herself with the embroidery, asking Jin Lan to count the silver notes.
“Miss, the total of these banknotes is 21,200 taels of silver.”
Mu Yunyao nodded, “Take it and send it over to Mother. If she asks about the origin of the silver notes, tell her that it’s Shopkeeper Qin’s profits from Bu Xian Luo.”
“Yes, Miss.”
When Jin Lan left, Mu Yunyao chuckled. Only with the price difference did she get over 20,000 taels of silver. It seemed that this time, Steward Qin had prepared quite a lot of ginger tea.
On this day, Mu Yunyao had just gotten up, and she felt the weather become so cold. When Jin Lan walked in, her expression was excited. “Miss, it’s snowing outside. Although it’s a thin layer, it’s still so pretty.”
Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but be stunned. “If you count it all up, today is exactly little snow, but it should be the solar terms.”
“Yes, this servant met Si Qin just now. I heard that Madam was preparing to wrap the powdered dumplings. She said that the person would not freeze to death only by eating the powdered dumplings. The servants and maids will have a good taste this time.” Madam had never treated servants like outsiders. Whenever she prepared anything delicious, she asked someone to save some for them. They particularly moved in their hearts.
A warm smile appeared on Mu Yunyao’s face. “Coincidentally, I haven’t eaten powdered dumplings in a long time. I’m so hungry. In a while, tell Mother I want to eat lotus root and fresh meat.” As far as Mother was concerned, she was not afraid of the trouble of the food I wanted to eat. But she was scared that I wouldn’t like to eat it if she cooked. So, I asked for it without hesitation.
“Yes, Miss.”
Mu Yunyao’s feeling was delightful. Even her embroidery speed had increased by a lot.
At this time, in Jin Xiu Garden next door, the guests who came to taste the tea were also amazed. Initially, the scenery in Jin Xiu Garden was already beautiful enough, but now, every place that used to serve tea for guests had drapes or screens set up.
The patterns on the curtains and screens differed according to the different scenes. They echoed with the scenery everywhere and were both exquisite and flawless. At this time, it just so happened that the snow was drifting about, adding a sense of elegance, causing one to be intoxicated in it and lose themselves in it.
Once the news spreads, many people will come to Jin Xiu Garden to enjoy the scenery. The scenery here in winter was desolate, and many people initially needed more places to go. With the beautiful Jin Xiu Garden and the plaque gifted by the Emperor now, it became the first choice for many people to amuse themselves. Steward Qin counted the silver in his hand as his admiration for Mu Yunyao increased in his heart. Previously, he was worried that the number of guests Bu Xian Luo would decrease during the winter, but now it seems that the number of guests has increased. It is even more prosperous than in summer. Coupled with his reputation for helping to buy food before, it has saved him a lot.
The silver immediately made him make up his mind. He would wrap a big red envelope and send it to Miss Mu for the New Year.
Mu Yunyao took the time to see Qi Ming. That person was tall and firm, with a simple and honest smile. After saluting, he had a bashful smile on his face.
“No need to be so polite. Please take a seat.” Mu Yunyao sized up Qi Ming. The smile on his face was genuine, and even his eyes revealed a sense of honesty. It was impossible to tell if he was faking it or not. This kind of person would either take acting to the bone or be simple and honest.
“Thank you, Young Miss.” Qi Ming sat awkwardly on his chair. The tall man sat only half the chair, making him look slightly comical.
“I’m a bit curious. Why would you be so interested in buying more food to save it?” Hearing the question, Qi Ming hurriedly stood up. “Miss, I heard you bought some food and sent it to Western Guangdong, so I thought you might send another batch. If the price of food increases after some time, you will have to spend many silver taels to buy more food. If Young Miss buys the food now, it can save up silver and time. Even if Young Miss doesn’t want the food, you can store some of it and sell it when the price rises.”
“Your consideration is quite thoughtful.” No wonder during that time, Liu Liang had asked for several taels of silver, and he wanted to do this. Mu Yunyao carefully looked at Qi Ming. His expression or words had no flaw, and he looked totally out of it. Other people can feel sincerity and feel as if their hearts are pressed. “What are your plans for the future?”
Qi Ming quickly nodded: “I will follow you, Young Miss, to do whatever you want me to do.” Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but smile. After thinking carefully, she said, “I had an idea earlier, but I lack people to do business, so I haven’t done it. Now that I have you, I want to open a treasure shop, Yi Bao Xuan, which specializes in selling jewelry and rouge powder. Can you do it?”
“Young Miss told me to be the Shopkeeper, so I went to be the shopkeeper.” Qing Ming nodded swiftly without any hesitation.
“Then, have you thought about how to create the reputation of Yi Bao Xuan to become a golden signboard like Ni Yun Fang?”
After frowning momentarily, Qing Ming stretched out his hand and scratched his head, “This servant has an idea, but I think it’s a little outrageous.”
“Tell me about it.” The smile on Mu Yunyao’s face deepened. He already had an idea in such a short amount of time?
“Ni Yun Fang, built by the Young Miss, is already very famous. If you want Yi Bao Xuan to be like Ni Yun Fang, you have no choice but to climb up Ni Yun Fang.” Qi Ming carefully looked at Mu Yunyao’s expression. Seeing that she wasn’t angry, he heaved a sigh of relief.
Mu Yunyao’s smile grew wider and wider. “Tell me in detail. How could Yi Bao Xuan climb up Ni Yun Fang?”
“This servant privately heard that so many people envy Ni Yun Fang. The reason was that Ni Yun Fang had a signature gift bestowed by the Emperor and didn’t dare to stand out in public. If Yi Bao Xuan dared to step forward, it would definitely get the secret support of many people. In this way, it will unwittingly be much smoother. In the future, when Ni Yun Fang spreads throughout the entire Dali Dynasty, Yi Bao Xuan will also bloom everywhere.”
Mu Yunyao laughed, her eyes bright and colorful, “Alright, since that’s the case, then go and do it. You can directly report how many silver taels you need, and I will let Liu Liang give it to you.” Unexpectedly, the idea of Qi Ming coincides with her. She originally wanted to wait for Ni Yun Fang to branch out a few more stores before he was busy opening up Yi Bao Xuan.
Now that she had his help, there was no longer a need to wait. With this, she would be even closer to her goal. This guy came at the perfect time!
Qi Ming nodded, “Yes, Miss.”
I wonder what this dude's background is - why is he so (seemingly) loyal to MY? Is he actually loyal? Why is he following her?
ReplyDeleteIf everything is as it seems, then she has truly picked up a good person!
Thanks for the chapter, and stay safe!