Chapter 171: Too Busy To Be Seen
Peach Blossom Workshop’s business is getting better and better, everyone is busy beyond measure.
Jiang Jing now mainly handles seeing patients, especially those gynecological diseases; almost all come to Jiang Jing for treatment.
Su Yaoguang handles management of various projects, leading the five newly hired female shop assistants to provide door-to-door service to important distinguished guests. After getting them on track, she selected the smartest one among them to be the manager and handed the door-to-door project over to them to handle. The three Zhang Zhaodi sisters handle preparation of skincare products. This is a major secret of Peach Blossom Workshop, so it definitely cannot be handed to others. Although they also hired three male shop assistants to help with odd jobs, these three male shop assistants cannot access the secret prescriptions; the important steps still have to be handled by the three Zhang sisters. Jia Chunni follows Jiang Jing to learn medical theory and assists her.
Su Yaoguang, as the overall manager, goes wherever she is needed, anyway she’s so busy her feet barely touch the ground.
“Yaoguang, Wangshu hasn’t been back for half a month, right?” Zhang Zhaodi asked while taking inventory of goods. “Aren’t you going to check on him?”
“He’s busy!” Su Yaoguang fiddled with the abacus. “I’m busy too.”
“Your maternal uncle-in-law is busy for the upcoming imperial examination. Our Wangshu isn’t cut out for that, no need to work himself so hard. Have you been pressuring him? That Mr. Xiao across the way is taking the imperial examination, and everyone says he’s talented and sure to pass. You’re not trying to compete with Jiang Yihuan by forcing Wangshu to win you an official position, are you? Let me tell you, although I’ve competed with Zhong Lanhua for half a lifetime, you can compete with Jiang Yihuan too, but you can’t make Wangshu compete with Mr. Xiao on studies. Is studying something anyone can just do? If anyone could, wouldn’t the streets be full of xiucai scholars and juren scholars?”
“Our Wangshu is already very good. Look how sensible he is, how worry-free, sweet-talking, and he stands up for you at key moments. He’s never despised you; you can’t despise him for being slow-witted, right?”
Su Yaoguang said helplessly, “Mom, I’m not pressuring him or despising him. He said he’s been busy lately and needs to stay at the academy. I can’t pour cold water on him, can I?”
“That’s true. It’s good he wants to advance, but don’t give him too much pressure, or you might drive him silly.” Zhang Zhaodi said, snatching the abacus from her hand. “Go to the academy and find Wangshu, take him out for some fresh air. Don’t let him stay cooped up at the academy all day; a fine young man will turn into an idiot.”
“Mom, I haven’t finished calculating the accounts yet!”
Zhang Yingdi took it over. “I’ll calculate; you go keep Wangshu company.”
“Alright!”
“Where are you going?” Zhang Zhaodi saw her about to leave and called her back.
“Didn’t you tell me to go find him? I’m going right now!”
Zhang Zhaodi glared at her. “You know how to do makeup and styling for others, but when it comes to yourself, you’re this sloppy?”
“What’s wrong with how I look?” Su Yaoguang spread her arms.
The three Zhang sisters shook their heads at the same time, identical heavy expressions on their similar faces.
“Chunni, Jing’er, grab her.” Zhang Zhaodi waved her arm, sending the two little soldiers forward.
Su Yaoguang was restrained by the two sisters.
An hour later, a young girl with a new hairstyle, new hairpin, and exquisite peach blossom makeup was pushed out the door. She stumbled underfoot and steadied herself on the nearby door to avoid falling.
A hand reached over, pried open her hand with its exquisite nail polish, and closed the door.
“Yaoguang, godmother said today is a rare day off, so go keep Wangshu company properly, no need to rush back. We won’t prepare dinner for you two; eat out on your own!”
Su Yaoguang: “…”
When Su Yaoguang arrived at the academy, the gatekeeper old servant said he had just gone out. Su Yaoguang thanked him and wandered the street alone, only to turn and run into Jiang Ziqian carrying a lantern.
Jiang Ziqian smiled. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Su Yaoguang touched her cheek, a bit embarrassed. “Is it very strange?”
“No, it looks very good. Just haven’t seen it before, so I didn’t dare recognize you.” Jiang Ziqian said. “It’s dinnertime now. Have you eaten?”
“I haven’t eaten yet, but today it’s just me, so I won’t go to Jiang Family Restaurant to support the business. I plan to grab something casual at a stall.”
“What a coincidence, I feel like eating stall food today too. If Boss Su doesn’t mind company, how about we go together?”
“Of course I don’t mind.” Su Yaoguang said. “But what were you originally planning to do here?”
“I was planning to relax and get some fresh air too. Jiang Family Restaurant has been developing new dishes lately, not going smoothly. Staying cooped up at home isn’t the way, so I came out for a walk.”
“Your restaurant’s meals have a unique flavor; it’s normal to struggle breaking through with new tastes. You can innovate from other angles, like us: skincare has skincare sets, makeup has makeup sets. You could do sets for different dishes too. For example, ten dishes at individual prices cost two taels of silver, but package them as a set for two hundred cash cheaper. Originally the host only wanted five dishes, but because your set is cheap and face-saving, he orders the set directly. That way your dishes sell, the customer is satisfied, and he’ll bring more people next time.”
“Brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that approach?” Jiang Ziqian said happily. “Miss Su is truly my benefactor.”
Zhou Wangshu stood opposite, arms crossed, very unhappily watching Su Yaoguang and Jiang Ziqian at the wonton stall.
Su Yaoguang sensed something, turned, and saw Zhou Wangshu, Chen Buyu, and others.
“Why are you here?” Su Yaoguang asked in surprise.
“We were just coming out to grab dinner.” Chen Buyu pulled Zhou Wangshu over. “What a coincidence, running into you here.”
Chen Buyu and Zhong Chushan sat on either side of Jiang Ziqian, leaving the spot next to Su Yaoguang for Zhou Wangshu.
“Boss, three bowls of wonton.”
Zhong Chushan slung an arm around Jiang Ziqian’s shoulders, grinning. “Speaking of which, Boss Jiang isn’t much older than us, yet look at this big business you’re running—way ahead of us. How come Boss Jiang hasn’t married yet?”
“Marriage is a big deal, can’t be careless. I don’t want to just marry any woman; I want someone I truly like.” As Jiang Ziqian spoke, he glanced at Su Yaoguang, a flicker of unease in his eyes.
“I heard you’re involved with your eldest sister-in-law…”
“Brother Zhong, don’t speak nonsense. Eldest sister-in-law and elder brother had deep feelings. After elder brother was killed, she almost followed him, only holding on for the unborn child in her belly until now. Those rumors outside are spread by petty people who failed to marry her. To avoid suspicion, she’s gone back to her maternal family to await delivery. Eldest sister-in-law is like a mother to me; in my eyes, I only have respect for her as an elder.” Jiang Ziqian said seriously.
