Chapter 130:
The fat woman across from her talked freely.
“I can make your restaurant sweep across the entire Dongli Kingdom, in the future”
She looked just like someone bragging big.
If it weren’t for the previous recipes, those novel financial statements that amazed him, he might still have some doubt!
Ye Beiyao absolutely believed her.
How could this not move his heart?
During this period, Yumian Tower’s real gold and silver were no joke!
He also planned to replace all the restaurants with this financial table, as well as the tables for issuing remuneration and employee files.
This was also being implemented.
If she really had so many recipes, wouldn’t they be circulated to other restaurants?
Just thinking about it gave him a headache!
His dream was not just Yumian Tower in Taoyuan Town.
He came here because this was his mother’s painstaking effort; this restaurant was her starting point.
Dozens of Yumian Towers across the nation, over ten had gone bankrupt, and the others were also made precarious by the eldest sister-in-law, on the verge of closing down!
This was absolutely a great opportunity, but it still wasn’t enough; Ye Beiyao’s eyes flickered.
Luo Zhi’er was certain: Don’t you want to carry forward your mother’s painstaking effort?
Don’t you want to leave the concubine mother in the manor helpless? She blocked his imperial examination path; his mother’s shops, both publicly and privately, couldn’t be controlled by her. Now she was throwing all sorts of problems at him.
You’re already grown up; don’t you want to make it so she can no longer control you?
How could she not know the young master’s background? She must have some understanding!
Humph, there aren’t many in Dongli Kingdom with the surname Ye.
“Good, very good!”
Luo Zhi’er raised her eyes and silently watched his every word and action.
Mature beyond his years!
She had bet correctly.
People still need to have trump cards in their own hands, have value, so that others will really help you. Otherwise, what do you think it’s for?
She had seen it clearly even in the modern era, when grandmother was still alive, she and grandmother suffered white eyes in the village.
If you have no use value, will people help you just because you’re plump?
In the face of survival, that so-called love, friendship, family affection were fragile.
Without some agenda, why?
“Perhaps, I can also provide some useful marketing methods, but you know, I, Luo Zhi’er, won’t work for free!”
“Go back and wait for news. When the matter is done, you’ll be notified to come meet the person. Then figure out how to handle it yourself; that’s all I can help with!”
“Then many thanks for the owner’s kindness!”
“Is your man that good? Worth you saving him like this?”
Ye Beiyao narrowed his eyes and scrutinized her every move.
Since she held so many recipes, why suffer in the poor and remote Zhao Li Village? He heard that Old Li Family was a place that ate people without spitting out bones.
Zhou Shi’s meanness was known far and wide for dozens of li; he had also heard a bit about her feelings with her husband. She didn’t like Li Sanmao much.
He could feel her mental world was extremely rich; she wasn’t from the same world as the dull Li Sanmao.
He felt that family and this fat body couldn’t trap her.
She could completely sell the recipes, take the silver and fly far away, change husbands, and live a comfortable life that others envy.
“He is my husband, Miaomiao’s father; how could I not save him?”
Luo Zhi’er replied softly after a moment.
“Oh? Just that?”
To see through her, without confidence.
What virtue or ability did Li Sanmao have?
If she was wholeheartedly available for his use, that would be fine.
“Hey! Ye Beiyao, what exactly do you mean? I’ve said it very clearly: Sanmao is my husband, Miaomiao’s father.”
“Luo Niangzi, our young master is not someone of your status who can yell at and disrespect him like this. Please mind your words!”
“Otherwise… humph, don’t blame me, Song Wu, for not being polite!”
The servant Song Wu exuded majesty all over, looking inviolably sacred as he spoke.
The young master had noble status; it was tough in the manor, but outside he wasn’t to be bullied.
This was their true appearance!
“Song Wu, no matter. This Young Master is not that petty.”
“Could it be that even Luo Niangzi herself doesn’t know why?”
Luo Zhi’er paused and fell silent; she still had to leave eventually.
“Alright, Song Wu, since Luo Niangzi can’t figure it out, let her think slowly. Let’s go for now!”
“Yes, Young Master!”
The man stood up, gave Song Wu a look, and the two left one after the other!
After Ye Beiyao left, Luo Zhi’er felt stuffy in her chest, sat for a while, and then left.
Her status like this?
This Song Wu had reminded her; she was indeed just a rural woman, not comparable to the heir of the marquis’s mansion.
Luo Zhi’er’s conversation with Ye Beiyao fell into the ears of Feng Qingchen and his servant, who had strong internal energy.
Going downstairs, they were naturally attracted by this familiar burly figure!
“It’s her?”
Bu Wei also recognized her.
But seeing her chatting and laughing with such a young and handsome young master, especially when she smiled, those transparent amber-like eyes seemed to have a huge suction force, drawing people in.
A date?
Suddenly a bit curious, he used some technique to eavesdrop.
Turns out she was selling vegetable recipes!
Ambitious appetite, quite a big tone.
Thinking of the bear meat and bear paw she roasted, indeed, if she was a cook, this fat woman had skills.
He couldn’t help swallowing saliva. If… Can… was here, devouring bear paw, drinking heartily, and appreciating a beauty singing would be so pleasant!
She once said she wanted to travel in Dongli Kingdom; now I’ve come, what about you?
He lost himself for a moment.
He stood for a while at the place selling rice cakes, not knowing what he was thinking.
That sweet and tasty aroma made Miaomiao drool; the little girl was greedy for food again!
Luo Zhi’er spent a few copper coins to buy Miaomiao a bag of osmanthus cake.
And the fragrant red bean cakes roasting nearby; Miaomiao took the bag, handed a piece to Luo Zhi’er, licked the osmanthus cake inside the bag, “Mother, this cake is very sweet.”
“Mm.” Luo Zhi’er touched her head.
Absent-minded, but indeed delicious; she suddenly thought of Li Sanmao in prison and bought some more.
But thinking of Muqing, Yunliang, Liuliu and others in prison, he probably couldn’t eat much either.
Helplessly, she gritted her teeth and bought thirty wen worth of pastries and thirty wen worth of red bean cakes.
She also bought some beef jerky, meat buns, porridge, roasted corn and such on the roadside nearby.
The tail of summer, entering autumn soon; the weather was gradually cooling.
Mother and daughter went to a clothing shop and bought a full set of clothes from inside out for Li Sanmao to change into, and a bedding.
A few days ago when she left, his body was already stinky; better not get lice.
Thinking about it, she went to the apothecary and bought some common ointments for bruises and injuries.
As for the others, she felt nothing, even hostile; having food was already good, she had no extra silver!
After buying things, she took Miaomiao on foot to the entrance of the big prison.
The gatekeepers were a mother and daughter pair, who frowned, “What do you want?”
“This is prison grounds; idlers prohibited from approaching. Step back quickly!”
Originally wanting to send them away, the fat woman hurriedly stuffed them two ten-wen copper coins.
“Big brother, a small token of appreciation; it’s tough standing here at midday, buy some tea to drink!”
“Uh, this…”
The two felt this fat woman was sensible; they exchanged a glance, “Hehe, this niangzi, what do you want?”
“I’m here to bring some clothing and a bit of food to my man. Two big brothers, please do me a favor!”
“Alright, I see you’re a sensible woman. What’s your man’s name? I’ll take it in for you!”
“Li Sanmao!”
“This niangzi, you see, seeing Buddha to the west… We need the boss to pass word for sending things to prisoners. You see…”
Luo Zhi’er understood immediately; how could she forget the prison head.
Of course she knew you could visit prisoners in ancient times, but didn’t it cost silver everywhere?
No matter their attitude, as long as it could be delivered, it was good.
“Mm, rest assured, it’ll definitely be delivered.”
This time, it cost her no less than two hundred wen; besides Li Sanmao, Muqing, Yunliang, the others made her heart ache a bit.
Li Sanmao first received the clothing and bedding, hugged them, opened and saw it was bruise ointment.
Tears streamed down, heart warm.
He knew his niangzi was different; she wouldn’t abandon him, could earn silver, take good care of herself and Miaomiao.
But he still couldn’t help worrying and feeling heartbroken; he wanted her and Miaomiao to live well.
Originally, Li Gui saw the bedding and clean clothes, eyes red with envy; recently sleeping on straw at night, he still caught a cold.
Coughing worse, with blood streaks, legs like rheumatism, painful to death.
Why did no one send him medicine?
This third sister-in-law, why not send him some medicine?
Wanted to snatch; Zhou Shi also intended to snatch the bedding for Li Gui or herself.
The ground was too damp; at night could only lay some straw, wrap up; she woke up sore and uncomfortable all over.
Gui’er had never suffered hardship or worked from childhood, so his constitution was even worse than Old Li Tou.
Unexpectedly, this third child was so uncooperative, refusing to give no matter what, insisting his wife bought it for him.
Wasn’t his wife from Old Li Family?
“Really an unfilial thing; Old Mother raised you in vain all these years, even ignoring your own birth mother!”
“Mother, you cover it then.”
Li Sanmao’s face was cold; he was reluctant deep down, but mother was mother after all; he still felt a bit unwilling.
Just then, the food had been inspected, and the prison head delivering food came.
“What? What?”
Zhou Shi trembled in fright.
“The person sending things named specifically Li Sanmao; you all weren’t mentioned!”
The clothing and bedding were specially sent by Luo Niangzi for her man.
Since they took silver to do the job, they’d do it properly!
“Wife…”
Longing for his wife grew deeper, becoming an illness.
Zhou Shi muttered,
“Unfilial son! Look at his cowardly look! Doesn’t even look; what status are you?”
Old Li Tou kept giving her eye signals, afraid this old woman would blabber without a gate on her mouth.
Of course in a very low voice.
“Dare snatch bedding from your dad and mom? As a son, what qualification do you have to cover it?”
“Luo Zhi’er, you unfilial daughter-in-law! Old Mother sees you’re doing it on purpose!”
Seeing she couldn’t get the clothing, Zhou Shi could only curse at Li Sanmao and Luo Zhi’er.
Seeing the prison head still had food in hand, her eyes glowed green.
With a wail, she grabbed a red bean cake and stuffed it into her mouth, wolfing it down.
Not even chewed fully, hurriedly stuffed another meat bun.
Choked, eyes bulging white.
“Zhenzhu, cough… Zhenzhu, save mother.”
Li Zhenzhu had a meat bun in her mouth, disgustedly went forward to pat her chest.
Mother still loved Old Fifth most at critical moments, making her get less food.
Useless.
Old Li Tou angrily cursed nonstop: “Death-seeking rotten old woman!”
Got up, hugged Zhou Shi’s belly and jumped a few times before it went down.
Of course not just her; the others also rushed forward like crazy upon seeing the things.
Like reincarnated hungry ghosts; Li Sanmao got absolutely nothing to eat.
Little Zhou Shi ate pastries, snatched two pieces of beef jerky and several red bean cakes for Muqing Yunliang.
Li Gui finished eating, saw Yunliang still had a beef jerky in hand that he couldn’t bite, slow to eat; limped over together and snatched it.
Yunliang was scared and cried loudly.
“Fifth Uncle, snatched my beef jerky.”
“What are you doing?”
Little Zhou Shi was furious.
“Humph! What does a little brat eat? Shouldn’t it prioritize me, this Fifth Uncle first?”
“What? He’s small, you’re older; with hands and legs, why prioritize you first?”
“Shut up; big man doing things, what business is it of a woman like you? You low-class shrew not fit for the stage, who do you think you are?”
“Don’t you know this family’s tradition? I, Li Gui, am the most noble person in this family.”
“Mother, look at her! Manage your maternal niece well.”
Zhou Shi was also shocked, seeing Little Zhou Shi disrespect her Gui’er, shrilly scolded, “Just took your one beef jerky? Look at you; careful or when out, I’ll make Daqiang divorce you!”
Old Li Tou didn’t know why, but hearing Li Gui say he was the most noble in the family, his heart burned uncomfortably.
Everyone was in big prison; still talking noble or not?
Li Daqiang looked aggrieved, “Mother, no matter what, Yunliang is still a little child; we adults can skip eating, but how can little ones endure?”
“Dad, say something!”
Old Li Tou sighed, no one passed him any; he finally snatched a meat bun.
Just finished the meat bun; the rest were eaten by Li Gui, Zhenzhu, Zhou Shi; Jiabao and Jiayong in the opposite cell got nothing.
Pitifully looking at them.
Old Li Tou faced the wall, not wanting to look at anyone in this family, feeling no hope left.
“Isn’t there food in prison? Can it starve him to death?”
Zhou Shi said.
Li Daqiang was stunned.
There was food in prison, mostly spoiled; he really worried the little children would get sick eating it.
Little Zhou Shi sneered!
“All that studying went to the dog’s stomach!”
“What did you say? Dare say it again?” Li Gui got angry here, rushed over regardless and kicked Little Zhou Shi!
“You!!!”
Little Zhou Shi hurt, startled.
Afterward, hugged the kicked leg and cried whimperingly.
Liuliu hurriedly ran over to check the leg; this girl was skin and bones thin, Yunliang and Muqing cried in a group.
Li Daqiang was also stunned: “Old Fifth, what are you doing? How can you hit your eldest sister-in-law?”
“Humph! I want to ask, what exactly is she, Zhou Hanjuan, doing? Did she learn women’s precepts at Zhou family? Dare to do evil and disrespect Old Li Family’s men like this? I, Li Gui, a tall man, how can I tolerate her insolence?”
“Big brother, is this how you connive your wife to shit on your brothers’ heads? If you won’t discipline her, I’ll teach her a lesson, remember: in this family, I, Li Gui, am your only hope.”
“You peasant, what do you know?”
“…”
Li Daqiang was suddenly dumbfounded.
Little Zhou Shi hated these people: Li Zhenzhu, Li Gui, Zhou Shi, Li Daqiang’s cowardice and incompetence.
Hated Old Li Tou’s fake fairness.
Also hated how Luo Zhi’er was so lucky to be released without charge.
Bought food but reluctant to spend more silver, didn’t buy clothes or bedding for them all to send in.
Or was she doing it on purpose?
Those straws occupied by Li Gui, Old Li Tou, Zhou Shi.
This scene scared the others too; Li Zhenzhu felt the same as Zhou Shi, satisfied, secretly cursing deserved it!
Old Li Tou said nothing; he was the first to dislike women disrespecting men.
Glanced at still-crying Little Zhou Shi; Zhou Shi impatiently scolded, “Cry cry cry, we haven’t died yet, bad luck!”
“Exactly!”
Li Zhenzhu echoed.
Affecting their eating.
After eating, Zhou Shi and Li Zhenzhu grumbled that Luo Zhi’er had no conscience.
Li Sanmao watched them united in enmity, this facial expression made his heart like ice.
His wife out there, not knowing what days she was living; just two days out and thinking ways to send food and drink, these people had no gratitude and even blamed her.
She, a weak woman, still bringing Miaomiao, delivery by foot over two shichen, that build and frail bones, where to earn silver?
Really couldn’t listen anymore,
“Mother, where does Zhi’er have so much silver to spend? Didn’t you say she ran away?”
“Mother, look at third brother; we haven’t said anything yet, and he protects Luo Zhi’er!” Li Zhenzhu said.
Li Sanmao said to Li Zhenzhu,
“Zhenzhu, buying these things, still need to tip the prison head; you think it’s easy?”
“If it were you, would you be willing to send things to people in prison?”
“What are you saying?”
Li Zhenzhu choked, “Of course I’d send…”
Only a fool would send; of course stay as far as possible, don’t implicate your future.
Besides, there’s food in prison; why spend that wasted silver, just endure some suffering.
Old Li Tou was embarrassed; Li Daqiang felt a bit guilty.
“Third sister-in-law’s kind intention, we appreciate it!”
Li Daqiang spoke to comfort.
“Heh, if you didn’t say, I’d forgotten; so she’s still doing business with Yumian Tower. Old man, do you think she’ll use the goods money that should be ours to cover this?”
“Aiyo, these things bought today must be from that money; Luo Zhi’er you spendthrift woman!”
Old Li Tou glared at her fiercely, said to Li Sanmao: “Sanmao, this time thanks to third wife still remembering us, out there and not forgetting to send things in!”
Li Sanmao’s heart was sour.
“After you get out, discuss with her, see about this goods money matter. Not that dad is stingy; home is dirt poor now… counting on this money.”
“Also see if can think of a way to send a message, have her send more things next time! Nothing else, Muqing and Yunliang are still small, can’t go hungry.”
