The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 838 - 837: Tea House

Shopkeeper Wu lowered his head, stammering and unable to speak, not daring to argue anymore.

Ninth Master Lee held two pieces of fabric in his hand, walked around the room twice, and then spoke: "Are you saying that because Lady Wang’s mother is ill, she decided to give us all the recipes so that she could accompany her mother on a journey?"

He rudely ignored the part where Shopkeeper Wu mentioned that Wang Yongzhu would accompany Song Chongjin to the autumn examination.

Shopkeeper Wu nodded: "Indeed, Lady Wang’s mother has fallen seriously ill this time, she looks quite weakened. Lady Wang’s mother has always been very fond of her, and Lady Wang is extremely filial. She surely wants to spend more time with her mother."

Ninth Master Lee pondered for a moment before saying: "Check the warehouse for any remaining medicinal herbs. Select the best ones and prepare them. Also, inquire if Imperial Doctor Du, who has retired, is back in Qingzhou Prefecture. Ask when he is likely to arrive. Additionally, from the county to Qingzhou Prefecture, our Lee family has a fleet of ships. Starting today, instruct them to reserve the two best guest rooms on the ships daily!"

Shopkeeper Wu agreed and went to handle the tasks.

Ninth Master Lee looked at the two pieces of fabric in his hand and lowered his eyes.

Meanwhile, Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang had just left the dyeing workshop when Old Granny Zhang became anxious.

Previously, in front of Shopkeeper Wu, she had wanted to speak but held back. As soon as they got on the carriage, she couldn’t help but say: "Daughter, what did you say earlier? You’re not going to run the dyeing business anymore? And you’re even giving the recipes to that Ninth Master?"

Wang Yongzhu nodded, putting the box aside casually.

"Is it because your mother is a burden to you? Don’t worry, I’m in good health, aren’t I still able to go out? Besides, at home, there’s Old Granny Wu and Old Madam Ding taking care of me, you won’t be delayed by anything. Why would you want to give away the recipes? Or are you hiding something from your mother?" Old Granny Zhang was truly puzzled.

If it were those ungrateful sons, Old Granny Zhang might have scolded them, but Wang Yongzhu was her most beloved daughter, so she must have her reasons.

Thus, Old Granny Zhang patiently asked again.

Wang Yongzhu naturally didn’t want to explain much and just said: "Mother, the silver we earn now is enough for our expenses. Considering our current status, any more silver would bring trouble. Moreover, giving the recipes to the Lee family, with Ninth Master Lee’s character, he won’t mistreat us! Besides, I still have shares in the dyeing workshop and tea business."

Smart people never need to say much.

Old Granny Zhang, with her many years of life experience, understood immediately. She paused for a moment before sighing and saying: "You’re right! Though it is said that wealth shouldn’t be flaunted, Shopkeeper Wu and Ninth Master Lee certainly know how much we earn. Now, for the time being, Shopkeeper Wu and Ninth Master Lee seem to be fine, but in this world, even parents and siblings can fall out over money, let alone outsiders?"

"The Lee family’s background is extraordinary. Even if Chongjin works hard and passes the imperial examination, he still can’t compare to a family like the Lee’s. Crushing us would be as easy as crushing an ant for them. Rather than keeping the recipes and inviting trouble, it’s better to give them away for a good reputation. As long as the Lee family still values face, they wouldn’t do anything ungrateful!"

Saying this, she patted Wang Yongzhu’s hand: "Daughter, you’ve worked hard!"

Wang Yongzhu felt a warmth in her heart. Her decision to give away the recipes was made after much discussion with Song Chongjin, and Old Granny Zhang’s reasoning was indeed one of the considerations.

Seeing her mother support and understand her without a single complaint, Wang Yongzhu felt much better.

Just then, the carriage had reached the busiest street, not far from home. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Seeing Old Granny Zhang’s eager face, Wang Yongzhu thought that the two hadn’t properly shopped together before, so she asked the coachman to stop the carriage, helping her mother down to stroll back home slowly.

It was mid-April, the sun was just right, neither too hot nor too cold, and there weren’t many people on the street, mostly elderly women with their daughters-in-law or daughters.

Wang Yongzhu supported Old Granny Zhang as they strolled slowly, buying anything that caught their eye.

After a while, Wang Yongzhu worried that Old Granny Zhang might get tired. Just then, they saw a teahouse up ahead, which looked clean and tidy.

These teahouses were usually frequented by scholars. Since it was the afternoon, the scholars hadn’t finished their studies, so most of the customers were women shopping.

As they entered the teahouse, they saw that the main hall was already filled with many female customers.

Each had ordered tea and some snacks, sitting and chatting in low voices.

A shop assistant greeted them, asking if it was just the two of them, and glanced around the main hall, where there were no empty seats.

He then apologetically said: "Ladies, I’m very sorry, there are no empty seats. But there are two seats by the window. Would you mind sharing the table?"

Wang Yongzhu, worried that her mother might get tired from standing, agreed. Besides, her intention was to let her mother relax, and the spot the shop assistant pointed to was a table with only two other women, in a quiet area with a good view of the entire teahouse.

She nodded in agreement.

The shop assistant, smiling brightly, led them to the seats while introducing the teahouse’s specialties, including clear tea and various snacks and seeds.

Due to Old Granny Zhang’s ongoing medication, Wang Yongzhu avoided serving tea that might counteract the medicine, so she had her mother drink only plain water lately.

Thus, they ordered a pot of plain water and several signature snacks.

The shop assistant led them to their seats, wiped the table and chairs, had them sit down, and went to the kitchen to fetch the snacks.

Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu sat down, facing what seemed to be another mother-daughter or mother-in-law duo, dressed plainly.

Seeing Wang Yongzhu and her mother sit, the older woman across from them pointed at Old Granny Zhang, her face turning pale, stammering: "You... you..."

At that moment, the storytelling master on the second floor was recounting an old love story. Normally, if there were scholars present, they would have made a ruckus.

But today, with mostly female guests, everyone listened with great interest, showcasing the teahouse owner’s keen understanding.

The younger woman across from them was entirely engrossed in the storytelling master’s tale and didn’t notice what was happening.

However, Wang Yongzhu felt that something was amiss. The older woman’s gaze at her mother was unusual.

Turning to look at Old Granny Zhang, she saw her mother’s face coldly instruct Wang Yongzhu: "Let’s go! Let’s find another place to rest."

She didn’t glance at the older woman even once.

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