Although there were many wild roses, after careful inspection, Qi Jiao found that only a part of them met the edible standard.
She stretched out her fair and slender fingers to pinch the tender petals, and immediately called Pei Xia over to pick the flowers.
Pei Xia put down the fish basket, took off his outer robe and spread it on the ground. "Are you going to use these flowers for a bath, Jiao Niang?"
Qi Jiao shook her head and said with a smile, "I'm going to make flower cakes with them."
Pei Xia smiled knowingly. Jiao Niang must have come up with another delicious treat.
He helped Qi Jiao carefully pick the intact and fresh petals. They filled a large bag before they started to head back.
To make flower cakes, fresh rose jam had to be made.
Since the raw material was wild roses, Qi Jiao made a special trip to Danxia Village and bought a lot of honey from the beekeeping woman there.
The sweet honey could neutralize the bitterness of the roses and bring out a deeper floral fragrance.
In addition to roses, Qi Jiao also added a few magnolia petals to make the taste more diverse.
Making the flaky pastry, wrapping the filling, pressing it into shape...
The key to making flower cakes was baking.
Qi Jiao didn't do anything else that afternoon and kept an eye on the fire.
When the twilight was falling, a tray of crispy-on-the-outside and tender-on-the-inside flower cakes came out of the oven.
The fragrance of the flowers filled the small courtyard. After the family tasted the flower cakes, they all showed happy smiles.
Qi Jiao's hands were occupied, so Pei Xia picked up a small cake with a refreshing floral aroma and fed it to her.
Qi Jiao tilted her head slightly and took a bite. After tasting it, her eyes curved into a smile. "Taking advantage of the spring season, we can launch new products in our shop: flower cakes, wisteria cakes, rose fruit rolls... Oh, and rose milk tea!"
*
After the short but fulfilling two-day holiday, the family began to work in a coordinated manner.
Qi Jiao first made a batch of flower cakes and rose milk tea for sale.
The business turned out to be very good. They sold out every day before closing.
Seeing the booming business in the store, besides the four tables of diners, there were also many people ordering delivery services.
Even with Pei Xia's help, Qi Jiao was still constantly on the go. She didn't get enough rest for several days, and there were dark circles under her eyes.
They were short of manpower, and the production line in Yinwan had to keep up. Tang Guiniang and Aunt Ye had to go back to supervise the production.
So Qi Jiao had the idea of recruiting an accountant and a clerk.
She took three-color gifts and went to the front yard of the Guo Mansion. She asked the steward of the Guo Mansion to help her find someone and promised to give him a reward if he succeeded.
Steward Guo had been the chief steward of the Guo family for many years. His vision and pattern were extraordinary. Seeing that Qi Jiao was so young and capable, even if he didn't consider the past friendship, he would definitely help her.
Steward Guo immediately said it was a piece of cake and told Qi Jiao to wait for good news. After discussing with his wife for a few words, he quickly recommended three people.
Qi Jiao received the three people in the back yard.
The first to arrive were a mother and daughter. The mother was called Third Sister Hua, and her daughter was named Shuangshuang Hua.
Third Sister Hua was simply dressed. She had an oval face and phoenix eyes. Her every move exuded the aura of a person in charge, and her speech was also refined.
She entered the door, curtsied to Qi Jiao, and said with a smiling face, "I suppose you are the boss. I heard from Steward Guo that your shop is recruiting an accountant. I used to work as an accountant in the Guo family's silk shop for ten years. I wonder if I can work here?"
Qi Jiao nodded secretly. The Guo family had countless shops, and silk shops accounted for three or four out of ten. This Third Sister Hua must have some real skills.
She just wondered why she wasn't working for the Guo family anymore.
Qi Jiao didn't directly say that she would hire her. Instead, she invited Third Sister Hua to sit down and have tea. There was rose tea on the table for guests.
Third Sister Hua nodded to express her thanks and sat down cheerfully to have tea.
Qi Jiao looked up at Shuangshuang Hua.
Shuangshuang Hua was not very old, probably only thirteen or fourteen years old. She didn't have her hair coiled up. Her black hair was neatly tied up at the back of her head.
She had honey-colored skin, a jade-like nose, and round eyes. She looked six parts similar to Third Sister Hua. Her lips were slightly pursed, looking silent and stubborn.
A look of amazement flashed in Qi Jiao's eyes. She was a very special-looking girl.
She asked a few routine questions. She didn't expect the girl to have any special skills. As long as she was articulate, quick-witted, and had a good heart, Qi Jiao would take her in.
When Qi Jiao asked Shuangshuang Hua the questions, Third Sister Hua sat beside her calmly, as if she was sure that Qi Jiao would definitely hire Shuangshuang Hua.
Sure enough, Qi Jiao was very satisfied with Shuangshuang Hua.
Shuangshuang Hua didn't say much. She just went out to find a woodpile, picked up an axe, and started chopping. In no time, there was a pile of firewood beside her.
Qi Jiao stood up in surprise. "I didn't expect Shuangshuang to be so strong."
Third Sister Hua supported the door frame and came out. She bowed slightly to Qi Jiao and said, "This child doesn't have any other special skills, but she is stronger than ordinary people. Please don't dislike her, boss. She can do all the odd jobs and heavy work."
After saying that, the corners of her eyes suddenly became moist. "This child has suffered a lot with me over the years."
With just this one sentence, Qi Jiao had decided to hire them.
Shuangshuang Hua took her mother's surname.
If Third Sister Hua had a husband's family to rely on, why would they be making a living alone outside?
Qi Jiao was delicate and sensitive. She guessed various reasons but didn't ask Third Sister Hua any more questions. She just said with a smile, "As long as you are willing to work hard in the shop, I will definitely not treat you mother and daughter badly. I'll provide you with food and accommodation."
Third Sister Hua was overjoyed. She pulled Shuangshuang Hua and was about to bow to Qi Jiao.
Qi Jiao quickly stopped them. "Where did you live before? If it's far away, you can go back and pack your things today. My second brother found a small courtyard on the street in Pomegranate Alley. You two can live there. It will be more convenient for you to come to work in the shop."
Third Sister Hua's voice was slightly choked. "You are really kind and beautiful, boss. You've thought of everything for us."
Qi Jiao smiled. "It's what I should do."
Third Sister Hua and her daughter went back to pack their things, but the third person still hadn't arrived.
Qi Jiao didn't bother to care. She turned around and went to the kitchen to get busy.
After she finished cooking two tables of dishes, she finally saw a thin and small young man sweating all over enter the door.
Ge Fan was wearing a washed-out cloth robe. After he caught his breath, he stepped forward to greet Qi Jiao.
"I'm Ge Fan. I used to be the book boy of Young Master Er Guo in the Guo family. I've already been released from my servant status."
At first glance, Qi Jiao could tell that although Ge Fan was young, he seemed to have read some books.
So she said, "Do you know that this is a restaurant?"
Ge Fan said, "Yes, I do."
Qi Jiao asked with a smile, "Why did you come here?"
Ge Fan told the truth. There was no trace of arrogance or disdain on him. Instead, he was very simple and direct. "My old mother is sick in bed. I need to earn money."
Qi Jiao nodded. "That's easy to say. We are recruiting a tea master. Can you do it?"
Ge Fan smiled slightly. "I used to be by Young Master Er Guo's side. I was lucky enough to see many kinds of tea. I don't think I'll be rusty."
Qi Jiao said good. "In addition to various kinds of tea, our shop also has milk tea and flower tea. In summer, we'll also make fruit tea. You can learn from me these two days. After you get the hang of it, there's a tea counter on the first floor in the front. You can handle things there on your own."
Ge Fan didn't expect the boss to hire him so easily. He was stunned at first, and then his smile widened. He thanked her repeatedly. "Please rest assured, boss. I will study hard."