Qi Jiao said, "Yes. The taste of ice jelly and white jelly is quite similar. They are both refreshing snacks for relieving the summer heat."
Zhenzhu laughed and said, "Our mistress often talks about your cooking skills at home. Today, as soon as we went out, we happened to come across such delicious food."
Fang Yunxin wiped the corners of her mouth with a silk handkerchief. Her eyes were sparkling as she gave a charming smile. "Exactly! Jiao Niang, I even want to hire you to work for me. But you're so busy that you must not have the time."
Qi Jiao was deeply impressed by Fang Yunxin's beauty and grace. Without much thought, she said, "If you like it, I'll try my best to go to your mansion to cook for you on my days off."
Hearing this, Fang Yunxin's face lit up with joy. She clapped her hands and said, "It's a deal then. I'll send Zhenzhu to pick you up."
When Fang Yunxin left, she took a cup of bubble milk tea with her.
Qi Jiao gave her two bottles of aloe lotion suitable for pregnant women, and even Zhenzhu got a bottle of rose perfume.
These gifts really hit the spot for both of them.
The mistress and her maid happily left the place.
That night, Fang Yunxin tried the aloe lotion. She patted her face in front of the mirror. Her skin felt tender and clear.
She was quite pleased with herself. She thought she was really a great beauty!
Even after removing her makeup, she was still so good-looking!
Fang Yunxin felt irritable during pregnancy. Often, when she woke up from sleep, there would be red bumps on her face.
Qi Jiao's aloe lotion was really a timely help. After using it for a few days, the red bumps on Fang Yunxin's face actually disappeared.
The hotter the weather got, the more beneficial the perfume became.
The official ladies who came to visit Fang Yunxin at her mansion heard that the county magistrate's wife was using the aloe perfume from Zhuoxiang Pavilion. For a while, they all vied to follow suit and highly recommended it.
Even if they didn't use it themselves, they would buy it for the young men in their families who had pimples and sores due to their exuberant energy.
In addition, Mrs. Lin managed the business very well. During festivals, she would launch various activities to attract customers, such as guessing the name of a ci-poem or making a couplet. This added a touch of cultural charm to Zhuoxiang Pavilion.
Sanyue was also a very helpful assistant. She was sweet-tongued and good at dealing with people. The female customers all liked to talk to her.
Soon, Zhuoxiang Pavilion was bustling with activity. Men and women came in an endless stream to buy perfumes. The perfume business was finally on the right track.
Due to the increasing demand, Qi Jiao, Pei Xia and others had to stay up late to make perfumes after a busy day.
After a few days, everyone in Shiliu Alley was exhausted.
But since they could make money, everyone was willing to endure the hardship.
One afternoon, a sudden downpour came, quenching the continuous high temperature.
After a short while, the rain gradually weakened, and the dripping water under the eaves gradually stopped.
Qi Jiao pushed open the window. The fresh and clean air rushed into her nostrils all at once.
She said thankfully, "Fortunately, we had harvested most of the rose petals yesterday. Otherwise, after this heavy rain, I would have to go to the flower garden and cry my heart out."
Pei Xia couldn't help laughing. He pulled her to sit down and gently massaged her shoulders and neck.
His strength was just right. Qi Jiao felt extremely comfortable and let out a soft sigh.
Pei Xia said, "As long as we have enough money to spend, that's fine. You've been working so hard every day. It makes me feel heartache."
Qi Jiao's slender white fingers stroked his big palm. "I'm not tired. If I suddenly stopped working, I would feel uncomfortable all over. Besides, I have you with me."
Pei Xia stared at Qi Jiao. His eyes were as gentle as the mountain mist after a new rain.
*
June passed in a blink of an eye. It was the end of the month again, the time for a day off.
When closing the shop, A Le saw the county magistrate's wife's personal maid Zhenzhu and the coachman at a glance.
He quickly invited them in and then went to look for Jiao Niang.
Jiao Niang had been to the county magistrate's mansion once to cook for Lady Fang.
Estimating the time this time, she had already packed up. Pei Xia put two full bags of ingredients on the carriage and helped her get on it. "Jiao Niang, I'll wait for you at home."
Qi Jiao gave a faint smile. She turned back and gave him a reassuring look, then lifted her skirt and got into the carriage.
Zhenzhu sat beside her. Enviously, she said, "Jiao Niang, you and your husband have such a good relationship!"
Qi Jiao blushed slightly. But she didn't show the shy manner of a young girl. Instead, she said to Zhenzhu, "You naughty girl. You're always making fun of me. I've heard that Lord Hui and Lady Fang are deeply in love with each other. You're Lady Fang's most trusted maid. You should be used to it."
Zhenzhu first laughed, then sighed and said softly, "Lord Hui is really good to our mistress. But he has a lot of official business to attend to and can't always accompany her. Our mistress seems fine in front of Lord Hui, but she looks a bit depressed when she's alone. If they were still in the capital, it would be much better. Our mistress has countless close friends. She would never feel bored in a day. But unfortunately, she followed Lord Hui to this hot and humid place. She doesn't even have a like-minded friend..."
Zhenzhu regarded Qi Jiao as someone she could confide in. She just kept talking on and on, with a hint of complaint in her words.
Qi Jiao knew that Zhenzhu was wholeheartedly devoted to her mistress. So she just casually agreed with her a few times and didn't know what else to say. She lowered her head and seemed to be thinking.
She and Zhenzhu had interacted with each other several times, so they were quite familiar with each other.
Qi Jiao learned from Zhenzhu that County Magistrate Lord Hui was the second master of the Yongjia Marquis Mansion in the capital. Although he was a concubine son, he was the most outstanding in terms of ability and appearance and was highly valued and loved by the old marquis.
As for why he came to serve in the remote Lingle County, no one knew the reason.
Lady Fang, the county magistrate's wife, came from the Chengguo Duke's Mansion. She was the legitimate granddaughter of the duke and the only young lady in her generation. Her status was very noble.
The Chengguo Duke's Mansion was an old and prestigious family, while the Yongjia Marquis Mansion was a powerful and meritorious noble family.
Therefore, the marriage between Fang Yunxin and Hui Zhenyu was a perfect match between two well-matched families. They were a handsome man and a beautiful woman, and their marriage was a much-talked-about romance in the capital at that time.
Qi Jiao thought about it based on her basic knowledge. The term of office for a county magistrate was usually three years.
After three years, they would either be promoted or demoted.
Every county magistrate must be eager to make political achievements.
By the time the carriage arrived at the back yard of the county yamen, Qi Jiao had already formed a bold idea in her mind.
She wanted to cooperate with Lord Hui.
Qi Jiao cooked Lady Fang her usual three dishes and one soup, and also added a water chestnut cake and some shrimp dumplings made of clear dough.
Fang Yunxin ate very happily and was very satisfied. She told Zhenzhu to give Qi Jiao a handful of silver coins.
Qi Jiao quickly waved her hand and refused. "You're being too polite! Do you have to reward me every time I come?"
Every time, Zhenzhu would pay for the ingredients and Qi Jiao's hard work. Qi Jiao didn't think it was appropriate to accept any more - although she was really tempted by the silver coins.
Fang Yunxin laughed and said, "I'm willing to. Every time you come to cook, I can't help but have a big appetite. If I don't reward you, who else should I reward?"
Since she said so, and considering that she was a noble lady from a high-ranking family who would never be short of money.
Qi Jiao had no choice but to accept the silver coins. She curtsied to Fang Yunxin to express her gratitude.
Since she had taken the money, Qi Jiao didn't feel right leaving immediately. So she sat on the celadon stool that Zhenzhu had brought over and started chatting with Fang Yunxin.
During the conversation, Qi Jiao found that Fang Yunxin was a talented woman with a wealth of knowledge.
Not only was she proficient in the four arts of the ancient Chinese literati (playing the musical instrument, playing chess, calligraphy and painting), but she also knew a great deal about astronomy and geography. She was also very familiar with her views on people's livelihood and the political situation of the court, which broadened Qi Jiao's horizons.
Qi Jiao was secretly amazed. Such an outstanding woman like Fang Yunxin would be wasted if she only stayed in the inner courtyard.
Qi Jiao liked Fang Yunxin's elegance and magnanimity. She couldn't help but talk more with her.
Although Qi Jiao didn't know much about politics, her conversation greatly surprised Fang Yunxin - Fang Yunxin was shocked by Qi Jiao's extensive knowledge.
Fang Yunxin felt as if she had found a bosom friend.
She pulled Qi Jiao and kept talking. They changed the tea twice during the conversation until it was getting dark.
Qi Jiao had to go back.
Fang Yunxin was very reluctant to part with her. "Come again next time you have a day off. Or I'll come to visit you when the weather gets cooler."
Qi Jiao pursed her lips and smiled, then nodded in agreement.
She turned around and was about to go out when she suddenly heard the servant outside say that the master was back.
She saw Hui Zhenyu, wearing a blue official robe, walking in from outside.
There was a smile on Fang Yunxin's lips, but she still leaned half of her body on the couch and didn't get up to greet him.