"It's good that it suits your taste," Fang Yunxin said, casting a glance at Qi Jiao. "We're so familiar with each other now. Don't keep calling me 'lady'. I'm a few years older than you. Just call me elder sister."
Qi Jiao also felt that this form of address was more intimate, so she smiled and called out "elder sister".
Fang Yunxin chatted as she ate. Her complexion was rosy, and it was obvious at a glance that she had been well taken care of.
"The sales of the first batch of goods from the factory were quite impressive. We only did a trial sale in the nearby counties and prefectures, and they were sold out in no time. My husband said that he would come to your place to deliver your share of the profit as soon as he's free."
Hearing that the county government had made its first fortune, Qi Jiao's eyes sparkled. She was delighted. After all, who didn't love cold hard cash?
She said politely, "Magistrate Hui is so busy. There's no need for him to make a special trip."
"You're a great benefactor to Lingle County. He should be thanking you!" Fang Yunxin just told her to wait for good news.
Sure enough.
On this fine day with gentle breeze and bright sunlight, Magistrate Hui came with his entourage. Behind them were a dozen or so prominent local officials and wealthy merchants.
Qi Jiao spotted Master Shu in the crowd.
She remembered what Fang Yunxin had said before. Was Magistrate Hui here to deliver her money?
But bringing so many people just to deliver money was too ostentatious! Or maybe they were just having a meal during their official business?
No matter what she thought in her heart, Qi Jiao showed nothing on her face. With a beaming smile, she led the staff of the restaurant to greet them at the door.
Ge Fan had sharp eyes. As soon as he looked up, he saw his former master, the second young master of the Guo family.
He was a bit excited but quickly composed himself. He bowed respectfully to Magistrate Hui along with Qi Jiao and the others.
Magistrate Hui and his entourage were all dressed formally in caps and girdles, looking very solemn.
He smiled amiably and told everyone not to stand on ceremony. Then he cleared his throat and announced the purpose of their visit.
"Jiao Niang has made outstanding contributions to increasing the county's revenue. I'm here today to present the rewards."
Besides a small black lacquered box, there were also silk fabrics, spices, calligraphy, and other items.
The clerks carried the things into the house one by one, which was quite eye - catching. Soon, a crowd of onlookers gathered around.
The small box containing the money was placed in Qi Jiao's hand by Magistrate Hui himself.
The accompanying officials and merchants all bowed their hands to Qi Jiao and asked their servants to present their modest gifts.
Most of them had invested in the business and knew Qi Jiao's capabilities.
The magistrate and his wife relied heavily on Jiao Niang.
Since they would surely meet each other in the future, it was important to build a good relationship first.
Shuangshuang and Yindie saw that the first floor was almost filled with all kinds of gifts. They sincerely praised, "Our boss is really amazing!"
Qi Jiao thanked them one by one with a sincere and generous smile. "Thanks to the kindness of the magistrate and all of you, I have nothing to repay. I've prepared some wine and dishes. Please stay for a simple meal."
Of course, Hui Zhenyu couldn't decline.
The others thought that since the magistrate was staying, they should accept the invitation as well.
Although Jiao Niang's Restaurant was very popular in Lingle County, there were countless restaurants in the county. Compared with the well - established and large - scale Zhenxuan Restaurant, Jiao Niang's Restaurant was just a newcomer.
Not all of these dignitaries had eaten at Jiao Niang's Restaurant.
Qi Jiao knew that Magistrate Hui meant well. He was helping her build a network of connections, which would make things easier in the future.
She told Pei Xia and Ye Pa to take all the gifts to the backyard.
Sanniang would look after the restaurant. Ge Fan and A Le would serve the guests, while Yindie, Shuangshuang, and Huier would assist her.
Working together, they quickly prepared two tables of sumptuous food and wine.
On such an occasion, Qi Jiao had to socialize.
Just as she was about to untie her apron, a note was suddenly passed to her from behind.
Qi Jiao looked up and saw that the person who passed the note was Shuangshuang. The one who had given the note was Fu Chengyi, who was sitting by the stove to stoke the fire.
He gave Qi Jiao an ingratiating smile, as if to say, "Please, boss. You must help me!"
His big, watery eyes were so pleading that it was hard to refuse.
Qi Jiao let out a snort and opened the note.
There were a few crooked words scribbled on it with a charcoal from the fire - "Be sure to keep Master Shu for a meeting."
Qi Jiao understood.
Young Master Fu had seized the opportunity and was planning to leave.
Fu Chengyi was suffering inside.
Although there was such a commotion outside, he couldn't go and join in.
He was itching with curiosity.
So he sneaked a few peeks from the back door.
Goodness! He saw his brother - in - law.
So when Qi Jiao went upstairs to greet the guests, she told A Le to secretly pass a message to Master Shu.
Since Hui Zhenyu was there, the other officials and merchants didn't dare to drink too much. They just toasted each other, and they ate more than they drank.
After everyone left with satisfied smiles and still feeling a bit reluctant to part, Qi Jiao arranged for Master Shu and Fu Chengyi to meet in a private room.
At first, Master Shu was puzzled.
Who wanted to see him? And why so secretly?
After waiting for a while, the door of the private room opened, and a young man dressed as a servant walked in.
The young man was dirty - faced, and there were even two black smudges on his fair skin.
How filthy!
But Master Shu took another look.
Hey! Isn't this his younger brother - in - law?
Master Shu's eyes widened in surprise, and he couldn't help raising his voice. "Seventh Brother? What on earth happened to you?"
As soon as Fu Chengyi saw his brother - in - law, tears streamed down his face, and he cried uncontrollably.
Master Shu tried to console him and urgently asked how he had ended up as a fire - stoking servant.
Fu Chengyi then told him in detail how he had encountered a shipwreck at sea, how he had been rescued by Pei Xia and Qi Jiao, and how he had endured all this time.
After hearing this, Master Shu was both shocked and angry. He slapped the table, causing the tea on it to tremble. "How dare they treat you like this?!"
Master Shu's wife, Mrs. Fu, was Fu Chengyi's elder sister and the eldest daughter in the family.
Seventh Brother was the youngest son.
When Mrs. Fu got married, Seventh Brother's teeth hadn't even grown in yet.
One could say that he had grown up under Master Shu's watchful eye.
His sister and brother - in - law were the people he could trust and who could help him.
After going through all these hardships, Fu Chengyi had become more composed.
He lowered his voice. "Brother - in - law, I have an idea... If we can lure the snake out of its hole at that time, we'll probably succeed."
Fu Laoye, Fu Chengyi's father, was over sixty years old but had as many as eleven concubines.
His main wife had passed away soon after giving birth to Fu Chengyi due to physical weakness.
With no mistress in the family and many concubines and children from different branches, it was a constant power struggle. It was hard to tell who would win until the very end.
Fu Chengyi had three half - brothers above him.
As a legitimate son without a mother, he was clearly a thorn in the side of every branch of the family, and they wanted to get rid of him.
The fact that he had grown up so far was not only due to his good luck but also thanks to his good sister and brother - in - law.
Mrs. Fu and Master Shu had always taken good care of this younger brother who was a generation younger than them.
The Shu family's business was widespread and covered the entire Yulin Prefecture.
With the support of the Shu family, Fu Chengyi was not just a poor soul.
The shipwreck at sea was an unexpected event, a misjudgment of people's hearts.
This time, the reason he chose to stay at Jiao Niang's shop for a while was to make sure that no one was following him. He didn't want to cause trouble for his sister and brother - in - law.
After Fu Chengyi finished explaining his plan, Master Shu clapped his hands and laughed. "Very good! Very good! Seventh Brother has really made great progress!"
Fu Chengyi looked proud. "Of course!"