On the first day of moving house, Pei Xia got off work early and rushed straight to Changping Fang.
As soon as he entered the main gate, the young servant Dai An was waiting there. He bowed respectfully and said, "Master is back."
Yes, Pei Xia had now been promoted to the status of a master.
Although he felt a bit uncomfortable at first, he still told himself to adapt to this change in status as soon as possible.
Pei Xia handed his sword to Dai An and asked about Qi Jiao, "Where's the mistress?"
Dai An, though young, was a smart one. He took the sword steadily and replied, "The mistress is in the back courtyard."
Hearing this, Pei Xia quickened his steps towards the inside.
Moving house was tiring. Qi Jiao had just finished sorting out the things in the room. When she saw Pei Xia coming back, a bright smile appeared on her lotus - like face. "My husband is back. What do you think of our new home? Isn't it beautiful?"
Pei Xia stepped forward, pulled Qi Jiao to sit down, and said, "This mansion is really wonderful. I've never seen such a beautiful hall before. It's all thanks to your good taste, Jiao Niang. But you've worked so hard. I couldn't come back to help during the day..."
Qi Jiao naturally leaned on Pei Xia's chest, and Pei Xia naturally started to massage her shoulders and neck. Qi Jiao chattered on, "Lü Fang and the others are very reliable. I can't really say I've been working hard. You couldn't do much today, but you'll have plenty to do in a few days. We should choose an auspicious day to hold a banquet. Although we don't have many relatives and friends in the capital, we can't neglect the proper etiquette. We don't need to go to a restaurant. Just set up a couple of tables in our yard. I'll cook.
This is a good opportunity to thank Sister Yun Xin and Lord Hui. And we also need to entertain your superiors and colleagues well... It's a pity that Sister Ling Yi has gone with Lord Xia to his post. It would be even more lively if she were here..."
Pei Xia couldn't help but bow his head and kiss her forehead. He sighed with emotion, "Having a wife like you, what more could a man ask for? You've thought of everything, but there's one thing you haven't considered."
Qi Jiao asked, "What is it?"
Pei Xia tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and said, "There's only one thing. You haven't considered yourself. From Yulin to the capital, you've spent so much energy. When have you ever had a good rest? I really don't want you to work so hard anymore."
Qi Jiao smiled. "The hardest times are already over. Setting up a couple of tables of banquets is a piece of cake for me. Besides, if you really let me be a idle mistress, I'd feel uncomfortable. The capital is prosperous, and it's easy to get ingredients. When you're free, just write the invitation cards and let Dai An and Yu An deliver them one by one... We'll set up the banquet in the front yard. It's spacious and comfortable. Tomorrow, I'll go to the East Market to buy some lotus roots and plant them in big jars. Then we'll raise a few red carp. That would be really beautiful!"
As Qi Jiao said this, her eyes sparkled, looking pure and serene.
Pei Xia hugged her tightly, and the tenderness in his eyes was about to overflow. "My lady, you're so wonderful."
This straightforward compliment made Qi Jiao stunned for a moment. Then she put her arms around Pei Xia's neck and kissed the corner of his mouth. "It's good that you know I'm wonderful. Lord Pei, I'm waiting for you to earn me the title of a noblewoman. When you're promoted, I'll be the most glorious official's wife. Hahaha..."
Seeing her charming look, Pei Xia curled his lips into a smile and pulled Qi Jiao into his arms. "You don't know. I start counting the time on the copper clepsydra soon after I start working in the yamen during the day. I can't wait to come back and be with you earlier. Alas, if only you could go to the yamen with me..."
Qi Jiao laughed when she heard this. She rubbed Pei Xia's handsome face and said, "You're so cute. Don't you have a day off every ten days? When you're free, you can take me and the kids to the summer villa on the outskirts of the capital. How about that?"
Pei Xia said yes on the surface, but his mind drifted elsewhere. He carried Qi Jiao to another place and then kicked the door shut with his foot.
Half an hour later, outside the door.
Xia Jiao and A Hu looked at each other with puzzled expressions.
A Hu was completely innocent. He asked his sister, "I heard mother's voice, and it seems like father's too. What are they doing hiding in the room?"
Xia Jiao also had the same question, but she was more straightforward. She ran over and was about to push the door open.
Lü Fang and Qiong Zhi, who had just come back from the kitchen, were shocked.
The two of them rushed over quickly to stop these two little ancestors.
Lü Fang held their little hands and forced a smile on her face. "Are you kids hungry? Let me take you to have dinner, okay?"
As she spoke, she winked at Qiong Zhi, signaling her to quickly send in the hot water.
Both Qiong Zhi and Lü Fang came from the Duke's Mansion. They were no strangers to matters between men and women. A large part of their duty was to serve the master and mistress at certain times.
But Qi Jiao and Pei Xia obviously didn't have so many rules. They didn't accept having a third person around when they were doing that.
So Qiong Zhi and Lü Fang would only bring in hot water and scented soap at most. The rest was left to the master and mistress themselves, which actually saved them a lot of trouble.
Qiong Zhi responded softly and helped Lü Fang coax the two kids. "The master and mistress have been working hard during the day. They need to rest for a while. You two go over there first. I'll go in and call them later, okay?"
Xia Jiao and A Hu were really considerate kids.
They obediently followed Lü Fang away.
However, before they left, they shouted by the door, "Mother, father, don't rest for too long."
Then they whispered as they walked.
"It's getting dark. Aren't they hungry?"
"Maybe not. They were shouting so loudly just now."
Lü Fang: "..." (Forcing an embarrassed smile)
Inside the room, Pei Xia and Qi Jiao: "..." What should they do if they want to grab the kids back and spank them?
**
Time passed like lightning. Before August arrived, Qi Jiao's shop was finally ready.
This time, Qu You personally led his brothers into the capital to deliver the goods. To everyone's surprise, he also brought A Lian.
A Lian followed Qu You. The two of them stepped forward to greet Qi Jiao.
"Great. I was just worried about not having someone to help me manage the business. It's so coincidental that A Lian is here."
Qi Jiao clapped her hands. She looked at Qu You and then at A Lian, showing a knowing smile, which made A Lian blush.
One by one, the goods were unloaded from the carriages. Qi Jiao told someone to take care of the delivery in the front and didn't notice the last green - cloth carriage.
It was Dai An who had sharp eyes. He pointed in that direction and said, "Mistress, look. Aren't those the old ladies from our family?"
Qi Jiao looked up and took a closer look. Sure enough, it was Tang Guiniang and Aunt Ye!
The carriage slowly stopped. The two of them were helping each other get off the carriage. Qi Jiao was overjoyed and quickly led the others to rush forward.
"Mother! You didn't even tell me in advance. You must have had a hard journey. Come into the house quickly."
Lü Fang and Qiong Zhi quickly stepped forward to help them with great enthusiasm.
Tang Guiniang and Aunt Ye smiled and said, "We heard that A Xia has become a ninth - rank official, you're going to open a shop in the capital, and the two kids are so naughty. After thinking it over, your mother and I packed our bags and came."
"Yes. We're not too old yet. It's good to help you guys. I think you've lost weight, Jiao Niang."
Aunt Ye stroked Qi Jiao's hand, smiling and sighing. The three of them went into the house to chat.
With the two elders, Tang Guiniang and Aunt Ye, taking care of things, and Qu You and A Lian as her right - hand men, Qi Jiao was like a god - assisted general. She chose an auspicious day, and the capital branch of Jiao Niang Restaurant officially opened!
You have to eat one bite at a time. Qi Jiao wasn't greedy. She first grasped the summer market and started a tea - drinking business.
The cold, thirst - quenching and sweet drinks, paired with various snacks and tea fruits, instantly attracted a large number of people, both commoners and scholars.
Coupled with the publicity from Fang Yunxin and others, customers flocked in. It became a fashion in the capital for everyone to hold a cup of Jiao Niang's jasmine milk tea.
People of all ages, both gentlemen and ladies, loved it very much. Even the emperor and the empress heard about the opening of Jiao Niang's new shop. They secretly came out to drink milk tea and eat snacks.
From the food and drinks to the environment of the restaurant, everything in Jiao Niang Restaurant was so comfortable and pleasant. Even the waiters were fair - skinned and handsome. It was really a great enjoyment.
The emperor and the empress were extremely satisfied. After visiting several times, they were caught by the princes and princesses in the palace.
After that, Jiao Niang was often invited into the palace to cook delicious food for them.
After a while, Jiao Niang gained the reputation of a royal chef. The emperor and the empress didn't want to let her work for free in vain, so they waved their hands and offered rewards.
Qi Jiao smiled sweetly and declined the rewards. She said that thanks to the kindness of the emperor and the empress, she wanted to donate a batch of goods to the royal family and the court - the high - quality products produced by the Tang - Han Textile Factory and the large workshop in Lingle County.
The emperor and the empress understood. It turned out that Jiao Niang had such ambitions. They immediately granted her the title of imperial merchant and gave Qi Jiao a position in the imperial workshop.
It was really a combination of good timing, geographical advantage and harmonious human relations. Qi Jiao's hard work paid off. She suddenly became an imperial merchant and also a female official of the eighth rank.
When the whole family heard the good news, they were overjoyed and wanted to beat gongs and drums to celebrate. Qi Jiao couldn't help laughing and quickly stopped them.
Aunt Ye and Tang Guiniang were so excited that they didn't forget to send a letter to their family in Lingle County to let everyone share the joy.