521: Lipsticks
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The four of them walked out together, accompanied by young and old maids, filling up two wagons.
Many guests had already arrived by the time they reached the Jia Family.
First Madame had been to many banquets and feasts since she returned to the mansion during the New Year but she had not visited this place. It was also her first since her return.
Madame Jia paid a great deal of attention to her arrival, specially coming to the door to greet them. They were all in a happy mood.
First Madame introduced Qiao Xuan formally to Madame Jia and the others.
"Xuan and I hit it off instantly, and we have become good friends. I invited her to my mansion as a guest. Since you sent the invitation to me, I brought her along with me. She doesn't know much about the rules in the families in the province, so you should not laugh at her."
Everyone smiled and said that they would not.
Soon the guests settled down, and it was very lively in the hall.
Young ladies and madams were gathered together and taking a walk in the garden.
The ladies from the Jia Family interacted with Qiao Xuan with a smile, for the sake of First Madame.
First Madame asked Xi to take good care of Qiao Xuan, but threw her a worried look.
In return, Qiao Xuan smiled and nodded, indicating to her to remain assured.
She was not being polite. She really did not need any help.
She could see through every corner of the whole mansion by just touching one leaf. Her scope of sight was far beyond the mansion too. Nothing could escape her observation.
If she were still set up after this, then she would just call herself unlucky.
Those ladies and madams were all friends, or acquaintances, or had at least heard about each other. They accidentally or intentionally ignored Qiao Xuan.
Qiao Xuan never had the intention to make herself a part of their lives. She did not care. She just went for a stroll among those people who were strangers.
As she was about to take a seat in the pavilion, Qiao Xuan heard them talking about lipsticks, which drew her attention.
Yuezheng Ting became the center of attention of all the ladies and madams. Everyone seemed very earnest.
"Ting, the lipsticks are part of your family's stores, and you are always the first one to get the newest product. My nanny can't even manage to get one until a few days later, and has only managed to buy only two of them till now!"
"Yeah, it is so difficult to buy!'
"I heard that there will be some new colors like peach and apricot… is that true? Can you reserve two for me in each color?"
"I want two as well, or even one is enough!"
"Me too! My cousins in Jianzhou love them, and they keep asking me to buy some!"
"Ting, why not tell Third Brother that he can just sell the products to us, not to others. We can pay the same as others will. In fact, I can buy everything from his store!" "That is a wonderful idea. Me too!"
"Me too!"
Qiao Xuan was dumbfounded, and she could not help but smile.
She felt very proud.
Lipsticks were definitely a profitable venture. When she had enough labor and beeswax, she would make some more.
She would also produce more colors to meet the market's demand..
Yuezheng Ting felt both furious and proud, seeing the jealous eyes.
The outsiders might think that her Third Brother's business was equivalent to hers and that she could make these decisions, but the truth was not like that at all.
Her Third Brother did not want to give many to her, though the products cost so little. He did not share any extra ones ever.
She and her mother just could not find out where he got the products from. She enjoyed being asked for a favor, but she could not do anything about the requests.
Yuezheng Ting forced a smile. "That is my Third Brother's business. He is very conservative and only sells them at the store, not in private. Lipsticks are rare and the amount is limited, and he needs the lipsticks to bring in more business for his store's other products."
"I can't persuade him when it comes to business."
They all sighed and got very disappointed.
It was not the first time for them to entrust Yuezheng Ting to do this, so they weren't too surprised or disappointed. They just spoke of it when the topic was mentioned again.
What if it was possible this time?
Yuezheng Ting saw Qiao Xuan who was leaning against the banister and felt a bit annoyed, as if she had been humiliated in front of Qiao Xuan, who may be laughing in her heart at this moment.
She grabbed Qiao Xuan and smiled at them. "You may not know this but Mrs.
Shao's husband and my Third Brother are in a good relationship. My Third Brother even has received them home as guests. Uncle and Aunt treat them so well. Maybe you can beg Mrs. Shao to talk with my Third Brother about this."
Qiao Xuan,
She felt that this lady had hit the target unintentionally. If she told him about it, he would definitely agree.
The ladies seemed to have heard a huge joke.
"I am sure she doesn't even know what lipsticks are!"
"Yeah, she definitely can't afford them."
"Ting, you are so funny!'
"I think Ting might have her reason to say so. Maybe it is possible. What about having a try?"
"I think so too. I really want new lipsticks!"
"Me too!"
They all turned to Qiao Xuan with a teasing smile. "Well… Mrs. Shao, can you speak with Young Master Yuezheng about selling some lipsticks to us? We will pay according to the market price. We can share some commission fees with you for it. What about helping us?
They all looked at Qiao Xuan.
Qiao Xuan smiled. "That won't work. Young Master Yuezheng has his own
rules in business. If he breaks the rules, his reputation would be ruined. You can hire people to stand in the queue and you can buy them. But I do have a piece of news that I can reveal to you. I heard that Young Master Yuezheng is going to present a limited version of lipsticks, which is a rare thing. Ten sets at most. If you need them to appear again, you may have to wait for a decade."
They were all startled.
"Limited version? What is a limited version?
"It is very rare. That is great.. I definitely want one!"
"Me too!"
"So only ten sets of the limited version? That is so less!" "Yeah, it must be so difficult to buy one set!"
"But why limited? Mrs. Shao, can you tell us more?"
Yuezheng Ting's face changed.
She intended to bring Qiao Xuan out to draw others' attention so they could ignore her and sneer at Qiao Xuan instead, rather than let her be in the spotlight.
But she attracted everyone's attention for real.
That was not the plan!
Also, Yuezheng Ting did not believe what Qiao Xuan said. What limited version? Why only ten sets? She was an outsider, how could she know so much?
"Mrs. Shao is joking with us." Yuezheng Ting glanced at Qiao Xuan and smiled.
"Stop it, Mrs. Shao, you can't joke about business."
Qiao Xuan was not going to follow Yuezheng Ting's plan. She needed to promote the limited version. The more she promoted it, the more it would be discussed, and there would be more people who would want to buy it. The price would be raised, and the quality would look good as well.
"I am not joking." Qiao Xuan pretended to be confused, chuckling. "Second
Miss, that is what Young Master Yuezheng said to me. This is not a joke."
Yuezheng Ting was annoyed. "Even if it is real, you can't spread the secret without Third Brother's permission! That is business, it can be either big or small, you can't just spread rumors!"
The girls were all startled, without any idea what to say. They glanced at Yuezheng Ting indifferently. Her reaction was way over the top, who did she think they were that they needed to be guarded against?
Qiao Xuan blinked and showed a look of innocence. "Second Miss, you don't understand. Products should be promoted, that's how they sell well. I can promise that Young Master Yuezheng did not ask me to keep it a secret."
Yuezheng Ting sneered furiously. "I don't even know about this, but you do? What can you promise yourself with?"
"If you don't believe me, you can ask Young Master Yuezheng about this. He said that not everyone will be able to afford the limited version. It is high-end, first-class and has only ten sets, very special and rare. He is going to promote it so everyone will know about it. Those who can't afford it would be jealous of those who can afford that. Why would he want to keep it a secret?"
"Also, who does he think that he will sell the limited version to, if he keeps it as a secret? It would cost 3,000 or 4,000 liang for one limited version of lipsticks as I heard."
She had made the price higher, so that when people learned the real price, they would find it much easier to accept it and even feel that they had taken some advantage of it.
"What!"
"3,000 to 4,000 liang? Oh my!'
"Did I hear it wrong?
"Mrs. Shao, you must have heard it wrong."
Seeing Yuezheng Ting obviously looking displeased, they did not dare to ask anything more, especially since Yuezheng Ting kept stopping Qiao Xuan from sharing more details.
But now everyone was very curious about the price.
They needed to know it clearly, so that they could satisfy their need to know.
Yuezheng Ting herself was surprised as well.
"You…"
She was about to deny it when she realized that Qiao Xuan would not be stupid enough to make such an exaggerated joke, thus stopping herself..
Qiao Xuan explained with a smile. "I am not mistaken. Please, listen to my explanation."
She then told everyone about how the limited version worked.
Everyone heard that the raw materials of this limited edition lipstick were carefully selected, and the essential oils extracted from flowers would also be added, and the production process was far more refined. Also, the lipstick tube was not only exquisite in materials, but also was inlaid with gold. Moreover, it was designed by a famous artist, all of which made their eyes brighten.
"No wonder it is so expensive!"
"Yeah, the tube is costly, too!"
"There are essential oils in it! That is very rare too!"
"Twelve Beauty Series, I really want a set so much!"
"Me too! But I can't afford it. My mom won't buy one for me."
"I would like to have one for my dowry. I wonder if my parents would allow
"Oh, but when will it be launched in the market? I can at least take a look at it.'
"Yes, me too!"
Everyone started to talk about it and expectantly turned to Qiao Xuan.
Yuezheng Ting clenched her teeth, and was furious inside her heart. Ms. Qiao would not know everything, right?
But Qiao Xuan did know because Yuezheng Xiao was going to give her the first batch of tubes next month for this limited version.
So, a month after that, she would be able to finish making them.
Ten sets in total) with five sold separately, and the other five sets sold with three at one stage. Those who were willing to buy the new set next season, could make reservations.
So she smiled and answered. "In a couple of months, rather within two months, it should be in the market. Then, you can all go and have a look at it."
"That's great. We will definitely be there, and we are going to buy two ordinary ones too."
"Me too! Those are wonderful things for me to take a look at. We may not be able to see them next time."
"Yeah!"
The group was chit chatting, and people could not help but ask Qiao Xuan if she could tell Young Master Yuezheng to make some lipsticks that were not so expensive, but the quantity was limited. It didn't matter if the price was higher than the normal, but the workmanship should also be exquisite, and it was best to add some essential oils as well.
Qiao Xuan,
Low-class limited version? That could work, but not right now.
They needed to first sell the limited version of high quality and maybe then, they could make something else.
The luxurious version had not been launched in the market, and hence, the low-class limited version should not appear so soon.
"Well, Young Master Yuezheng is in this business. You can all send your suggestions to the manager and the salesboys at the store. They would surely pass them onto Young Master Yuezheng."
They all laughed. "Okay, that sounds right. I will do that!"
"I want a limited version as well, but not something that costs me 3,000 or 4,000 liang, a few hundred will do."
They all nodded in agreement.
Qiao Xuan smiled and looked earnestly at them.
They were all money to her!
Seeing Qiao Xuan getting so popular, Yuezheng Ting got so angry that she almost broke her teeth.
Ms. Qiao was behaving way over the top! She was just a countryside woman who should know nothing. But she kept promoting her Third Brother. She was going to tell the Third Brother about this so that he could reprimand her. Yuezheng Ting felt so annoyed and then whispered an idea into Jiang's ears..
Jiang nodded and left in a hurry.
Soon a maid came to serve Qiao Xuan the tea, and before she was able to pass it on, Xi went to accept the tray with a smile and said, "Thanks for bringing it to me, 1 will take it over from here.'
The maid was startled and the tray was in Xi's hands smoothly.
She threw a subconscious look at Yuezheng Ting, forced a smile and left it. That made Yuezheng Ting feel even more annoyed.
It was still a bit cold at this time of the year, and they had been out for a long while. Soon it was time for lunch, and the two ladies of the Jia Family made an announcement. Everyone got up and went back to the hall.
After lunch, they watched the play and they would be going home after that.
Seeing Qiao Xuan coming back safe and sound, First Madame let out a sigh of relief, whispering to Qiao Xuan holding her hands. "Everything alright?"
Qiao Xuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, everything is fine."
"If something happens, do tell me about it. Don't put yourself in a distressing situation."
Qiao Xuan felt her heart turning warm. "1 won't. Xi was with me. You can ask her.'
Xi chuckled. "First Madame, Mrs. Shao was great. I will tell you what happened. You will admire her too after that."
Qiao Xuan chuckled. She was just promoting her own lipsticks. That did make her feel good.
"That is wonderful. I can't wait to go back and hear about it."
First Madame looked very curious.
Soon the banquet started, and Madame Jia asked them to be seated at the table.
There were two tables in total, with eight people at each. The elderly madames were in the main hall whilst the younger ones were in the wing hall.
Qiao Xuan came in with Yuezheng Ting, but she did not feel like sitting with her.
She was worried that the girl was up to something.
Had it not been for Xi stopping it, the tea would have spilled all over her, back at the pavilion.
So, Qiao Xuan kept herself away from Yuezheng Ting.
But she was still framed, eventually.
The maid serving the soup spilled it on Lady Min who was seated next to Qiao Xuan. She immediately kneeled down and begged for forgiveness, saying that it was Qiao Xuan who hit her so she spilled the soup.
Lady Min snapped at Qiao Xuan. "You know how much my dress costs? 80 liang! Can you afford it? It is made from a new material, and you ruined it!" Everyone looked at each other, uttering no sound.
After all, they did not care since they were not involved. No one wanted trouble for themselves.
Unless it was Qiao Xuan's friends who would defend her. But Qiao Xuan had no friend and Lady Min was apparently a more promising contact to stick to for future use. Therefore, they had picked their favored side.
Those who were Yuezheng Tings good friends were very happy to see how the show went.
Xi was so angry. "Lady Min, I saw that Mrs. Shao…"
"Xi!" Qiao Xuan stopped her and turned to Lady Min. "You are sure it was me?" Lady Min sneered. "The maid won't make a mistake, would she?"
Qiao Xuan smiled. "Yeah, maids at the Jia Family are well-trained. So, I don't think that they would make a mistake."
The two ladies of the Jia Family suddenly felt embarrassed. Many ladies turned to them curiously as well.
The maid should admit the fault even if it was not her. After all, she was a maid.
So, either she was looking down at Qiao Xuan, or just trying to get herself out of the trouble. A maid who should not blame guests so casually..
It meant that she must have been assigned to do this, and it must have been approved of by the ladies of the Jia Family.
Else a maid would not dare do something like that.
Finally, it pointed to just one thing the Jia Family wasn't a very nice family.
Qiao Xuan was the first-time guest, why should the Jia Family cause her trouble.
Also, if a maid dares to do this, it was because her mistress wasn't nice.
Totally immoral and uneducated.
The two ladies of the Jia Family glanced at Yuezheng Ting and regretted it.
It was Yuezheng Ting who had begged them and promised them something so they could arrange Qiao Xuan to sit next to Lady Min, who was narrow-minded and cared about her appearance. She wanted to set up Qiao
Xuan.
She did manage to set up Qiao Xuan, but Qiao Xuan got the Jia Family involved in this as well.
Qiao Xuan added. "Since you are sure that it was me who did this, then Lady Min, I am sorry and I can pay you 100 liang for this dress, alright?"
Lady Min was startled and snorted. "Pay me then!"
She could not help but burst with joy.
100 liang!
She only had a monthly pocket money of three liang, and she barely had any extra money to spend. This amount was going to keep her rich for a long while.
But Qiao Xuan added politely. "Then my 100 liang should be able to buy out this dress, right? Lady Min should never be allowed to have this dress any longer, no? Too bad that it can't be washed by you. I can take it home and wash it myself. Could you please give me the dress?"
"Hahahaha!"
"Hahaha!"
Most young ladies and madams laughed, as they turned to Qiao Xuan disdainfully.
She was indeed a countryside woman who even wanted a dress someone else had worn before. How humiliating!
Yuezheng Ting laughed too. She was glad to see the situation develop like this.
If she recounted the story to the whole mansion, everyone was going to laugh at her. Her Elder Aunt had considered this kind of girl as someone important. Wasn't she afraid of getting humiliated?
Lady Min snorted proudly. "Sure, pay me and the dress is yours. Take it as you want."
"Xi, keep Lady Min company to get changed, and remember to give me the dress when she is done.'
Qiao Xuan said and handed over 100 liang to Xi, saying calmly, "Then, I can ask Aunt who makes this dress so expensive and worth so much money, so I can also buy two sets of garments to take them home for my sister-in-law." It was very quiet in the hall. Everyone was startled.
Lady Min suddenly realized what was happening. She flushed as she turned to Qiao Xuan, looking furious. "You…"
Qiao Xuan was still composed and looked at her calmly.
She spent 100 liang buying the dress and she had all the rights to do anything she wanted with it.
Everyone knew that Lady Min's dress was not worth 100 liang, or even 80 liang as she claimed.
It would be priced at most at 8 liang.
She was just bullying Qiao Xuan for being a countryside girl who knew nothing. She wanted to threaten and frighten Qiao Xuan so she could beg for forgiveness.
Everyone had been amused to see Qiao Xuan offering 100 liang to purchase the dress..
It turned out that the joke was on them.
As long as Qiao Xuan showed the dress to the First Madame and told her that the dress was worth 80 liang and that she paid 100 liang for it, Lady Min would become famous for being greedy in the upper-class circle of the province.
Moreover, the Min Family would turn into a laughing stock.
Lady Min was yet to be married, and no good family would want to have such a greedy and immoral person as their daughter-in-law.
Everyone could not help but feel hair standing on the back. They could not help but feel fearful towards Qiao Xuan.
They started to believe that Mrs. Shao was not a stupid or ignorant countryside woman, and reminded themselves to stay modest rather than judging people by their looks, or belittling people,
They might get themselves into trouble by doing so.
Look at Lady Min, who had set a perfect example for them.
She had dug a trap for herself to jump in. How horrible!
Lady Niin was so furious but she could not do anything else except to stutter. "I am not selling this… this dress any more. My bad luck, okay, I don't want your compensation… not any more!"
"That is not good. I never owe people anything, especially if such a dress is worth 80 liang. I will feel so bad. You are open-minded, but I can't take advantage of you. If you don't want to sell it to me, 1 will have to turn to the seniors to help me with the persuasion. So, please reconsider if you are selling it or not."
"Xi, go and see if Aunt can join us for a while. I am sorry to trouble her!"
"Yes, Mrs. Shao!"
Xi got so excited that she was about to hurry away.
Lady Niin panicked. "No,no… not now!"
Qiao Xuan put on an even more sincere look. "She has to go there, you know. I never take advantage of people, especially because this dress is so expensive."
Lady Niin shivered out of anger, turning to look at Yuezheng Ting.
She could tell clearly that Yuezheng Ting disliked Qiao Xuan.
But Yuezheng Ting had been shocked by what Qiao Xuan did, and her mind was in a mess. What was going on? She had never expected that Qiao Xuan would dare to set up Lady Min! With one sentence, Lady Min was totally exposed.
She was someone who bullied the weak, not someone who stood up to help others in trouble. Never!
Therefore, she moved away, pretending as if she had never seen Lady Min's
pleading eyes.
Lady Min flushed and turned pale. She almost burst into tears.
Her maid was dumbfounded too. She threw herself onto the ground and said in a shivering voice, "It was me. It was me who bumped into Mrs. Shao's arm so the soup was over Lady Min. It was my fault, please, forgive me!"
"But that was not what the maid from the Jia Family said! That girl insisted that it was me! So, which of you lied?"
"It is so funny. Why lie about such a small thing?"
Everyone present. '
Honestly…
First Madame had spotted someone distinguished.
No wonder First Madame had always been outstanding in her abilities.
The two ladies from the Jia Family turned uncomfortable as well. One of them kept blaming Qiao Xuan for being so nosy to have pointed them out, dragging them down.
But they should have realized that they were not being polite towards Qiao Xuan when they tried to set her up!
In that case, Qiao Xuan did not care about their reputation, either.
Reputation was not given, but earned.
When someone intentionally set up people, they deserve to be humiliated when countered back.
If Qiao Xuan saved the ladies of the Jia Family, would they be grateful to her? No, they would just feel lucky that Qiao Xuan never thought of them.
Else, they might assume that Qiao Xuan did not dare offend them.
Qiao Xuan did it only because she knew, above all, that the First Madame did not like the Jia Family who was a good friend with Ms. Mi Junior.
Hence, she did not need to care about what First Madame would think about it.
"It is our fault. Ju totally misbehaved." The ladies of the Jia Family reacted faster than Lady Min. They expressed apologies directly and ordered someone to get Ju in to make apologies.
Ju turned totally pale and dumbfounded.
But it was so normal that the maid became the scapegoat for her mistress. There was nothing she could do except to admit her mistake.
She and Lady Min's maid admitted the mistake together. They bumped into Qiao Xuan but did not dare to admit that in panic, thus accusing Mrs. Shao of the wrong doings.
They received the mistresses' punishment. Lady Min had not yet given an open punishment, but Ju was fined two months' salaries.
They kept apologizing to Qiao Xuan constantly.
Qiao Xuan had reached her purpose, thus she smiled, accepting the apology.
Some ladies started to feel that Lady Min and the Jia Family were annoying.
Luckily Mrs. Shao was smart so she revealed the conspiracy, otherwise she would have been totally misjudged. What was the Jia Family doing? Anyone at the door was a guest who should be received well.
Lady Min was even worse. Was she so in need of money that she was resorting to blackmailing…
The two maids admitted the mistake, but everyone was aware that they were simply scapegoats for their mistresses, covering them up so they would not be exposed.
Lady Min was completely embarrassed so she left, saying that she did not feel well.
The two ladies of the Jia Family could not leave, but pretended as if they were innocent and continued to receive guests.
But no one was interested in eating any longer.
They pretended as if they were full and left as well.
Same for Qiao Xuan.
They were just about to walk to the main hall when Yuezheng Ting came in front of Qiao Xuan and faced her. She sneered. "Happy now? The banquet has been ruined by you?"
"Why do you say that? I didn't spill the soup and it was not me who caused the trouble either. Why are you accusing me then? How about saying that out loud so we can talk about this in front of everyone?"
Yuezheng Ting got so angry that she was stuck speechless. She snorted and looked deeply into her eyes. "I never expected that you are so clever and full of tricks. I have misjudged you."
Qiao Xuan thought to herself and believed that she was still being misunderstood by her.
Yuezheng Ting did not know that she was rich. Nor did she know that she was also an officer's daughter. She also did not know that she was the one who produced the lipsticks. Most importantly, she did not know that her Elder
Uncle's disease was cured by Qiao Xuan.
If she knew all of these, she would definitely pass out.
"l don't know you well, Second Miss, and it is very normal that you don't know me."
Yuezheng Ting snorted and left angrily.
Xi was dumbfounded. But she was totally convinced by Mrs. Shads conduct..
Xi thought to herself that no wonder First Madame liked this girl. She was very different from the others.
What happened at the hall had reached the other side of the mansion by this point.
Lady Niin's mother had to leave with her, when she insisted.
First Madame took hold of Qiao Xuan's hands, asking concernedly. "Xuan, are you alright?"
First Madame asked in front of everyone present rather than secretively. A few ladies who had tried to defend Lady Min against Qiao Xuan were stuck speechless.
Qiao Xuan felt her heart turning warm. She chuckled and shook her head. "Thanks Aunt, I am well. Also, we have sorted everything out."
"Sister-in-law!" First Madame said coldly, "Xuan is talking sense. As per you, you can accuse her of something but she can't defend herself? Anyways, whatever else you have to say, tell me when we reach back home." It was very quiet in the hall.
First Madame simply could not stand this sister-in-law of hers.
During the past few years, this sister-in-law kept saying bad things about First Madame and her family, which had reached First Madame's ears too.
But the first section of the family only focused upon Old Master's disease, especially First Madame, who never cared about such useless gossip.
But things were different now.
She could not stand it when Ms. Nii Junior scolded the junior girl she had personally recommended.
"Elder Sister-in-law, are you lecturing me for someone outside the family?"
"l am talking sense with you. You can defend yourself if I am wrong. 1 am not putting any pressure on you or stopping you from defending yourself."
Ms. Mi Junior could not defend herself. After all, the fault was that of Lady Min and the maids of the Jia Family. If Qiao Xuan had not pointed it out, it would just be a vague situation that could be solved casually..
Unfortunately, the method in which she tried to cause trouble failed completely
Ms. Mi Junior was jealous that Qiao Xuan escaped and hence, tried to lecture her as a senior.
But Qiao Xuan did allow that to happen and she was sheltered by the First Madame, so Ms. Mi Junior kept running into bad luck.
Madame Jia felt bitterness filling up her heart seeing Ms. Mi Junior getting humiliated.
She smiled and stepped forward. "It was the maid's fault, and also my fault for not teaching them well. Mrs. Shao is innocent, and Ms. Mi Junior was just being kind. It is my fault, totally, for causing this small problem. Oh yes, the play is on, let's go and watch the play!'
The other ladies let out a sigh of relief and nodded with a smile.
First Madame threw a small look at Ms. Mi Junior, and said to Qiao Xuan softly, "How about watching the play? If you want to leave for home, we can do that as well.'
First Madame had understood clearly what real affection was. Apart from some close friends and relatives, the others had turned to the second section of the family when they found that the first section of the family wasn't doing well.
She had not thought about this before, but now she realized that this attitude made her feel emotional.
They brought Qiao Xuan here because they wanted to humiliate her in public so that First Madame could be humiliated too. But things turned out to be very different.
On the contrary, Ms. Mi Junior was lectured by the First Madame, which changed her image in front of the other madames and young ladies.
Everyone understood who was the hostess of the Yuezheng Family, and that the Second Madame simply had no sway in the mansion.
It was a peaceful and lovely time watching the play in the afternoon.
When the First Madame left with Qiao Xuan, Ms. Mi Junior and Yuezheng Ting refused to leave. They wanted to have a few words with the Madame of the Jia Family.
First Madame did not care and left with Qiao Xuan first.
On the wagon, she could not wait and asked Qiao Xuan about what happened in detail.
Xi laughed. "First Madame, let me tell you the story…"
Xi added a lot of details and moves as she recounted the incident, amusing First Madame.
"Good, good! That was exactly what you should do!" First Madame took Qiao Xuan's hand and smiled. "l treat you as my daughter and if anyone dares to offend my daughter, they will have to think about the consequences." Qiao Xuan felt warmth in her heart and chuckled. "Thanks, Aunt!"
First Madame laughed and held her hand tightly.. "No need to thank me!"
Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan were going back the day after tomorrow, so First Madame asked Yuezheng Xiao to get the wagon ready to drive them back, as well as the laborers whom they had bought.
She had the presents ready too, such as the lotus roots, and water chestnuts.
Yuezheng Xiao nodded with a smile, and asked his servants to do the preparations. He gave one batch of plain version of lipsticks boxes to Qiao Xuan, and he would deliver the limited version to her personally, when they were ready.
While they were talking, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan understood that after two weeks, Yuezheng Hong was going to head northwest with goods. So, they were all busy at the Yuezheng Mansion these days.
They prepared and counted the goods, prepared the convoy, and finally determined the treasurers and guards to follow. They checked and visited their families to see if everything was normal, and relocated their families… etc. These things were cumbersome and there were too many matters to deal with. Though they were not difficult, it could take a lot of time to straighten
things out.
As they were chatting, the Chief Manager and the Deputy Manager came over to pass on the message. The couple decided to leave, but Yuezheng Xiao smiled. "They must be talking about the tea business. You should stay because we may need your help with it."
Yuezheng Hong nodded with a smile too. "True!"
The two managers were a little surprised, but they understood that these were the new suppliers for tea, thus saying nothing.
But what they did not know was that Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan were not ordinary suppliers. They were going to supply them with the most cherished tea and bring many profits to the tea business of the Yuezheng Family.
The tea business comprised more than 1/3 of the entire business of the family.
The two managers wanted to check how much tea leaves they should take along to the northwest.
They had a lot with them but the leaves turned rotten halfway. The Yuezheng Family always stuck to reputation and they would not process the rotten ones and pretend that they were new.
So, they had to cast them aside.
Therefore, the actual profits were very less with time and energy as well as other costs counted. They needed to earn 60% or more, so that people could be motivated to work harder.
Twenty percent of the profits could be earned even by small businesses.
After all, merchants were far away from their relatives' hometown and traveled two to three thousand miles or even farther. One could imagine how hard it was. All kinds of accidents and emergencies would occur on the way, so if they could not earn much, who would want to join them?
The two managers meant that the weather wasn't good and there was a lot of rain, so the tea leaves would not be easily preserved. They suggested cutting the volume down so the goods would not be affected by the weather.
If the rain kept pouring down, the goods would be destroyed again.
It would take a few months for the round trip to be completed. If the profits could not be earned, things would look bad.
Yuezheng Hong was silent.
The tea of the Yuezheng Family was supposed to be sold to the nomadic tribes outside the pass. What the nomadic tribes lacked most were tea and salt..
Salt was under the control of the imperial court, and the Yuezheng Family could not get their hand in. But tea had been their business for many years, and the Yuezheng Family started with such a business.
If they took smaller amounts, the tribes might get disappointed, and the other business families might take that chance and sneak in, replacing them as the main supplier.
If they were replaced, not only tea leaves, but other goods might not sell easily.
As long as they had satisfying tea leaves, the other goods could be sold at the same time.
If the amount of tea leaves wasn't enough, then they would need to find other new clients and turn to other aspects.
That was not what Yuezheng Hong was willing to do.
They were mainly a tea leaves business family, and they were experienced in it.
Also, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yun's tea farms would have a small amount of goods in early autumn this year, but next year's supply would be greatly increased. After two or three years, it would reach a stable amount, and it would increase in the next few years steadily.
Those were not ordinary tea leaves, but golden sprouts and lavender! With these two categories of tea leaves, the Yuezheng Family could expand this business line to the capital.
Yuezheng Hong had been trying to expand the business to the capital, but his father ran into an accident and the whole thing was postponed.
Now his father had healed and the golden sprouts and lavenders were soon going to be available, so the plan could be resumed, and things would become much easier.
After all, these two kinds were the most difficult to cultivate and the capital had a high demand for them. Hence, as long as he had the goods, no one would be able to get rid of them.
They needed to stick to the tea leaves business. It should never fade away.
But the weather had made things difficult in the recent past. What if the weather turned better this year?
The two managers and the two owners started having an argument. Both sides had their reasonable contentions and did not retreat at all, so the argument became very lively.
Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan exchanged a look between themselves. '
What were they doing here? Watching the show?
Shao Yunduan smiled bitterly.
He knew nothing about business, let alone tea leaves.
But Qiao Xuan gave a suggestion instinctively. "Tea leaves can be made into the shape of brick, easier to transport and much less likely to get rotten."
She faintly remembered that there was a documentary about tea transportation, where the tea bricks were mentioned.
The argument stopped immediately.
The Deputy Manager did not show any look of contempt, seeing that it was the two owners' good friend who had spoken. But he still said calmly, "Mrs. Shao, we are already using tea bricks."
Yuezheng Xiao suddenly had hope rising inside his heart, when he saw this couple who had surprised them so many times. What if he made the right bet!
"Actually, bricks are differently made and processed. Some bricks can preserve the taste, color and avoid some flaws. Unfortunately, our bricks aren't good enough so we are always seeking better ways to make tea bricks. But it is never easy…"
Qiao Xuan thought of the system in space. She felt like giving it a try.
She thought for a while and said, "1 seem to remember having read something about craftsmanship of tea bricks making. I will try to recall those things and write them down for you. Maybe, it will be of some help."
They were all startled.
Yuezheng Xiao was also taken aback.. "Are you sure? We would pay for it, if you have a better method for making tea bricks!"
Yuezheng Hong nodded as well.
But the two managers were dumbfounded, falling into speechlessness.
What were these two owners doing? Did they really take what Mrs. Shao said so seriously? The craftsmanship of such exquisite skill should be concealed in secret, and Mrs. Shao would not just reveal that to them so casually.
She must be joking.
They would have mocked her but for the presence of these two young masters.
How shameless she was!
Qiao Xuan looked frank and honest. She smiled without any embarrassment. "Let me give it a try."
It didn't depend on her whether she could find a solution. She was going to look it up in space. If she could find the method, that would be great. If not, then there was nothing else she could do.
Yuezheng Xiao had a lot of confidence in her. He nodded as if he already had received the method. "Okay, okay, please have a try. It doesn't matter if you can remember anything. Don't be stressed! I am sure you can figure it out."
Qiao Xuan. '
She could not make a promise till the time she didn't check it in her space.
Soon, Qiao Xuan did find the chance to enter the space and the room, where she carefully searched the process for tea craftsmanship.
To her surprise, she actually found one.
Qiao Xuan read it carefully and bore the contents in her mind. She could easily remember the words since what she found here was connected to her consciousness.
Later, Qiao Xuan slightly changed the method of narration and made a few changes in the details with the core contents remaining intact. Soon, a plan of tea brick manufacturing was formed.
Shao Yunduan helped her write them down as Qiao Xuan stumbled with her words.
Shao Yunduan did not know much about the tea bricks, but when he wrote the method down, he could not help but admire his wife. His instinct told him that this was really excellent.
Every step was filled with characteristics as well as the items that they needed to watch out for.
Shao Yunduan read the paper carefully and gave an admiring look to his wife. "You had all of these in mind?"
Qiao Xuan thought for a while and shook her head. "Not all. Some of them are my ideas, not everything is from a book. I just figured it out myself!"
No book would have a complete methodology of any craftsmanship, and Qiao
Xuan could not find such an excuse.
Shao Yunduan.
Qiao Xuan burst into laughter seeing her husband's surprise on her face. "As for tea, in fact, the preservation is quite easy. I can figure it out from what I read. Apart from reading miscellaneous books, I also like to think about it when I have nothing to do. Many things here are what I inferred myself. I don't know if it's right or not. But the masters who make tea bricks have rich experience, they will know after trying it. Shao Yunduan said, "You are right…" Qiao Xuan chuckled and nodded.
The two of them smiled at each other.
When handing over the paper to Yuezheng Xiao, Shao Yunduan euphemistically mentioned how it came about, so that Yuezheng Xiao and the tea brick makers would understand it well, and won't land in trouble by blindly following the instructions.
They were supposed to think more about it themselves when they were trying it out for the first time..
Yuezheng Xiao was shocked as well.
His sister-in m law was really bold and full of ideas.
Then, he realized that she was not an ordinary woman. She had read a lot and was very smart. She loved to think broadly and could come up with so many delicious things to cook. Tea bricks might be her specialty as well.
Some people could be good at something that no one else was able to surpass.
After the paper was given to Yuezheng Xiao, Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan left according to the original plan.
They could not be away from home for too long during this season of the year.
First Madame was unwilling to see them leave but there was no choice. She ordered the kitchen to prepare a lot of things for them to eat on the way, and did not release Qiao Xuan's hands for a long while.
They had five wagons on the way back home. They didn't contain much luggage, but there were many people.
Yuezheng Xiao had arranged it all, and Qu Shan led the way.
However, not long after they left the gate, Ms. Mi Junior's servant, Auntie Mao, stopped the wagon.
"Please, Young Master Shao, Mrs. Shao. Our Madame has a present to give to you. Hence, I am waiting for you here."
Soon after, a maid came forward with a huge box.
Qiao Xuan did not take it but smiled. "Thanks, Aunt, please tell Second Madame that we have accepted her kindness, but we don't need the present."
"That's kind of you, Mrs. Shao!" Auntie Mao smiled, as she led forward a girl in her teens.
The girl was wearing a light pink embroidered dress, with a slender waist, petite and exquisite. She had charming and beautiful facial features, especially a pair of eyes, which were particularly enticing.
Auntie Mao led her forward. The girl threw a glance at Shao Yunduan, then she lowered her head, showing a snowy white neck and beautiful face, looking rather attractive.
Qiao Xuan, '
She understood what was going on.
Qiao Xuan suddenly felt uncomfortable, very uncomfortable.
She threw a look at Shao Yunduan and sneered, waiting for Auntie Mao to make her speech.
"Young Master Shao." Auntie Mao smiled. "This is Li Yun, a present our Second Madame gave to Young Master Shao so that you can study well. You need to have a smart maid next to you, right? Please, accept it, Young Master Shao."
Li Yun put on an even more bashful posture and bowed at Shao Yunduan. "Greetings, Young Master! "
Auntie Mao smiled. "Get onto the wagon. Do remember to serve Young Master Shao. From this day on, you are Young Master Shao's girl!'
"Yes, Auntie! "
The whole scene made Shao Yunduan, Qiao Xuan and Qu Shan turn dumbfounded.
Auntie Mao did not think that Shao Yunduan would turn her down.
All men liked beautiful women, especially scholars who loved to have charming girls to keep them company when they read.
Li Yun was young, beautiful, and lively. No man would turn her down, especially someone like Shao Yunduan, who was from an ordinary family. He would definitely want to have someone like her next to him.
Shao Yunduan understood what was going on. But this was the first time he learned about something like this.
He flushed and said, "Wait a moment! I don't need her. Please take her back, thanks.'
Li Yun was startled climbing midway onto the wagon..
Li Yun was startled, and so was Auntie Mao.
"What did you… just say, Young Master Shao?"
He did not want a beautiful girl for free?
Pressing down the anger, Shao Yunduan repeated word by word. "l just said, take her away!'
"What…
"Young Master!" Li Yun looked up at Shao Yunduan innocently. "What is wrong with me?"
"Everything!" Shao Yunduan answered coldly. "Qu Shan, let's leave now!"
With that Shao Yunduan put down the curtain, and his handsome face was stiff.
Qu Shan, who had been panicking anxiously, got really happy seeing people from the second section of the family get humiliated. "Yes, Young Master Shao! Auntie Mao, make way please!"
"Young Master Shao!" Auntie Mao could not hide her anger.
She stopped the wagon and said with displeasure, "Second Madame Yuezheng is giving you a present out of kindness, Young Master Shao, but you are turning her down! Honestly, Young Master Shao, you are a guest to our mansion!"
Was he daring to humiliate the madame from the Yuezheng Family?
His face was stern and without lifting the drapery, he said in a cold voice,
"That has nothing to do with Second Madame Yuezheng!'
He was not relying on Ms. Mi Junior, and he was not threatened by a servant. Honestly, the Yuezheng Family needed his family's help, to be precise, his wife's help.
Shao Yunduan never felt that he was under shadow when his wife was more capable than he was. Instead, he felt really proud!
Qiao Xuan lifted the curtain and said, "Auntie Mao, thank you for the present. We can accept the present but I want to clarify something. This means that she will be completely at our disposal, right?"
Auntie Mao thought that something sounded wrong. But she did not dwell on that and added with a smile. "You are right, Mrs. Shao, this is the present to Young Master Shao, and she will be at your disposal, if you accept it."
"That is great." Qiao Xuan smiled. "Then, I am giving her away to the First Madame of your mansion, namely my Aunt. Auntie Mao, kindly send her and the contract to my Aunt so she can be pleased. A beautiful, nice maid will definitely make her happy! "
"What?"
Auntie Mao's face changed. She was totally dumbfounded.
What was this situation?
Qu Shan could not hide his chuckle. He was watching the show proudly.
Before the First Madame and Old Master came back to the mansion, this old aunt tormented the servants of the first section of the family together with
Second Madame Yuezheng. So, he was very glad to see her getting thrashed.
Shao Yunduan was pleased too. He said coldly, "My wife is right. Auntie Mao, do remember to have her delivered to Aunt.'
"Yeah, she is at our disposal, isn't she? Hence, it depends on us how we deal with her. Auntie Mao can't decide on our behalf, right? I don't think Second Madame Yuezheng would be so stingy as to take back her gift. We will ask our Aunt next time about it!"
Auntie Mao got so angry that her face twisted.
Li Yun was so shocked.. What did she do? Why was she treated like that?
Qu Shan added with a smile. "Don't worry, Young Master Shao and Mrs. Shao, I will definitely tell First Madame about this once I get back. First Madame doesn't lack servants, but since this is a present from you, Mrs. Shao, First Madame will surely love it." "I would be glad if Aunt liked it. Thanks Qu Shan!"
"This is what I should do!"
Auntie Mao shivered from head to foot. She almost passed out due to short breath.
What a bully! How could the situation become like that?
Qiao Xuan threw a sidelong look at her, smiling. "Auntie Mao, anything more you want to tell me? If not, please move away. We are heading home now."
Auntie Mao spat on the ground seeing them leave. She snapped. "What the hell, these impolite people! They have ruined Second Madame Yuezhengs present! "
Li Yun turned really anxious. She asked in a small voice after a long while. "Auntie Mao, then I will…
Auntie Mao glared at her. "What will you do? Serve First Madame?"
"No, no!" Li Yun shook her head anxiously. "l don't want to! Please, save me!"
She had heard what First Madame was like. She would not dare to work for First Madame, under such circumstances.
Auntie Mao snorted. "We are going back to report this to Second Madame. She has her own idea. How dare you beg me for help? You are totally useless!"
Shao Yunduan would have accepted her if she had been useful.
Li Yun kept her head lowered, not daring to utter a sound.
She had not expected that a countryside man would turn down a beautiful girl like her to become his concubine!
She did not like Shao Yunduan, but Second Madame Yuezheng said that he was rich and could become an officer in the future, thus successfully convincing her.
Eventually she was looked down upon!
That made Li Yun really sad.
In the wagon, Shao Yunduan felt especially annoyed. He had not expected that Ms. Mi Junior would be so disgusting.
He threw a quick look towards Qiao Xuan, thinking that he should say something. But Qiao Xuan did not look very happy and Shao Yunduan somehow felt a little nervous, not knowing what to say.
So, he could only glance at her secretly.
Although Auntie Mao was driven away and the annoying Ms. Mi Junior would get really pissed, Qiao Xuan was indeed in a bad mood.
She suddenly thought of a problem that she had been ignoring all this time.
She was having a smooth time at her mother-in-law's home, and her mother-in-law showed her favor boldly among all of her three daughter-in-laws. No one even objected to that. Her Elder Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law all trusted her, so did Qi and Taotao, who admired her greatly and took her advice.
Although her father-in-law wasn't that reliable, she was out of his control.
Moreover, she did not care about the other sections of the Shao Family…
Shao Yunduan treated her nicely too,
Although they did not say it straightforwardly, both of them should know that Qiao Xuan was not going to leave the Shao Family and they would become a real couple in the future.
Why not? Shao Yunduan was nice to her and he defended her in front of the Qiao Family. He even promised to her that he would always stay by her side, so that she would never be bullied or looked down at..
He had encouraged her to do business, to open a tea business, rather than restrict her by telling her that she should just obey her husband.
With this as the basis, Qiao Xuan knew clearly that she was never going to find anyone else in this era that would treat her equally well.
Also, after spending much time with him, she had gradually started to like him.
She could not find anyone else like this if she left them.
But she suddenly realized one thing – the issue of wife and concubine.
She had been carefree and busy making food and money because she never had the concept of this problem. After all, she was not originally born in this era.
But now, this issue suddenly happened…
In this era, rich men often had concubines, more than one!
As long as he could afford them, he would have three or four concubines, or three or four maids as well as some sweethearts outside home.
As long as a man wanted it.
Shao Yunduan turned down Ms. Li Yun given by Ms. Mi Junior, but what about later?
Shao Yunduan was a smart guy. Ms. Mi Junior was up to no good, and he was not originally from a rich family, so before he became the officer, he would not accept the girl.
What about later?
Many people became arrogant and conceited after they were appointed as an officer.
It was a fact. People changed. They were true-hearted when the conditions were the same, but who knew whether they would still remain the same when conditions changed.
Maybe Qiao Xuan had to accept his concubine being his wife. Else she would just be labeled 'unvirtuous', and blamed by her mother-in-law, and by those from the Shao Family, friends and relatives.
She did not care about the reputation. But she did not want to deal with such accusations.
She did not want to be blamed by others or let such things ruin her day.
Also, what if Shao Yunduan himself wanted to have concubines… She could not drive them away by threatening him!
If his superiors and fellows gave him beautiful girls, how could he turn them down, and how many times could he turn them down?
The refusal might affect his career.
Would he rather give up his career?
Even if he failed to become an officer, he might still have concubines when he became rich.
Qiao Xuan felt really distressed as she thought about this.
Men…
Life was going to be so hard!
She had thought that she was lucky enough to have a good mother-in-law and a good family as well as a good man, but there was this hidden, huge problem in front of her.
So annoying!
Qiao Xuan looked up at Shao Yunduan and felt distressed.
Shao Yunduan also sensed something weird going on with her. He felt very confused and anxious, thinking that it must be something to do with him. But he also hoped that it was not his fault. Yet the feeling was getting weirder than before.
He could not help but observe Qiao Xuan, and then he saw Qiao Xuan's look of grudge.
Shao Yunduan was startled.
"What is going on, Darling?"
What was going on?
Qiao Xuan snorted and suddenly felt sourness attacking her, as if she were already the wife without virtue, who was blamed by everyone in the neighborhood. She almost burst into tears.
Shao Yunduan panicked.. "What happened… darling, please, don't, don't cry!'
"l am not crying! You are crying!'
Shao Yunduan panicked. He said, "My fault, definitely my fault!"
"Of course it's your fault! Men are not good!"
Shao Yunduan.
Shao Yunduan had no idea what happened. But he knew that his wife was not happy at the moment, which made him feel concerned.
He thought for a while and then said gently, "Other men have nothing to do with us. Tell me what is wrong with me, please?"
Qiao Xuan was so engaged in her imagination that she blurted out immediately. "You are going to marry a concubine!" Shao Yunduan was startled. "What? No, 1 am not?!"
He denied it instantly.
Qiao Xuan snorted. "You will, in the future!"
Shao Yunduan.
He was speechless. "l won't in the future, either!"
Qiao Xuan did not believe him. "You a_re just saying nice words. When you become an officer, you will need a concubine to keep up your reputation. Or your colleagues and superiors give you one. You will need to accept them in case you offend them. Or your family will want you to have many children!" The more she thought about this, the sadder she became.
She believed that he had many reasons to accept concubines, but none to turn down one.
Shao Yunduan was startled.
Qiao Xuan's heart sank, as she saw his reaction. She was so sad when she said, "Anyway, I don't care, we are…"
Shao Yunduan covered her mouth before she finished her words.
Qiao Xuan glared at him furiously.
He was gagging her?!
"I won't have any concubines." Shao Yunduan sighed. "l don't have any now. Nor will I have any in the future."
Noble and rich people had this custom, but he did not. Why did he need a concubine?
He liked Qiao Xuan and he could not imagine that he would be close to anyone else. He was not used to being with anyone else. And she did not like it either.
Shao Yunduan did not think Qiao Xuan's concern was wrong. Instead, he felt more worried about her. She was born a concubine's daughter, thus hoping that he would not have any concubines.
Feeling pity for her, Shao Yunduan added. "1 will treat you well."
Qiao Xuan was dumbfounded. She just realized that she had lost her temper for no reason.
She suddenly felt a little guilty and embarrassed.
Was he telling the truth?
"Is that true?"
"Of course!"
"If you ever lie…"
"l won't."
"What if…
"l won't."
"Then we will talk about this later.'
Shao Yunduan swallowed down all the promises he was about to make.
She did not need big promises. She needed to see what he did to her.
Shao Yunduan told himself inwardly that he was going to behave well.
He was not going to give her a chance to leave.
But Shao Yunduan was laughing bitterly. He thought that if he became the Recommended Man, then he could possibly finally confess his feelings towards her. Now it seemed that she could only accept him after he became the Advanced Scholar and assure her that he would never have a concubine.
Shao Yunduan promised to himself that he was definitely going to become an Advanced Scholar!
Only then would he be able to have her for real by his side..
Hearing his solemn 'okay, Qiao Xuan felt that he was sincere. That made her feel slightly better.
That would do…
She had a lot of money. Most importantly, Aunt Yuezheng treated her well and the first section of the Shao Family were not unreasonable people. If that day really came, they could separate the properties and she could make sure the breakup went peacefully, even if it meant that she might face some losses. When this idea came into her mind, Qiao Xuan finally felt slightly assured.
She was not alone in this world, anyway.
But she did not want this to happen. Just the thought of it was distressing enough.
They arrived at Heshan County by the evening and stopped by the Zhang Village first.
They had told Ding Erzhu and his wife about buying a dozen laborers before, so the couple wasn't that surprised to see them.
They had got all the daily necessities ready. Anything that was missing, they could go and fill them up the next day.
Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan gave them some instructions, and left the three families in Ding Erzhu and his wife's hands. They will drop by the next day.
It was very late already, and they could not do everything on the same day. They were going to have a detailed discussion the next day, when they were going to pick the lotus roots.
The coachmen of the three wagons stayed overnight at the Zhang Village, whilst Qu Shan drove the couple back to their village.
The two wagons did not stop until they came into the yard.
The six maids were quite nervous as they got off the wagon. Ms. Fang as well as the other family was very surprised to see them.
They had been informed about the arrival of the maids and they were used to Liu Yan's presence. So the six maids did not startle Ms. Fang and the others too much. Soon they all calmed down.
Qiao Xuan led the six maids to kowtow to the whole family and passed on their names. It was very late, and they did not need to work at this moment. They were arranged to live in the back house, with three girls sharing one room.
When the six maids were settled, everyone relaxed, especially Taotao and Qi who approached Qiao Xuan and smiled.
Qiao Xuan was also smiling happily. She had not met her family for a long time and she could not wait to share details of the trip with them.
Shao Yunduan's lips curved. He knew that his wife loved this family, and had long since developed sincere feelings towards everyone.
So, he was going to do his best to keep her here.
It had been a long day. After dinner and a simple wash, Qiao Xuan and Shao
Yunduan returned to their room for rest.
Only then did Qiao Xuan notice something strange.
She and Shao Yunduan had been sharing the same bed and pillow for a long while now! Also under the same cover, that was too… flirty…
They did not have much space in the past, so they had to bear the limited conditions.
But things were different after shifting here.
They had so many spacious yards and rooms, and even the yard they were living in had wing rooms. So, Qiao Xuan could live in whichever room she wanted.
No one would know that they were not sharing the same bed.
Qiao Xuan suddenly felt a little annoyed, especially after she was irritated today.
"Well… you can take the bedroom. I will move into the east wing room."
Shao Yunduan looked up at her, deep into her eyes but sensed no emotions.
Qiao Xuan felt slightly uncomfortable. She moved her eyes away, avoiding his look.
"But…"
"l will take the couch.'
Shao Yunduan threw a look at the couch placed against the wall..
The couch was not wide or long, barely enough for one person. It would definitely cause discomfort.
But he did not want to sleep in a different bedroom from Qiao Xuan.
Qiao Xuan's eyes widened. "There is no need…"
"It will do." Shao Yunduan smiled. "In case Mom finds out about it. Also, no matter where you sleep, it is the same, isn't it?"
Qiao Xuan was stuck with words.
True…
They all knew that she and Shao Yunduan were a married couple, and they could not spill the truth about their relation to anyone else.
Even if they were divorced, she would still be considered to have been through one marriage, after all.
So, there was no need to be too particular at this moment.
Hence, they could just share one room in case some accident happened. Most importantly, Shao Yunduan sounded so determined that she could not turn him down…
"But the couch… doesn't seem very comfortable!"
Shao Yunduan agreed inwardly.
But he disagreed on the surface.
"That is fine. It is okay for me."
"Oh, if you don't feel comfortable, don't stick around. Take the east wing room."
Qiao Xuan had no words to say any further.
She had said whatever she was supposed to say, and that was all she could do…
Shao Yunduan laughed and said gently, "It is getting late, let's settle dovvn."
"What? Okay…"
It was a quiet night.
But when they got up the following morning, Shao Yunduan looked very tired from sleeping on the couch. He had dark circles around the eyes, and was massaging his shoulders.
Qiao Xuan felt a little guilty, and said involuntarily, "What about you take the east wing room. Or I can."
"No need, really." Shao Yunduan smiled brightly. "l can manage."
Qiao Xuan was speechless. Okay then…
When they got up, the six maids were already up.
The six girls were cautious and timid, at a loss.
They had no idea what they should do. Seeing Ms. Fang and Yang Xiaoni working, they went up to offer some help. But they caused a mess.
Ms. Fang and Yang Xiaoni felt a little helpless as well.
If they were told to work, there wasn't so much for them to do anyway. And Ms. Fang did not seem to feel that stone-hearted to give them so much work, seeing that they were afraid to be driven away at the first mistake.
But they were the maids, and they should work. Ms. Fang understood that maids should not be spoiled, after what they had experienced with Liu Yan.
Otherwise the spoiled maids would cause the family trouble.
They were different from Liu Yan. They were going to be kept at home for long.
Seeing Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan walk in, Ms. Fang and her daughters-in-law let out a big relief.
"Oh Ms. Qiao, what should these six girls do, please make some arrangements! "
As long as they were not lingering in front of her, or they would just cause trouble.
Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan exchanged an amused look.
Qiao Xuan smiled. "It is my fault, sorry for having caused you trouble. All you girls, come here!"
The six maids also let out a sigh of relief, as if they had found the decision-maker. They answered and came to them.
Qiao Xuan glanced at them and felt very satisfied.
With First Madame around, the agent offered her exactly what she needed for the family. These six girls were all very reliable..