A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 148

Chapter 148

After looking at the shop, “Ah Yu, come with me in the carriage!” Madam Qi said with a beaming smile, pulling Wen Yu towards her own carriage.

Laba came closer and whispered something to Wen Yu.

Wen Yu replied.

Then she got into the carriage with Madam Qi.

When they arrived at the small courtyard, Zhang Zhu and Li Yuanji were waiting at the main gate.

After getting out of the carriage, Madam Qi looked at the street and saw that the people living nearby were respectable. The doorways were modest yet neat and uniform.

Upon entering the courtyard, she noticed it was tidy and the house was perfectly aligned north-south, allowing for good natural light.

She couldn’t help but shake her head in disbelief. Could this have been arranged by a young girl who had never been to the capital before?!

When I was her age, I was full of youthful vigor, bold, and daring, surpassing her.

But when it comes to ideas and execution, being so decisive, meticulous, assertive, and resilient…

I really can’t compare! I even feel a shiver down my spine…

Wen Yu accompanied her, pointing out the features of the courtyard, “Madam, please…” and led her into the front reception hall.

Master Qing was at the door to greet them, “Madam! Miss.”

Madam Qi’s eyes widened as soon as she saw Master Qing.

The person before her seemed familiar at first glance, but upon closer inspection, was a stranger… Why did she feel this way?

He had a graceful demeanor, neither servile nor arrogant, with an inherent pride…

Her heart couldn’t help but pound. How did Ah Yu manage to find such a person?

Master Qing was already accustomed to such gazes and didn’t mind.

And Wen Yu wasn’t too surprised, because she herself had been momentarily stunned when she first saw Master Qing.

“Madam, this is Master Qing, whom I’ve invited to help open the embroidery workshop.”

Madam Qi still hadn’t recovered and continued to stare intently.

For the convenience of working, Master Qing had wrapped her head in a handkerchief and was wearing a close-fitting jacket and skirt.

Seeing Madam Qi still in a daze, she bowed again. “Madam!?”

Madam Qi finally managed a smile, “Master Qing, you are quite different from the dressmakers I’ve met before.”

“Very impressive, isn’t she?” Wen Yu smiled mischievously. “Madam, please come in.”

Upon entering… they saw that such a spacious room had been completely filled by Master Qing.

“It’s a bit messy, please excuse me, Madam and Miss!” Master Qing said sheepishly.

“Master Qing, with things arranged like this, can you find anything when you need it?” Wen Yu was quite troubled.

“No problem.” Master Qing looked around the room and smiled.

The embroideresses and young girls were all standing by the side, a bit nervous upon seeing Madam Qi.

“These embroideresses have been working with Master Qing for a long time. They are very skilled and dedicated to their work. Now, they are helping to train apprentices. These six young girls have only been learning for a few months, look…”

Master Qing personally introduced them to Madam Qi: “When we were selecting people, we had specific criteria. So, even though the girls have only been working for a few months, as you can see, they already have such beautiful pieces.”

Madam Qi still felt a bit strange about Master Qing, but she took the embroidery piece she handed her and examined it carefully.

The stitching was even, the colors harmonious, and the composition was innovative.

Although they had the same teacher, the pieces they created were already distinguishable from each other.

Madam Qi might not be skilled in needlework, but she had a good eye.

“All the girls started by learning basic stitching. Once they became more proficient, we focused on developing their individual strengths. For example, Qiao’er and Guo’er are learning tailoring from me. Now, they can basically cut and sew their own clothes.”

“Wearing the clothes they make themselves will give them a deeper understanding. Shuilian has a particularly good eye for color combinations. Li Da Niu and Li Er Niu are sisters, and their embroidery is very steady. The piece you are holding, Madam, was embroidered by the two of them.”

“This little one is called Xiao Liu’er. She likes to make dolls and seems to have a natural talent for it. Look, she made this one based on Young Master Lanzhou’s turtle.”

Madam Qi took it, “Oh my, it really looks like it! If Yuanyuan saw it, she would definitely love it!”

Wen Yu also picked one up to look at, “Xiao Liu’er, although this looks very realistic, it’s a bit small. Remember, it’s enough to capture the form and spirit. You can exaggerate certain features. For example, with this turtle, you could embroider its eyes cross-eyed, which would make people laugh. Children love that!”

Madam Qi nodded: “Yes, Ah Yu is right. There are many young girls like Yuanyuan in the capital, and they love these things. They are also doted on by their families. If these are interesting enough, I’ll buy them all for Yuanyuan.”

Xiao Liu’er’s eyes lit up: “Yes, Madam, Miss. Xiao Liu’er understands!”

Master Qing smiled, “Madam, these embroideresses have been with me for at least three years. Although they are women, some of them have disabilities. But they are dedicated to their work and can support themselves.”

Madam Qi was touched, “My mother’s family in Lingnan established the Chunhui Charity Hall long ago to help poor women by teaching them spinning, weaving, and other skills. It allows them to become self-reliant and strong. You are all doing a great job, working hard. In the future, you will not only be able to support yourselves but also buy houses and land, and live a prosperous life.”

The embroideresses’ eyes sparkled, and they nodded with blushing faces.

✿✿✿

The group moved to the rear hall, where Yan Zhu had been preparing food all morning, knowing that Madam Qi was coming.

Madam Qi had heard Cui Mama mention Yan Zhu, but seeing her in person was another surprise.

She sighed inwardly: How did these two girls end up together?

She pulled Yan Zhu aside to ask her questions. Yan Zhu’s personality was particularly endearing to Madam Qi, and they chatted and laughed together…

She even secretly considered taking her as a goddaughter.

✿✿✿

Master Qing explained each prepared item one by one, writing and drawing on the table as she spoke.

Wen Yu also shared the ideas that had come to her while they were at the shop.

✿✿✿

Everyone discussed and brainstormed, and in the end, even Madam Qi contributed a few ideas.

When it was time, Yan Zhu announced: “Dinner is ready!”

Everyone reluctantly put away their things.

Mu Ling and Chen Wenjie had already hit it off. Now, they were like two butterflies, flitting around serving dishes, running back and forth.

Du Juan had brought Lanzhou along as well. He was holding a cotton box containing his little turtles and sat alone at a small table set up for him.

Wen Yu whispered a few words to Madam Qi. Madam Qi saw that Lanzhou was clean, quiet, and relaxed.

She was touched again. At this moment, she couldn’t help but wonder how she had ended up with such a daughter-in-law…

Soon, over a dozen dishes, four types of dim sum, and a pot of soup were on the table.

Yan Zhu said, “There are so few green vegetables in the capital, I couldn’t make many of the dishes I wanted to. Fortunately, we prepared salted fish, salted pork, pickled vegetables, pickled bamboo shoots, ham, salted eggs, dried shrimp, and even sweet fermented rice! Madam, this sweet fermented rice fish is Ah Yu’s favorite!”

Madam Qi said, “You made all this by yourself? Didn’t it take you several days to prepare?!”

“These dishes aren’t complicated, they’re quick to make. But some dishes and dim sum do take a few days. Ah Yu loves cloud cakes, which I’m sure you’ve had before, Madam. They seem simple, right? But the rice needs to be aged for at least three months beforehand!”

Madam Qi was surprised, “You’re just a young girl, how do you know so much?”

“Madam, our Zhuzhu, no matter what dish it is, she just needs to look at it and taste it once to know how to make it. Not only can she replicate others’ dishes, but she can also come up with her own creations! We’re counting on her for our restaurant. But I don’t want her to be tied down by this. It’s best if she creates the recipes and trains apprentices!”

“Come, let’s have some soup first!” Yan Zhu said proudly.

Madam Qi was no stranger to good food.

She had been carefree in her youth, but after getting married, she would eat at most seven tenths full.

That’s how a noblewoman should be!

But today, she was stuffed.

“My father loves good food. If our restaurant can maintain this standard of cuisine, we won’t need anyone else. He and his old friends alone will keep us busy!”

But Wen Yu thought to herself, if those people come, there’s bound to be a lot of fine wine involved.

Cousin… your time to shine is coming!

Everyone laughed, but her laughter was the sweetest!

…

After the meal, Madam Qi said, “Let’s settle on this for now. Everyone should enjoy a peaceful New Year. Then, I’ll take Zhuzhu to all the best restaurants in the capital to finalize the unique features of our own establishment.”

Everyone agreed.

Sitting in the sunshine with Wen Yu, Madam Qi sighed: “It’s truly remarkable that a young girl like you can have such vision and gather such talented people!”

Wen Yu said, “Actually, this is just a small part of it. To truly make it work, there’s so much to do. We need many more people, especially for the restaurant, which has its own unique way of operating. If we don’t understand it, we might end up with empty fanfare!”

“Just from what I’ve seen, this will cost quite a bit of money. Don’t worry about the expenses, I’ve prepared everything for you. Just go ahead and do it!”

“Madam…” Wen Yu was touched and amused, “I’m already extremely grateful that you’ve provided such a wonderful shop. You know, this kind of shop, forget about buying it, even with money, it’s impossible to rent. You’ve done more than enough! You don’t need to worry about these expenses, Wen Yu has a way!”

Madam Qi didn’t believe her, “Ah Yu, this is no small sum! Even with the building, it will probably cost tens of thousands of taels. You’re just a young girl, at most you have your mother’s dowry. How can you afford such a large amount?”

“I have a lot of silver. If it’s not enough, I can always bring in a shareholder!”

“No, no, no, we don’t need anyone else involved. It’s best if we do it ourselves! Having too many shareholders will lead to disagreements and complications.”

“Don’t worry! And I will pay you rent for the shop!”

Upon hearing this, Madam Qi was displeased, “What nonsense are you talking about! By the time the shop opens, you’ll practically be part of the family. We’re one family, there’s no need to be so formal!”

Wen Yu blushed, “After I marry into the family, if you love your daughter-in-law and want to give it to me as a gift, I won’t be pretentious. But business is business, there’s no room for confusion. Even if you give it to your son in advance, your eldest son is still part of the family! After you’ve helped me so much, causing you further trouble would make me appear ungrateful!”

“Ah Yu… good child…” Madam Qi felt like crying.

Since she was young, she had never cared about money or possessions.

Even though she disliked the Xu family, as long as Xu Minghui behaved well and was lovable, she would never mistreat her daughter-in-law!

All her property would eventually belong to her son, wouldn’t it?

It really wasn’t that she was being picky!

Now, there was a perfect example right in front of her!

…

At this moment, Nurse Xu was checking on her nephew.

He was bruised and swollen, crying and complaining…

He had been following Wen Yu and Madam Qi’s carriage on horseback when suddenly something was thrown over his head and his mouth was gagged. He didn’t even know what was happening.

Before he could make a sound, he was beaten.

He was beaten for a long time! When there was no more movement, he managed to get up. He saw that his clothes were torn and his horse was gone…

“Robbery! Murder!” he shouted a few times, but the alley was quiet, and no one came to see what was going on.

He had no choice but to limp home.

Three thousand words added to this chapter as a gift to the reader: “Meng Hui Mo Gan Shan”.

Thank you for your constant companionship, appreciation, and generous donations.

I wish you happiness and joy in the new year.

And may all of you, my dear readers, be well!