Chapter 703: Liu Shi’s Plan
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Zhu’er’s words stunned Liu Shi for a long time.
“Zhu’er, who taught you these words?”
“No one taught me. Everyone does this.”
Liu Shi was a little worried. “Mother seems to have dragged the family down.”
Her ability was not outstanding, and her thinking was limited. How could she support Ah Yu like this?
The w.a.n.g family members had long grown accustomed to mutual consideration, with family as the baseline. New daughters-in-law entering the family had their conduct a.s.sessed in advance. Even if they came with their own ideas and personalities, upon joining the w.a.n.g family, they quickly adapted to this comfortable way of life.
On the surface, the entire w.a.n.g Family’s team was becoming larger and larger, but it did not affect the harmony of the w.a.n.g Family.
Perhaps it’s because they have elders to care for and younger generations to groom.
Old Madam w.a.n.g’s mantra had now become, “What’s wrong with this? Is it worth making a fuss over?”
Ah Yu’s catchphrase was, “What are your wishes? I can work hard to help you fulfill them!”
With these two stabilizing forces, the w.a.n.g Family always had to think before they encountered anything. Is this matter really that important? Will this matter affect the relationship between our family? Is there really a need for me to fuss about it? Can 1 complete it myself? Who in our family can help me? Who can I help?
Among the w.a.n.g Family, w.a.n.g Chuanfu’s family was in the village. With Old Master Hu, Teacher Luo, and the others holding down the fort, the w.a.n.g Family had already become a large family in the surrounding villages. Not to mention w.a.n.g Chuanfu, even Madam Feng had nothing to say.
Chuangui’s family could be considered to have grown the fastest. Madam Ma was originally an ordinary woman who listened to her mother-in-law and stayed faithfully by her husband’s side.
Later on, when she found out that the daughter of the county governor’s family was going to marry into her family, in order to not let her son be looked down upon, Madam Ma also learned a lot of etiquette and upbringing. She learned very quickly. Now, when she spoke to the families of those officials, she was no longer as restrained as before.
There was even less of a need to talk about w.a.n.g Chuanyuan’s family. Businessmen needed sharp tongues, flexible thinking, and the ability to adapt to situations.
They had managed the restaurants in Nanhe Town well, and the name of the w.a.n.g Family Steamed Bun Shop had long spread throughout Great Chang.
The two of them held the recipe Ah Yu had given them and studied one or two new dishes from time to time. With the reputation of the w.a.n.g Family of Hu Family Village behind them, the business was booming.
However, the couple did not have any big ambitions. They only wanted to stay in Nanhe Town and get closer to their eldest brother’s family so that the others in the family would look more rustic when they returned.
On the other hand, w.a.n.g Chuanman, the youngest son, was still running around two years ago. In the past two years, he had been studying the farmstead and mulberry fields. Most of the people who interacted with him were local rich businessmen and influential people. Those people knew that the w.a.n.g Family’s future was limitless, so they tried to please w.a.n.g Chuanman, causing him to have no room to use many of his techniques.
Liu Shi had been a female teacher for the past few years. Originally, she was just playing with the children. Now, she had also learned some knowledge, but it wasn’t at a very high level. At most, she could only utilize them in the nursery.
Thinking of this, Liu Shi simply put on her clothes again and stood up to walk out.
Zhu’er asked from behind, “Mother, where are you going now? Big Sister is probably already asleep.”
“Go to sleep. I’m going to the study to read.” She was not reading the four books and five scriptures, but the management methods of the bookstore and the Academy. These were all good books that she had exchanged for with great effort. They had never been circulated in the market.
She had already decided on the location of the nursery hall. Why don’t she confirm everything before this winter? When the nursery hall opened, she would officially have a career in Wanning City. In the future, if Ah Yu encountered any difficulties, she could help more than just verbally.
If she ventured more outside, her mind and thoughts would broaden and she wouldn’t be inferior to even Zhu’er in terms of perspective.
This reading session lasted for four hours. It was only when Liu Shi felt her back ache that she rubbed her neck and returned to her room to rest.
At this moment, Ah Yu had just woken up. She put on her clothes and came to the courtyard. She looked at the beam and said, “It’s only midnight. Why are you up?”
A person jumped down from the beam. It was none other than Hua Rou.
She sighed, “Don’t even mention it. An unexpected guest arrived at our estate today, and it left our entire family in a bad mood. 1 was so angry that 1 couldn’t sleep most of the night. After thinking it over, it seems like the only place in the whole city of Wanning where I can find solace is here with you.”
“Don’t you have a handkerchief exchange? I’ve noticed that the young ladies from those n.o.ble families have quite a few handkerchief exchanges. Growing up together, their bond is not to be underestimated. When faced with troubles, they can confide in each other.”
Hua Rou widened her eyes, “What do you mean by that? I’ve never looked down on you for being younger. Why would you say I’m not your ‘handkerchief exchange’? You get along well with my husband’s siblings, so what’s the matter? You’re not happy to have me as your Big Sister?”
“It’s not that, but there’s a saying that goes, the more similar in age, the more you can connect. I’m afraid if you say things I can’t relate to, I won’t be able to offer you comfort.”
“That’s not important, you just need to listen. And why would you make fun of me? It’s not that I don’t have a ‘handkerchief confidant,’ it’s just that I feel the young ladies in this city are all delicate as can be. I’m afraid I might make their heads spin with just my voice. But you’re different. I see you as tough and resolute. Besides, so what if I don’t have a hankerchief confidant? Do you have one?”
Before formally accepting Ah Yu, Hua Rou had investigated her. Their w.a.n.g family seemed to have suddenly arrived in Wanning City, without any roots whatsoever. Apart from a few older brothers who had pa.s.sed the imperial examination and an unmarried fiance from Duke Yong Manor, they had no other sources of support.
Speaking of which, in the eyes of people like them, such a family was completely without foundation. Not to mention the brothers who took the Imperial Examination, even for the Uncle who had already taken up position as a Governor, one would not even need a month to make their family fall to the bottom if they offended someone with a solid foundation in Wanning City.
With this thought, Hua Rou felt much better. She was not rushing to be friends. She was here to be a backer. How could she say that about her backer?
Do you still want to rely on me?
“I have one,” Ah Yu said. “I have a few handkerchief confidants, but they’re not here. They’re in Nanhe Town. One is Liu’er. She wasn’t in good health in the past, so her mother didn’t let her go on a long trip. Otherwise, I would have brought her along when we traveled previously. The other is Big Sister Wenwen. She’s only a few years older than me. Her parents opened a medicine hall at Benevolent Fragrance Workshop. She’ll come during the new year festival this year. I’ll introduce her to you then.”
Hua Rou choked when she heard that. This little girl really had one?
She coughed. “Hmph, what’s the big deal? It’s just two. Moreover, they’re both separated. In less than two years, they’ll have a new handkerchief confidant. Yours will be useless.”
“Two is enough. It’s already a blessing to have a confidant in life, let alone two,” Ah Yu said. “Sister-in-law Hua Rou, you’ve misunderstood!”
“…” Why did she look for All Yu in the beginning?