NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 90
Xu Mo stumbled back to the small courtyard, looking disheveled.
If treating the people like one's own children resulted in being chased around by matchmakers, Xu Mo really had to consider being more low-key.
His younger siblings in the small courtyard clearly got the news too, barely holding in their laughter.
"Big brother, you're almost thirteen now. It's not too early to talk about marriage," Zheng Ruqian teased him with a big grin. "Having a virtuous sister-in-law to take care of you would be a great blessing."
"Do you want this blessing?" Xu Mo glared at him.
Zheng Ruqian laughed cheekily. "I don't. I still have business to do, going here and there everyday. I'm afraid I'd neglect the poor girl."
The weather had turned cold. They had to restart the vegetable delivery business.
This time, he was determined to ruthlessly rip off You Ran House in the prefecture city.
Let them know that edible greens in winter don't come cheap!
"Second brother, you're going far away again?" Jiang Sheng tugged at his clothes, eyes full of worry.
Although the Wangs hadn't made a move in the past three months, the siblings would remain a thorn in their side as long as Fang Heng lived.
"We can't stop going outside just because it's dangerous," Zheng Ruqian reassured her. "Besides, the Wangs have been quiet these past few months. Maybe they've settled down."
But that wasn't the case.
Everyone could see that the Wangs were determined to get Fang Heng.
It would be reasonable for them to keep causing trouble. Their inaction over the past three months meant either the Wangs had difficulties of their own, or they were brewing something big.
The latter was more likely.
"How about I bring the servants to protect second brother?" Fang Heng stepped forward. "It'd be good practice for them to deal with danger."
Zheng Ruqian's eyes bulged out as he backed up several steps. "No, you're the Wangs' target. If you don't show up, maybe nothing will happen. If you do, several desperadoes will come rushing to kill you."
Fang Heng smiled helplessly.
He understood his second brother's meaning. Staying in Xieyang County was the safest, with the county magistrate protecting them and the common folk accompanying them. Even the boldest scoundrels wouldn't dare commit murder in front of innocent people.
But they were equally worried about letting Zheng Ruqian travel alone to buy and deliver vegetables. It was too dangerous.
"How about this - you take Jiang Yi, Er, San and Si with you. They're the most nimble and have the best martial arts skills." Fang Heng compromised.
Zheng Ruqian reluctantly agreed.
He prepared two donkey carts and brought four young men armed with long sticks. They were just about to head to the prefecture city.
Wen Zhiyun carried a small medicine box to stop him. "Second brother, take me with you."
"What are you trying to do?" Zheng Ruqian was shocked. "Skipped out on Dr. Wu again?"
Wen Zhiyun nodded bashfully. "Second brother, I want to collect some herbs. Bring me along, I won't slow you down."
Since the fourth little brother had put it that way, Zheng Ruqian could only agree.
The two donkey carts carried six children and left Xieyang County without fanfare, blending into the crowds.
Heading straight for the prefecture city.
They had an important mission this time - negotiate vegetable delivery with You Ran House in the city, deliver 500 catties of cured meat to Xieyang's You Ran House, and sell the excess cured meat in other cities to earn big money before the new year.
The six children were very calm and quiet on the road.
Although Zheng Ruqian had reassured himself, he still worried about the Wangs and kept his heart in his throat the whole way.
Only when they entered the prefecture city did his heart settle back in his stomach.
Hairpin Courtyard.
After months of busy work, the entire courtyard was filled with smoked and dried cured meat. The aunties hired to cure the meat could barely find space to stand.
Zhang Qiquan directed people to wrap up the cured meat in oiled paper. "Didn't You Ran House order 500 catties last month? Hurry up and deliver it."
Zheng Ruqian happened to walk to the door and brightened up when he heard this. "The prefecture city's You Ran House really lives up to its reputation as a big shop. They're ordering a second batch already when Xieyang's You Ran House just placed their first order a few days ago."
Zhang Qiquan was both surprised and delighted. "Master's back!"
He didn't forget to respond to Zheng Ruqian either. "You Ran House in the prefecture didn't order a second batch. That's their third batch already."
After all, the city was bigger with higher prices and more people, so their spending power far exceeded the county's.
Supplying the prefecture city would probably earn even more than supplying the county.
Zheng Ruqian was extremely pleased. He brought the vegetables he bought in Yunshui County straight to You Ran House's door without delay, leaving some at Hairpin Courtyard and delivering the rest to You Ran House.
You Ran House in the prefecture city.
Zheng Ruqian craned his neck to look at the tall, majestic shop front and straightened his clothes before swaggering inside.
As a regular cured meat supplier, the shopkeeper's assistant recognized him and greeted him. Thoughtfully, he asked, "Here to see Manager Hao?"
The prefecture city's You Ran House manager was surnamed Hao.
Zheng Ruqian nodded. The assistant went to inform him.
Standing on the landing, Zheng Ruqian happened to see Young Master Jiang from the county city speaking softly to a young girl - none other than Miss Jiang Third who had looked down on little Jiang Sheng last time!
Zheng Ruqian was disgusted and twisted his mouth before shifting his gaze away.
But he could still hear their conversation.
"Huan Huan, stop fighting with Father and Mother. No one knows what's true or false. As long as Father and Mother still dote on you, you're the Jiang family's legitimate daughter," Young Master Jiang gently persuaded. "Come back with me. Don't stay in Anshui anymore."
"No," Miss Jiang Third lowered her head in tears. "Big brother, what if I really am not a blood child? What if your real sister comes back? What will I do?"
"Silly girl, who else could my birth sister be but you? You resemble Mother so much." Young Master Jiang was extremely exasperated. "Don't listen to idle gossip. It's all fake."
"But Grandmother is already suspicious..." Miss Jiang Third sobbed.
Zheng Ruqian scratched his ear. He felt that rich families really had too many issues, even suspecting the legitimacy of their children. But it was none of his business.
Just then, Manager Hao beckoned to him from a private room doorway. Zheng Ruqian swiftly scurried over.
After an intense battle of words lasting about half a hour, the two emerged from the room.
Manager Hao was very surprised. He didn't expect this brat Zheng Ruqian to be so capable, not yielding an inch during their price negotiation.
Zheng Ruqian also felt lingering fear. He didn't anticipate Manager Hao to be such a cunning old fox, almost losing to him.
But they had reached an agreement on the vegetable delivery in the end.
Every month, Zheng Ruqian would deliver 5 carts of vegetables to You Ran House. It didn't matter where they were from or what kind. As long as they were fresh, it was fine.
But this would only last until the warmer days of spring. By then, local vegetables would be harvested and there would be no need for expensive exotic vegetables.
Manager Hao was truly shrewd, squeezing profits to the maximum.
But Zheng Ruqian also had his own little calculations. If the vegetables he delivered were exotic varieties that could never be found locally, You Ran House would have to find him if they wanted to make that dish.
Wouldn't the business continue indefinitely?
And the money keep rolling in?
Zheng Ruqian's sly mind bounced around as the big and small foxes signed the vegetable delivery agreement, smiling as they came downstairs.
Young Master Jiang from earlier was gone. The one accompanying Miss Jiang Third now was a girl in a goose-yellow dress.
"Your mother wants to find my father through me and get the Jiang family to recommend your uncle as the next Anshui prefect?" Miss Jiang Third resumed her arrogance and aloofness. "The current prefect will be transferred soon, but the Sun family wants that position. Shouldn't she be asking her in-laws the Fang family instead of us? What does she want with the Jiangs?"