The next day, Fan Baoyun indeed brought Qian Shiniu Village to find him.

“Chunmei, the Du family said they can do as you say, but you have to go to the city and let them try it.”

"Then I'll cancel the order for the twelfth month first. That's a birthday banquet with fifty tables, and I'll lose three hundred coins directly from it. Did the Qian family ask you to bring it?"

Xia Chunmei always talked about money, which Fan Baoyun looked down on, thinking she was too mercenary.

However, in order for the plan to proceed smoothly, Fan Baoyun suppressed her displeasure and took out the four hundred coins she had prepared: "Three hundred coins are to compensate for your loss, and one hundred coins are for you to give to your guests."

Xia Chunmei refunded the client double the deposit, and the client was quite happy, as it was equivalent to making fifty coins for free, and more importantly, it didn't interfere with his business.

As for the few people who worked with Xia Chunmei, they didn't work at the banquet on the 12th, but Xia Chunmei still gave each of them twenty-five coins. However, she gave them to Zhaodi behind her back, afraid that she was too young and wouldn't keep her mouth shut.

They felt embarrassed to take the money if they hadn't done any work.

Xia Chunmei said, "There's nothing to be embarrassed about. If it weren't for the Du family interfering, everyone would have made money on the 12th. This money is compensation from the Du family. Hurry up and take it."

The group reluctantly accepted the money, feeling grateful to Xia Chunmei. In truth, they had no choice but to accept it if Xia Chunmei didn't share it with them.

Fan Baoyun returned to the Fan family.

Madam Fan immediately stepped forward and asked, "Did she agree?"

Fan Baoyun nodded and said, "I agree, but that brat is really shrewd; she won't suffer the slightest loss."

When Madam Fan heard that Xia Chunmei had agreed to go to the Du family, she breathed a sigh of relief and chimed in, "She's clever, so I originally wanted to match her up with your brother Tianming."

Fan Jiangshi was shrewd in her calculations. Although she didn't like Xia Chunmei, she recognized Xia Chunmei's abilities.

Adhering to the principle of keeping the benefits within the family, he plotted against Xia Chunmei and her nephew Jiang Tianming.

However, after hearing her plan, Jiang Tianming refused to cooperate and instead advised Fan Jiangshi and his parents not to be so despicable as to harm a young girl.

Furious, Madam Fan had no choice but to change her mind and alter her plans.

Early in the morning of September 12th, after breakfast, Xia Chunmei and her niece went to the Du family with Fan Baoyun.

This was Xia Chunmei's first time in the city, and also the first time the original owner of this body had entered the city since she regained her memories.

Xia Chunmei had heard before that there was a fee to enter and leave the city, but this time she saw it with her own eyes.

People pay one coin to enter or leave the city each time. Large animals also have to pay to enter or leave the city. For example, large livestock such as cattle, mules, and donkeys pay two coins to enter or leave each time, while horses pay five coins to enter or leave each time.

What does it mean to be worse than an animal?

This is what it means to be worse than an animal.

Zhaoling County is a large county, so there were quite a few people queuing to enter and exit.

What impressed Xia Chunmei most was that there was no sign of cutting in line, whether entering or leaving the city; everything was very orderly.

After entering the city, it took about half an hour to walk before Fan Baoyun led Xia Chunmei and her niece into the Du residence.

Upon arriving at the Du residence, Xia Chunmei felt an oppressive atmosphere.

Such a heavy yin energy is rather unusual.

"Sister-in-law Zhou, these are longevity peach buns that you've made," Fan Baoyun introduced.

Aunt Zhou looked Xia Chunmei up and down, her gaze exactly the same as the one Li Yu had given Xia Chunmei back then.

Aunt Zhou then said, "Then come with me to the kitchen."

"Chunmei, Aunt Xia, I have something to do, so I won't go with you. Sister Zhou is a very nice person. If you have any questions, just ask her."

After saying that, Fan Baoyun left.

Xia Pingan quickly followed.

For some time now, Xia Ping'an had been following the Fan family. Today, they were going to commit a crime against Xia Chunmei, so Xia Ping'an came along.

Xia Chunmei and her niece followed Zhou's wife to the kitchen.

"Sister Zhou, my longevity peach buns are made with a family secret recipe. Please clear the area."

Hearing Xia Chunmei's words, everyone in the kitchen was unhappy. However, since Aunt Zhou was probably in charge, once she spoke, everyone in the kitchen, no matter how unhappy, obediently left.

Xia Hongfen stood guard at the door.

Xia Chunmei only kneaded two and a half jin of flour. Now that the weather is cold, the dough ferments slowly, and it wasn't until noon that the thirty longevity peach buns were ready.

"It looks so much like it."

"It looks so delicious, I want to eat it."

"How on earth was this made?"

...

Upon seeing the lifelike longevity peach buns, Aunt Zhou, Fan Baoyun, and the rest of the Du family were all dumbfounded.

"Miss Xia's skills are truly well-deserved."

"Sister-in-law Zhou, you flatter me."

"Miss Xia, now that the longevity peach buns are ready, please take them and come with me to see my mistress."

After saying that, Aunt Zhou said to Xia Hongfen, "You just wait here for now."

Xia Hongfen was a little worried when she heard that she couldn't go with Xia Chunmei.

Xia Chunmei gave her a reassuring look: "Auntie, just wait here, I'll be back in a bit."

Afterwards, Xia Chunmei carried the longevity peach buns and followed Aunt Zhou to see Madam Du.

After walking for a few minutes, Aunt Zhou led Xia Chunmei into a secluded and somewhat dilapidated courtyard. It didn't look like the place where a matriarch of the household should live.

"Sister-in-law Zhou, you've worked for the Du family for many years, haven't you?" Xia Chunmei asked her.

"It's been almost ten years."

"It's been so long, Zhou Sao, do you think I still have a chance?"

Aunt Zhou smiled and said, "Take advantage of this opportunity. I think you have a great chance. Madam will be here soon. Please wait here for a moment. Someone is calling me from outside. I'll go out for a bit."

After saying that, Aunt Zhou turned to leave, but the moment she turned, she felt a sharp pain in the back of her neck and immediately lost consciousness.

Looking at Aunt Zhou lying on the ground, Xia Chunmei smiled and said, "But I think you don't have a chance anymore."