"No, I need to save the little money I have to buy cosmetics and such. My mother-in-law doesn't give me any pocket money. If I give you this little money, I won't be able to do anything."

After hearing Su Peng's words, Jiang Jiaojiao refused outright.

"My darling, I'll pay you back when I earn more, no! I'll give you everything I earn, is that alright?"

"There's no room for discussion. Don't just jump on the bandwagon. Look at your uncle, how much profit does his dye shop make in a year? Business isn't that easy."

Jiang Jiaojiao changed the subject and refused to agree to Su Peng's suggestion.

After much pleading and cajoling, Jiang Jiaojiao remained resolute.

A mischievous smile crept across Su Peng's lips as he moved closer to Jiang Jiaojiao, pulling her into his arms and saying softly, "Who said my uncle didn't make any money? He's incredibly generous."

Seeing the two of them sticking together, Caiyan lowered her head and retreated.

With Caiyan gone, Su Peng's hands became restless.

Before long, Jiang Jiaojiao blushed and felt her heart pound. Her neck felt slightly cool as a large hand reached inside.

She glared at Su Peng playfully, "Don't... Caiyan went to get you some hot water, she'll be back in a bit."

She knew perfectly well why Su Peng was being intimate with her at this moment, but she couldn't resist his seductive advances; her husband was handsome, and she couldn't resist his allure.

Su Peng lowered his head and kissed her earlobe, his warm breath brushing against her neck.

Jiang Jiaojiao was dizzy from his teasing, but in the end she rationally grasped the large hand in front of her clothes.

She said softly, "My husband, we are of one mind. I also hope that our lives will get better and better. If you really want to hire someone to set up a stall, let's observe first and see if others can make money before making a decision, okay?"

Su Peng was overjoyed, "My darling has agreed to help me this time?"

Jiang Jiaojiao nodded.

She had her own plans. This business didn't require a shop; setting up a small stall wouldn't cost much. If others made money, she could too.

"I knew my darling would support me. Let me tell you the truth: my uncle also thinks this business is promising."

"real!"

Jiang Jiaojiao's worries vanished, and she put her doubts about the barbecue behind her.

Su Peng said seriously, "Of course it's true. My uncle has been running a dye shop for many years, and he's quite accurate in his judgment. You can't go wrong trusting him."

That night, Su Peng changed his usual cold demeanor and became much more enthusiastic towards Jiang Jiaojiao.

Hearing the commotion from the outer room, Caiyan felt a mix of emotions, as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, soaking her pillow. She lamented that her fate as a concubine was ultimately no match for the meager earnings of the principal wife.

...

The next day, Zhang Cai delivered the rabbit meat into the city and took it directly to the restaurant.

Following Jiang Shuyue's instructions, Hu Qing continued selling grilled meat skewers outside the restaurant for nearly two hours.

For three consecutive days, they sold out completely each day.

All the blacksmith shops in the capital were bustling with activity.

Jiang Shuyue picked up her tea and took a sip, saying, "Sell all the barbecue grills tomorrow. Manager Hu, you're familiar with the market, so rent a few rooms there. From now on, let Zhang Cai handle the rabbit meat business."

"What does Miss mean?" Hu Qing thought she had misheard.

Jiang Shuyue smiled faintly: "From now on, we don't need to set up stalls outside the restaurant. The restaurant can continue to operate as before, returning to its previous state."

Everything went better than she expected, and everyone accepted this new way of eating.

People in the capital who had nothing to do found a way to make a living, and the common people tasted the sweetness of animal husbandry. Their lives will surely get better and better.

This was not only his golden age, but also the golden age she had hoped for.

Hu Qing was quick to act and completed the task Jiang Shuyue had assigned him perfectly in just one day.

When Zhang Cai learned that he could stay in the capital to take charge of the meat rabbit business, he quickly shared the good news with the Zhuangtou couple.

The head steward looked serious after hearing this, "Miss has entrusted you with such an important task, so you must be careful, especially with matters of money. Do not do anything to betray Miss."

Zhang Cai put away his smile and said, "Father, don't worry, I understand. It's not easy to find such a good employer, and I will not embezzle any money."

"It's truly thanks to the blessings of our ancestors and the help of benefactors that our son has become a great manager."

Mrs. Cao smiled broadly, then looked at her silent daughter-in-law and said:

"Now that Miss has rented a shop with a backyard for you, and you have a place to stay in the city, you should bring Jinhua into the city as well."

As life got better and better, Cao began to plan for another grandchild.

Zhang Cai nodded honestly, "Manager Hu conveyed Miss's message. I'll be in charge of the rabbit meat and the restaurant's surplus vegetables. I'll be spending a lot of time in the capital, so you can bring Jin Hua along."

"Father-in-law, can I really go to the capital with you to live?" Jin Hua felt like this was a windfall, almost knocking her unconscious.

If I live in Beijing from now on, I'll be able to see my son more often.

Zhang Cai said definitively, "Didn't you understand? Miss had Hu Qing rent a shop with a backyard at the market."

The young lady specifically said those were for us to stay in. I've already checked them out; the back courtyard rooms can accommodate more than ten people, and if large communal beds are laid out, even more can fit. They have a well, kitchen, and everything else you need—just as convenient as here.

After Zhang Cai finished speaking, he looked at his second and third brothers.

The second brother, Zhang Man, immediately sat up straight. "Eldest brother and sister-in-law, you can rest assured about going to Beijing. I will arrange for people to handle the delivery."

Zhang Cai nodded in satisfaction. "Select some other useful people from among the villagers. I'm taking the few who are already working for me with me."

“No problem, I’ll just bring a few of my friends who often go up the mountain with me to chop firewood. They’re hardworking and they all want to earn money to get married.”

Zhang Man looked at his older brother with envy in his eyes.

These days, my elder brother has been frequently going to the capital, and his honest and simple nature seems to have changed somewhat.

Jin Hua and her mother-in-law exchanged a glance and then turned to look at Zhang Man.

"Second brother, you've reached the age to get married. I think the girls in the neighboring village are quite nice. If you take a fancy to any of them, tell your sister-in-law, and she'll ask a matchmaker to propose marriage."

Zhang Man smiled sheepishly and shook his head. "Thank you for your concern, sister-in-law. There are too many things to do on the estate lately, so I'm not in a hurry to discuss marriage."

"Are you telling the truth?"

Cao expressed her doubts, saying that recently several girls from across the river had been coming to the village, some to sell meat rabbits, and others to pester her second son with questions.

The third son, Zhang Qiu, chimed in, "Mother, I can vouch for you. What my second brother said is true. He's been so busy with Father that he doesn't have time to think about which girl is pretty."

The head of the village took a drag of his pipe and said expressionlessly:

"Tomorrow, the eldest brother and the eldest sister are going to the capital. Third brother, please help your second brother out. When he pays, you should keep track of the expenses, especially the bamboo skewers. Make sure you check the length carefully so you don't get them mixed up."

“Father, I understand. Even a fly is still meat. Miss has benefited several villages nearby, so we can’t let her suffer losses. Although the profit from bamboo skewers is small, it’s still income.”

Zhang Qiu nodded crisply in response.

"Hey! Is anyone inside?"

The family was having a lively conversation when they heard a girl's voice from outside.