Xu Zhiniang advised Xu Daya, "Silly child, the Fang family's actions are unkind. They think our Xu family is just country folk and should be manipulated by them. Everyone knows that important skills are passed down from father to son, not from father to daughter, let alone a secret recipe for making a fortune... You should relax. When the Xu family's shop expands and your family has more confidence, it won't be long before the Fang family tries to curry favor with our Xu family..."

Xu Zhiniang came to work for Xu Daya at the old lady's request.

Xu Daya was speechless, tears welling up in her eyes, still feeling extremely aggrieved. Xu Zhiniang talked for a long time, then left with a sigh.

The original owner wasn't close to either Xu Zhiniang or Xu Daya, so he went home after lunch. Brother Xu Lanzhou and Bili were having a good time, so they continued playing here.

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the Hu family's carriage arrived to pick up Xu Lanyin. Because the shop was opening the next day, Xu Dashi, Li, and Xu Lanzhou also boarded the carriage to make preparations.

When she arrived at the Hu family, Hu Yi was in better spirits, especially because her brother Hu Wan had returned, which made her very happy.

Seeing Xu Lanyin arrive, she first complained that she hadn't been to her house for a long time, then took out her embroidered curtain to show off her treasures. The white silk was dotted with tiny flowers from the grass, and two little ducklings crawled inside. Although it didn't quite fit the aesthetics of the time, it was unique, fresh, and lovely.

"It's really beautiful," Xu Lanyin praised sincerely, "Even if I embroider for another two years, I can't reach this level."

Hu Yi was so happy that she laughed and said, "Sister Xu is too modest." She then said proudly, "When the weather gets hot, I will hang this curtain at the door of my bedroom and watch the ducklings every day."

It looks so cute.

Xu Lanyin and Hu Yi sat hand in hand on the beauty couch and began to chat in private. This time, it was Hu Yi who spoke mainly, praising her brother's excellence and ability. She also said that her brother didn't want to study anymore, believing that he wouldn't pass the imperial examination, and that it would be better to expand the family business. Her parents initially disagreed, but were finally persuaded by her brother. In the future, her brother would live permanently in Jinzhou Prefecture, the provincial capital, and gradually expand the family business there...

She added with great regret, "It's a pity that my brother went to Jinzhou Prefecture yesterday to visit my maternal grandparents and his future in-laws, so you couldn't see him."

Xu Lanyin had always believed that Hu Wan was studying at the academy in order to take the imperial examination. Hearing that he had this intention, it seemed like he had acknowledged reality. If he couldn't pass the exam every time, he wouldn't be as good as making a name for himself in the business world...

Xu Lan was not sure what to say about Hu Wanduo, so she just listened to Hu Yi talking excitedly.

Hu Yi was doing very well; half a day with her was enough, and she didn't need to come every day. Xu Lanyin then showed her how to make a piggy doll, which was her "homework." After lunch, they left Hu's house and went to Xu's shop.

She was still riding in the Hu family's carriage. She lifted a corner of the curtain and looked out. The streets were bustling with people. Most of the shops were open, adorned with red silk lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere. In the cold wind, many children were contentedly eating candied haws. She thought about buying a few for Xu Lanting and Xu Yuan, the little brother and sister.

Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared in the distance. It was Zhao Wu, who had just come out of the Yiju Restaurant with two other men. The three men were drunk, their faces flushed, and Zhao Wu's expression was very respectful.

A man in his forties, dressed in black, must be Constable He. A man in his fifties, wearing a long grey cotton robe, looked very educated.

Xu Lanyin guessed that the man was most likely the medical examiner Zhao Wu had mentioned. However, it seemed that he was looking at Zhao Wu with the whites of his eyes, and Zhao Wu couldn't get close to him.

Xu Lanyin was full of respect for Mr. Tang. Forensic doctors were absolute intellectuals in the past, but their status was very low in ancient times.

Zhao Wu politely saw the two men off before turning and walking towards Xu's shop.

When the carriage passed by Zhao Wu, Xu Lanyin got off.

She laughed and said, "They just went out for a drink. Those two are Constable He and Coroner Tang, right?"

Seeing that it was Xu Lanyin, Zhao Wu smiled brightly and said, "Yes, it's Uncle He and Coroner Tang. Coroner Tang is very skilled and is often called in by the state government to help. He has participated in solving many major cases."

Xu Lanyin smiled and said, "You want to change your career and become a coroner again?"

Zhao Wudao said, "I don't think he'll be a coroner, but I want to hear him talk about big cases. It will be helpful for me to catch criminals in the future. I also want to learn a few tricks from him, so that I can... Alas, it's a pity that he doesn't think much of me. It was only Uncle He who insisted that he come to drink with me, and I didn't get to say much to him."

Xu Lanyin knew that Zhao Wu had always felt that his parents' deaths were suspicious and wanted to find out the cause of their deaths. Could it be that he wanted to open the coffins and perform an autopsy?

Seeing Zhao Wu's expression of regret, Xu Lanyin thought for a moment and said, "I've thought of something good. If I make it, the coroner will definitely like it." Then she asked, "Are you not going to the government office anymore?"

Zhao Wudao, "Uncle He asked me to go home and rest for three more days."

Xu Lanyin stopped and said, "Let's go to the market and see if there is anything I want to buy."

On the way, Zhao Wu said that Constable He would be home tomorrow, and he wanted to visit the He family. He also said he would give them two baskets of snacks and six taels of silver. The He family was a bit far, though, and even if he walked quickly, it would take an hour...

Six taels of silver was half a year's salary for Zhao Wu, so it was definitely a generous gift. However, it was worth it to be able to establish a good relationship with Captain He.

Xu Lanyin and Zhao Wu arrived at the market. The butcher stall actually had goat intestines, but only one set, a goat's head, and two pieces of neck remained. The butcher said it would be cheaper if they bought all of them, so Xu Lanyin bought them all.

Zhao Wu rushed to pay the money and took the straw rope used to tie the things.

On the way back, Zhao Wu asked in confusion, "Sister, what can these things do to please the coroner Tang?"

Xu Lanyin kept it a secret, "We can make soup with the sheep's head and neck, and use the sheep's intestines to make that thing. You'll know when it's done."

Zhao Wu didn't realize that Yang Chang seemed to be only capable of that kind of thing. His face turned even redder, and he said with wide eyes, "Sister, Tang Ju is already 52 years old, and I heard his wife died many years ago. If you make that thing for him, I'd be surprised if I don't get beaten."

Xu Lanyin thought of the ancients using sheep intestines to make condoms, and this naughty kid must have thought of that. She was so angry that she raised her hand to pull Zhao Wu's ear.

Zhao Wu quickly covered his ears with his hands and said, "We are on the street, sister, you can't grab me."

Xu Lanyin looked at the people around her, put down her hands and cursed, "You little brat, what are you thinking about? What are you thinking about? I'm not doing that!"

Zhao Wu really didn't like being called a child, so he pouted and said, "I'm an adult now, sister, you can't say that to me." He then asked, "If we don't make that thing, what else can sheep intestines do?"

Xu Lanyin said angrily, "I won't tell you." Then he said, "Tell me, how did you know about that thing? Did you go to an inappropriate place again?"

As soon as Xu Lanyin said that, she regretted it and quickly covered her mouth. She had become so comfortable with treating him as her elder that she actually thought she was his elder and even asked such a question.