Chapter 32: Chasing After Being Invited to Work in the State Capital, Qiu Yu...

Qiu Yuruo was naturally unwilling to be invited to work in the prefectural capital.

Having finally escaped from the Qiu family, why give up the life of being your own boss and not being bound by others, to work for someone else and have to follow their arrangements in everything, unless you're stupid?

She resolutely refused: "It is my honor that you would appreciate my cooking skills, but I cannot leave my home alone, so I can only decline your kind offer."

When the young master invited Qiu Yuruo to work as a cook in his home, his two maids knew exactly why.

If Qiu Yuruo refused outright, the maidservant advised, "Miss, you don't know this, but in our household, as long as you can catch the master's eye, you can get a reward that's higher than your monthly salary. Our old lady loves noodles, and the masters in the house are all filial. If you can win the old lady's praise, the masters will reward you!"

What she said was very appealing, but Qiu Yuruo was not only unmoved, she felt even more resistant.

The titles like "master" and "reward" are enough to make one's breath catch in their throat. If you were to work for them, it would be fine if you didn't do a good job, but if you did well, what if their master wanted to meet someone? Would you have to kneel down to them?

That kind of kneeling is different from kowtowing to the village elders during the New Year.

Qiu Yuruo felt a pain in her spine just thinking about it, and shook her head even more firmly, saying, "The family really can't be left alone!"

She refused again, but the maid still wanted to persuade her. However, before she could speak, a woman from Sujiazhuang returned from town and vaguely overheard the gist of the conversation.

No sooner had Qiu Yuruo finished refusing than she couldn't help but interject with advice: "Yuruo, it's something that avoids the wind and sun, saves trouble, and makes more money, why did you refuse it!"

When Qiu Yu looked at her, she saw nothing but sincerity in her eyes.

Qiu Yuruo felt that the places she absolutely shouldn't go to were actually the ones that were incredibly lucky to have fallen from the sky.

Qiu Yuruo: "..."

Well, everyone has different ideas, and they seem to be genuinely trying to be kind.

She could only give a specific reason: "Auntie, you know that my husband is sick and Yun Che is still studying. Without someone to take care of things at home, I really can't go out!"

The woman thought about it and realized it was true. If Qiu Yuruo went to the prefectural government, who would take care of her family? Even if Qiu Yuruo earned money and sent it back, who could guarantee that she wouldn't have other ideas after being away for a long time?

The woman regretted interrupting, slapped her forehead, and said, "Look at my brain, I forgot you couldn't leave!"

Okay, you go ahead with your work, I'll be going now.

The woman took a few quick steps, but slowed down after passing the food stall.

The young master and his entourage assumed that Qiu Yuruo was not yet married because she was currently in the awkward stage of puberty.

So even though she had a married woman's hairstyle, and because she had a handkerchief wrapped around her head, the young master and his companions assumed that she had covered all her hair to keep out the dust.

It wasn't until they heard her say that her husband was ill that they realized that the girl, whom the strong man had just called Miss Qiu, was actually already married.

She didn’t really care about getting married, but she said her husband was sick and was still selling food here. What if he passed away from his illness?

The maid's face immediately darkened: "You're going too far, boss! Someone in your family is sick, why are you still out selling food?"

Qiu Yuruo: "He can't get rid of illness. My husband just fell and fainted. He's not sick."

Maid: "Ah..."

It's rather embarrassing that you changed your expression so early.

However, her husband was in a coma, so it was indeed not suitable for her to leave home.

The young man thought the same thing: "Since the young lady's family cannot do without someone, I will not force her to do so."

Qiu Yuruo couldn't help but express her gratitude once again.

The young master had eaten noodles and drunk tea, and was in much better condition than when he got off the train.

The maidservant beside the young master took out a five-tael silver ingot, took Qiu Yuruo's hand and placed it in hers, saying, "Miss's noodles are exceptionally well-made; this is a gift from our young master."

The word "reward" quickly calmed Qiu Yuruo's excited heart. She silently thought to herself, "A large tip," before accepting the money with a smile, though in reality, she remained calm.

Little did she know that her behavior made the young master and his two maids feel that she was different from other country folk.

Regardless, it's really too much for someone to accept five taels of silver when they only used two pieces of firewood and a bowl of noodles.

Qiu Yuruo asked the maid, "Did you bring a container for soup? The young master finds the noodles delicious, partly because of the bone broth. I'll serve you some soup. Remember to let it boil twice more tonight, and use it again tomorrow."

The maid was a little conflicted. There was certainly a container for soup, but it was currently holding something else.

Seeing her expression, Qiu Yu said, "If you don't mind, I have a rough earthenware pot here. Would it be alright to fill it up?"

Earthenware pots are for holding things; no one would use them to eat directly, so there's no need to worry about them being unclean.

Since she didn't mind, Qiu Yuru filled a clay pot with more than half a pot of bone broth and added two pieces of bone, which were for the young master.

Then he took two jars of meat sauce and two packets of various pastries, and said to the maid, "These are nothing special, sisters, just try some country flavors."

The maid was generous with the money and didn't stand on ceremony. Qiu Yuruo was capable and had a skill that her young master admired, so the maid left her the address of the mansion and her own name, telling Qiu Yuruo to remember to look for her when she went to the prefecture.

After seeing the young master and his party off, Qiu Yuru put the matter out of her mind, but she never expected that the news would spread throughout the village.

The word naturally spread to the woman, but she only marveled at Qiu Yuruo's excellent cooking skills, saying that even nobles in the prefecture wanted to hire her as a cook in their homes.

After hearing this, most people in Sujiazhuang, like her, marveled at Qiu Yuruo's excellent cooking skills. However, people's hearts are inward-looking, and if Qiu Yuruo were to go out, what would happen to Su Yunting and his sister? Therefore, they did not want her to pursue this future.

However, this majority does not include Su Yunting's second uncle's family.

Last year, when Qiu Yuruo made money by opening a food stall at the village entrance, they felt very upset. Later, they even demanded rent for seventy acres of land from them, which made Uncle Su's family even more resentful.

When they paid the land rent, they regretted bringing back such a formidable wife like Su Yunting. They had offended a whole bunch of people, and in the end, they didn't even get any credit.

It was too late to regret it then. All they could do was curse her at home, saying she was just like Old Qiu, always trying to save face and pretending to be a good person. Everyone in the village had been kind to her, and it was impossible for them to get rid of her now.

They've been harboring resentment all winter, and now they've finally found their chance.

...

After a few days of warm weather, a sudden cold snap forced Qiu Yuruo to put her winter clothes back on.

That day, as she was warming herself by the stove, Aunt Su and an old woman from the village came over. That old woman was the one who had tried to ruin Qiu Yuruo's reputation the day after Qiu Yuruo married into the family.

These two were among the few people Qiu Yuruo in the entire Su Family Village whom she refused to acknowledge; she saw them but pretended not to.

The two women didn't seem to care at all that Qiu Yuruo was ignoring them. They stopped at the food stall, and the old woman took the initiative to talk to Qiu Yuruo: "Yuruo, aren't you busy right now?"

Qiu Yu didn't want to talk to her, but since the other person had already spoken, she couldn't just stay silent, so she replied indifferently, "Not busy."

Those two words were quite a surprise; the old woman immediately pulled Aunt Su over.

Qiu Yuruo: "..." What is she trying to do? Even if she wanted to buy cheap bone broth, it's only a little past noon, it's not the right time yet!

The old woman approached and said, "Yu Ruo, I heard that a nobleman from the prefecture wants to hire you as a cook, but you refused because you can't leave your family alone."

Qiu Yuruo didn't want to say a word to them anymore, and just looked at them warily.

The old woman nudged Aunt Su with her elbow. Aunt Su cleared her throat and said to Qiu Yuruo, "Going to the prefecture is something many people wouldn't even dare to dream of. Now that you have the opportunity, your second uncle and I are thinking that we can't let Yunting and the others drag you down."

We've discussed it. You can go to the prefectural capital, and we'll take care of Yunting and the others. We'll also manage the food stall for you.

You don't need to worry about anything at home; just focus on your work in the prefecture."

Qiu Yuru sneered inwardly. So they've come to take advantage of my food stall.

She said directly, "Our family affairs are none of your business. You should leave now."

Aunt Su: "Look at you, child! I'm Yunting's second aunt. How is meddling in your family's affairs considered meddling?"

The old woman who came with her also said, "Yes, Yu Ruo, family members shouldn't hold grudges overnight. Besides, you two didn't have any enmity to begin with. Your second aunt was thinking of helping you out, so don't be ungrateful!"

Qiu Yuruo's temper flared up instantly.

These past few days have been cold, and the once bustling official road has become deserted again, causing business to decline. My younger sister has also fallen ill due to the drop in temperature, and two days of medicine haven't helped.

In this era where a cold can be deadly, being sick and taking medicine without getting better is a truly life-threatening situation. Qiu Yuru was already worried when the two of them came over to cause trouble again.

Qiu Yuruo picked up the knife on the cutting board and gritted her teeth at them, saying, "Get out of here right now! We agreed that our two families would no longer have any contact. Now that you see that your food stall can support your families, you're trying to take advantage of it again. Go home and keep dreaming!"

Aunt Su and the old woman jumped back in fright at Qiu Yuruo. Seeing that she was only holding a knife and not coming closer, Aunt Su said, "You child, how can you not appreciate kindness? I meant well..."

Before she could finish speaking, Qiu Yuruo grabbed a knife, walked around the stove, and pretended to chop her.

When Aunt Su saw her come out with a knife, she screamed in fright and turned to run back into the village. The old woman next to her also ran back in fright.

Qiu Yuru controlled her speed and chased after them to the village entrance, where some people had already been startled out by their screams.

When Qiu Yu saw the neighbor come out, she put down the knife she was holding and squatted down to wail.

She's been keeping track of her finances every day lately, and she thinks she might not have enough money for two months' worth of medicine by the time she takes Su Yunting to the doctor next time.

My younger sister has been sick for the past two days, and her condition is worsening despite taking medicine.

Everyone in the family has grown taller, including Su Yunting who is lying down.

Yun Che also needs a certain amount of writing brushes, ink, and paper each month.

Each item required financial support. Qiu Yuru knew that the poor business was only temporary, but she still felt a lot of pressure.

Qiu Yuru broke down in tears, and her cries could be clearly heard from her home, which was just one house away from the street.

Su Yunting, who had never been conscious in the afternoon, suddenly regained consciousness.