Chapter 35

"Hmm? Why not? If Second Young Master doesn't become successful in the future, that's fine. But if he does, considering how hard I've worked to take care of you, wouldn't it be reasonable for you to support me?"

"Alas, I'm different from you. I have no one to rely on. When I get old, I'll just want to die peacefully. What's wrong with that?"

“…”

"Hey, what's with that look in your eyes? Don't give me any other moral truths, I won't listen. I just want to make some legitimate money, without stealing or robbing, so that I can have a comfortable retirement. I haven't done anything to let you down except for your money."

"In other words, if I'm a worker and I don't want money, what do I want?"

“…”

Jun Qingmo fell silent. Ever since he came into contact with Zhang Yunniang, the number of times he was speechless had increased dramatically. He had read many books by sages and learned many profound principles, but he was always left speechless by an illiterate person.

He really didn't know how to deal with such an honest scoundrel. He could only remain silent and didn't know what to say.

Jun Qingmo was so shocked at that time that he urinated in a very cowardly manner.

At this time, Jun Qingmo had already gotten used to it.

He opened the booklet and saw some scribbles at the front and his handwriting at the back.

Ever since he saw this little book, Zhang Yunniang asked him to help write it.

What else can I do? Of course I will follow her.

Now, half of the book has been recorded.

Lanzhi had woken up a long time ago. She stood in front of the window, looking at the scene in the yard, her eyes filled with sadness.

After the sadness, there is annoyance.

After the annoyance, I felt a little relieved.

Just watching, gradually, I felt a sense of relief.

She came out and greeted them both.

"Mr. Jun, Miss Zhang."

"We don't have those rules here, just be natural. Did you have a good rest last night?"

The girl's eyes were red and swollen. Zhang Yunniang had heard her crying most of the night and thought that she might not have gotten a good rest. "I'll cook later. You go back to sleep."

"I'm already very grateful that you can take me in. Once I'm done washing up, I'll go cook."

Lanzhi lowered her head and eyes, said goodbye and left.

Zhang Yunniang shrugged her shoulders. Since someone else was doing the work, she could be lazy and why not?

"Well, since you took her in, you should pay her. How much is a suitable monthly salary?"

"You can make the decision on these matters."

Jun Qingmo nodded. It was true that he couldn't let people work for nothing. He was only responsible for earning money, and how to spend it was entirely up to Zhang Yunniang.

There is one more mouth to feed. Although making a living is not difficult now, we cannot slack off in the important task of earning money.

Over there, Lanzhi finished washing up and was about to cook, but Zhang Yunniang called someone over.

"Since we're staying here, we have to follow the rules. We need to sign a contract to work here. Is that okay with you?"

Lanzhi shook her head. As long as she could stay, she didn't care about anything else.

"The initial service period is two years. Upon expiration, both parties have the right to choose whether to renew. If agreed to renew, the term will continue for two years. Upon expiration of the second term, an open-ended contract will be signed. If termination is required, 30 days' notice must be given."

"The monthly salary is 500 wen, including food and lodging. The monthly salary will be increased by 50 wen each year. During festivals, there will be an allowance of 50 to 100 wen, depending on the size of the festival. My son is currently financially strapped, so I can't promise any other benefits. Naturally, the salary won't be as good as your previous one. If you agree and sign the contract, you'll have to work hard."

Jun Qingmo listened to Zhang Yunniang's arrangement and didn't think it was inappropriate. Instead, he felt that she was thoughtful. He very conscientiously followed the instructions and began to write the contract.

Lanzhi looked at Zhang Yunniang blankly. She didn't know what this feeling was.

From the other party's perspective, she was obviously desperate and was taken in by kind people. As long as she was given food, it would be good enough. But now she was arranged so well. She opened her red and swollen eyes, said nothing, and signed the contract.

"Alright, welcome to join us. After dinner, we'll clean out an empty room in the east wing and buy a bed and cabinets. We'll settle down temporarily. We'll slowly add anything else we need later."

"Miss Zhang, thank you."

"You don't need to thank me. It's the young master's money that's being spent. I'm also a worker."

Seeing the people's puzzled eyes, Zhang Yunniang explained: "The house is mine, but I work under him, and our wages are all earned by him. Don't worry, the wages are enough for now. When we can't make ends meet, we can change jobs together. If you find a good place, remember to take me with you. Okay, okay, let's go cook."

"......" Jun Qingmo went to the study in silence. He wanted to make money quickly.

It’s urgent to make money! It’s urgent!

Hurry and add more!

I'm being asked to pay back debts every day, and I'm afraid of the lice even if I have too many of them.

The method of writing storybooks is too limited. It is based on labor income. If he does not write, he will have no source of income. It can be used as an initial accumulation, but it is not a long-term solution. He still has to find a way to make money from money.

The idea of ​​opening a women's entertainment venue popped up in my mind again.

There are especially many places for men to enjoy, such as red-light districts, brothels and brothels, but there are no special entertainment venues for women except for some public places such as teahouses, theaters, restaurants, cosmetics and clothing stores.

Women are responsible for the household affairs and contribute no less to the family than men. They should not be burdened by the affairs of the living room and have the right to please themselves.

He thought that he lacked an opportunity. He did not have enough capital and a strong background, so he had to find a way to find a backer.

Otherwise, even if he did it, he might not be able to keep it.

Perhaps, he can still think about his career path?

When this thought flashed through his mind, he was shocked. As expected, after being tortured by Zhang Yunniang for so long, he had become eccentric. A person with a disability, especially one who had difficulty walking.

But what if I fail?

Apart from the cold words of others, what else does he have to lose?

Now, why should he be afraid of those gossips? He will just become the topic of conversation and jokes for others after dinner. But what does it matter? He has been embarrassed enough, so he has too many lice to be afraid of.

Well, let him take the exam, so what?

Zhang Yunniang didn't know that in just a short while, Jun Qingmo had already made up his mind to take the imperial examination.

Lanzhi was previously the head maid in the mansion, and was only responsible for taking care of Xu Shuying personally. She had never done any low-level labor.

Now looking at the room full of cooking utensils, she wanted to but was powerless, and suddenly felt a little helpless.

Zhang Yunniang saw that she didn't move for a long time, and she understood that it seemed that she couldn't cook either.

"I'll do it. You help me add some firewood first. You'll get the hang of it after watching more."

This was indeed true; Jun Qingmo had learned it after seeing so much. The space in front of the stove was too small, and it was inconvenient for him to sit in a wheelchair, so he had not yet done the work of adding firewood, but he had done a lot of cooking.

She lit the fire and asked someone to go to the stove to help add firewood.

Lanzhi studied very seriously. She added a few pieces of firewood and stood up to see what Zhang Yunniang was doing.

They would also be very tactful and go pick vegetables together.

However, he rarely spoke, and there was always a sense of sadness hanging over him, so thick that it could not be dispersed.

Zhang Yunniang tried to communicate with him, but he either shook his head or said nothing. So she let him digest it himself.

After Lanzhi came, she had more free time.

Lanzhi was born with great looks. Perhaps it was because she was influenced by Xu Shuying and learned the etiquette and rules. Even though she was wearing coarse linen clothes, she looked like a lady from a wealthy family.

The most important thing is that she is very hardworking and always eager to do anything. Her graceful figure dances in the room, in the yard, and in the corridor.

If there was nothing to do, he would sit alone under the eaves with his head down, waiting for instructions.

With such a beauty beside her, Zhang Yunniang would often be mesmerized just by looking at her. It was truly too pleasing to the eye.

They were all girls working together. Although she was very quiet, it didn't affect her mood at all.

When she saw someone feeling lonely, she would call them over and ask them to help her tend to the flowers and plants she had just planted, asking them to water them or hand them tools.

The landscaping next to the fish tank has not been completed yet and currently looks bare.

But inside the fish tank, aquatic plants have slowly begun to grow. She put a few small fish and shrimp fry in it, and it looks like a small underwater world. The ecosystem has formed a cycle, and the water inside is clear and has no odor.

Sometimes when Zhang Yunniang passed by, she couldn't help but lie on it to watch the small fish swimming and eating, and the small shrimps fighting inside.

Lanzhi also seems to like this place very much. Whenever she has time, she will stare at the fish tank.

When Jun Qingmo took a break, he could see two people lying on the fish tank with their heads touching, staring intently.

Zhang Yunniang couldn't help muttering non-stop. The person next to her was a loyal listener. He didn't respond and seemed not to have heard what others said.

At this moment, the two of them watched two goldfish fighting over a small piece of fish food. Both sides were biting it tightly, but they didn't have teeth to bite it off, so they just climbed and bit from one side to the other in the fish tank.

Lanzhi rarely spoke up, "It's like a painting, beyond words."

"Painting, that's right!" Zhang Yunniang was immediately inspired when she heard it. She was worried that the landscaping around the fish tank was too simple.

She took out the previously discarded scroll and started cutting it with scissors, leaving only the frame around the scroll and cutting out all the painted areas inside.

She framed the fish tank in the painting, with one end of the scroll near the gate elevated high, and the other end near the courtyard laid on the ground, as if she wanted to make the fish tank a part of the painting.

Lanzhi didn't understand what she was going to do, so she just watched from the side and helped a little.

After a morning, the prototype of this landscape was formed.

There is no rush to refine the details. Zhang Yunniang still needs to select suitable flowers and plants to match them.

The entire landscape is like a slowly unfolding scroll, with a very clever design that is pleasing to the eye.

"Lanzhi, look, does this look good?"

"You lie down over there and watch, and I lie down over here and watch. It won't affect our view at all."

Lanzhi followed her example, putting her hands on the fish tank and looking at the reflections of the two people inside.

She had been puzzled since the beginning: "Why does the scroll open from the outside in? When I come in from outside, can't I only see the back of the scroll?"

"The landscaping is for us to see, why should it face outwards?"

Zhang Yunniang gestured, "The young master's study is over there, and you can see it as soon as you open the window. This is your residence, and you can also see it if you open the window. This is where the young master and I live, and we can also see it as soon as we open the window. As long as we are at home, we can see it anytime, anywhere. How wonderful! I carefully selected this location."

"But if a guest comes in through the courtyard gate, won't it seem disrespectful?"