Doing business?

Song Ning looked at the county magistrate, and Zheng Gaoyi explained, "This lady came from the capital and knows me. She heard that you are making soap and wanted to do business with you, so I brought her here."

Princess Jianing smiled and said, "My son knows Magistrate Xu. When I went to the county office yesterday, the magistrate gave me a few bars of soap that I had obtained from you. I found them useful, so I brought them back."

Upon hearing that they were after the soap, Song Ning immediately understood.

He's taken a liking to her soap.

He was introduced by the county magistrate, so he should be trustworthy.

"Madam, my soap workshop is not open yet. This product will not be usable for at least half a month after it is made. Would you be willing to wait a few days?"

“I’m willing to wait, don’t worry. I brought my things with me when I came, and I plan to stay here for a while.”

After saying that, he told the people outside the courtyard to start moving things.

Song Ning was dumbfounded. She said to wait a few days, but she didn't say to wait at her house.

Judging from this lady's appearance, is she planning to stay at her house permanently?

Zheng Gaoyi pulled Song Ning aside and whispered, "Er Ya, this lady comes from a very wealthy family. Her business is thriving. She's an old acquaintance of mine. Don't worry, she's absolutely reliable. Right now, in Tianxiang County, only your family is suitable to entertain distinguished guests. Of course, she won't stay for free."

As Song Ning watched the boxes being carried inside the courtyard, he felt as if he were seeing a second Lord Zheng.

They're really generous.

Liu Yuelan happened to be next door when she heard the commotion in her own yard. Thinking something had happened, she rushed back to check on the situation.

I was stunned as soon as I entered the courtyard.

She was only gone for a short while, what happened? Did her family suddenly become rich?

Looking at the people in the courtyard, Liu Yuelan walked to her daughter's side: "Er Ya, this is...?"

"Mother, this is the magistrate's friend. He's here to discuss business with us."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yuelan quickly bowed, but Princess Jianing was stunned.

This face... looks so alike.

Zheng Gaoyi coughed lightly, and Princess Jianing finally came to her senses.

"Madam, this is my mother."

"Oh, so it's Madam Song. I was rude earlier."

"Madam, you are too kind. You are an honored guest. I dare not accept such a title."

The house is almost full now, so Song Ning settled the people in the room she had previously prepared as a study.

"Madam Jiang, please stay here. The house is simple, but I hope you won't find it unpleasant."

Princess Jianing smiled kindly: "How could that be? I'm very satisfied."

The lady's personal maid brought in the things she had brought, including but not limited to bedding, changes of clothes, tea sets, and so on.

Song Ning suspected that this Mrs. Jiang had originally planned to stay at her house.

If she hadn't been introduced by the county magistrate, Song Ning would definitely have thought she had ulterior motives.

It seems like everything was planned.

But she didn't know any wealthy families from the capital. This lady wouldn't be plotting against her for no reason, would she?

After Song Ning left the room, Princess Jianing waved to Zheng Gaoyi.

As soon as she entered the room, Princess Jianing asked, "You already knew?"

Zheng Gaoyi nodded: "Yes, but... it should just look like her, it's not her, and the age doesn't match either."

Zheng Gaoyi also had his doubts, but Liu Yuelan is over thirty years old this year, so it's impossible for her to be Liu Yuelan.

When Zheng Gaoyi first met Liu Yuelan, he was stunned for a long time; she really looked so much like her.

Upon hearing this, Princess Jianing's doubts were not dispelled; instead, her brows furrowed even more deeply.

“Your Highness, I have inquired. Madam Song grew up in the village since childhood and has basically never been outside. She only came here last year when she was fleeing famine.”

The world is a vast and wondrous place, and it's not surprising that two people look alike.

However, as time went by, many people forgot one thing: the Xu family originally had two daughters...

Everyone continued with their work, while Princess Jianing sat in the pavilion, looking at the harmonious scene in the courtyard, which lifted her spirits.

Granny Qi went into the kitchen to make tea for Princess Jianing and asked with a smile, "Where is Madam Song from?"

"I am from Nanshan Village, Shanhe Town."

Do you have any siblings?

Liu Yuelan smiled faintly: "It used to be there... but now... it's gone."

......

When Granny Qi returned with the tea, Princess Jianing hurriedly asked, "How was it?"

Granny Qi whispered, "This old servant asked, and what Lord Zheng said was pretty much the same. But this old servant also asked about something else: Madam Song has a nickname, Yue Niang."

"Yue Niang..."

Is there really such a coincidence in the world?

Inside the house, Yunniang, her two companions, and Xiaomei were making hair ornaments.

However, Yunniang seemed a little distracted earlier.

"Yunniang, what's wrong?" Luo Yingying asked worriedly.

"Oh, it's nothing, I just didn't sleep well last night."

Yunniang tightened her grip on what she was holding and glanced out the window every now and then.

She never expected to run into Princess Jianing here.

She didn't know why the princess had come here; it seemed she was after Er Ya.

She touched her face. Fortunately, her face was now disfigured and her voice was different, so no one should be able to recognize her.

Now that things have come to this, she's too ashamed to go back...

In the backyard, Xiao Cui memorized over a hundred names.

Song Ning knows most of these people now, and she will consider them as long as they are not malicious.

In the end, seven capable women, four young girls, and four men were chosen, making a total of fifteen people.

Song Ning asked Xiao Cui to write down the selected names separately and then pass them on.

The selected people were so happy they didn't know what to say. Upon hearing that they were to gather at the Song family's house, these dozen or so people arrived early the next morning, afraid of making a bad impression if they were late.

Before construction began, there were some things Song Ning needed to explain.

"Before our workshop begins, there are a few things I'd like to say to you all."

"The business we're doing this time, like the braised food business, has a recipe. If the recipe is leaked, our workshop will be finished."

Although we are all from the same village and know each other well, even close brothers should keep clear accounts. For the benefit of both of us, I have prepared a contract. You can all listen to it first.

Xiao Cui took out the contract and began to read its contents to everyone.

The general idea is that the recipe must not be leaked. If the recipe is leaked, only the person who leaked it will be punished. If the person cannot be found, everyone will be held responsible, ranging from paying a hundred taels of silver to going to jail.

"The contract is written clearly. If everyone can accept it, we can sign it now. If you cannot accept it, I will not force you. Everyone is free to choose."

"Don't worry, we definitely won't tell, not even if our son asks." The speaker was Cui, the eldest daughter-in-law of Craftsman Li, who had hosted Song Ning when she visited the Li family last time.

“I also signed it. I’m just a woman, I don’t see many people on a regular basis, and I have nowhere to talk to.”

One of them took the lead, and the others followed suit, signing their names one after another.

They knew perfectly well that as long as Song Jia Er Ya could make money, they could make money too.

The women who made braised food for the Song family earned a good wage each month, and sometimes they even got to eat braised food themselves. They were incredibly envious.

If this recipe is leaked, it won't be easy for them to find a way to make money again.