The crowd looked at each other, but no one moved.

Song Ning pointed to a servant boy beside him and said, "Go and fetch a brazier."

"yes."

The contracts of sale for these servants, maids, and girls are now in her hands, which means their lives are in her hands. No one dares to disobey her.

The brazier was quickly brought out, and without saying a word, Song Ning threw the indenture from the table into the brazier.

"Now you are free. You can leave or stay as you please, it's up to you."

"Of course, I will need some singers here in the future. If you want to stay, I will prepare employment contracts for you. We will be in a master-employee relationship, and you will still be free."

"If you want to leave, go upstairs now to pack your things and you can leave."

As soon as she finished speaking, some people began to tentatively go upstairs. When Song Ning did not stop them, they hurriedly left.

Someone took the lead, and seeing that Song Ning was sitting there without reacting, more and more people began to leave, until finally, out of more than a hundred people, only about twenty remained.

Most people have endured all the suffering of their lives in Qingyuefang and don't want to live any longer.

Zhao Qiao'er hasn't moved. Even if she leaves here, who knows where she can go?

She thought it better to stay here and find another way out, because she trusted Song Ning.

Are the rest definitely not leaving?

Everyone nodded, and Song Ning stood up with a smile: "Then you gentlemen can stay here for the next few days. Someone will notify you when the time comes."

After leaving Qingyuefang, Song Ning had the plaques outside taken down.

It's best to eradicate such harmful places as soon as possible.

Zhao Qiao'er chased after her from inside, running up to Song Ning with a smile: "Miss Song."

For the first time in three years, Zhao Qiao'er smiled, looking relieved: "Miss Song, thank you."

Song Ning smiled knowingly: "I didn't do it all for you. Fortunately, the outcome is good now. Perfect timing, I'll take you to see your mother."

Zhao Qiao'er's eyes were a little red: "Okay."

As the two left Qingyuefang, two people were watching them from a short distance away.

The man narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice clear and crisp: "Did Li Ji go back?"

"We've gone back; our people have been keeping an eye on things."

The man casually put his hands behind his back and said indifferently, "People like this don't need to live anymore. Let's get rid of them."

"clear."

The person behind him asked again, "Your Highness, the people in the capital have been urging us, asking when we will set off?"

The man's voice grew colder: "No rush. Send a message back saying that I am unwell and will stay in Huzhou for a while to recuperate."

"yes."

Watching the figure recede into the distance, the man murmured, "Er Ya, we'll see each other soon."

When Song Ning returned to the shop, everyone was stunned.

Didn't they just confess? Why are they back?

They packed their things and were ready to leave.

After escorting Zhao Qiao'er to the backyard, Song Ning chuckled, "I'm back, and everyone's unhappy?"

"No, no... Boss, how... how did you get back?"

To be honest, she didn't know how she got back.

This brings us to the mysterious person who appeared today.

She couldn't understand it; apart from Xie Linzhou, she shouldn't know any other remarkable people.

"The prefect probably thought I was in the right, so he released me and even gave me a building."

The Su family was so shocked their jaws nearly dropped. What? A gift...a house?

Regardless of whether what Song Ning said is true or not, the fact that the prefect did this is like the sun rising in the west.

Absolutely impossible.

"Well, anyway, I'm fine now. Our restaurant is open for business as usual after the renovation, so don't worry. Everyone, get back to work."

There are still many things left to do.

Everyone snapped out of their shock. Thank goodness everyone's alright...

This shop isn't very big compared to Xiangyunlou in Tianxiang County, but it should still have a large market potential in Huzhou.

Song Ning ordered a menu, which consisted of dishes she often saw in her previous life, all of which were quite common.

So, a few days before the opening, the shop held a tasting event.

Song Ning called all the girls from Qingyuefang over, and Su Xiuhong was so nervous during the tasting event that she broke out in a sweat.

Although she usually cooks at home, she has never cooked for so many people before. The pressure was so great that her hands were shaking as she held the spoon.

"Don't worry, I've tasted your cooking before, there won't be any problems. Let's just look at the menu."

Su Xiuhong nodded: "Yes."

The girls outside thought they had guests to keep them company, which was why they had been called over.

When the results came, they were told that they were invited to dinner.

Is there really such a job in this world?

Everyone began to feel uneasy and flustered, as they had never done such a thing before.

Song Ning knew that they used to play music for guests, drink with guests, and some even had to stay overnight with guests. They were not used to their current life for a while.

"I called you here today to taste the dishes. You have a mission: after you've eaten, tell me your thoughts on each dish and what you think is lacking."

One of the girls mustered up the courage to ask, "Is that all you do?"

Song Ning was taken aback, then asked, "Otherwise what? This is important. If we open a restaurant in the future, the menu will be the most important thing."

These girls still don't believe that Song Ning wouldn't make them accompany the guests.

After all, that way they could earn more money. Their previous employers would have made them spend time with ten men a day.

"Alright, when we eat later, just make sure you taste it properly and tell us your most honest feelings."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!