Mu Yi'an returned to the county town. Steward Li was very efficient and had already bought servants who could drive the carriage.

"Madam, as you instructed, I have found someone who knows how to drive a carriage from the brokerage."

"Manager Li is very efficient. What's going on? Tell us."

After Mu Yi'an changed her clothes, Aunt Fang brought out the tea and put it down, then stood to the side.

Butler Li stood at the lower end, head slightly bowed, answering the lady's question.

“Madam, Zhao Wu is the man I brought back from the brokerage. He used to be a bodyguard at a security escort agency. He is agile and knows martial arts.”

"A bodyguard? How could he sell himself into slavery?"

Mu Yi'an didn't understand. These days, knowing some martial arts skills always gives you more options than the average person.

"I asked him. He was on a mission escorting goods when they encountered bandits. They lost the goods and one of the escorts died. He was also injured, especially his face, which was slashed and left a scar. The goods were lost and he needed to pay compensation. He was homeless and had grown up in the mountains. He only came down from the mountain after the old man who raised him passed away."

Unable to pay compensation and framed, he sold himself. He had previously worked as a guard in a wealthy man's household, but offended the manager and was sold. I happened to be at the brokerage firm looking for someone, and seeing he was quite large, I asked him a few more questions and learned the whole story.

Butler Li handed Zhao Wu's indenture to Sister Fang; his was also a death contract.

"Sounds good, Butler Li. Please pay close attention and offer some guidance."

"Understood, Madam."

After finishing his business, Butler Li left. Mu Yi'an was also tired after a long day and didn't want to talk about anything else. After dinner, she digested her food and prepared to go to sleep.

The next day, Mu Yi'an instructed Steward Li to find out about the business of the shops around the store and what goods the nearby residents needed on a daily basis.

Butler Li received the instructions and went out to run the errand.

Mu Yi'an went to her study, picked up a quill pen, and began to write and draw. She made simple plans for things on the estate, in the shop, and in Jiangjia Village, as well as personnel arrangements. She wanted to have a clear understanding of these matters.

After lunch, Butler Li came over to give his report.

Fang's wife took notes on the side, making sure she was fully informed and not completely clueless when asked.

“Madam, there are no dedicated vegetable shops near the shop. Most of the vendors sell their produce from shoulder poles. Across the street from the shop, there is a small market where farmers from the surrounding area come to buy vegetables and sell eggs and other items in the morning.”

Butler Li is quite reliable; he thought of everything that could be considered, which is quite comprehensive.

"Steward Li has done a great job, thank you for your hard work. Tomorrow, take Zhao Wu back to Jiangjia Village and send the people who were supposed to go to work on the estate there. Also, tell my third grandfather to have a cartload of agricultural products delivered every morning."

As for what goods are needed, you and my third grandfather can discuss it and see what the village currently has. Based on what you've learned today, we can draft a purchase order, with prices adjusted according to market rates.

Mu Yi'an knew that Butler Li had previously managed the shop, so he was well aware of these small matters.

"I understand, Madam. I'll go and find out more this afternoon and set the prices for all the items."

"Alright, go ahead and do it. Butler Li, I'd like to know, do you prefer managing the shop or staying at home as a butler?"

Subconsciously, Mu Yi'an still couldn't treat Butler Li and the others as commodities to be bought and sold; she saw them more as employees. Therefore, she would often give them a choice.

"Madam, I would like to stay at home and work as the housekeeper."

Butler Li was quite surprised; he hadn't expected his wife to give him a choice. He knew she was serious, not just being polite.

"Alright, you can decide for me. These days, there are things to do at home, things at the shop, and I occasionally have to go back to Jiangjia Village, so Steward Li might have to work hard. Once the shop is stable, you can be in charge of hiring a manager and a shop assistant."

"It's not hard work at all. Our family is very content and at peace with our lives now. Thank you, sir and madam."

Butler Li had had enough of the backstabbing and intrigue of the past. His current life was simple and peaceful. Even though he was much busier than before, he was happy with his work.

Mu Yi'an understood what Butler Li was thinking, so she told him to go about his business.

"Second sister-in-law, try my cooking. How does it taste?"

Jiang Qi brought in a small clay pot, which was still steaming and had a faint aroma.

"What are you making? You've really got some skills lately. I can even smell the aroma."

Mu Yi'an thought Jiang Qi was quite persevering. She had completely mastered Jiang Qi's book on herbs and knew it by heart.

"Red date and black chicken soup, I also added a little bit of herbs. Second sister-in-law, try it, is the herbal flavor too strong?"

Jiang Qi ladled out a small bowl and handed it to her second sister-in-law.

Mu Yi'an took it and drank a small spoonful of soup. To be honest, it tasted really good and wasn't greasy at all.

"Jiang Qi, you're ready to graduate. This black chicken soup is cooked to perfection. Study it more in your spare time, memorize the recipe, and keep it safe. If you're interested in the future, you can open a medicinal cuisine restaurant."

Mu Yi'an felt that nothing was impossible. Jiang Qi was only in her twenties, and she had a long road ahead of her. Just because she didn't want to remarry now didn't mean she wouldn't in the future. If she met the right person, there was nothing wrong with remarrying. This was ancient times, and people valued having many children and grandchildren so that someone would worship them after their death.

"Second sister-in-law, please don't tease me. With my cooking skills, it's fine for my own family to eat, but opening a restaurant is impossible."

Jiang Qi was actually somewhat insecure. She wasn't as pretty as her younger sister, didn't have any outstanding talents, couldn't have children, and now that she was divorced and returning home, she always felt inferior to others.

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