Jiang Jiaojiao, who rarely returns to her parents' home, saw a spectacular scene in front of the blacksmith's shop as she walked out of the alley.
What are those people doing?
Caiyan was curious, so she went over to watch.
"Master, I'm the third one to arrive, please don't mess up the order." A man with his hands tucked into his sleeves craned his neck and shouted inside.
"What are you yelling about? I was the first one here and I didn't even get my goods. You all better step aside and wait."
At this moment, the blacksmith stopped his work and said to everyone, "I know how to make the iron frame you want."
"The barbecue grills in Juxian Pavilion were all custom-made by me. I don't have any ready-made ones here; it's not something I can rush to make in a short time."
"What should we do? I'm waiting to use it to make a living!" someone asked.
The blacksmith pointed to a dark table by the door.
“There’s a piece of charcoal up there. Whoever can write, write your names on the wall one by one. I won’t take the deposit. I can only make one iron frame a day at most. You can come and pick up the goods yourselves.”
A thin, middle-aged man glanced at the wall, its original color now indistinguishable, and said unhurriedly:
"What's the use of writing your name down? If someone impersonates you with a different name, you won't be able to tell the difference, Master."
“What you say is absolutely right, sir. Even the master might not be literate. We should come back to queue up again tomorrow.”
The blacksmith remained noncommittal, turned around and threw a piece of firewood into the stove, then pulled the lamp box with both hands, making a whooshing sound.
If he were educated, why would he be doing this backbreaking work?
"What can we do? There's no hope today. We'll try again tomorrow."
"Even if you come tomorrow, it won't be your turn. I was the first one to place an order."
Everyone argued back and forth, refusing to give in.
Soon after, the clanging sound of blacksmithing came from the shop.
Caiyan overheard most of everyone's conversation.
She turned and walked towards Jiang Jiaojiao.
"Young Madam, these people are all arguing over buying barbecue grills."
She also knew that Juxian Pavilion's barbecue had caused a sensation in Beijing.
She scoffed dismissively, "Has everyone gone mad today? He's just a stinky meat skewer vendor, what's so special about him?"
These people are so stupid. They were completely fooled by that bitch Jiang Shuyue. They'll realize they've been scammed when they can't make any money anymore.
“The young mistress is right. They say the recipe is very simple and easy to learn. No matter who asks, the manager of Juxian Pavilion will generously share it. I don’t believe that a pie will fall from the sky.”
Jiang Jiaojiao glanced at Caiyan indifferently, "They say all merchants are cunning, but if the shopkeeper is so kind, look at the house that slut lives in."
"It's even more luxurious than the mansion of a first-rank official! How could she have so much money to buy such a house if she hadn't cheated and swindled!"
Jiang Jiaojiao had never been inside Jiang Shuyue's residence, but once she passed by the gate of the Jiang family mansion.
Looking at the tall and magnificent gate tower, she felt both curious and jealous. She pretended to go to Qingyunzhai to buy books, and while in the bookstore, she would occasionally glance towards the Jiang residence.
Seeing her appearance, the waiter at Qingyunzhai cupped his hands and asked with a smile, "Miss, do you know the master of the Jiang family?"
Jiang Jiaojiao, like a thief whose thoughts had been exposed, quickly shook her head, "I don't know it. Look at that tall gate and high walls, this house must be worth a lot of money."
"Of course. I was fortunate enough to go inside when the previous owner of this house was still alive. Inside, there were pavilions and waterside terraces, and covered corridors. The pillars inside were so thick that one person couldn't wrap their arms around them. It was very grand. Even the former Prime Minister's mansion was not as luxurious as the Jiang mansion."
The more the waiter boasted, the more upset Jiang Jiaojiao felt.
Ever since Caiyan became a concubine, Jiang Jiaojiao has not been as warm towards her as before.
Caiyan also sensed this; no matter what Jiang Jiaojiao said, she had to agree with her.
Today, while Jiang Jiaojiao was talking to Aunt Yang in the side courtyard, Caiyan overheard the cook talking about the barbecue at Juxian Pavilion in the kitchen.
She specifically asked the cook if she had tasted it, and the cook said she couldn't bear to buy it. Based on her experience in cooking, she knew it would taste good just by smelling it.
Caiyan isn't stupid; everyone's lining up to buy it, so how could it not be delicious?
Jiang Jiaojiao knew perfectly well that if the food wasn't good, why would people be so addicted to it, not only eating it but also setting up stalls to sell it themselves?
On the way back, Jiang Jiaojiao tried to convince herself, "That bitch knows medicine, she must have added poppy powder to the seasoning, otherwise why would everyone be so intoxicated by it?"
"Yes, that's possible. Everyone bought them and ate them while they were hot. Without evidence, the government can't do anything about it." Caiyan spoke in a low voice.
She clearly didn't believe Jiang Jiaojiao's story; the cook said she could smell cumin even from a distance.
She made up her mind that when she met with her son-in-law privately the next day, she would persuade him to buy a few skewers so she could try them.
Jiang Jiaojiao used to give her a small monthly allowance, but since she started serving her son-in-law, several days have passed since the monthly allowance was paid, and Jiang Jiaojiao has kept quiet about it.
Things are different now. She and Jiang Jiaojiao have drifted apart, and Caiyan doesn't dare to ask about the monthly allowance.
Her indenture was still in Jiang Jiaojiao's hands.
She was afraid that if she angered Jiang Jiaojiao, Jiang would take the opportunity to sell her off.
She wanted to cling to her son-in-law's coattails and give birth to a child to secure her place in the Su family.
Although the Su family was not wealthy, the son-in-law at least had something to do, and by tightening his belt, they could still make ends meet.
Compared to being sold to those filthy places, following the son-in-law means there's always a chance to get ahead.
The son-in-law neglected Jiang Jiaojiao, but was passionately enthusiastic towards her, as if he had inexhaustible energy. Thinking of this, Caiyan felt warm inside.
At dusk, Su Peng went straight to the east courtyard after returning from the dye house.
In the east courtyard, Su Zhengxing was talking to Madam Qin about the grand occasion of Juxian Pavilion.
"Fate is cruel. Yueya refused to acknowledge us, otherwise we could have benefited from this immense wealth."
Madam Qin sighed, "Indeed, I don't know if the woman named Yue Niang is really not that damned girl, or if she is pretending to be crazy and deliberately ignoring us. Thinking about this, I can't sleep at night."
As she spoke, Qin Shi stared intently at Su Zhengxing, "Master, why don't you try again? What if that brat regrets it? Then we can have a whole bunch of servants again."
"No, no, no, Madam, you didn't see how heartless she was. She really wanted to send me to the authorities."
Su Zhengxing still feels lingering fear when he recalls what happened in the restaurant.
"Dad! Mom! I'm back! Did you know that Juxian Pavilion is selling barbecue? Even my eldest uncle is envious."
Su Peng stepped into the east courtyard with one foot, and before he even saw Su Zhengxing and Qin Shi, he started shouting loudly.
"What are you yelling about! Your mother and I aren't deaf. Everyone's talking about it in the streets and alleys, how could we not know?"
Su Zhengxing recalled his colleagues talking animatedly, and how someone who knew how to do accounting roughly calculated that Juxian Pavilion was making a fortune every day.
The son's shout broke the hearts of both Su Zhengxing and Qin Shi.
Seeing the God of Wealth right in front of you but being unable to grasp him is more painful than losing your parents.
Su Peng walked to the brazier, rubbed his hands together, and said excitedly, "Father! Mother! Your son has an idea. Would you two be interested in hearing it?"
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