The leading official gave Lin Xiangzhi a deep look, and only after confirming that his height and facial features matched the description in the Yellow Register did he return the Yellow Register to him.
"This young master Jia also brought three attendants, whom I have arranged to stay next door."
The innkeeper, with a fawning smile, pointed to the rooms where Black and White and Impermanence lived.
Lin Xiangzhi smiled obsequiously and said, "That's right. I brought three attendants with me. They are all servants in my household. Their official records and indentures are with me. Would you like to take a look, sir?"
The leading officer waved his hand impatiently, "No need to investigate. Keep your servants in check. They are not allowed to move around outside after curfew. If they cause trouble, you won't be able to escape either."
"Please rest assured, sir, I will definitely keep them in check and will not cause you any trouble."
The inn registered the master's name. When a servant committed a crime outside, the officials would go to the master. Lin Xiangzhi was of course aware of this rule; he was just asking casually.
The leading officer waved his hand, "Two people go in and check."
Two people then emerged from behind that person.
"Please move aside, we are conducting a routine inspection."
Lin Xiangzhi quickly stepped aside with a smile, and the two officers looked around the room and reported to their leader, "They only brought their personal clothes, nothing suspicious."
Lin Xiangzhi's cheek muscles were stiff from smiling so much that the group of officials then headed towards other guest rooms.
When Zhu Xi came out of the shower, she saw that the clothes in the box were all messed up.
He shook his head and sighed, "Young master, this servant feels there's something wrong with this place. It's like a bandit's den. They're conducting random searches for no reason and even imposing a curfew. Even the capital isn't this heavily guarded."
Lin Xiangzhi rubbed his cheek. "You're right. Someone is feeling guilty. I can smell something guilty."
“They didn’t say what they were looking for, but I guess they’re looking for people from the capital,” Lin Xiangzhi said, walking towards the window.
Looking up, I saw a ship leaving the dock and heading west.
The horse-head lanterns at the bow and stern swayed in the night wind, flickering on and off, and soon disappeared into the river.
Lin Xiangzhi turned around and gave Zhu Xi a thumbs up, "As expected of someone I personally trained. That's right, there are still cargo ships going out at this time, there must be some shady business going on."
Zhu Xi grinned from ear to ear at the praise.
He tidied up the clothes that had been rummaged through and put them back in the closet.
Lin Xiangzhi yawned and walked towards the bed.
After finishing tidying up, Zhu Xi turned off the lights and went to rest.
To ensure Zhu Xi could sleep comfortably, Lin Xiangzhi specifically requested a room with two beds.
Neither Hei Bai nor Wu Chang, without Lin Xiangzhi's instructions, washed up and went to bed early.
...
With the Lunar New Year approaching, people in Beijing have begun preparing for the holiday.
Ordinary families have the habit of making dried meat, while many wealthy families only buy mountain produce to marinate.
On this day, Mei went to the East Market and saw a hunter selling mountain goods.
After purchasing the daily necessities, when they returned to the manor, the gatekeeper, Shuanzi, told them that the young lady had not left the manor.
She hurriedly walked towards Xingyue Courtyard.
"Miss, I see that some people are preparing for the New Year. What should we prepare for our manor?"
Reminded by Mei'er, Jiang Shuyue remembered the New Year's goods.
During the Lunar New Year, it's not just your own family that needs to prepare gifts; you also need to exchange New Year's gifts with relatives and friends.
Jiang Shuyue gets a headache every time she thinks about giving gifts.
It's impossible to send moisturizing cream and medicinal herbs every time; we need to come up with something new and exciting.
She thought for a moment and said, "Let's make sausages and some smoked bacon. That way we'll have something to give as New Year's gifts this year."
"I've never seen sausages or smoked bacon before. I'll go ask the cook later."
"No need to ask, they may not have eaten it before either. I'll write down the recipe and method. You just need to buy the ingredients and give them to the cook."
Hearing that the young lady needed paper and pen, Qiuju put down Xue'er and hurriedly went to fetch them.
"Miss's idea for cooking is novel, and this servant is in for a treat."
When Jiang Shuyue wrote a full page and read it aloud, Mei'er was dumbfounded.
"Miss, is the pig intestine you mentioned really edible?"
Let alone pig small intestines, nobody eats pig large intestines either.
Jiang Shuyue handed the written recipe to Mei'er, "Don't be surprised, just buy the ingredients I told you to. I'll explain the cooking process to the cook."
Among the cooks in the kitchen, only one was literate. Jiang Shuyue was worried that even the cooks wouldn't fully understand the recipes written by her, so she would have to teach them to them personally.
Just like when making beef jerky and dried radish, she could describe it verbally, and the cook could understand it, and the food she made would satisfy her.
Mei'er took the paper and read it. Apart from Qiuju, she and Lan'er were the most literate among the maids in the mansion.
Under the young lady's guidance, the two girls were able to fully understand travelogues and storybooks. If they didn't recognize a few words, they would write them down and ask the young lady for help.
"Pork and seasonings are easy to buy, but we don't have pig intestines. Nobody eats those; the butchers just throw them away. I'll send someone to tell the butcher to save some for us tomorrow."
After Mei'er left, Jiang Shuyue said to Qiuju, "Let's go to the restaurant too."
"Miss, do you want to see what dishes Zhang Man sent? That's good. The academy will be on holiday soon. Let's see if there are any dishes that Sui Sui likes, and we'll bring them back in a little while."
Jiang Shuyue shook her head, "The fresh vegetables were ready, and Zhang Man delivered them directly to the manor. There's no need for us to go and get them."
“This servant is worried that Zhang Man is not familiar with the capital. Without his elder brother to lead the way, he may not know which street the Jiang residence is on.”
As Qiuju spoke, she went back into the house to get her cloak. Jiang Shuyue thought about the recipes for sausages and smoked bacon and decided to send a portion to Hu Qing as well.
She quickly wrote another one.
After Cangyun and Mei'er left the mansion, Jiang Shuyue still called Gao Mu to escort the two to Juxian Pavilion.
"Miss has arrived." As soon as the carriage came to a stop, Hu Qing greeted her with a big smile.
Hu Qing helped set up the stool and then smiled and gestured for her to proceed, saying, "Miss Qiuju's complexion is getting rosier and rosier."
Qiu Ju is often teased by Mei'er and Lan'er, and she's not as thin-skinned as before.
She touched her face and said playfully, "I seem to have gained weight. Manager Hu has managed the restaurant well, and Miss has taken good care of me, making me plump and healthy. Manager Hu, keep up the good work and strive to double the profits next year."
"Thank you for your kind words, Miss Qiuju. I will do my best."
Hu Qing smiled and bowed, while Jiang Shuyue and Qiu Ju walked towards the restaurant.
Hu Qing smiled and looked at Gao Mu, "Your husband's tongue is getting sharper and sharper. No wonder he's the housekeeper of the Jiang family."
Gao Mu said with a serious expression, "It's all thanks to Miss's excellent teaching. To be honest, Manager Hu, I also admire my wife."
Hu Qing was taken aback, then the two of them burst into laughter.
Once inside the restaurant, Jiang Shuyue knew that Hu Qing was meticulous in everything he did, so she no longer went around inspecting everything as she used to.
He took Qiuju and sat down at a table in the waiting area of the lobby.
The waiter in charge of greeting guests in the lobby quickly stepped forward, bowed, and then served tea.
Hu Qing stepped forward and asked, "Miss, have you come to keep your appointment today?"
Jiang Shuyue looked around. "Whose appointment are you going to?"
Hu Qing smiled and pointed to the second floor, "In the private rooms."
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