Zhao Wu, carrying a bulging bundle on his back, pulled Caiyan along and hurried out of the city.
Every morning, when the city gates are busiest, the two quickly disappeared into the crowd.
Two days later, the helper at the barbecue shop came to the Su family after finding the door locked.
When Jiang Jiaojiao learned that Zhao Wu and Caiyan had both disappeared, her legs went weak and she almost lost her balance.
How dare she?
Jiang Jiaojiao felt her head buzzing, as if a thunderclap had exploded in her ear.
With her father and aunt gone, she was left all alone. With Caiyan, the only person who helped her, gone, she was practically all alone.
Feelings of confusion, helplessness, and loneliness all rushed in at once.
A moment later, her thoughts returned, and Jiang Jiaojiao felt extremely annoyed.
If I don't let Caiyan keep the Yellow Book herself, she will never be able to leave the capital.
Suddenly remembering that she still had Caiyan's indenture, Jiang Jiaojiao perked up and went back to her room.
When Jiang Jiaojiao saw that the inner compartment of the makeup box was empty, she couldn't help but stomp her feet and curse loudly.
"That heartless brat, she's an ungrateful wretch!"
Su Peng, who rushed over upon hearing the news, heard Jiang Jiao's vulgar cursing as soon as he entered the door.
"My lady, please stop cursing. Quickly send someone out of the city to chase after them."
"Easier said than done. Where do we even begin to chase them? Let alone which city gate they left through, these two days alone would be enough for them to travel over a hundred miles."
Jiang Jiaojiao looked dejected. Exhausted from scolding, she slumped into the armchair.
Su Peng was extremely anxious. Losing a woman to warm his bed was a minor matter; the important thing was that he had no trustworthy person to manage the barbecue shop.
He even pointed to that barbecue stall as a way to make his fortune.
When Jiang Jiaojiao's anger had subsided, Su Peng said, "The barbecue stall is at least an income source. My wife can hire more people to continue running it."
Jiang Jiaojiao snorted coldly and said, "The people I trust the most have all run away. Who can I expect to take care of things?"
Jiang Jiaojiao considered it in her mind. Now that she had some money, if she continued to hire people to do the work, there was a high possibility that she would lose money.
According to Caiyan, business will be better when the weather is warmer, and if the shop is transferred at this time, the money invested can be recovered.
As she calculated, Jiang Jiaojiao's anger suddenly subsided by more than half.
Once the end of the first lunar month arrives, the temperature in the capital will begin to rise, meaning she can sell the shop and run away, two months earlier than she expected.
Jiang Jiaojiao immediately decided to move into the shop.
When Su Peng saw that the gloom on Jiang Jiaojiao's face had dissipated, he started to tidy up the bedding and clothes, and thought that she was really going to chase after him.
He stood up abruptly. "My lady, don't be impulsive. It's just a maid who ran away. Once you've made some money, you can buy another honest and obedient maid."
Jiang Jiaojiao took a dress from the wardrobe and threw it onto the bed. Without turning her head, she said, "I understand now. I'm not destined to make money. I'll pack up and deal with the shop myself."
Su Peng was stunned for a moment, wanting to stop him but having no reason to.
He himself was unwilling to manage it personally, and Jiang Jiaojiao would have to pay for hiring someone else.
Judging from this situation, it's impossible to get Jiang Jiaojiao to come up with any more money.
"Fine, let her be," Su Peng said dejectedly as he left.
Without any help, Jiang Jiaojiao, who had never lifted a finger in the kitchen, had to run back and forth several times to move all her clothes, bedding, and makeup box into the shop.
...
After the first day of the Lunar New Year, Jiang Shuyue was not idle either. Du Yutong came to the mansion to play with her, or Zhan Shuzhen came to visit.
However, Jiang Shuyue suspected that Du Yutong's visits to her were just excuses, as she always searched for Sui Sui as soon as she entered Xingyue Courtyard.
Then, Sui Sui and Xue Er carried each other and ran wildly in the yard.
When Zhan Shuzhen came, she always sat in the warm pavilion and drank tea in a proper manner, humbly learning about pharmacology from Jiang Shuyue.
Perhaps it was because she ate too much rich food during the New Year that Madam Zhen was unwell, and Butler Zhen personally went to invite Jiang Shuyue to examine Madam Zhen.
When the old lady saw Jiang Shuyue again, she was both warm and respectful, which made Jiang Shuyue feel a little uncomfortable.
After the consultation, the old lady said apologetically, "It was really wrong of me to ask Yue Niang to examine me personally. It's just that the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician was ineffective. After taking one dose, there was no improvement at all, so I dared to ask Yue Niang for help."
"Madam, you're being too polite. It's only been a short time since we last met, and you've already become estranged from Yue Niang. It's all Yue Niang's fault; she should be the one visiting you more often."
Jiang Shuyue took the paper and charcoal pencil that Qiuju handed over.
At that moment, the curtain was lifted, and a beautiful woman walked in.
After entering the house, the woman bowed to the old lady.
She looked up at Jiang Shuyue with a smile, "This must be the famous Yue Niang?"
The beautiful woman's smile carried a hint of kindness. Her features were exquisite, and her smiling eyes shone like two bright stars, radiating wisdom.
Jiang Shuyue paused slightly in her pen. The beautiful woman in front of her was very well-maintained and looked to be in her early thirties, but probably younger than her actual age.
Upon closer inspection, his eyebrows and eyes bear a resemblance to those of Zhen Jingxiu.
Before Jiang Shuyue could speak, the old lady introduced, "Jingxiu's mother guessed correctly. Today I specially invited Yue Niang to come and take my pulse."
Jiang Shuyue immediately recognized the woman in front of her. She stood up and gave a junior's greeting, "So you are Master Zhen's mother. May you be blessed, Madam."
"Moon Lady, please don't be so polite. I heard about your great name even before I returned to the capital. Meeting you today, I can see that you are indeed as extraordinary as the rumors say." The woman said, raising her hand in a gesture of support.
Zhen Jingxiu's mother glanced at the prescription on the table that hadn't been written yet and asked with concern, "Does Yue Niang know if the old lady's health is in any serious condition?"
Jiang Shuyue sat down again, picked up the charcoal pencil and said, "It's nothing serious. Just make sure to eat a light diet. I'll write a prescription for you. Take two doses, as long as you don't eat too much oily or meaty food."
"Thank you, Mother Yue. It's all my fault as your daughter-in-law. I was so happy during the New Year that I persuaded my mother to eat more meat."
The old lady waved her hand, "It's just that this old woman has been craving braised pork a few times. Eldest daughter, don't blame yourself. I know you're a filial son."
Jiang Shuyue lowered her head to write the prescription. When Qiuju looked up, she saw Zhen Jingxiu's mother staring intently at her young mistress.
Her gaze was unfathomable; it didn't seem like a secret glance, but rather like seeing a fairy descended from the heavens.
Jiang Shuyue wrote down the prescription and explained to the maid who was in charge of taking care of Old Madam Zhen how to decoct the medicine. She also chatted with Old Madam Zhen about health preservation.
When Jiang Shuyue and Qiuju left the Zhen residence, the old lady of the Zhen family had the steward bring over a square wooden box.
Unable to refuse, Jiang Shuyue accepted the gift, and the steward personally escorted the two of them back to the Jiang residence.
Back in the courtyard, Qiuju asked with a smile, "Miss, the old lady looked so mysterious. I wonder what treasure is inside."
"You'll know once you open it."
Qiuju opened the wooden box as instructed, her eyes lighting up. "Miss, look! This is a rare item!"
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