Yao Siqing paused in her act of picking up food.
She knew what she should support, but the words she wanted to say lingered between her teeth, turning into a question: "Do you want the power of the Jiang family and to become the eldest daughter of the Jiang family?"
Jiang Sheng shook her head like a rattle drum.
Although it's good to have power and influence, she's not doing badly now, and she has her brothers to keep her company. Actually, she's living a very good life.
"So what you want is... family." Yao Siqing put down her chopsticks. "But Jiang Sheng, I have to tell you, the person who truly loves you will come looking for you."
You don't need to go back, you don't need to face the powerful families with your frail body, you don't need to wander around exploring, and you don't need to carefully curry favor.
The person who loves you will clear away all obstacles, pave the carpet, and welcome you back.
But in the Jiang family, who has actually done it?
Old Madam Jiang couldn't do it, so she respected Jiang Sheng's choice.
Who else is there?
Jiang Sheng wasn't stupid; her heart, hardened by life's trials, had long since become crystal clear. It was just that occasionally, in the dead of night, she would dream of holding her mother's hand and longing to be a little girl protected by her father and mother.
But lost time is not so easy to make up for; a life out of sync from the very beginning can never be put back on track.
The little girl's round face was a bit pale. She pursed her lips slightly, as if she wanted to smile, but she quickly became restrained and forbearing. Only when she could no longer hold back did a tear slide down the corner of her mouth.
"I understand, Sister Yao," Jiang Sheng said softly, then gave a bright smile.
It would be better not to laugh at all.
Yao Siqing turned away sadly, wiping away her tears with a handkerchief, then turned back and said in a light tone, "So much meat! Jiang Sheng, eat it quickly, it'll be a waste if you don't."
"Mmm, let's eat!" Jiang Sheng picked up her chopsticks and began to eat earnestly.
The lamb smells so good, it's a flavor I've never tasted before.
The beef was so tender and delicious, even better than braised pork knuckle. It's a pity my aunt couldn't bear to buy it.
The two little girls devoured most of the meat and dishes on the table in a whirlwind.
The rest shouldn't be wasted; wrap it in oil paper, reheat it at home, and eat it later.
When Jiang Sheng came down from the private room, she was back to being the happy, chubby little girl, carrying several oil paper packages in her hand, her face beaming with joy. "Let my aunt and brothers try some too. They've never had mutton or beef before."
The head manager bowed and scraped beside her, while Yao Siqing smiled with her lips pursed.
As Jiang Sheng stepped out of the gate of You Ran Ju, she caught sight of Jiang San and Jiang Si near the wooden stake where the carriage was tied. She paused for a moment, then took two more steps forward and saw two dozing boys sitting in the carriage.
Seemingly having waited too long, Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan each leaned against the door frame to rest, but their faces remained fixed on You Ran Ju.
Jiang San tiptoed over and said in a low voice, "The Fourth Young Master and the Fifth Young Master were worried when they saw that the young lady came out alone, so they followed her here and waited for an hour."
They knew their sister was unhappy, so they didn't force her to interfere with her emotions.
But they stood guard behind their sister, protecting her at all times and waiting for her.
Jiang Sheng felt like she was about to cry again. Why should she be sad and disappointed over trivial things? What she should care about most is her family in front of her.
Yao Siqing reached out and patted her shoulder at some point, then said goodbye and left.
Jiang Sheng handed the oiled paper package to Jiang San, then tiptoed to the carriage, pondering how to wake up her brothers.
Chang Yan opened his eyes alertly, and after realizing it was her, he smiled slightly and nudged Wen Zhiyun, who was still dozing off.
"Little sister, what's wrong with little sister?" Doctor Wen was startled and almost fell over.
When he saw Jiang Sheng grinning, he smiled and his eyes crinkled, "Great, my little sister is finally happy."
Family affection is actually very simple: your happiness is my happiness.
Your sadness makes me sad too.
When Jiang Sheng finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel, her brothers were finally able to put their minds at ease.
"Oh dear, I've been waiting for so long, I'm so hungry." Wen Zhiyun stretched her bones. "Auntie should have finished cooking by now, let's go back and eat."
"It's time to go back for dinner." Changyan turned his head. "Is your sister hungry?"
Jiang Sheng covered her mouth guiltily.
She wanted to say she was hungry, but a burp that smelled strongly of lamb betrayed her.
"You actually ate mutton behind our backs!" Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan accused each other in unison.
"I brought some for you too, I brought some too," Jiang Sheng said sheepishly. "Lots of food."
Thanks to the generous Sister Yao, everyone in the second courtyard got to try something new that evening.
If it weren't for the fear of it spoiling, Jiang Sheng would have even wanted to save some for Xu Mo.
It's alright if we can't keep him. As a renowned master of balancing things, she suggested, "When my brother comes back, let's cook some mutton for him to try."
Zhang Xianglian, who was tidying up the table, almost spilled the dishes.
My aunt really doesn't know the cost of firewood and rice when she's not in charge of the household. She can afford pork for ten or twenty coins a pound, but mutton costs several hundred coins a pound. A good cut of ribs like this can cost one tael of silver a pound.
Stewing a pot of it would cost at least three to five catties, which would mean three to five taels of silver.
In Zhang Xianglian's view, this was tantamount to eating money.
"Why is mutton so expensive?" Jiang Sheng asked, puzzled. "I know beef is expensive because cattle are used for plowing, and the law does not support killing cattle for meat."
You can buy beef at Youranju because cows also die of old age and disease, and it's only natural to skin and eat them at that time. The price of beef fluctuates around 100 coins, which is relatively expensive but affordable.
In comparison, mutton is ridiculously expensive.
"Because the Central Plains value grain, there are few areas for animal husbandry." Changyan closed his book and took over the work that originally belonged to his elder brother. "Only when production increases can prices be lowered accordingly."
Throughout history, things have always been valued for their rarity, while things that are frequently seen are no longer common.
Jiang Sheng nodded thoughtfully, a new idea popping into her little head: "Lamb is so expensive, if we raise sheep too, can we make money?"
Wen Zhiyun looked up from the small medicine box, her face full of surprise.
Even Zhang Xianglian, who was holding a bowl and chopsticks, couldn't help but glance at her.
The little girl at home has grown up. Not only can she handle the cooperation with Youranju with ease and expand Jiuzhenfang into high-profit surname pastries, but she can also think about herding cattle and sheep.
If Zheng Ruqian heard this, he would probably laugh heartily and then pick up Jiang Sheng and spin her around.
If he can carry it.
Unfortunately, what people think of now, our ancestors had already thought of long ago.
Chang Yan tapped his right hand on the back of his left hand and said slowly, "Neither the Central Plains nor Fengjing have large grasslands, which are insufficient to support feeding a large number of livestock."
“That’s fine, but our mutton has a strong, gamey smell, and not many people can accept it.” He squinted, as if he was thinking about something. “If you’re talking about fresh and delicious meat, only a few areas in northern Xinjiang can raise mutton like that.”
But that's the northern frontier, a place ravaged by war. Who would dare risk their life for a bite of meat?
Jiang Sheng immediately became dejected.
Zhang Xianglian came over after packing her things and teased her deliberately, "Little Jiang Sheng, who did you sell the plain noodles to? Did you sell them to Youranju or some other restaurant?"
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