The constable smiled and stepped aside, saying, "Brother, you're too kind. Thank you for the wine! I know your brother-in-law, Chief Escort Huang. We're all family here, so let's go inside quickly, or the escort agency will have to set off soon!"
"Hey, thank you, sir! What's going on with this city gate? Why is it being checked much more strictly than before?" Qin Sanniang spoke in proper Mandarin, much like Cheng Shi. The yamen runner didn't notice anything amiss and instead carefully explained to her.
"This is all arranged by the county constable. Apparently, there are some petty thieves, and he ordered us brothers to strictly check passing vehicles. It's the New Year, and we have no choice but to stake out this place." As he spoke, the constable's tone revealed a slight resentment.
Thinking to himself, "It's the New Year, those thieves are probably all sitting by the warm fire cracking pumpkin seeds, right? Who would be out wandering around with nothing better to do? And they call her a female thief? This constable is just stirring up trouble, spreading rumors about a bad relationship between the two of them to give his boss some gossip. It's probably true!"
Hearing this, Qin San Niang's heart tightened. This wasn't about investigating thieves at all! He was clearly talking about her and Da Wa'er, the people who had been following them that day! She hadn't expected that person to have such powerful connections, able to get the government involved!
Seeing that Qin Sanniang seemed frightened, the yamen runner instead tried to persuade her, "How can you act like a woman when you're a man? Don't worry, even if there really is a female thief, what can she do to us brothers?"
It's just a little theft, nothing to worry about. Besides, we brothers have been guarding this place for so many days and haven't even seen a thief. It's probably just someone making it up. You should hurry into the city!
Having received his message, Qin San Niang bowed again and said thank you for your hard work, then hurried off to the city gate!
She was completely unaware of the potential danger, and the fact that the person following her had connections with the government officials meant that things weren't so simple! As the saying goes, the common people can't fight against officials; she'd better hurry and discuss it with the steward.
Si Ji's business is still booming!
There was a queue at the entrance as soon as the market opened today.
Most of them were neighbors; some were craving donkey rolls (a type of sweet pastry) and hadn't had them for days. Others had children who insisted on eating sachima (another type of sweet pastry), and they had already finished the ones they bought before the Lunar New Year!
The waiter, Xiao Wu, was still standing at the door, beaming as he greeted customers.
"Oh, Master Nian, you've arrived! A pot of donkey rolls is just coming out of the oven. The shopkeeper said there's a 10% discount for today's opening."
"Oh, that's wonderful. Everyone in my family, from my seventy-year-old mother to my two-year-old grandson, loves this. Give me two more pounds of Sachima later, I can't let my little grandson suffer."
"Yes, yes, give me two jin too. Chen's also started making donkey rolls before the New Year, but the taste is still a bit inferior to yours!"
"And that white jade cake, I don't know what it's made of, it tastes like paste! It's not soft, sticky, or sweet at all." The old woman at the back of the line quickly said when she heard there was a discount today.
Before the New Year, she bought some newly released donkey rolls and white jade cakes from Chen's shop, hoping for a bargain. But when she got home and tasted them, she realized they were completely different things, just with the same name! She'd waited patiently until the shop reopened and come early this morning to buy them. She didn't want her family, young and old, to accuse her of skimping on groceries! It was truly unfair! Besides, Chen's pastries weren't even that much cheaper! It made it seem like she was really being stingy! Today, she was determined to redeem herself, buying several pounds so they could all enjoy them to their hearts' content!
Chen's also started making the same pastries. I heard about it almost five years ago, and at the time I was worried they'd steal my business. The owner assured me that Madam Qin was trustworthy and wouldn't resell the recipe, so I could rest assured. Sure enough, Chen's still got screwed! It's absolutely gratifying!
Dressed in men's clothing, Qin Sanniang blended into the crowd without attracting Xiao Wu's attention, which showed that her disguise was quite successful.
Xiao Wu was startled when she got close, but then he saw Qin San Niang wink at him, so he continued to serve customers without saying a word, telling those with other needs to go inside and choose for themselves!
Following her advice, Siji Pastry Shop separated the sales and customer selection areas. For the best-selling pastries, a modern-style counter was set up near the street specifically for sales. Customers who wanted to buy candied fruit, fruit, melon seeds, or other snacks could go inside to choose their items, weigh them, and pay at the end.
Qin San Niang walked around a few times as if by accident, and then, led by the young waiter, lifted the beaded curtain and entered the backyard.
Outside the hall, Master of Ceremonies Ren had been waiting for quite some time!
"Madam Qin, why are you dressed like this? Has something happened?" Upon seeing Madam Qin dressed as a man, Sili Ren asked in surprise, but after a moment he understood. "Please come in quickly!"
After Qin San Niang was seated and the waiter served tea, he said in a deep voice, "Madam Qin, could it be that Si Ji has caused you trouble? Is Chen Ji targeting you?"
What exactly is the background of Chen Ji? Si Li Ren investigated for a long time but couldn't find out. It's as if he appeared out of thin air in He County!
Chen Yushan, the manager of Chen's shop, is not old, only about thirty years old, but he is experienced and ruthless, and he even managed to get in touch with the government!
The Si family wields considerable influence in Jiangzhou. Although he is a son of a concubine, it is not impossible for him to control everything in He County!
The reason he didn't do that was twofold. First, it was due to his personality; he had always been a kind and generous person. Second, Sili Ren wanted to do business honestly and steadily. While intrigue and trickery might be acceptable, he disdained using underhanded methods to acquire competitors by pulling strings with the government.
Chen Yushan, however, was a master at this. In just two years in He County, he managed to buy up all the well-known pastry shops in the city! And at less than half the market price. Many of his old friends were driven to ruin by him, and many came to him to complain. He had no choice but to give them some money to help them settle down in the countryside.
Hearing this, Qin San Niang was also indignant. She never expected that there would be such an immoral scoundrel. God must be blind. Why didn't He take him away so that he wouldn't be causing trouble for people here!
Upon hearing this, Si Li Ren gave a wry smile and said, "Madam Qin, please don't be angry. This Chen Yushan is quite capable, and it's said that he has a powerful backer. I'm not very capable myself, but I know a few people in the yamen, and that's what an acquaintance told me. I'm sure even my Si family wouldn't dare to offend his backer. If we ever really come into contact with him, we'll have to avoid him!"
But I'm not convinced! My childhood was incredibly tough. I finally managed to start a business, and I've actually benefited from a good year – it's been quite successful! Besides this pastry shop, in the years when there was no war, I also sold other goods and made some money. But these past few years, it's all been used to keep this shop afloat!
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