"Thank you all for your hard work these past few days. I'll need you to come early tomorrow, as we may have a lot of requests lately."
These people were actually her neighbors. Although they liked to gossip, they were kind-hearted, which is why she hired them.
Upon receiving the silver, the four old women's eyes widened in delight as they looked at the heavy two hundred taels of silver in their hands! Even if the four of them split it equally, it would still amount to fifty taels! And this was only their wages for half a month's work…
One of the old women was even more surprised that this kind of work could earn so much money, and hesitated as she looked at Qin Qingdao.
"Mr. Qin, we haven't done any particularly strenuous work. Isn't this too much money? As the saying goes, one shouldn't accept a reward without merit."
Qin Qing simply smiled and shook her head upon hearing this.
"This is what you deserve. After all, dealing with this kind of thing is quite complicated and carries a certain degree of danger. Consider it compensation and a raise! However, I hope you won't tell anyone about this. You know how it is, too many people talking..."
Upon seeing this, the group was overjoyed and each assured the others that their mouths would be kept absolutely shut.
After a while, the four old women left one after another, and Qin Qing then led Qin Zifeng out.
"Grandma... fifty taels of silver is too much! Normally, this kind of work would only cost thirty taels a month at most. Now that we're giving them so much, I can't guarantee they won't tell others."
Qin Qing was sitting in the carriage with her eyes closed, resting. When she heard Qin Zifeng's sullen words, she immediately smiled.
“Silly child, do you know that those four women are notorious for being stingy in our area? They are all widows and orphans, their husbands died young, and there are almost all kinds of rumors about them in the capital. The other neighbors both love and hate them! They love to gossip, but they have never said anything malicious. They seem shrewish and fierce, but they are actually protecting their families... I don’t think such women can be that bad.”
"Besides, I know them well, so I feel more at ease using them."
Qin Zifeng nodded upon hearing this, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes. In fact, Grandma also wanted to help them... After all, in such a place where every inch of land is precious, it must be extremely difficult for a widow to survive.
The person behind them followed closely, but Qin Qing finally noticed and chose to ignore it! It's not that she's bragging, but there are definitely people who are envious of her. However, besides her, there really isn't another person in the capital who can handle crabs and has a source of supply!
However, by the next morning, only two of the four women who had been processing crabs remained…
The reason given was still the same: physical discomfort. Qin Qing wasn't stupid, so naturally she didn't believe it! But when she arrived at the old woman's door, the woman refused to open it no matter what!
"Mr. Qin, please leave. I'm really not feeling well. Please find someone else for work! Cough cough! Don't come again."
The old woman inside showed no intention of opening the door. Through the crack in the door, Qin Qing saw a flicker of fear in her eyes. Clearly, she was being watched!
After a moment of silence, Qin Qing finally sighed.
"Okay, I understand. Take care."
After saying that, she turned and left. The old woman inside finally breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the girl who was tied up in the room with her eyes full of worry.
"She's gone... I promise you I won't work for her anymore, please, please let my granddaughter go!"
After the door was opened, a sleazy-looking man walked out of the house, holding a long knife in his hand, and threatened menacingly.
"You're smart to know what's good for you, but... this little girl is quite cute!"
As he spoke, the man reached out and pinched the girl's delicate face, which frightened her so much that she shook her head frantically, her eyes filled with terror!
The old woman outside was equally terrified and immediately begged for mercy.
"Sir...she's still young, she's only thirteen! Please, let her go!"
But the man kicked her away and walked towards the girl, cursing as he went...
The old woman felt dizzy and her whole body ached. She heard the filthy words of the man in the room and wished she could die on the spot!
Just then, the man inside the house felt a chill run down his spine. As he turned to turn around, a thick wooden stick came hurtling towards him, and he instantly lost consciousness!
After Qin Qing delivered the blow with all his might, he suppressed his anger and quickly released the girl. The girl was terrified, but she still managed to run out to check on her grandmother.
Seeing the grandmother and granddaughter embrace and weep, Qin Qing sighed. She knew this was just the beginning; the old woman would definitely never work for her again…
So she took out fifty taels from her bosom.
I'm sorry!
After saying that, she turned to leave, but the old woman, who had come to her senses, grabbed her arm and said excitedly.
"Wait, Mr. Qin... I'm not leaving! Not only that, I want to work with my granddaughter!"
Qin Qing lowered her head in surprise, but was stunned by the determination in the old woman's eyes. She glanced at the little girl beside her and roughly understood what was going on.
"Okay... let's go to the shop at noon."
She didn't ask why, but she roughly knew the reason. The old woman didn't have any family members, and her only granddaughter was almost of marriageable age. If she married into a good family, that would be fine, but if not, at least she would have a way to survive!
Although processing crabs is not difficult, most people would find it troublesome. Moreover, the crabs here have very sharp claws, and those high-ranking officials and nobles would certainly not dare to eat them. This means that someone must process the crab meat. If her granddaughter can handle it, at least she won't starve in the future!
When Qin Qing went to the second house, he encountered the same problem. He quickly arrested the man and interrogated him for half an hour before handing him over to the authorities.
Although the official was all smiles and promised to catch the mastermind as soon as possible, Qin Qing didn't hold out much hope. She would find out the truth herself!
Time flies...
The Chronicles of the Heavenly Dragon Kingdom!
Emperor Long Tianqi is celebrating his 47th birthday! It is also the Empress Dowager's 65th birthday! Envoys from surrounding countries have all entered the country and will soon arrive in the capital, making the capital very lively!
Qin Qing only learned about this from Wang Yan! However, since she couldn't enter the palace and didn't know the Empress Dowager, she didn't care at all.
"My mother wanted you to accompany her to the palace tomorrow, but there are many envoys from various countries, and I think you wouldn't like that atmosphere, so you declined my offer..."
Qin Qing paused, her hand still holding the food she was about to eat, and asked in surprise.
"Entering the palace? An envoy?"
Seeing her like this, Wang Yan hadn't even spoken when he heard An Ziyun say coolly from the side.
"Why are you so surprised? Tomorrow is His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress Dowager's birthday. The whole country knows that. Don't tell me you didn't know!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Qing awkwardly put down her chopsticks. A birthday celebration? She really didn't know!
"Is it alright to refuse like this? Aunt Wang... probably dislikes that atmosphere even less than I do, right?"
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