Faced with Aunt Niu's accusations, Aunt Zhao was speechless and so anxious that she burst into tears.
Aunt Niu persisted, "Everything is right here!"
As she spoke, Aunt Niu took out a dark-colored bundle from the cupboard.
Everyone turned their attention to Aunt Niu.
The dark bundle was bulging, and it was clear that there were many things inside.
Lu Qiqi said coldly, "Open it."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Niu no longer hesitated and placed the bundle on a small square table.
The bundle was opened, and inside were all sorts of things, all of them food.
Potatoes, corn, peanuts, and most of all, cured pork belly—there were four pieces at a glance!
Lu Qiqi pursed her lips and asked, "Aunt Zhao, what do you have to say about this?"
Suddenly called out, Zhao's shoulders trembled, and she said in a thick, tearful voice, "Shopkeeper, I didn't steal..."
“This is what I gave her,” Liu Tong suddenly said.
Liu Tong's words interrupted Zhao's subsequent remarks and drew everyone's attention to him.
Liu Tong seemed to have made a decision and said, "I gave her the things. I felt sorry for her, so I gave her more. This matter wasn't discussed openly because of me."
The items were given to Aunt Zhao by Liu Tong. As long as it doesn't involve theft, everything is fine.
However, Aunt Zhao suddenly became anxious and waved her hands repeatedly, "No, no, I really didn't steal it, and Brother Liu didn't give it to me either."
"You'd better think this through before you speak!" Aunt Niu said.
Aunt Zhao timidly avoided Aunt Niu and walked up to Lu Qiqi, saying, "I didn't steal it. Aunt Niu packed this bundle herself."
I stumbled upon this and asked Sister Niu to put her things down. She accused me of meddling and threatened to report me to my mother-in-law for being indecent, and that she didn't know anything about... Brother Liu.
Aunt Zhao spoke softer and softer, her tears streaming down her face, making her look pitiful.
Aunt Niu snorted coldly, "If you dare to do it yourself, why are you afraid of what others say!"
Seeing that her scheme had been exposed, she decided to throw caution to the wind and said indignantly, "I took these things. Don't think I didn't see Chef Liu giving you one nice thing after another. We're all doing the same work, so if you're unfair, don't blame me for being unjust!"
Liu Tong angrily said, "The things I gave her were all deducted from my monthly salary. This is theft!"
Furthermore, Zhao and I have a completely innocent relationship and have never crossed any lines. If I hear any more foul language from you that tarnishes her reputation, don't underestimate me just because you're a woman!
In this era, reputation was of utmost importance. Widows not only had to observe three years of mourning for their husbands, but if their husbands' families discovered their indiscretions, it was not uncommon for them to be drowned in a pig cage by the clan.
Aunt Niu started spouting nonsense; she was truly malicious!
Having lived for so long, this was the first time Lu Qiqi had ever seen someone so arrogant.
Lu Qiqi said sternly, "Since Aunt Niu is talking about unfairness, then let me ask you, is there a difference between your monthly allowance and Aunt Zhao's? Is there a difference in the gifts given during holidays?"
Aunt Niu was forced back two steps by Lu Qiqi's imposing manner, and stammered, "Who, who knows how you give gifts behind people's backs? What if you give gifts to their faces and behind their backs like Chef Liu!"
Lu Qiqi said, "Uncle Liu paid out of his own pocket to give things to Aunt Zhao, that's none of our business, but you stole from the shop, so I can send you to the authorities!"
Hearing that she was being sent to the authorities, Aunt Niu panicked, but she quickly calmed down. What restaurant doesn't have such problems? And the government wouldn't bother with such trivial matters. She muttered a few words angrily and said, "I'll just pay it back!"
Lu Qiqi is not so easily dealt with.
She said, "It's too late! Zhu Zi, Aunt Niu has been caught red-handed stealing. We should take her to the authorities so that people don't think that everything is fine once the things are returned, and they can steal with even more impunity!"
Zhu Zi was quite experienced in sending people to the authorities, so he immediately tied Aunt Niu's hands behind her back, and no matter how much Aunt Niu insulted him, he remained unmoved.
After the two left, Lu Qiqi turned around and said to Liu Tongdao, "Uncle Liu, I don't care about you and Aunt Zhao, but if you're going to send something, do it openly and honestly, so that no one can use it against you."
"Let's leave aside the fact that Aunt Niu's intentions are flawed; what if this happens again when she hires someone in the future?"
Liu Tong was speechless when asked the question. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "I understand."
Having received Liu Tong's reply, Lu Qiqi didn't dwell on the matter and said, "Aunt Niu absolutely cannot stay."
Liu Tong said, "Zhao can't handle all the dishwashing work in the shop by herself. Why don't we hire another auntie to wash the dishes?"
Lu Qiqi shook her head. "One such incident is enough to upset people. I'll go to the slave trader and buy two old women. One will stay at the noodle shop, and the other will stay at the house. They can cook for Ayao and the others and do their laundry."
Liu Tong smiled apologetically, "Seventh Sister, you're so thoughtful."
The magistrate handed over Aunt Niu to the authorities, and the government ordered her to pay double the amount of silver as a warning.
When Aunt Niu's husband delivered the money, Lu Qiqi was not at the noodle shop.
At that time, she was working at a brokerage firm, selecting maids for menial tasks.
Zeng had worked as a head maid in a wealthy household and was quite skilled at selecting maids for menial tasks, so Lu Qiqi took her along.
It's a good opportunity to move around more and get some exercise, so that you won't have difficulty conceiving due to prolonged sitting during childbirth. It's a win-win situation.
Lu Qiqi sat drinking tea, with a row of rough-looking old women standing in front of her.
Zeng followed the brokers and carefully selected suitable personnel.
After several inquiries, Zeng decided to hire two rough-working women, one named Granny Wang and the other Granny Sun. They both seemed to be honest people who were used to doing rough work.
Lu Qiqi put down her teacup and said calmly, "The two of them will do."
The broker went down to get the indenture, and Lu Qiqi and Zeng Shi sat down to wait.
Madam Zeng asked, "Seventh girl, why don't you take a look before making a decision? After all, buying a maid is no small matter."
Lu Qiqi said, "Auntie, when it comes to judging a rough and unsophisticated old woman, I'm afraid I'm not as good as you, so I won't bother with that."
I trust your judgment. Even if things don't go well, we can always return the money to the brokerage later; it won't be difficult."
Lu Qiqi said this intentionally for the two old women to hear. There were many children or pregnant women in the family who needed care. If someone had ill intentions like Aunt Niu, then she couldn't be blamed.
After listening to Lu Qiqi's words, Zeng nodded slightly. For some reason, the more she looked at Lu Qiqi, the more familiar she felt.
I can't quite describe that feeling of familiarity; it's as if we've known each other for a long time.
She chuckled and shook her head, interrupting her jumbled thoughts, thinking that perhaps pregnancy was making her too sensitive.
The brokers were very efficient and efficient. Before long, Lu Qiqi left the brokerage with two rough-looking women.
Lu Qiqi used both kindness and severity, saying, "From now on, you will be people of my household. If you do well, you will be rewarded; if you do not, this will be your home."
The maid was intimidated by Lu Qiqi's sharp tone, afraid that a slow reaction would displease her master.
They answered in unison, "Yes!"
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