Arriving in the county, Wen Xi accompanied Mao on her shopping trip. According to what she'd learned, the typical meal for construction workers was black steamed buns and boiled cabbage. Even the poorest families would prepare multi-grain steamed buns.
So Mao bought 200 kilograms of black flour, 100 kilograms of corn flour, and 100 kilograms of white flour. The grain store owner had been busy with business in Kongshan Village these past few days, so he could deliver the goods to her door. As for whose business it was, no one else in the Gu family could think of.
Following Wen Xi's advice, he bought a whole sheep and two sets of offal.
Although the weather has warmed up, it is still a cold spring, so things don’t spoil so easily.
As for why they bought mutton, it was because Mao didn't want to mistreat the workers. It's impossible to have delicious meals every day, but occasionally having some meat is necessary. They're all grown men, and if they don't eat well, they won't have the energy to work, right?
Wen Xi also talked about how to make these mutton dishes all the way, and Mao Shi thought her grandmother was alive after listening to her!
Quickly covered her mouth in disgust:
"Stop talking. Now, come with me to buy the six gifts for Madam Ye. Since we are becoming her apprentices, we should treat her as our master. The six gifts, including kowtows and tea offerings, are essential. You must be filial to her in the future, understand?"
Wen Xi pointed at her mouth and whimpered a few times, causing Mao to roll her eyes.
"You don't speak when you should."
"Hehe, isn't it that Mom doesn't allow me to speak? I'm just being obedient! By the way, didn't Madam Ye just ask me to learn? Why is it so serious that I have to become her disciple?"
Mao poked her head with dismay:
"You've probably used up all your cleverness on this. Someone of Madam Ye's caliber would have inherited the skills, and either not taught them or accepted them as disciples. You're being unlucky. Not to mention your mother, even a family like the Bai family, born into a wealthy family, can't afford an embroidery master like you."
"Is it that great? Only what kind of family can afford to hire him?"
Mao held up three fingers and said, "People from this palace don't have that kind of face. The lowest you can get is from a third-rank official. So you must study hard, otherwise if you come back, I will... I will break your legs."
Wen Xi stood a long way away, trembling, wondering if this was still the same gentle mother.
Mao also felt that it was inappropriate to scare the child like this, but he had no idea how to deal with the monkey.
So, while the mother and daughter were fighting, they bought the six gifts. Mao took Wen Xi to Ye Erniang's shop.
As luck would have it, the shop was also open. The door was open, but there were few customers inside. Ye Erniang was sitting at the counter, quietly embroidering a handkerchief. A few handkerchiefs and purses were scattered on the counter.
When two people came in carrying things and two large backpacks, Ye Erniang realized that someone had come. When she saw them coming, she smiled. When she saw the things in their hands, her smile became even brighter.
He stood up and walked around behind them, closing the shop door, saying:
"Hurry to the backyard and stay inside for a while."
Wen Xi was a little confused. Why was the store closed when they arrived? However, she also asked this question.
Ye Erniang ignored her and helped her and Mao put down the backpack:
"Let's put the backpack here. It won't get lost. Let's go inside."
Then Ye Erniang personally poured a pot of tea and placed it on the table, saying with a smile:
"I was afraid you'd run away and not come."
Mao quickly took out the six gifts and presented them, saying a little nervously:
"Madam Ye is so kind, it's her blessing that she likes this girl."
Ye Erniang waved her hand:
"The moment I decided to take her in, it was my destiny as master and disciple. There's no need for us to be so distant. I'm older than you, so we can just call each other sisters from now on."
Mao agreed, as if she had received an autograph from her idol. She quickly pushed Wen Xi and whispered,
"Why don't you serve tea to the master?"
Wen Xi finally understood why Madam Ye had been busy serving tea the moment she entered the room. She internally grumbled, "How badly does she want to take me in? What if she finds out I'm a poor student? Will she regret it?"
Wen Xi walked to the table and poured a cup of tea, then knelt in front of Ye Erniang, who straightened up instantly.
I have never had a master, so I don’t know what to say, so I can only use the simplest and old-fashioned line.
"Master, please accept my disciple's greetings."
As I was praying, I realized that I was still holding tea in my hand and almost spilled it.
Mao was standing nearby and suddenly felt embarrassed to watch:
"Where did you learn this? What nonsense are you talking about?"
Uh, did I memorize the lines wrong?
"Mom, you never taught me, how would I know how to say it?"
Mao then realized that it was his own fault and apologized:
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's my fault. Just serve the tea, say 'Master, please have some tea', and kowtow."
Ye Erniang almost couldn't help laughing as she sat there, thinking to herself, this is Gu Wenxi. If she didn't have some trouble, she wouldn't be like herself anymore.
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