The next morning, the three members of the Meng family ate breakfast together in the canteen as usual. Meng Zhao picked up a thin pancake and placed it on a plate. He first spread a layer of his homemade fermented soybean paste on it, then arranged the side dishes on top. He rolled it up with chopsticks, took a bite, and the wheat aroma of the pancake mixed with the salty and fresh flavor of the sauce burst in his mouth. After drinking a sip of hot egg noodle soup, his stomach felt incredibly comfortable.
These days, business is busy, and the three of them are often busy with their own things. It's becoming increasingly rare for them to be able to get together for lunch and dinner. They can only get together for breakfast. Moreover, the Meng family has never had a rule of "not talking while eating." At this moment, the three of them are eating and talking about business matters at the dinner table.
"Mother, I've had some people from Quyang select a few skilled greenhouse vegetable growers to come to Beijing. They should arrive tonight. Have their accommodations been arranged?"
"Don't worry about that. When we built the greenhouse, we also built a few houses. They're spacious and impressive, and we even had someone install the flooring. The beds and bedding are all brand new and clean. We've also recruited enough workers from the surrounding area. Once the people from Quyang arrive, we can start construction."
Meng Dashan, standing to the side, was overjoyed. "Tsk tsk, once our greenhouse is up and running, won't we be able to eat fresh vegetables even on snowy days!"
Meng Zhao nodded upon hearing this: "That's right. Not only will we be able to eat there, but Yingkelou will also not have to worry about the lack of customers during the winter. They will even have surplus food to sell to other restaurants."
Last winter, although some fresh vegetables were transported from Quyang to Beijing, they were mainly for personal consumption and as gifts for close relatives. Now that we want to do this off-season vegetable business, we can no longer transport them from Quyang. After all, fresh vegetables are delicate and inevitably damaged during long-distance transport. Moreover, greenhouse vegetables are already expensive, and if we add high transportation costs, the price will be even higher. At that time, even if people in Beijing are rich, only a few will be able to afford them.
Meng Zhao had long planned to build greenhouses in the suburbs of Beijing. He already had land under his control, namely two fertile plots of land in the suburbs of Beijing that had been bestowed by imperial decree for his meritorious research on fertilizer. These two plots of land were not only fertile and well-watered, but also bestowed by the emperor, so he did not have to worry about anyone from the surrounding area causing trouble. They were perfect for building vegetable greenhouses.
After breakfast, Xu Yunrong tidied up and prepared to leave the city. Meng Dashan had also arranged to meet two merchants today. The two chatted and laughed as they stepped out of the mansion gate, where they bumped into Shen Qinghe, who was wearing a crimson official robe and getting off his carriage.
Although there was a commotion yesterday, Shen Qinghe was overjoyed because he had finally gained the approval of the Meng family. As soon as court was over, he rushed to the Meng residence. When he saw the two of them leaving together, he quickly stepped forward and respectfully bowed: "Uncle and Aunt, are you going out?"
When Meng Dashan saw it was him, his face immediately darkened. He snorted heavily through his nose and turned his face away. This brat not only abducted his daughter right under his nose, but also had a bunch of troubles on his hands. The more he looked at him, the angrier he became.
Xu Yunrong's expression softened slightly, and she nodded slightly, saying, "I have something to do outside the city, and your Uncle Meng is also going to Yingkelou to discuss business."
Shen Qinghe nodded slightly, his tone somewhat solicitous: "Is that so... How about this? I'll have Afu drive my carriage to take you out of the city, that way it will be more convenient to enter and exit the city gates."
Xu Yunrong glanced at the carriages parked in front of the Meng residence and thought that if she were to ride in her own carriage, she would inevitably have to wait in line for inspection, which would take up a lot of time. So she nodded and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you."
"Of course, of course." Shen Qinghe smiled broadly and quickly told Afu to drive the carriage. After watching the two leave, he turned and went into the mansion.
Meng Zhao had eaten a rather large breakfast and was strolling around the courtyard to digest when he suddenly heard footsteps approaching. Looking up, he saw Shen Qinghe, dressed in a crimson official robe, stepping into the courtyard. Because his official rank was not high, the red color of his robe was lighter, making him even more eye-catching.
Moreover, this official robe was clearly tailor-made, which made his tall and straight figure even more prominent. The hem of the robe swayed gently with his steps, making him appear even taller and more elegant. In particular, the official hat he wore covered his usually delicate eyebrows and eyes, adding a touch of sharp official authority. However, when he got closer, he suddenly smiled, and the solemn atmosphere just now turned into a spring breeze in March.
Meng Zhao's eyes lit up. "So happy so early in the morning?"
Shen Qinghe stepped forward, gently tugging at her sleeve with his fingertips, his eyes brimming with undisguised joy: "I'm naturally happy to be able to enter the Meng family mansion with dignity and even greet my uncle and aunt."
Meng Zhao knew he was always the type to take advantage of others, so she reached out and pulled out her sleeve. "I already discussed it with my parents last night. They won't interfere in my affairs for the time being. But you should also keep a low profile and not hang around here all the time, lest they get upset if they see you."
Shen Qinghe pouted, a rare display of childlike innocence. Her long eyelashes drooped, casting a shadow beneath her eyes. "Oh, I know," she said, her voice as soft as a feather, tinged with a hint of grievance.
Remembering that the two of them had no chance to be intimate last night due to an accident, and now seeing him dressed in official robes, Meng Zhao felt an unbearable itch in her heart. Seeing that her parents had already left and there was no one in the backyard, she turned her eyes and suddenly reached out to grab Shen Qinghe's sleeve, pulling him into the room without saying a word.
With a soft "bang," Shen Qinghe's back hit the door. Before he could react, Meng Zhao had already tiptoed and leaned in to kiss him. Shen Qinghe stiffened, a look of surprise flashing in his slightly widened eyes. He then cooperated by leaning down so that Meng Zhao wouldn't have to stand on tiptoe.
His submissive attitude moved Meng Zhao even more. At first, she took the lead in the kiss, but gradually, Shen Qinghe's slender fingers slipped through her hair, gently cupping the back of her head, deepening the kiss irresistibly.
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