The visitor is ill-intentioned.
After thinking it over repeatedly, An Hongdou finally spoke.
"It is an honor for our embroidery workshop to have gained your favor. However, your wife is unaware that our embroidery workshop is not profitable. It is only used to support our apprentices, and sometimes we even have to use our own dowries to make up for it. It is really not good to burden your wife."
“I know that Jinxiu Pavilion looks lively now, but you can think about it carefully, young lady. We can’t even afford to hire famous embroiderers. We’re just doing small-scale work to earn a living for the girls who are learning embroidery.”
An Hongdou probed while observing the newcomer's expression.
The girl chuckled and said, "If it weren't for that, my lady wouldn't even look at your Brocade Pavilion!"
The girl suddenly looked directly at An Hongdou and said, "I won't keep you in suspense, Madam. I'll just be frank! My lady is quite wealthy and owns many profitable shops. Even in the famous embroidery workshops in the capital, her family gets a share of the profits. What my lady has her eye on is your ability to take in homeless women!"
Having said that, An Hongdou realized that she probably couldn't avoid this matter.
Feng Qiang wasn't after money; she simply wanted fame.
For An Hongdou and Wu Linglong, helping helpless women make a living was simply doing good deeds.
But these powerful women could use it to their advantage.
If managed properly, it can not only gain a good reputation, but can even become a political resource.
"There is something I would like to ask you, young lady."
An Hongdou spoke politely, so the girl was willing to say a few more words.
"Please speak freely, Madam."
"Your wife is capable enough to handle this matter easily. If she hadn't thought of this method before, now that there's a precedent, she can simply follow it. Why condescend to cooperate with us?"
"Madam, as you yourself said, you are setting a precedent. If we're going to do it, we should do it in a groundbreaking way!"
Seeing that An Hongdou's attitude had softened, the girl continued, "Madam, there's no need to be troubled. My mistress never intended to profit from this embroidery shop, but she can help make things easier for us in Qingzhou County. However, after Qingzhou County, wherever we develop, it must be done in my mistress's name."
"I see now, they're trying to get something for nothing! They want to enjoy a good reputation without doing anything, how wonderful! I want to know, what will happen if we don't agree?" Wu Linglong couldn't help but ask.
"Let's try diplomacy first, then force. There's nothing my lady can't do if she wants to. If you two ladies don't accept our toast, things will get ugly!"
"What do you intend to do?" An Hongdou asked, somewhat curious about Feng Qiang's methods.
"It's not easy to accomplish something, but it's not hard to destroy it. Li Lai'er, who's back home, has a bad reputation," the girl threatened.
It seems that Feng Qiang and Xie's new wife really did have a relationship.
“If we agree to cooperate, I’m afraid the specific details are not something you can decide!” An Hongdou knew that she couldn’t avoid this matter, so she might as well try to gain more initiative.
"If Madam agrees, my lady would like to invite you to her residence for a chat." The implication was that she was there to invite someone.
"She's really assertive," An Hongdou thought with a hint of helplessness.
“We are indeed new to this place and have not yet settled many matters, so we cannot leave for the time being. Would you please stay for a few days?” An Hongdou invited.
“No problem. I’ll write a letter first to inform my wife. Madam Li, you will be grateful for today’s choice. Coming from a humble family, let alone a woman, even a man would face countless difficulties without the support of a noble person.” The girl was very happy to see that things had gone smoothly and unconsciously said a few more words.
"Now, young lady, could you please tell us your name? I'd like to stay for a few days so we can make arrangements." The young lady hadn't revealed her name before, which suggested she had ill intentions.
"Madam, just call me Maple Leaf. My lady likes red, and also favors maple. Her head maid is named Maple Leaf or Maple Tree." Maple Leaf is very good at reading people and knows that An Hongdou will be dealing with her lady a lot in the future, so she doesn't mind currying favor with her.
"It's admirable that Maple Leaf is given such an important position at such a young age," An Hongdou praised.
"Madam flatters me. I've only been with my mistress since childhood, and have seen much of the world in wealthy and powerful families. Madam is also very capable; otherwise, she wouldn't have caught my mistress's eye." Maple Leaf was somewhat proud, but not smug. Seeing that his goal had been achieved, his attitude became much more humble.
This change was difficult for Wu Linglong, who was standing to the side, to adapt to.
After settling Fengye in, she pulled An Hongdou aside and exclaimed, "The maids in this wealthy family change their tune so quickly!"
"She's shrewd and eloquent; I'm afraid Feng Qiang is quite a formidable person." An Hongdou didn't actually enjoy dealing with these kinds of people.
Her life with Wu Linglong was very simple. They were pampered by their parents since childhood and had never suffered much hardship in life.
After getting married, although there were some disagreements with her mother-in-law's family, the two of them kept each other company, her husband was satisfied, and their life was colorful.
But getting involved with these influential people will likely make it difficult to have peace in the future.
But Maple Leaf was right. If you want to achieve something, you can't avoid the help of benefactors in this world.
If men are like this, how much more so women?
"Have you ever dealt with Feng Qiang before?" Wu Linglong asked.
"It was just a brief encounter, I couldn't tell much from her. I only vaguely remember that Feng Qiang was dressed in luxurious clothes, somewhat arrogant, and disdainful of dealing with the wives of the county magistrates," An Hongdou tried to recall.
"Now it seems she has the right to be arrogant. Not getting along with others doesn't necessarily mean she lacks knowledge; rather, it means she can't use it. Seeing how capable her maid is today, she must be quite shrewd herself."
Having provoked Feng Qiang, An Hongdou didn't know whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.
"That's it. We're just two clever little foxes at best. If we really encounter those ferocious beasts, we'll be eaten alive, not even bones will be left," Wu Linglong lamented.
"We'll meet force with force and water with earth. As long as we sisters are united, I believe we can find a way." Although An Hongdou herself wasn't sure, she still comforted Wu Linglong.
For the next few days, the maple leaves behaved themselves, remaining quiet as if they didn't exist.
But An Hongdou knew this, she just never showed it to the two of them.
Behind the scenes, Maple Leaf had already gathered a lot of information from the two embroiderers she had brought from Qingyin County.
After making some rough arrangements, An Hongdou and Fengye set off for Qingzhou County.
Wu Linglong did not accompany them.
Qingling County is just starting out, and it needs people in charge.
Wu Linglong was worried about An Hongdou being alone, so she borrowed a reliable bodyguard named Li Asi from Li Zeren to accompany her.
Qingzhou County, the county magistrate's office.
Feng Qiang was indeed impressive; she found another residence near the government office that was spacious and grand.
As soon as the carriage stopped, servants came to greet it.
"Madam must be tired from your journey. Would you like to rest first, or go directly to see my wife?" Maple Leaf asked.
“Now that we have arrived at your esteemed place, we should naturally pay our respects to the host first,” An Hongdou said.
"Alright, then please come with me, madam. Have some tea in the side room while I go and report."
Soon after, the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor.
It looks like Feng Qiang has arrived.
An Hongdou put down her teacup and sat up.
The hand under the sleeve unconsciously clenched the handkerchief tightly.
When the door opened, An Hongdou was already standing on the ground to greet her.
"Madam Li, if I had known you were such a wonderful person, I should have gotten to know you sooner."
The one speaking must be Feng Qiang.
An Hongdou greeted her and then said, "Madam, you flatter me. I've heard that you come from a distinguished family, and I imagine there are too many people eager to get to know you. You must be too busy to do so, and I am just a nobody. It's simply that my time hasn't come yet. But now, we've become acquainted!"
“Mrs. Li is right. Please sit down, let’s talk over tea.”
“My husband’s surname is Wang, so you can call me Madam Wang. To be honest, my husband and I are just passing through Qingzhou County and will be returning to the capital soon,” Feng Qiang said.
An Hongdou nodded. It seemed that this was a nobleman's son being sent down to gain experience before returning to the capital for a promotion when the time came.
“However, there needs to be a reason to return to the capital. During the previous flood season, Qingzhou County did not perform well, and my husband still lacks some achievements in his administration,” Feng Qiang continued.
Li Zeli did make an appearance during the flood season.
"This is because his family took credit for his husband's work, so they're coming to ask you for it, Madam." An Hongdou felt a little guilty.
Seemingly sensing what An Hongdou was thinking, Feng Qiang spoke up: "Although we each rely on our own abilities, cooperation and mutual benefit are always better than fighting alone. My husband and I have a future in this small Qingzhou, and your husband is not qualified to be our opponent."
An Hongdou could only force a smile and say, "Madam is right, I was narrow-minded."
"However, if we cooperate properly, it won't be difficult to help your husband when needed in the future," Feng Qiang promised.
An Hongdou didn't know Feng Qiang's character and had nowhere to inquire.
At this moment, she can only respond sincerely.
She slowly revealed her original intentions and purposes in establishing the apprenticeship class and Jinxiu Pavilion, observing Feng Qiang's reaction.
“Madam has done a good deed. I have no intention of obstructing or interfering. It is only a small favor, and I would be happy to do you a favor. There is only one condition: I want a good reputation.” Feng Qiang stated directly.
"Madam, are you referring to Li Lai'er?" An Hongdou's heart tightened. Feng Qiang probably wanted to kill Li Lai'er.
"Yes and no. If my Feng family truly doesn't want to give her a way out, she won't have a chance to go back." These words were made without any attempt to conceal their true intentions, truly showing that they regarded their status as inferior and commoners as worthless.
An Hongdou was somewhat angry, but reason told her that she had no say.
She is neither a powerful figure nor a local bully, and now she is on someone else's turf, so she can only protect herself first.
"What does Madam mean? Li Lai'er is my husband's sister. I just wanted to give her a chance to make a living. After all, once she goes back home, she'll have to rely on us to support her." This was An Hongdou's first time working with a noblewoman, and she was unfamiliar with their way of doing things, so she had to be careful.
"The past is over, it's not a big deal. Madam, there's no need to worry. I don't intend to pursue anything, but I'm just saying that what happened to her is a potential problem."
Feng Qiang analyzed it for An Hongdou.
"I crave fame, but fame is the most elusive thing. Today it may help me, tomorrow it may betray me. If I fall from grace, your future enemies will be no small fry."
"I'll be frank. You can keep Li Lai'er, but she can only work behind the scenes. I know you lack talent. Fengshu is a maid who grew up with me. I'll give her to you and let her take the lead. I feel at ease with that."
After saying this, An Hongdou couldn't help but smile bitterly.
"Madam, could you give me some time to think?"
Not wanting to push people too hard, Feng Qiang readily agreed.
"Maple Tree, come and greet Madam Li. You will stay by Madam Li's side and serve her for the next few days!"
Before leaving, Feng Qiang left the maple tree behind.
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