After the meeting, Yan Qingqing dismissed everyone. She explained that such an incident in the workshop was not only the workers' responsibility, but also the responsibility of the management. Therefore, it was important to establish sound rules and regulations.
After everyone had left, Li Sanniu looked at Yan Qingqing and asked, "Second Sister-in-law, how do we resolve this matter now? There are only a few days left before the delivery date for those merchants is set, and I estimate that they will arrive one after another in the next few days."
Yan Qingqing also knew that this matter could not be delayed any longer.
So he said to Li Sanniu, "Go to the other workshops and borrow a few more scales. Then weigh all those preserved eggs, along with the jars. After weighing each jar, put a label on it and record the data. Send me a copy later."
Although Li Sanniu wasn't quite sure what Yan Qingqing was up to, he still hurried off to take care of it.
After finishing these matters, Yan Qingqing returned home. Sitting in her room, looking at the peonies outside the window, she sighed, "I am truly a law-abiding citizen. Look at how many people I have sent to the county government this past year. Magistrate Ling might even be grateful to me."
Magistrate Ling, who was working in the county government office, sneezed one after another.
Magistrate Ling put down his pen, rubbed his nose, and said, "Could it be that someone has designs on me?"
Just then, Butler Ling hurried over and said, "Master, someone has brought two thieves over."
Magistrate Ling snorted and said, "What kind of trivial matters do you all trouble me with? What are you all good for?"
Butler Ling explained in a low voice, "It was Mingzhao who had someone send it over."
Magistrate Ling stood up abruptly, then realized he had overreacted and muttered to himself, "She's probably attracting a lot of attention now, sending people to me every few days. She's really doing me a favor."
Steward Ling chuckled upon hearing this, and Magistrate Ling glared at him, saying, "What's so funny? Can't you let me have some peace and quiet? By the way, who brought the person here?"
Butler Ling said, "It is the second young master of the Li family."
Magistrate Ling suddenly laughed and said, "It seems that Lady Mingzhao still respects me quite a bit. She even had her precious son come in person to deliver a petty thief. Come on! Let's go take a look!"
After saying that, he walked out first.
Butler Ling: ...
Steward Ling inwardly cursed Magistrate Ling. This was probably a classic case of double standards. Look at how he ran faster than anyone else when he heard Li Xiang'an was coming; anyone who didn't know better would think it was his son.
Li Xiang'an and his men took the people to the county government office, where the yamen runners took over their duties.
Even the clerk standing to the side was very polite to Li Xiang'an, unlike the first time Li Xiang'an followed his mother into the county government office when his legs went weak.
Their family's current status is all thanks to their capable mother.
However, Li Xiang'an did not become arrogant because of this; instead, he became even more humble, leaving no room for criticism.
Magistrate Ling arrived at the county government's main hall quickly. Before even entering, he asked, "I heard your house was robbed again. How is it? Did you suffer any losses?"
Seeing that Magistrate Ling was so concerned about their family's situation, Li Xiang'an quickly stood up and bowed to Magistrate Ling.
Magistrate Ling waved his hand and said, "We're already so familiar with each other, there's no need to be so polite."
He then asked Li Xiang'an to sit down and inquired about the whole story.
Li Xiang'an dared not hide anything and told him everything.
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Ling first laughed and said, "Your mother has always been meticulous. If she hadn't discovered it in time, your family would have suffered heavy losses this time."
Li Xiang'an nodded in agreement; his mother was indeed the pillar of their family.
Magistrate Ling then said, "I didn't expect that Assistant Magistrate Shen would be so muddle-headed. Do I need to step in and mediate between you?"
Li Xiang'an shook his head and replied, "To be honest, Your Excellency, after so many incidents, the conflict between our two families has deepened to the point that I'm afraid there's no way to resolve it."
Li Xiang'an knew what kind of person Yan Qingqing was; his mother wasn't the type to compromise.
Therefore, Li Xiang'an could not and dared not agree to Magistrate Ling's proposal.
Seeing that Li Xiang'an disagreed, Magistrate Ling smiled and said, "That's fine then. Anyway, the man surnamed Shen isn't someone worth associating with. Go back and tell your mother that if she has any problems that she can't solve, she can come to me anytime."
Li Xiang'an quickly thanked Magistrate Ling, while Steward Ling rolled his eyes wildly, feeling that his master was being excessively enthusiastic about Yan Qingqing's matter.
Finally, Li Xiang'an subtly implied that these two people should not be released easily. He added that it was Yan Qingqing's idea, and that Magistrate Ling would naturally agree to such a simple request.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Li Xiang'an bid farewell to Magistrate Ling.
Seeing that it was still early, I went to the shop again.
When Li Xiang'an arrived, there were several groups of customers in the shop, and Wang Dong and Li Xiangbao handled the welcoming and seeing off of them with great ease.
Xue Xiaowu was the first to spot Li Xiang'an and greeted him with a smile.
It was only then that Li Xiang'an realized that they had all grown up. Wang Dong and Li Xiangbao were already capable of handling things on their own, and he was no longer limited to just this one shop.
After staying in the shop for a while, Li Xiang'an felt he had no use for his skills, so he asked Ah Er to drive the carriage home.
When Yan Qingqing got home, she was talking to Li Xiangping.
Although Li Xiangping had become an eighth-rank agricultural official, he still loved the land as much as ever. Even on hot days, he would go out early and return late, spending his days in the fields, or discussing with Old Zhang how to grow flowers better.
Li Xiangping said, "Mother, besides the two gardens, there's a lot of empty land on that piece of wasteland. It's such a waste to leave it idle. Why don't we plant something?"
Yan Qingqing nodded and replied, "I was just thinking about that, but I haven't had a chance to tell you yet."
I'm planning to build another chrysanthemum garden. And I'll also create a bamboo grove. That way, that open space will be full. What do you think?
Li Xiangping laughed and said, "What Mother says is certainly true. I never expected Mother to be so enthusiastic about planting these flowers and plants."
Yan Qingqing chuckled and said, "Silly son, this isn't enthusiasm, it's about making money."
Li Xiangping disagreed, saying, "Although our school has been doing well lately, the number of students in Chengyang County is limited, and they can't all come every month."
Yan Qingqing naturally understood this principle. No matter how beautiful their garden was, these people couldn't come every day; they were just here for the novelty.
So she has her own plans; people need to develop, and gardens also need to transform.
She simply doesn't have the energy to work on this this year, but once the transformation is successful, it will be another path to wealth.
Just then, Li Xiang'an returned and told Yan Qingqing about the incident and Magistrate Ling's attitude.
Yan Qingqing was very satisfied with what she heard. After the three of them chatted for a while, Ruyi came to report that it was time for dinner.
Yan Qingqing instantly perked up and took her two sons to the dining room for dinner.
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