Yan Qingqing was unwilling to accept Wang Dong's grand gesture, so she quickly helped him up and said, "Good child, get up. It's important to settle your grandfather's funeral arrangements."
Although Wang Dong is Wang Laoshi's only grandson, he is still young and doesn't know much, so there's not much he can do. But Yan Qingqing can see that Wang Dong is doing his best.
There are many customs and traditions surrounding the death of ordinary people, especially in ancient times.
However, Wang Laoshi's family had special circumstances, so they didn't have to follow those rules.
Yan Qingqing couldn't help much with the coffin selection, burial, or funeral arrangements, so she didn't stay there for long before returning home.
A few days later, after the snow on the road had completely melted, Yan Qingqing and her group's business with Yuelaiju and Jinshengge returned to normal. This heavy snow had almost caused several people to die in every village; some froze to death, while others were crushed to death by the collapsed houses caused by the heavy snow.
But those who are alive must continue living; no one can live in sorrow forever.
Yan Qingqing hadn't been to the county town since the beginning of winter, so she planned to go there for a stroll.
Last time, she talked to Li Xiang'an about buying a shop to start her own business. Yan Qingqing had been keeping this in mind, but the recent heavy snow delayed it.
Li Yueniang knew that Yan Qingqing was going to the city and wanted to go with her, and Yan Qingqing did not refuse.
Despite her young age, Li Yueniang is the most career-driven among the three sisters-in-law.
Whenever she had free time, the child would stay in the embroidery workshop, learning embroidery from Grandma Yan and management from Yuan Huiniang and the others. She would also ask Yan Qingqing for advice from time to time.
Li Xiang'an was worried that Yan Qingqing and Li Yueniang would be cold in the carriage, so he put a charcoal brazier in the carriage.
Li Yueniang joked, "Look how good the treatment is when you come to the city with your mother. I heard that only some wealthy families have charcoal braziers in their carriages."
Li Xiang'an tapped her on the head and asked, "You stay in the embroidery workshop all day and don't see a single person outside. Who told you that?"
Li Yueniang covered her head and glared angrily at Li Xiang'an, saying, "Of course I heard it from Grandma. Besides, I'm not Silang. I'm a grown woman now. You can't just hit my head like that."
After saying that, she looked at Yan Qingqing and said coquettishly, "Mother, you should keep an eye on Second Brother. You can't just touch a girl's head like that."
Yan Qingqing glanced helplessly at Li Xiang'an and said, "Erlang, you are the older brother, you should give way to your younger sister."
"And your sister isn't very bright to begin with, what if you make her even more mentally challenged?"
Li Yueniang was initially pleased to see Yan Qingqing speaking up for her, but as she listened, something about it started to feel off.
Li Xiang'an laughed heartily and said to Yan Qingqing, "Mother is right. If she really becomes stupid and can't get married, we'll be stuck with her."
Upon hearing this, Li Yueniang immediately retorted, "Hmph, let's talk about that after you, this old bachelor, get married."
Li Xiang'an: ...
Yan Qingqing: ……
Is Li Yueniang really that sharp-tongued, or is she just out of touch with the times, being called an old bachelor at the age of fourteen?
After the brother and sister laughed and teased each other for a while, Yan Qingqing and the others finally boarded the carriage to the county town.
Li Yueniang stretched comfortably and said, "This carriage is much better than the oxcart. Not only is it faster, but it's also not bumpy at all."
Yan Qingqing glanced at her and replied, "Of course, you should always believe that you get what you pay for."
Good things always have a reason for their high price.
The cow they bought only cost twelve taels of silver, and Wei Laosan even gave them a bullock cart for free.
This horse was bought by Manager Xue of Yuelaiju Restaurant. Even without considering anything else, it cost sixty-five taels of silver. It's like comparing an Alto to an Audi; they're not in the same league.
Li Xinniang felt that Yan Qingqing's words made a lot of sense, which further strengthened her belief in making money.
Soon the mother and her two children arrived in the county town. Li Xiang'an went to the restaurant to deliver braised offal, and Yan Qingqing and the others went with him.
In fact, the heavy snow did have an impact on Chengyang County. Yan Qingqing looked around and saw that many shops along the street were still closed.
However, this might be a good thing for Yan Qingqing, since she wants to buy a shop but doesn't have much money. Under the current circumstances, the shop shouldn't be too expensive.
After Li Xiang'an finished delivering the goods, they went straight to the brokerage firm. Li Xiang'an had found this brokerage firm in advance, so as soon as they entered, someone warmly greeted them.
Li Xiang'an cupped his hands in greeting to the middle-aged man opposite him and said, "Manager Chen, do you have any suitable shops available recently, as I mentioned to you some time ago?"
Upon seeing that it was Li Xiang'an, Manager Chen immediately smiled and said, "Oh, it's Boss Li! You've come at the right time. I do have a suitable shop in my possession. I'll take you to see it right now."
Because Li Xiang'an frequently went out to do business, and their business of "Flip Red" was recognized by the county magistrate, no one dared to bully him because of his young age. On the contrary, they all thought he was young and promising and were willing to befriend him.
Li Xiang'an laughed and said, "Oh, Manager Chen, please don't call me boss anymore. We're just starting out and have a long way to go."
"I'm here today with the intention of buying the shop. I've even brought my mother with me. Could you tell me about the shop first? That way, my mother won't make a wasted trip."
Manager Chen had already seen Yan Qingqing and Li Yueniang, but since Li Xiang'an hadn't introduced them, he didn't want to ask too many questions.
Looking at Yan Qingqing, he thought to himself, "She really has a great demeanor."
He then cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Yan Qingqing and said, "Madam, you truly have a dignified bearing. No wonder you were able to raise such an outstanding child."
Anyone can say polite words, especially an old hand like Yan Qingqing, who made Manager Chen very happy.
Finally, Steward Chen said, "Chatting with Madam is truly a pleasure."
If you trust me, madam, I can recommend two excellent shop locations that will absolutely satisfy you.
Yan Qingqing quickly thanked him after hearing this. Manager Chen said, "It's located in the East City. It used to be a teahouse, but it was transferred due to poor management and the snow disaster."
Mr. Chen went to see the interior and found that all the furnishings were new. They used to sell for 1,200 taels, but now the owner was selling them for 1,000 taels.
There's another nice place; it used to be a steamed bun shop, though the shop itself wasn't big. But it had a large courtyard in the back where people could live.
The price is cheap; it used to cost eight hundred taels, but now it's only five hundred taels. However…”
Manager Chen hesitated for a moment after saying this, but Yan Qingqing was not in a hurry and waited for him to finish speaking.
Manager Chen knew that this matter could not be kept secret, so he spoke frankly: "It's just that there is a brothel next door. Most people feel that being too close to a brothel is indecent and they are afraid that others will say that they are not respectable."
Yan Qingqing chuckled upon hearing this. It's said that people laugh at poverty but not prostitution. Brothels are businesses too, so Yan Qingqing really didn't care.
Those who can afford to frequent brothels are not short of money. Perhaps their braised offal has found another way to sell.
Thinking about this, Yan Qingqing had an idea.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com