As Zhao Qingyan listened to the little girl's rambling, she fell into deep thought, feeling that there was something wrong with the little girl's mother.
It's chilling to think about; this little girl's father might already be in trouble.
I glanced again in the mirror at the little girl behind me, who was continuing to comb my hair.
"Is your father good to you?"
The little girl nodded, then shook her head.
"When I was little, my dad treated me quite well."
Occasionally, when he came home from work, he would buy me some snacks. Later, my father's temper worsened, and he also started drinking.
He gets violent when he's drunk. He often beats my mother until she's covered in bruises.
Once I overheard my mother talking to my aunt, saying that my father had gone to the gambling den again. Later, my father was carried home with a broken leg.
During that time, life at home became increasingly difficult.
Zhao Qingyan asked, "How old were you back then?"
The little girl tilted her head and thought for a moment.
"I can't rush it either, he's probably eight or nine years old. I think he's nine."
"How did you know that things were getting harder at home? Logically speaking, your mother shouldn't be talking to a little kid like you about the family's livelihood."
Zhao Qingyan asked again.
The little girl's aggrieved expression practically screamed, "You look down on me!"
"Does Miss also think I'm stupid?"
I may not be clever, but I'm not stupid, okay? The porridge at home is getting thinner and thinner every day. Isn't life getting harder and harder?
Even if I went to find wild vegetables with my sisters.
But the more wild vegetables you bring home, the less rice you put in the porridge.
Zhao Qingyan wanted to laugh but held it back, so her expression looked very awkward.
She really wanted to ask one more question.
"Did you continue to pick wild vegetables after that?"
Considering the little girl's bitter and resentful expression, it's best not to upset her.
Change the topic appropriately.
"How old were you when you were sold to slave traders? Was my family the first family you were sold into?"
"When I was ten years old, my mother sold me to a human broker. I was trained there for half a month."
I was first bought by a family to learn how to sweep and clean, for about two years, which I remember was over two centuries.
That family is moving to Shenjunli, I don't know exactly where, but it's quite far.
Then I, along with a few other maids and servants, were sold to a brokerage firm.
Later, the steward Chang bought it back and taught it the rules for more than two months.
I learned how to comb my hair after I was bought by Steward Chang.
"My hands are so nimble! I only studied combing hair for half a month, and I can already comb it better than my master."
Zhao Qingyan nodded, "Yes, that's smart enough. Okay, are you done combing your hair?"
The little girl nodded, "It would be perfect if I wore a beaded flower on it."
Well, looking at her head full of jewels, Zhao Qingyan really wanted to say, "Are you using me as a jewelry display case?"
However, it is quite beautiful.
Even if it looked good, it wouldn't work. Zhao Qingyan took off several gold hairpins from her head, leaving only a jade hairpin in her hair. She then put on matching earrings and went out.
Upon arriving at the lobby of the Hui Cui Pavilion, Zhao Qingyan adjusted her facial expression before walking towards the booths where the young ladies were seated.
"What wind blew these young ladies here?"
I just woke up. If I had known my sisters were coming at this time, I would have had the maid wake me up much earlier.
Zhao Qingyan's purpose in saying this was
One reason is to tell these ladies that they arrived too early and disturbed my sleep.
Also, I wasn't fully awake yet, so it's normal that I'm late in meeting you all.
Anyway, she's not afraid of being labeled as lazy, so she can say whatever she wants.
The ladies were a little embarrassed. To be honest, when they arrived, the Hui Cui Pavilion hadn't even opened yet.
Visiting someone's home without sending a formal invitation is, by all accounts, somewhat against the rules.
Fortunately, Zhao Qingyan didn't have many ulterior motives. She found these beautiful young girls quite pleasing to the eye.
Ladies, have you had breakfast yet?
If you haven't eaten yet, let's have something at Huicui Pavilion, it's on me.
All the noble ladies shook their heads.
Zhao Qingyan was a little confused. "Are you shaking your heads because you didn't eat breakfast?"
Qiu Fengqin smiled.
We shook our heads. We hadn't had breakfast yet, but we didn't need Miss Zhao to treat us; we would pay for it ourselves.
Just bring us the signboard.
Of course, a discount or something would be best.
Zhao Qingyan smiled.
"Very well, since you ladies are looking after the business, I will naturally comply."
Zhao Qingyan called over a waiter, and the ladies each ordered their dishes.
Zhao Qingyan whispered a few more instructions, and the waiter nodded and left.
Soon, the ladies' breakfast was served, and Zhao Qingyan naturally ordered one as well, joining the ladies in eating breakfast.
"My favorite food is these shrimp dumplings. They are so delicious. The shrimp are very fresh. It's just a pity that there are too few of them."
There are only three in one steamer basket, Miss Zhao. Could you please talk to the chef and suggest putting four in? Even if it's a bit more expensive, that would be fine.
Zhao Qingyan really wanted to say that in later generations, three shrimp dumplings in a steamer would cost more than thirty yuan, which would be enough to buy about 8 grams of silver, a small amount of silver.
Beijing is located inland, and transportation is inconvenient. Is it easy to get some fresh goods?
I want four more. How much more capital would I need? How much silver should I charge you?
Zhao Qingyan simply ignored the question of how much.
They just asked how the taste was and whether there were any areas for improvement.
The chatter, after summarizing, all boils down to blandness. Everyone seems to want to add some salt.
Zhao Qingyan smiled.
"Too much salt isn't good either. But everyone's taste is different, so I'll have someone prepare a small condiment for everyone."
If you feel the texture isn't thick enough, then dip it in some sauce.
Most of the breakfasts ordered by everyone are traditional Lingnan-style morning tea. The focus is on light and refreshing dishes, while emphasizing refinement.
Therefore, it is normal to have a smaller portion.
However, there's one advantage to eating like this, have you noticed?
Zhao Qingyan guided her daughters' thinking.
Someone immediately asked what the benefits would be, and Zhao Qingyan chuckled.
"This product comes in small portions but has a variety of flavors, so you can enjoy a variety of tastes without feeling stuffed."
Isn't that wonderful? Eating just the right amount, isn't that comfortable and satisfying?
The noble ladies suddenly realized,
"Yes, we are usually required to eat only until we are 70% full."
At home, even eating one extra bite would get you made to walk in the garden for half an hour.
A chubby-cheeked little girl pouted and said.
The young girl's words resonated with the other noble ladies.
They all started complaining that with such strict family discipline, it must be incredibly difficult to eat one's fill and enjoy a satisfying meal.
So they always make excuses, like when they go out with a friend, they take the opportunity to have sex outside.
It's just that its small appetite, ingrained over the years, means it can't eat as much as you want.
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