Chapter 32 Missing a Maid
When they returned to the east wing, Chen Qi had already washed and dressed in casual clothes, with her hair loose like a cloud. She was looking through the old and new account books under the lamp.
Xie Yuduo took advantage of the time to wash up and told Chen Qi the whole story of this batch of medicinal materials.
Shen Qi rested her pen on her chin and smiled, "Although things seem to be going smoothly, after listening carefully, I feel that we are in the same situation. I have my second aunt's secrets, and you also feel that Director Tang is hiding something from the master."
"That's right. Dealing with this kind of thing is harder than doing legitimate business."
Shen Qi nodded in understanding.
"You've been away from home for a long time, and you've only been back for a few months. If you kick out the supervisor as soon as you get home, it's bound to be seen as an attempt to seize power and take over the store. Even if my eldest brother doesn't say anything, he's bound to be suspicious."
Xie Yuduo washed up, dried his hands, sat on the chair opposite Shen Qi, and said with a smile:
"You and I are thinking the same thing. We both know that it's not easy to overthrow the old master when you first arrive."
"Since you said the shop has been in a downturn in recent years, I'm sure the business in the future won't be any worse than before. Let's wait and see."
When Xie Yuduo saw Chen Qi put away the account book and was about to turn around, he couldn't help but reach out, pull her into his arms, and stroke her black hair.
"What a clever girl! I am so lucky to have you as my wife."
Chen Qi smiled and scolded, "I heard that you only liked me, so how do you know that other girls are not your blessings?"
"How could you, such a clever person, not even know this? This is what it means to cultivate for a hundred lifetimes to share a ferry, and a thousand lifetimes to sleep on the same pillow. The bond between you and me was already tied by the matchmaker in the sky. It was ordained by the heavens, and even across mountains and rivers, we will be bound together."
Chen Qi listened to the childish words and pushed him away with a smile.
"You've never met me. What if I'm a fool? Wouldn't you regret it for the rest of your life?"
Xie Yuduo sighed, "It seems that God has pity on me and cannot bear to see me suffer for the rest of my life. That is why we are destined to be together today."
"Bah, if someone else was in your arms, you would say the same thing."
After hearing this, Xie Yuduo picked up the person in his arms by the waist, walked into the bedroom, pressed her on the bed, playfully tickled her, and insisted that she change her words.
"Hahaha...hahaha...I was wrong...good brother...please spare Yue'er..."
Chen Qi couldn't stop laughing and responded to him in a low voice.
"Only God knows my heart..."
For several days, Second Aunt was always worried that her act of withholding money for vegetables would be exposed. Although she had secretly changed some of the accounts, she was still restless.
After more than half a month, she saw that Chen Qi had been calm, so she hinted at it a few times, and everything was fine.
In the blink of an eye, it was October and the account book was back in the hands of Second Aunt.
Seeing that nothing was wrong, she felt relieved. However, she secretly cursed Chen Qi for being greedy and doing such a thing to enrich herself, which robbed her of her money. She was very angry.
One day, while having breakfast, my cousin's wife, Mrs. Sun, suddenly felt a little nauseous.
Everyone was a little surprised when they saw this. The eldest brother Xie Yuming was the most nervous and hurriedly took some tea for her to rinse her mouth.
"What's wrong? Is today's food not fresh?"
Second Aunt hated to hear people criticize her the most, so she immediately retorted, "How can it not be fresh? Everything is freshly bought this morning, so why are others eating it and nothing wrong? You are not in good health, yet you are the one who finds fault with the food!"
Old Madam Wu examined Sun's face and instructed her grandson, "Ming'er, after dinner, find a doctor to see her. Your wife is already weak, and now she has caught a cold. Ask the doctor to prescribe some medicine and take good care of her."
Sun covered her chest and immediately shook her head.
"No need. I just caught a cold. I have medicines ready. No need to trouble the doctor."
Her voice was weak but firm.
Xie Yuming looked down at his wife and opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but Sun squeezed his hand calmly, motioning him not to speak, and helped the maid back to her room.
Chen Qi watched from the side, had some guesses in mind, and came back to talk to Xie Yuduo about it.
"Sister-in-law was feeling nauseous while eating today. Is she... pregnant?"
"Who knows?"
"Big brother should know. If sister-in-law is really pregnant, shouldn't she see a doctor? Why does sister-in-law refuse to do so, and big brother is stopping her?"
"Maybe not." Xie Yuduo said, handing her a large red envelope, "Take a look at this."
Chen Qi took it and took a look. It was an invitation.
"It was sent by the Zhou family, who own a restaurant on South Street. They said their youngest son is getting married on the 22nd of this month, and they'd like us to go have a drink."
Chen Qi closed the invitation, feeling a little nervous.
"It's unfortunate. This is my first time attending a banquet in your county since I got married, and my sister-in-law is ill. You'll be drinking with the men, so there'll be no one to join me. I'm afraid there will be too many people around, and if someone talks to me, I won't recognize them. What will happen then?"
Xie Yuduo said, "Even if my eldest sister-in-law isn't sick, she never goes out to banquets. If you're worried about not being able to recognize everyone, just ask my third sister to go with you. When you meet someone, just call them by their given name."
Chen Qi: "This is strange, what's the reason? Why doesn't my sister-in-law go?"
Xie Yuduo said nothing and changed the subject.
"I've been thinking about one thing. There are two maids in the West Courtyard, and we only have Chunliu here. She follows Yujing around all day and can't help you much. I have to find you another maid."
Chen Qi shook her head and said, "I'm used to doing things at home. Besides, you're at home and help me a lot, so I don't feel tired."
"You don't know, but we don't have many banquets at home right now. As the New Year approaches, we'll have to attend banquets every few days, so you'll need a maid to take care of you. I know you're not spoiled, but you can't live without what others have. You can't let others see that our family is different and create unnecessary speculation. Go pick one out tomorrow and train her well. It will be convenient for you once you get used to her."
Shen Qi thought about it and smiled: "In that case, I have a candidate in mind, so there is no need to choose anymore."
"Oh, who is it?"
"There's a little girl in Baihe Town, she's thirteen years old this year. She used to help out at my house. She's very smart and perceptive. She has so many children at home that she can't take care of them all. My mother told me her parents want her to get married."
Xie Yuduo frowned. "Such a young girl, not much older than Yujing, is going to get married?"
"I think so too. She's too young. I'll go back to her parents' home tomorrow. If she's willing, I'll bring her here. It will be good for her to get married when she's a few years older."
"That's fine. But I'm busy at the shop tomorrow and I'm afraid I won't have time to accompany you."
Chen Qi said quickly, "It's okay, I know the way."
Xie Yuduo disagreed.
"That horse is not a docile little thing. Well, let Xiaowu go with you. He can drive and is smart. I feel more at ease with him going with you."
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