Jiang Shan laughed and said, "Your father is the real old fox. He sees everyone as a hunter. Don't listen to him!"
Qin Yao also laughed heartily, hands on her hips: "Sister Jiang, you're absolutely right! My dad talks about this old fox and that old fox all the time, but little does he know that in other people's eyes he's a complete old fox too! Hahaha, that's hilarious!"
As she was laughing, Qin Yao's expression froze, as if she had suddenly remembered something, and the light in her eyes went out in an instant.
She didn't say anything, just rested her chin on her hand and watched Jiang Huai eat heartily. She couldn't help but pick up a piece of pastry and slowly chew it herself.
Jiang Shan also took a piece of fruit and ate it, asking casually, "What's wrong?"
Qin Yao shook her head and said sadly, "I can't eat at Jiang's Private Kitchen for the next two months! My dad has deducted all my monthly allowance again!"
Jiang Shan's eyes widened. "Deduct it from your monthly pay?"
How could the Minister of Revenue withhold his beloved daughter's monthly allowance? What kind of bizarre move is this?
Qin Yao said bitterly, "My dad said I wasted too much flour making pastries and he's going to deduct my monthly salary! It's clear he hasn't brought his salary home for several months and doesn't have money to buy my mother a birthday present, humph!"
Jiang Shan was stunned. Was this the kind of Minister of Revenue he was? So poor that he even had to cut back on his daughter's monthly allowance?
After a moment of silence, Jiang Shan asked in a low voice, "Is your father... very poor?"
Qin Yao's face scrunched up in a bitter expression as she nodded vigorously. "Extremely poor! Any official in the capital with a rank is richer than him! Luckily, my mother still has a few shops that are quite profitable, otherwise I wouldn't be able to afford new clothes for all four seasons!"
Jiang Shan felt a pang of sympathy for Minister Qin in his heart.
"Alas, my father is suffering too! The national treasury is empty, and everyone in the court who needs money for big or small matters has to ask my father for help. Even if he sold himself, it wouldn't be enough!"
Qin Yao stared blankly at the fruit platter, listlessly feeding Jiang Huai peeled grapes.
Jiang Shan finally understood the significance of her special trip.
She didn't say anything more, stood up and walked to the railing of the attic, looking around.
Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that there were hardly any servants in the garden. The pavilions in the garden were filled with beautifully packaged pastries and tea for people to help themselves.
It's somewhat similar to a buffet.
Jiang Shan realized that the Qin Minister's residence was indeed frugal!
Jiang Shan glanced at Qin Yao's worried face and said with a smile, "A Yao, do you want to do some profitable business with me?"
Qin Yao was stunned at first, then overjoyed.
"Is it okay? Sister Jiang really willing to take me along to do business?"
"Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—merchants don't have a very good reputation. You'll be marrying into a noble family in the future, so think it over carefully before you come to me."
"No need to think about it! If I can make a lot of money, I'll find a son-in-law to live with my parents in their old age, and send him to his noble family!"
As Qin Yao spoke, she hopped in front of Jiang Shan, her face full of smugness.
Jiang Shan chuckled and said, "Then it's settled! Jiang's Cake Shop will open a few more branches. At that time, we can not only make and sell cakes, but also make all kinds of pastries. I guarantee that you will earn much more money than your father's salary!"
Qin Yao jumped three feet high, excitedly babbling incoherently, "Jiang's Egg, Cake Shop? Is it real? Can I have it?"
Jiang Shan pressed her down into a chair and said seriously, "Why would I lie to you! I'm just worried about who I can use. You have a talent for making pastries, and I believe we'll have a very pleasant working relationship!"
Qin Yao's face turned bright red, and she nodded repeatedly.
After sitting for a while, Qin Yao led Jiang Shan and Jiang Huai down from the pavilion and introduced them to a group of noble ladies.
Qin Yao's unusually enthusiastic attitude towards Jiang Shan surprised many noble ladies, but no one would be foolish enough to oppose the daughter of a second-rank official on the spot. They all maintained a superficial friendliness and intimacy towards Jiang Shan.
It wasn't until Qin Yao introduced Prince Huai that the noble ladies revealed their true feelings.
Those who had sent messages to Jiangshan would go to great lengths to cultivate a relationship with him.
Everything went very smoothly from then on.
Those who had close ties with Yi'an also kept their tails between their legs at this moment, at least not daring to openly offend Jiang Shan here.
After meeting a group of socialites and noble ladies, Qin Yao took Jiang Shan to see Madam Qin.
Madam Qin was open-minded and composed. She looked about 70% like Qin Yao. Her clothes were simple but elegant and beautiful.
After exchanging greetings, Jiang Shan stayed with Madam Qin, leaving Qin Yao to deal with the noble ladies on her own.
Madam Qin and Jiang Shan got along very well, and before long, they could talk about anything.
When Jiang Shan brought up the business partnership with Qin Yao, Madam Qin simply smiled and said, "Has A-Yao already told you about everything in the household? My daughter has always been wild and unruly, not suited for being pampered. Her biggest worry is that she can't help her father. As a woman, I don't have the ability to assist them, so I can only let them be!"
Jiang Shan was quite surprised; this mother and daughter were very modern!
"I'll have to trouble you to take care of Ayao from now on!"
When Madam Qin said this, her smile widened, and there was no deliberate attempt to please her; it was as if everything was perfectly reasonable.
Jiang Shan smiled and said dismissively, "Don't worry, Madam, I won't deduct A Yao's monthly salary, and the bonus will be paid on time."
Madam Qin almost doubled over with laughter.
After the banquet, Madam Qin and Qin Yao saw Jiang Shan and his mother off onto the carriage and watched it drive away into the distance.
Qin Yao looked away and asked, "Mother, Sister Jiang is a very good person, isn't she?"
Madam Qin patted her daughter's hand and said, "That girl is a good friend to confide in. Don't get involved in your father's messy affairs in front of your sister Jiang!"
Qin Yao raised her voice and then said, "Mother, do you think Sister Jiang might help my father? I'm not getting involved, I'm just asking!"
Madam Qin smiled, said nothing, and turned to go inside first.
After hesitating for a while, Qin Yao went inside as well.
...
On the way back, the carriage was stopped at the intersection where Changlong Street is located.
The carriage curtain was pulled open, and Li Minghe climbed onto the carriage, pulled Jiang Huai into his arms, and said to Jiang Shan with a look of utter despair, "I, the young master, personally brought people to deliver gifts to you. As the host, you should at least do a good job of putting on a show, right? Don't stand here pretending to be confused!"
Jiang Shan blinked, looking completely bewildered. "What are you talking about? What am I supposed to know?"
Li Minghe ground his back teeth. "Your new house! Huangshan Garden! Didn't Fu Qiyuan tell you?"
Jiang Shan was even more confused. "I didn't buy a house. Huai'er and I live in the Grand Tutor's mansion. We're not in a hurry to buy a house."
Li Minghe nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. "The whole capital knows that Huangshan Garden was bought by Fu Qiyuan, and you're telling me you didn't know?"
"What Huangshan Garden? No, Your Highness, can you speak in a way I can understand?"
Jiang Huai chimed in, "Young Master, Mother doesn't understand."
Li Minghe was like a punctured balloon, with only air left.
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