Chapter 246 Shopping
"Slow down, no one's going to take it from you."
Huo Ran poured her a glass of water with a doting expression. After drinking it, Jiang Mi finally caught her breath and patted her chest, saying, "I wasn't hungry at first, but after eating this bun, I felt it was so delicious and suddenly I felt hungry."
"Alright, eat slowly, there's still plenty left. Later I'll take you to the biggest restaurant in the capital. Order whatever you want. In the evening, there's a lantern festival to watch and some folk music to listen to."
Jiang Mi was immediately intrigued. Restaurants in the capital city must be far better than the ones she used to run in her small town. Things like folk songs and lantern festivals were things that Shushan County didn't have. She had only read about them in storybooks before, and just hearing about them sounded exciting. She wondered if she could make a success of her restaurant here.
"Did you buy these people? I need to give you the money first."
Huo Ran waved his hand in refusal: "What are you doing? Why are you making such a clear distinction between us? You can take these people and use them. The indentures are all here. You can do whatever you want with them."
Jiang Mi looked at them and saw that these indentures were for life, perhaps because the family was poor and had no choice but to sell them to supplement their income.
"We have cooks and servants, but I also need a steward. Oh, and here's some money for you to buy some things. There's nothing in the kitchen right now, so buy everything you need. If you can't carry it all, take a few servants with you. There aren't many people in the household right now, so you're the only cook. If there are more people, we'll call a few more helpers."
The cook quickly took the money: "Yes, I will do whatever you say, young lady."
Jiang Mi gave a few servants money and asked them to run errands to buy things and bring them home. She planned to buy some vases and other decorative items to make the house look presentable.
"Actually, you don't need to rush. Now that you've moved in, you can buy whatever you need. Sooner or later, your house will be full of things."
Jiang Mi thought about it and realized that as the family grew, they would naturally accumulate more supplies, so they could always buy more later.
"Alright, I'll have a word with you when the butler arrives. Although my house isn't big, it still has its rules, and the monthly allowance I give you will never be less. As long as you work diligently, are loyal and reliable, everything else is negotiable."
The maids and servants all responded with a "Yes."
Jiang Mi glanced at the two maids who were cleaning her room and asked, "What are your names?"
One of the taller ones replied, "Miss, my name is Erniu, and I am fifteen years old."
The other one, though shorter, was quite fair-skinned: "My name is Lianhua, and I am fourteen years old."
They weren't very old, probably because their families were too poor, which is why they were sold to be maids.
"It's alright. From now on, you'll follow me and I won't let you suffer. Just don't have so many ulterior motives."
There are two maids, one in the west wing and one in the east wing, to serve Jiang Xuan and Jiang Zhi. These two are not usually around, so not many people are needed. Now that there are also servants, the two maids usually clean the courtyard and the house. The back room is for Er Niu and Lian Hua.
"Your two names are too casual. Let me think of some new ones for you."
The two maids exchanged a glance, but didn't think anything of it. Usually, those who were sold would have their names changed.
Jiang Mi thought for a moment and said, "Er Niu, you will be called Mo Hua. As for Lian Hua, you will be called Si Qin from now on. From now on, you two will follow me. As long as you serve me well, I will certainly not treat you unfairly."
Siqin and Mohua exchanged a glance and said happily, "Thank you for giving us names, Miss. We will definitely serve you well in the future."
Jiang Mi nodded. Some things are one thing to say, but another to do. She never listens to what others say, but only to what they do.
"I'm going to buy some cosmetics and some clothes. Why don't you come with me? Young Master Huo, would you like to come too?"
She teased Huo Ran on purpose. Now that Huo Ran was here, he naturally didn't want to go back so soon. He was happy to spend more time with Jiang Mi.
Yes, I am willing.
"Of course, I'll act as your servant today. Just give me your orders."
Looking at his master's appearance, Liu Min couldn't help but smile. He knew that this master was usually very aloof. So many young ladies from noble families begged to talk to him, but he always acted as if he didn't care. Unexpectedly, he was being very humble and willing to do so with Jiang Mi.
"I wouldn't dare to order you around. With so many people following you, you must be someone important, either very rich or very powerful. How could I possibly order you around?"
Huo Ran said helplessly, "I was going to tell you everything last time, but I didn't have time. If there's anything you want to know, just ask me, and I'll make sure to tell you everything."
Jiang Mi didn't want to know at the moment. She went straight out the door, and Huo Ran smiled and quickly followed.
The group walked down the street. Jiang Mi looked around, and she was much happier with someone by her side than when she was walking alone. Huo Ran followed behind, watching her with a doting smile on his face. He was already very content just looking at Jiang Mi.
"Huo Ran, what do you think of this?" Jiang Mi stopped in front of a jewelry stall, picked up a hairpin, and asked Huo Ran behind her. Her words were very familiar, and that one "Huo Ran" made him feel weak in the knees.
Finally, they stopped calling him Young Master Huo and started calling him Huo Ran.
"You look good in anything."
Jiang Mi felt embarrassed by his words, so she put down the hairpin and stopped looking at it.
Huo Ran didn't say much, but gave Liu Min a wink, and Liu Min secretly bought the hairpin from behind.
Jiang Mi went to look at the fabrics again. This time she bought more, thinking that when her mother and others came, she could make clothes for them. She found some things very rare and bought a lot without realizing it.
The prices in the capital were much higher than in Shushan County. Jiang Mi only realized after she finished buying that she needed to save money for her business. When she turned around, she found that Huo Ran had already paid for everything.
"What are you doing? The things I bought don't need your payment, and I'll pay you for all the money for the maids and servants later."
Huo Ran's expression turned slightly cold: "Give me money? Do you really have to be so clear about the difference between us?"
Jiang Mi shook her head: "It's not about clarifying things, it's that I don't want to owe anyone anything, and although there are... things between us, we still need to keep things clear."
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