The twelve secret guards, being secret guards, were not to be placed in the open. The prince had only sent Hu Qing out because he was afraid that Miss Su might not be able to find anyone if she needed to make arrangements.
They could only hide in the shadows.
Anwu said resentfully, "The boss is still the best. He can go next door to freeload. I can smell the delicious aroma coming from next door. It makes my mouth water."
An Yi smacked him on the head: "Don't be envious. When we return to the capital after completing the mission, we'll go to Mo Lian Ju. What kind of good food do you want to eat?"
"Sigh, this is the only way." Anwu silently turned around and went back into the house, where each of the twelve brothers had prepared a dish.
Unsalted cabbage soup, dark-colored stir-fried potatoes, and a bowl of some kind of yellowish gruel—the colors were indescribable…
The only dish that looked somewhat presentable was the stir-fried green peppers and shredded pork that Hu Qing had prepared before leaving.
"Boss, how about we go to Juxianlou Restaurant instead?" An Liu looked at the table full of food and couldn't bring himself to eat.
An Yi glanced at him and said, "You went and ate your fill, but what if something happens to the young master? Who can take responsibility? There are still pickled vegetables and steamed buns, plenty to go around!"
So the twelve guards spent New Year's Eve eating rice, pickled vegetables, and a plate of shredded pork with green peppers, while enjoying the aroma of food coming from next door.
At the clinic, the maids and servants were initially too embarrassed to sit at the table and eat with the young lady and her mistress, so they all stood up properly.
Only when Su Ruojin pretended to get angry did they sit down nervously one by one.
After everyone was seated, Su Ruojin stood up and raised her glass:
"Today is the first New Year we've spent together. I hope Ren'ai Hall will continue to thrive and become the best medical clinic in Yanyang, no, in the entire Great Chu Kingdom."
Once things develop well in the future, I will open Ren'ai Hall in various parts of the Great Chu Kingdom, and even in the Northern Li Kingdom, Xiaoyue Kingdom, and Yunqi Kingdom, so that Ren'ai Hall can be found all over the Nine Continents.
"At that time, everyone present will be a veteran of Ren'ai Hall. Come, let's raise a glass together today and wish for a prosperous year ahead."
Good! May everything go smoothly next year!
Good! May everything go smoothly next year!
Good! May everything go smoothly next year!
After everyone finished their first drink, Yanluo took out several red pouches and gave one to each person present.
The purse was bulging, and someone opened it on the spot, only to find that it contained a full twenty taels of silver. They couldn't help but exclaim, "Miss, this is too much!"
Twenty taels! It would be difficult for an ordinary person to earn twenty taels even after a year of hard work.
My young lady gets twenty taels of silver every New Year.
Besides, they've only been working at the clinic for a few days.
Several young maids burst into tears of excitement. They had been starving and cold before, and thought they would either starve to death or be sold to a brothel to suffer endless torment.
Unexpectedly, after being bought by the young lady, the work wasn't too tiring, and the young lady was kind. The clinic had only been open for a few days, yet she gave out such a large red envelope for the New Year.
They exchanged glances, then all rose from their seats and knelt down to kowtow to Su Ruojin: "Thank you, Miss. We will be loyal to you for life and will never betray you."
"Alright, everyone get up quickly. No crying during the New Year, okay?" Su Ruojin said with a smile, urging everyone to stand up.
Everyone kowtowed again before standing up, wiping away their tears, and happily sitting back down in their seats.
Hu Qing was a little stunned when he saw that he had one too: "Miss Yanluo, how come I have one too?"
Yan Luo smiled and said, "Young Master Hu, Miss said that you have worked hard to protect Xiao Bao and the clinic, so of course you should get a share. Here you go."
Before Hu Qing could refuse, Yan Luo stuffed the purse into his arms.
Hu Qing realized what was happening and quickly stood up to bow to Su Ruojin: "Hu Qing thanks Doctor Su."
"Young Master Hu, it's Chinese New Year today, no need for formalities. Please try my grandmother's spicy chicken." Su Ruojin smiled.
"Dr. Su, please just call me Hu Qing. Young Master Hu is too formal," Hu Qing said.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com