Chapter 20 Crisis Resolved, Boy Gets Furious
Overnight, many people in Kyoto learned that the Junior Chamberlain no longer exclusively favored the pickles from Pinxiangzhai.
Even before the news reached Zhao Dongjia's ears, the managers and employees who had been arrested were released without charge, and the seals on the gate of Keyinglou were torn off by the soldiers themselves.
When the manager and the staff returned, they were still confused.
Is that all there is to it?
Yesterday, he was terrified that he was involved in a major case and was too scared to sleep at night, fearing that he would be taken away and severely tortured. Unexpectedly, he was released early the next morning.
The second boss sat in the middle of the lobby, resting his chin on one hand, and said casually, "You're back?"
Upon seeing her, everyone felt as if they had found a pillar of support, and their tense nerves instantly relaxed. But then, an indescribable sense of collapse surged into their hearts like a tidal wave. They knelt down helplessly and kowtowed to Zhang Ting, tears streaming down their faces, "Thank you so much for saving our lives, Master!"
Some covered their faces and wept bitterly, some collapsed to the ground, and some were in tears...
Zhang Ting got up and came to them, saying only, "You have all suffered. The accountant will give you fifty taels later as compensation. Make some good repairs today and reopen tomorrow."
Then, they leisurely departed.
Outside the door, snow was swirling and the cold was biting.
Inside the door, a fur coat and a brazier provided warmth and comfort.
The young master was having lunch when a servant opened a jar and placed a plate of pickled vegetables on it. Before the young master could even take a bite, a woman wrapped in a luxurious fox fur coat strode in.
She quickly rose to greet him, beaming, "Your Highness, this humble subject welcomes you with utmost respect! Long live Your Highness!"
The Crown Princess waved her hand and sat down in the main seat as if she were back in her own home, doing as she pleased.
Seeing a dish of pickled vegetables on the table, she chuckled and teased the young master, "Old Xu, when others say they live a simple life, it's just an act, but you're true to your word."
Xu Qiushui sat down in the seat next to her. "This was sent by the niece of Minister Xu of the Ministry of Revenue."
Ministry of Revenue? Someone surnamed Xu?
After thinking for a while, the Crown Princess finally recalled Xu You, a minor official of the fifth rank. She hadn't paid him any attention, but with the situation becoming increasingly tense, she casually asked, "Why is this person looking for you?"
The question was directed at Xu You, but Xu Qiushui thought it was directed at Zhang Ting.
She briefly summarized the events of that day, her admiration for talent stirring within her, and she couldn't resist praising Zhang Ting in front of the Crown Princess.
Even though Zhang Ting was described as elegant and highly talented, he was ultimately just a merchant, which the Crown Princess didn't take seriously.
However, since Xu Qiushui was her subordinate, the Crown Princess would not easily refuse her request. "If there is an opportunity, we can meet her."
The conversation was diverted, and the Crown Princess did not want to ask Xu Shan any further. She only discussed the spring plowing ceremony and other trivial matters with Xu Qiushui.
Overwhelmed with tasks and feeling utterly exhausted, she let out a heavy sigh and closed her eyes to rest.
Seeing that she looked unusually tired today, Xu Qiushui hesitated for a moment before tentatively asking, "Your Highness, is something on your mind?"
In fact, the Crown Princess had just seen off her troublesome grandson before she came to Xu Qiushui's residence.
She sat up straight, stared at Xu Qiushui, and asked in bewilderment, "What's wrong with Lin Qiuyue? How come he doesn't even like her!"
Lin Qiuyue is the grandniece of the Crown Princess's father. She is handsome and talented, and it is said that she is gentle, humble, and has the demeanor of a gentleman.
It's hard to guess who this "he" is; there's only one person who can give the Crown Princess such a headache.
That was indeed an extremely troublesome little devil. Xu Qiushui regretted her loose tongue at that moment. She said awkwardly, "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Perhaps the Duke's marriage is yet to come."
The Crown Princess wouldn't listen. She intended to further bind the Zong family and the Eastern Palace together, but she didn't expect that she couldn't get through to Granny Zong, and now she's also met with a setback with her grandson.
She paced back and forth in the tent, deep in thought, her hands clasped behind her back.
Suddenly, she asked Xu Qiushui, "What if I insist that he marry Qiuyue?"
Xu Qiushui could already imagine the chaotic scene that would follow, just from what she said.
"I'm afraid this will... create enmity?"
The princess choked, unable to find a rebuttal.
Very well, it would be bad if this matter caused the Lin family and the Zong family to become enemies.
I sat back down in the main seat, picked up some pickled vegetables with my chopsticks and tasted them. They were sour and spicy, crisp and tender, and surprisingly good.
Seeing that Your Highness liked it, Xu Qiushui quickly said, "This jar of pickles has not been touched by Your Highness. I am grateful for Your Highness's fondness for it. I will have my maid send it to the East Palace later."
The Crown Princess didn't care much about the jar of reasonably tasty pickles, but she was still very grateful for the tribute from her subjects. "It's rare that you have such a thoughtful gesture."
"It is my honor to share Your Highness's burdens."
The princess was quite satisfied and chatted with her for a while.
After Xu Qiushui saw off her little darling's maternal grandmother, she leaned back wearily in her seat. Remembering the pickled vegetables she had put in her bowl but hadn't tasted yet, she picked up her chopsticks and ate them. They were crisp, refreshing, and sweet—her favorite flavor.
He slammed his chopsticks down heavily, "Tsk."
What kind of mess is this? Day after day.
The next day, a thick fog enveloped the trees and flowers in the courtyard, creating a ethereal and dreamlike scene, like a fairyland.
Zhang Ting has been training with Li Ruilian for some time and is now beginning to learn boxing techniques.
After completing a set of Wing Chun, sweat soaked through my entire body.
Initially, Li Ruilian was not optimistic about Zhang Ting's martial arts skills because of her physical development, but the result was unexpected. She actually had a great talent for martial arts.
In fact, as long as Zhang Ting practices diligently, she will surely be able to gain a place in the martial arts world in the future.
Not to mention that Zhang Ting has a very high level of comprehension, which makes Li Ruilian feel very accomplished in teaching her, and she is determined to "cultivate Zhang Ting into a talent".
Xiao Rong heated the water, arranged the bathroom, and called Zhang Ting to take a bath: "Miss, go take a bath quickly, the water will get cold soon." The woman was covered in sweat, and he lowered his head, not daring to look at her.
"Okay, thank you." Zhang Ting tugged at the thin shirt clinging to his body and strode over.
Xiao Rong had never seen a master like this before, who was so polite to the servants and attendants. She looked up and glanced at Zhang Ting.
All I could see was her tall, straight figure gradually disappearing into the mist...
After changing into clean clothes, Zhang Ting came out drying her hair. Xiao Rong came in to tidy up the bathroom, but Zhang Ting scolded her.
"what are you up to?"
Xiao Rong was so frightened that she was at a loss for what to do. She stammered, "This...this servant will...take Miss's clothes to wash."
Zhang Ting frowned and said, "Just take the outer robe to wash, but you don't need to wash the inner garment."
In her past life, she saw a news report about a wife who used chemical toxins to wash her husband's underwear, which eventually caused his body to ulcerate. She realized that one should always be wary of others, so she decided to wash her own underwear.
Xiao Rong stammered, "Okay...okay."
Zhang Ting took the undergarment, walked around him, and returned to the main room.
After having breakfast, with his hair half-dry, Zhang Ting tidied himself up in front of the mirror, put on a fur coat, and then led his men to Keyinglou.
Everyone, including the steward and accountant, was cleaning up the wreckage from the previous day. When they saw Zhang Ting arrive, they hurriedly stopped what they were doing and surrounded her to greet her.
Zhang Ting smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries with them.
She had only been there a short time when people from Pinxiangzhai arrived.
The person who came was the manager of Pinxiangzhai. She apologized to Zhang Ting with a smile: "Manager Zhang, it's really a case of the flood washing away the Dragon King's temple. Please don't take it to heart. It's all a misunderstanding."
The accompanying maidservants presented Zhang Ting with a generous amount of gold and silver jewelry, hoping to appease him.
Zhang Ting wondered if she had some kind of money-attracting physique, since people seemed to give her money wherever she went.
Zhang Ting didn't care whether Zhao Dongjia came in person or not. She accepted Pinxiangzhai's "apology" as a way of expressing her satisfaction with the handover from the Junior Chamberlain.
At 1-3 PM, Keyinglou Restaurant was ready and reopened.
The manager stood at the door and explained to everyone, "It was all a misunderstanding. We are truly sorry that you all left disappointed! To express our apologies, we are offering a 50% discount for the next three days. Welcome to visit us!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd cheered loudly, overjoyed.
The manager beamed: "Please come in, sir!"
Diners jostled each other as they crowded into the restaurant, creating a lively and cheerful atmosphere.
Ke Ying Lou is known for its delicious food, attentive service, and legendary status. Its half-price discounts are enough to attract a large number of diners.
Those who know the details of the incident lament the unpredictability of life. The owner of Keyingmen Restaurant was driven to suicide by Pinxiangzhai, but today the owner of Keyingmen Restaurant can make Pinxiangzhai bow and scrape and apologize. People's circumstances are worlds apart.
After this incident, the restaurant became famous and attracted many celebrities from Kyoto to linger there.
Furthermore, several talented and romantic women even wrote praise and acclaimed comments for the ten famous dishes.
Zhang Ting didn't know where the reviews for other restaurants came from, but her restaurant certainly paid a hefty fee for them.
She called over Manager Wang, who was in charge of logistics. He was the one who had just been greeting guests outside. He was eloquent and quick-witted.
"Before dusk today, deliver all ten famous dishes to the Junior Chamberlain's residence."
"Also, remember to send a jar of pickled vegetables to her residence every ten days."
"We must not be negligent."
Manager Wang was quick-witted and immediately understood that his employer had made connections. "Yes."
The restaurant has been packed these past few days, and the accountant is already overwhelmed with bookkeeping. Zhang Ting also wants her to calculate commissions, which is so frustrating that she has to ask Zhang Ting for help.
Zhang Ting asked her to work harder for two more days and posted a recruitment notice at the door.
Without Pinxiangzhai's obstruction, someone came to apply for the job that very day. The applicant was short and thin, with delicate features, wearing a plain green robe, and had an impressive appearance.
Zhang Ting wondered if there was something wrong with her eyes, but why did this person look like a man?
She glanced at the top of the man's head and politely declined his job application: "I don't hire kids. Go home and play."
Zhao Ming was exceptionally talented. He was confident that he could handle the small accounting position, uncover the bad accounts of Keyinglou, hand them over to the authorities, and avenge Zhang Ting for humiliating his mother.
Unexpectedly, he failed at the very first step; the blind woman in front of him even insulted him for being short!
This is outrageous!
Zhao Ming was furious. He put his hands on his hips, like a ruffled chick, completely forgetting that he had disguised himself as a woman to try and get away with it. He jumped up and cursed, "You ignorant woman! How can you be as tall and strong as a man?"
Zhang Ting only saw a round, plump, black marinated egg bouncing right under her eyes. Curious, she reached out and gently pushed it, but unexpectedly, it caused the other person to stagger back a few steps.
The other person looked on incredulously: "You actually hit a man?"
This is outrageous! She only pushed him lightly, how did she get accused of hitting a man?
She was about to explain when the other person burst into tears, covered their face, and ran away...
The commotion drew the attention of the staff in the front and back of the hall, who all looked at Zhang Ting with reproach.
Zhang Ting: Well, I can't defend myself no matter what.
Her expression turned serious as she scanned the room. "If you delay the guests' meal, each person will be fined fifty coins."
The group of men dispersed immediately.
A note from the author:
----------------------
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
