He Jiuniang left with Lianhua, who followed obediently the whole way, never glancing at anything around her, being exceptionally well-behaved.
He Jiuniang liked this little girl from the bottom of her heart and couldn't help but say, "Lianhua, just tell me if you see anything you like or want, and Auntie will buy it for you."
"No, no, I don't want anything!"
Lianhua hurriedly shook her head, afraid that He Jiuniang would really buy her something, and she really couldn't bear such kindness.
Seeing her like this, He Jiuniang didn't ask any more questions. But when they passed a candied hawthorn vendor, she bought one and handed it to Lianhua.
Lianhua thought it was food for the puppy, so she took it and instinctively wrapped it up and stuffed it into her arms.
"Eat it, or it'll all melt in a bit."
He Jiuniang looked at her with some confusion. In this era, there was no plastic wrap; people used leaves or handkerchiefs to wrap things, which made them sticky.
Besides, the sun is shining brightly at this time, and if you hold it in your arms for a while, it will melt, and the syrup will drip all over you.
Lianhua was taken aback, looking at He Jiuniang with some confusion, and asked, "Auntie, did you buy this for me?"
"Otherwise what?"
He Jiuniang was also a little confused. Were there any other children here now?
Lotus was at a loss for words. Refusing would seem too pretentious, but accepting it would feel too awkward.
"Eat up, this is your reward for behaving so well today."
He Jiuniang smiled. Sometimes she felt that the children in her family were too sensible and not like children at all.
Lianhua really didn't treat herself like a child. After all, she was already thirteen and would be able to find someone to marry in two more years. How could she still eat the candied hawthorns that He Jiuniang bought?
But looking at the red fruit wrapped in sugar, she couldn't help but swallow.
After thinking about it, I couldn't resist taking a small lick, and the sweet sensation instantly filled my mouth.
Although He Jiuniang often brought snacks back to the family during this time, Lianhua always felt that she was a grown-up girl, so she would only taste a little bit each time and leave it for her younger siblings. She never really tasted the real flavor.
She ate two fruits, then planned to wrap them up and save them for the puppy.
Aunt Jiu Niang is so good to her, she must be even better to the puppy.
He Jiuniang sighed, "Lianhua, you have to think about yourself. Don't always put others first. These candied hawthorns aren't anything valuable. Your aunt bought them for you. You don't need to save them for anyone. Besides, you can bring them back for them when you get home later."
Lotus blushed with embarrassment and was momentarily at a loss for what to do.
He Jiuniang patted her shoulder and said softly, "The family is making money, and life will only get better and better. Eat, it's alright."
Lotus felt a lump in her throat, quickly suppressed her tears, nodded vigorously, and ate the candied hawthorn clean.
When they arrived at Fengchenfang, Lianhua had already composed herself and was carefully examining the fabrics in the shop.
"So beautiful!"
Lotus couldn't help but marvel; she had never seen so many exquisite fabrics before.
"Go and pick out a few pieces of fabric that look bright and beautiful. Remember, they have to be good quality."
Previously, when Lianhua was building blocks with her children, He Jiuniang discovered that Lianhua had a very good aesthetic sense and could often give her different surprises. Under Lianhua's guidance, Xiaogou'er's aesthetic sense has improved a lot, which is the main reason why He Jiuniang brought her here.
This child has a great understanding; with proper guidance, he will have a bright future.
Although Lianhua didn't know what He Jiuniang wanted the fine fabric for, she still obediently went to choose it. She was very serious and had to check everything herself, from the pattern to the quality.
Led by Sister Lin, He Jiuniang went to see another batch of new goods.
Sister Lin was the same woman who had received He Jiu Niang last time. With the master's advice, she was now even more respectful to He Jiu Niang.
"Madam He, this is the latest floral satin, perfect for thick clothing like cotton-padded coats. The pattern is also beautiful. Would you like a few bolts?"
Sister-in-law Lin knew that He Jiuniang bought the fabric to make winter clothes for sale. This floral satin was indeed suitable. After all, He Jiuniang was the benefactor of the employer, so she didn't dare to deceive her.
He Jiuniang touched the fabric and found it to be quite nice, but she didn't draw a conclusion. Instead, she called Lianhua over and asked, "Lianhua, what do you think of the pattern on this fabric?"
“It’s very beautiful,” Lotus nodded honestly, then continued, “but it’s too flamboyant. Even ladies from wealthy families might not like this type, unless…”
What she was about to say was something a young girl like her would find embarrassing to say aloud. She meant that only concubines or girls in brothels who used their looks to attract men would like such things.
Although she didn't say it aloud, He Jiuniang and Sister Lin both understood what she meant. Sister Lin quickly said, "We also have some simpler fabrics, right here!"
He Jiuniang said to Lianhua, "What you said makes a lot of sense, but we business people don't care who we have to sell to. We only need to consider whether we can sell it at all."
As she spoke, she said to Sister Lin, "Take all of these bolts with me, and also take those plain ones, and five more of the same floral soft satin suitable for men to wear."
He Jiuniang was a straightforward person, and Sister Lin's smile was so wide it seemed to reach the sun.
Adding the five bolts of fabric that Lotus just selected, there are a total of twenty-one bolts.
The floral satin was more expensive, with a retail price of 750 wen per bolt. However, He Jiuniang was cooperating with Yu Tao and bought a lot, so she was only charged 630 wen.
The five bolts of coarse cotton cloth that Lianhua chose were suitable for ordinary girls. The patterns were pretty but not flashy. The price per bolt was 350 wen, but Sister Lin gave her a discount of 300 wen.
In total, it amounted to eleven taels of silver and five hundred and eighty cash.
Lotus was shocked by the price. They had only earned two taels of silver from selling clothes this morning, and they had spent more than they had earned!
Just as she was about to leave, He Jiuniang slapped her forehead and said to Sister Lin, "And give me two more bolts of that linen from last time, in each color. Look at my brain, I almost forgot!"
Sister Lin responded and went to make arrangements. There weren't many colors of coarse linen, only six colors, totaling no more than twelve bolts of cloth.
The black and blue ones are simple, without any extra patterns. They retail for 210 coins, but Sister Lin charged her 160 coins. The remaining four have patterns and retail for 230 coins, but Sister Lin charged her 170 coins.
The total came to exactly two taels of silver. He Jiuniang took out her money to pay, giving a total of thirteen and a half taels of silver. Lianhua was sobbing as she looked at it.
This is too expensive. I'm afraid this business won't make any money.
After leaving the cloth shop, Lianhua whispered to He Jiuniang, "Auntie, are there so many wealthy families in the county town?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com