Master Sun kicked the servant again and cursed:
"Go cry in the backyard, don't cry in front of me!"
After saying this, he instructed the steward behind him:
"Take him away, give him twenty strokes of the cane, and fine him a month's salary! From now on, don't let him guard the front gate; assign him to clean the latrines."
Upon hearing this, Steward Li glanced at the servant who was still kneeling on the ground slapping himself repeatedly, then waved to the two servants beside him, who forcibly dragged the servant to the backyard.
Master Sun then looked at Jiang Yuwei and Ning Huaizhi and smiled:
"I wonder if you are satisfied with how I just punished the servants in your household?"
Jiang Yuwei spoke calmly:
“We have no say in how you, Master Sun, train your servants. We’ve come here to use up the second chance stipulated in our agreement.”
As she spoke, Jiang Yuwei took some Yuwei paper from the car, handed it to Master Sun, and smiled, saying:
"This paper is produced in our own paper mill and is called Yuwei paper. We are currently planning to open a shop opposite the Ge family paper shop on North Street to sell Yuwei paper. We came here today to ask Master Sun to help mention it to the distinguished people in Ping'an Town and talk about its benefits. If we could also find a few well-known scholars in Ping'an Town to help write a few large characters on Yuwei paper, that would be even better."
Upon hearing this, Master Sun hurriedly took the paper from Jiang Yuwei's hand and smiled:
"Alright, I'll take care of it for you. But I have to remind you that you need to be extremely careful and vigilant when you open the shop opposite the Ge family. I've met that Mr. Ge a few times, and judging from his appearance, he's not someone you can get along with. I've also heard some of his stories; he's ruthless and leaves no way out for himself."
Jiang Yuwei smiled and nodded, saying:
"Alright, I understand. Thank you for reminding me, Master Sun. I'll leave the matter I just mentioned to you."
Master Sun nodded and said to Jiang Yuwei:
"I still want to thank you. I was really impetuous that day. Now my mother has recovered greatly after using the gastrodia elata you gave me. My mother's 90th birthday is in three days. I plan to hold a big celebration for her at my mansion. My mother specifically asked me to invite you to the birthday banquet. She said that without your gastrodia elata, she wouldn't be alive today."
After saying this, Master Sun glanced at Jiang Yuwei's expression and continued:
"I was planning to send someone to find out your address and personally deliver the invitation to your residence. Now that you're here, I'll tell you in person. You must be there, otherwise I really won't be able to explain it to my mother."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuwei turned to look at Ning Huaizhi. Ning Huaizhi smiled and nodded at her. Jiang Yuwei assumed that Ning Huaizhi wanted her to agree, so she looked at Master Sun and nodded, saying:
“Alright, since it’s the old lady’s birthday banquet, I will definitely come.”
Master Sun hadn't expected Jiang Yuwei to agree so readily. After all, he had offended her badly at Huichuntang last time, and today the servants in his household had given her a hard time. Master Sun had thought Jiang Yuwei wouldn't agree, and he had been quite hesitant when he said this. Now that she had agreed, he could finally give his mother an explanation.
Master Sun breathed a sigh of relief and smiled:
"Then I will take good care of the things you've entrusted to me!"
Jiang Yuwei smiled and said goodbye to Master Sun before getting into the oxcart. They were going to go to the Xu residence before dark to tell the second young master about opening a shop.
Ning Huaizhi spoke as he drove the oxcart:
"I thought you wouldn't accept Master Sun's invitation."
Jiang Yuwei tilted her head in confusion:
"Huh? Didn't you tell me to agree to attend the old lady's birthday banquet?"
Ning Huaizhi turned to look at Jiang Yuwei and said:
"I didn't say that at all. I didn't say a single word."
Jiang Yuwei frowned:
"You still say you didn't? It's obvious you nodded to me and made me agree!"
Ning Huaizhi smiled helplessly upon hearing this:
"When I nodded to you, it meant that I would stand by you no matter what you decided, not that I wanted you to agree to him..."
Jiang Yuwei sighed and rubbed her forehead.
"Alright, alright, since the old lady has sincerely invited us, let's come and participate. Besides, this Master Sun doesn't seem to be a bad person at heart. Perhaps it was because the old lady's condition was serious that day at Huichun Hall that he said such hurtful things."
Ning Huaizhi nodded and then remained silent.
Since the Sun and Xu families lived relatively close to each other, the two quickly arrived at the Xu family's gate, where they happened to meet Steward Zhang, who was going out to make purchases.
Jiang Yuwei hurriedly got out of the car and went to greet him:
"Manager Zhang, are you heading out?"
When Manager Zhang saw that the visitor was Jiang Yuwei, he quickly smiled and said:
"Yes, these past few days Madam has been craving some sour food, but we haven't been able to find anything she likes. That's why she sent me out to buy her some food again."
Jiang Yuwei pondered for a moment and then smiled:
"I happen to know how to make a sour drink that's perfect for summer. Shall I come to the manor and make it for Madam to try?"
Manager Zhang's eyes lit up upon hearing this:
"Great, great, you've really helped me a lot!"
Jiang Yuwei smiled and said:
"Actually, I came here today to ask the second young master for a favor."
Manager Zhang frowned:
"Tell me what happened first, and I'll go and tell the second young master for you."
Jiang Yuwei smiled and said:
"I just bought a shop opposite Ge's Paper Shop on North Street to sell paper. I'll have to trouble you, Second Young Master, to put in a good word for me. Also, I've sent some paper to you to see if we can ask you for a piece of calligraphy so we can display it in our shop. If you know any scholars, please ask them to write a piece for us too. We'll personally deliver some paper to express our gratitude."
Manager Zhang's brows relaxed and he smiled upon hearing this:
“That’s not a problem at all. Our young master is now used to using your Yuwei paper and doesn’t like using any other paper. Even without you mentioning it, our young master always goes out and talks about how good your paper is. Now that you have opened a shop on North Street, it must be great. It will be more convenient for our young master to buy paper.”
Seeing that Steward Zhang had said so, Jiang Yuwei naturally knew that the matter could be accomplished. So she greeted Ning Huaizhi and followed Steward Zhang into the Xu residence to make plum juice in the kitchen.
Jiang Yuwei happened to have some leftover plum juice ingredients from the pharmacy, so she used them to make some for Madam Xu to try.
As soon as Jiang Yuwei stepped into the kitchen, she was doused with a basin of cold water before she could avoid it. Jiang Yuwei frowned and looked at Granny Li, who was holding an empty basin of water. Just as she was about to speak, Granny Li spoke first in a sarcastic tone:
"Hey, hey, can't you watch where you're going? Didn't you see I was going to throw dirty water? Why are you running straight into it? If you want to take a bath, go home and do it. What's the point of getting soaked like this in our kitchen? Are you trying to seduce our master or young master?"
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