Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Explanation
In fact, Heir Pei never told Qu Fulan not to accept gifts; it was her own decision to say so because it was the best reason to refuse.
Of course, she also had a most reasonable explanation.
Qu Fulan said, "I heard Mr. Cheng is also a person in official circles. I naturally don’t understand the ways of being an official, but I do know that a person of princely status like the Heir must be very particular about social interactions. Not just anyone can connect with him, and I worry that accepting gifts recklessly might lead others to misunderstand the depth of the relationship between the Heir and the Cheng Family."
In truth, this was just one reason. Another reason was that Miss Cheng was at a very sensitive age, and since Qu Fulan was the personal maid of Heir Pei, if she got close to her, others might suspect that she was conveying secret messages for Heir Pei through the maid.
Hence, as Heir Pei’s chief maid, Qu Fulan’s responsibilities were significant. Her every word and action must be cautious, for a small error could have major consequences.
Who Heir Pei marries in the future is not her concern, but she must not cause any misunderstandings due to her negligence, as that would be a dereliction of duty.
Pei Ji’an nodded in praise, "You did very well."
The next day, Qu Fulan first went to the "Flower Garden Ode."
She found out that something major had happened at the estate.
Lianhua, who had been chased away earlier, reportedly couldn’t bear the hardships at the estate and attempted to hang herself last night. Fortunately, she was rescued in time and survived.
Qu Fulan looked at the messenger and asked, "Was a doctor called to see her? How is she now?"
The person nodded, "She has already been examined, and there’s no need for worry. The steward originally didn’t want to trouble you over such a small matter, but thinking that if she attempted suicide again and brought shame to the estate’s reputation, it would be a big issue. So, he sent me to seek your guidance."
Since this happened in the backyard, which was connected to the kitchen, the messenger didn’t speak loudly, yet in the early morning with no loud noises, everyone heard and quietly began to discuss it.
Many people were simply watching for fun, as Lianhua and her mother hadn’t left a good impression on others before, and most had a low opinion of them, often speaking with cold sarcasm.
Only Yinhua sat washing dishes silently, feeling very upset by the discussions.
"Are the marks on her neck serious? Bring some ointment over when you return," Qu Fulan said.
Suicide attempt? Qu Fulan didn’t see it that way.
She dared not claim her judgment was always right, but she was certain that Lianhua wasn’t someone with the backbone to commit suicide. It seemed likely she used this as a means to return to the restaurant.
The messenger said, "There are no marks on her neck, so it seems the rescue was timely, and she wasn’t harmed."
Qu Fulan inwardly laughed coldly. Would someone truly intent on hanging themselves allow a timely rescue?
It seemed her guess was not wrong at all.
She then coldly said, "Since she’s fine, go back and tell her that if she tries to kill herself again, she and her mother will both be expelled from the estate. Once they’re no longer with the estate, whether they live or die is not our concern. Convey these words to everyone else as well. Anyone not wishing to stay at the estate can sign their name and leave their thumbprint, and I’ll draw up agreements to release them."
Some of the estate’s people were servants of the Pei Family, trusted individuals like the steward.
However, others were merely on contract, akin to contract workers, compensated based on the tasks completed.
Though Lianhua and her mother cried bitterly when sent to the estate, it was a place many sought but few entered.
Countless people outside went hungry without work, many begged for food. A stable workspace, with food and lodging covered, and wages paid, was something many could only wish for.
Lianhua and her mother simply couldn’t stand hardship, having been used to a life of ease, crying and making a scene when moved to the estate.
If they couldn’t endure the estate either and lost their place of refuge, they surely knew what awaited them outside.
Qu Fulan believed that once these words reached them, they wouldn’t dare act up again.
Qu Fulan’s words truly frightened Yinhua; she knew Qu Fulan was a heartless person. However, after what Lianhua went through, instead of comfort, Qu Fulan’s words were threatening. Calling her cold-blooded was putting it lightly, as if she had no heart...
Before Yinhua’s indignation could build further, Qu Fulan, having already entered the restaurant, returned straight to Yinhua with a stern face.
"Come with me,"
Her tone was more serious than ever before.
*
As for the "Ten Thousand Books Bookstore," Manager Wu followed Miss Qu’s instructions, adding several bookshelves to three walls and arranging others in neat, upright rows.
The bookshelf nearest the entrance would have notices pasted, indicating the most popular or hottest books currently at the store.
This arrangement made the store appear very neat and elegant, clear at a glance.
After finishing this, Manager Wu instructed to press on with the book printing, aiming to print "Journey to the West" by the next day.
"How many copies should we print?" a clerk asked.
Manager Wu didn’t immediately answer and began to ponder.
Although he believed "Journey to the West" was a good book, that was just his opinion. What others thought, he didn’t know, as the majority lacked discernment.
If too many were printed at first and they didn’t sell, it would result in significant losses.
"Print a hundred copies to start."
With an initial print run of a hundred, they could market it first. If it sold well, they would print more; if not, the losses would be within acceptable levels.
Meanwhile, Manager Wu also started brainstorming new book ideas. Even if they couldn’t compare to "Journey to the West" or other popular tales, they would have their own market.
Miss Qu said the bookstore should have all kinds of books to attract more customers.
Xiao Family.
Ji Nishang was already brewing milk tea.
She was slowly researching based on the recipe she tasted.
Ji Nishang simmered the tea repeatedly for two hours, continually experimenting, and finally felt she had achieved the correct taste.
She successfully brewed the first cup of milk tea.
To Mrs. Xiao, the waste of a large amount of raw materials on the stove and table wasn’t a concern.
She hadn’t tasted the milk tea from the "Flower Garden Ode," but found her niece’s brew to be very good.
"How about it? Does it taste like the milk tea from the ’Flower Garden Ode’?"
Ji Nishang shook her head, "It’s still a bit off. Let me refine it a bit more, and I think I’ll have the right taste by tomorrow."
One must admit that Ji Nishang had some skill in this area. Even if given the recipe, most would be clueless without knowing the order and proportion.
Mrs. Xiao was very pleased to hear this, "You’re truly my lucky star. Once we perfect the milk tea, we should open more shops; they will surely be popular."
But Ji Nishang wasn’t concerned with such matters. She had confidence in her abilities. While she might not surpass the "Flower Garden Ode" in the short term, given time, it would no longer be her rival.