At this moment, Yu Mancang squeezed through the crowd. "Mother..." His voice choked with emotion, and he hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "Father has someone else outside. In the past year or so, every penny you brought back has been used to support his young widow."
"He doesn't want to live a good life with you... I guess..." Yu Mancang said cruelly, "He's already sold the house and land. I guess he wants to elope with the young widow."
Yu Mancang's eyes reddened, "Mother... Everyone in Qingzhou Prefecture knows that Anzhi Hall is not to be trifled with, yet he insists on sending you to steal the formula... Once he gets the formula, he'll just run away, and you'll end up in jail for theft."
What a brilliant scheme... Mother, I beg you to wake up!
Miao Dou's ears were ringing... When she heard about the young widow again, her brain had completely shut down. How could this be? She was so good to the Yu Manzi, giving him everything and even bearing him a son...
She didn't keep a single penny of her monthly allowance; she gave it all to him... Why would he do this to her...?" Miao Dou stared at Yu Mancang, her voice hoarse, "You're lying to your mother, aren't you?"
"Mother... your son has grown up. Your son will work hard to earn money so you can live a good life... your son will protect you and won't let you be beaten again." Yu Mancang squatted down beside Miao Dou and reached out to pull her into his arms.
Miao Dou suddenly remembered the piece of sweet cake that Yu Manzi had handed her; it was so sweet it tasted bitter, and it stuck in her throat, neither spitting it out nor swallowing it.
So... he never intended to live a good life with her. This thought hurt more than any beating, and she burst into tears, crying until she was hoarse before she staggered to her feet.
" Fan Er, let's go... let's go to the yamen." Her eyes were vacant as she walked out like a walking corpse.
In this life, one can hardly defy fate. She always thought that tomorrow would bring a better future, but day after day, she waited and waited... only to realize that those hopes were nothing but self-deception.
Meng Anzhi withdrew her gaze from Miao Dou, turned to look at the crowd, and said in a cold voice with a slightly dark expression, "I know that some of you feel sorry for Aunt Miao."
But pity is not an excuse for doing evil. Our Anzhi Hall is a place of reason. As long as you work hard and follow the rules, I will naturally not treat you unfairly.
But if anyone dares to break the rules and ruin our livelihood, don't blame me for being ruthless. Do you all understand?
This was the first time anyone had seen Meng Anzhi so angry, and they no longer dared to treat her like a child, so they all made a solemn promise.
Meng Anzhi looked around. "Let's get to work... Tonight there's plenty of braised pork, plus steamed buns and a bowl of soup."
After everyone left happily.
Meng Anzhi stopped Wu Yong, " Steward Wu... I entrusted the estate to you because I trust you. I hope you will fulfill your duties..."
Wu Yong didn't refute, but glanced at Jin Shanyao... Jin Shanyao smiled and said, " Anzhi, you misunderstood Steward Wu... He noticed Miao Dou taking out steamed buns for the first time."
I haven't been paying attention to it; I was thinking about how you would handle this situation. You did a fantastic job today... Your aunt is so proud."
Meng Anzhi suddenly realized that this was the reason why such a basic mistake could happen on the estate. It turned out that it was her aunt's test for her. She let out a cry and threw herself into Jin Shanyao's arms.
"Auntie... you've gone too far! Why didn't you tell me..." The little girl, who had just been serious, now had flushed cheeks and was hugging the Jin Shanyao like a child, refusing to let go.
Jin Shanyao heartily, supporting her waist, "Let me tell you, what if you prepare in advance? Of course, the assessment must be done by surprise."
Meng Anzhi clung to her arm and said coquettishly, "Auntie, you're so mean! You're being punished by sleeping with me tonight."
Meng Anci wanted to ask if he could join, but swallowed the words back. That damned gender... was the biggest obstacle preventing him from getting close to his aunt.
Miao Dou's attempted theft was unsuccessful, and since it was his first offense and he showed remorse, he was sentenced to eighty strokes of the cane.
I heard that he was beaten when he got home, and Yu Mancang was also covered in injuries.
It is said that the next day, Yu Manzi ran away with the young widow, and no one knows where they went.
By early November, all the medicinal herbs from Lush Mountain and Hat Mountain had been harvested.
Large quantities of medicinal herbs were piled up in the drying yard. The process was carried out in an orderly manner: first, the herbs were cleaned of impurities and mud, then they were taken to a well to be washed and drained, and then sorted, cut, and laid out to dry.
The workers in the village dared not rest for even a moment, as the medicinal herbs would easily rot if piled up for too long. Besides, the landlord paid by weight, so for every extra pound they produced, they would earn an extra coin.
Everyone worked tirelessly, from dawn till dusk, afraid that if they were a step behind, someone else would beat them to it.
By the time everything was finished, the weather had turned completely cold.
The owners of nearby pharmacies had already been blocking the entrances to the First Manor and Second Estate, all in an effort to be the first to receive this year's newly harvested medicinal herbs and open their businesses before the others.
As soon as this was finished, they started loading the trucks for sale, and they sold out in the blink of an eye.
Qin Baitang, holding the account book, worked with Wu Yong to calculate this year's harvest. From their first meeting, the two had been secretly competing, each believing that the medicinal herbs they grew were the best.
Although Wu Yong studied pharmacology every day, he was ultimately no match for Qin Baitang in terms of knowledge and expertise, and he inevitably fell behind in winning over customers.
At this moment, in the outer room of the Anzhi Hall's study.
Qin Baitang and Wu Yong sat waiting for the accounting results. Before long, the study door was pushed open, and seven or eight accountants came out one after another.
Lin Mo stepped forward, carrying the abacus, and bowed, saying, " Shopkeeper Qin, the master wants you to come in."
Qin Baitang nodded to Wu Yong, then got up and went into the study.
Jin Shanyao sat in the center, with Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci on either side. Each child had an exquisite jade abacus beside them, and the paper and pen that had just been used were on the table.
"Master," Qin Baitang bowed respectfully.
Jin Shanyao chuckled, " Old Qin... there's no need for formalities when we meet in private. The medicinal herb yield at Lush Mountain this year is better than in previous years, all thanks to you."
As she spoke, she took out a silver note and waved to Qin Baitang, signaling him to come closer. Qin Baitang smiled helplessly and said, "Master... there are only the four of us in this room."
"Tsk... What do you know? The books say that the more you favor someone, the more discreet you should be. Here... eight hundred taels, your share of this year's profits... Don't let anyone else know."
Eight hundred taels... that's two hundred more than last year! Qin Baitang's heart pounded with excitement. "Thank you so much, sir!"
Jin Shanyao glared at him, "Stop spouting nonsense, Old Qin. You know Anci and will be taking the provincial-level exam in three years."
In the days to come, pay close attention to the people on the estate. If you find anyone of good character and reliable, nurture them with care.
Qin Baitang's heart, pounding wildly with the prospect of his bonus, suddenly tightened. "Boss, is there something I did wrong that annoyed you? I'll change..."
Jin Shanyao chuckled, "What are you thinking? Meng Anci the provincial examination, and we'll probably have to move to the capital then. I'd like you to go there ahead of time."
Don't forget... I'm going to make you the biggest herbal medicine manager in the Sheng Dynasty.
Upon hearing this, Qin Baitang's eyes suddenly reddened, his throat tightened, and he choked out, "Ah, ah... there really is a young man in the village with exceptional talent. I will take him under my wing and teach him carefully when I return."
He never expected that his employer would still remember his promise. Overwhelmed with emotion, he almost shed tears.
However, the way the boss speaks really requires a strong heart.