On the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, all the medicinal herbs were released from the warehouse, and the accounts were verified to be correct.
Jin Shanyao pushed the account book in front of Shen Huaiyu, "The shop is yours now. Xiaosi and Qing Yang will stay and help you. Write to them if you need anything."
Shen Huaiyu was stunned. "Boss, I've only been here for less than five months, and you've handed over such a big shop to me..." Before she could finish speaking, Jin Shanyao understood what she meant.
Jin Shanyao and said, "I've witnessed your abilities over the past few months. You are fully capable of managing the entire Anzhi Hall. Don't worry... I believe in you."
Shen Huaiyu paused for a moment, then nodded solemnly, "Don't worry, Master... I will definitely manage Anzhi Hall well and wait for your return."
Jin Shanyao and said, "Alright... you go ahead and get busy. Xiaosi and Qing Yang, you two stay here for a moment."
After Shen Huaiyu left, Jin Shanyao to Zhou Xiaosi, "I've already spoken to Wu Yong about things at the estate. Keep an eye on the shop for me. If anything happens, go find Zhu Huaizhang. Don't confront him directly."
Zhou Xiaosi nodded solemnly, "Understood, Master."
Jin Shanyao then looked at Qing Yang, "Keep an eye on all the mountains for me. If I'm not back by April, have Wu Yong hire people to plant medicinal herbs. Don't miss the spring planting season."
"Yes, Master."
Qing He was both happy and worried about Jin Shanyao and the others.
That night, Qing He and Qing Yang lay on the kang (a heated brick bed) chatting. "Sister... I'm worried about you being here alone."
Qing Yang hugged her and comforted her, "What's there to worry about? Do you really think the master trusts Shen Huaiyu? He only asked me and Xiaosi to stay behind to keep watch."
If Shen Huaiyu is alright, the master will be able to transfer the two of us to his side within two years."
Qing He looked up at her, "Is there something wrong with Shopkeeper Shen?"
"Of course, no problem. If there were any problems, the master could use her, but she's not familiar with the area... so we'll need to guide her. Okay, stop overthinking. We have to get up early tomorrow, so go to sleep."
Qing He hummed in agreement and snuggled into her sister's arms, falling asleep.
The following day, Jin Shanyao, along with her siblings, cats, dogs, and Qing He, boarded an oxcart and left Qingzhou Prefecture under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
The oxcart took three days to travel.
Finally, they entered the capital city when the city gates were locked. The streets of the capital were adorned with flowers, and the people there were dressed much better than those in Qingzhou Prefecture.
Compared to this, Qing He felt like a clod of dirt, especially since the group was sitting on an oxcart, which seemed even more out of place... Who would ride in an oxcart in such a bustling place as Vermilion Bird Street?
Just as Qing He was looking around for the Anzhi Hall, Old Niu had already stopped in front of the shop, and Jin Shanyao his hand and said with a smile, "Get out of the carriage..."
Qing He looked around twice. "We're here? Where's the shop? I don't see the signboard."
Meng Anci nudged her arm and pointed behind her. Qing He turned her head and saw a huge plaque in front of her. She couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"My goodness, this plaque is much bigger than the one in Qingzhou Prefecture."
As soon as Qing He finished speaking, she heard a soft laugh from the side. Turning her head, she saw a girl walk into the Anzhi Hall. She thought she had misheard and didn't pay any attention.
"Master... I won't go in. Just tell me where the back door is, and I'll drive the oxcart there."
Jin Shanyao ahead and said, "Go around the shop and turn left. The first vermilion gate is the side entrance of the Anzhi Hall. Go there and wait for me... I'll have someone open the door for you."
"Hey... I'm coming right now," Qing He said, patting the cow's rump. Before he could say anything, the old cow slowly walked towards the side door of the Anzhi Hall.
Qing He laughed, "They say old people are cunning and horses are slippery, but you, old ox, aren't much different, are you?"
The old ox mooed in response.
The oxcart turned a corner and stopped beside the first vermilion gate. Qing He leaned against the oxcart and looked around, marveling inwardly. As expected of the capital, even the side road was as wide as the main road in Qingzhou Prefecture.
Suddenly, a burst of laughter came from the courtyard, and the vermilion gate creaked open.
A servant poked his head out. "Are you Miss Qing He? Please come in. The backyard is this way." He opened the gate completely, revealing the scene inside.
The bluestone pavement was clean and tidy. There were several large trees in the corner, and a stone table was placed under the trees. Qin Baitang was leading Jin Shanyao and a few others inside.
Upon seeing Qing He, he laughed and said, " Qing He... what are you standing there for? Why don't you park the oxcart in the stable?"
Qing He glared at him, "Where the masters and the others live, I have to unload the oxcart."
Qin Baitang laughed heartily, "Master, look at her mouth... I say one thing and she can say two back." With that, he led the group to the main room.
"I've had someone clean this house all along, you can just move in," he said, then looked at Qing He, "Why are you glaring at me? Your room is over there."
Qin Baitang pointed to the side room as he spoke, Qing He looked at it with a puzzled expression, asking, "Where do you stay?"
"My wife has moved to Beijing to be with me. We bought a courtyard house behind the Anzhi Hall and we don't live here anymore."
Qing He responded with an "oh," and then began moving things.
The shop couldn't be left unattended, so Qin Baitang said a few words and left. By the time the oxcart was halfway unloaded, it was already completely dark, and by the time it was finished, the moon was high in the sky.
Knowing that Jin Shanyao come, Madam Qin specially came to the Anzhi Hall to help with the cooking. By the time the luggage was packed up, the food was already laid out.
Holding the ginger milk curd, Meng Anzhi said contentedly, "I finally got to eat Grandma Qin's ginger milk curd. I've been craving it for years."
Madam Qin laughed heartily, "If you like it, I'll make it for you every day."
"That won't do... You're willing to sacrifice yourself, but I can't bear to see you working in the kitchen every day."
Madam Qin was amused by Meng Anzhi and laughed heartily. The shop assistants were greatly shocked. They all said that Shopkeeper Qin and the boss had a good relationship, but they always thought it was an exaggeration.
So their relationship is really good... That young owner keeps calling her "Grandma," you'd think she was his real grandmother. No wonder Shopkeeper Qin treats Anzhi Hall like her own business.
In the kitchen, Qing He chatted with the old women while holding a bowl, "What dishes do you usually cook?"
Auntie Zhang smiled and said, "It's just simple home-cooked meals. Shopkeeper Qin doesn't eat at the shop, so I only cook for the staff. I come over every morning, cook, and then go home. I come back again at mealtimes."
Qing He nodded repeatedly as she listened. Auntie Zhang looked at Qing He and hesitated for a long time before saying, " Miss Qing... I heard that the young master is a scholar who passed the imperial examination and came to the capital this time to participate in the metropolitan examination."
"I guess they'll be staying permanently. Do you think I can keep my job in the kitchen?"
Qing He lowered her eyes and shoveled rice into her mouth, saying, "How would a servant like me know anything about the master's affairs?"
Auntie Zhang paused for a moment, her face flushing slightly. She chuckled awkwardly, "I was just worried. If they don't need me, I can find someone else sooner... My son is of marriageable age, and we need money for everything."
Qing He put down her bowl, picked up a soup spoon, ladled out a bowl of soup, and sipped it slowly until she swallowed the food in her mouth before saying, "Don't worry, Anzhi Hall will give you an extra month's wages when they terminate your employment. They won't let you suddenly lose your job."
Hearing this, Auntie Zhang breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "I still have some sugar cakes warming up in the pot, I'll get them for you right away."
Qing He quickly stopped her, "Auntie... I'm full. You can go home after you finish cleaning up the kitchen."
"Oh..." Auntie Zhang smiled. Normally she would have left by now, but the master of the house was a little late, so he let her stay a little longer.