When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do: I'll Give Eighty-Eight Wen

Zhou Fusheng looked at her and said:

"Mother, you've probably misunderstood something. We've said it before: we're not fit to be the head of this household."

Wanwan is the head of our family; whatever she says goes.

She finally managed to get a food delivery business, and we, as her parents, fully supported her.

If you didn't intentionally invite us to your wedding, please leave!

Old Madam Zhou was truly angry. Qian Huihui, who was standing next to her, tugged at her clothes and said, "Mom, calm down. Let's talk this out. How much would your cheapest meal cost?"

Zhou Wanwan reports. "A simple wild vegetable meal costs one tael of silver per table, a home-style mountain vegetable meal costs two taels of silver per table, and a rare mushroom and wild game meal costs five taels of silver per table. Which one do you plan to choose?"

Qian Huihui coughed and said, "We're family, can you give us a discount?"

Zhou Wanwan rolled her eyes at her and said:

"It won't be any cheaper, Third Aunt. The prices on this menu have already been set and can't be changed arbitrarily."

After all, I have so many people working for me, and they all rely on food delivery to make a living!

Qian Huihui hesitated for a long time before saying, "Then let's go for two taels! 100 tables would be 200 taels, that's a bit expensive!"

Zhou Wanwan nodded and said, "Yes, yes, it's quite expensive. I think you shouldn't book it. Isn't the banquet in the village quite good?"

Qian Huihui quickly shook her head and said:

We're expecting lots of guests!

"Those feasts in the village would be laughed at. How many dishes could a simple meal costing two taels of silver have?"

Zhou Wanwan replied:

"Six cold dishes, six hot stir-fries, three main dishes, and a soup."

The main dishes were braised pork belly, steamed fresh fish, and stewed old hen; the soup was winter melon and pork rib soup.

Of course, these dishes will be adjusted according to the season.

Qian Huihui looked at her and said, "I heard that other people's restaurants also have seafood dishes. Can't you put two seafood dishes in the two taels of silver?"

Zhou Wanwan looked at her with a half-smile and said:

"Only seafood is available for purchases of ten taels of silver or more. And the seafood has to be caught fresh from the sea, which is extremely expensive. It's not something you can just eat whenever you want."

"Why don't you go and retrieve them yourselves? I'll have someone process them for you, and I won't charge you any processing fees."

Qian Huihui said speechlessly, "Where am I supposed to go to the beach to catch seafood? Fine, fine, I'll pay now."

She searched for a long time before finally managing to pull out two silver notes.

Zheng Xing'an took it and examined it for a while before saying, "It's two hundred taels."

Zhou Wanwan directly took out a contract and said, "Then let's sign the contract. I'll prepare all the dishes later."

Qian Huihui was actually very unwilling, but she had no choice.

This time, Zhou Mei married a scholar from a scholarly family, and she also cared about her reputation.

Since the man already looked down on her family, Qian Huihui was naturally going to go all out.

Now, everyone in Dongshan Prefecture knows that Zhou Wanwan's takeout is clean and hygienic, and people are proud to be able to order takeout from Zhou Wanwan.

That's why they made this trip today, "Old Madam Zhou said, looking at Zhou Wanwan.

"Then don't forget to add to Zhou Mei's dowry. I remember you gave Zhou Xiaoyan such a large dowry."

Zhou Mei is also your niece, you can't show favoritism!

Liu Su'e said indifferently, "Adding a dowry is based on personal relationships. I'm not familiar with Zhou Mei, and besides, Zhou Mei doesn't have a good relationship with my family."

Qian Huihui quickly said, "How could they not get along? Zhou Mei keeps saying that she really likes Wanwan!"

Zhou Wanwan rolled her eyes. For the sake of adding some makeup, she'd even throw away her dignity.

Old Madam Zhou and Qian Huihui got into the carriage. Old Madam Zhou squinted and said:

"I don't think they'll just obediently provide the extra dowry; wouldn't we be at a disadvantage then?"

This meal costs two taels of silver! That's too expensive. In our village, 500 coins can buy a very good meal."

Qian Huihui sighed and said:

"Mother, we invited many important people, but with only 500 taels of silver from our village, what did we even eat?"

We'll be the ones who lose face then, especially since Zhou Mei married into that kind of family.

We have to support her, right?

Old Madam Zhou sighed and said, "Alright then!"

After they left, Zhou Wanwan looked at the Old Scholar Tree gossipingly and asked, "Did Zhou Mei find a very wealthy family?"

The Old Scholar Tree chuckled and said:

"I've already sent someone to find out the details. Everyone thinks Zhou Mei married into a good family and is living a very glamorous life."

In reality, her husband not only had affairs outside, but he had also taken several concubines at home, totaling more than a dozen.

His title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations) was not earned through genuine ability; it was entirely bought with money by his family.

Ever since he gained this empty reputation, he became even more arrogant and idle, spending his days doing nothing productive and even getting into gambling, which nearly squandered his family fortune.

With a man like this, and such a mess, how could Zhou Mei possibly have a good life after marrying him?

Zhou Wanwan raised an eyebrow and said, "Seeing how pitiful Zhou Mei is, I'm even more eager to join in the fun."

The next morning, Zhou Wanwan finished breakfast and got into the carriage.

Then she saw her parents and laughed, "Why are you dressed like this?"

Zhou Fusheng said with a smile, "Isn't this just doing as the locals do?"

Liu Su'e sighed and said, "We were afraid that if we dressed too nicely, it would offend their eyes. That's why we dressed a little less nicely this time when we went back to our hometown."

Zhou Wanwan's lips twitched. "Then we're thinking the same thing, brother, your clothes are so shabby!"

Zhou Wanwan almost died laughing. The whole family had the same idea, fearing that those people would take advantage of them, so they all wore coarse cloth clothes.

Zhou Wanwan didn't dare wear any jewelry; she kept all her accessories at home.

She looked at Liu Su'e and asked, "How much money should we give as a celebratory gift today?"

Liu Su'e said with a smile:

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I'll give you eighty-eight coins."

Villagers usually give eight coins, and relatives usually give eighteen coins. I gave more this time!

Zhou Fusheng sighed and said:

"I'm afraid those people won't let it go."

But I've come to terms with it now. What does their relentless pursuit have to do with us?

When they returned to the village, they saw Zhou Fuyu looking around anxiously at the door. As soon as he saw them, he rushed over. "Oh! Fourth brother, you're finally back! I was so worried about you!"

Zhou Fusheng led the group down from the carriage. Zhou Fuyu looked at their clothes and said, "Why do I feel that you all look a little different this time?"

Zhou Fusheng said with a forced smile, "How is it different? I think they're the same!"

Zhou Fuyu looked at him pitifully and said:

"Oh dear! Fourth brother, you gave five thousand taels of silver for my son's wedding last time."

How much money are you planning to contribute to my daughter's wedding?

I think it certainly won't be worse than last time.

The relatives standing nearby nodded in agreement.

"Fusheng is really rich now. His daughter delivers takeout. Do you even know what takeout is?"

It's all about delivering vegetables and fruit to every household; you can make a lot of money that way!

"Really? Weren't they supposed to be bandits? How come they're doing so well in business now?"