I was a queen in ancient times, no, a maid!

Then he walked outside the temple and saw a gray carriage.

Two servants in grey clothes stood on both sides of the carriage, looking like martial artists.

The carriage was low-key and gray-black in color, but there were a few small words on one side of the carriage, with a number four embroidered on the edge with gold thread.

Those who use gold thread must be rich or noble. Combined with the tone of the maidservant beside that lady, it seems that that lady is from a wealthy family.

It was a close call. I almost offended the powerful.

Indeed, every three or five steps in Kyoto City there is a big shot.

Cheng Yu couldn't help but wonder if she had rejected Zhao Shiyan too early.

What if I need to rely on him to settle some things in the future? It will be inconvenient to ask him for help then.

Of course, this is just Cheng Yu’s own simple thought.

***

The first snow of winter fell early and was very cold.

The braised meat shop opens much later than in spring, summer and autumn. Fewer people go out when it's cold. Cheng Yu sits inside, watching over the stove, and doesn't feel cold.

People buy cakes and pastries as gifts for visiting relatives during the Chinese New Year in advance. If they are sold at this critical time before the New Year, they will not be easy to sell.

Cheng Yu made some more cakes for the eldest master of the Cai family and sold them out in small quantities.

After all, the pastries that are stored in stock are not as popular as the freshly made ones.

She taught He Hua how to make a dish of milk-flavored toast, which she brushed with a layer of honey and sprinkled with sesame seeds. It was baked and sold immediately during the first and fifteenth days of every lunar month at the market, and business was surprisingly good.

When I’m not selling pastries, I make roasted sweet potatoes.

Cheng Yu built an extra oven at home.

Peach and Lotus take turns going out to set up stalls.

Miss Yu gave them one third of the money they earned, and Lotus and Peach were willing to do it.

Cheng Yu was sitting in the room. The space was not big, and there was a stove burning, so it was warm. She felt so comfortable that she just wanted to sleep.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard and Lotus came in limping.

Seeing Cheng Yu open his eyes, He Hua smiled and said, "I woke you up after all. The charcoal seems to be almost burned. I'll get some charcoal."

"Don't burn it anymore. Once the fire is out, we can close the door and go home."

"It's snowing heavily, and the road is cold and difficult to walk on. I'm afraid no one will come here again."

Lotus hummed and said to Cheng Yu, "Is there a snowstorm outside? I just heard an old lady who bought roasted sweet potatoes for her grandson say that the city gates are closed and they said they will not be opened until the New Year."

During festivals, many ordinary people from outside the city would flock into the city, all of whom came to the capital to go shopping.

If the city gates were not opened, this year's temple fair would definitely not be as lively.

After hearing what He Hua said, Cheng Yu asked, "Where did the snowstorm happen? I think the snow in Kyoto is just a little heavier, not that serious."

"It is said that several towns between Jiangbei and Jingdu have been hit by snowstorms. Houses have collapsed and many people have become refugees."

Cheng Yu said, "It's strange that it's pitiful."

She went outside, walked around, and asked a few shop owners on the street.

When her braised meat shop opened, Cheng Yu personally gave portions to the shop owners in nearby shops, and when they came to buy things, Cheng Yu would also give them a discount.

The relationship is pretty good.

After asking around, she realized that now she could only leave the city but not enter it.

The boss of the roasted nuts next door said to Cheng Yu helplessly, "My husband went to his mother-in-law's house outside the city before the New Year, but now he can't come back."

The boss asked Cheng Yu to eat melon seeds.

Cheng Yu grabbed a handful and said, "If my sister-in-law doesn't come back, how can I spend the New Year?"

"That's right. We don't know how long the city gates will be closed."

"Big sister, after your child was taken away by his father, has he never come back?"

This?

Cheng Yu didn't react for a long time. She had long forgotten that she had a child. Unexpectedly, these neighbors were so concerned about her private life.

Cheng Yu laughed and said, "It's better for the child to follow her father than to follow me."

She wanted to explain, but the problem was that these ordinary people just loved gossip.

Just go with what they want.

The roasted nuts brother looked at Cheng Yu with a little more pity in his eyes.

"Big sister, come and grab a handful of melon seeds to take away. My son Hu Zi loves your braised duck neck. Next time I go to your store to buy it, please continue to give me discounts."

Cheng Yu happily took the melon seeds and said with a smile, "Sure, I'll give you a discount."

Back at the braised food shop, Cheng Yu put away the remaining stew in the pot, and went home with He Hua, pushing the stove for roasting sweet potatoes.

Taozi saw them coming back and immediately opened the door.

"Miss Yu, you are finally back. In the past half day, three waves of officials came to collect refugee fees. I didn't dare to make the decision and didn't give any money. The official also said that I had to go to the government office to pay it within three days."

Cheng Yu frowned, "Why is there refugee money?"

When a snowstorm occurs, rescuing refugees should not be the government's concern, and the money should come from the national treasury. Why should the people be forced to pay?

Cheng Yu is well aware of the difficulties faced by ordinary people at the bottom of society. Who can afford to collect refugee money three times due to this snowstorm?

"Who among us dares to ask more questions about the government's affairs?"

"Miss Yu, how about we go to the palace and ask the eldest lady if she knows the current situation?"

Cheng Yu shook his head. The refugee fund issue was not a big deal and there was no need to trouble Zhao Rulan.

There will be many small things like this in the future, and we can’t bother others every time.

"Taozi, go ask the neighbors next door if everyone has paid. If everyone has paid, then we should pay too. We should just follow the crowd."

Just sent Taozi to ask.

Cheng Yu had just sat down in the house and hadn't even had a cup of hot water when he heard a knock on the door.