Divorcing your wife might feel good for a moment, but seeing me make money will make you regret it f

The magistrate's forehead veins throbbed. Considering Xu Qing's presence and wanting to save face for his wife, he restrained himself and said:

"Enough, Madam. The money and account books are right here. Would I lie to you? You know our carpenter went to work for the Xu family. What are you making a scene about now?"

The magistrate's wife simply sat down on a stool and began to list all of Xu Qing's faults:

"I know, but isn't Chenggong at her house? Why not send Chenggong back?"

I haven't seen my son in so long. She's not content with just taking my son; now she's using business as an excuse.

She comes to see you every few days. Doesn't she know how to avoid suspicion?

And you, you actually yelled at me for the sake of outsiders, waaaaaah…”

The magistrate's wife became increasingly aggrieved as she spoke, and she even lay down on the tea table next to the stool and burst into tears.

"I don't care, I want my son! Waaah! You all side with outsiders! Do you even care about me, your mother, your wife?"

After listening to the magistrate's wife's accusations, Xu Qing remembered that she had targeted her last time because she was jealous of her son, and this time it was clearly because she was jealous again.

But even though she was jealous, her words were far too harsh.

Xu Qing silently complained to herself, "Who would want this kind of old geezer?"

You're the only one they see.

However, what they said makes sense; she really shouldn't have been alone with the county magistrate.

This is ancient times, not modern times.

Even in modern times, rumors can spread.

She said helplessly, "Madam, it was my oversight. I will have Chenggong come from now on."

If I absolutely need to see the magistrate, I will always have someone else present. I will never see the magistrate alone again.

The magistrate's wife raised her head, revealing her beautiful face streaked with tears, and asked in a thick nasal voice, "Do you keep your word?"

Xu Qing nodded: "Otherwise, I can hand over the account books and money to Madam from now on."

The magistrate was already afraid of his own wife, and seeing her crying so pitifully, he felt extremely sorry for her.

“Mrs. Xu is right. From now on, you, Madam, will take over all of this. Don’t cry anymore.”

The magistrate's wife then wiped away her tears and said with a hint of apology:

"I was angry just now and said some offensive things. Please forgive me, Madam Xu."

Xu Qing shook his head to indicate that it was alright, and then took out an invitation:

"Madam Magistrate, my elder brother is getting married tomorrow. If you're free, come and join us for the wedding banquet."

The magistrate's wife accepted the gift: "I will definitely come on time tomorrow. I've heard from Chenggong that your family's food is delicious. I must try it this time."

Xu Qing smiled and said, "Then I will await your arrival, Madam. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

"Qiuqiu, see Madam Xu off for me."

"Yes."

Qiuqiu curtsied to the magistrate's wife and escorted Xu Qing to the main gate of the yamen.

"Madam Xu, this is the lady's jade token. Next time you come, you can just take this jade token to enter the backyard."

Qiuqiu respectfully handed the jade pendant to Xu Qing with both hands.

Xu Qing took it and drove the oxcart home.

On the way, Xu Qing looked at the jade pendant of the county magistrate's wife and became even more determined to expand his business to the prefectural city.

The magistrate's wife treated her this way only because she had no one to rely on.

To these high-ranking officials and nobles, she was like an ant.

When she's in a bad mood, she can utter insults, and she can do nothing about it.

At least in Datong Town, she lived by the whims of the county magistrate.

Once she expands her business to the prefectural city, she will find a stronger backer.

Then we'll see how these people will act up in front of her.

Xu Qing originally planned to go straight home, but after leaving the city, he turned a corner and headed straight for Dukou Town.

She wanted to go to the dock to ask how to get to the prefectural city and what the charges were for bringing goods.

Upon arriving at the pier, it was still bustling with people in the afternoon.

Xu Qing stood outside and observed for a long time. He saw that on each of the ships at the dock, there was a middle-aged man who looked like a manager directing the men to unload the cargo.

The men were sweating profusely, while he sat leisurely under an oil-paper umbrella, legs crossed, drinking tea.

Xu Qing stepped forward and asked, "Excuse me, how much does it cost per person to take a boat to the prefectural city? When do boats depart?"

The middle-aged man who looked like the manager sized Xu Qing up and down, and seeing that she was dressed decently, he figured she could afford the boat fare.

Then he slowly said, "A ticket costs 30 coins, with one trip in the morning and one at noon."

Xu Qing then asked, "What if I want to sell products?"

The middle-aged man chuckled as if he'd heard a joke, and said with a sidelong glance, "I don't charge you for carrying a bundle or a bamboo basket."

In his eyes, what kind of goods could a woman possibly carry? Going to the prefectural city must be to visit relatives.

At most, you can cut two pieces of pork and fill them with dozens of eggs.

Xu Qing paused at the man's disdainful words. She had just been humiliated by the county magistrate's wife, and now even a mere steward could make her suffer.

She couldn't bear it anymore.

Xu Qing turned and left, but the middle-aged man didn't care and continued drinking his herbal tea.

Xu Qing walked to the area where the boats were moored and asked loudly, "How much does it cost per day to charter a boat to the prefectural city?"

"This guy has quite the nerve, even chartering a boat to the prefectural city."

"I saw her talking to Manager Cao just now. Manager Cao has such a sharp tongue, maybe she was upset and was deliberately picking a fight."

The dockworkers whispered among themselves, but the men's voices were naturally loud, and Xu Qing could hear them clearly.

She took out one or two taels of silver and waved it in her hand.

"Whoever answers me first gets the tael of silver."

Manager Cao scoffed, "If I forbid them to answer you, none of them will dare to speak. Young lady, stop trying to put on a brave face."

Xu Qing glanced at the boatmen on the boat, and they indeed avoided her gaze, not daring to meet her eyes.

"Most of the boats at the dock belong to Cao's Shipping Company. If you offend Manager Cao, who would dare to take her on a ride?"

"Stop talking, or you'll be in big trouble if Manager Cao hears you."

Xu Qing listened to the discussions around him and realized that this Manager Cao seemed to have a lot of influence in this Cao's Shipping Company.

However, she believes that money can make the devil turn the millstone, and that people die for wealth and birds die for food.

As long as she can afford it, there will always be someone willing to give her a ride.

Anyway, she was just asking around today.

Let her come back another day with samples.

Xu Qing turned and left, while Manager Cao crossed his legs and smugly stroked his mustache.

Just as I got into the oxcart, a shout came from ahead.

"Madam Xu".

Xu Qing looked in the direction of the voice and saw Cui Yi looking at her in surprise.

What are you doing here? Do you want to take a boat?

Xu Qing thought there was nothing to hide about this, and then she mentioned that she had just asked about prices at the dock.

He was eager to find out, and he found out as soon as he asked.

"Yes, I want to find out how much it costs to transport goods to the prefectural city."

Cui Yi seized every opportunity to curry favor with Xu Qing, and upon hearing this, immediately patted his chest and said:

"You've come to the right person. Most of the ships at this dock are owned by our boss."

Just say the word, and there's no charge; it's all just a side thing.

By the way, Madam Xu, what are you planning to bring back? Milk tea? There's really no need for that.

Listen to me, just open a shop in the prefectural city. It's much more convenient than transporting things back and forth like this, and it will also reduce costs significantly.