Travel to the mountains and make a fortune in silence

Wang Qing'er never wanted to skimp on food for her servants. In her eyes, eating was the cheapest thing, so why be stingy?

Despite the time constraints, she purchased only the finest food. She arrived a little late today, and bought up all the remaining meat at the pork stall—enough for those people to have a hearty meal.

During the meal, everyone introduced themselves to each other, since they would all be working together in this mansion in the future.

The children of similar ages quickly became friends, and even the youngest twins made new friends.

After dinner, Gu Tang still arranged for several people to keep watch at night. Although the courtyard was empty, he felt that he should not let his guard down.

Before going to bed, he led his men to inspect each courtyard. There were two gates at the front and back of each courtyard, and Gu Tang arranged for people to stand guard in the side rooms next to these two gates.

This side room was like a security guard room today, bearing the important responsibility of transmitting messages and requiring someone to be on duty at all times.

When Wang Qing'er returned to the courtyard, Zhou Shi and Mu Yan had already prepared dinner and were waiting for their return. The two girls had already eaten and drunk their fill and were reviewing their lessons.

"Grandma, Aunt, why don't you eat first?" Wang Qing'er felt a little embarrassed when she saw that the two of them were waiting for her on an empty stomach.

She actually had a lot to say about her own style of doing things; she always acted impulsively, like a whirlwind, doing whatever she pleased.

Take today for example. She had just bought the courtyard and hadn't even had time to decorate it properly. The courtyard was empty, but she couldn't wait to run off and buy more than twenty people.

This series of actions caught her somewhat off guard. Now, she's gone on another shopping spree, leaving all the people and things to Zihao to handle. The boy still hasn't returned.

Mu Yan reheated the food, and just then her son returned home. The family sat down together and enjoyed their dinner in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

"Sister-in-law, all those people have been settled." Wu Zihao was already starving, his stomach was sticking to his back, and he wolfed down a few mouthfuls of food before reporting the situation to his sister-in-law.

"Okay, Zihao, you've worked hard." Wang Qing'er placed a fragrant piece of pork rib into the boy's bowl.

"Thank you, sister-in-law."

"Qing'er, who are you talking about?" Zhou Shi was completely baffled by her granddaughter-in-law and grandson's conversation.

"Grandma, it's the person I bought." Wang Qing'er's stomach was also growling with hunger, and she answered while eating.

"You went to buy servants this afternoon?" Zhou Shi thought that she was back so late because she was buying things for the new courtyard, but she never expected that she was going to buy servants.

He thought to himself that his granddaughter-in-law was really impulsive and acted on a whim, and he couldn't really say anything to her.

"Yes, we bought twenty-eight people." Wang Qing'er said casually, but Zhou Shi was struck dumb, choking on her food until her face turned red. Mu Yan hurriedly poured her a glass of water and gently patted her back.

"Qing'er, why did you buy so many people?" The granddaughter-in-law had discussed the matter of buying people with them, but the sudden arrival of twenty-eight people really left Zhou speechless.

“Grandma, such a big courtyard needs careful tending to the flowers and plants inside, and we also need to build a soap workshop. There will always be a time when we need so many people.”

Wang Qing'er muttered to herself, worried that these people were not enough. After all, many of the people she bought were children, and the two younger ones needed special care.

In this way, she couldn't help but feel that she had acted somewhat rashly and even impulsively, choosing people based entirely on a momentary whim.

Fortunately, they later selected five strong young servants, and the four middle-aged couples were able to share some of the work. As for the older couple, they were asked to help take care of the children.

Zhou thought to herself, "The purchase has already been made, there's no point in saying anything more. My grandson and granddaughter-in-law probably have their own plans."

The next morning, Madam Lin sent a visiting card, earnestly inviting Zhou and the others to the Lin residence to enjoy a delicious meal together.

After having breakfast, Wang Qing'er went to the county's premier pastry shop and carefully selected some pastries.

After returning home, I took out a jar of high-quality tea and put some crystal-clear white fungus in an exquisite brocade box.

Looking at the several brocade boxes on the table, Wang Qing'er thought that these gifts were just right for her first visit to the Lin family.

She carefully loaded the things onto the carriage, and then, together with Zhou Shi, Mu Yan, and the two children, headed towards the Lin residence.

The Lin residence was located in the south of the city. As soon as the group arrived, the gatekeeper rushed in like an arrow to report. In a short while, Madam Lin led Mu Xia out to greet them with a smile.

"Madam Mu, Qing'er, please come in." Madam Lin greeted Zhou Shi warmly, as if seeing a long-lost friend, and welcomed them into the mansion with a smile.

Wang Qing'er's voice was as clear as a nightingale's song as she called out "Auntie" in a crisp voice, then had her daughter call Mrs. Lin "Grandma" and Ziyuan "Auntie".

Looking at the two little girls who were as beautiful as carved jade, Madam Lin's affection was evident. She hurriedly took out two small and exquisite purses from her sleeve, carefully opened them, and took out the contents.

Inside the purse were two small gold locks, as bright as stars in the night sky, which Madam Lin had carefully selected before returning to the mansion yesterday.

The gold locks were small and exquisite, tied with red ropes, and Madam Lin happily put them on the two little girls.

Mu Yao and Zi Yuan stroked the gold lock with great affection, as happy as two joyful little birds. They thanked her and each gave Madam Lin a warm hug. Mu Yao even left a light kiss on her face.

Madam Lin gently pinched Mu Yao's apple-red cheeks and said with a loving smile, "What an adorable little girl."

"Madam Lin, you are too kind. We have already troubled you by coming here today, and you have gone to such lengths for us."

Mrs. Zhou never expected that Mrs. Lin would give the two children such valuable gifts.

Given the Mu family's current financial situation, Mu Xia marrying into the Lin family would be considered a high-status marriage for her.

Although their branch of the family had regained some momentum thanks to their granddaughter-in-law, they were still like a candle flickering in the wind, with shallow roots. Compared to the Lin family, they were worlds apart.

"Madam, what are you saying? I've been wanting to invite you to our home for a simple meal for a long time, but Xia'er kept telling me you were too busy. After meeting Qing'er yesterday, I took a great liking to her and have been thinking about it ever since. I was determined to invite you all to our home for a get-together today."

Madam Lin held Zhou's hand tightly and talked on and on, completely forgetting to invite the guests to sit in the flower hall.