Falling into the mortal world

"Of course I have time. It's a young lady's order, so of course I have time," said Mr. Zhang.

Lan Qingqing asked somewhat uncertainly: Are you sure you can handle it?

Don't worry, a few carpenters will come to help in a couple of days, then you'll have plenty of time.

Master Zhang has been incredibly busy lately. The furniture pieces designed by Lan Qingqing have been ordered in complete sets by the wealthy gentlemen and ladies of town. And there are already over a dozen orders for baby cribs.

Master Zhang was unwilling to miss out on Lan Qingqing's order, as Lan Qingqing's designs were all very innovative.

Lan Qingqing was certain that Master Zhang could handle the workload, so she took out the blueprints and showed them to him.

The first few design drawings weren't anything special. The construction was simple, just some shelves and counters. Its only advantage was that the materials used were slightly more expensive. Otherwise, there was nothing particularly remarkable.

Master Zhang couldn't quite understand the later design drawings. They were too short and narrow to be considered a bed, and too long, wide, and short to be considered a chair. They were even covered in fabric and cotton. And this rectangular table had carved patterns on its legs. It was exquisite, but not very functional.

Shopkeeper Zhang asked when he needed it.

"It should be fine in about twenty days," Lan Qingqing said.

"Okay, will this be delivered directly to Lihua Village?" Master Zhang asked.

"No need. Just take it to the newly renovated shop on the corner of Central Street, formerly the Kelai Restaurant," Lan Qingqing explained.

Upon hearing that it was Kelai Restaurant, Master Zhang immediately knew which restaurant it was. So, after paying the deposit, Lan Qingqing went to the clinic to visit Madam Lin.

There were quite a few people seeking medical treatment at the clinic at that time, probably because of the cold weather, which led to an increase in people catching colds and fevers.

Lan Qingqing went straight to the backyard, where her mother was preparing medicine for Lin Shi. Under Lan Shi's careful care, Lin Shi had improved considerably.

Lan Qingqing asked her mother, "When did Master say that Auntie can come home?"

"You can go home in the next day or two. Your aunt has too many old injuries. The old doctor said she'll need to rest in bed for a month or so after she gets back, otherwise it will affect her lifespan," said Lan's mother.

"Cai Die will come over this afternoon to relieve you. You can go back home then and buy some more chickens to keep at home so your aunt can have some good nourishment," Lan Qingqing said.

"Alright, Mother understands," said Mother Lan.

Lan Qingqing came up to Lin Shi and said, "Auntie, are you feeling better now? If you feel uncomfortable anywhere, be sure to tell my mother."

Lin said weakly, "Has Auntie caused you any trouble?"

"Not at all, Auntie, just focus on taking care of your health, you don't need to worry about anything else," Lan Qingqing said.

Early that morning, Lan Qingqing neatly folded the tiger skin. She then went to the cellar and took out two jars of canned food and two jars of "Drunken Breeze".

Lan Qingqing went to town with her father, as it wouldn't be appropriate for her to go alone.

When they arrived in town, it was still early, so Lan Qingqing and her father went to the shop for a look around. The shop's renovation had been handed over to Li Dahai from the village.

The walls inside have already been plastered, and the ceiling is covered with thin wooden planks. The tiles should be finished in the next couple of days. Mr. Lan had the contractor expedite the work, so it should be done in just a few days. Having done it once before, the contractor was much more experienced and efficient.

Seeing that it was almost time, Lan Qingqing and her father went to the private room of Wanfu Restaurant to wait.

Mr. Lan was a little nervous about dining with the county magistrate. Having lived this long life, this was the first time he'd been so close to him. If he hadn't felt that his daughter was a woman and shouldn't be alone with a man, he wouldn't have come under any circumstances. The magistrate hadn't arrived yet, and Mr. Lan's legs were starting to tremble.

After a short while, the county magistrate, dressed in plain clothes, entered the private room. Upon seeing the magistrate, Lan's father was so frightened that he immediately stood up and bowed.

The magistrate said: "I am going out in plain clothes today, so there is no need for formalities."

Lan Qingqing stepped forward and patted the magistrate on the back. The magistrate, upon seeing Lan Qingqing, immediately recalled the face he had seen at the county office last time. Now, with her large pregnant belly, he naturally had even less interest.

Lan Qingqing ordered the waiter to serve the dishes, and Lan's father took out the gifts he had prepared and placed them on the table in front of the magistrate. The magistrate instructed his servant to put the gifts away. What was in those jars? The magistrate had no interest in that. The reason he had come was simply because he had heard that the Lan family had killed a tiger and intended to give him the tiger skin.

Upon seeing the quality of the tiger skin, the magistrate realized it was a fine pelt and he hadn't made a mistake in coming. The Lan family's lavish spending must mean they had something to ask for. The magistrate remained calm, wanting to see what the Lan family's request was.

Soon the waiter began serving the dishes. After the dishes were served, Lan Qingqing spoke first: "Sir, this is our own wine. Please have a taste." She then opened a pre-prepared jar and poured a cup for the magistrate. As the jar was opened, the rich aroma of the wine wafted into the magistrate's nose. "Good wine," was the magistrate's thought at that moment.

The magistrate took the wine poured for him by Lan Qingqing, took a small sip, and found it quite potent. He hadn't expected the Lan family to possess such skill. This wine would surely sell like hotcakes if it were available for sale. He wanted the recipe.

If I don't accept this lucrative offer delivered to my door, I'd be doing a disservice to my position as county magistrate.

Lan Qingqing had made ample preparations when she decided to host a banquet for the county magistrate.

Lan Qingqing said: "This Drunken Breeze is a prescription given to me by Hai Zhengshu, the son of the Hai family, who are both Grand Masters of the Palace in the capital. He said it would be able to support his family in the future."

Upon hearing that the Lan family girl had connections with the Hai family, the magistrate found it unsurprising. The Hai family's son was notorious for his womanizing ways, frequently staying at various brothels. He had also heard of the Lan family girl's past, supposedly involving her work in brothels, which explained her acquaintance with the Hai family. However, he was surprised that the Hai family had given away such a crucial brewing recipe.

It's not surprising that some noble families in the capital have valuable prescriptions. How could a mere county magistrate like myself possess so many valuable prescriptions?

The Hai family is a prominent and powerful clan in the capital, and their only daughter is none other than the currently favored Consort Hai. She's not someone a mere county magistrate like myself can afford to offend. Regardless of whether Lan Qingqing has anything going on with the Hai family, I certainly can't take that risk. Besides, the wealth I've accumulated over the years isn't worth a little more than this.

"Madam, you know the young master of the Hai family?" the magistrate asked.

I've met this young master Hai a few times before. Otherwise, a mere peasant girl like me wouldn't be able to make such fine wine. This tavern is opening soon, and without young master Hai's help, it wouldn't be able to open. After all, as adults know, you can't open a tavern without a huge amount of capital.

Now the magistrate completely believed Lan Qingqing's words. The reason was quite simple: he had already investigated the Lan family's financial situation before he arrived. Before Lan Qingqing returned, the Lan family was so poor they were almost starving. After Lan Qingqing returned, she built houses and started businesses. She bought estates and land, and it was said that she even bought the former Laike Restaurant.

This requires a considerable amount of money. Even if a courtesan were wealthy, she certainly wouldn't be able to come up with so much at once. And someone must have helped her hunt that tiger. It seems this Lan family girl has powerful connections!