A blessed wife leads her husband to wealth and prosperity!

When you went back just now, did you take the silver to them?

Hmm. To be honest, Madam, we're new here and don't know much about the county's administration. We've heard that protection money does exist, so…

Lin He'er didn't continue speaking, but Madam Cao already understood what was going on!

How much silver should I pay?

Five taels of silver a month!

When Cao heard the shopkeeper say that the shop had to hand over five taels of silver a month, she narrowed her eyes. There were so many shops in the county town, she wondered if the master knew that doing business under his jurisdiction was so profitable.

No need to pay the silver!

Cao said to Lin He'er!

Oh, are we not going to pay? If we don't give them the money, won't our own shop face even more trouble later?

Don't worry, shopkeeper. If anyone dares to come asking for money from your shop in the future, just say that Madam Cao is protecting you!

Cao Qianqian, who was standing next to Cao Shi, couldn't help but find it a little funny to see the bewildered look on the young woman's face in the shop!

Don't worry, my mother's words still carry weight!

You're such a chatterbox! You deserve a beating!

When Cao saw her daughter teasing her, her face, which had been tense, now showed a smile!

Lin He'er never expected that she would hit the jackpot today. The customer in her shop was someone of high status. She felt that today must be a good day!

Shopkeeper, have someone from your household go to the county government office to find a man named Cao Cen. Tell him that Madam Cao asked him to bring some people with him.

Yes, madam.

Lin He'er went to the backyard and called Li Shi, telling her to go to the county government office to find someone.

This was a major event concerning whether her family's shop could continue operating on this street. If it weren't for her accompanying Madam Cao, Lin He'er would have wanted to go herself.

Having received instructions from his wife, Madam Li hurried to the county government office.

Chen San'er realized that there was no way to undo the damage today. His men had made a mistake, and he himself would have to go to the yamen as well. He was filled with remorse and wanted to continue to beg the lady for forgiveness, but the noble lady simply ignored him.

If I were to run away now, I don't know if I could even make it.

Everyone stay here and wait. Anyone who dares to step out of the shop will have their legs broken!

Seeing the expressions on the faces of the thugs in the shop, Granny Gui guessed what they were thinking. She gave a shout, which startled everyone into stopping what they were doing!

Alas, I've failed today!

I wonder what it will be like when I get to the county government office!

The Li family came and went very quickly! After all, the shop was originally quite close to the county government office.

Along with Li, several constables dressed in black uniforms also returned.

Once inside the shop, everyone bowed to Madam Cao.

After greeting Madam, one of them, who should be the head of these constables, entered the shop and went directly to Madam Cao.

May I ask, madam, what has happened?

Officer Liu, take these men back to the county office. They were extorting money from shop owners in the street!

Cao did not mention her daughter's matter, as it concerned a woman's reputation and should be treated with caution.

Therefore, he only said that something happened at Lin He'er's shop and he happened to see it, so he called everyone over!

Officer Liu was a regular on the streets, so he naturally recognized the people in the shop. Oh, he hadn't noticed at first, but wasn't this the lackey of his superior?

What a coincidence! I knew about this group of people before, but today I've finally run into someone I can't afford to mess with.

Good, really good!

I reckon I still have a chance to make a contribution this time.

Madam, I'll take everyone back right away. Don't worry, I'll lock them up later.

Well, Madam Cao simply nodded and didn't explain in detail to Constable Liu. Once her husband knew about this, things would be much easier to handle afterwards!

Brothers, take everyone away. Don't disturb the lady's peace and quiet!

After Liu the constable finished speaking, he went to Chen San'er, who was closest to him, grabbed him, and shoved him out of the shop.

Seeing that everyone had left, Lin He'er naturally invited Cao to the backyard for a detailed discussion.

Thank you so much for your help today, Madam. We sat down and chatted in the backyard!

Cao nodded and followed Lin He'er to the backyard to sit down.

Granny Li quickly served the tea and stood with Granny Gui, waiting for their master's instructions.

May I ask what brings you here today, Madam? Ever since Lin He'er learned that Madam Cao might be the wife of some official in the yamen, she has been more careful in her speech. After all, in the eyes of powerful people, there are some taboo words that cannot be said carelessly!

Madam Cao said with a smile: "It's not me who wants to come to your shop today, but my girl who wants to come here."

Oh, welcome to my shop, miss. Is there anything you like?

Of course! I really like the suitcases your shop makes. I saw them at my brother's place back home. They're so convenient to use when traveling, so I want one too.

No problem, we have one in our shop. If you like it, you can take it with you when you come back.

I saw that one, but it seems a bit big, and it doesn't look like something a girl would use. Could you make me one that's suitable for women?

Suitable for women?

Lin He'er thought about the suitcase currently in the shop. It was indeed quite business-like, and it might seem a bit cold and hard for a girl to use.

Do you have any ideas, Miss? You can draw up a design, and the shop will make it according to the design you provide!

Haha, I don't have much talent for painting, so I won't embarrass myself by showing off.

Cao Qianqian waved her hand shyly at Lin He'er.

No problem. If you have any ideas, you can tell me and I'll draw them for you.

Are you good at painting?

Cao Qianqian was surprised to find that this young woman was quite capable. She was most afraid of painting, and although her family had found her a good teacher to give her lessons, she simply didn't have any talent for painting.

Upon hearing that Lin He'er was skilled at painting, Cao Qianqian thought the young woman was quite impressive!

The painting I learned from Miss is different. What I paint is more practical and lacks artistic conception!

As Lin He'er spoke, she asked Li to bring out her own sketchbook for Cao Qianqian to look at.

Wow, these picture books are so beautiful! They're definitely different from the paintings I've learned. Are the pictures in this book of the bags you sell in your shop?

Cao Qianqian found the patterns somewhat familiar.

Yes, I draw the new products that come out in the store every quarter, and then give them to the embroiderers to make.

"You're amazing," Cao Qianqian said, closing the picture book and feeling a sense of admiration for the woman in front of her.

He noticed that the other person was about the same age as him, but was quite capable.

Thank you for the compliment, Miss.

Cao also saw the album of paintings by Lin He'er and was secretly surprised. Her daughter didn't understand painting, but she knew that this woman's paintings were obviously a very modern style. The suitcase she had painted for her last time was also painted in this style!

Just as my daughter said, that's really impressive!

Lin He'er was unaware that Cao Shi had once again held her in higher regard because of the picture album she had drawn.

If you don't have any ideas, that's fine. I'll draw a few for you first, and then you can choose one from them.

Okay, upon hearing this suggestion, Cao Qianqian nodded in agreement.

I need some more time to draw these things. I wonder when you will have time to come and see them?

I have some free time recently. If you have finished drawing the design, come to the county government office to find me.