Chapter 159: Watch Your Mouth

After settling the price with Mr. Deng, they told the family to pack their things since someone would come to pick them up later. The father and daughter then left the dental shop together, planning to try their luck at Qiu Rongrong’s place. Meanwhile, the ox cart was left temporarily under the shop’s care.

Walking along the road, Wen Yao teased Wen Xiuyi, “Professor Wen, you switch roles so quickly.”

“Oh, don’t joke about your old man. If I hadn’t seen you so worried, I wouldn’t have bothered to negotiate the price,” Wen Xiuyi sighed helplessly, truly bending for a few coins.

“Huh?” Wen Yao exclaimed. “Since when did I frown?”

“When Mr. Deng was quoting the price,” he replied.

Wen Yao was speechless.

“Dad, maybe it’s not that I think it’s expensive, but that I’m lamenting how little human life is valued nowadays.”

Wen Xiuyi wanted to disappear.

“Enough, enough. Saving five taels is still five taels. Do you have enough money?” he asked.

Wen Yao shrugged, “I do.”

Well, no need to bother with Qiu Rongrong then. They should just turn around and leave. Besides, Da Huang still had to come pick up the boys tonight.

Wen Xiuyi was about to head back when Wen Yao stopped him. “We’re already here. It’s been a while since I saw Sister Qiu. Let’s go see her first.”

Wen Xiuyi could only accompany her and took her to the Xie family’s doorstep.

When a person gains power, those around them can tell. The Xie family was a prestigious household, and the people who managed to thrive there were sharp-witted. As soon as Wen Yao and Wen Xiuyi arrived, the gatekeeper immediately recognized Wen Yao.

“Miss Wen, you’re here to see our lady,” the gatekeeper hurried down to greet her.

Seeing the gatekeeper’s attitude, Wen Yao knew Sister Qiu was doing quite well, so she nodded, “Yes, please inform her.”

The gatekeeper chuckled, “Inform? The lady instructed that whenever Miss Wen arrives, she should be brought directly in without any notice. Wait here a moment; I’ll call a maid to escort you and let the lady know.”

With that, he ran off.

Wen Yao sighed, “Dad, servants in ancient times are just like company employees, so perceptive and practical.”

Wen Xiuyi replied, “That’s called being wise and adaptable. Alright, stay here. I’ll go visit your brother.”

“Bye, Dad.”

Wen Xiuyi poked her forehead playfully, “Watch your mouth.”

No sooner had Wen Xiuyi left than the gatekeeper returned, followed by Qiao Yan.

“Miss Yao Yao, you’re here. The lady was just about to send someone to invite you,” Qiao Yan greeted with a bow.

“Is Sister Qiu busy now? Am I disturbing her?” Wen Yao asked.

“No matter how busy, when Miss Yao arrives, the lady is never too busy. Let me take you in,” Qiao Yan said respectfully.

Wen Yao followed Qiao Yan inside the Xie household and soon encountered Xie Yushan, who was about to leave.

Xie Yushan froze upon seeing Wen Yao, his brows tightly furrowed, his gaze laced with disdain and dislike.

Since meeting this girl, the lady had changed completely, focusing all her energy on business. She even said things like, “You eat my food, drink my wine, use my money; even the servants’ wages come from my silver,” making Xie Yushan feel the servants no longer respected him as before.

Wen Yao sensed Xie Yushan’s hostility but paid no mind.

“Master Xie, are you heading out?”

Xie Yushan ignored her and instead frowned at Qiao Yan, “Why don’t you notify me of guests at the house anymore?”

Qiao Yan knelt gracefully, “Master, Miss Yao Yao was invited by the lady herself, so there was no need to trouble you. Please forgive me.”

Though her words were humble, her tone bore no hint of apology, which infuriated Xie Yushan. Just as he was about to lose his temper, Qiao Yan said, “Master, you’ll be late. The lady said the county magistrate invited you today, so you mustn’t keep him waiting.”

Xie Yushan swallowed his anger, snorted heavily, and strode away with a swinging sleeve.

Wen Yao couldn’t help but laugh, and Qiao Yan joined in.

“Please pardon the laughter, Miss,” Qiao Yan said.

Wen Yao continued walking with her, “Master Xie doesn’t look as confident as before.”

“Still as arrogant as ever, but when someone lacks inner confidence, they become cautious and timid,” Qiao Yan thought fondly of the lady’s recent actions. Their mistress was no longer weak and bullied; this was long overdue.

The two chatted merrily as they approached Qiu Rongrong’s courtyard. The servants they met along the way were very respectful, a testament to Qiu’s successful household management.

Upon entering the courtyard, Qiao Yan led Wen Yao directly into the study, where Qiu Rongrong sat behind her desk, busily tapping an abacus and sorting through accounts.

“You finally came! If you hadn’t, I was about to send someone to fetch you,” Qiu Rongrong stopped her calculations, marked a spot, and rubbed her shoulder.

Wen Yao pulled out two recipe sheets from her sleeve and handed them over. “Here, some money for you.”

Qiu Rongrong glanced at them and immediately handed them to Qiao Yan. “Take these to Chef Chen.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Qiao Yan said, pocketing the sheets and leaving.

Qiu Rongrong collapsed into her chair and beckoned Wen Yao over. “Come, look at this.”

“What is it?” Wen Yao stepped forward and saw Qiu Rongrong hand her an account book, speaking mysteriously, “The roast duck shop’s ledger.”

Wen Yao raised her eyebrows and casually flipped through the pages, growing more astonished with each turn.

“One tael of silver per roast duck? Five hundred cash for half a duck?” The pricing stunned her. The shop had just opened, but after covering costs, the profit alone was over two thousand taels.

She knew business was good, but not that good—one tael per duck? Were there really customers willing to pay that?

Besides, their initial pricing wasn’t like this.

“There are still many people who can’t get one,” Qiu Rongrong smiled proudly, then took Wen Yao’s hand, beaming. “Dear sister, you don’t blame me for changing the prices, do you?”

Wen Yao’s mouth twitched. “Of course not.” Who would be foolish enough to shun extra money? She just hadn’t expected such a high price would still attract so many buyers.

Qiu Rongrong then handed her another ledger. “Take a look at this.”

Wen Yao took it and found it was the income record of another roast duck shop. Though only ten days old, its profits were more than double those of the Yunwu Town branch.

She must have hit the jackpot, right?

But when did they open a branch? How come she didn’t know?

“What’s this?” Wen Yao asked.

“When we set up our shop, I wrote to my elder brother to open one in Jiangnan for me. I sent the chefs there, so it opened around the same time as ours. Jiangnan has many wealthy people, so business is much better,” Qiu Rongrong smiled. “My brother even wanted to invest, but I refused.”