Chapter 264 - 251: Belonging to the Loach
Ge Tonghua didn’t respond immediately, instead he frowned and questioned, “Didn’t I tell you to make the delivery to Mr. Liu? Why did Wencheng go?” “Didn’t you mention en-route, dropping by your aunt’s place to see how she was doing with her illness?”
“Ah, as Wencheng wanted to go, I let him, no harm in that. I’ll visit Aunt tonight with a lantern, that’s no trouble.”
Han Hu laughed, “Wencheng rarely likes making deliveries, but this time he took the initiative to go, he’s asked, and it’s not easy to refuse him. Don’t blame him for this, master.”
“Rarely goes out? Isn’t it rare for him to go out? It’s so good to be in the pharmacy, where he could easily switch the herbs, he’s just cheating us!” Thinking of this, Ge Tonghua showed an unhappy face, “This time he went out, there must be a reason. That Mr. Liu is usually quite generous, and he probably included a tip or a cake as a gift. That Zhuang Wencheng, he knows the right moment to slip in, did he reincarnate from a loach in his previous life?”
Ah, master, what’s this again? I think Wencheng is doing quite well, you’re always picking on him. It’s getting late, and it’s time for your meal, master.” Han Hu walked towards the backyard, “I’ll serve our master food.”
Ge Tonghua was about to speak again, but he could only see the back of Han Hu, and he sighed and shook his head.
This senior apprentice was really honest and straightforward, he always considered others in everything he did.
But Zhuang Wencheng’s cunning side was quite troublesome. If it continues, it will be impossible to keep him around. We can’t keep someone with a bad heart around, who knows when he might harm us?
Zhuang Wencheng ran all the way to Mr. Liu’s house and delivered the medicine.
After the Liu family’s servant received the medicine, he served tea and snacks to Zhuang Wencheng with utmost courtesy. Zhuang Wencheng politely declined and hurried to the cloth shop.
Upon arrival, he only saw a shop assistant named Zhang Jin.
He’s from the same village. Zhuang Yutian was Zhuang Wencheng’s paternal uncle, both of them living in the same county town, so Zhuang Yutian and Zhuang Wencheng often visit each other, and the assistant in the cloth shop recognised Zhuang Wencheng
Doctor Zhuang.” Zhang Jin greeted, “Are you here to see the manager? If so, it’s not a good time, both managers went home. An important guest came to the shop today, and they invited him home for lunch.”
“According to the manager, it seems that the guest is well-acquainted, and should be someone you know too, Doctor Zhuang. If you have something, why not come home and look for them?”
I see.” The light in Zhuang Wencheng’s eyes dimmed a bit.
He had intended to bring Zhuang Qingning to have a nice meal, but unexpectedly, Zhuang Qingning had gone to Zhuang Yutian’s house for a meal.
Although this was a regular occurrence, and he couldn’t complain, he felt a bit empty after missing out.
Moreover, it would seem inappropriate to go to Zhuang Yutian’s house at this moment, like he was there free-loading a meal. Zhuang Wencheng thought for a while and decided to give it a miss.
There will always be another time, missing this one would not matter so much. “It’s not a big deal. Since Manager Zhuang isn’t here, I’ll come another day.” Zhuang Wencheng chuckled, turned around and left.
He walked away, dejected.
“Doctor Zhuang, have a safe journey.” Zhang Jin didn’t notice anything and just sent Zhuang Wencheng off, then he went on to tend to the shop.
With Hanfeng Tower’s signature dishes of crystal elbow flower, fairy chicken, squirrel fish, along with a few home-cooked dishes prepared by Mrs. Meng herself, Zhuang Qingning enjoyed a very sumptuous lunch at Zhuang Yutian’s house.
After lunch and some more conversation, Zhuang Qingning excused herself to find a vehicle to head to the town.
Although it was summer and the days were long, it would be hard to find a vehicle if it got late. Zhuang Qingning also declined Zhuang Yutian’s offer to send her off. Mrs. Meng and Zhuang Yutian didn’t insist anymore, but just saw Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui off who got onto a bullock cart heading for the town.
Before leaving, Mrs. Meng stuffed a piece of cloth into Zhuang Qingning’s hand.
“Auntie doesn’t have much to give, but this colour suits a young maiden like you. It would look nice for a skirt. I couldn’t find someone to make it for you because of the short notice, so when you come next time, leave your measurements here. If Auntie comes across a good tailor, I’ll have summer clothes made for you and Qingsui.”
“Don’t reject this gift. Auntie will be upset if you do.” Seeing Zhuang Qingning’s intention to decline, Mrs. Meng held her hand down.
This time, Zhuang Qingning brought mosquito repellent herbs as a gift for Mrs. Meng and Zhuang Yutian. She did not count it in the deal of them selling the mosquito repellent herbs together. It made sense that they returned the favor at this moment.
Zhuang Qingning didn’t decline, just smiling and thanking her, “Thankyou, Auntie.”
What’s there to thank for? In the future, feel free to pick whatever fabric you need for clothes from Auntie’s shop. If we don’t have it, at least you can pick any cloth you like.” Mrs. Meng saw the coachman cracking his whip and hurried forward to bid farewell, “Take care on your journey. Come and visit the county town when you have time.”
“Will do.” Zhuang Qingning responded from afar.
The bullock cart moved slowly and soon disappeared into the streets. Mrs.
Meng then took her eyes off them and returned to the shop. Holding the mosquito repellent herbal pouches that Zhuang Qingning brought, she sniffed them repeatedly, thinking about whom to give these pouches first for the best marketing effect.
“Honestly, this Ning girl is really something, these herbal pouches smell really nice.” Zhuang Yutian put down the pouch in his hand. “I think, they shouldn’t be hard to sell. Even Zhuang Wencheng’s pharmacy sold many of them last year. Besides, our cost is low, hence the low selling price, it will certainly outperform their sales.”
“Yes, we are lucky to have Ning girl this time.” Mrs. Meng squinted in amusement. “I feel we don’t have many of these herbal pouches. Send some to Liu family, Luo family, Bai family first, and as for the others, give one to regular customers based on how much business they do with us usually. Let them try it first, and if they come to buy, ask them to wait for a while, note down the quantity they want, so that we know how much to prepare for the next time.”
“Okay, you can arrange that as you see fit.”
As an active person, Mrs. Meng managed her business very well. The fact that their cloth shop thrived must be largely credited to her efforts, Zhuang Yutian was aware of this and was very confident in her arrangements.
“Alright, I’ll take care of it then.” Mrs. Meng smiled, arranging for the long
advance to deliver the mosquito repellent pouches.
Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui travelled from the county town to the tofu shop.
When they arrived, Zhuang Sifu had not yet delivered the goods to the tofu shop.