Chapter 517: A Truly Deserving Lord of the Hou Mansion!
just curious, what are you going to do with the sheep"She understood that if it was just for goat's milk, the Li family could squeeze some and sell it to them. But wanting the goats themselves was ou..."Good!" Li Lao'er excitedly agreed with a single word, "Second Uncle, don't worry about the money, just let me be the shopkeeper."
Jia Yin didn't persist, it wasn't that she was greedy for silver.
But this flower shop, for Second Uncle, the most important thing is to expand his network of contacts. The second most important thing is to change medicines, medicinal plant seedlings and seeds. Making money is the least important.
By the end of the year, I'll calculate how much I have and give half to my second uncle to buy some stationery or clothing accessories.
Your niece's filial piety, your second uncle must be delighted!
Big and small came together, from the flower shop's location to renovation and manpower, it was all bustling with activity.
Even Li Lao Tai, who was already worried about her grandchildren, couldn't help but chime in with a few words.
That evening, the boys came home from school for dinner. When Jia Ren saw his father stayed behind, he thought his father cared about him and worried that he was being bullied by his classmates. He felt very touched.
To his surprise, his father was preoccupied with the flower shop.
The next morning, Jia Yin changed into a beautiful dress and, accompanied by He Mama and Shui Ling, followed her second uncle into the city.
The two nephews unanimously felt that although a flower shop was supposed to sell flowers, just like stealing a book wasn't called stealing, but "stealing", and buying a Buddha statue wasn't called buying, but "asking for it", they shouldn't call selling flowers "selling", but "appreciating flowers"！
Therefore, the flower shop can't really be opened in a storefront on a bustling commercial street; it has to be located somewhere elegant, quiet, and sophisticated.
After all, this flower shop in the future will be more than just selling flowers. It will also be a place for the Li family to connect with people and entertain friends and colleagues.
Then, the two cousins went straight to the junction of the eastern and southern parts of the city.
This is the place where civil and military officials must pass when going to court, and it is also the favorite place for scholars to stay during each imperial examination.
The streets connecting the two districts were bustling with activity. On both sides of the street, there were shops selling calligraphy and paintings, theaters for traditional performances, and teahouses, attracting a large number of people. Over many years, this has resulted in a strong literary atmosphere.
And those living nearby were either high officials and nobles from the Eastern City or wealthy families in Southern City. Few peddlers or commoners frequented their circles.
This is the most suitable place for a flower shop that the two could think of.
Unfortunately, this place is beloved by them and everyone else as well!
The carriage turned for a full hour, and they couldn't find a suitable courtyard even after asking two or three local people.
As they were passing the end of the street, Jiayin took notice of one place, but there was a seal posted on the door.
Zheng Feng, in a hurry, ran to a nearby teahouse. He slipped some silver to the attendant and, upon returning, said to the master and mistress, “Master, Mistress, the teahouse attendant said that this courtyard belonged to an official who committed a crime last year. It has been sealed up and not sold. The deed and land title should be at the Ministry of Revenue.”
Jia Yin thought for a moment, then said: "Second Uncle, let's go to Hou Mansion. I need to borrow a gardener from the head steward. After opening a flower shop, I can't do without a good gardener. You and I raise flowers, I'm afraid we won't have even one left in the end..."
Li Lao'er coughed dryly, blushing slightly, and quickly agreed.
Once upon a time, when Xiankelai was removing potted flowers, he took a fancy to one and asked his niece for it. He brought it back to Mr. Wen's small courtyard to raise it.
He loved it so much, watering it frequently. As a result, one day suddenly the flower wilted and died.
Later on, he learned that the flower liked drought and only needed watering once every half month. Overwatering would cause the roots to rot.
In that case, finding a good gardener is more important than finding a good location...
In the summer, it was hot. There wasn't much to do at the Marquis's mansion either.
Especially when the master went on expeditions, leaving for two or three months, the servants, with food and drink provided, all liked to shirk work.
After all, they just want to fight and flatter their master, wanting to make a name for themselves in front of him. But the master has to be home!
Otherwise, it would be like winking at a blind man, a waste of effort.
The estate manager was taking a break in his own courtyard, wearing only a pair of shorts and a vest. He was fanning himself with a palm leaf fan and munching on a cucumber.
There were fruits in the house, but he had a particular fondness for cucumbers. He liked to munch on them with a satisfying crunch.
Just at this moment, his attendant boy ran up to report, “Master Steward, Master Li and the County Princess have arrived.”
The steward was startled and jumped up, ordering a servant to fetch him clothes. He discarded the cucumber in his hand, quickly dressed himself, and rushed forward.
Jia Yin rarely came to the Hou Mansion, but within the mansion, she had her own courtyard. She just never stayed there.
In fact, the Marquis had already left word that not only all the servants of the Marquis's mansion, but even the entire new city knew that the Marquis had given his entire estate to Jia Yin, his adopted daughter.
She truly is the mistress of the marquisate!
At this moment, in the flower hall of the front courtyard, Jiayin directly took the main seat, while Li Laer sat in the guest seat.
The maidservants, like butterflies in bloom, served tea and refreshments, afraid to slight their young mistress.
When the steward entered, Jia Yin was enjoying some refreshments, while a maidservant fanned her gently.
The steward hurriedly bowed, then stepped forward to take the maidservant's fan. He smiled and asked, “Why are the County Princess and Lord come here today Just now the palace bestowed a basket of grapes. The old slave was thinking of sending some to the County Princess this afternoon when it’s cooler, for her to enjoy something fresh.”
Jia Yin smiled and said, "That's great, Butler! I've been wanting to eat grapes lately! The ones on my vine at home aren't ripe yet and are especially sour.
"Besides, in a few days, our village's melon fields will be in bloom. I'll have Big Mountain Uncle send some Jade Green melons and Golden Fruits over. Butler Wang should see who in the Marquis Mansion we have good relations with and send some as gifts accordingly."
Even though my stepfather is not home, we should still attend to our social obligations. We don't expect them to help my stepfather, just that they don't hold him back.
At this moment, in the flower hall, there were only two maidservants standing by the door to attend, the rest were all family members. Jia Yin spoke like this without fear of it spreading.
The Steward nodded repeatedly, praising, "What the county mistress said is true. Many families have planted jade melons this year, but their taste definitely can't compare to ours from Suijin Beach."
"Our Suijin Beach is a veritable treasure trove of feng shui. The melons we grow are so delicious that even the Emperor loves them! Gifting one to any household would bring immense joy!"
Li Lao'er also smiled and said, “I presume everyone here feels the same way. In recent days, some people have come to me through Liu Da Ren, asking to buy ten or eight carts. They are simply out of their minds.”
"I'll present some to the Emperor in a few days, and then distribute the rest among the various households. I estimate there won't be much left, so there's no way we could sell ten or eight carts worth."
"The land was already suffering from drought, and the villagers carried water on their shoulders and hands, desperately irrigating it three times before barely managing to save these few acres!"
After some casual chatter, Jia Yin brought up the main point, "Manager, my brother and I want to open a flower shop. We're lacking a skilled and reliable florist. Is there anyone suitable in the Hou Mansion"
"We also liked another courtyard, but it's said to belong to a person who has offended the authorities. The gate is sealed with red paper, and the deed and land title are at the Ministry of Households. Is there any way to buy it"
The steward perked up at that.
A slave fears not being commanded by his master, but rather that he will not be commanded.
Without purpose, without occupation, there is no use, and even less a reason to exist... Tai was pressed by her granddaughter and couldn't breathe. After finally pulling her granddaughter off of her, she said, "Were you drinking in the palace Silly girl, what nonsense are you talking abo...