The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

“I haven’t had much going on these past few days, except for being busy in the shop and workshop. Master Ding can check the shop first when you go. If I am not in the tofu shop, I would be in the workshop at home.”

Zhuang Qingning said, “As I suspected, the matter of the workshop is quite complex. As for the silver stock and how to link up everything from sweet potato collection to selling glass noodles, we really need a specialist to ponder on it.”

“It might be best to find someone who is familiar with these matters, discuss it with them, and then talk with Village Chief Miao to sec how best to proceed.”

“Yes, Miss Zhuang makes a great point.” Ding Gaochang nodded in agreement.

He himself did not quite understand business matters. Although he could follow the general idea from Zhuang Qingning’s explanation, as she had pointed out, it would be best to dive into the details carefully.

Even if every detail is taken into account, unexpected things can always come up when it is time to actually get started.

In short, you can’t rush in this, everything has to be explored step by step.

Luckily, Zhuang Qingning has given him many ideas, which significantly improve his situation compare before when he was like a headless fly, running around blindly.

Ding Gaochang felt increasingly appreciative of Zhuang Qingning.

After discussing the workshop matter for a while longer, it was getting late, so Zhuang Qingning took her leave.

“I’ll accompany Miss Zhuang home.” Ding Gaochang was still uneasy about her traveling alone since the incident, for fear of unpredicted dangers.

“There’s no need for that, Master Ding.” Zhuang Qingning smiled. “You need not worry. I have an uncle who owns a cloth shop in the county town. We’ll return together later.”

“That’s good.” Master Ding gave a sigh of relief. “Then let me escort Miss Zhuang to the exit.”

Zhuang Qingning did not refuse this time, allowing Ding Gaochang to escort her out to the front door.

“Master Ding, please stop here.”

“Take care, Miss Zhuang.” Ding Gaochang watched as Zhuang Qingning left. He followed for a distance until he saw that she was near to Zhuang’s cloth shop. Then, he returned to the County Government Office to find Xu Zhcngping.

Xu Zhengping was deep in paperwork when Ding Gaochang arrived. “This is unexpected. You have some free time to visit me for once. Sit down and have a cup of tea. I’ll need to finish these before I can play chess with you.”

“Actually, I didn’t come for chess.” Ding Gaochang pulled a chair and sat down. He picked up the teapot from the tea table and poured himself a cup of tea.

The tea in the pot had long since cooled. Not only was it cold, but since it was left for a long time, the color had deepened, and it tasted a bit bitter.

Ding Gaochang frowned, “Why hasn’t anyone changed the tea? Where is everyone?”

“Several wells in Yangshan Village have dried up recently. It hasn’t rained for a while, so the crops can’t stand the drought. The villagers have to walk several miles for drinking water. I sent people there to see what’s going on.”

Xu Zhcngping put down the brush and smiled. “This is interesting. You didn’t seem to have urgent business and you did not come for chess, so what could it be?”

“It’s about Miss Zhuang,” Ding Gaochang’s expression turned serious. “Miss Zhuang has helped us a lot and has been very hard-working. We need to give some form of acknowledgment.”

“Well put,” Xu Zhcngping nodded. “But how should we repay her?”

Normally, in return for someone’s contribution, they would be recommended a job at the Government Office. This would bring them prestige and a steady income. However, since Zhuang Qingning had no male relatives, this could not be done.

“I have been thinking about it too,” said Ding Gaochang. “While gifts and dinners can express gratitude, they arc fairly common. It would be better to think of something special. This would show Miss Zhuang that we consider her well-being, unlike other people.”

“About that…”

Xu Zhcngping pondered, “We should really think about it.”

“But, in my opinion, while we should think about a special gift, we should not forget ordinary ones too. At least, we should make an expression before we figure out the special one. Otherwise, it would seem like we arc taking it for granted.”

“You’re right,” Ding Gaochang nodded. “My wife recently came across some satin. Everyone in Miss Zhuang’s family would find it useful, even if they aren’t keen on dressing up. It can be considered practical.”

“I will personally deliver it to Miss Zhuang when I’m free.”

“Since you’re going, please take a pot of my ink orchid along with your gift,” Xu Zhengping suggested after a moment’s thought.

Xu Zhengping didn’t have many particular interests apart from calligraphy and growing orchids. He had dozens of pots of orchids at home, each one different. While others may see it as a simple plant, to Xu Zhengping, gifting them represents his deep respect for the recipient.

Ding Gaochang laughed upon hearing this, “How rarely you part with your orchids, Mr. Xu. I had to go through so much trouble to get one the last time. Maybe this time I can take advantage of this opportunity and ask for another pot?”

“How childish of you, considering your age,”

Xu Zhengping gave Ding Gaochang a disdainful look. Seeing him insist, he sighed, “Alright, alright, if you want one, you can take the boat orchid. But remember, you can’t take the egret orchid. I’m planning to give it to Master Chu when I visit him tomorrow.”

Ding Gaochang was unhappy with the restriction at first, but after hearing that Xu Zhengping intended to give it to Chu Jinnian, he understood.

Considering Chu Jinnian’s contributions to capturing Jiang Yu and rescuing Zhuang Qingning, it was fitting to thank him with the valuable egret orchid.

For his part, Ding Gaochang was content with having obtained a boat orchid, and the two men moved on to discussing other matters.

When Zhuang Qingning reached Zhuang’s cloth shop, she told Zhuang Yutian about the mosquito repellent herbs.

“The Cheng family’s pharmacy has started regularly supplying us with herbal medicine, and the mosquito repellent herbs are also being sold in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang area along with the other goods from the pharmacy’s southern trade caravan. Apparently, they are selling like hotcakes. Manager Sun has already pre-ordered the next batch, and sales should continue until September or October.”

Zhuang Yutian smiled, “By October, it will be early winter here and it will be the right time to collect the herbs..”