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Xiao Lihua did not hear how the Maid responded. The maid leading the way walked ahead until they reached a pavilion, where Xie Youshun was asked to stop, and Xiao Lihua entered the pavilion.
Xiao Ziyi was sitting inside the pavilion. She smiled at Xiao Lihua and said, "Xie Si Niang, you must have had a hard journey. Please put down that basket and take a seat to rest."
Xiao Lihua set the basket down by her feet and sat on a nearby chair. Without any small talk, she directly stated her purpose.
"Thank you, Miss Xiao. This basket contains the items I brought. Please take a look. I have brought uncooked eggs, and I would appreciate it if you could have someone boil them before we eat. The flavor I have here is one kind, while my husband outside has another flavor in his basket."
Xiao Ziyi looked with interest at the eggs in the jar and then had someone bring over the basket from Xie Youshun to take a look. She found that they were not much different from ordinary eggs. She instructed her maid to take the items away and boil the eggs. Then she began to converse with Xiao Lihua, showing a willingness to engage without much pretense.
At that moment, another maid came to speak with Xiao Ziyi about Hua Heng. When Xiao Ziyi looked outside, she saw Hua Heng not far away.
Xiao Lihua noticed the look in Xiao Ziyi's eyes and realized that she had feelings for Hua Heng. She thought about how Gao Family's cousin Su Yuanchun was worried about Xiao Ziyi marrying into Gao Family, but it seemed that concern was unfounded. This was good news for her since the original owner had been driven out by Gao Family; if Xiao Ziyi were to marry into Gao Family, it would be quite awkward.
Xiao Ziyi said, "Xie Si Niang, actually I am interested in the Pickled Egg you mentioned, not because I want to start this business myself, but because I want someone else to do it. Why not invite that person outside to come over and taste it together?"
Xiao Lihua nodded; she naturally had no objections.
Hua Heng came over, and Xie Youshun was also invited over.
After hearing about the Pickled Egg from Xiao Ziyi, Hua Heng showed some interest.
The boiling time for the eggs was short; soon the maid brought them over. Xiao Ziyi and Hua Heng waited as the maid peeled the eggs and handed them to them. They each tasted the salted pickled egg and the five-spice egg made with Sichuan pepper and other spices, their eyes lighting up as they found them delicious.
Hua Heng already knew that this recipe had been obtained by Xiao Lihua from someone else. He glanced at Xiao Lihua and then said to Xie Youshun, "How much are you planning to sell this recipe for in Silver?"
Xie Youshun replied according to what they had discussed beforehand; he stated that even at the lowest price, it would be one hundred taels, but to prevent haggling, he directly asked for two hundred taels.
"Two hundred taels? You really dare to ask for that much. Actually, this Pickled Egg is quite easy to learn, right? Even if I don't buy your recipe, after tasting it once, I could slowly figure out how to make it myself," Hua Heng said. He thought that while the Pickled Egg was indeed novel, it wasn't particularly difficult to master.
Xie Youshun responded, "What you say is true; if that's the case, we would just be losing out this time and wouldn't be able to sell it again next time. We trust Miss Xiao, and while making Pickled Eggs is easy, making them delicious is difficult. Just like there are two big restaurants in town—Flavor Fragrance Tower and Cloud Pavilion—both serve delicious food, but more customers go to Cloud Pavilion because their food is even better. The same principle applies here with Pickled Eggs."
These were all points that Xiao Lihua had made; while making Pickled Eggs was easy, making them well was indeed challenging. Xiao Lihua happened to be able to make the best-tasting Pickled Eggs; she wasn't afraid of others learning how to make them since knowing how to write and writing well are two different concepts. Only the best is truly valuable.
Upon hearing this, both Xiao Ziyi and Hua Heng thought that this couple was quite clever. Xiao Ziyi glanced at Hua Heng and said, "They are honest people; just give them a fair price."
Xiao Lihua said, "Today my husband and I have helped you, so consider this a reward from Hua Gongzi."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ziyi quickly asked what was going on. After listening to Xiao Lihua recount the events that had transpired on the road, she urged Hua Heng not to haggle.
Hua Heng replied, "Then it's two hundred taels. Xie Si Niang, do you happen to have any other recipes for food? If you do, please sell them to me as well. To be honest, the Flavor Fragrance Tower is run by me."
When Xiao Lihua heard this, she realized she had indeed met the right person. If it weren't for meeting Xiao Ziyi, she would have planned to try her luck at a restaurant, with the Flavor Fragrance Tower as her first choice. She had no intention of going to Cloud Pavilion because it was owned by the Gao Family. Regardless of whether the original Xiao Lihua was wronged by the Gao Family or not, she didn't want any entanglements with them.
"I will definitely sell my recipes to Flavor Fragrance Tower once I figure them out." Xiao Lihua was unsure about what dishes existed in this time and place, so she didn't want to make any bold claims. She thought it best to wait until she could dine at a restaurant and see how things were before making any decisions. However, having earned two hundred taels all at once, it was wise to take things slow; sometimes wealth could come too suddenly.
Hua Heng handed over two hundred taels in silver notes. Xiao Lihua took paper and pen to write down the recipe. She wrote very detailed instructions, though her handwriting wasn't very neat. No one mocked her for it; after all, she was just a country girl who could read and write, which was already impressive. Xiao Ziyi casually asked who taught her this, and Xiao Lihua attributed it to an old woman.
With the silver in hand, Xie Youshun and Xiao Lihua stood up to take their leave.
Watching the couple's figures disappear as they left with their maid, Hua Heng asked Xiao Ziyi how she knew them. She explained everything to him. Then she stood up and walked around in front of Hua Heng. He noticed that Xiao Ziyi indeed looked much taller than before; her dress flowed down to the ground, completely hiding her shoes.
"Do you think if we made these shoes and sold them, it could also be profitable? Of course, before that we should give some pairs to those in need; that would definitely have a better effect," Xiao Ziyi said after sitting down. She didn't intend to keep the secret of these shoes for herself but believed they should be utilized in more ways, especially if they could help Hua Heng.
Hua Heng nodded and looked at Xiao Ziyi, saying, "Thank you for always thinking of me."
Xiao Ziyi smiled lightly and lowered her head slightly, her face turning a bit red.
Others were unaware that Xiao Ziyi and Hua Heng had been betrothed long ago; even Zhao Linting didn't know and had once joked about Hua Heng's marriage prospects. This engagement was something Hua Heng had only recently learned about. He was quite pleased with Xiao Ziyi; she was an intelligent and reserved woman—exactly the kind of wife he needed. His father had sent him here knowing that with the Yue Family's support, it would be easier for him to develop his business and possibly escape from the schemes of that detestable woman at home.
Hua Heng thought about the shoes Xiao Lihua brought him along with the Pickled Egg recipe and considered how clever she was. He wondered if she had any other ideas; if so, selling them to him would be a significant boost for him as well. He shared his thoughts with Xiao Ziyi and advised her to pay attention to the couple. He also mentioned what happened between Xiao Lihua and the Gao Family because he didn't want Xiao Ziyi to harbor any negative feelings towards her later on. He took the opportunity to recount how the Gao Family had wronged him in the past.
About seven years ago, when Hua Heng was just fourteen years old, he visited the Gao Family and nearly fell into their trap. At that time, they intended for Xiao Lihua to appear in his room to create a false impression that he was seducing one of their maids. However, he discovered their scheme before it could unfold, turning it into a situation where it appeared that Xiao Lihua was trying to seduce a young master of the Gao Family instead.
"The Gao Family actually did such a thing; they are truly outrageous!"
Xiao Ziyi listened intently; Hua Heng was her fiancé, and how could others plot against him? The thought that the Gao Family wanted her to marry into their treacherous household made her feel even more disgusted. She felt fortunate that her father arranged her engagement; otherwise, marrying into such a sinister family would have been like entering a den of wolves.
Hua Heng coldly smiled and said, "The Gao Family is that woman's family; it's only natural for them to act this way."
Xiao Ziyi comforted him by saying, "You've really suffered these past years; thankfully your uncle has been somewhat considerate towards you."
Hua Heng nodded; his father had treated him fairly well, but unfortunately, he was also constrained by circumstances. Now, he could only rely on his own efforts to strive for a position of financial and social power that surpassed that of the woman’s family.
Xiao Ziyi did not want Hua Heng to dwell on these unpleasant thoughts and changed the subject, saying, "I really didn't expect that Xie Si Niang was actually that kind of person. She looks great now; I can't help but like her. I think she has truly changed. The way she looks at you is very clear."
Hua Heng nodded as well. Xiao Lihua had changed so much, but that did not concern him. What he needed were the useful things she had come up with.
At that moment, Xiao Lihua was also thinking about Hua Heng. She had already recognized him; she had just felt that this man seemed familiar before. It was only when she saw Hua Heng sitting elegantly in the pavilion drinking tea that she remembered. She had seen this person at the Gao Family before, but back then he was still young. The original Xiao Lihua might not have understood the situation clearly, but she did now. The original Xiao Lihua had also been harmed by the Gao Family; they had tried to use her but failed, and she was simply driven out of the estate. Although Xiao Lihua had that intention, if it weren't for the Gao Family giving her hope, how would she have dared to be so bold?
Xiao Lihua thought she would not seek revenge for the original owner because the original owner had made mistakes too. Now, she just wanted to live a good life, but she could indirectly take revenge for the original owner. For example, if there were ways to make money, she would share them with Hua Heng. The Gao Family had plotted against Hua Heng back then; there must have been some connection between them. Now Hua Heng's restaurant was competing with the Gao Family's restaurant; this was a struggle for interests, and she could contribute her part.
At the entrance of Xiao Family Village, they encountered Zhao Linting, who greeted them and exchanged a few words before parting ways.
Holding two hundred taels of silver notes, Xie Youshun and Xiao Lihua were both excited and happy; this was quite a sum of money. The couple discussed how to spend it.
"Youshun, let's go to town and buy some things to celebrate," Xiao Lihua suggested. Although she was a frugal woman, having money made her want to shop, especially after eating cornmeal and sorghum rice for so long; she really craved white rice.
Xie Youshun nodded, and the couple headed toward the town.
Upon arriving in town, Xiao Lihua first went to Hong Niangzi's place. Before even entering the door, she heard a sharp and sarcastic voice coming from inside. It sounded familiar to her, and then she recalled it belonged to Su Yuanchun. She wondered which unfortunate person had encountered this woman again. When she entered and took a look, her brows furrowed.
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