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"It is indeed somewhat unreasonable for Zhu to be barefoot in this cold winter month." Li Mao, having spent a long time around Xing Ruyi, had picked up a bit of a gossiping habit. Hearing the conversation between Xing Ruyi and A Niu in the carriage, he couldn't help but interject.
"It is indeed somewhat unreasonable," Xing Ruyi said as she slightly lifted the front curtain. "I remember you mentioned that the Zhu family's courtyard is different from others; it consists of two adjacent courtyards, with separate living quarters for the host and guests. However, due to the layout, the guest rooms are accessed through a hidden passageway known only to those who have been to the Zhu family or are related to them."
"That's right. I heard that while watching the commotion early this morning," Li Mao nodded. "Does the shopkeeper suspect something unusual here?"
"There is something unusual, but it has nothing to do with the layout of the Zhu family; it concerns people. When you were at Rouge's shop, you might have heard that the Zhu family's cook originally lived in the guest quarters. According to Zhu family customs, after meals, if there are no instructions from the host, the cook would return to her own courtyard to rest. However, when Zhu had his accident, the cook was also tragically murdered in the Zhu household, and it seems that her life was not what they initially sought."
"From what Wang Chong, the only person knowledgeable about this case, has stated, that does seem to be the case."
"Well then, I have three questions here," Xing Ruyi said, raising three fingers and waving them in front of A Niu and Li Mao. "If you can answer all three questions correctly, I will reward you handsomely."
"Just silver rewards will do; who doesn't know that the shopkeeper is stingy and loves money? How about this: if A Niu and I can answer even one of your questions correctly, could you waive A Niu's medical fees for his Old Mother?"
A Niu looked awkwardly at Li Mao, unsure how to respond. Xing Ruyi had helped treat his hand, but he had never dared to ask how much it would cost. Moreover, since his Old Mother needed Xing Ruyi's help as well, he felt increasingly anxious. If he didn’t ask, he couldn’t get over it in his mind; but if he did ask, he worried he wouldn’t be able to afford it and that Xing Ruyi might refuse to help.
At this moment, Li Mao threw out this question. A Niu had studied and was somewhat educated, so he felt embarrassed; but after that embarrassment faded away, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he hesitated about whether or not to say something, he noticed Li Mao giving him a knowing look.
A Niu was slightly taken aback when he heard Xing Ruyi reply with some exasperation: "Li Zi, is there anyone who digs a hole for their own shopkeeper like you? But since I proposed these questions as the proud shopkeeper of Ruyi Rouge, I should keep my word. Fine, following Li Mao's suggestion: if you can answer any one of these three questions correctly, not only will I waive any medical fees but also provide free medication during your treatment. How does that sound?"
"The shopkeeper truly is generous!" Li Mao stopped the carriage and gave a thumbs up. "A Niu brother, quickly praise our shopkeeper! Opportunities like this with such a generous shopkeeper are rare."
"This... how can I accept that? Although my family isn't very wealthy, it's only reasonable for me to pay something for medical fees and medication."
"The shopkeeper is willing to gamble and accept defeat; why must you insist otherwise? Besides, even if we can't answer those three questions posed by the shopkeeper right away, there's no rush in sending money." Li Mao added while winking at A Niu. "By the way, shopkeeper, what happens if A Niu and I can't answer any of those three questions?"
"You, of course, will have to forfeit half a year's wages."
"Half a year's wages? That's quite a sum." Li Mao seemed to be calculating with his fingers, and after a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "But fortunately, the shopkeeper provides food and lodging, so if I lose that half a year's wages, it's not the end of the world."
"As for A Niu, I will cover the consultation and medicine fees, but I have one request."
"Madam, please go ahead. As long as it is something A Niu can do, A Niu is willing to go through fire and water."
"It's not that serious," Xing Ruyi smiled. "My Rouge shop is considered a branch in Luoyang. Li Mao and I won't be staying in Yun Family Gathering for long. Once this shop is up and running, I need someone to help manage it. You are literate and trustworthy, making you the most suitable candidate. Besides, you are honest and straightforward; I believe you won't hide the actual business situation from me. So, I would like you to agree to help manage Ruyi Rouge after we leave Yun Family Gathering. Every six months, I will have Li Mao come down to check on the shop. Initially, your wages will be the same as Li Mao's, and later on, they can be adjusted based on your management performance. Are you willing?"
"I am honored that Madam thinks highly of me; A Niu shouldn't refuse. However, managing a shop is not my strong suit, so..."
"It's simple! Our business is the easiest to run. The Rouge and Face Powder we sell at Ruyi Rouge are all made by our shopkeeper herself, clearly priced with no deception. You just need to open the door for customers and keep the accounts ready for the shopkeeper's review every day. Of course, one thing that is absolutely not allowed in our Rouge shop is selling inferior Rouge in place of our own; that would harm our business. If it damages the reputation of Ruyi Rouge, the shopkeeper will not let it slide."
"Also, if you take charge of managing Ruyi Rouge, you and your mother can live in the courtyard where we currently reside. Although this courtyard may seem small, it is fully equipped with everything needed. Your mother is getting older; living in these mountains might not be suitable for her. Don't worry; I will take care of your mother’s needs regarding her eyesight treatment; she should not refuse my help."
"As long as my mother is willing to come back to Yun Family Gathering with me, I will accept Madam's request," A Niu raised his hand. "And please rest assured that as long as A Niu is here, there will be no dishonesty in Ruyi Rouge's business. In my lifetime, I will diligently look after the shop's affairs and will never deceive you."
"No deception is exactly what we want!" Li Mao patted A Niu on the shoulder. "Don't think that you're just looking after our shopkeeper's interests right now; if the shopkeeper is in a good mood, she might even give you this Rouge shop! Take our departure from Luoyang as an example; before we left, the shopkeeper insisted on giving me that shop in Luoyang, but I absolutely refused. Why? Because without Shopkeeper Xing Ruyi, what would Ruyi Rouge even be? Besides, I think being an assistant is quite good—selling goods and collecting money while waiting for the shopkeeper to distribute rewards at the end of each period means less worry and no concern about poor business since our shopkeeper is a living advertisement. Well, these things are too early to discuss; once you join our shop, you'll naturally understand."
Seeing that Li Mao was getting carried away with his words, Xing Ruyi couldn't help but cough lightly. Upon hearing her cough, Li Mao realized he had gone too far with his remarks. A Niu was neither Chang Tai nor Shengzi; he was just an ordinary person they met at Yun Family Gathering. Although he seemed honest now, one could never be sure how he would react when faced with temptations like gold ingots or large sums of silver notes.
Fortunately, A Niu did not take his words seriously; he just chuckled lightly to brush it off.
"Shopkeeper, you haven't asked those three questions yet?"
Li Mao was quick-witted and sharp-minded. Seeing the situation, he hurriedly steered the conversation back to Zhu's case.
"My first question is, why did the cook appear in the courtyard where Wang Jiang and Zhu live?"
"The cook is just responsible for cooking, but the Zhu family isn't a big household, so their roles probably aren't that strictly defined. This cook is likely similar to the Deer Lady we had in Luoyang; besides cooking, she probably handles some other matters as well.
The shopkeeper might remember that when Ruyi Rouge first opened, Zhu brought that cook to the shop to buy Rouge and Face Powder. She even asked for the cook's opinion right there and ultimately took her advice, choosing a product that the shopkeeper thought was unsuitable but the cook believed was appropriate."
"That's right! The shade of Rouge that the cook favored was indeed not suitable for the young and beautiful Zhu but more fitting for herself. However, people tend to have some flaws; when providing reference opinions for others, they often judge based on their own preferences and subjective views. Therefore, if we only assess based on the circumstances at that time, we can conclude one thing: Zhu trusts this cook quite a bit, and in Zhu's eyes, this cook holds a position different from that of an ordinary cook."
"Just like how the Deer Lady holds a special place in your heart as the shopkeeper?"
"Perhaps! The Deer Lady treats me like a daughter, which is my fortune as Xing Ruyi. As for me, having lost my parents early on, I indeed regard the Deer Lady as my elder and family."
"Then, regarding the first question you just asked, we have an answer now." Li Mao stopped the carriage again. "It is said that after Zhu married Wang Jiang, although they are loving and have a good relationship, they have not had children. Moreover, Wang Jiang is busy with Shop business, often leaving early and returning late. Thus, most of her time is spent with the cook. So there are only a few reasons why the cook appeared late at night in Zhu's courtyard. One is that Zhu wasn't full after dinner and asked the cook to bring her something to eat. The second is that Zhu was bored in her room and asked the cook to come over to talk with her. I lean towards the second reason because people from the Government Office did not see any soup or snacks on-site, which also explains why Zhu wasn't wearing socks; she had already planned to rest but couldn't sleep, so she called for the cook at the last minute."
"Um, can A Niu interject for a moment?"
Having just listened to Li Mao's analysis, A Niu slowly raised a hand.
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