Chapter 57
The young man was wearing a pale blue robe. Thin physique, sword eyebrows, and deep eye sockets. He originally had a tough and flying appearance, but looked a little gloomy from the way he seemed to have something on his mind and had his brows half frowned.
"Manager Chang..." The young man, Xie Chen, looked around and found that the store was almost empty. Only a few wooden shelves were left standing there.
"His grandson was appointed county magistrate. His family went to join him. Who are you?" Jiang Yun Zhu asked.
Xie Chen tightened his hold on the scroll in his hand, "Manager Chang said he wanted a few paintings of plum and orchid before the year end. I..."
His voice slowly dropped. He had been painting these paintings during the New Year, thinking that he could use these paintings to exchange some money for tuition. Unforeseen, Manager Chang had left.
Come to think og it, he should have forgotten about it!
Jiang Yun Zhu listened and roughly understood what was going on. It turned out that the young man was here to sell paintings.
"What painting? Can I have a look." She became interested. Just now she considered hanging some paintings in the store. But just like the words on the plaque, if the painting wasn't good, she didn't want it.
"Miss want to buy?" Xie Chen raised his eyes and asked.
"I rented this store and want to open a restaurant. I want to hang some paintings on the wall. If Gentleman don't mind, I'll take a look." Jiang Yun Zhu said bluntly. Some scholars didn't want their paintings hung in restaurants.
Xie Chen hesitated. He was a student of Wenyuan Academy across the street. If the students in the class saw his paintings hanging in the restaurant, they would definitely say something strange.
Jiang Yun Zhu didn't rush. She wasn't in a hurry to buy paintings. Just happened to come across it.
After a while, Xie Chen responded, "Miss, have a look at the paintings."
In the end, the stomach and studies were more important.
As he spoke, he opened a painting. This painting shows a few clusters of orchids growing on the cliffs. It scattered vertically and horizontally. The composition was elegant. What was rare was that he vividly depicts the orchids’ scorching spirit.
Although Jiang Yun Zhu wasn't good at calligraphy and painting, she knew how to appreciate it. She knew a good painting when she saw it. Seeing a painting was like seeing a person. It could be seen that there was a gully within the young man.
The second painting, it was a painting of cold plum blossoms. The third painting was a painting of clear bamboo. Jiang Yun Zhu had already guessed the fourth painting. When she opened it, it was indeed a painting of chilly chrysanthemums.
There were two left. One was the painting of blue luan. The other was the painting of thousands of miles of mountains and rivers.
These two paintings were more vivid and fluent than the plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum. It was probably because the former was a propositional composition. After all, it was a bit deliberate. The latter conveyed the author's direct feelings.
"How much?" Jiang Yun Zhu took a fancy to these paintings. But if they were too expensive, she couldn't afford them.
"Five hundred wens each." Xie Chen answered.
Five hundred wens. Considering the level of this painting, it was considered cheap. Jiang Yun Zhu stated, "I want these two."
It went without saying she was referring to the blue luan painting and the thousands of miles of mountains and rivers painting.
Xie Chen was stunned for a moment. He thought that Jiang Yun Zhu would definitely want the painting of plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum for her restaurant.
"I think these two paintings are great." Jiang Yun Zhu smiled.
Xie Chen's frowning brows were slightly flattened. It turned out that this miss understood paintings. So hanging his paintings here with her wasn't considered buried.
"Okay." He said.
Jiang Yun Zhu immediately gave him a silver liang. Xie Chen accepted the silver, handed the two paintings to her, rolled up the rest of the paintings, and prepared to leave.
At this moment, Jiang Yun Zhu thought of another matter, "I like Gentleman's paintings very much. I am going to burn a batch of porcelain and use them in the store. I wonder if you are willing to draw a pattern for me?"
Jiang Yun Zhu felt that Xie Chen's paintings were good and cheap, so he naturally wanted to collect more wool.
Xie Chen frowned, "I may be a little busy recently."
Jiang Yun Zhu understood that he was politely refusing. She didn't force him and immediately smiled, "It's okay."
Xie Chen left the store with the painting in his arms. Jiang Yun Zhu was admiring the thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, when suddenly a female voice sounded, "Good painting. How much is this painting? I want it."
Jiang Yun Zhu almost laughed. She just bought it and someone wanted to buy it from her?
Looking up, she saw a miss standing at the door of the store. That miss was wearing a long water blue dress. Almond eyes, peach cheeks, and water shone in her eyes. At the age of fifteen or sixteen, she had a sense of innocence.
Jiang Yun Zhu was stunned. For no other reason than that she knew this miss. This miss's surname was Qin. Her forename was Yao. She was the daughter of the Qin family, a rich merchant in Lu Prefecture.
The Qin family specialized in the rice and grain business and was considered one of the most wealthy businessmen in Lu Prefecture.
In the dream, Qin Yao married He Qing, the son of the magistrate of Lu Prefecture and later became acquainted with Jiang Yun Zhu.
She didn't care about Jiang Yun Zhu's background and treated her sincerely. Jiang Yun Zhu naturally treated her differently from others.
But Qin Yao's life wasn't so easy. He Qing wished he could sleep in her room every night for the first two years of the marriage. After those two years of freshness, he got tired and left her alone. He went out to sleep in places of flowers and willows all day long. There were more and more concubines and maids-in-name in the family.
At that time, Qin Yao wasn't like this either. Apart from smiling a little in front of Jiang Yun Zhu, she usually had a cold expression.
Jiang Yun Zhu felt that it wasn't good for her to live like this, so she vaguely persuaded her that she might as well separate.
How did Qin Yao reply back then? She said it was her fate and she should accept it.
Jiang Yun Zhu didn't know the origin of her answer. She wouldn't say anything when asked.
Unexpectedly, this time, she actually met her here. Looking at her lively appearance now, it was hard to imagine how she will become like that in the future.
Jiang Yun Zhu smiled, "Does Miss know that the painting is good before even seeing it?"
Qin Yao was standing at the door, while Jiang Yun Zhu was looking at the painting facing her. Qin Yao could only see the back of the painting. How could she know it was a good painting?
Qin Yao blushed slightly, but snorted, "I say it’s a good painting, then it’s a good painting. How much is it? I want it."
Then, she took out two ingots of silver. One was ten liang. Two ingots were worth twenty liang.
Jiang Yun Zhu put away the painting, "I didn't realize that this painting is so valuable. Looking at it this way, I can't sell it."
Of course, she guessed that Qin Yao must have other reasons for buying her painting.
"You!" Qin Yao turned pale with anger, turned around, and ran away.
Jiang Yun Zhu took a few steps and stood at the door of the store. Watching the other party’s back, her thoughts fluctuated.
At this time, someone suddenly said, "It's you!"
Jiang Yun Zhu looked to the left and saw a Gentleman standing there. His face looked powdered. He was wearing a crow blue brocade robe. It made him look like a beautiful woman, handsome and promiscuous.
Jiang Yun Zhu didn't know this person.
Lin Yu Bai waved his fan and looked Jiang Yun Zhu up and down. He remembered her. That day in Wanyuelou, he, Lin Ting An and others looked from upstairs and saw her standing in the fireworks.
It was only for a moment, but it was enough to amaze everyone.
Later, they wrote poems about beauties, lamenting how that Miss disappeared in a flash like a good fleeting moment that people can't catch.
Of course, those poems were made by others. His one...cough! Forget it anyway.
Lin Yu Bai didn't expect that he would meet Jiang Yun Zhu again in the small place of Wuling County today.
"Gentleman is?" Jiang Yun Zhu asked.
"My surname is Lin." Lin Yu Bai looked at Jiang Yun Zhu again. His eyes fell on the painting in her hand and asked with a smile, "May I have a look at the painting in Miss's hand?"
Jiang Yun Zhu raised her eyebrows, "Yes."
With that said, she opened the painting and showed it to him.
Lin Yu Bai admired it vaguely. Wanting to praise a few words, but he couldn't think of suitable words. Finally, he patted his fan and said, "Good painting, good painting!"
So, he wanted to buy her paintings? Jiang Yun Zhu wanted to laugh.
"Miss, could this painting be sold?" Jiang Yun Zhu finally chuckled out when Lin Yu Bai asked this question.
"Not for sale!" She said firmly.
Lin Yu Bai was choked. His pretty face was dyed red. It was as gorgeous as peach blossoms in March.
"Miss, won't you consider?" Lin Yu Bai asked.
"Won’t consider."
"Miss..." Lin Yu Bai winked at her and took out a jade pendant from his sleeve. This was his usual method. Whether it was his mother, his aunt, or a passerby uncle or aunt, they will agree to his request when they see him like this.
Jiang Yun Zhu had to admit that Lin Yu Bai's winking eyes were just like three thousand peach blossoms in full bloom, beautiful. What's more, it wasn’t a bewitching kind of buttering up, but a hint of youthful indignant vibe with pure eyes. A touch of greenness.
Jiang Yun Zhu glanced at him twice more.
Lin Yu Bai was holding the jade pendant and was about to open his mouth to buy the painting when he froze from a cold light. He saw the man walking out of the store. That person was like a sharp knife, a steep peak, and a tyrannical see. It made people breathless.
Lin Yu Bai immediately became obedient; even more obedient than seeing his father.
"Miss, excuse me." After leaving this sentence, he disappeared in an instant.
Jiang Yun Zhu saw that he was going in the same direction as Qin Yao left.
"What's wrong?" Shen Feng Ming asked.
Jiang Yun Zhu shook her head. She couldn't wrap head around it either. Oh right, she showed the painting to Shen Feng Ming, "Look, I just bought it. I want to hang it in the store. What do you think?"
Shen Feng Ming looked up and down, "The painting isn't bad."
"I think so too."
"Actually, I could draw."
Jiang Yun Zhu: ...he could draw? Gentlemen of major households should be able to?
Shen Feng Ming's calligraphy and painting were taught by Academician Shen himself, so they were naturally excellent. It was just that he seldom drew and often held the sword.
It was already bought. Jiang Yun Zhu didn't bother him anymore.
On the third day, Jiang Yun Zhu was instructing people to decorate the storefront, when the young man selling paintings came again.
"Miss, last time you said..." Xie Chen hesitated.
"May I ask you to help me draw the pattern?" Jiang Yun Zhu said.
"What kind do Miss want?" Xie Chen asked.
"Something elegant works."
Xie Chen nodded.
Jiang Yun Zhu asked again, "One set of bowls, one soup basin, six large plates, six small plates, twelve bowls, and twelve saucers. Just draw five patterns. I wonder how much it will cost?"
"One silver liang is enough." Xie Chen replied.
Jiang Yun Zhu found it reasonable. The mine started working two days ago. Her takeaway business started again. Every day, she gets five coins of silver. She felt something pleasing to the eye was worth the silver liang.
"We’ll set it like this. When will Gentleman finish? I need it urgently for my business."
Xie Chen breathed a sigh of relief, "Tomorrow, it’ll be ready."
Jiang Yun Zhu took out a piece of silver and handed it to him, "It will be considered as a deposit for Gentleman."
Xie Chen took it and left.
Jiang Yun Zhu continued to work. After a while, she saw a crimson figure in the opposite store. It was no other than Qin Yao.
Jiang Yun Zhu looked at the direction Xie Chen left and made some guesses.
The next day, Xie Chen came to send the pattern. Jiang Yun Zhu looked at it and was very satisfied. She gave him the rest of the money.
Xie Chen was about to leave when Jiang Yun Zhu suddenly spoke out, "Gentleman, my new store is opening. There is a shortage of an accounting person in the store. Are you willing to come and help me in your spare time?"
This time Xie Chen had no hesitation, "I’m willing."
"About five silver coin a month." It was a bit higher than a choreman's monthly silver. After all, it was a brain-intensive job. Still, it wasn’t particularly high. After all, accounting wasn't done every day. As long as Xie Chen had time, he could come over and check the accounts of the last few days.
"Okay, thank you Miss." Xie Chen replied.
Jiang Yun Zhu nodded, "Just wait until my store opens and you can come back again."
Xie Chen left.
On the sixth day of February, it was auspicious and suitable for opening.
Qishanju had taken on a new look. Jiang Yun Zhu, Jiang Cheng, Mrs. Chen... including old Mister Chen all put on new clothes and stood smilingly at the entrance of the store.
For the new store opening, Jiang Yun Zhu invited Gu Yong De's family, old Madam Feng's family, Escort Head Li's family, Mrs. Liu, Wang De and others.
Originally, she was afraid that the Gu Family would alienate them because she declined the marriage. However, not only Gu Yong De and Mrs. Lin did come, Gu Yan Zhou also called a group of friends to help out. The left side immediately became lively.
On the right, Escort Head Li led his people to stand there. There was a row of burly men. Quite an imposing sight. Those rascals, who had their eyes on Qishanju and wanted to wait until the opening to make trouble and make some money to spend, saw this formation and had already got as far as possible.
Jiang Yun Zhu's face was full of smiles. She looked at the two rows of people on the left and right. There were many scholars on the left and a row of strong men on the right. It was quite like the civil and military on both sides of the Golden Hall in the Shang Dynasty.
She felt amused of having such thoughts at this time.
The sound of crackling firecrackers sounded. The time had come. Jiang Yun Zhu climbed up the ladder next to her and pulled the red silk with her hand. The three characters ‘Qishanju’ were revealed.
At this time, the gongs and drums sounded. The lion dance team became rowdy.
"Congratulations! Congratulations on the opening!"
"Have an auspicious opening!" Everyone congratulated Jiang Yun Zhu together.
At this time, it was the time for the students of the academy to get off class for lunch. Many students saw the excitement here and came over to check.
At first glance, they saw the three big characters on the store plaque, ‘Qishanju’. These three characters were as cold as the north wind entering the pass; as majestic as the top of Mount Tai; upright, straight, and vigorous.
Everyone was a scholar, so naturally they could tell the good from the bad, and immediately praised it in their hearts. Such a good word. Even if their teacher comes, they could only applaud!
These people immediately became interested, approached the store, and carefully looked at the store.
Some people remember that this place used to be a calligraphy and painting store. At some point, it became a restaurant?
It seemed to be a restaurant.
The store was newly decorated and the windows were replaced with fine white gauze. It looked clean. Not like a restaurant, but like a teahouse.
No, the teahouses weren't so elegant.
Through the wide-open store door, one could see a painting of thousands of miles of mountains and rivers hanging on the back wall in the middle. Swallowing mountains and rivers. Quite heroic and magnificent. This restaurant instantly seemed different.
Not to mention the elegant decoration, sophisticated seats, and exquisite dishes. This restaurant was just like the two pots of narcissus in their store; modest and elegant, expensive but not arrogant.
Wasn't this what they liked? Just don't know how the food would taste and how the price is.
Seeing many scholars coming, Jiang Yun Zhu immediately gave Jiang Lin a wink.
Jiang Lin and others immediately started distributing leaflets.
"Everyone, take a look. Join us if you have time."
"Thank you, thank you!"
Jiang Yun Zhu's leaflets were all handwritten. The top had the name of Qishanju on it. Below was some of the store’s dishes.
The most eye-catching one was Mapo Tofu. It costs six wens a portion.
Such a cheap price. Everyone was stunned when they saw the price of the dishes. Was the price of the dishes so cheap in such a good store?
In fact, the other dishes weren’t cheap. This was a marketing tactic to make one think that the food in the store was cheap.
At this time, Escort Head Li and the others had already entered and sat down. The back kitchen immediately got busy- frying, grilling and deep-frying. All kinds of aromas headed straight into people's noses, as if they wanted to draw out people's gluttons.
Some people were hungry and couldn't help it. They immediately entered the store.
Speaking of the students in the academy, they were the most special group of people in the county. The children of ordinary people were here, and the children of the richest family in the county were here. Generally speaking, these students had money in their hands. After all, studying was a costly matter.
The seats in the restaurant were different from other restaurants. In other restaurants, they were either private rooms or in the lobby. Qishanju only had independent spaces separated by elegant small screens. It was quiet and comfortable.
They sat down. There were two fresh dishes today, hairtail braised in brown sauce and spicy octopus.
Someone ordered these two dishes. What entered his sight was delicate gardenias painted on the snow-white porcelain plate like flowers falling and in the middle, there were ruddy and tender fish pieces. They were arranged neatly. There were also decorative radish flowers in front of the plate, making the dish look more beautiful.
The dishes in this restaurant were basically like this. Just looking at them made people's index fingers itch to move and start eating...
A mouthful of hairtail braised in brown sauce. The bones were crispy and the meat was soft. What a succulent and tender meat. There was a umami taste that had never been tasted before.
Then the spicy octopus. That octopus looked a bit weird, but when one eats it, the chewy texture and umami taste made one addicted.
Of course, the mapo tofu was what everyone ordered the most.
Although this dish was cheap, it was cooked perfectly. It had a spicy taste. A hundred times more delicious than the ones bought for more than ten yuan from other restaurants.
In addition, this restaurant's steamed pork with rice powder, Kung Pao chicken, Dongpo pork, and vegetarian fried cabbage. They can order as they want. There was no dish that one wanted to eat, but discover it wasn't good. All of them were made to taste top-notch.
"Baofulou aren't as delicious as here." Someone exclaimed.
"That's right. Don't talk about Baofulou. I have been to the capital. I felt that the dishes in the capital aren’t as good as here."
"The name of their restaurant is interesting. Qishanju. Dwell on the mountain and listen to the rain as one read thousands of books. It has that meaning."
"Speaking of the name, the three words on the plaque outside are well written. I wonder who wrote it."
...
Many people immediately kept this store in mind and decided to bring their parents to try it next time.
When it was time for the bill, they were informed that if they deposit ten liang silver or more here, they will become a member of the store. Every time they eat in the future, they could get a 2% discount. If they deposit fifty liang, they could get a 5% discount.
Some people have servants in groups. They could spend several liang silver in a meal. They didn't care about the money at all. They just found this membership interesting and deposit fifty liang.
Some people were prudent with their budgets. Thinking that they will definitely come to this restaurant to eat in the future, they felt it was better to deposit the money first. This way they could save some money for this meal. So they deposited ten liang.
Of course, there were more people who didn't.
Still, this was only the first day of opening!
The young man was wearing a pale blue robe. Thin physique, sword eyebrows, and deep eye sockets. He originally had a tough and flying appearance, but looked a little gloomy from the way he seemed to have something on his mind and had his brows half frowned.
"Manager Chang..." The young man, Xie Chen, looked around and found that the store was almost empty. Only a few wooden shelves were left standing there.
"His grandson was appointed county magistrate. His family went to join him. Who are you?" Jiang Yun Zhu asked.
Xie Chen tightened his hold on the scroll in his hand, "Manager Chang said he wanted a few paintings of plum and orchid before the year end. I..."
His voice slowly dropped. He had been painting these paintings during the New Year, thinking that he could use these paintings to exchange some money for tuition. Unforeseen, Manager Chang had left.
Come to think og it, he should have forgotten about it!
Jiang Yun Zhu listened and roughly understood what was going on. It turned out that the young man was here to sell paintings.
"What painting? Can I have a look." She became interested. Just now she considered hanging some paintings in the store. But just like the words on the plaque, if the painting wasn't good, she didn't want it.
"Miss want to buy?" Xie Chen raised his eyes and asked.
"I rented this store and want to open a restaurant. I want to hang some paintings on the wall. If Gentleman don't mind, I'll take a look." Jiang Yun Zhu said bluntly. Some scholars didn't want their paintings hung in restaurants.
Xie Chen hesitated. He was a student of Wenyuan Academy across the street. If the students in the class saw his paintings hanging in the restaurant, they would definitely say something strange.
Jiang Yun Zhu didn't rush. She wasn't in a hurry to buy paintings. Just happened to come across it.
After a while, Xie Chen responded, "Miss, have a look at the paintings."
In the end, the stomach and studies were more important.
As he spoke, he opened a painting. This painting shows a few clusters of orchids growing on the cliffs. It scattered vertically and horizontally. The composition was elegant. What was rare was that he vividly depicts the orchids’ scorching spirit.
Although Jiang Yun Zhu wasn't good at calligraphy and painting, she knew how to appreciate it. She knew a good painting when she saw it. Seeing a painting was like seeing a person. It could be seen that there was a gully within the young man.
The second painting, it was a painting of cold plum blossoms. The third painting was a painting of clear bamboo. Jiang Yun Zhu had already guessed the fourth painting. When she opened it, it was indeed a painting of chilly chrysanthemums.
There were two left. One was the painting of blue luan. The other was the painting of thousands of miles of mountains and rivers.
These two paintings were more vivid and fluent than the plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum. It was probably because the former was a propositional composition. After all, it was a bit deliberate. The latter conveyed the author's direct feelings.
"How much?" Jiang Yun Zhu took a fancy to these paintings. But if they were too expensive, she couldn't afford them.
"Five hundred wens each." Xie Chen answered.
Five hundred wens. Considering the level of this painting, it was considered cheap. Jiang Yun Zhu stated, "I want these two."
It went without saying she was referring to the blue luan painting and the thousands of miles of mountains and rivers painting.
Xie Chen was stunned for a moment. He thought that Jiang Yun Zhu would definitely want the painting of plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum for her restaurant.
"I think these two paintings are great." Jiang Yun Zhu smiled.
Xie Chen's frowning brows were slightly flattened. It turned out that this miss understood paintings. So hanging his paintings here with her wasn't considered buried.
"Okay." He said.
Jiang Yun Zhu immediately gave him a silver liang. Xie Chen accepted the silver, handed the two paintings to her, rolled up the rest of the paintings, and prepared to leave.
At this moment, Jiang Yun Zhu thought of another matter, "I like Gentleman's paintings very much. I am going to burn a batch of porcelain and use them in the store. I wonder if you are willing to draw a pattern for me?"
Jiang Yun Zhu felt that Xie Chen's paintings were good and cheap, so he naturally wanted to collect more wool.
Xie Chen frowned, "I may be a little busy recently."
Jiang Yun Zhu understood that he was politely refusing. She didn't force him and immediately smiled, "It's okay."
Xie Chen left the store with the painting in his arms. Jiang Yun Zhu was admiring the thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, when suddenly a female voice sounded, "Good painting. How much is this painting? I want it."
Jiang Yun Zhu almost laughed. She just bought it and someone wanted to buy it from her?
Looking up, she saw a miss standing at the door of the store. That miss was wearing a long water blue dress. Almond eyes, peach cheeks, and water shone in her eyes. At the age of fifteen or sixteen, she had a sense of innocence.
Jiang Yun Zhu was stunned. For no other reason than that she knew this miss. This miss's surname was Qin. Her forename was Yao. She was the daughter of the Qin family, a rich merchant in Lu Prefecture.
The Qin family specialized in the rice and grain business and was considered one of the most wealthy businessmen in Lu Prefecture.
In the dream, Qin Yao married He Qing, the son of the magistrate of Lu Prefecture and later became acquainted with Jiang Yun Zhu.
She didn't care about Jiang Yun Zhu's background and treated her sincerely. Jiang Yun Zhu naturally treated her differently from others.
But Qin Yao's life wasn't so easy. He Qing wished he could sleep in her room every night for the first two years of the marriage. After those two years of freshness, he got tired and left her alone. He went out to sleep in places of flowers and willows all day long. There were more and more concubines and maids-in-name in the family.
At that time, Qin Yao wasn't like this either. Apart from smiling a little in front of Jiang Yun Zhu, she usually had a cold expression.
Jiang Yun Zhu felt that it wasn't good for her to live like this, so she vaguely persuaded her that she might as well separate.
How did Qin Yao reply back then? She said it was her fate and she should accept it.
Jiang Yun Zhu didn't know the origin of her answer. She wouldn't say anything when asked.
Unexpectedly, this time, she actually met her here. Looking at her lively appearance now, it was hard to imagine how she will become like that in the future.
Jiang Yun Zhu smiled, "Does Miss know that the painting is good before even seeing it?"
Qin Yao was standing at the door, while Jiang Yun Zhu was looking at the painting facing her. Qin Yao could only see the back of the painting. How could she know it was a good painting?
Qin Yao blushed slightly, but snorted, "I say it’s a good painting, then it’s a good painting. How much is it? I want it."
Then, she took out two ingots of silver. One was ten liang. Two ingots were worth twenty liang.
Jiang Yun Zhu put away the painting, "I didn't realize that this painting is so valuable. Looking at it this way, I can't sell it."
Of course, she guessed that Qin Yao must have other reasons for buying her painting.
"You!" Qin Yao turned pale with anger, turned around, and ran away.
Jiang Yun Zhu took a few steps and stood at the door of the store. Watching the other party’s back, her thoughts fluctuated.
At this time, someone suddenly said, "It's you!"
Jiang Yun Zhu looked to the left and saw a Gentleman standing there. His face looked powdered. He was wearing a crow blue brocade robe. It made him look like a beautiful woman, handsome and promiscuous.
Jiang Yun Zhu didn't know this person.
Lin Yu Bai waved his fan and looked Jiang Yun Zhu up and down. He remembered her. That day in Wanyuelou, he, Lin Ting An and others looked from upstairs and saw her standing in the fireworks.
It was only for a moment, but it was enough to amaze everyone.
Later, they wrote poems about beauties, lamenting how that Miss disappeared in a flash like a good fleeting moment that people can't catch.
Of course, those poems were made by others. His one...cough! Forget it anyway.
Lin Yu Bai didn't expect that he would meet Jiang Yun Zhu again in the small place of Wuling County today.
"Gentleman is?" Jiang Yun Zhu asked.
"My surname is Lin." Lin Yu Bai looked at Jiang Yun Zhu again. His eyes fell on the painting in her hand and asked with a smile, "May I have a look at the painting in Miss's hand?"
Jiang Yun Zhu raised her eyebrows, "Yes."
With that said, she opened the painting and showed it to him.
Lin Yu Bai admired it vaguely. Wanting to praise a few words, but he couldn't think of suitable words. Finally, he patted his fan and said, "Good painting, good painting!"
So, he wanted to buy her paintings? Jiang Yun Zhu wanted to laugh.
"Miss, could this painting be sold?" Jiang Yun Zhu finally chuckled out when Lin Yu Bai asked this question.
"Not for sale!" She said firmly.
Lin Yu Bai was choked. His pretty face was dyed red. It was as gorgeous as peach blossoms in March.
"Miss, won't you consider?" Lin Yu Bai asked.
"Won’t consider."
"Miss..." Lin Yu Bai winked at her and took out a jade pendant from his sleeve. This was his usual method. Whether it was his mother, his aunt, or a passerby uncle or aunt, they will agree to his request when they see him like this.
Jiang Yun Zhu had to admit that Lin Yu Bai's winking eyes were just like three thousand peach blossoms in full bloom, beautiful. What's more, it wasn’t a bewitching kind of buttering up, but a hint of youthful indignant vibe with pure eyes. A touch of greenness.
Jiang Yun Zhu glanced at him twice more.
Lin Yu Bai was holding the jade pendant and was about to open his mouth to buy the painting when he froze from a cold light. He saw the man walking out of the store. That person was like a sharp knife, a steep peak, and a tyrannical see. It made people breathless.
Lin Yu Bai immediately became obedient; even more obedient than seeing his father.
"Miss, excuse me." After leaving this sentence, he disappeared in an instant.
Jiang Yun Zhu saw that he was going in the same direction as Qin Yao left.
"What's wrong?" Shen Feng Ming asked.
Jiang Yun Zhu shook her head. She couldn't wrap head around it either. Oh right, she showed the painting to Shen Feng Ming, "Look, I just bought it. I want to hang it in the store. What do you think?"
Shen Feng Ming looked up and down, "The painting isn't bad."
"I think so too."
"Actually, I could draw."
Jiang Yun Zhu: ...he could draw? Gentlemen of major households should be able to?
Shen Feng Ming's calligraphy and painting were taught by Academician Shen himself, so they were naturally excellent. It was just that he seldom drew and often held the sword.
It was already bought. Jiang Yun Zhu didn't bother him anymore.
On the third day, Jiang Yun Zhu was instructing people to decorate the storefront, when the young man selling paintings came again.
"Miss, last time you said..." Xie Chen hesitated.
"May I ask you to help me draw the pattern?" Jiang Yun Zhu said.
"What kind do Miss want?" Xie Chen asked.
"Something elegant works."
Xie Chen nodded.
Jiang Yun Zhu asked again, "One set of bowls, one soup basin, six large plates, six small plates, twelve bowls, and twelve saucers. Just draw five patterns. I wonder how much it will cost?"
"One silver liang is enough." Xie Chen replied.
Jiang Yun Zhu found it reasonable. The mine started working two days ago. Her takeaway business started again. Every day, she gets five coins of silver. She felt something pleasing to the eye was worth the silver liang.
"We’ll set it like this. When will Gentleman finish? I need it urgently for my business."
Xie Chen breathed a sigh of relief, "Tomorrow, it’ll be ready."
Jiang Yun Zhu took out a piece of silver and handed it to him, "It will be considered as a deposit for Gentleman."
Xie Chen took it and left.
Jiang Yun Zhu continued to work. After a while, she saw a crimson figure in the opposite store. It was no other than Qin Yao.
Jiang Yun Zhu looked at the direction Xie Chen left and made some guesses.
The next day, Xie Chen came to send the pattern. Jiang Yun Zhu looked at it and was very satisfied. She gave him the rest of the money.
Xie Chen was about to leave when Jiang Yun Zhu suddenly spoke out, "Gentleman, my new store is opening. There is a shortage of an accounting person in the store. Are you willing to come and help me in your spare time?"
This time Xie Chen had no hesitation, "I’m willing."
"About five silver coin a month." It was a bit higher than a choreman's monthly silver. After all, it was a brain-intensive job. Still, it wasn’t particularly high. After all, accounting wasn't done every day. As long as Xie Chen had time, he could come over and check the accounts of the last few days.
"Okay, thank you Miss." Xie Chen replied.
Jiang Yun Zhu nodded, "Just wait until my store opens and you can come back again."
Xie Chen left.
On the sixth day of February, it was auspicious and suitable for opening.
Qishanju had taken on a new look. Jiang Yun Zhu, Jiang Cheng, Mrs. Chen... including old Mister Chen all put on new clothes and stood smilingly at the entrance of the store.
For the new store opening, Jiang Yun Zhu invited Gu Yong De's family, old Madam Feng's family, Escort Head Li's family, Mrs. Liu, Wang De and others.
Originally, she was afraid that the Gu Family would alienate them because she declined the marriage. However, not only Gu Yong De and Mrs. Lin did come, Gu Yan Zhou also called a group of friends to help out. The left side immediately became lively.
On the right, Escort Head Li led his people to stand there. There was a row of burly men. Quite an imposing sight. Those rascals, who had their eyes on Qishanju and wanted to wait until the opening to make trouble and make some money to spend, saw this formation and had already got as far as possible.
Jiang Yun Zhu's face was full of smiles. She looked at the two rows of people on the left and right. There were many scholars on the left and a row of strong men on the right. It was quite like the civil and military on both sides of the Golden Hall in the Shang Dynasty.
She felt amused of having such thoughts at this time.
The sound of crackling firecrackers sounded. The time had come. Jiang Yun Zhu climbed up the ladder next to her and pulled the red silk with her hand. The three characters ‘Qishanju’ were revealed.
At this time, the gongs and drums sounded. The lion dance team became rowdy.
"Congratulations! Congratulations on the opening!"
"Have an auspicious opening!" Everyone congratulated Jiang Yun Zhu together.
At this time, it was the time for the students of the academy to get off class for lunch. Many students saw the excitement here and came over to check.
At first glance, they saw the three big characters on the store plaque, ‘Qishanju’. These three characters were as cold as the north wind entering the pass; as majestic as the top of Mount Tai; upright, straight, and vigorous.
Everyone was a scholar, so naturally they could tell the good from the bad, and immediately praised it in their hearts. Such a good word. Even if their teacher comes, they could only applaud!
These people immediately became interested, approached the store, and carefully looked at the store.
Some people remember that this place used to be a calligraphy and painting store. At some point, it became a restaurant?
It seemed to be a restaurant.
The store was newly decorated and the windows were replaced with fine white gauze. It looked clean. Not like a restaurant, but like a teahouse.
No, the teahouses weren't so elegant.
Through the wide-open store door, one could see a painting of thousands of miles of mountains and rivers hanging on the back wall in the middle. Swallowing mountains and rivers. Quite heroic and magnificent. This restaurant instantly seemed different.
Not to mention the elegant decoration, sophisticated seats, and exquisite dishes. This restaurant was just like the two pots of narcissus in their store; modest and elegant, expensive but not arrogant.
Wasn't this what they liked? Just don't know how the food would taste and how the price is.
Seeing many scholars coming, Jiang Yun Zhu immediately gave Jiang Lin a wink.
Jiang Lin and others immediately started distributing leaflets.
"Everyone, take a look. Join us if you have time."
"Thank you, thank you!"
Jiang Yun Zhu's leaflets were all handwritten. The top had the name of Qishanju on it. Below was some of the store’s dishes.
The most eye-catching one was Mapo Tofu. It costs six wens a portion.
Such a cheap price. Everyone was stunned when they saw the price of the dishes. Was the price of the dishes so cheap in such a good store?
In fact, the other dishes weren’t cheap. This was a marketing tactic to make one think that the food in the store was cheap.
At this time, Escort Head Li and the others had already entered and sat down. The back kitchen immediately got busy- frying, grilling and deep-frying. All kinds of aromas headed straight into people's noses, as if they wanted to draw out people's gluttons.
Some people were hungry and couldn't help it. They immediately entered the store.
Speaking of the students in the academy, they were the most special group of people in the county. The children of ordinary people were here, and the children of the richest family in the county were here. Generally speaking, these students had money in their hands. After all, studying was a costly matter.
The seats in the restaurant were different from other restaurants. In other restaurants, they were either private rooms or in the lobby. Qishanju only had independent spaces separated by elegant small screens. It was quiet and comfortable.
They sat down. There were two fresh dishes today, hairtail braised in brown sauce and spicy octopus.
Someone ordered these two dishes. What entered his sight was delicate gardenias painted on the snow-white porcelain plate like flowers falling and in the middle, there were ruddy and tender fish pieces. They were arranged neatly. There were also decorative radish flowers in front of the plate, making the dish look more beautiful.
The dishes in this restaurant were basically like this. Just looking at them made people's index fingers itch to move and start eating...
A mouthful of hairtail braised in brown sauce. The bones were crispy and the meat was soft. What a succulent and tender meat. There was a umami taste that had never been tasted before.
Then the spicy octopus. That octopus looked a bit weird, but when one eats it, the chewy texture and umami taste made one addicted.
Of course, the mapo tofu was what everyone ordered the most.
Although this dish was cheap, it was cooked perfectly. It had a spicy taste. A hundred times more delicious than the ones bought for more than ten yuan from other restaurants.
In addition, this restaurant's steamed pork with rice powder, Kung Pao chicken, Dongpo pork, and vegetarian fried cabbage. They can order as they want. There was no dish that one wanted to eat, but discover it wasn't good. All of them were made to taste top-notch.
"Baofulou aren't as delicious as here." Someone exclaimed.
"That's right. Don't talk about Baofulou. I have been to the capital. I felt that the dishes in the capital aren’t as good as here."
"The name of their restaurant is interesting. Qishanju. Dwell on the mountain and listen to the rain as one read thousands of books. It has that meaning."
"Speaking of the name, the three words on the plaque outside are well written. I wonder who wrote it."
...
Many people immediately kept this store in mind and decided to bring their parents to try it next time.
When it was time for the bill, they were informed that if they deposit ten liang silver or more here, they will become a member of the store. Every time they eat in the future, they could get a 2% discount. If they deposit fifty liang, they could get a 5% discount.
Some people have servants in groups. They could spend several liang silver in a meal. They didn't care about the money at all. They just found this membership interesting and deposit fifty liang.
Some people were prudent with their budgets. Thinking that they will definitely come to this restaurant to eat in the future, they felt it was better to deposit the money first. This way they could save some money for this meal. So they deposited ten liang.
Of course, there were more people who didn't.
Still, this was only the first day of opening!
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