Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 41 Water Shop
Zheng led Xie Yuyan to the matchmaker, and the group searched for a house to rent in Anyifang.

Business was slow in winter, so even though she knew that Xie Yuyan's rented room was small and he wouldn't earn much commission, the matchmaker still worked hard.

"Madam, what do you think of this room?" The matchmaker opened the door with a smile. "Although it's a bit smaller than the previous one, it's cheaper."

The matchmaker paused, then held up two fingers: "It only costs two strings of cash a year."

The small house was empty, with fallen leaves and dirt in the corners, clearly indicating that no one had lived there for a long time.

Xie Yuyan looked up: "Is the roof sturdy?"

"Don't worry, my lady. I personally watched them repair it after autumn. No matter how much snow falls, it won't collapse. It will definitely last until next year," the matchmaker continued. "It's just a bit small. Otherwise, since it's near the West Market, it would have been rented out to those peddlers long ago."

Peddlers always need to store some items in the house, and they also need their wives to guard the door. If they move their belongings into such a place, there will be no room to move.

“It’s still a bit too expensive,” Zheng said. “It should be a few hundred coins cheaper.”

Building a house in the village only costs a few strings of cash. Although it's just a thatched hut, the house is dilapidated and not in any better condition. Madam Zheng didn't know what Madam Xie wanted to do with such a house. She had only offered to help because she noticed that Madam Xie didn't seem to know how to bargain.

“Recently, the prices of houses for sale and rent in the surrounding streets and alleys have been a bit higher,” the matchmaker said. “Only An’yi Lane is not as prosperous as the surrounding lanes. Many of the people living here work in entertainment venues and brothels. Ordinary people do not want to live next to them. If you hadn’t found a place that you liked, I would have found another place for you.”

"If you're asking about the amount, it's only a hundred coins less at most."

Xie Yuyan nodded: "This must be the place!"

The matchmaker immediately beamed with joy: "This old woman will go with you to do the paperwork."

After Lady Xie made her decision, Madam Zheng said nothing more. Xie Yuyan gave two hundred coins as a deposit and agreed to have the rest delivered to the house owner the next day.

After dismissing the matchmaker, Xie Yuyan looked at the simple house in front of him and asked Zheng Shi, "Madam Zheng just said she wanted to sell lotus root charcoal?"

Zheng nodded.

Xie Yuyan said, "I rented this house because of lotus root charcoal."

Madam Zheng was taken aback: "Madam, are you going to sell lotus root charcoal here?"

Xie Yuyan shook his head and said, "I want to open a water shop and sell hot water here. I think Madam Zheng is a clever woman. Would you be willing to help here? It's just boiling water and doing some odd jobs. I'll earn sixty copper coins a day, and I'll make extra money from selling lotus root charcoal."

Zheng never expected that she could find other work.

It was as if money had fallen from the sky and landed on her; Madam Zheng was stunned for a long time, but then she thought about her situation…

Madam Zheng's face darkened again. She gritted her teeth, finally made up her mind, and slowly extended her left hand: "So that my wife may know that I have one hand that is unusable..."

She had always been ashamed to show this to others, fearing that she would be disliked, but now she could not hide it no matter what. Fearing that Xie Yuyan would ask questions, Zheng hurriedly said, "Bandits once came to the village, and this injury was inflicted on my hand at that time."

Because of this, she couldn't find any work to do.

This time... will be the same.

As Madam Zheng was pondering this, she heard Xie Yuyan say, "It's just boiling water, not a delicate task. Can't Madam Zheng handle it?"

“Yes, yes,” Zheng said, looking up in surprise. “I can do it.”

Xie Yuyan said, "That's it. If Madam Zheng has done all this, she will get sixty coins."

A smile appeared on Zheng's face, but after the joy, a hint of unease followed. After thinking for a moment, Zheng asked again, "Does Madam intend to use lotus root charcoal to heat water for sale?"

No wonder they chose a place like Anyifang. Many families buy hot water from water shops in winter to save firewood. Especially for those who work in the entertainment district, it's hard to find work in winter, so they try not to burn firewood. Being able to eat some cold rice with hot water in the morning is a blessing for them.

Xie Yuyan said, “In the market, straw costs twenty-nine coins a bundle, and even firewood costs seventy coins a load. Although our lotus root charcoal isn't as cheap as straw, it's more cost-effective than firewood, and like regular charcoal, it doesn't produce much smoke when burned. Even if we don't make much money using lotus root charcoal to boil water, we can show everyone its benefits. Don't you think so?” Hearing Xie Yuyan's words, Zheng Shi understood even better. People in the area say that coal is poisonous; once the water shop is opened, everyone will know whether it's poisonous or not, so there's no need to waste time trying to dissuade them.

No wonder Madam Xie said that selling lotus root charcoal would be paid separately. Everyone saw the benefits of lotus root charcoal. A pound of lotus root charcoal only costs three coins, while after winter comes, a pound of charcoal costs eleven or twelve coins. How could anyone not buy lotus root charcoal?
Xie Yuyan said, "I'm also planning to find a couple of similar shops in the nearby neighborhoods. If Madam Zheng is willing, she can help me with these matters, and I will pay you wages on a daily basis."

“No need, no need,” Madam Zheng hurriedly waved her hand. “I have nothing to do at home anyway. If Madam Xie can be trusted, I will go and inquire for her. In the end, we will benefit from it.”

As she spoke, Zheng tugged at her worn-out dress.

Xie Yuyan shook his head: "I asked Madam Zheng to sell lotus root charcoal because you've been in Daming Prefecture for a long time and know more of the villagers, not because you received any favors from me. You're earning your money through hard work, so there's no need to thank anyone."

"But I also have rules. Lotus root charcoal can only be sold at the price I set. For every three catties of lotus root charcoal sold, I will give you one coin. You can't sell it at a higher price, otherwise you won't have to do business with me in the future."

Madam Zheng nodded quickly: "I wouldn't dare, I'll do as you say, madam."

Xie Yuyan continued, "Even if we can't sell the lotus root charcoal, I will still give each of you three pieces, not counting the money."

Madam Zheng immediately waved her hand: "That won't do..."

Xie Yuyan interrupted Zheng Shi: "I'm giving you lotus root charcoal, just like the hot water shop. It can only be sold if there are people using it."

Madam Zheng pursed her lips: "How could Madam Xie trust me so much?"

If she hadn't suffered so much oppression, she wouldn't have shown such unease over the slightest benefit. Xie Yuyan could see right through Zheng's character at a glance.

Xie Yuyan said, "Since we are both studying under Mr. Tong, Chen Ping and my Jiulang have become classmates. That's why I had Jiulang deliver lotus root charcoal."

"Besides, I just met with Madam Zheng, and she was doing her best to help."

Madam Zheng clenched her hands, and after a long while, she finally said, "Madam Xie and Mr. Tong are both... excellent people. If Madam Xie trusts me, I will definitely do everything Madam Xie asks me to do."

After locking the door again, Xie Yuyan handed the key to Zheng Shi, gave her some instructions, and then turned to leave. Zheng Shi stood there, waiting until Xie Yuyan's figure was completely out of sight before looking down at the money pouch in her hand. When she left home, she had only thought about selling lotus root charcoal; who would have thought it would end like this? Perhaps… Heaven had truly opened its eyes and was willing to extend a helping hand to them?
After Zheng left, the figure hiding in the corner emerged. He looked around and, finding nothing amiss, turned and ran out.

The man ran two streets in one breath before entering a teahouse, rushing upstairs to a private room and pushing open the door.

"Seventh Master." The man looked at Xie Qiye, who was sitting in the chair.

Master Xie was embracing a beautiful courtesan and joking around when he saw his servant. He waved the woman away and then asked the servant, "What news have you found out?"

The servant said, "Madam Xie has rented a room, it seems she's going to run a water shop."

Master Xie didn't say anything and continued listening, but the servant didn't say anything more.

"Gone?"

The servant nodded: "That's all, that's all."

After causing such a commotion at the Yang family, all they wanted was to open a water shop? Master Xie's bright eyes suddenly dimmed.

He was very interested in that Lady Xie, but if that was all she was capable of, he would be disappointed.

As Master Xie was pondering, footsteps sounded outside again, followed by the Xie family steward who came in and said, "Master Xie, the old master wants you to go back."

Master Xie raised his eyebrows slightly. What? That old fellow finally couldn't sit still and wanted to personally intervene in the matter of "Sister Xie" of the Yang family?

With both of Yang's grandfathers arrested, the old man should be worried about whether this fire will spread to the Xie family.

(End of this chapter)