Shuse Jinjia

Xie Zhaotang had already noticed the change in Tao Niangzi's attitude towards him, and hearing her tone of concern for him, his heart stirred.

Tao Niangzi works as a manager at the Huo family's estate and has a lot of contact with the Zhu family. Could it be that she knows something inside and wants to give me some pointers?

Xie Zhaotang thought for a moment and then whispered, "Madam Tao, I can't make the decision about my marriage; it depends on my parents' opinion..."

Madam Tao smiled and said, "I understand... but if you like Zhu Feng, it shouldn't be a problem for him to ask the Old Madam for help with the marriage!"

"Fourth Miss, I shouldn't be talking about the Zhu family, but we'll be working together in the future, and I can't keep secrets, so I might as well tell you."

She leaned close to Xie Zhaotang's ear and said, "Zhu Feng is a good guy, but his two sisters-in-law and his mother are a bit difficult to deal with..."

Seeing that Tao Niangzi seemed hesitant to speak, Xie Zhaotang frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Tao Niangzi's face was grim: "What else could it be? They're afraid that once Zhu Feng gets married, they'll favor their own little family and won't get any benefits, so they'll keep causing trouble! So if you and Zhu Feng are interested in each other, you have to be careful of them causing trouble."

Xie Zhaotang recalled that when she first met Zhu Fengniang, she asked about her dowry, and she understood the unspoken meaning behind Tao Niangzi's words.

The dowry wasn't generous enough, so Zhu Feng's mother didn't approve.

If the dowry is too large, once it enters the Zhu family, it will only end up in Zhu Fengniang's hands.

As the two were talking, Zhu Feng arrived with Old Liang and his youngest son.

Old Liang is over sixty years old, with graying temples. His son, Liang Zhong, is not yet forty. He was injured in the leg on the battlefield and has been limping ever since.

"Fourth Miss, I've already spoken to them. Old Liang is willing to come out and become the master craftsman of the paper mill, but there's one condition: Liang Zhong has to be the head manager of the paper mill."

Zhu Feng explained the situation to Xie Zhaotang as soon as he arrived.

Xie Zhaotang looked at Steward Huang. Since Steward Huang was invited by Duan Chengyu and Huo Beiyu, it would be better for him to make the decision.

Manager Huang glanced at the two of them before saying to Xie Zhaotang, "Fourth Miss, you should talk to them about the paper mill first. If their skills are good, everything else is negotiable."

Upon hearing this, Old Liang patted his chest and said, "My papermaking skills are unparalleled. You can visit my shop if you don't believe me. In the past, the paper used in the schools of surrounding villages and towns was made in my paper mill."

Liang Zhong, who was behind, was carrying a cloth bag. When Old Liang was speaking, he opened the bag, took out a few pieces of paper, and handed them over.

"Manager, Fourth Miss, look, this is the paper that my family used to produce at our paper mill."

Steward Huang took it and examined it carefully. After he finished reading, he handed it to Xie Zhaotang.

Xie Zhaotang took a look and saw that the samples included rough paper and writing paper, of varying quality.

But it's clear that Old Liang does indeed have papermaking skills.

"Master Liang, let's keep these samples for now. We can discuss the details after the young master and Prince Duan return and have them look at them, okay?"

Steward Huang spoke cautiously.

"Okay, that's all I ask. If you agree to that, everything will be fine."

Old Liang was straightforward and honest.

He also saw that Liang Zhong couldn't do farm work and wanted to find a way for his son to make a living.

They have the skills, and their request isn't unreasonable. Xie Zhaotang thought Huo Beiyu and Duan Chengyu would agree.

But Xie Zhaotang had a different idea. Liang Zhong seemed honest and simple, and might be suitable for doing practical work, but not capable of managing a large organization.

She could offer some advice on the paper mill, but she had her own things to do afterward and couldn't keep an eye on it all the time.

This paper mill was a business idea she came up with for Huo Beiyu and Duan Chengyu; if it didn't develop well, it would damage her own reputation.

In front of Old Liang and his son, Xie Zhaotang couldn't very well say that Liang Zhong was unsuitable to be the head steward, so he had Zhu Feng send the two of them back first.

After the group had finalized the location of the pharmaceutical factory, Madam Tao invited the two managers to dine at the Huo family estate.

"Fourth Miss, you should go too. When the young marquis and the others return from hunting, we can talk together," Madam Tao warmly invited.

Xie Zhaotang refused, thinking that Xie Yan and the others were still at home. Xie Yan was going back to the city after lunch. It was a rare opportunity for their little family to get together, so she should go back and spend time with her family!

Upon hearing the reason, Madam Tao smiled and said, "It's alright. Go back and have lunch, and come to the estate for dinner. Anyway, the young marquis and the others won't be back until dinner."

"By the way, don't think you're going alone. The old lady, Miss Li, and Miss Xue get along very well. I mentioned before that I would invite them to the estate. It's perfect to go together."

Xie Zhaotang then thought of the matchmaking that Madam Pei wanted to arrange between Xue Jintong and Huo Beiyu, which might be an opportunity for the two to meet.

Having said that, she couldn't refuse any longer, so she nodded.

……

When Xie Zhaotang returned home, Aunt Xia had already prepared the meal and set up two tables in the yard.

Aunt Shen's wounds had scabbed over, and she also came out to dine with the others.

The whole family sat at one table, while Aunt Xia and Dong'er sat at another.

This was the first time Xie Zhaotang had eaten with her family since she transmigrated. She was quite moved, thinking that this was how a family should be.

But in the Xie family, this became the most extravagant goal.

"Sister, if only we hadn't been born into the Xie family, but into this farmhouse..."

Xie Yan probably shared the same sentiment as Xie Zhaotang, and murmured something.

Aunt Shen's eyes reddened when he said that. She also wanted her children to eat with her every day and chat and laugh together.

But as a concubine, her children had to call Madam Xie "Mother" and could only call her "Auntie".

How could it be possible to eat together so often!

"Auntie, I want to live in this little courtyard forever. No one here makes me follow the rules, and I can go out and play every day..."

Seeing that her older sister and brother weren't smiling, Xie Tiantian innocently tried to ease the atmosphere.

"Here, my brother can still eat with us and tell me stories... Brother, please don't leave!"

Xie Tiantian held Xie Yan's hand and shook it coquettishly.

Xie Yan was still a child, and when he was told that, his eyes reddened as he thought about the grievances he had suffered.

Fearing that Xie Tiantian would continue talking and make everyone at the table cry, Xie Zhaotang quickly ladled some soup for Xie Tiantian.

"There will be other opportunities like this for eating, so don't mention it... Yan-ge'er, I can cook a lot of dishes now. Next time you come, I'll cook lots of delicious food for you!"

"Tian Tian, ​​scoop some vegetables for your brother. There's purslane in front of you; your brother can't eat it at home."

Upon hearing this, Xie Tiantian stood up and scooped a large spoonful of purslane into Xie Yan's bowl.

"Brother, this purslane is very fresh. Sister says eating more of it can clear heat and detoxify. You should try some..."

Xie Yan quickly picked up the bowl and took the bowl, forcing back her tears.

He will definitely work hard and become a pillar of support for his mother, sisters, and younger sisters in the future.

Once he became a higher-ranking official than Xie Jianghuai, he brought them to his home, and they could dine together every day then...

"Mom, you eat too!"

Xie Yan scooped a spoonful of meat for Aunt Shen.

Aunt Shen didn't want to cry out loud and upset her son, so she quickly accepted the gift with a smile.

Xie Zhaotang smiled when he saw this.

She will work hard so that they can eat together and live a good life in the future...