Chapter 152: Farewell, Wan

The Zhang family—father and two sons—prepared various samples before hastening into the city with Master Tang’s ox cart. Zhang Dazhu took charge of driving, while the rear compartment of the cart held jars of the finished seasoning sauces.

Qin Huiyin accompanied the Zhangs to the city. Firstly, she intended to deliver the prepared sauces to Boss Ning and Xia Ruwan. This time, she had hired a few extra helpers, so Boss Ning’s seasoning sauce was already completed, and part of the crab roe sauce requested by Xia Ruwan was ready as well. Of course, Xia Ruwan had mentioned she would have her people pick up the goods, but Qin Huiyin’s decision to bring the products in person was largely to assist the Zhang family in promoting their wares—her second reason for coming to the city.

Back home, Li Taohua and the others were still busy making sauces. Nowadays, not only did Li Taohua master the seasoning production, but Tang Lüwu was also quite skilled. The two of them were working diligently at home, which reassured Qin Huiyin.

Upon entering the city, Qin Huiyin first led the Zhang family to meet Boss Ning. After handing over the goods and signing new orders, she showed him the sample dining tables, highlighting their convenience. Besides, she presented other samples too: five or six different styles of dining tables, including two with scenic centerpieces; baby chairs; mobile bookshelves; and wooden leather sofas.

Boss Ning showed particular interest in the rotating dining tables. His roast duck restaurant was thriving, and wealthy guests dined in private rooms. The small tables outside were less important, but a few could be placed inside the private rooms.

He also appreciated the baby chairs, which would allow guests with infants to rest their arms and enjoy a quiet meal.

Consequently, Boss Ning ordered five small dining tables, two large scenic centerpiece tables, and five baby chairs.

The Zhang family was elated.

Qin Huiyin said, “Uncle Ning, you’re our very first customer, so we’re offering you a twenty percent discount. If you have friends interested in placing orders, please introduce them to us—we’ll give you a commission.”

“That’s easy,” replied Boss Ning. “Once we start using these here, I’m sure plenty of other owners will come knocking. Just wait and watch your fortunes grow!”

The large scenic tables were priced between one and five taels of silver, with the price variance depending on the choice of wood and the intricacy of the centerpiece. A simple centerpiece with a faux mountain and some leaves, for instance, couldn’t compare to a full panoramic view featuring mountains, water, trees, flowers, grass, and houses.

Regular rotating tables ranged from three hundred wen to one tael of silver. Baby chairs cost between a few dozen wen to three hundred wen. Mobile bookshelves had tiered pricing based on the wood used, starting at three hundred wen. The top price hadn’t been set yet, as bookshelves were custom-made to fit the client’s room size. If someone wanted an entire room lined with bookshelves, that would be a large order.

Lastly, the wooden leather sofa—a bench-shaped wooden frame with leather and cotton cushions—was an intricate, high-end product. One such order could cost more than ten taels of silver. These orders were rare, but a single sale could sustain them for a year.

After bidding farewell to Boss Ning, they proceeded to Xia’s “Clear Moon Tavern.”

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“I’m the owner of ‘Ever-smiling Eatery.’ Your young lady placed an order for crab roe sauce with us. Has she given you any instructions?” Qin Huiyin approached the tavern manager directly.

“She did, but she asked us to pick up the goods from your place. Didn’t expect the young boss to deliver them personally—thank you for your hard work,” the manager replied, a man with a perpetually smiling face.

“Is the young lady around? I’d like to discuss some business with her.”

“Well…”

“If she’s here, could you please ask? If she prefers not to meet, that’s fine—I won’t disturb her.”

Perhaps it was Qin Huiyin’s youthful but poised manner, or maybe her endearing appearance, that moved the manager—who had a beloved daughter of his own—to agree to inquire.

After a while, the manager returned and invited them upstairs.

“Usually, it’s Master Yang who handles accounts, but today it’s the young lady?” asked one of the Zhang family.

“The Xia family has always been matriarchal. When the young lady was traveling, the master took charge of business, with the trusted stewards Yang and Chen auditing the branches. Now that the young lady has returned, she naturally steers the ship.”

“Have you heard? The madam’s cousin, Lady Liu, has been involved with a married man and bore him a chubby son. The man’s wife confronted them. The madam decided to make Lady Liu the man’s concubine and had the wife serve her tea. Moreover, a banquet was held last night to formalize the union—with the bridal chamber ceremony following.”

“The news has spread throughout the city. The man was so eager that before the banquet ended and guests departed, he and Lady Liu—”

“Ahem,” the manager coughed lightly.

The gossipy servants immediately ceased whispering, bowing respectfully.

“You all can clock out now,” the manager said sternly.

“Boss, we know our mistake. Please forgive us this once,” pleaded one.

“Me too,” said another.

“These workers are diligent. As it’s their first offense, let’s be lenient this time, but no repeats,” interceded the accountant.

“Fine, this time only. No next time. You don’t have to leave, but each will be fined three days’ wages.”

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“Thank you, boss.”

The manager waved them off, and the servants left promptly.

Turning back to Qin Huiyin, the manager said, “Young boss, I apologize if you were embarrassed.”

“Your management is so rigorous; no wonder Clear Moon Tavern is the premier tavern here, thriving with business.”

“That’s due to the chef’s skill—the guests come for the food,” the manager humbly replied.

“Even the best chef can’t save a place with poor management and rude staff. The success of Clear Moon Tavern is due firstly to the owner’s wisdom in selecting talent, secondly to your effective management, and thirdly to the chef’s skill.”

“Young boss, so young and yet so insightful. It seems the era belongs to your generation.”

The manager escorted them to the second floor, where a maid approached. He handed Qin Huiyin over to her and went downstairs to attend to the tavern’s affairs.

“Miss Xia, good morning,” Qin Huiyin greeted.

Xia Ruwan put down her ledger and smiled. “That’s an unusual and interesting way to say hello.”

The maid ushered them to their seats.

The Zhang family took a more distant seat, feeling somewhat restrained as Qin Huiyin sat opposite Xia Ruwan.

“Sister Xia, you’re clever—surely you know I wouldn’t visit without cause?” Qin Huiyin said.

“Still about the joint shop venture you mentioned?” Xia Ruwan smiled.

“No, it’s about another business collaboration.”