Farm Girl Turns Everything Around: Sly Husband, Let s Farm - Chapter 858

Chapter 858: Chapter 858: Shopkeeper Zhou’s Agony_1

Tong Sanlang heard this, thought for a moment, then spoke, “Tell Uncle Liu that although silver is good, it cannot compare to a good reputation. Given our family’s status now, compared to silver, a good reputation is somewhat more important.”

Yang Wenxiao and Emperor Yongan, including Crown Prince Yang Hao, all valued the common people greatly. Now that Qiao Xiaomai was giving up some of her own interests for the sake of the common people, her actions would definitely earn a lot of favor with the Yang Family.

In an era like this, especially with their sensitive identities, was there anything more important than gaining the Yang Family’s favor?

After hearing Tong Sanlang’s words, He Zhanggui nodded, “Alright.”

After a moment of thought, he added, “Xiangye is also worried about not having enough silver.”

The silver they earned couldn’t compare to the treasure; once Yang Wenxiao thought of confiscating their assets, wouldn’t they immediately become penniless?

“Don’t worry, Xiaomai and I will think of more ways to make money,” Tong Sanlang assured.

He Zhanggui breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement.

“By the way, Young Master, your cousin Zhang Sheng came by a few days ago. He said he wanted to book a few banquet tables at Jimei Residence. He had a son and wants to celebrate,” He Zhanggui said.

Tong Sanlang was stunned upon hearing this, “Understood.”

Zhang Sheng was the eldest son of his mother’s brother from the Zhang Family; he was his cousin.

He hadn’t returned to the village for many days and had no idea about this.

He Zhanggui observed Tong Sanlang’s momentary blankness and realized he was unaware of this matter.

He Zhanggui had only mentioned it casually, as Tong Sanlang’s relationship with this cousin was neither close nor estranged, and he quickly changed the subject.

After a bit of small talk, Qiao Xiaomai and Tong Sanlang left Jimei Residence, carrying the ingredients for Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.

What left both of them speechless was the fact that as soon as they stepped out the door, they ran into Shopkeeper Zhou again.

Shopkeeper Zhou was still timing their movements to intercept them.

Upon seeing this, Qiao Xiaomai immediately said, “This time, Sanlang and I came just to buy the ingredients for Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.”

As she spoke, she even showed the contents of her basket to Shopkeeper Zhou.

Shopkeeper Zhou glanced into the basket and said cheerfully, “Miss Qiao, Scholar Tong, come, come, please come to Zuixian Building. At Zuixian Building, you don’t need to buy these items; you can take as much as you want, whatever you want.”

Qiao Xiaomai quickly waved her hand, “No need, no need, this one basketful is enough to last for quite some time.”

The abalone and shark fin were both dried goods that could last for a long time, so her words were indeed true.

Taking things for free now would mean having to repay them later.

Tong Sanlang suddenly spoke, “The reason we stayed so long was that we were discussing the tricycle business with He Zhanggui.”

Shopkeeper Zhou felt awkward upon hearing this.

He certainly didn’t believe what Qiao Xiaomai had said. If it had just been a simple shopping trip, how could they have stayed so long? It must have been another discussion, likely about a new moneymaking idea.

But he was too embarrassed to voice this thought; he had planned to invite Qiao Xiaomai and Tong Sanlang to Jimei Residence and then probe indirectly.

Now that Tong Sanlang had put it so bluntly, it was as if he was slapping Shopkeeper Zhou’s face!

Shopkeeper Zhou forced a laugh, “I truly wanted to invite Scholar Tong and Miss Qiao to sit down at Zuixian Building.”

“No need, maybe next time, we have matters to attend to at home,” Tong Sanlang said.

“Safe travels to the both of you,” Shopkeeper Zhou stepped aside, no longer blocking their way.

Speaking of the tricycle, his heart was filled with regret.

The profit from the tricycles was much greater than any mooncake recipe—nearly a million taels of silver, which for Jimei Residence was equivalent to several years’ income of Zuixian Building.

Therefore, he had been scolded and the Right Chancellor had warned him that if Jimei Residence came out with something made by Qiao Xiaomai and Zuixian Building did not have it, then he wouldn’t need to be shopkeeper anymore.

He had thus lost face and had to shamelessly block them again.

Ah, his heart ached!