As soon as Xu Junying left, Mei Niang got up, washed and dressed, and followed him out of the mansion from the west courtyard.
Cui Lian went to tell Ning Rulan that her "dizziness" had come back again.
I learned this from the Second Wife. Didn't she always use the excuse of feeling dizzy and being lazy to not go to Jinhua Hall to accompany the old lady
As expected, Mrs. Lin, Mrs. Yu and their people were promoted to managers, and each of them was in charge of several important roads. In addition to the west courtyard, they could also go out through the back door. They just had to tell Lin Amao in advance to drive the car to a certain door and wait. Mrs. Lin's husband, Old Lin, was not a born child. His family was very poor when he was young, so he sold himself into the Xu Mansion as a slave. Lin Amao was his nephew, and naturally he was not a servant of the Hou Mansion. Cui Xi had asked Mrs. Lin to find a coachman from outside the border, and she found him. He was an honest and reliable man, who could understand things and keep his mouth shut. He just drove the car and didn't ask anything else. He would accept the tips and wouldn't say much if there were no tips. Cui Xi didn't reduce his monthly salary. She paid him first and then he worked. It was very convenient. When he was not needed, he could do other things to make a living. Lin Amao felt like a pie in the sky, and he worked very hard to drive the car for the girls.
After helping the three girls into the carriage, Lin Amao said, "Let's go!" and with a flick of the whip, the carriage drove forward steadily.
Mei Niang deliberately sat behind the curtain and asked Lin Amao loudly: "Amao, did you have a happy New Year? Is everything okay at home?"
Lin Amao laughed and responded loudly: "Thanks to the young lady! This year couldn't be better. The red envelopes the young lady gave us are more than we can spend during the New Year. My wife said that we should save it for buying more delicious food for our son!"
"Is your wife going to give birth to a son?"
"Yes! My first child was a daughter, she's two years old now, and I'm pregnant again now, I'm going to give birth in three months!"
"It's still too early. Don't worry. You can still save up two months' salary. Are you worried that it won't be enough to give birth to a son? When your wife gives birth, I will also send you a gift to congratulate you!"
Lin A-Mao was a little anxious: "Girl, are you saying that I can only do this for two more months? You don't want me anymore in the future?"
Cuixi and Cuisi laughed, and Mei Niang said, "I didn't say that. If you work hard and remember what Miss Xi told you, you can keep doing this. You will get monthly salary and bonuses, which will be enough to support your family!"
Lin Amao responded happily, whipped his horse whip, and shouted, "Don't worry, girl. I, Lin Amao, belong to you. I will come whenever you call me!"
Cui Xi pouted and said, "Drive the car properly and stop yelling!"
Lin Amao shut up, drove the car seriously and said no more.
After a while, they arrived at the gate of the backyard of Xiankelia. Old Man Zou recognized Lin Amao this time and quickly opened the gate. The carriage drove into the yard. The young man who was feeding the horses and sweeping the floor in the yard had already recognized his master's carriage and immediately ran in to report to Manager Lu. Manager Lu came out to greet them with the accountant and several managers. Mei Niang got off the carriage with Cui Xi and Cui Si, greeted everyone, looked at the third floor, and was too lazy to go up, so she went straight to the front hall.
Lu Xiangfeng reported to Mei Niang about the latest situation in the hotel. Many rooms have been booked one after another, and there are people behind who want to book the rooms of the guests in front at a high price. Mei Niang said:
"We won't allow this to happen. Whoever orders it owns it. We need to give them enough time to stay. If they don't want to stay, we can talk about it later. Money is everything. Xiankelai won't do such things!"
Lu Xiangfeng nodded: "Yes, Xiankelai has always treated people fairly. Uncle Cen and the old shopkeeper were like this before. I am worried that if someone comes to talk to the girl in person, the girl will not be able to refuse..."
Mei Niang stared at him and said, "You should follow the old rules. I will never interfere. You are the shopkeeper. You know more about many things than I do. I need to understand the whole story before I speak."
Lu Xiangfeng smiled and looked back at the people following him. They all lowered their heads.
Mei Niang knew in her heart that someone must have been informing Lu Xiangfeng in order to find a workaround to make more money.
She said with a serious face, "Don't employ a person you doubt, and don't doubt a person you employ. Since I handed Xiankelai to Shopkeeper Lu, I have full confidence in him. Xiankelai is an old brand. You must remember Mr. Cen's teachings and do long-term business steadily. Don't rush for quick success. Anyone who dares to break the old rules will have his or her contributions wasted no matter how great his or her hard work is!"
Several managers bowed and said, "We will obey the young master's instructions!"
Huang Ping, the older accountant, said, "The young lady and Mr. Cen are indeed of the same race and of the same virtue. We are relieved that Xiankelai has a young lady!"
Lu Xiangfeng extended his hand to Mei Niang: "Miss, please go this way. The door opens early today and everyone is busy. There will be a banquet from noon, and the whole place is booked. It is a noble who wants to treat us to New Year's wine..."
Mei Niang asked curiously, "You're still inviting us to New Year's wine? Isn't it after the Lantern Festival that everyone is busy?"
Lu Xiangfeng said: "This noble man only invited us today, so we just do as he says. How dare we ask why?"
When they got to the second floor, there were already several tables occupied by guests, drinking tea and having breakfast. Mei Niang was about to go to her usual private room when she suddenly heard someone shout:
"Miss Cen!"
Turning around, I saw Zhang Jingyun and Lingxuzi standing up from the table near the window with smiles on their faces.
Mei Niang hurriedly said to Lu Xiangfeng, "It's an old friend. Please send some fresh and delicious snacks and fruits to the private room!"
Lu Xiangfeng bowed to Zhang Jingyun and Lingxuzi, then turned and went downstairs.
Mei Niang said to Cui Xi and Cui Si, "The door will be opened early today. We are afraid that someone we know will come in. You just need to check around the back hall, the kitchen, and the guest rooms. Then go back to the rest room on the third floor to have breakfast. You don't need to come to the front!"
After sending away the two maids, he went into the private room with Zhang Jingyun and Lingxuzi and sat down. The two waiters swiftly served them tea and food, gently closed the door, and quietly left.
Mei Niang stood up and bowed to the two of them again. Zhang Jingyun and Lingxuzi waved their hands and said:
"What is the young lady doing? She invites us to tea but is so polite. It makes me uncomfortable!"
Mei Niang smiled and said, "That's how it should be. You two have done so much for me, and I have no way to repay you, so I can only say some empty courtesy!"
Zhang Jingyun smiled and said, "Young Madam has such ability. Xiankelai has been managed by you and is now flourishing. You can be considered to have met a wise master!"
Lingxuzi also said: "Jingyun told me, but I still didn't believe it. The young lady is really talented!"
Mei Niang half covered her mouth with her sleeves and laughed: "You two are making fun of me! In fact, I just happened to catch up with the time... Alas, if it weren't for Mr. Zhang, I wouldn't be able to do it!"
Zhang Jingyun shook his head: "It's the young lady's luck!"
Mei Niang poured them each a cup of tea, made way for them, and said, "Can you please not call me Young Madam? Just call me Miss Cen here. Remember my last name is Cen, and my name is Cen Meimei!"
Zhang Jingyun blinked: "Don't make it real."
Lingxuzi said, "I think the name Cen Meimei is very similar to you!"
Mei Niang lowered her head and spit out a mouthful of tea, choking on it: "Ahem! Lingxuzi, you are so... so funny. Can a name sound like a human being?"
Lingxuzi said seriously: "When I first saw you, I felt that you were... different. I checked your pulse and found that there seemed to be a power in your body that you couldn't use. Qin Meiniang, Cen Meimei, I think Cen Meimei is more suitable for you!"
Mei Niang stopped laughing and looked at Lingxuzi and Zhang Jingyun seriously, saying, "Thank you Lingxuzi! Thank you Mr. Zhang! You two are both gentlemen. I am usually short-sighted, but I didn't make a mistake when I met you. The help you gave me is really great. It can be said that you are like a second life! In the future, please don't despise me and still treat me as a friend, okay?"
Lingxuzi and Zhang Jingyun smiled at each other. Zhang Jingyun said, "You are exaggerating. We didn't do anything for you. I hope you don't dislike us. You are the wife of the marquis, and we are just idlers."
Mei Niang glanced at him and said, "It's boring to talk about this, right? Madam Hou, if I could be a free and easy person, what Madam Hou..."
She glanced out the door and whispered, "Even the Queen doesn't want it!"
If it were anyone else, they would have been shocked by her words. However, Lingxuzi and Zhang Jingyun were used to being in the wild. They had seen many strange people and things, and their temperaments, thoughts and speech were not restrained. They were similar to her. Upon hearing her words, they just laughed and moved on. They did not think her words were strange and did not take them to heart.
Mei Niang allowed Lingxuzi and Zhang Jingyun to drink tea and eat snacks. Lu Xiangfeng was very considerate and had someone bring hot tea and snacks every half an hour and replace the cold ones. The three of them ate while chatting and were very happy.
Zhang Jingyun mentioned that he had taken Lingxuzi to the Qin Mansion to visit Qin Boqing's illness. Now the three people in the Qin Mansion are healthy as usual. Mei Niang was very grateful and toasted the two several times with tea instead of wine. Lingxuzi and Zhang Jingyun did not ask Xu Junying. First, they often met him outside. Second, perhaps they felt that helping Mei Niang conceal the fact that she was secretly showing up outside and running a restaurant was somewhat unfair to their old friend. It was better for the couple to talk it out between themselves. It was inconvenient for them to intervene, so they simply made a workaround and did not mention the other's situation to anyone.
It's really hard for my friend to do this.
Mei Niang suddenly thought of the Queen's health and asked, "Who of you checked the Queen's pulse? I saw her on the Lantern Festival and she seemed to be fine, but why was her face so pale? And swollen?"
Zhang Jingyun said: "The queen has a very poor physical condition, she has heart pain, and insufficient qi and blood. She should have taken care of herself before getting pregnant. Now she has to take care of herself slowly. It's okay. Relax, worry less, and take the pills prepared by Lingxuzi, so that she can give birth smoothly."
Mei Niang nodded: "That's right, I was worried about her."
Lingxuzi asked, "You and the Queen know each other?"
Mei Niang shook her head: "I don't recognize her, but she knows me. We have a mutual friend who will be coming to the capital soon."
She propped her hands on the table and sighed, "I just can't remember what this friend looks like. Isn't it ridiculous? This illness made me forget many things and offended many people... Some things can be made up for, but some things are beyond repair!"
Lingxuzi looked at her and said, "Nothing can be done to save the situation? You can't use this phrase carelessly."
Mei Niang smiled and said, "Yes, yes, I just can't find the right words to use."
Zhang Jingyun stood up and walked to the window, looked at the street scene below, and came back to Mei Niang and said, "Isn't it time for you to go back home? The King of Qi will be here soon. He has booked Xiankelai to entertain his friends today!"
Mei Niang was shocked: "It's him again! Why does he like to come to Xiankelai to treat us?"
Lingxuzi smiled and said, "You have to thank Jingyun, it was he who asked King Qi to come here for a treat!"
Zhang Jingyun was a little embarrassed: "I didn't know you were coming."
"Then I really have to leave." Mei Niang stood up and left, then turned back and waved at them: "Use it often when you have time. I'll tell Shopkeeper Lu to tell them to serve you well. Um, Zhang Jingyun, if you have friends to treat you, you should invite Xianke. No matter who he is, I'll just avoid him!"
After saying that, he left in a hurry. Zhang Jingyun stood by the table in a daze. Lingxuzi pointed at him and couldn't help laughing: "You have become a solicitor, right? Cen Meimei is not simple. I finally know why King Qi couldn't forget her at first sight and wanted to find her. She and King Qi are very similar in some ways. If King Qi knew that we knew who she was but didn't tell him, there would be another lawsuit. Will King Qi see that the mask you gave to Mei Niang is made of the same material as the one you wore before?"
Zhang Jingyun took a sip of tea and shook his head, saying, "Only people from my sect know how to use the Ice Spider Mask. If Cen Meimei hadn't told him, King Qi wouldn't have known. But other masks are used in a similar way. If Cen Meimei accidentally lets him see the flaw, he will naturally know how to remove her mask."
As he was talking, there was a commotion under the window, and Zhang Jingyun said, "He's here!"
Lingxuzi was puzzled: "You came so early?"
"We can come here to have breakfast, he can do it too, and then we can go somewhere else for a walk and come back, and then we can have a banquet!"
Mei Niang stood outside the counter and casually flipped through the account book. Before she could leave, the King of Qi came in with the guards. Lu Xiangfeng and a steward hurried to meet them. Mei Niang turned around and took a look. She secretly said, "Oh no!" While Lu Xiangfeng and those people were kneeling in front of the King of Qi and a waiter was blocking her way, she dodged and ran to the back. The King of Qi had seen Mei Niang when he entered the door. She was an ordinary woman and he had no interest in her at all. Who knew that when the woman looked back, he found something. He hurriedly pushed everyone aside and chased after her. He followed the passage and chased out of the backyard, but there was no trace of her. He turned back angrily and waved to Lu Xiangfeng: "There was a woman standing here just now. Did you see her? Who was she?"
Lu Xiangfeng played dumb: "To your Highness the Prince of Qi: The building behind our hotel is the guest room. If there is a woman, she should be a guest. Can you come to the front hall to buy breakfast?"
The King of Qi was thoughtful: A guest? He was sure he had seen her last time, on the second floor. He didn't remember what she looked like, but he could never forget those eyes!
This time it was her again, why was she running? She, she is a woman!
The King of Qi was lost in thought, and Shan Yong beside him called out to him, "Master!"
The King of Qi woke up and said, "Go and check how many women are there among the residents of the building behind!"
Shan Yong was stunned for a moment: When did I change my personality? Go check on women
But he did not dare to neglect it and called Lu Xiangfeng: "Bring me the guest list, let me take a look!"
Lu Xiangfeng was worried: the truth would be revealed if we checked. At this time, during the New Year holidays, apart from businessmen and candidates taking imperial examinations, which woman would stay in the hotel
Shan Yong suddenly grabbed an account book, looked at the signature on it and said, "Cen Meimei, who is it?"
Lu Xiangfeng said hurriedly, "Our boss, Mr. Cen, has returned to his hometown. Now it is the cousin who is managing the store. Cen Meimei is the maiden name of the young boss."
King Qi looked at him: "Cen Meimei, does she come here often?"
Lu Xiangfeng lowered his head and said, "Reporting to His Royal Highness Prince Qi: Miss Cen comes here often, at any time!"
The King of Qi nodded and said, "Today, I have invited all the distinguished guests to Xiankelai. Please serve them carefully! If there are early guests, please have them finish their meal and leave immediately. Do not let any idle people in. Now, please serve all the delicious snacks and teas from Xiankelai!"
Lu Xiangfeng agreed timidly. Zhang Jingyun and Lingxuzi came down from upstairs. Zhang Jingyun shouted:
"Your Highness the Prince of Qi!"
The King of Qi looked back at them and said calmly, "You two came earlier, why didn't you call me?"
Zhang Jingyun said: "We didn't know His Highness was coming too. When we got up, we went in to see His Highness, but the attendant said he hadn't gotten up yet, so we left first!"
"I got up as soon as you left, but I couldn't catch up..."
King Qi said, pulling the two of them over: "Come, come, accompany me to drink two more cups of tea. Where are you in such a hurry to go so early in the morning?" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets at Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.) (To be continued)