Chapter 164: Chapter 164: Duty Calls_1 Chapter 164: Chapter 164: Duty Calls_1 “Madam Lin is a virtuous woman,” Chen Qing nodded, admiring Lin Yue’s actions as well. It truly wasn’t easy for a woman to achieve this, especially since those children weren’t her own. Not everyone could stand by their family in times of crisis without abandoning them.
“Since you’ve started selling food in the market, from now on, whenever my mansion needs anything, we shall buy from your family. I will have the bailiff in charge of purchases contact you about the specifics.” After the Magistrate finished speaking, he looked at Jiang Ziqi’s reaction. Sure enough, he saw satisfaction on Jiang Ziqi’s face, and the previous impatience was gone, he breathed a sigh of relief—this flattery was well targeted.
Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue hadn’t expected the Magistrate to offer them such a convenience; it was like a huge pie had fallen from the sky, making it impossible not to rejoice. With the Magistrate’s words, not only were the immediate benefits assured, but their future business dealings would also be secure, as people would hesitate to provoke them due to their connection with the Magistrate. Lin Yue had planted many acres of vegetables; selling them all at the market surely wouldn’t be possible, and she had planned to look for other solutions when the time came. Now, before the crops had even grown, the issue was solved.
Chen Qing had brown-nosed all he needed and made his stance clear. Jiang Ziqi was pleased with Chen Qing’s performance, and although he did not say it outright, his words hinted he would speak favorably of Chen Qing to His Majesty. Those few words from Jiang Ziqi, given his position with His Majesty, wouldn’t Chen Qing get a good posting when he was transferred?
“Magistrate Chen, with your busy official duties, you likely do not have time to waste on these trivial matters. You should return to your work; I will not keep you any longer,” Jiang Ziqi felt that he had spent enough time entertaining Chen Qing, giving him sufficient face, and straightforwardly issued the order for him to leave.
Chen Qing was quite sensible, knowing the principle that too much could be as bad as not enough. Getting the hint from Jiang Ziqi, he immediately stood up to take his leave, cordially greeting Zhao Erhu before he led his entourage away. Chen Qing was very satisfied with what he had gained from this visit, just a small favor in exchange for a great reward, and with a hint of pride and satisfaction, the weighty stone of his transfer from his heart was lifted, making his steps a bit lighter.
Jiang Ziqi still remembered the matter of the embroidery. Once Chen Qing had left, he took the piece that Madam Yao of the Magistrate’s mansion had previously seen and, after a close examination, was quite pleased with it.
Although Jiang Ziqi couldn’t embroider himself, the discerning eyes of an aristocratic family’s son were trained from a young age. He could tell at a glance that Lin Yue’s embroidery was better than that of the family’s embroideresses, particularly the color scheme and originality that the mansion’s embroideresses couldn’t match. The double-sided embroidery depicted the birds and flowers so lifelike, as if they were real, that it could probably outmatch even the best embroidresses of Jiangnan. He truly had found a treasure and no longer needed to go to Jiangnan in search of an embroideress.
With a plan in mind, Jiang Ziqi decided on the spot to entrust Lin Yue with the embroidery he intended to give to someone, “You seem simple and unsophisticated on the surface, but you possess some real skill. Your needlework is indeed well-practiced. I have a favor to discuss with you; how about you help me embroider a piece as well?”
“If Brother Jiang needs something, I can’t refuse. I should thank you for today’s matter, Brother Jiang. If not for your influence, how could such good fortune fall onto us, who are powerless and insignificant commoners? It’s all because the Magistrate respects you.”
“It’s good that you understand. Don’t be so quick to agree, though; what I require is not just any embroidery—it’s a gift for someone, and I can’t afford to lose face over it.”