Records of the Cattle and Horses of Chang'an

Chapter 261 Shaving

Wang Leisheng felt that his young master had paid too much. From a businessman's perspective, it was a losing proposition! How could one marry a wife like this? Was he marrying a daughter or a daughter? And what about the dowry and the staff?

Not to mention marrying a wife to help the family, this is too much of a hindrance. Thinking about it, he felt that his own wife was better. Although she was born in a merchant family, she could make money after all, and he didn't have to worry about the family. Tsk tsk tsk...

There was a hint of sympathy in his eyes when he looked at Cui Bianxu.

This method... Cui Bianxu pondered for a few breaths and felt that it was feasible. He immediately sat back and started writing the plan.

Cui Yi's principle is not to keep idle people. The maids and servants around Jiang Shangxian also have to learn martial arts. As for the maids... four are too many, two are enough. According to his experience, young ladies are delicate and it is very troublesome to train them.

Instead, we could find eight strong, fierce-looking servants, each equipped with an extra-long rolling pin. They would then follow Jiang Shangxian wherever he went, and they wouldn't be afraid of anything.

Well....

These people had to be prepared in advance. After they were bought, they would be placed on the farm to learn martial arts and etiquette, and they would also be well-fed. Especially the two maids. The martial arts skills of personal maids were almost gone, and there were many things they needed to learn. He would have to ask Li Xueyan to lend him a few people. The maids at the Jiangxia County Prince's Mansion should be able to handle the etiquette. If Jiang Shangxian didn't understand something, the two maids would have to remind him...

In the Cui residence, Zhao Yue was being dragged by Cui Shuhua through the process again and again when someone came in: "Madam, the Jiang family from Jiahuifang sent some fruit."

"Fruit? What kind of fruit is worth having someone send over specially?" Zhao Yue was upset and had a cold face and was in a bad mood.

Cui Shuhua covered her mouth and chuckled softly: "Sister-in-law, what you said is too sad. Miss Jiang is a good cook. She made some fresh fruits and asked someone to send them to you to try. For ordinary families, what matters is the thought."

Zhao Yue tightened the handkerchief in her hand and tightened her jaw. This girl is just like that, talking in a roundabout way and in a sarcastic tone, which is annoying. What's wrong with giving her fruit? Giving her fruit proves that her daughter-in-law has feelings for her!

She is Zhao Yue's daughter-in-law, it's okay for her to dislike her a bit, but is it someone else's turn to dislike her?

"This child is so well-behaved. She knows that I like her cooking skills." Zhao Yue forced a smile on her face. She has her own daughter-in-law, and she has to support herself!

I'll take it out on my son later!

Just as Jiang Shangxian expected, although Cui Shuhua was a little surprised that she could receive the reward from His Majesty, it was just some food and personal belongings after all. Even if she showed her face in front of His Majesty, she was just a cook. The Cui family really would not take this matter to heart.

Maybe His Majesty gave them the courtesy because he knew that the Cui family was going to marry into the Jiang family!

On the contrary, Zhao Yue felt quite proud. Although Jiang Shangxian had told her about it last time, she was skeptical. Now that it had come true, she was naturally happy: "This child is just lucky. He has a close relationship with the young lady of the Jiangxia County Prince's family and has caught the eye of His Majesty."

A poor student who was at the bottom of the class suddenly moved up a few places. Even if he was only second to last, he was still better than before! As long as one's starting point is low enough, any effort to improve will be satisfactory.

Seeing her expression, Cui Shuhua smiled slightly. "Sister-in-law, you'll be in for a treat in the future. Jiulang's wife has such excellent cooking skills. I'm afraid the chefs in our family will have to stay away from her in the future."

Look, this person's words are so depressing. Which lady in the Cui family is busy at the kitchen all day?

The joy on Zhao Yue's face froze for a moment, but fortunately, after so many years, she had also experienced it, and it only took a moment for her to return to normal. "I love my younger generation the most, how could I bear to see her busy all day? Even if she becomes my daughter-in-law, I will treat her like my own daughter. Who said that Jiulang is the only son I was destined to have? I have always dreamed of having a well-behaved and caring daughter, and now I have a chance~"

Haha, you don’t even have a son, huh!

This time it was Cui Shuhua's turn to be cold-faced. Did she want to not have a son? If the Lu family was fine...

Five days later, good luck.

The Jiang family started to get busy the day before. Jiang's mother even went to the West Market to buy a whole set of bowls and plates. Although they were not the best, at least they were simple in pattern and looked much better than the patchwork ones they had before.

A magpie flew from nowhere and started chirping outside early in the morning. Two wild geese flapped their wings from time to time to respond. Jiang Shangxian was so noisy that he couldn't continue sleeping. He simply got up, rubbed his eyes, went to the kitchen, scooped a large bowl of corn with a broken porcelain bowl, and fed it to the magpie with a "slurp slurp" sound.

Jiang's mother was urgently managing Xiongba's image, using a pair of double-ring scissors to trim his bangs. When she saw her spreading corn in the yard, her eyes wrinkled into triangles: "Oh, Erlang just cleaned this place, what are you doing?"

"These magpies are giving us so much face. They've been working so hard here since early morning. If I don't give them some food, what will happen if they don't come back next time?" Jiang Shangxian always has his own twisted ideas for what he wants to do.

(The magpie is used as a metaphor for men in the Book of Songs, and is seen as a symbol of treacherous villains in the Chu Ci. During the Han Dynasty, it was considered an ominous sign. During the Wei and Jin Dynasties, the magpie's cry was seen as a sign of bad things to come. It was not until the Tang Dynasty that the magpie became a symbol of good luck.)

Jiang's mother: ...

She didn't expect her daughter to be able to do this, but it did make some sense.

The magpie does need to eat...

"Then let's sprinkle some corn on the wall every day in the future?" Jiang's mother had a crazy idea. If she could let these magpies take root in her house, wouldn't happy events happen every day?

Jiang Shangxian: .....

Temporary workers become permanent workers?

"Mother, it's not just the magpies that eat corn."

Corn is poured on the wall and the yard is full of bird droppings. How can we live like this?

However, she stood up and looked at her mother and Xiongba, and couldn't help but shudder: "Mother, why did you cut Xiongba's hair like this?"

"How is it? Are you feeling energetic?" Jiang's mother thought that she was very satisfied with her craftsmanship, and she was encouraged. She moved her hands faster and skillfully cut off the remaining part.

Jiang Shangxian: .....Does this mean she should tell the truth or lie?

She sighed and looked at Xiongba with a complicated expression. What a good horse...ah...

"Mom, let me do it next time." I've already cut it, there's no hope this time, let's try for the next time.