Chapter 562: Chapter 562: Indifferent
The servants, upon hearing Mu Tong’s words, all responded in unison: "Yes."
Mu Tong scrutinized them and saw that they were all being honest. He felt relieved and had Sister Ye Dakou and Brother Ye Jingzi take the servants down for arrangements.
Sister Ye Dakou and Brother Ye Jingzi also received instructions from Mu Tong to closely observe the faces of these servants while settling them in. If any showed disdain or contempt, or if there were any shallow ones with eyes only for grabbing nice things, they would take note and report back to Mu Tong.
The eight servants bought by Gu Daya’s house were also temporarily staying in the workshop.
Gu Daya said: "Auntie will take them to the cured food shop and Fugui Building tomorrow, so they can stay over there."
The cured food shop had a servant’s room; there were even several rooms in Fugui Building specifically for helpers to live in, spacious enough for these eight people.
Gu Jinli nodded, then asked Mu Tong: "Uncle Mu Tong, has anything happened in the workshop during the days I was away?"
Mu Tong smiled and said: "Everything in the workshop has been quite good, no issues arose."
Gu Dashan seemed hesitant, wanting to say something to Gu Jinli, but considering that she had just returned home and fearing she was too tired, he kept silent.
Upon noticing, Gu Jinli directly asked: "Dad, what’s the matter? Has something happened at the workshop?"
Gu Dashan replied: "No major issue, it’s just that Liang Zhuzi came yesterday with two people, claiming they were his mother’s younger brother and his cousin. They want to sell goods from our workshop just like him and were seeking stock from us."
Gu Jinli pondered for a moment, then asked: "What did Dad say?"
Gu Dashan: "Dad’s not the brightest and I’m not sharp-eyed either, I was afraid of misjudging those two, so I did not agree and sent them away. But looking at those two, they don’t seem to have given up. Knowing that you are back, they will surely come tomorrow."
Gu Jinli complimented: "Dad, you’ve become smarter."
Gu Dashan glared at her, then chuckled: "Teasing your dad again. How do you want to handle these two people? They are relatives of Liang Zhuzi, and he personally brought them. It’s probably not easy to refuse."
They had been cooperating with Liang Zhuzi for so long; everyone had risen together. Refusing those two would inevitably embarrass Liang Zhuzi.
Yet, Gu Jinli laughed: "Dad, we have done Liang Zhuzi favors. He became prosperous thanks to our family, but if he dares to overstep, he will have to return to the same poverty he came from."
Gu Dashan exclaimed in surprise: "Xiao Yu, what do you mean?"
Gu Jinli: "Refuse them, and not just because they’re relatives. I’m even starting to not want to sell loose goods to Liang Zhuzi."
She added another comment: "He has become a bit arrogant recently."
"Arrogant? What does that mean?" Gu Dashan inquired.
Gu Jinli: "Meaning he has suddenly become rich and is a bit lost. He needs to be cooled down, or there will surely be trouble later."
Third Grandpa interjected: "Xiao Yu is right, when Liang Zhuzi came to the shop last time, I took a dislike to some of his airs. As a rural family man, with just a little silver, he acts like a wealthy landlord; he needs a reality check. Otherwise, if he runs into trouble, we might get dragged down too."
Gu Dashan, recalling Liang Zhuzi wearing brocade clothes and putting on airs like a wealthy master, furrowed his brows and said: "Alright, let’s follow Xiao Yu’s lead."
He wasn’t very savvy in business complexities, but when it mattered, following Xiao Yu’s lead was the right choice.
"Xiao Yu, your tools have been properly placed, and one set of tools has been kept in the courtyard of the pharmacy," Qin San Lang said after moving and arranging all the tools, washing his face with well water, and coming over.
Gu Jinli responded: "Mhm, Brother Qin’s efforts are much appreciated."
Aside from Mu Tong and others, only Qin San Lang could enter her pharmacy courtyard; even Luo Huiniang was not allowed in.
Hearing this, Qin San Lang smiled, was just about to take his leave when Gu Dashan said: "San Lang, come over to your uncle’s place for dinner tonight."
San Lang has been protective of Xiao Yu and her entourage on their way to the Prefecture, and it’s been a long journey. It wouldn’t sit right with me to have them leave without sharing a meal.
Qin San Lang did not refuse, nodding and agreeing: "Alright."
Gu Dashan was very fond of Qin San Lang. Seeing that he had accepted, Gu Dashan said to Gu Jinli, "Then I’ll head back first and ask your mother to prepare a few more dishes. I’ll also call Elder Qin and Qin Er Lang over, so both our families can enjoy a meal together."
"Alright, Dad." Gu Jinli nodded, watching Gu Dashan leave.
Soon after, Ye Dakou and Ye Jingzi came over to report after settling in the newcomers: "Young Master, Uncle Mu Tong, we’ve checked on all the people, and none of them look down on this place as a rural area."
Many servants dislike going to the countryside, viewing their masters’ residence in the rural area with contempt, but none of the people bought by the Young Master showed such attitudes.
Hearing this, Gu Jinli nodded: "Uncle Mu Tong, keep a close eye on them for a few more days. If you see anyone whose heart isn’t in it here, let me know, and I’ll sell them."
She didn’t want anyone whose heart wasn’t in it.
"Okay." Uncle Mu Tong nodded, discussing recent workshop affairs with Gu Jinli before she returned home with Third Grandpa and Qin San Lang.
The house was still bustling with energy; Mrs. Chen, Ms. Yan, Ms. Chu, Aunt Tian, and the others were still enjoying the commotion.
Mrs. Cui and Gu Jinxiu had already taken out the gifts for the several families and were distributing them.
This was something Gu Jinli had prepared beforehand; she brought back gifts for each family, with the recipient’s names written on each gift. Gu Jinxiu and Mrs. Cui, both literate, distributed the gifts according to the names written on them.
Mrs. Chen’s eyes reddened again looking at her family’s gift, touching the half piece of brocade and saying, "This is fine material, only wealthy households can afford it. Sister Mei always wanted a brocade dress, she would have been so happy if she were still here."
Gu Dagui, looking on, scolded her: "Stop crying. It’s a happy day at Brother Dashan’s house, your tears are bad luck. Wipe them away; let’s go home."
The eldest brother has not been feeling well lately and didn’t join the lively event at Brother Dashan’s house; Brother Xing didn’t come either. They didn’t want to leave the eldest brother alone, so after school, they stayed to keep him company, and only the four of them from their family came.
Hearing this, Mrs. Chen dried her tears, picked up the gifts for her family, and followed Gu Dagui home.
Ms. Chu and the others from several families also took their gifts and went home.
Luo Huiniang didn’t want to leave; she wanted to hear about the Prefecture from Gu Jinli. Before leaving, she said, "Xiao Yu, I’ll come sleep over tonight, so you can tell me about the Prefecture."
Gu Jinli smiled: "Sure."
Seeing Gu Jinli agreeing, Luo Huiniang happily went home.
Not long after, Third Grandma finished cooking, and Gu Jinli’s family had a satisfying meal with Elder Qin and Qin San Lang.
Just as usual, Qin Er Lang did not come; he feared that he wouldn’t be able to restrain himself from beating up Qin San Lang at the dinner table.
Gu Jinli had guessed that Qin San Lang had other business in the Prefecture garrison, and during the meal, she shot him a couple of glances.
Qin San Lang caught her gaze and smiled at her.
After the meal, Elder Qin and Qin San Lang said their goodbyes and headed home. Gu Jinli said, "I’ll walk Grandpa Qin out."
Elder Qin laughed. Was this girl really here to see him off? Or was it perhaps to protect San Lang from being beaten?
Having lived through several hardships, Elder Qin had become very open-minded. He didn’t concern himself too much with the younger generation’s matters. After stepping out of the Gu Family’s courtyard, he said, "San Lang, you head home first. I’m going for a stroll to the end of the village, just to make sure no thieves sneak in."
With that, he walked away leisurely, making it clear that he didn’t want to meddle in the dispute between Er Lang and San Lang.