Fan Zehao was like a foreman, urging the people working below.
These elders were not to be underestimated; they worked quite diligently. In the afternoon, they managed to dismantle the heated brick beds in the three houses and clear out the garbage.
As it was getting late, the courtyard walls were not yet demolished; that would be completed tomorrow.
After settling their wages and asking them to return the next day, the pay for the entire day was forty wen, which was even more than what they earned working in town. Everyone was happy to work there!
Once everyone had left, Fan Zehao went to Te Shi Er alone.
Seeing the two people kneeling on the ground, he did not blame or reproach them. His wife had fallen and hit her head; it had nothing to do with them.
"Both of you, get up!"
Te Shi Er rose and stood respectfully to the side, his head lowered throughout, his eyes fixed on the ground.
He knew someone had been following him all along but had never revealed themselves. Today, he finally got a clear look: not tall, with an ordinary appearance, a very common person, about twenty years old, with a dark complexion. He looked less like a spy and more like a farmer!
He would be lost in a crowd, and it was a surprise that he was actually a spy!
"Why did your young lady have you follow us?"
Xiao Song shook his head, "She didn't say what specifically to do, but she asked me to inquire about your origins, where you live, and who you usually associate with!"
Fan Zehao rubbed his fingers, deep in thought. How long had it been since he last killed someone!
"Come, tell me about your Chu Estate situation!"
Xiao Song lowered his gaze and reported everything he knew without any concealment.
"The Chu Estate is a very prestigious residence in Hexinzhou. The family has countless masters, sons, and daughters. The most outstanding is young lady Chu Lian. She appears harmless, but her heart is extremely wicked. She loves to kill and finds pleasure in tormenting others!"
Fan Zehao frowned. She looked so delicate, but he never expected her to be so cold-blooded behind her back!
No wonder he always felt an uncomfortable sensation around this woman. It turned out her eyes were like a snake's, devoid of any warmth!
"Continue!"
Xiao Song licked his lips and continued recalling, "Although the Chu family's master is in charge, they wouldn't dare act rashly without Chu Lian's approval. Secondly, it is rumored that there is a woman in the Chu Estate who is an imperial concubine and is highly favored by the emperor. As for anything else, I don't know."
When did women in the Yun Kingdom's inner palace start interfering in matters of the inner city?
Fan Zehao let out a few scoffing laughs, then his face darkened, "Go back and tell that woman that I am a hunter, and my family is extremely poor. As long as you don't reveal my true identity, I will spare your life!"
Of course, this was on the condition that he had not done anything heinous; otherwise, he would not forgive them.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Song immediately knelt and kowtowed, making oaths, "I will definitely deliver your message!"
Fan Zehao nodded, "Be a spy for me. Find a way to pass on information about your young lady or any important details. I will have someone accompany you back to Hexinzhou!"
"I understand, I will do my best!"
Fan Zehao obtained the information he wanted and gave his instructions before leaving. Te Shi Er would handle the remaining matters.
When he returned home that evening, the house felt a lot quieter. The meal was already prepared, waiting for him.
There weren't elaborate dishes on the table, but there was braised pork, which he liked, and a sweet and sour pickled cabbage salad, all dishes that went well with rice.
"You're back so late. Did you see that person?"
Fan Zehao washed his hands, flicked the water off, and wiped his hands as he replied, "Yes, I saw her. This woman is a vixen with a snake's heart, a wolf in sheep's clothing, who bites without showing her teeth!"
Sitting at the dining table, recalling Xiao Song's words, he sneered, "She actually takes pleasure in killing. Can such a woman be considered a good person?"
She was not a good person at all; she was utterly worthless!
"How will you deal with her?"
Fan Zehao: "Let her let down her guard. We'll play the long game and wait for the big catch. Isn't this what you wanted?"
As expected, her husband understood her best. Zhao Jiaqi was very pleased and took a piece of meat for him, saying, "I asked the aunts to hurry and finish things not just to fish, but because I don't plan to celebrate the New Year here. I hope to have things mostly settled before the year ends so we can leave with peace of mind!"
This statement shocked Fan Zehao, who was about to eat. He looked up at his wife, "What? Have you recovered your memory?"
Zhao Jiaqi gave him a flirtatious look and didn't answer directly, "Our parents and children are in the royal manor in the inner city. It's the New Year; how can we not go home?"
Speaking of this, Fan Zehao also missed home, but seeing that his wife hadn't fully recovered her memory, he...
"I think Mom and Dad and the children are waiting for us to come home. The whole family wants to reunite. Can you bear not to go back?"
Isn't it said that no matter how rich or poor, you go home for the New Year?
He saw that his wife was determined to go back, and his heart immediately softened, "Okay, I'll listen to you!"
The couple looked at each other and smiled, then buried their heads in their meals.
During the meal, Zhao Jiaqi didn't forget to share her plan, which coincided with Fan Zehao's thoughts. The rest depended on what the woman in Hexinzhou decided.
Unbeknownst to the couple, after they left, Chu Lian put the cloth dolls in her shop for sale, charging three hundred taels per set. With limited quantities, they were snatched up due to their novelty.
Even the defective items sold for good prices, allowing Chu Lian to profit more than double.
Seeing that this business was lucrative and that novel items were well-received, her mind became very active. She eagerly awaited the return of the spies she had dispatched.
The next day.
The village chief took Zhao Jiaqi and Liu Qinshi to the shop. They saw that the shop was quite spacious and clean, and located on a busy street, giving it a good geographical position.
However, the annual rent was sixty taels, ten taels more than she had expected, but the location was worth the price.
Therefore, the village chief had not dared to agree initially. After Zhao Jiaqi inspected it and nodded, he dared to pay the money and sign the contract.
The three of them cleaned the shop for a whole day, bought a counter, and hired someone to make a sign. They were stumped by the name for the sign.
The village chief asked Zhao Jiaqi, who was literate, "You are educated; why don't you come up with a name!"
Zhao Jiaqi gave a wry smile and spread her hands, "Being literate and having culture are two different things. This name should be chosen by the village chief. I'm unable to do it!"
After some back and forth, the village chief didn't know what to do. He was silent for a while, scratching his head and kicking his feet. After much grumbling, he thought of one, "How about calling it a cloth doll shop!"
"Cloth doll shop" was accurate for what they were selling, but it lacked uniqueness. So, Liu Qinshi slapped her thigh and said, "Write down our village's name, and then call it a cloth doll shop. Nanlan Cloth Doll Shop!"
"What do you think?" After finishing, Liu Qinshi didn't forget to ask her husband, the village chief.
The village chief murmured the name several times and found it quite pleasant. If it sold well and made money, their Nanlan Village would become famous and no longer be the lowest-ranking village!
The two hit it off, "Let's call it that. You're smart, wife!"
Zhao Jiaqi rubbed her forehead and silently turned away. On the way back, Zhao Jiaqi said to Aunt Liu, "Tomorrow, fill the shop with all the goods, and then quickly find a reliable way to sell them. We'll prepare for a sale before the New Year to build our reputation!"
Liu Qinshi readily agreed. Now, these old ladies regarded Zhao Jiaqi as their leader, obeying her in everything.