Flower Garden Ode, account room.
"Most people sent to the village are those who have made mistakes. According to your perspective, shouldn’t I summon everyone back to ensure fairness?" Qu Fulan said.
Yinhua was once again questioned but instinctively replied, "Lianhua and her daughter are not like the others, they are..."
"What makes them different? They all work for the Princely Heir; who is nobler than the other? They want to return, but don’t the others want to return as well? Why should they co back while others cannot? You’re prioritizing your personal interests over others’ managent challenges, only thinking of your relatives and friends. Who will be responsible for calming the emotions of the other people? You?"
Yinhua imdiately looked embarrassed, clutching her clothes tightly, unable to utter another word.
Qu Fulan continued speaking, "Since you wish to demonstrate kindness and enthusiasm, why don’t you go to the village to work? In that way, you can accompany your good sisters daily and assist with their tasks. Wouldn’t that show more sincerity than standing here, making it difficult for others to fulfill your goodwill?"
Yinhua was so ashad that she was at a loss for words, biting her lip tightly, her body trembling slightly.
Qu Fulan lost patience with her, "If I find out again that you are in contact with the people at the village and causing trouble, I will send you there to fulfill your sisterly bond. Leave."
With a face full of grievance and on the verge of tears, Yinhua covered her face and ran out.
Qu Fulan took a sip of tea and began reading the account book.
This incident didn’t leave much of a mark on her mind; with so many complicated matters in the world, it would be overwhelming to keep every issue in mind.
Soone ca over to say that VIP guests had arrived on the third floor, mainly the wives and daughters from the noble families of the Capital City, asking if Qu Fulan would like to et them.
Qu Fulan refused, only instructing them to treat the guests well.
Ideally, she should show up to greet the guests and cultivate relationships.
Just like in modern tis, managers of entertainnt venues would personally interact to develop connections.
If Qu Fulan were a nobleman or a wealthy heiress, she would have gone.
However, her current role is rely that of a maid, and it is only because of Heir Pei’s magnanimity that she’s allowed to engage in trade. Otherwise, she’d still be with other maids at the Pei Mansion.
Heir Pei’s disregard for her status doesn’t an others share the sa view, especially the wives and daughters of noble families. If they knew she was a maid, they’d definitely be bothered by it.
How could a maid be worthy of interacting with them?
Hence, Qu Fulan never voluntarily engages with these people to avoid trouble.
Currently, outsiders are unaware that she manages "Flower Garden Ode"; they still believe Manager Yu and his wife are responsible.
anwhile, at the Pei Mansion, Mrs. Cheng was advising her daughter on certain matters.
"She didn’t accept yesterday’s gift, which shows she’s sensible, fearing reputational damage from taking random gifts. Let’s prepare sothing else to send today."
Cheng Ru seed troubled, "What can we send since she didn’t accept yesterday’s gift?"
"She’s unlikely to refuse fresh fruits or the like," Mrs. Cheng said.
Indeed, seasoned with wisdom, Mrs. Cheng was thinking more thoroughly than her daughter.
They had brought quite a few good things with her over.
However, Cheng Ru didn’t want to frequently send gifts to Qu Fulan, "Let’s wait a few days. We were just refused yesterday, and sending again today might appear like I’m trying to please a maid."
Though Cheng Ru felt high and mighty and reluctant to engage with a maid, there were still principles she needed to understand.
"Even as a maid, she’s the capable maid by the Princely Heir’s side, which makes her status differ from others. Moreover, she gave us milk tea yesterday, and we should reciprocate to maintain our courtesy."
Exchanges like these establish relationships, don’t they?
Cheng Ru wasn’t unreasonable; after hearing her mother’s explanation, she found it logical. But she argued again, "But what fruits does the Pei Mansion lack? Why send them?"
Mrs. Cheng laughed, "You’re usually smart, so why now is your head muddled? Besides fruits, we brought along specialties; yesterday’s gifts were valuable stuff, understandable for her refusal. Now, with specialty snacks, she won’t reject again."
As soon as Qu Fulan returned to the Pei Mansion, she was summoned to the second house, realizing it was Miss Cheng seeking her, wanting to gift her sothing to thank her for yesterday’s milk tea.
Qu Fulan didn’t expect this matter would linger; she politely declined, "You’re too kind, Miss. I’m just a maid at Pei Mansion, doing what the masters instruct. How can I deserve Miss’s gratitude?"
Miss Cheng had a servant bring the items, smiling, "It’s just so hotown specialties. Fulan, you shouldn’t feel pressured. We tasted your delicious milk tea, so we wanted to show appreciation. There’s no other motive."
Such words laid bare her intentions; not to ntion they’re specialty snacks, not pricey goods, so she naturally couldn’t refuse.
"Thank you, Miss. These look delicious; the old lady loves fresh treats and used to ntion them. Now I can enjoy them too," Qu Fulan smiled.
Miss Cheng said, "The old lady received so as well, but yesterday in oversight, I feared the gifts might be insignificant to express gratitude, leading to sending such monetary items which unintentionally sullied you."
Qu Fulan felt relieved, realizing gifts were sent to all courtyards, not just Lixiang Courtyard.
Co to think of it, the Cheng mother and daughter weren’t careless; valuable items naturally aren’t sent to every room, but if specialty snacks aren’t shared, it would be an indication of lack of regard.
Therefore, accepting these wouldn’t have much impact.
Miss Cheng seeing Qu Fulan accepted, smiled, "My cousin says you’re skilled in culinary, and I love exploring cuisine too, but my cooking often gets disparaged by family. Can you teach and discuss cooking with in the future?"
Before Qu Fulan could speak, Mrs. Cheng interjected, "How thoughtless! Fulan, busy serving the Princely Heir daily, can’t spare ti teaching you. Don’t add trouble!"
Then, turning to Qu Fulan, she said, "This child was spoiled by , often speaking without care. Don’t mind her."
Qu Fulan followed Mrs. Cheng’s lead, "Not at all, it’s good Miss Cheng is eager to learn. If free, I’d be glad to discuss and learn with Miss Cheng, but now, the Princely Heir has many affairs, and I hardly find ti."
Miss Cheng’s request for culinary teaching wasn’t the sa as with Pei Lan and Ying Man’er, who learn it for business gain; Miss Cheng had no hidden motives beyond just the joy of exploration.
Qu Fulan certainly understood that.
Even if she didn’t pick up on it, with hints from the original work, what could she not know?
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