The Lady’s Sickly Husband

Soon, it was warm spring, and the construction of the factories of soy sauce and vinegar had completed.

In fact, she didn’t have to work hard for money. As early as the first month passed, Ning Shaoqing had given her a note of five hundred thousand taels. As to finding a doctor and effective medicine, she had also been told and didn’t need to worry anymore.

Now, free from those concerns, her passion for the factories of soy sauce and vinegar no longer lied in making money but in establishing a career as well as in the love for food.

Although the dishes she made by herself were already the supreme cuisines in Ning Shaoqing’s eyes, she just couldn’t be cheered up or satisfied with the flavor when the dishes lacked soy sauce or vinegar.

In modern times, Mo Qianxue’s trade company was an agent of several brands of soy sauce and vinegar. She had personally visited the factories of these brands and participated in the production process, with which, of course, she was quite familiar.

The brewing of vinegar was faster than that of soy sauce, taking merely twenty to thirty days to roll off the production line. Certainly, the longer the brewing, the better the taste.

The vinegar that undergoing twenty to thirty days of brewing would be of the lowest quality. It contained the proper flavor, which, however, was insufficient in both fragrance and aftertaste.

The raw material of vinegar was high quality glutinous rice with auxiliary material of bran rice husk, salt and sugar. The finer ingredients also included wine cube made of bran rice and wheat.

First, steam the soaked glutinous rice, put into wine cube which would ferment bran rice husk followed by the process of vinegar fermentation, then add salt for further fermentation, and at last, through pouring and stir-frying, the finished product was made.

The steps looked simple in words but complicated in actual operation.

First, when soaking glutinous rice, the standard would be meet until each grain of the rice wasn’t white in the center. Usually, it took twenty-four hours in winter, fifteen hours in summer and eighteen to twenty hours in spring and autumn.

Then take the rice out and put into a woven bamboo basket for repeated rinse. When the rice was dry, steam it again to the full. It mustn’t be overcooked, sticky, or half-cooked before showing with cold water to cool it down to 30 °C in winter and 25 °C in summer. Then, mix evenly with wine to put in a V-shaped cylinder sealed with a grass cover for the prevention from pollution and for thermal preservation…

Because in ancient times, the poor conditions and lacking of proficient workers, at first Mo Qianxue’s instruction couldn’t be understood since there were too many terminologies.

Therefore, in the end, Mo Qianxue personally demonstrated each step and then supervised the workers doing the same while constantly instructing during the process. The measurement of temperature and temperature different was technical work, and without a thermometer, she only had to take the temperature by hand.

Hence, for most of the time during the vinegar production, Mo Qianxue stayed all day long in the factory.

Since she wasn’t home, Tong Zijing moved back to the Tong mansion so that he could visit Mo Qianxue at the factory whenever he’d like to.

More importantly, intentionally or unintentionally, Ning Shaoqing had mentioned to Ji Xuyao that if the Ji family wanted to rise, he must wait until Tong Zijing took power, which could only start when Tong Zijing went back to the Tong mansion and got ready to take over the management of Tong’s affairs.

Certainly, Ji Xuyao understood this, so he taught Tong Zijing that if he wanted real freedom and to protect the one he wanted to protect, then he must obtain real power with figuring out the power structure of Tong family as a start so as to gradually devour all of the power. Naturally, old Mr. Tong was overjoyed. Although Tong Zijing didn’t talk with him, as long as he stayed in and hung around in the mansion, old Tong felt satisfied and relieved.

As for the fact reported by the butler that Tong Zijing wanted to step in this and that, just let him do. Anyway, he would be the future master of Tong family, and old Tong couldn’t be happier that he wanted to take over the management. All in all, old Tong didn’t want to hear of the sound of tearing cloth or crashing bowls anymore.

Seeing that Mo Qianxue was up to her ears, Mo Qianxue moved to live with her in the factory and also summoned the managers of his tea shops and wineries distributing everywhere to introduce to Mo Qianxue.

Since these were his private properties, the managers that he employed were absolutely trustworthy.

Mingyue and Caixia naturally followed them to the factory, leaving only Nizi at the Wang village.

Currently, the village demonstrated a prosperous scene with carriages and people coming in and out.

Now tofu was no longer sold exclusively to Baiyunju, which would soon have it own tofu workshop, because Mo Qianxue didn’t want to sit still about the tofu business.

Therefore, after sister Fang’s mobilization across the village, the villagers who didn’t work with Mo Qianxue began to collect tofu from the workshop and went to the street to sell it.

The retail was also a profitable business, and the villagers earned not less than working in the workshop per month. Although it was tiring, the job gave them the freedom of not taking orders from others.

Mo Qianxue also disclosed the news to major restaurants, so their carriages also swarmed to the Wang village to pick up tofu and other by-products like dried tofu.

After the cook from Baiyunju left, sister Fang didn’t need to do manual work at the workshop. Instead, she had a plain shed built in front of workshop and specialized in sales.

The workshop was now mainly managed by sister Guihua with Chunyan as her assistant, so of course more people were recruited. Such a prosperous business certainly had induced jealousy. Luckily, with the Xin and Jian families behind it, there weren’t people who dared to cast their greedy mind on the workshop.

Even if they did, Mo Qianxue wasn’t afraid. As long as a high price was offered, she couldn’t just sell it out.

The sculpture workshop managed by Wang Tiansong ran well too. Each month, one or two top quality sculptures could be made, at least to the satisfaction of Xin Yiming. By Wang Tiansong’s advice, four more apprentices were recruited to the sculpture workshop.

Everything ran on the right track and was thriving.

*

On this day, the first batch of vinegar was finally completed.

Mo Qianxue tasted the sample. Although it wasn’t of top quality, the sour taste came out along with the special fragrance, making her grinning with joy.

Afterwards, she picked up the vinegar and a few side dishes made with it and took to Ning Shaoqing.

Ning Shaoqing, eyebrows leaping with surprise and delight, kept praising the taste.

Hearing his praise, Mo Qianxue tittered. Actually, he had eaten this thing for many times, but he himself didn’t notice.

The vinegar that he had drunk should be counted by jars.

While Ning Shaoqing tasted the dishes, Mo Qianxue sat opposite him with her mind flowing away. Ning Shaoqing looked up at her starry eyes gazing at him, and somehow, momentarily, what he watned to eat changed.

Changed to the beauty before his eyes…

Hence, Ning Shaoqing gently waved his hand before her, “Qianxue, what’re you thinking about?”

Being caught on the spot when she was daydreaming, Mo Qianxue was a little embarrassed and coughed to clear her throat. For sure, she wouldn’t tell him that she was counting how many jars of vinegar he had eaten, but her flushing face misled him.

He was touched. Any man who witnessed his beloved girl staring at him full-heartedly would feel sweet as honey, “Xuexue, come and sit here.”

Her heart plunged when she heard him calling her Xuexue. It would start again.

Bashfully, she moved to sit next to him.

As she had expected, Ning Shaoqing’s hands climbed onto her shoulders and gently rubbed, “Xuexue, you must be tired.”

Ning Shaoqing said that sincerely and admired her in real terms. They didn’t lack money, but she still worked hard day and night for better operation of the factory.

In comparison, those women in big mansion who knew nothing but taking away other people’s properties by calculation and filthy trickery weren’t even worthy to put on shoes for his Xuexue.

Of course, when Mo Qianxue was busy at the factory, he didn’t sit idle either. Either the construction of the factory, staff management or logistics, the smooth operation of the factory must be attributive to him.

Ning Shaoqing softly caressed Mo Qianxue’s shoulders, but her back turned stiff. Often lured in various ways, holding back to resist all kinds of temptation, and unable to do nothing even though touched by such a good-looking guy, she had developed more tickle spots all over her body.

Therefore, the soothing massage forced an unconscious groan out of her mouth.

Ning Shaoqing’s hands looked extremely big against her slim shoulders, able to completely cover them in the big palms. He massaged with different strength like modelling a clay figure.

In a long while, his voice floated into her ears, “I want you so much.”

A bomb set off in her heart again, and she didn’t manage to force a word until long, “Uh-huh.” Dear heaven, it was useless to want. Hurry and cure his poison! If this situation continued, she would be tortured until going to heaven earlier.

As Mo Qianxue pissed off to herself, her hand became merciless and gave a hard pinch at Ning Shaoqing’s waist.

Feeling the pain, Ning Shaoqing loosened his hands. When Mo Qianxue was about to stand up, his arms were put around her shoulders again. Taking her into his arms, Ning Shaoqing pressed her head against his chest to let her hear his rapid heartbeat.

Mo Qianxue struggled again and bit on his chest when her attempt failed. Then, with a painful sigh, Ning Shaoqing hugged her harder. Mo Qianxue sat on his thighs and her bottoms kept rubbing him during her struggle.

Hence, in a while, he took a deep breath because that thing had a reaction again. Feeing the change taking place around her buttocks, Mo Qianxue didn’t dare to move either.

They stayed motionless for a long time before he finally put aside her hair around her neck, fingers running about upon it, making her trembling nonstop.

Then, soft wet lips pressed against the neck and wandered slowly between her neck and ears. At a time, she felt itchy bodily.

She heard her heartbeat as loud as beating a drum. In dizziness, she felt everything in her eyes could be turned into fire.

The torch was so hot that it had burnt down Mo Qianxue’s mind. Suddenly, her sanity restored with a shiver, and she instantly pinched his inner thigh.

She didn’t let it go until she heard his hiss from pain. Hastily, Mo Qianxue began to tidy up her clothes that had been messed up by Ning Shaoqing while glaring at him.

Yet, Ning Shaoqing smiled and printed one more kiss on her cheek, taking a deep breath, “In the future, I’ll get back what I deserve.”

At this moment, Mingyue and Caixia returned from the factory with two small jars of vinegar as Mo Qianxue had ordered.

Seeing her face was red, Mingyue asked, “Lady, why is your face so red?”

Then, her face was redder from both embarrassment and fighting back her laugher.

Ning Shaoqing remained calm in a light smile and beat around the bush, “Spring is coming, and it’s get warmer and warmer. I’m afraid lady feels too warm. Caixia, are the clothes that you’ve been preparing for lady ready?”

Witnessing his skin got thicker with time, Mo Qianxue ignored him, asked Mingyue and Caixia to put the vinegar onto the carriage and then let Awu to deliver it to her restaurant at the dock.

When Mo Qianxue arrived, it happened to be lunchtime, so the restaurant was full of customers. Yunyao was dealing with the account book while Xiaolei was waiting tables, so Mo Qianxue walked to the reception desk, followed by Mingyue and Caixia.

Among all the customers, there were two people looked like guards. Seeing Mo Qianxue coming in, they stared at her and, after exchanging a look in doubt, both took out a scroll from their pockets.

Taking a glance at the scroll and then at Mo Qianxue, the two guards nodded at each other and left in a hurry, leaving a lump of silver on the table before finishing the meal. Wang Xiaolei picked up the silver lump and ran after them, who merely said it was your tip and then rode the horse and left.

Wang Xiaolei couldn’t be happier. This was the first time that he met customers who gave money and didn’t eat much.

He couldn’t stop thanking Mrs. Ning for bringing him the good luck and praising Mingyue and Caixia that they were more beautiful than before.

Since they moved to live in the Ning’s, Mingyue and Caixia didn’t have to worry about meals and Mo Qianxue never beat or cursed them. Naturally, they gradually gained a little weight in a healthy way and their complexion got better too.

Hearing Wang Xiaolei’s flattering, they just giggled and lowered their heads.

Mo Qianxue knew that Wang Xiaolei liked to joke and wasn’t annoyed, “Get away and do your work. Don’t come to tease my Mingyue and Caixia.”

Xiaolei wasn’t upset by Mo Qianxue’s scolding, touching his head, and left with a titter. The luck did pop up every day to meet such generous customers.

The whole table of dishes were barely touched, so later when he went home after work, he could take these expensive dishes back to make a great dinner for his families. Walking to the table, Wang Xiaolei put the dishes into three big bowls.

Mrs. Ning had told them that they could take away all those dishes that the customers left on the tables.

He divided the food into three shares, one for himself, one for Juniang and one for Yunniang. Usually, Yunyao wouldn’t compete with them.

After the rush hours at noon, there were sporadic customers coming in and out of the restaurants.

As the kitchen became idle, Mo Qianxue began to make several dishes with vinegar and then let Xiaolei, Yunyao, Mingyue and Caixia to have a taste. All of them also swallow their tongues.

After all, Yunxiao had stayed in a big family, so she was the first one to put down the chopsticks, wiping her mouth and asking, “Mrs. Ning, what has been added to the dishes? Why are they so sour yet delicious and appetizing? I just can’t stop eating more.”

Even when back in the big mansion, she had never tried such a novel and refreshing tasted.

Mo Qianxue smiled, “They taste sour because I added vinegar.”

Xiaolei also put down the chopsticks, amazed, “Vinegar? The seasoning made in the factory?”

Mo Qianxue replied with a smile, “Exactly! If soy sauced was added, the taste will be even better.”

Juniang wasn’t a talker, so she buried herself in enjoying the food and kept nodding as praise.

Yunniang felt amazed too, “Even better than this? Oh dear heaven! The plain fried shredded potato is already amazing with a little vinegar. If adding soy sauce will make it more delicious, then wouldn’t it better than meat?”

Mo Qianxue was proud, “Of course.” She hadn’t yet fully demonstrated modern recipes. Although she wasn’t a cook, having eating from the south to north and as a businesswoman in the seasoning industry, she could make many different styles of cuisines.

Yunyao said again, “How great the vinegar is! These new dishes will definitely be very popular.”

Thinking of the popularity and the potential increased number of customers, Mo Qianxue sounded grateful, “By then, we’ll be busy again, so I’d like to thank you in advance.”

Xiaolei replied, “Don’t say so, Mrs. Ning.”

Juniang and Yunniang said in unison, “It’s what we should do.”

Yunyao agreed, “Yes, it’s our due work. I should thank you for your trust and this job.”

For her, Mo Qianxue was the person who had given her a new life. Even when Mo Qianxue was present, she wasn’t a servant in real terms; and when Mo Qianxue wasn’t here, she was the manager, to whom the customers were respectful. As the direct report of Xiaolei, Juniang and Yunniang, naturally she was also respected by them.

No one treated her as a slave anymore. Even the managing officers at the dock treated her with courtesy.

In the past six months, her child Xixi gained weight and became more outgoing.

She was content with all she had and hoped that the restaurant got better and more enduring.