Chapter 150 – Drawings
The further Yu Tang thought about it, the more it seems to be case.
Unfortunately, Rizhao was too far away, so even if she had her suspicions, it would be difficult to verify. Counting the days, that incident was already wrongfully convicted, and so there was nothing else that could be done.
However, the Li family’s fifty acres of paddy fields was likely a money laundering scheme for the silver that was embezzled during his service as governor in Rizhao.
She was unable to sit still.
Li Yi served as governor in Rizhao for seven or eight years, and if he really had improper motives, surely there would be more than just this one case of wrongful conviction, which showed that he was not a good person. Now that he has become an official in the capital, he has greater authority and more access to contacts and resources, so who knows if he would continue to do such things that violates the conscience of people.
Speaking of which, their family was also a victim!
If it wasn’t for the fact that Li Yi was an official, would the Li family have dared to kill someone?
Yutang suddenly felt a shared sense of hatred, and felt that it was fine if she didn’t know about it, but if she knew and yet was still indifferent, and didn’t make use of it to bring the Li family down, how could she redeem the death of Wei Xiaoshan, who was murdered unjustly?
She got up and called Ah Cam to come in, saying ”Go and ask Chief Steward Hu. See when Third Master is free, I have a matter I’d like to meet him for.”
Among the people Yu Tang knew, only Pei Yan had the ability to find out for certain if Li Yi had done those things.
She needed Pei Yan’s help.
Ah Ya assented and went off. He came back half an hour later and told her, “The tangerines in Pei family’s residence in Ji’an are ripe, and third master went to Ji’an to oversee the sale. He will be back tomorrow night. He asked if the matter is urgent. If it is urgent, please write a letter to Third Master; if not, please wait for Third Master to return and then set a time.”
Although it was urgent, but it was not so urgent that it had to be done within a day or so.
However, Pei Yan selling tangerines …… what is this all about?
Do tangerines go to the market at this time of the year?
Compared to Li Yi’s matter, Yu Tang was far more curious about Pei Yan’s selling of tangerines.
She said instead, “Then go back to Chief Steward Hu and set a time when the Third Master returns.”
Ah Cam rushed off again.
Ma Xiuniang had XiQue bring a message requesting to see her, and also asked her to come for lunch.
Yu Tang informed Madam Chen before heading to the Zhang family with two silk flowers she made, accompanied by Shuang Tao.
Ma Xiuniang was in the midst of instructing the kitchen maids to roast the pig’s head when she arrived. On seeing her arrive, she patted her skirts before walking out of the kitchen.
Yu Tang smelled a savoury braised aroma when she entered the secondary door, and immediately went up and bowed, saying: ”What delicious food have you made? And to call me here all the way from home. Where is Qing’er? Why haven’t I seen her? Is brother-in-law at home? Would it be too intrusive for me to come like this?”
“Why are you being so talkative!” When Ma Xiuniang saw her smiling face as bright as a summer flower, so beautiful that it dazzled people, she couldn’t help but pinch her cheeks, before saying, “Since I’ve asked you to come, there’s definitely nothing intrusive about it. Your brother-in-law has gone to the pavilion and won’t be back for lunch. Qing’er that little girl just knows how to sleep all day long, like a piglet, you don’t need to worry about her.”
The two of them spoke as they entered into the house linking arms.
XiQue brought in the refreshments.
The two of them sat down and after exchanging a few pleasantries, Ma Xiuniang stated the reason for inviting her over this time, “Originally, I should have been the one going to meet you, but Qing’er is too young, and she hasn’t left my side since she was born, and I didn’t feel comfortable leaving her alone at home, so I had you come over. I just wanted to ask, the last time you said you needed your brother-in-law’s help in drawing patterns for your family’s shop, does your family still need it?” When she said this, her face turned red.
Yu Tang was overjoyed and quickly replied, “Yes, yes, yes. We’re just missing the patterns. If brother-in-law can help, that would be great! It depends on whether sister wants to sell piece by piece and settle payment one by one? Or do you want to sell them all at once to our family?”
Ma Xiuniang didn’t quite know the difference and wasn’t in a position to ask in detail.
Previously, Yu Tang had paid close attention to her family’s business because of Yu Yuan, and also dealt with shopkeepers, so she knew that the only way to do business in the long run was to understand its principle. Without waiting for Ma Xiuniang to reply, she continued, “Selling piece by piece, that is, everyone will agree on the selling price of a piece of lacquerware. For example, if this pattern is used in the trousseau, and the trousseau is sold for one or two silvers, then for each piece sold, we will give your family 10 Wen; if the designs are all sold to our family at once, then it is according to how much the various lacquerware pieces are sold, at our family’s discretion. Sister, see what’s suitable for your family, we’re fine with both arrangements.”
As for Ma Xiuniang, if she wasn’t in need of silver, she wouldn’t have supported Zhang Hui to draw patterns for the Yu family. Furthermore, Zhang Hui only promised Ma Xiuniang that he would draw twenty paintings and no more, and she didn’t even know if Zhang Hui’s paintings would make the Yu family any money.
She blushed further and whispered, “You also know my family’s situation……”
Yu Tang knew the meaning behind her words and promptly replied, “That’s fine. Just sell it in one lot to my family. I suggested various methods of selling as some like to sell one piece at a time, and sister haven’t dealt with such matters before, so I wanted to make things clear. Just let brother-in-law draw, and as for the rest, I’ll take care of it!”
When she said that, Ma Xiuniang became even more embarrassed and said, “Your brother-in-law, he is only prepared to draw twenty paintings.”
Yu Tang figured that Scholar Zhang wouldn’t always be doing this, and thus wasn’t disappointed. Instead, she was delighted to be getting Zhang Hui’s paintings in the first place. She replied, “Twenty paintings is fine. It’s still better than our family not being able to get a single one. Sister, when do you think would be a good time for me to get the paintings?”
Ma Xiuniang fumbled a smile and said, “Your brother-in-law was barely persuaded by me, so it can’t be that soon. However, you have to tell me what drawings your family wants, and I can remind your brother-in-law to get the drawings done sooner.”
Yu Tang said, “Those kind of elegant paintings for displaying in the inner rooms would do.”
Their family was not lacking in classical and traditional drawings. It was only those beautiful and refined paintings that would appeal to the literati that they lacked.
Ma Xiuniang smiled, “Alright! I understand. You can return and wait for my good news.”
Yu Tang thanked her repeatedly.
Ma Xiuniang, however, pulled Yu Tang’s hand and said emotionally, “It’s me who should be thanking you.”
Clearly, it was a mutually beneficial thing, but Yutang’s actions seemed as if the Yu family had previously asked for many favours from their family.
Ma Xiuniang was suddenly very grateful to have made a friend like Yu Tang, but she didn’t know that Yu Tang too was also very glad that she didn’t miss out on this friendship in this life and became close friends with Ma Xiuniang.
Coming out of the Zhang family’s residence, Yu Tang went directly to the Yu family’s shop on Changxing Street.
From afar, she saw Xia Pinggui and Xia Lian, Lady Xiang’s accompanying maid, standing in front of the shop conversing, and Xia Lian was carrying a food box in her hand.
She guessed that Xia Lian was instructed by her sister-in-law to bring lunch to her eldest cousin.
Yu Tang pursed her lips and smiled.
In the shop, it was only apprentices who did the cooking, so of course it was not as good as compared to home-cooked meals. Sister-in-law must have felt bad that her eldest cousin could not eat deliciously.
Only when she got closer did she realise that both Xia Pinggui and Xia Lian’s smiles appeared a little too radiant.
A trace of puzzlement flashed through Yu Tang’s mind.
Xia Pinggui and Xia Lian, who both saw her, jumped quickly to the side like cats that had their tails stepped on, and Xia Pinggui greeted her with a warmth that was a hundred times more courteous than usual, ”Young, Young Miss, you’ve arrived. Are you here to find the proprietor or the young proprietor?”
“The proprietor has gone to find Master Xiang and hasn’t returned yet, and the young proprietor is keeping watch in the shop. I’ll lead you in!” Saying that, he lowered his eyes and charged into the shop like a headless fly.
Xia Lian, on the other hand, scrambled in a panic, saying “Young Miss, I’ll go back first, I’m only here to deliver food to the young proprietor. My mistress is still waiting for me to return,” After saying this, she ran off in a hurry.
Was she that scary?
Yu Tang muttered in her mind and then suddenly understood.
Perhaps Xia Pinggui was interested in Xia Lian ……
She did not reveal it on her face, but she was smiling with delight in her heart.
In her previous life, something like this also happened when she was in the Li family.
Around her, there were several serving maids and attendants who liked each other. However, Madam Lin didn’t allow such relationships to develop in her household, so she would sell away those maids and servants, saying that such relationships should be nipped in the bud when they arise, or else it would be easy for them to conspire within and outside the household and commit theft or various crimes against the family.
However, Xia Pinggui and Xia Lian were quite suited for each other. When the time comes, she should remind her sister-in-law that if both of them really wanted it, it would be better to fulfil their wishes early on, so as not to create problems that would be unpleasant later.
Yu Tang quietly went to the room where Yu Yuan was resting and spoke to him about Zhang Hui.
Yu Yuan was elated and said excitedly ”Do you know why father went to look for Master Xiang? A few days ago, father took over an order of fifty lacquered boxes, but they wanted designs that reflected the varying seasons of the year or things similar in theme, so father went to find Master Xiang to commission him to draw such designs. You also know that Master Xiang’s drawings cost at least five taels of silver.”
After hearing this, Yu Tang anxiously interjected “Then you best hurry to inform uncle, if uncle and Master Xiang have already made arrangements, it’s not good to change plans again. Also, Master Xiang, as I know, is Lin’an city’s most famous artist. If Master Xiang is worth five taels of silver a piece, then Gentleman Zhang will need at least four taels of silver a piece, right?”
Those artists she knew only charged one or two silver pieces for a drawing, but who knew that Master Xiang’s fees would be so high.
Yu Yuan quickly instructed Xia Pinggui to relay the message that there was an important guest at home and asked Yu Bo to hurry back. After Xia Pinggui left, he continued to discuss the matter with Yu Tang, saying “Previously, I told father that the drawings we have were a little old and out-dated and father is also aware of this, but he was more concerned about the cost, and thought that we could make do with what we had for now. If it wasn’t for this bulk purchase, and specifically requesting for designs relating to the seasons, we wouldn’t have done this either. Father calculated that the revenue earned from this business was just enough to cover the cost of Master Xiang’s services, and only after gritting his teeth did he make this final decision. Otherwise why would we delay it until now!”
Yu Tang smiled helplessly.
Both of them drank tea and chatted for a while before Yu Bo arrived panting for air.
“I heard that you found a better pattern artisan?” He asked as soon as he entered, not even stopping to drink a sip of tea.
“Not a drawing pattern artisan.” Yu Tang told Yu Bo about Zhang Hui.
Yu Bo was admittedly hesitant, replying, “Gentleman Zhang’s paintings certainly were excellent, but it is hard to say whether they are profitable or not.”
A price of four taels of silver would mean even lesser profits.
Yu Tang smilingly answered, “Since this deal originally could cover the costs of Master Xiang’s paintings, and people always say that there’s nothing new about our designs, I think it would be better to let Gentleman Zhang draw a few samples according to that customer’s request, and if the customer is satisfied, then we can ask Gentleman Zhang to do the rest. You can still earn several taels of silver!”
Yu Bo thought about the fact that his family wouldn’t lose out either way, so he consented.
Chapter 150 – Drawings
The further Yu Tang thought about it, the more it seems to be case.
Unfortunately, Rizhao was too far away, so even if she had her suspicions, it would be difficult to verify. Counting the days, that incident was already wrongfully convicted, and so there was nothing else that could be done.
However, the Li family’s fifty acres of paddy fields was likely a money laundering scheme for the silver that was embezzled during his service as governor in Rizhao.
She was unable to sit still.
Li Yi served as governor in Rizhao for seven or eight years, and if he really had improper motives, surely there would be more than just this one case of wrongful conviction, which showed that he was not a good person. Now that he has become an official in the capital, he has greater authority and more access to contacts and resources, so who knows if he would continue to do such things that violates the conscience of people.
Speaking of which, their family was also a victim!
If it wasn’t for the fact that Li Yi was an official, would the Li family have dared to kill someone?
Yutang suddenly felt a shared sense of hatred, and felt that it was fine if she didn’t know about it, but if she knew and yet was still indifferent, and didn’t make use of it to bring the Li family down, how could she redeem the death of Wei Xiaoshan, who was murdered unjustly?
She got up and called Ah Cam to come in, saying ”Go and ask Chief Steward Hu. See when Third Master is free, I have a matter I’d like to meet him for.”
Among the people Yu Tang knew, only Pei Yan had the ability to find out for certain if Li Yi had done those things.
She needed Pei Yan’s help.
Ah Ya assented and went off. He came back half an hour later and told her, “The tangerines in Pei family’s residence in Ji’an are ripe, and third master went to Ji’an to oversee the sale. He will be back tomorrow night. He asked if the matter is urgent. If it is urgent, please write a letter to Third Master; if not, please wait for Third Master to return and then set a time.”
Although it was urgent, but it was not so urgent that it had to be done within a day or so.
However, Pei Yan selling tangerines …… what is this all about?
Do tangerines go to the market at this time of the year?
Compared to Li Yi’s matter, Yu Tang was far more curious about Pei Yan’s selling of tangerines.
She said instead, “Then go back to Chief Steward Hu and set a time when the Third Master returns.”
Ah Cam rushed off again.
Ma Xiuniang had XiQue bring a message requesting to see her, and also asked her to come for lunch.
Yu Tang informed Madam Chen before heading to the Zhang family with two silk flowers she made, accompanied by Shuang Tao.
Ma Xiuniang was in the midst of instructing the kitchen maids to roast the pig’s head when she arrived. On seeing her arrive, she patted her skirts before walking out of the kitchen.
Yu Tang smelled a savoury braised aroma when she entered the secondary door, and immediately went up and bowed, saying: ”What delicious food have you made? And to call me here all the way from home. Where is Qing’er? Why haven’t I seen her? Is brother-in-law at home? Would it be too intrusive for me to come like this?”
“Why are you being so talkative!” When Ma Xiuniang saw her smiling face as bright as a summer flower, so beautiful that it dazzled people, she couldn’t help but pinch her cheeks, before saying, “Since I’ve asked you to come, there’s definitely nothing intrusive about it. Your brother-in-law has gone to the pavilion and won’t be back for lunch. Qing’er that little girl just knows how to sleep all day long, like a piglet, you don’t need to worry about her.”
The two of them spoke as they entered into the house linking arms.
XiQue brought in the refreshments.
The two of them sat down and after exchanging a few pleasantries, Ma Xiuniang stated the reason for inviting her over this time, “Originally, I should have been the one going to meet you, but Qing’er is too young, and she hasn’t left my side since she was born, and I didn’t feel comfortable leaving her alone at home, so I had you come over. I just wanted to ask, the last time you said you needed your brother-in-law’s help in drawing patterns for your family’s shop, does your family still need it?” When she said this, her face turned red.
Yu Tang was overjoyed and quickly replied, “Yes, yes, yes. We’re just missing the patterns. If brother-in-law can help, that would be great! It depends on whether sister wants to sell piece by piece and settle payment one by one? Or do you want to sell them all at once to our family?”
Ma Xiuniang didn’t quite know the difference and wasn’t in a position to ask in detail.
Previously, Yu Tang had paid close attention to her family’s business because of Yu Yuan, and also dealt with shopkeepers, so she knew that the only way to do business in the long run was to understand its principle. Without waiting for Ma Xiuniang to reply, she continued, “Selling piece by piece, that is, everyone will agree on the selling price of a piece of lacquerware. For example, if this pattern is used in the trousseau, and the trousseau is sold for one or two silvers, then for each piece sold, we will give your family 10 Wen; if the designs are all sold to our family at once, then it is according to how much the various lacquerware pieces are sold, at our family’s discretion. Sister, see what’s suitable for your family, we’re fine with both arrangements.”
As for Ma Xiuniang, if she wasn’t in need of silver, she wouldn’t have supported Zhang Hui to draw patterns for the Yu family. Furthermore, Zhang Hui only promised Ma Xiuniang that he would draw twenty paintings and no more, and she didn’t even know if Zhang Hui’s paintings would make the Yu family any money.
She blushed further and whispered, “You also know my family’s situation……”
Yu Tang knew the meaning behind her words and promptly replied, “That’s fine. Just sell it in one lot to my family. I suggested various methods of selling as some like to sell one piece at a time, and sister haven’t dealt with such matters before, so I wanted to make things clear. Just let brother-in-law draw, and as for the rest, I’ll take care of it!”
When she said that, Ma Xiuniang became even more embarrassed and said, “Your brother-in-law, he is only prepared to draw twenty paintings.”
Yu Tang figured that Scholar Zhang wouldn’t always be doing this, and thus wasn’t disappointed. Instead, she was delighted to be getting Zhang Hui’s paintings in the first place. She replied, “Twenty paintings is fine. It’s still better than our family not being able to get a single one. Sister, when do you think would be a good time for me to get the paintings?”
Ma Xiuniang fumbled a smile and said, “Your brother-in-law was barely persuaded by me, so it can’t be that soon. However, you have to tell me what drawings your family wants, and I can remind your brother-in-law to get the drawings done sooner.”
Yu Tang said, “Those kind of elegant paintings for displaying in the inner rooms would do.”
Their family was not lacking in classical and traditional drawings. It was only those beautiful and refined paintings that would appeal to the literati that they lacked.
Ma Xiuniang smiled, “Alright! I understand. You can return and wait for my good news.”
Yu Tang thanked her repeatedly.
Ma Xiuniang, however, pulled Yu Tang’s hand and said emotionally, “It’s me who should be thanking you.”
Clearly, it was a mutually beneficial thing, but Yutang’s actions seemed as if the Yu family had previously asked for many favours from their family.
Ma Xiuniang was suddenly very grateful to have made a friend like Yu Tang, but she didn’t know that Yu Tang too was also very glad that she didn’t miss out on this friendship in this life and became close friends with Ma Xiuniang.
Coming out of the Zhang family’s residence, Yu Tang went directly to the Yu family’s shop on Changxing Street.
From afar, she saw Xia Pinggui and Xia Lian, Lady Xiang’s accompanying maid, standing in front of the shop conversing, and Xia Lian was carrying a food box in her hand.
She guessed that Xia Lian was instructed by her sister-in-law to bring lunch to her eldest cousin.
Yu Tang pursed her lips and smiled.
In the shop, it was only apprentices who did the cooking, so of course it was not as good as compared to home-cooked meals. Sister-in-law must have felt bad that her eldest cousin could not eat deliciously.
Only when she got closer did she realise that both Xia Pinggui and Xia Lian’s smiles appeared a little too radiant.
A trace of puzzlement flashed through Yu Tang’s mind.
Xia Pinggui and Xia Lian, who both saw her, jumped quickly to the side like cats that had their tails stepped on, and Xia Pinggui greeted her with a warmth that was a hundred times more courteous than usual, ”Young, Young Miss, you’ve arrived. Are you here to find the proprietor or the young proprietor?”
“The proprietor has gone to find Master Xiang and hasn’t returned yet, and the young proprietor is keeping watch in the shop. I’ll lead you in!” Saying that, he lowered his eyes and charged into the shop like a headless fly.
Xia Lian, on the other hand, scrambled in a panic, saying “Young Miss, I’ll go back first, I’m only here to deliver food to the young proprietor. My mistress is still waiting for me to return,” After saying this, she ran off in a hurry.
Was she that scary?
Yu Tang muttered in her mind and then suddenly understood.
Perhaps Xia Pinggui was interested in Xia Lian ……
She did not reveal it on her face, but she was smiling with delight in her heart.
In her previous life, something like this also happened when she was in the Li family.
Around her, there were several serving maids and attendants who liked each other. However, Madam Lin didn’t allow such relationships to develop in her household, so she would sell away those maids and servants, saying that such relationships should be nipped in the bud when they arise, or else it would be easy for them to conspire within and outside the household and commit theft or various crimes against the family.
However, Xia Pinggui and Xia Lian were quite suited for each other. When the time comes, she should remind her sister-in-law that if both of them really wanted it, it would be better to fulfil their wishes early on, so as not to create problems that would be unpleasant later.
Yu Tang quietly went to the room where Yu Yuan was resting and spoke to him about Zhang Hui.
Yu Yuan was elated and said excitedly ”Do you know why father went to look for Master Xiang? A few days ago, father took over an order of fifty lacquered boxes, but they wanted designs that reflected the varying seasons of the year or things similar in theme, so father went to find Master Xiang to commission him to draw such designs. You also know that Master Xiang’s drawings cost at least five taels of silver.”
After hearing this, Yu Tang anxiously interjected “Then you best hurry to inform uncle, if uncle and Master Xiang have already made arrangements, it’s not good to change plans again. Also, Master Xiang, as I know, is Lin’an city’s most famous artist. If Master Xiang is worth five taels of silver a piece, then Gentleman Zhang will need at least four taels of silver a piece, right?”
Those artists she knew only charged one or two silver pieces for a drawing, but who knew that Master Xiang’s fees would be so high.
Yu Yuan quickly instructed Xia Pinggui to relay the message that there was an important guest at home and asked Yu Bo to hurry back. After Xia Pinggui left, he continued to discuss the matter with Yu Tang, saying “Previously, I told father that the drawings we have were a little old and out-dated and father is also aware of this, but he was more concerned about the cost, and thought that we could make do with what we had for now. If it wasn’t for this bulk purchase, and specifically requesting for designs relating to the seasons, we wouldn’t have done this either. Father calculated that the revenue earned from this business was just enough to cover the cost of Master Xiang’s services, and only after gritting his teeth did he make this final decision. Otherwise why would we delay it until now!”
Yu Tang smiled helplessly.
Both of them drank tea and chatted for a while before Yu Bo arrived panting for air.
“I heard that you found a better pattern artisan?” He asked as soon as he entered, not even stopping to drink a sip of tea.
“Not a drawing pattern artisan.” Yu Tang told Yu Bo about Zhang Hui.
Yu Bo was admittedly hesitant, replying, “Gentleman Zhang’s paintings certainly were excellent, but it is hard to say whether they are profitable or not.”
A price of four taels of silver would mean even lesser profits.
Yu Tang smilingly answered, “Since this deal originally could cover the costs of Master Xiang’s paintings, and people always say that there’s nothing new about our designs, I think it would be better to let Gentleman Zhang draw a few samples according to that customer’s request, and if the customer is satisfied, then we can ask Gentleman Zhang to do the rest. You can still earn several taels of silver!”
Yu Bo thought about the fact that his family wouldn’t lose out either way, so he consented.
