CHAPTER 324: CHAPTER 324: IF ONLY SHE WERE HIS WIFE

The two government officers pointed at Liu Hongwang and that couple.

"Hurry up and leave, otherwise don’t blame us for being rude!"

Liu Hongwang left in disgrace with the old couple, his unwillingness becoming more apparent.

Pei Shu’er felt very grateful to these two just government officers.

Immediately, she had people pack a lot of pastries for them to take back and enjoy.

The government officers had long heard about these pastries, but they cost five wen each, and they couldn’t bring themselves to buy them. Now, getting them for free made them naturally happy.

After tasting a bite, they immediately joyfully tucked the pastries away.

With such delicious pastries, they had to bring some home for their children to try.

The fame of this pastry shop was growing, drawing many to it.

Besides coming to buy pastries, some people also heard that they could set up warm hearths here.

They didn’t previously know what these warm hearths were, but after Lin Wei’s family set them up and invited relatives and friends over,

everyone, once they sat on the warm hearth, immediately didn’t want to leave.

After hearing that they could get warm hearths here, they brought their families, knowing how cold Su County could be otherwise.

Pei Shu’er charged the same for everyone, one tael of silver per warm hearth.

Of course, if there was something she liked, she could trade it, as business is all about mutual consent.

The hearth setup team went out again for more work, and when they returned, Pei Shu’er issued their wages.

Upon seeing the amount, they repeatedly waved their hands.

"Young Madam, we can’t accept this."

Pei Shu’er smiled and said, "Take it; it’s what you deserve."

They accepted the money and felt joy in their hearts.

These days, Pei Shu’er also earned plenty; the kitchen operated non-stop, and the pastries sold out quickly.

The daily income was thirty taels of silver, much better than the one or two taels earned daily at the Deserted Mountain.

Pei Shu’er was so content here she was reluctant to leave, but Zhang Chao delivered a message.

"Young Madam, the General wants you to return."

Pei Shu’er nodded, recalling what she had told Tang Zan about just fetching something and returning, feeling a bit guilty.

Even though she sent food to Tang Zan from the kitchen, he might only see the food without her presence, which would cause him some grievance.

The hearth setup team and pastry makers stayed at the shop while Pei Shu’er planned to return herself.

Lin Yu hesitated, "Young Madam, let me escort you back; it’s too dangerous for you alone."

Pei Shu’er replied, "No need, there are still a few people with me."

Lin Yu said, "They don’t have the martial power to protect you."

"I’ll take Sister back," Yan Huan Yu stood at the entrance of the pastry shop, looking like a gentle younger brother with his bright smile.

He smiled and said, "With me here, you don’t have to worry, Sister."

Lin Yu’s expression darkened, and he remained silent.

Pei Shu’er advised Yinxing to handle management here in the future, but Lin Yu would be in charge of security.

Those who build hearths could also be tasked with other work if they weren’t busy with hearth setups.

Pei Shu’er quietly told Yinxing, "Keep an eye on the kitchen to prevent leaks; someone will surely try to get their hands on the recipes."

After speaking, Pei Shu’er told Lin Yu, "Don’t let any idle people near the kitchen."

Pei Shu’er already noticed several suspicious characters lurking around.

Both Lin Yu and Yinxing nodded.

Just as Pei Shu’er was about to leave, she noticed Yinxing wearing only a wooden hairpin, and recalling the jewelry in her possession, she took out a golden hairpin and placed it in Yinxing’s hair.

The golden hairpin was butterfly-shaped, enhancing Yinxing’s appearance significantly when worn.

"Our Yinxing is truly beautiful."

Yinxing blushed, instinctively glancing at Lin Yu.

Lin Yu was looking at Pei Shu’er, causing Yinxing’s eyes to dim as she forced a smile.

After advising everyone and establishing some rules, Pei Shu’er boarded the carriage, intending to purchase some goods in the city to take back.

Pei Shu’er bought candied hawthorns.

She also purchased fine fabrics and some women’s clothing, including a water-blue silk jacket and cape, which she thought suited Tang Qingning well.

As for the light purple one, Pei Shu’er decided to give it to Liu Xu.

She also purchased items for the two little ones and her father-in-law.

Pei Shu’er visited a jewelry shop but found nothing exquisite enough compared to what she already had, so she bought nothing.

She purchased various other miscellaneous goods to make extracting unique items from her own collection appear less conspicuous.

She filled two carts with goods, spending only twenty taels of silver.

Yan Huan Yu was driving the carriage outside, initially coughing lightly, but then his coughing got worse.

Pei Shu’er said, "Fengqing, come inside and rest for a bit?"

"Cough, no need, cough." He coughed violently, as if he were about to cough up his lungs.

Pei Shu’er said, "Come inside; if you keep coughing, your injuries will only get worse."

Yan Huan Yu had a wound on his abdomen, and Pei Shu’er noticed it had reopened.

She was speechless, "Didn’t I ask my sister-in-law to change your bandages?"

Yan Huan Yu replied, "It reopened on the way to Su County while I was driving the carriage."

Pei Shu’er’s head ached, "Why did you come to Su County?"

Yan Huan Yu knew that if he said he came specifically to pick up Pei Shu’er, she would distance herself from him.

He smiled and said, "My shoes are worn out, and I have no shoes to wear, so I came to the city to buy a few pairs and some other things during this time."

Pei Shu’er sighed, "If you had told me earlier, I would have brought them back for you. Come over here; let me tend to your wound."

Yan Huan Yu’s eyes brightened, and he quickly moved closer to Pei Shu’er.

The carriage bumped along, but Pei Shu’er’s hand was steady. As a doctor’s habit, she scolded Yan Huan Yu a bit.

"You need to be more careful in the future. I’m not always available, so take care of your own health."

Yan Huan Yu listened with bright eyes, "I’ll definitely take good care of myself from now on."

After treating the wound, Yan Huan Yu felt a bit lost, wishing he were more severely injured.

He had intentionally reopened the wound just to be closer to Pei Shu’er.

Now, Pei Shu’er was a bit annoyed, and if he used this trick again, she might grow weary of him.

Yet Pei Shu’er always gave him an elusive feeling, treating him only as a little brother, offering care but no romantic feelings.

He felt discouraged and burdened.

If only she could become his wife.

At this thought, his heart began to beat faster.