Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2586: Chapter 2587: The Right Candidate

The matter of Hui Zi quickly spread throughout Kyoto. In the circles of the young gentlemen, someone claimed to have had a brief encounter with Hui Zi and made her a laughingstock. For a time, her reputation was even more tainted, and this also affected Kui Shou Duwian, who was engaged to her, leading to much ridicule. Enraged, Duwian sent a divorce paper to Hui Zi’s family, intending to cancel the engagement.

Hui Zi and Duwian had acted indiscreetly in public, further damaging her reputation, making it impossible for Hui Zi to find a husband. Naturally, her father was unwilling to accept this and persistently clung to Duwian, even taking legal action, demanding a hefty compensation to break off the engagement. Duwian refused, and this incident became a laughingstock in Kyoto once again.

When Bai Ruozhu heard the news, she couldn’t help but laugh. ”No wonder Hui Zi has such a character, it’s not unrelated to her father’s upbringing.”

”At this point, they’re still digging their own graves. I really can’t take their family seriously,” Fo Lanying said disdainfully.

On the other hand, Yaxi’s mother learned that Hui Zi had previously accused Yaxi of conspiring with Bai Ruozhu during the poetry competition to harm her. She grew angry and soon began to openly and subtly reveal some information. Judges who witnessed the indiscretion between Hui Zi and Duwian at the poetry competition all stepped forward to confirm that Hui Zi was not a virgin at that time.

Now Hui Zi’s reputation was utterly ruined. In the She Family’s residence, She Zongyi had an unpleasant look on his face as he said to his eldest son, ”That Hui Zi is truly useless. I thought she might have some brains after you spent a few days with her, but to think she had done such things in the past and got found out, it’s truly disgraceful!”

”Father, don’t mention it. I’ve often been mocked recently, but I really didn’t have any improper relations with her. She just pestered me for a few days, and I found it amusing, so we just had tea and meals together a few times,” the young master said earnestly.

She Zongyi glanced at his son, ”It’s good that you didn’t. Even if you did sleep with her, it doesn’t matter. But remember, women like her are just for play; they are never allowed in our family.”

”Why would I take a liking to such a shameless woman?” The young master was a bit flustered, but in his mind, he couldn’t help but think of Bai Ruozhu’s unattainable noble face. It’s such women that attract him, but unfortunately...

He had already inquired and found out Bai Ruozhu had poisoned his father with poisonous insect poison, almost killing him. He absolutely had to dismiss such thoughts.

She Zongyi probably noticed that his son’s mind was unsettled recently, furrowing his brows as he said, ”I previously asked you to approach her merely to toy with her, so don’t get too attached. Women are merely playthings; don’t forget your important matters.”

”Yes, father.”

...

In the posthouse, Bai Ruozhu was cooking in the kitchen, with Yizi and Teng Ya assisting her, while Gong Feng helped to stoke the fire.

”Ruozhu, come here for a moment.” Jiang Yichun’s voice came from outside, and Bai Ruozhu turned to Teng Ya, saying, ”You take care of the pot, I’ll go out and have a look.”

She returned to the room, where Jiang Yichun pulled her aside and asked, ”Where did you keep those medicine salves? I promised to give some more to the astrologer.”

Upon hearing this, Bai Ruozhu took out a considerable amount of medicine salves. ”She helped us out before, give all this to her.”

Jiang Yichun smiled, ”My wife is truly generous.”

”Of course, I’m always generous to my own people,” Bai Ruozhu said proudly.

The two chatted for a few more minutes but forgot about the food on the stove. When Bai Ruozhu remembered and rushed back to the kitchen, Teng Ya wasn’t there; Yizi was watching from the side, and Gong Feng was actually serving the food.

”The ingredients were delivered outside, Teng Ya went to verify them. I don’t know how to cook, so Gong Feng took over,” Yizi explained simply.

Bai Ruozhu glanced at the dishes being served; they had a great appearance and aroma, and the sauce was reduced well. She couldn’t tell that Gong Feng could cook.

”Gong Feng has quite the skill,” Bai Ruozhu praised.

Gong Feng shyly smiled, ”I’ve watched the master cook often, so I learned a bit.”

”You couldn’t cook before?” Bai Ruozhu asked in surprise, noting how he had grasped the timing and sauce reduction in just a few days. His insight was indeed outstanding.

”I don’t remember if I could cook before. I just focused on learning a bit. I also added that powder with fish and shrimp flavoring, thinking it would enhance the taste.” Gong Feng pointed to the flavored broth powder on the countertop.

Bai Ruozhu was even more pleased, ”Then you make the next dish. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t turn out well, give it a try.”

”Alright.”

Very soon, Gong Feng had whipped up another dish. At this point, Teng Ya had also returned, and she and Yizi were both dumbfounded. They had followed Bai Ruozhu for quite some time but didn’t have such insight, while Gong Feng’s culinary skills were truly impressive.

”Let’s have a taste,” Bai Ruozhu handed them chopsticks to try it out. She quickly nodded approvingly and said, ”It’s very good.”

Yizi and Teng Ya praised it enthusiastically, with Yizi insisting, ”He must have known how to cook before. Otherwise, it’s too much of a blow to us.”

Bai Ruozhu laughed, ”Demons don’t need to eat; there’s no need for him to learn cooking before, right? I think his insight into cooking and taste is extraordinarily high.”

Teng Ya covered her face, ”This is so discouraging! I used to learn to cook with my mother under the boat, but it wasn’t as good as what he learned in just a few days. It’s not fair!”

Gong Feng smiled gently, ”You’re flattering me.”

Bai Ruozhu’s eyes twinkled; she wanted to do a flavored broth powder business in Fusang but didn’t want to randomly find partners. Gong Feng was a perfect choice!

First, Gong Feng was simple-minded, without much background, making him more trustworthy than an average family.

Secondly, as a demon, Gong Feng had the ability to protect himself; as long as he didn’t commit evil, with the astrologer family’s protection, no one could easily harm him. Giving the astrologer family a 20% bonus would suffice.

Moreover, even if Gong Feng wanted to keep all the money he made, Bai Ruozhu didn’t mind. Her primary goal was to affect She Zongyi’s earnings; as long as She Zongyi couldn’t make money, it didn’t matter whether she profited or not.

Thinking this way, Bai Ruozhu decided to let Gong Feng handle the rest of the cooking and went back to the room to discuss it with Jiang Yichun.

”I think with Gong Feng’s insight and culinary skills, we can open a ’Welcome’ restaurant branch,” Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.

Jiang Yichun nodded, ”I had thought of suggesting you open a restaurant before, but the Fusang people can’t cook Zhongyuan dishes, and I didn’t want you to work too hard, so I dropped the idea. With Gong Feng managing it now, he can train some chefs, and it should be fine.”

”Besides, if he keeps busy, he’ll realize his self-worth and won’t have wild thoughts. Demons, like humans, shouldn’t have too much free time at a young age,” Bai Ruozhu said.

”It’s just that Fusang is too far from Zhongyuan; we won’t be able to help him in the future. We’ll have to rely on the astrologers,” Jiang Yichun remarked.

”That’s why I’m planning to give a 20% bonus to the astrologer family,” Bai Ruozhu immediately said.

Jiang Yichun laughed aloud, ”You know, everyone says you’re particularly generous. When it comes to giving bonuses, you always start at 20%, unlike other merchants who typically begin at 5%.”