The more Yu Tang thought about it, the more it seemed right.

Unfortunately, Rizhao was too far from here. Even if she had suspicions, it would be very difficult to verify them. Moreover, calculating the time, that matter had already become a wrongful case. She didn’t know what she could still do.

However, those fifty mu of perpetual tenant land from the Li family were eighty or ninety percent likely meant to launder silver embezzled while serving as magistrate in Rizhao.

She couldn’t sit still anymore.

Li Yi had been magistrate in Rizhao for seven or eight years. If he truly had ill intentions, this certainly wasn’t the only wrongful case, which showed he wasn’t anything good. Now having become a capital official with even greater power, contacting more people and handling more matters, who knew if he would do more unconscionable things?

Speaking of which, their family was also a victim!

If Li Yi hadn’t been an official outside, would the Li family have dared to harbor murderous intentions?

Yu Tang suddenly felt a sense of common cause against the enemy. She felt that not knowing would be one thing, but if she knew and remained indifferent, not using this well to pull the Li family down, how could she face the wrongly deceased Wei Xiaoshan?

She rolled out of bed and called A’Tiao in, saying: “Go ask Steward Hu for me. See when Third Master has time—I have something and would like to see Third Master.”

Among the people Yu Tang knew, only Pei Yan had the ability to verify whether Li Yi had done such things.

She needed Pei Yan’s help.

A’Tiao acknowledged and left. Half an hour later she returned and told her: “The oranges at the Pei family’s estate in Ji’an have ripened. Third Master went to Ji’an to sell oranges. He’ll return tomorrow evening. They asked if your matter is urgent? If it’s urgent, please write a letter to Third Master. If not urgent, wait until Third Master returns to set a time.”

It was urgent, but not so urgent it couldn’t wait a day or half a day.

However, Pei Yan selling oranges… what was that about?

Were oranges coming to market at this time?

Compared to Li Yi’s matter, Yu Tang was more curious about Pei Yan selling oranges.

She said: “Then go tell Steward Hu we’ll set a time after Third Master returns.”

A’Tiao ran off again with quick steps.

Ma Xiuniang had Magpie bring a message wanting to see her, and also invited her to come have lunch at their home.

Yu Tang told Chen Shi, took two silk flowers she’d made, and accompanied by Shuang Tao, went to the Zhang family.

Ma Xiuniang was directing the kitchen woman to braise a pig’s head. Seeing her arrive, she patted her apron and walked out of the kitchen.

As soon as Yu Tang entered the second gate, she smelled a fragrant stewed aroma. She immediately stepped forward, performed a courtesy, and said: “What delicious thing are you making? You even called me from home. Where’s Qing’er? Why don’t I see her? Is brother-in-law home? Did I come at a bad time?”

“Why do you talk so much!” Seeing her smiling face, her little face bright as summer flowers, so beautiful it was dazzling, Ma Xiuniang couldn’t help but pinch her little face before saying: “Since I called you over, naturally there’s nothing inappropriate. Your brother-in-law went to teach at the school and won’t come back for lunch. That little girl Qing’er just knows how to sleep all day like a little pig—don’t worry about her.”

The two talked while walking hand in hand into the house.

Magpie brought in tea and refreshments.

The two sat down in order of precedence. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Ma Xiuniang brought up the reason for inviting her over: “Originally I should have gone to see you, but Qing’er is too young. Since her birth she’s never left me. I’m not comfortable leaving her alone at home, so I called you over. I just wanted to ask you—that matter you mentioned last time about having your brother-in-law help paint designs for your family’s shop, does your family still need help?” Having reached this point, her face turned red.

Yu Tang was overjoyed and hurriedly said: “Yes, yes, yes. We’re just short of design patterns. If brother-in-law can help, that would be wonderful. It just depends whether Elder Sister wants to be paid per piece sold? Or sell them all to our family at once?”

Ma Xiuniang didn’t quite know the difference and wasn’t comfortable asking in detail.

In her previous life, because of Yu Yuan, Yu Tang had paid more attention to the family business and dealt with shop managers. She knew that only by understanding the principle of business being business could one run a business long-term. Since Ma Xiuniang didn’t ask, she spoke first: “Being paid per piece means everyone agrees on how much to split for each lacquerware item sold. For example, if the design is used on a mirror box and the mirror box sells for one tael of silver, then for each one sold, your family gets ten wen. Selling all at once to our family means charging by the painting—however many taels per painting, and our family can use it as we wish. Currently we ask outside masters to paint, and one painting costs about one tael of silver. But brother-in-law is different—he paints well. If he’s willing to sell to our family, our family will naturally pay double. Elder Sister, it depends on what’s convenient for your family. Our family can do either.”

If Ma Xiuniang hadn’t been waiting for silver to use, she wouldn’t have urged Zhang Hui to paint designs for the Yu family. Moreover, Zhang Hui had only agreed to paint twenty pieces for Ma Xiuniang and would paint no more. Besides, who knew if the designs Zhang Hui painted could help the Yu family make money?

Her face grew even redder as she said quietly: “You know about my family’s situation…”

Yu Tang heard and understood the meaning, immediately saying: “Then that’s fine. Just sell them all to our family. I said that because some painters prefer to be paid per piece. Elder Sister has never dealt with these things before, so didn’t I need to explain it clearly to you? Just feel assured and have brother-in-law paint. As for the rest, I’m here!”

Hearing her say this, Ma Xiuniang felt even more embarrassed and said: “Your brother-in-law only plans to paint twenty pieces.”

Yu Tang had also thought Scholar Zhang wouldn’t always do this. She wasn’t disappointed, but rather happy to be able to get Zhang Hui’s paintings. She said: “Twenty pieces is twenty pieces—better than our family not being able to get even one. Elder Sister, when should I come get the paintings?”

Ma Xiuniang laughed and said: “Your brother-in-law just agreed to this after I persuaded him. How could it be that fast? However, you need to tell me properly what kind of designs your family wants, so I can urge your brother-in-law to finish the paintings sooner.”

Yu Tang said: “Elegant objects from the study would be fine.”

Their family didn’t lack designs like Magu Offering Birthday Wishes or Pengzu Ascending the Throne. What they lacked were refined pieces that scholars would like.

Ma Xiuniang smiled and said: “Alright! I understand. Just go home and wait for news.”

Yu Tang expressed thanks repeatedly.

But Ma Xiuniang took Yu Tang’s hand and said with feeling: “I should be the one thanking you.”

This was clearly a matter of mutual benefit, yet Yu Tang acted as if the Yu family had taken great advantage of their household.

Ma Xiuniang suddenly felt very fortunate to have made friends with Yu Tang. But she didn’t know that Yu Tang also felt very fortunate that in this life she hadn’t missed out, and had become good friends with Ma Xiuniang.

Coming out of the Zhang family, Yu Tang went directly to the Yu family shop on Changxing Street.

From afar, she saw Xia Pinggui and Xiang Shi’s dowry maid Xia Lian standing at the shop entrance talking. Xia Lian was even holding a food box.

She guessed Xia Lian had been sent by her sister-in-law to bring lunch to her eldest cousin.

Yu Tang smiled with pressed lips.

The apprentices cooked at the shop, which naturally couldn’t compare to home cooking. Sister-in-law must feel sorry that eldest cousin wasn’t eating well.

When she got closer, she discovered that both Xia Pinggui and Xia Lian’s smiles seemed too brilliant.

A trace of doubt flashed through Yu Tang’s heart.

But upon seeing her, both Xia Pinggui and Xia Lian jumped aside like cats whose tails had been stepped on. Xia Pinggui greeted her with enthusiasm a hundred times more ardent than usual: “Y-Young Lady, you’re here. Are you looking for the proprietor or the young proprietor? The proprietor went to find Master Xiang and hasn’t returned yet. The young proprietor is watching the shop. Shall I take you in?” Having said this, he lowered his eyes and charged inside like a headless fly.

Xia Lian said in a flustered manner “Young Lady, I’ll head back first. I came to bring lunch to the young proprietor. Our young mistress is still waiting for my report,” and ran off in a flash.

Was she that terrifying?

Yu Tang muttered to herself, when suddenly inspiration struck.

Could Xia Pinggui have feelings for Xia Lian…

Her face showed nothing, but the little person in her heart was chuckling away.

In her previous life when she was at the Li family, such things had happened too.

Some of the maids and manservants around her had taken a liking to each other. However, Lin Shi didn’t allow such things to happen in the household, so she sold off both the maid and manservant, saying such things couldn’t set a precedent, otherwise it would be easy for inside and outside to collude and engage in theft.

However, Xia Pinggui and Xia Lian were quite suitable for each other. When the time came, she should remind her sister-in-law. If both people truly had such intentions, better to help them along early to avoid causing trouble that would make everyone lose face.

Yu Tang calmly went to the accounting room where Yu Yuan was resting and told Yu Yuan about Zhang Hui.

Yu Yuan was overjoyed and said: “Do you know why Father went to find Master Xiang? A few days ago Father took on a job—someone wants to order fifty storage chests, but they want designs like the Four Seasons Auspiciousness. Father went to find Master Xiang to paint designs. You know Master Xiang—one design costs at least five taels of silver.”

Hearing this, Yu Tang became anxious: “Then quickly find someone to inform Uncle. If Uncle already negotiated with Master Xiang, it won’t be good to change course. Also, I know about Master Xiang—he’s the most famous design master in Lin’an City. If Master Xiang charges five taels per painting, then Young Master Zhang should charge at least four taels per painting, right?”

Previously the design masters she knew only charged one tael of silver per painting. Who knew Master Xiang would be this expensive?

Yu Yuan hurriedly gave Xia Pinggui instructions, just saying an important guest had arrived at home and to have Yu Bo return quickly. After Xia Pinggui left, he continued discussing this matter with Yu Tang: “We mentioned to Father before that the family’s designs were a bit old. Father knew, but felt more sorry about the silver, always thinking if he could make do for a while, he’d make do. If this time the customer hadn’t specifically requested designs like Four Seasons Auspiciousness, and without them the business couldn’t be done, Father calculated that the profit from this business would just cover Master Xiang’s design fees, and only then did he grit his teeth and go. Otherwise why would he delay until now!”

Yu Tang smiled helplessly.

The siblings drank tea for quite a while before Yu Bo rushed back panting.

“I heard you found a better design master?” he asked as soon as he entered, not even having time to drink a sip of tea.

“Not a design master.” Yu Tang told Yu Bo about Zhang Hui.

Yu Bo was indeed somewhat hesitant, saying: “Young Master Zhang’s paintings are certainly good, but whether they can sell well is hard to say.”

The price of four taels of silver would be even more impossible.

Yu Tang smiled and said: “Since this business can pay for Master Xiang’s design fees, and everyone always says our shop’s designs lack novelty, I think we should first have Young Master Zhang paint a few designs according to that merchant’s wishes. If the customer is satisfied, then we’ll engage Young Master Zhang. You can even earn a few more taels of silver!”

Yu Bo thought his family wouldn’t lose out and agreed.