The Lady's Sickly Husband

C27. Dock, Soft as Jade

Reminded by Ning Shaoqing, Mo Qianxue's face was suddenly tinted with worry. She also wanted to purchase more beans, but she didn't have the money!

Ning Shaoqing seemed to have already known what's on her mind, laughing slightly, "One kilogram of beans costs one cent; tofu sells at five cents per kilogram. Why not notify the villagers to exchange one kilogram of tofu with three kilograms of beans?"

Mo Qianxue's eyes were lit up. What a great idea!

Three kilograms of beans for one kilogram of tofu. The villagers could get a two-cents' discount per kilogram, a small number, though, it could draw the villagers to their side, gain good reputation while increase the replacement rate and stock of beans.

She had promised Baiyunju that she wouldn't sell tofu, but she didn't say it couldn't be used for exchange of beans. Besides, the trading would be within the village, so she didn't worry that the seventh young lord might blame her.

"Then I will ask someone to visit the villagers one by one?"

"Fool. You only need to visit village head and send some tofu to him and elders. There you reveal the news to them. Then, naturally, there will be people coming to you voluntarily for the exchange. You don't have to waste your energy in the repeated knocking at doors and begging."

Ning Shaoqing shook his head with a smile. He couldn't know why a shrewd person suddenly turned foolish.

What he had no idea of was that in modern business circle, delivery-to-door, pay-upon-delivery and a series of other services would be advantages for a brand. Mo Qianxue just didn't get used to this business model in the ancient time.

"After sorting out the business within the village and getting back some money, then you can find another person to collect beans in other villages..." Ning Shaoqing enjoyed his meal while putting forward ideas for her. By only a few sentences, he solved the big problem that had been on her mind.

Indeed, she should find a person to concentrate on collecting beans. Later in the future, when she began to make soy sauce, the demand on beans would be higher.

*

The weather turned cold suddenly.

Since Ning Shaoqing fell ill last time, he and Mo Qianxue got less distant and alienated, closer and more intimate.

Ning Shaoqing often asked her about the tofu business, gave her some advice, and often chatted with her. Even for some time, he would help her add a few firewood to the kitchen fire.

Such life made Mo Qianxue really comfortable. But for the two-year-deadline, which pressed on her mind like a huge stone, she would believe her life was perfect.

The nicer Ning Shaoqing was to her, the more she wanted to make more money and find a doctor for him.

Ning Shaoqing also asked her about the diagnosis the last doctor gave. She coaxed him that the doctor said his body had no big problems already and would be totally well after taking the seven doses of medicine. He seemed to believe.

Of course, she wouldn't tell Ning Shaoqing the two-year-deadline. She was afraid that he might have too heavy mental burden which would do further harm to his health.

*

The morning sun was rising, granting radiance to the world. Mo Qianxue was walking on the trails in the mountain at the back of the village. She took a deep breath. The air in ancient time was so fresh.

She heard that the dock near the mountain was going to finishing construction. A few days ago, Mo Qianxue had wanted to take a look at the dock, but she didn't able to do so due to Ning Shaoqing's opposition.