Lucky Farmer Girl: I rely on metaphysics to support my family

Chapter 868 Vegetarian Cuisine
The courtyard was indeed just as the broker had said, and it suited me perfectly.

Tang Wan made a quick decision and decided to buy it.

After carefully examining the house and land deeds, I paid a deposit and received the keys to the yard.

After thanking the broker, Tang Wan said to Zhu Xi, "Go to the brokerage and process the indentures for those three people we previously arranged—Shi Lei, Zhao Da, and Wang Chuan—and bring them here. Once they arrive, let them rest in the side room. I have other instructions."

Without asking any further questions, he simply replied "Yes" and hurriedly left.

After Zhu Xi left, only Tang Wan and Er Ya remained. Tang Wan didn't need to hide anything; she directly put all the food from her space into the warehouse.

Tang Wan was busy distributing the grain, and Er Ya couldn't help, so she asked Er Ya to buy some daily necessities for the three newly hired people.

After all, no one lives in this courtyard, and there isn't even a bedding in the house.

Finally, after Tang Wan finished storing the grain, she set up a formation outside the warehouse, making it impossible for ordinary people to break in.

After Zhu Xi returned with his men, Tang Wan greeted them and said calmly, "You'll be spending most of your time here from now on. Your job is to escort goods north. We'll let you know the specific departure time and what you're transporting later. For now, settle down in this courtyard. Zhu Xi will explain the rules to you, and your daily necessities will be delivered soon."

Several people looked at Tang Wan respectfully.

Tang Wan paused, her tone slightly somber, and emphasized, "What you see, hear, or do here, once you leave this room, you are not allowed to mention it. If you do well, you will have a long-term livelihood in the future; if you have ulterior motives or can't control your mouth, the consequences are not what you want to see."

The three men quickly nodded and assured him, "Don't worry, boss, we know our limits! We will definitely follow the rules!"

Tang Wan nodded and said to Zhu Xi, "Take them to their rooms to settle in first, and explain their daily needs. Er Ya will go buy some things and bring them over in a little while."

By the time Er Ya returned with the things, it was already quite late.

After everything was settled, Tang Wan hurriedly returned to the silk shop with her two maids, bought two bolts of coarse linen at random, and then went to find a coachman to return to the Tang family home together.

Over the next two days, Tang Wan continued to study with Wang Shi as usual, but instructed Er Ya to visit the newly purchased courtyard from time to time.

Er Ya didn't talk much, but she would report everything to Tang Wan in detail every day.

Two days later, Tang Wan found an excuse to say that there was a famous vegetarian restaurant in the south of the city, and she wanted to try it with her sister and also buy some snacks for her family to try.

Lady Wang, feeling sorry for her daughter who rarely went out to relax after returning to the capital, agreed to let her go.

At this moment, Tang Wan couldn't help but sigh that it was still more convenient in the northern desert. She only needed to inform the authorities before going out, without having to go through the trouble of finding any reason. The capital city was still inconvenient.

Despite the facts, the things that need to be done still need to be done.

With Wang's permission, Tang Jing and her sister went out together to try the famous vegetarian cuisine.

Inside the carriage, Tang Jing seemed quite interested, lifting the curtain to look at the street scene and talking to Tang Wan about the needlework patterns she had recently learned and which shop had received new Hangzhou silk.

Tang Wan listened with a smile, but her mind was preoccupied with what was happening in her own courtyard.

When we arrived at the vegetarian restaurant, it was indeed elegant and quiet, with not many customers.

The two sisters asked for a small private room by the window and ordered several of the signature vegetarian dishes and soups. The dishes were exquisite, with a light and delicious flavor. Tang Jing was satisfied with her meal and repeatedly said that she would bring her mother to try it next time.

Tang Wan also offered a few words of praise, but her thoughts gradually drifted away.

She discreetly observed the restaurant's layout and the customers, pondering how to find a suitable excuse to leave.

Seeing that they had almost finished eating, Tang Jing took out a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her mouth and smiled, "This vegetarian food is indeed as good as its reputation. Wan'er, it's rare for us to come out. I heard that a new embroidery shop has opened nearby, with the latest and most fashionable designs. Why don't we go and take a look? I'd like to pick out some silk thread to embroider a new sachet for you."

Tang Wan's heart skipped a beat; her opportunity had arrived.

A hint of apology and hesitation crossed her face as she said softly, "Sister, I wanted to go with you. But during dinner just now, I suddenly remembered that before returning to the capital, an old friend from the northern desert asked me to help her find a rare medicinal herb in the capital, saying it was for making pills for her elderly relative. I promised, but I've been so busy these past few days that I almost forgot. I heard that only one old pharmacy in the west of the city might sell it, and it's not too far from here."

She frowned slightly, showing that she was quite concerned about the matter, and continued, "If we don't go today, I'm afraid it will be delayed indefinitely, and it's never good to break our promise. What do you think, sister?"

After listening, Tang Jing pondered for a moment and then said, "Since it's an important matter that I promised someone, I should naturally go. Then let Uncle Li accompany you. The embroidery shop isn't far away; I can walk there."

"The pharmacy is in a quiet alley; going there by carriage would only attract attention. Isn't Sister going to the embroidery shop? If I buy the medicine and it's still early, I'll go to the embroidery shop to find you; if it's late, I'll go straight back to the manor so you won't have to wait too long. Is that alright?"

Tang Jing had grown accustomed to Tang Wan's arrangements while in the northern desert and felt they were appropriate, so she didn't insist further. She only instructed, "Then be careful. Once you've bought the medicine, come back or find me as soon as possible. Zhu Xi, Er Ya, you two must keep a close eye on the Second Miss."

Zhu Xi and Er Ya bowed and replied, "Don't worry, Miss, we will stay by your side at all times."

So the two sisters parted ways at the entrance of the vegetarian restaurant.

Tang Jing led her maids and servants to the embroidery shop to the east, while Tang Wan led Zhu Xi, turned around and joined the flow of people to the west. After walking a short distance, they turned into the alleyway full of brokers.

This time, her goal was clearer.

A caravan cannot consist of only three escorts; it also needs people who can handle miscellaneous tasks, take care of livestock, and even help with loading and unloading.

This time, Tang Wan went to the same dental clinic as before.

Upon seeing her, the broker immediately greeted her with a smile: "Miss, you've come again? Are you satisfied with those three from last time? What kind of manpower do you need today?"

Tang Wan nodded slightly: "They are still suitable. Let's pick a few more today. They need to be quick and efficient, honest and hardworking, preferably with experience in driving carriages or feeding horses, or those who are used to physical labor. They shouldn't be too old, and they should be physically strong."

Upon hearing Tang Wan's request, the broker readily agreed and then led her to the backyard to choose a person.

This time, Tang Wan observed more carefully, asked several questions, and finally selected five people: two men around thirty years old, one of whom had worked as a helper at a roadside inn and knew how to take care of livestock; the other said he was strong and could do any kind of rough work. The other three were younger, between seventeen or eighteen and early twenties, all from poor families, and looked honest and upright with clear eyes.

Tang Wan didn't say anything more and readily paid the money to complete the contracts for the five people.

Tang Wan took Zhu Xi directly back to the embroidery shop on the street where she had arranged to meet her sister Tang Jing, while Er Ya was responsible for taking the five people to the courtyard in Elm Alley and settling them in.

Tang Wan and Tang Jing returned to the Tang family home and heard some unexpected news.

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