The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 280: The Shop in Fucheng

Because Qin Qingyou took the best roads.

The carriage sped along the way, and Tong Huaqiong and others sitting inside hardly felt any bumps.

Tong Huaqiong, after having lunch, took a nap in the carriage.

In a daze, a burst of noise seeped into her ears.

"Mom, wake up, we’ve reached the capital city."

Gu Taohua gave Tong Huaqiong a gentle push.

Tong Huaqiong opened her eyes and saw Liu Yueer, Chen Sufen, and Man Er Yaozu all lifting the curtain to look outside.

"We’re here already." Tong Huaqiong stretched lazily, sipping a cup of strong tea.

Just like in her previous life, Tong Huaqiong would feel sleepy as soon as she got in a carriage.

This was her first time in the capital city, the legendary big city, and after finishing her strong tea, Tong Huaqiong became excited and moved to the window, lifting the curtain to look outside.

A majestic blue city wall came into view.

She saw people coming in and out of the city gate.

"We’re about to enter the city," Gu Taohua said.

In this era, city management was strict; one couldn’t enter or exit freely, especially since they were coming from out of town to the capital city, requiring travel permits.

Qin Qingyou drove the carriage to the bottom of the city wall, handed over the travel permit, and the person waved them through after a glance.

"That was quite simple. I thought they’d make us get down and search us," Liu Yueer said, patting her chest.

Gu Taohua replied, "I heard it used to be like that; outsiders needed to not only have a travel permit but also give some silver to the gatekeeper, otherwise they’d be taken as spies from Beiliang and caught, forcing you to pay more. They say when Lord Yao came, he was almost captured as a Beiliang spy because he didn’t give any silver, which made him furious. Later, he beheaded the garrison captain, and since then, no one dares to demand silver anymore when people enter the city."

Tong Huaqiong clicked her tongue in admiration; this Lord Yao seemed like someone who got things done.

If she ever met him again, she thought she must cling to Lord Yao’s coattails. At the very least, when Gu Jingzhe pursues an official career, following him could lead her on the right path.

The carriage entered the city.

Tong Huaqiong looked outside through the curtain; the city wall of the capital was grand, and the inside was equally impressive.

The roads were wide and broad, able to accommodate three or four carriages side by side, all paved with bluestone bricks.

Even nearing dusk, the roadside was still filled with various vendors, bustling with voices and activity.

In contrast, if it were dusk at Yan Guan Town, half of the town would already be empty.

The capital city, also called Ning City, had a booming economy and a lax curfew; some say certain taverns could operate all night.

The carriage continued forward, passing by rows of taverns and teahouses, with clerks warmly greeting passersby with white towels draped over their shoulders.

Every teahouse seemed filled with patrons, with storytellers passionately recounting tales.

"Look, that dancing sister is so beautiful," Man Er pointed excitedly to the opposite side, leaning out joyfully.

Tong Huaqiong followed Man Er’s pointed direction.

It was a barbarian tavern, with a barbarian girl dancing in a swirl at the entrance, her blue skirt flying in all directions with her twirls, looking gorgeous.

Beside her, two other barbarians were playing drums and strings.

"Wow, the barbarian girl is indeed beautiful, and her eyes are blue!" Chen Sufen exclaimed in amazement.

"Doesn’t she get dizzy spinning like that?" Liu Yueer asked curiously.

"We’ll have to visit a barbarian tavern sometime and try the barbarian cuisine to see what it tastes like," Tong Huaqiong said.

"Look, that person is amazing, swallowing and breathing fire!" Yaozu shouted in awe.

Ahead, a high platform was set up where an acrobat troupe was performing.

A man was exhibiting a fire swallowing act, drawing continuous cheers from the crowd below.

Yaozu, eager and envious, pleaded, "Grandma, I want to watch."

Tong Huaqiong replied, "Let’s go to the store first; later, your dad will take you and Man Er to see."

Yaozu pouted a bit.

Liu Yueer, itching to get off the carriage to stroll since they entered the city, but more eager to see Gu Dashu earlier, addressed her son, "Listen to your grandma. It’s not like you’re not allowed to watch. There’s no one to take you now; what if you run into a kidnapper and get taken away?"

Upon hearing about kidnappers, Yaozu obediently closed his mouth.

"Boss, turning the corner and we’ll be there," Qin Qingyou turned his head to inform Tong Huaqiong.

The shop in the capital was on Pearl Alley.

It’s said that a princess of the previous dynasty, en route to her marriage alliance with Beiliang, lost a pearl hairpin when passing by Ning City, and the place where she dropped it was named Pearl Alley henceforth.

Soon, a bustling street came into Tong Huaqiong’s sight.

It was busier and more crowded than any street she had seen earlier, with more people and denser shops.

This couldn’t be called an alley; a block or street would be more fitting.

Opening the shop on Pearl Alley was Tong Huaqiong’s idea; she said if opening a shop in the capital, it naturally should be in the most bustling area.

Competition in the capital city was fiercer than in Yan Guan Town and Pingchuan County; as the saying goes, even fragrant wine fears no dark alley, and since Taohua Dessert was new to the place, it couldn’t hide in a secluded spot; otherwise, how could it establish its reputation?

Of course, opening a shop in the most bustling area came with high rent, and labor costs in the capital were also high.

Tong Huaqiong spared no expense.

Regarding this, Tong Huaqiong was quite open-minded.

In business? There must always be an investment.

"Mom, we’re here," Gu Taohua said.

Qin Qingyou tightened the reins, and the carriage stopped in front of a shop.

The curtain lifted, and Gu Dashu, He Chao, and Hong Xiaoxi came up to greet them.

"Mom."

"Boss."

Gu Dashu and others spoke one after another, unable to hide their joy on their faces.

Tong Huaqiong got off the carriage, facing a grand and bright shop with the sign of Taohua Dessert already hanging up.

Tong Huaqiong was quite satisfied with it.

He Chao and Gu Dashu ushered Tong Huaqiong and the others into the shop, served tea, and reported on their work.

Tong Huaqiong took a sip of tea and said, "You all have worked hard. After the shop opens, there will be rewards for everyone."

Hong Xiaoxi said with a smile, "It’s not hard at all, thanks to the boss, I got to come to the capital and broaden my horizons."

Most of the new shop’s clerks in the capital were hired on site.

Everyone was unfamiliar with these new clerks, so a known person had to be stationed as overseer.

When He Chao discussed with Tong Huaqiong about whom to place in the capital, Tong Huaqiong suggested transferring Hong Xiaoxi over.

With months of observation, Tong Huaqiong found Hong Xiaoxi to be clever and thorough in his considerations, with plans to train him and perhaps promote him to the shopkeeper of the capital store later.

The perceptive Hong Xiaoxi, aware of Tong Huaqiong’s intentions, was full of gratitude and swore not to disappoint her, aiming to become a shopkeeper soon.

"Boss, these are the clerks of our shop."

He Chao gathered the clerks to meet with Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong trusted He Chao to handle things, and these people seemed clever or honest.

However, how they ultimately perform would only be seen when the shop officially opens.

"... Since you are clerks of Taohua Dessert, I won’t demand that you work here for life. Come and go as you please, mutually choosing each other; Taohua Dessert will not mistreat you. I have only one request: If you ever decide not to work at Taohua Dessert, you must notify in advance; never betray us," Tong Huaqiong said.

The clerks all promised to serve Taohua Dessert and dared not betray it.