From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 605: Chapter 607: Several Madams

Jin Qianqian had just finished her work when she heard Housekeeper Fu report that several of the madams from next door had come to visit.

Jin Qianqian found this rather strange. The wives of He Gaofei and the others rarely came over, so it was a surprise to see them arrive together today.

Lichun led them into the courtyard, and Jin Qianqian immediately went to greet them. "Madams, what brings you to my humble home today?"

"Madam, if you say that, aren’t you just trying to shame us?" Lady Wu said with a laugh, covering her mouth. "If you call this a humble home, what should we call our own places?"

Jin Qianqian ushered them into the living room and laughed self-deprecatingly. "My dear ladies, take a look around. I’m down to just a few pieces of furniture. You can’t say it’s not a humble home now, can you?"

The curios on the display shelves had long been packed away in boxes, leaving only the empty shelves standing there, which did indeed look a bit desolate.

Mrs. He glanced around. "All of our houses look like this now.

It’s a good thing we didn’t acquire too much while we were here. Otherwise, this trip back would be a real headache."

Mrs. Lu said, "Even if we didn’t buy that much, it’s amazing how much stuff you accumulate. Once you start packing, it turns out to be quite a lot.

We came over today to ask you, Mrs. Gu, how you plan on transporting so many things back?"

Jin Qianqian didn’t hide anything. "I’ve already sent some things back to Shangjing ahead of time. On this trip, I’m just taking my personal, everyday items. The rest of the miscellaneous things are at my shop, and I’ll have them shipped back in batches."

The other madams looked envious. Lady Wu said, "Mrs. Gu, your family and business are so grand, and you have so many people working for you. You don’t have to worry about these things.

Unlike us, with so few hands to help, we’ll have to find an escort agency to help us this time."

Jin Qianqian now understood the reason for their visit. She had always gotten along reasonably well with them, so she didn’t make things difficult. "As you all know, I have an escort agency. If you trust it, feel free to entrust your non-essential items to them. It’s possible that by the time we reach Shangjing, your belongings will have arrived as well."

"Oh, that would be wonderful! We can rest easy knowing it’s someone we’re familiar with," Lady Wu said. She hadn’t expected Jin Qianqian to be so agreeable, even solving their problem before they had to ask.

"Our husbands have been colleagues for so long. It would be too formal to stand on ceremony.

Have any of you purchased local specialties? If you find them a hassle to carry, the escort agency can take care of all that as well." These past few years, the three deputy officials had been good colleagues, so Jin Qianqian was willing to lend them a hand.

Mrs. He covered her mouth and laughed. "I was planning to go out shopping today, but who knew my husband would beat me to it? He already bought a whole carriage full.

It’s all dried seafood from the region. He even went to your shop, Madam, to ask for a recipe book."

"Mr. He is certainly thoughtful," Jin Qianqian said with a hint of envy. "My husband isn’t nearly so meticulous. You’re very fortunate, Mrs. He."

"Oh, you praise him too much, Mrs. Gu," Mrs. He said, her face unable to hide her delight, though her words were modest. "That’s about the only thing he’s good for. I wouldn’t dare expect anything else from him."

"You don’t know how good you have it," Mrs. Lu said, also looking smug. "My husband went and bought two carriages of local specialties, and then came home demanding praise for it.

He said it was something he should have done anyway, but then he’s asking me for a reward. What kind of sense does that make?"

Lady Wu and Jin Qianqian listened quietly as the other two engaged in their competitive bragging. They both thought to themselves, ’Asking about the escort team was probably just an excuse. It’s more likely they came here to show off.’

Mrs. He hadn’t forgotten her husband’s instructions to stay on good terms with Mrs. Gu. "By the way, Mrs. Gu, have you finished all your packing? If there’s anything you need help with, please don’t hesitate to ask.

We’re all free now, just waiting for the departure day. If you’re too busy to manage everything, just give us the word."

"Yes, just tell us what to do. We can all lend a hand," the other two madams quickly chimed in, clearly having received the same instructions.

Upon their return to the capital, Gu Wenheng, as the Governor, was certain to be commended, and his official rank would surely be raised.

Moreover, he was young and had boundless potential. They certainly weren’t going to pass up a chance to build a good relationship.

With this in mind, ever since their arrival in Lu City, no matter their open rivalries or secret struggles, none of them had dared to cause trouble for Jin Qianqian.

Jin Qianqian replied, "Thank you for your concern, Madams, but I don’t handle these matters myself. I have a housekeeper who takes care of everything.

What would be the point of having so many people in our employ otherwise? One can’t possibly trouble oneself with every little thing."

"You are truly fortunate, Mrs. Gu." Mrs. He had moved past her initial envy and had now learned to adapt, with flattering words rolling right off her tongue. "With so many capable people under you, life must be incredibly comfortable."

Jin Qianqian replied, "...You madams are hardly lacking yourselves. The people around you are all experts, each one doing the work of two."

"Let’s not just stand here flattering each other," Mrs. Lu said, her face full of anticipation as she looked at Jin Qianqian. "Our household affairs are all settled. I heard that Mr. Gu is planning to take the other gentlemen out sea fishing. I was wondering if we might have the honor of accompanying them."

As women of the inner quarters, they rarely stepped outside their homes, their greatest pastime being to attend various banquets.

How could they not be tempted by such a wonderful opportunity to go out and see the world?

"Really? How come I haven’t heard my husband mention it?" Mrs. He looked astonished. "I’ve long heard about their bountiful catch from a few years ago and have been dreaming of it ever since.

If it’s really happening, Mrs. Gu, please take us with you so we can see it for ourselves."

Jin Qianqian replied, "I haven’t heard anything about this myself. But if they really are planning to go to sea, they certainly can’t leave us behind."

Mrs. Lu chimed in, "Exactly! We’ve come all the way to this seaside city. If we don’t get to experience the ocean, we’ll have nothing to brag about when we get back. We’re supposed to be sophisticated people who have seen the world, after all."

Lady Wu was so amused she covered her mouth with her hand. "Then we absolutely must go and see it, so we’ll have stories to tell for three days and three nights when we get back."

"Oh no, not me. Talking that long would make my mouth go dry," Mrs. Lu said, laughing and pointing at her. "When we go to banquets together, we can take turns. You say a line, I say a line, and that way our throats won’t feel like they’re on fire."

"That’s not a bad idea," Jin Qianqian added with a laugh. "We could even rehearse it beforehand. Each of us could tell a short piece of the story. We might even rival the storytellers in the teahouses. Just thinking about it is amusing."

The image appeared in all their minds, and they couldn’t help but cover their mouths and laugh.

They also knew it was just talk. If it came down to it, none of them would have the nerve to actually do it.