NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 44
It was not an easy task for the nine masters and three aunties of the Li Manor, together with all the servants and maids, amounting to several dozen people, to prepare everything in less than half a month.
"Does Hua Steward have any good ideas?" As soon as Li Xia asked, Hua Steward immediately proposed a plan after Li Xia mentioned the banquet. "Have outside people make the servants' clothes while concentrating our manpower on making clothes for the masters."
"That's a solution. Which shop in the city can provide these clothes within 10 days?"
"The Cloud Clothing Store, where the manor usually buys fabrics, offers this service. If we pay them enough, they work very quickly," Hua Steward pondered and said.
"All right, Hua Steward, first tally how many sets of clothes our servants need. Then visit a few fabric stores today. Tomorrow, give me at least three stores' quotes for making the clothes, including fabric quality, completion time, and price." Li Xia's words made Hua Steward's heart skip a beat. She wondered if Li Xia had found out about her accepting gifts from the manager of the Cloud Clothing Store.
The Cloud Clothing Store made good business by making servants' clothes for various manors. The fabric didn't need to be of high quality, nor did the craftsmanship need to be exceptional – ordinary seamstresses could handle it. Making clothes in bulk for servants was just as profitable as making clothes for ladies. To secure business, the Cloud Clothing Store would give gifts to stewards of different manors every season, hoping they would put in a good word for them in front of their masters. Hua Steward had learned that other manors accepted these gifts, so she did too.
Little did she know that Li Xia was simply recalling how her neighbor's aunt in her previous life liked to compare at least three stores before making a purchase, saying it would prevent being overcharged. Li Xia just said it without meaning to scare Hua Steward.
With a guilty conscience, Hua Steward diligently visited all the renowned fabric stores in Liuzhou and worked overnight on a plan.
The next day, with red eyes, she presented Li Xia with a price comparison of five embroidery shops and fabric stores that could complete the Li Manor's order within the specified time.
All five shops provided details on the fabrics they would use, completion time, and total cost. Through the comparison, Hua Steward discovered that the Cloud Clothing Store quoted the highest price, but their fabrics and styles were no better than the others, and were simple.
After reviewing the information, Li Xia circled the two stores with decent prices and reputations and took Hua Steward to see Mrs. Lu.
"Mother, the sewing room needs to make clothes for everyone in the manor, but there is not enough time. Hua Steward suggests outsourcing the servants' clothes. I think it's a good idea. Here is a table Hua Steward has painstakingly compiled with prices, completion times, and fabric details from five reputable shops in the city. Please take a look," Li Xia said, handing the comparison table to Mrs. Lu. Hua Steward had listed the information from all five shops in a table, making it clear and easy to compare.
Mrs. Lu noticed that two shops were circled and looked at Li Xia, "These two are your choices?"
"After comprehensive comparison, I think these two are decent, so I circled them. But I'll leave the final decision to you, Mother," Li Xia said openly, not minding Mrs. Lu's complex gaze.
Mrs. Lu withdrew her gaze and pointed to one of the two circled shops. "Let's go with this one."
Li Xia and Hua Steward both noticed that Mrs. Lu pointed to one of the shops Li Xia had circled, so they understood what to do.
Everyone in the Li Manor busied themselves. On the day of the banquet, the masters all wore new, luxurious outfits, and the servants dressed in new clothes to welcome the guests.
Li Ming, accompanied by Li Hui, Li Chou, and Li Guang, greeted the lords, young masters, and gentlemen from various manors. Mrs. Lu, along with Li Xin, Li Xia, and Li Shan, welcomed the ladies and young misses. They were led to the Spring Courtyard, the courtyard closest to the flower garden. Its spacious area was perfect for hosting banquets.
The Spring Courtyard was connected to the flower garden by a covered walkway, providing shelter from the sun. The walkway had chairs where guests could rest if they became weary. At intervals along the walkway were pavilions with tea, snacks, and maids and servants in attendance to serve the guests' needs.
As the hostess of the Li Manor, Li Xin led the young ladies in appreciating the flowers and chatting, trying her best to accommodate each one. Li Xia followed behind Li Xin, smiling until her face felt stiff. Although there were minor oversights, the banquet was largely successful. After it ended, Li Xia went straight to her bed, utterly exhausted.
When Auntie Mei entered, she saw Li Xia asleep on the bed, even snoring. This girl must have truly overexerted herself today. Auntie Mei removed Li Xia's shoes, and Qiu Ju brought water. Auntie Mei wiped Li Xia's face, hands, and feet clean, removed her outer garments, covered her with a blanket, and then left.
The next day, when Li Xia went to pay her respects to Mrs. Lu, she was surprised to see Li Ming there as well. Aunt Wang and Auntie An were delighted, in contrast to the usual indifferent Auntie Mei.
Li Ming was pleased with the previous day's banquet and had come specifically to reward the three young ladies who had participated. As always, Li Ming's rewards were not to Li Xia's liking – she had no interest in the four treasures of the study. Li Xia silently complained why he couldn't give gold hairpins instead, which were both beautiful and practical.
Among the three, Li Shan was the most excited, showering Li Ming with compliments that delighted him. Aunt Wang beamed with pride. Auntie An felt frustrated for not having a daughter; otherwise, she could have tried to win favor at this moment. She glanced at Li Xia, who stood aside like a wooden post, utterly unimpressive.
Li Xia wondered why Auntie An was looking at her like that – she hadn't offended her. Li Xin, observing everything, felt the slight discomfort she had felt about Li Ming's favoritism toward Li Shan dissipate.
Qiu Shui handed Li Xia a note with the menu for the next three days' meals at the Li Manor. A note at the bottom stated that if anyone disliked the listed dishes, they could pay extra in advance to request the kitchen to prepare their desired meals. The masters could also write down their preferences to be considered for inclusion in future menus.
This was Li Xia's suggestion to Li Xin, which Li Xin had carefully discussed with the kitchen staff and sought Mrs. Lu's input before finalizing a three-day rotating menu. The servants' menu was posted outside the kitchen courtyard for everyone to see. The masters' menu would first determine a few main dishes, which could then be adjusted based on the preferences of different masters.
Li Xia looked over the three-day menu, which was quite diverse and included several of her favorite dishes. She took the note to the Elegant Refinement Pavilion.
Seeing the note in Li Xia's hand, Li Xin asked expectantly, "How is it?"
"The menu includes several dishes that I love. Sister, did you prepare them especially for me?" Li Xia pointed out a few dishes on the note.
"Yes, I prepared them especially for you, but I won't do that again after this," Li Xin replied. When designing the menu, she had consulted the kitchen about Li Xia's frequently ordered dishes.
As the two sisters were talking, a maid announced that Li Shan had arrived.