In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Page 16

However, he had a powerful weapon at his disposal—the Black Jade Broken Heart Ointment.

The three heroes of Wudang were severely injured by the Vajra Finger and paralyzed. It was a sure thing that they could exchange the Black Jade Rejuvenating Ointment for the Pure Yang Limitless Skill.

But how can this be done skillfully? How can we avoid taking advantage of someone's vulnerability?

Zhang Xiaoshan couldn't just go up the mountain and find Zhang Sanfeng directly, so he proposed exchanging goods.

In the end, both sides may be happy, but a rift will remain, and he will not achieve the maximum benefit he desires.

Chapter Twenty: Shopkeeper Feng: The Beauty Returns to Zhao

Standing at the counter, watching the endless stream of customers at Hongfu Restaurant, Manager Feng remained charming and smiling.

Since its opening, even without the 50% discount, the restaurant has been packed during mealtimes, especially the private rooms, which are always fully booked for the next three days.

Half of these customers were businessmen who came out of admiration, and the other half were regular customers.

A single meal can't be served without at least ten taels of silver.

Some wealthy guests, in particular, would occasionally show off by throwing lavish banquets.

If the second and third floors hadn't been under renovation, Manager Feng would have loved to simply decorate the private rooms to attract VIP guests.

As for the two beautiful Hu women, they have also become a means of attracting customers during this period.

Compared to the folk dances performed in ordinary Hu (non-Han) taverns, the enchanting dances of these two beauties were undoubtedly more captivating and alluring, and most of the customers were completely captivated by them.

Zhang Xiaoshan paid them ten taels of silver a day for their appearances through Manager Feng.

With the tips received, both Hu women have accumulated over a thousand taels of silver during this period to make a living.

Those who can get into this place are mostly people who spend a fortune.

Unfortunately, these two beauties ultimately belonged to Zhang Xiaoshan.

The goods were temporarily stored here, and now Zhang Xiaoshan is coming to pick them up. Even Manager Feng is reluctant to part with them.

How are they?

"Young Master mentioned Tina and Shana? They're quite straightforward; they shouldn't be spies for the An family."

Zhang Xiaoshan shook his head upon hearing this.

That's not what he was asking. Was he a spy? Not at all, Manager Feng had already figured it out.

"Forget it, let Hongxiao and the others train them from now on!"

Zhang Xiaoshan examined the ledgers; this wasn't a matter of trust, but a necessary task.

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan could see a lot of things through the ledgers.

"Sister Feng, starting tomorrow, gradually separate the pastries into a separate product category."

I will open a pastry shop in Bianjing (Kaifeng) and invite several imperial chefs to serve as head chefs, exclusively catering to the royal family and nobles!

"Separate it out?"

As for whether she was willing, Manager Feng'er was naturally unwilling.

After all, pastries are a major source of revenue for the Hong family, and if they are removed, the Hong family's business will inevitably be affected.

But Zhang Xiaoshan must have had a reason for making such an arrangement, especially since she was just the head manager.

"That's right, from now on, Hongfu will mainly operate restaurants."

Once fully expanded, the pastry business will only make the Hong family look out of place, and concentrating all of these in one place could lead to problems...

After hearing the whole story, Manager Feng'er understood Zhang Xiaoshan's concerns and arrangements.

"I understand!"

Seeing that Manager Feng understood, Zhang Xiaoshan nodded.

Feng'er is also a key figure in the future expansion plans of the Red Mansion.

···

"Young master, your beauty has been returned to her intact!"

With graceful figures and alluring charm, the three beauties vied for attention, outshining even a hundred flowers in full bloom.

At this moment, Zhang Xiaoshan looked at the two reserved Hu women. The Hu beauty, who could be described as an unparalleled enchantress, gradually blushed and lowered her head.

They rarely saw men taller than themselves.

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan is not only tall and handsome, but also has an excellent status and position.

Just as Zhang Xiaoshan lusted after their bodies, so too did they.

"Do you want to work here or join the Zhang family?"

Here, following the previous treatment, in addition to the appearance fee of ten taels, the guests will give you a 50/50 split in tips, and you will be free after three years.

"Once you enter the Zhang family, you will become my maids, Zhang family servants, and you will likely never be able to escape!"

Zhang Xiaoshan did not force the two Hu women to choose him; instead, he gave them both options.

Hongxiao and Jiangxue were the original owner's personal maids, whom she had long since taken advantage of.

The two women were meeting for the first time. Although Zhang Xiaoshan was lusting after their bodies, he was not without principles.

Once you enter the gates of a noble family, it's like entering a deep sea; they were basically considered Zhang Xiaoshan's people.

"Young Master?"

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's boldness, Manager Feng couldn't help but scrutinize him, wondering if he had some unspeakable secret.

Having witnessed countless men's debauchery here, especially the way they looked at the two Hu women, she knew all too well that there was no reason for them to turn away beautiful women.

It's safe to say that Zhang Xiaoshan would never have refused the two beauties if he didn't have some unspeakable reason.

"Really?"

The two Hu women looked at Zhang Xiaoshan in disbelief, never expecting that after accepting their fate, they would still have a chance to 'be human'.

It should be understood that the status of these Hu women was at best comparable to that of 'pet dogs' in later generations, not even as high as the concubines of the 'Yangzhou Slim Horses'.

After all, those women still had the chance to become concubines, but they didn't even have that opportunity.

"I keep my word, especially with Sister Feng here."

Zhang Xiaoshan knew they would find it hard to believe, but it was up to them whether they could seize this opportunity.

"Young Master, if we enter the Zhang family, may we leave?"

"Once you enter the Zhang family, you will be my women. Unless you commit a serious crime, it will be difficult for you to leave the Zhang family!"

The two women exchanged a glance, both knowing this was a difficult choice.

The first path was clearly brighter, but given their backgrounds, they could never find true love in the Central Plains and had no choice but to return to the West.

The second option may seem like a cage, but the fact that this young benefactor is so lenient in granting them this choice, regardless of the previous conditions, shows that he still has 'humanity'.

Since we're going to become those important people's 'pets' sooner or later, why don't we just choose one that suits our taste?

Thinking of this, the two enchanting beauties simultaneously swayed their alluring waists and bowed deeply:

"I've met the young master!"

Seeing this, even Manager Feng'er couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Based on her understanding of the Zhang family, she knew that although the Zhang father and son were not the legendary "great philanthropists," they were definitely not evil people.

In contrast, she saw through the pros and cons.

The two beauties are definitely not as safe outside as they are inside the Zhang family. If they give birth to a child or two, they can live out their old age in peace.

And what about their fate outside? It's likely not much better than that of those Hu women!

Even from just a few days of getting to know each other, they realized that although Zhang Xiaoshan was unfathomable, he genuinely respected them.

At least from the fact that the two Hu women were paid a salary and that the government did not take any tips, it can be seen that they were not treated as tools.

This is respect.

Therefore, it might not be a bad choice for the two Hu women to enter the Zhang family.

This society is unfair to women; they have virtually no status, let alone women like these Hu women.

Chapter Twenty-One: The Mysterious Little Beggar

"Miss's dessert! You little beggar..."

"Woo woo woo..."

Outside the Hongfu store, a scream was heard, followed by the sound of a little girl crying.

Zhang Xiaoshan turned to look outside the door, wondering who dared to be so presumptuous outside the Hong Mansion, not even sparing a little girl.

"Come on, come on, you can't catch me..."

As soon as Fang Yi went outside, Zhang Xiaoshan saw a little girl dressed as a beggar teasing a group of burly men.

Although the little beggar dressed himself up in a very shabby manner and had dark skin, his lithe and agile figure, the full and round face under his dark skin, and especially his big, bright eyes, made Zhang Xiaoshan realize at a glance that this little beggar was not a real beggar at all.

This disguise deserves a high score of 3 out of 10.

Moreover, although the little beggar's dodging movements seem chaotic, they are actually based on the same principle, and the shadow of the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams Steps can still be seen.

Master!

On one side of the gate of the Hong Mansion, a pretty young girl dressed as a maid was squatting there, covering her face and weeping.

This girl originally came to buy desserts for her young mistress, but who knew that as soon as she left the Hong Mansion, a girl dressed as a little beggar snatched the desserts from her hands. Not to mention whether she could snatch the desserts back from the little beggar girl, the little beggar girl's slovenly appearance meant that she would never want them after getting her hands on them.

In this way, she would not only be scolded by the young lady, but she might also have to pay a sum of money.

You should know that her monthly allowance was only two coins, while the desserts at the Hong Mansion were mostly more than one ounce, which was equivalent to five months' allowance for her.

How can I stop crying?

Zhang Xiaoshan also deeply understands this helplessness.

In his past life, he was a wage slave for ten years!

"Alright, little girl, go inside and grab another dessert to take away. The one you just had is on me!"

As soon as Zhang Xiaoshan spoke, the pretty maid looked over in disbelief.

Even for others, a single dessert costs at least one tael of silver, enough to cover the expenses of a family of four for a month.

But the guests who recognized Zhang Xiaoshan all spoke up:

"Little girl, why don't you thank the young master!"

"That's right, little girl, you're lucky today. You actually ran into the young master. He's kind-hearted and couldn't bear to see you suffer."

···

"Young master!"

The pretty maidservant immediately came to her senses, looking at the tall, handsome young man in front of her with disbelief.

Young master of the Hong family?

Even disregarding the emperor's bestowal of a title, the mere fact that the young master of the Zhang family was someone they could never reach was unparalleled.

"Little girl, how long are you going to keep watching? Go inside and get a dessert to take back. Let's just let this matter of the little beggar go."

"Thank you, young master, you're a good person!"

Seeing the girl's grateful expression, Zhang Xiaoshan stopped looking at her.

Instead, he frowned as he watched the little beggar disappear into the crowd.

The little beggar was clearly from a prestigious family, and the young lady who ran away from home during her rebellious phase was also unconventional.

Acting on impulse, without considering the consequences.

Bullying a little maid like this, she wouldn't be an exaggeration to call herself a little devil.

"Why would the young master be interested in a little beggar?"

At this moment, Manager Feng'er also came out, smiling sweetly, her beautiful eyes sparkling, her clever gaze captivating.