Chapter 140: Chapter 139 Silver Ingot

Mrs. Li sat in the carriage, her gaze occasionally falling on the seven jars of honey. When the carriage reached the village entrance, Housekeeper Tang spotted it.

Housekeeper Tang had planned to stay a while longer, but it was as if the wind blowing from the carriage brought a sweet scent to him.

This scent was very familiar to him; it was the fragrance of honey he had tasted in pastries and chrysanthemum tea.

Seeing the carriage didn’t stop, he knew it certainly carried Mrs. Li. Although he didn’t see the person inside, he recognized his own estate’s carriage and the coachman driving it.

“Guards, let’s head back to the city…” With a sudden command from Housekeeper Tang, the guards, upon hearing the order, brought out their horses and also led out Housekeeper Tang’s horse.

Before mounting, Housekeeper Tang gave a few instructions to Ye Senhai, who was supervising the workers, then he rode off in pursuit of the carriage.

Two guards followed closely behind Housekeeper Tang, urging their horses into a quick gallop.

Ye Senhai was puzzled by Housekeeper Tang’s early departure, a full half an hour before the usual time, but he didn’t dare to ask what urgent matter drove Housekeeper Tang to return so hastily.

He watched their retreating figures riding away, noticing in the distance ahead of their horses a carriage that they were swiftly pursuing.

Ye Senhai speculated that it might be Tang Mansion’s carriage; he remembered that his uncle’s family had gone to his father-in-law’s house for a birthday feast today, so the carriage might be carrying his sister-in-law.

As for why Housekeeper Tang was chasing the carriage with guards, Ye Senhai interpreted it as a way to protect Mrs. Li.

Mrs. Li sat in the carriage, nearing the town, when she heard more hoofbeats, and noticed horses accompanying their carriage.

Mrs. Li pulled back the carriage curtain to look outside and saw Housekeeper Tang riding on the left, with two guards riding on the right; they were escorting her as a form of protection.

“Housekeeper Tang…”

Just as Housekeeper Tang was about to ask Mrs. Li something, noticing her inquiry, he replied with a smile:

“Hehe, Mrs. Li, have you brought back honey this time?”

“How did Housekeeper Tang know?” Mrs. Li’s eyes were filled with surprise. Perhaps her husband had told him in advance?

“Ho ho, the scent of honey floated out of the carriage. It would’ve been impossible not to notice. That’s why I caught up with you and them,” he continued.

“Housekeeper Tang, I will be handing over the items to Madam, anyway.”

“That’s not the same. If someone learns of this and intercepts you at the gate, you would hardly dare to refuse them; how could that be allowed?”

“That’s true…”

Mrs. Li knew her status in Tang Mansion was lowly, and with so many masters there, if someone really did intercept her at the gate, she wouldn’t be able to handle it. Not to mention parting with money, if she stirred up trouble over honey with her vulnerable status, she really wouldn’t dare to invite disaster.

Mrs. Li looked gratefully at Housekeeper Tang, who had been so thoughtful. This man, a bit older than herself, was quite attentive.

Seeing her gaze, Housekeeper Tang chuckled and asked, “May I know how many pounds of honey do you have in the carriage?”

“There are seven jars of honey, one of which holds two pounds of honeycomb. I’ve heard that consuming this kind of honeycomb is particularly nourishing for the complexion. It seems like the small jars hold about a pound each.”

Having heard Mrs. Li’s response, Housekeeper Tang’s smile widened as he said, “You’ve improved! Previously it was five pounds, and now it’s over six, nearly eight. Not bad at all. Although they can’t cover the house’s expenses, they can be stored for now, and they will do nicely for gifting.”

“Oh, would you mind not spreading the word that I’m the one who brought the honey? I am asked about honey every day. Perhaps not much is produced, and I don’t even know where it’s bought from. It’s hard to refuse people!”

“Alright, understood. I’ll give you the money for the honey later.”

“No need, no need, my husband said to thank you for the wedding gift you prepared for us today. Just take this honey as a return gift!”

“How can this be? We’ve gotten quite the bargain, we definitely must pay you. You shouldn’t refuse, our Tang Family is large and doesn’t lack this bit of money, but it’s different for you.”

“Oh…” Mrs. Li thought about it and realized it was true. If they hadn’t received help today, her husband would have spent money on gifts, and that money would have also been reward money from the Tang Family.

“Here, this is five silver taels, we’ve picked up a bargain, and I’m afraid you wouldn’t dare to accept it. Next time Mr. Li has honey, we will have to buy it at a high price.”

Housekeeper Tang said this as he tossed a silver coin, worth five silver taels, from the purse in his pocket.

Seeing the silver coins thrown into the coach by Housekeeper Tang, Mrs. Li held the most money she had ever received for the first time and had never touched silver coins before.

She touched the silver coins with her hand, cherishing the five taels and pocketing them.

In order to prevent others from knowing and leaking the news, Housekeeper Tang ensured the coachman kept the information to himself and also told the two guards to keep quiet.

How could they dare not listen to what Housekeeper Tang said?

The coachman was quite puzzled throughout the whole journey, as he transported Mrs. Li and her family. Where had this family bought the honey from?

Could it be from that tile kiln? Oh, that’s right, he remembered seeing that the pots coming out from the tile kiln were washed; at the time, he even thought the owner was so diligent, selling pots and helping with the washing.

The coachman’s speculations were not shared with Housekeeper Tang.

This time, Housekeeper Tang didn’t enter through the main gate with the guards but entered through a side gate instead.

Mrs. Li took her small bundle and got off the coach first, not concerning herself with the honey, and headed straight to the young Master’s courtyard, worried about the young Master after being out for a day.

The housekeeper and guards entered through the side gate and had the gatekeeper take care of the horses. He called the coachman and both guards to carry two pots of honey each, while he carried one himself, delivering the goods to the storehouse first.

After taking them to the storehouse, he ordered the person in charge of the storehouse not to talk about the honey to anyone. Even if someone knew about it, they could not take any of the honey out.

The old woman managing the storehouse and the accountants heeded the housekeeper’s words, nodding respectfully in agreement.

Housekeeper Tang had a powerful presence, managing the mansion’s affairs and the Old Master and young Master’s business outside, earning the trust of both the Old Master and young Master. His authority was greater than that of any ordinary master of the house without power.

All matters in the mansion were under Madam’s command, and Madam had entrusted many affairs to Housekeeper Tang, such as procurement.

While the coachman was carrying the pots from the coach, he wondered quite a lot. He had seen Mrs. Li and her husband buying more than twenty small tile jars at the tile kiln, though he had not counted exactly how many.

When Mrs. Li returned home, she did not take out the pots, neither did her husband or family members; so, where did all those pots go?

The coachman dared not say too much in front of Housekeeper Tang and kept the matter to himself.

After giving instructions to those in charge, Housekeeper Tang then sent the guards to take the horses to the stables.

He joyfully proceeded to Madam’s courtyard, entering the drawing room, where he saw Madam giving instructions to an old woman in charge.

He stood by, waiting for them to finish their discussion. A Maid noticed Housekeeper Tang come in and served him tea.

Madam saw Housekeeper Tang and noticed that he had come back half an hour earlier than usual.

Knowing he must have something to report, she gave a few more instructions to the old woman, then waved her hand to dismiss her.

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