It was raining outside the Inn.
The small kitchen had a light on.
This light wasn't very bright, but the kitchen wasn't large, so the illumination was adequate.
Old Ancestor Yeman sat on a small stool, facing a small stove.
The small stove was very old; everyone was familiar with the red clay small stove, "In deep, secluded rooms, a small stove warms; fragrant rice and cooked fish near the central kitchen."
Although this small stove was rather clumsy, it was still convenient to use.
If someone brought one or two over, it was useful for warming wine or food, and also quite convenient for simmering medicine.
It could also be used to make small pastries or stew soup, placed right under the eaves.
While simmering medicine, Ye Man was teaching the Maidservant how to make Crispy Ribs.
She had the Waiter buy three pounds of ribs; one person could eat a pound, and with all the necessary seasonings, these Crispy Ribs could be made.
It was fine if two people stayed in the small kitchen; with the door closed, listening to the rain outside and smelling the fragrance inside—it was cozy!
Ye Man sat before the stove, taking off her outer garment to reveal old clothes underneath.
Wang Suning was much taller than her, and although her hands hadn't done this kind of work in a long time, they weren't completely unfamiliar with it.
With so many ribs to eat, she couldn't be clumsy. She couldn't often eat this at Zhichun Pavilion; Mama Feng wasn't that generous.
Moreover, what she made herself tasted of freedom.
Ding Yuan ran over through the rain, pushed open the door, and called out, "Esteemed guest! An esteemed guest out front has an acute illness, can you come take a look?"
Ye Man asked, "What is the situation?"
Ding Yuan honestly described, "His mouth is crooked, his eyes are askew, he's drooling, he can't speak clearly, and he's not conscious."
Ye Man asked, "Didn't you call a doctor from the clinic? What is the situation with his people?"
Ding Yuan was very honest, "He is a Merchant, and his companions don't know what they are arguing about."
Wang Suning pricked up her ears to listen, "Are there women arguing out front?"
Ding Yuan said, "That is his Mistress. The Shopkeeper didn't want to get involved, but if something happens at the Inn, they might try to blame us."
Besides, it was a human life.
Wang Suning listened to the crying and shouting, "He's not dead yet, right? This woman is so vicious: 'Could it be that he got together with someone close to him?'"
Ye Man glanced at her, finding it somewhat strange.
Wang Suning blinked, "Isn't that the case?"
Ye Man nodded; this Maidservant's understanding was quite correct.
Wang Suning also knew a few things, "Mistresses usually don't follow them around, right? Unless it's a beautiful Concubine who has other ideas."
She didn't understand other things, but if the Master got involved in this matter, it would be troublesome.
Ye Man didn't care about this little trouble; a Merchant, how much of a storm could he stir up? The Old Ancestor would go teach them how to behave.
Ye Man instructed the Waiter, "Go prepare a set of silver needles for me, and also prepare a Cloak, a large one."
This wouldn't cost much Silver, so Ding Yuan hurried off. After all, the Inn was afraid of trouble, not completely afraid of it.
In the kitchen, Wang Suning felt that the Master wouldn't be afraid.
After all, the Master had even saved her.
Wang Suning thought, "This Man keeps a Mistress."
Ye Man smiled, "These things are hard to say. Or perhaps they are none of our business."
Wang Suning nodded. She set the ribs aside and prepared to look at the medicine for her Master.
She couldn't even take care of herself, so how could she take care of others?
She practiced her accent by rolling her tongue, which sounded quite strange.
Another burst of shouting came from the front area to the back.
Wang Suning was so provoked that she even wanted to go watch the excitement.
Out front, the onlookers were about to block the Inn. Even though it was raining, even though they were inside the Inn, even though the acute illness might cause someone to die.
But the man wasn't dead yet, and his companions weren't in a hurry. The reason they were arguing so fiercely was just to draw everyone out to watch, right?
Anyone who didn't come would be seen as not giving face. This made Shopkeeper Ding very annoyed.
Shopkeeper Ding had some capability, but this group of people wasn't weak.
That Woman, about thirty years old, even while traveling, was still wearing a Phoenix Hairpin, a green satin long jacket with scattered flowers, paired with a bright red Horse-face Skirt. She looked barely twenty, possessing the air of a Madam or Legal wife. She stood with one hand on her hip and the other pointing with a slender finger while arguing, truly displaying great presence!
She held a handkerchief in her left hand, wiping tears one moment and arching her slender waist the next, a perfect display of acting and posturing.
Beside her was a pretty Maidservant, truly her right and left arm; these two women together could hold off a group of Men.
The Man directly opposite her, about forty years old, looked like a Steward, and his face was already livid with anger!
Stewards usually have skills, but facing a woman who was deliberately making trouble put him at a disadvantage.
Although the status of Women was low, this absolutely depended on the situation.
For example, the Empress Dowager, or a Palace Maid serving the Empress Dowager, or even a cat raised by Empress Dowager Meng. Or a Favored Concubine of the Master, these were all situations that could not be ignored.
Especially when a group of Men were trying to mediate, clearly siding with that Woman.
The Steward was so angry he couldn't argue with the Woman, nor could he confront these Men? He spoke sternly, "The Master isn't dead yet! Aren't you going to hurry and call a doctor? Do you wish for him to die sooner? Even if he dies, there is still the Madam, the Eldest Young Master, and the Eldest Miss! They can accuse you of murder for profit!"
Ouch!
The Woman jumped nearly three feet high and lunged to wrestle with the Steward!
The Maidservant pulled hard, secretly assisting.
The group of Men blocked the Steward, openly taking sides.
The Woman wailed as she fought, "How dare you falsely accuse me! I was also properly married with a wedding ceremony! You look down on me because you've been with the Master for many years! But you cannot slander me with baseless accusations! I also have a reputation; I don't want to live anymore! The Master isn't dead, and a widow is being bullied! I don't want to live! You won't have an easy time either!"
A very handsome Man, about thirty years old, was also impolite to the Steward, "Who exactly is trying to take over?"
The Steward was furious and kicked him!
The Woman also panicked, sat on the ground, grabbed the Steward's leg, and bit him!
It didn't matter that the weather was cold and her clothes were thick, she couldn't bite through, but she struck a pose and wailed, "Poison me along with me! This ten-thousand-unit Family Fortune will be yours!"
The Maidservant followed her rhythm, her voice not quiet either, "The Master was fine before! Who knows if you are feigning kindness? Do you think others don't know?"
The handsome Man, having been kicked, retaliated righteously with a Fist!
The Steward erupted and threw a punch at the other man simultaneously.
Many of the onlookers covered their faces.
The Steward's Fist looked much stronger than the other man's; the other man looked like a pretty boy.
The Steward was the one who had truly traveled far and wide; if not for the Woman's unreasonable fuss, he definitely could have controlled the situation.
The Woman's role should not be underestimated; she quickly grabbed the Steward, helping the handsome Man.
The handsome Man, covered in blood, lunged forward to fight again.
Shopkeeper Ding signaled.
A few Servant Boys stepped in.
That group of people pulled to one side, and the Servant Boys pulled to the other side.
The handsome Man thought he was about to land a successful punch, but suddenly he was hit by another one, and his head buzzed.
Shopkeeper Ding then stepped forward and roared, "Either call a doctor or get out and cause trouble!" He pointed specifically at the Woman, "Do you think no one can control you just because you're throwing a tantrum? Make one more noise, and I'll report you to the magistrate immediately! You can all go to the yamen to cause trouble!"
The Woman opened her mouth to wail, that blood-red mouth looked fierce.
Shopkeeper Ding wasn't joking; he ordered the Servant Boys to go, acting decisively.
The group of people quickly persuaded him, "No need to report to the magistrate."
A Steward who was siding with the Woman said, "Hurry and call a doctor!"
However, a clever doctor would certainly not want to get involved.