Shen Yujiao became a little unhappy.
She was “graciously lowering herself” to give Mu Wanting an opportunity to curry favor with her as her sister-in-law.
Who would have thought Mu Wanting would actually set conditions!
Yet she really had nothing valuable to offer, so she felt both embarrassed and irritated, her tone turning sharper.
“Then what do you want?”
Mu Wanting smiled. “After you learn, you’ll make me five hats and five fans every day for ten days.”
Shen Yujiao widened her eyes. “You’re going too far.”
Mu Wanting remained calm. “There are plenty of people who want to learn from me. Do you see me paying attention to them? I’m only teaching you because you’re my sister-in-law.”
Shen Yujiao rolled her eyes but eventually agreed unwillingly.
When Mu Wanting began teaching, members of the main branch and second branch walked around them, darting their eyes around, clearly trying to secretly learn.
Madam Shen and Shen Mingjiao noticed this and, together with Shen Yujiao, surrounded Mu Wanting to block their view.
Seeing Mu Wanting smile at them, Madam Shen and Shen Mingjiao said with a smile,
“We know the rules. We’ll pay the same fee as Yujiao.”
Mu Wanting smiled lightly and did not refuse.
She understood the principle of “too much kindness breeds resentment.” She intended to win them over, not raise a group of dependents who would take everything for granted.
Shen Yujiao and Shen Mingjiao learned quickly; Madam Shen was a bit slower, but after a couple of extra lessons, she also learned.
Shen Yujiao awkwardly made her own straw hat and fan. The hat was ugly, but it at least blocked the sun. The moment she put it on, she felt the scorching heat ease away.
Once she became more skilled, she could weave while walking like Mu Wanting.
Then they handed in their daily quota, though she couldn’t help but ask:
“What do you need so many hats and fans for?”
Mu Wanting smiled meaningfully. Soon after, people came toward them.
“Madam Mu, it’s too hot. Can we buy your straw hats and fans?”
Mu Wanting raised her voice. “Of course. 500 wen per hat. If you don’t have money, you can exchange them with wild vegetables, herbs, or food.”
Everyone’s eyes lit up. The price was not expensive at all in their current situation, and there were alternative ways to pay.
Since Mu Wanting had a monopoly and the weather was extremely hot, hats were essential. As long as the price wasn’t outrageous, everyone could accept it.
In an instant, many people who had been hesitating came forward to buy hats and fans. Those without money used foraged vegetables and herbs to exchange instead.
With hats and fans, fewer people suffered from heatstroke.
More and more people came to buy, and Mu Wanting was able to produce about 20 hats and 20 fans per day. Most payments were in cash, earning her around 5–8 taels of silver daily, along with various wild herbs and vegetables.
She used vines to weave baskets to carry everything, but finding it tiring, she made Shen Yujiao carry them instead.
At first Shen Yujiao was unwilling, but after being fed two bowls of delicious fish soup every day, she happily agreed.
Madam Shen frowned. “Yujiao, are you stupid? Have you forgotten what Mu Wanting did before? How can you still help her carry things?”
Shen Yujiao remained silent.
Madam Shen leaned closer, spitting as she whispered maliciously:
“Don’t forget, Mu Wanting is so cruel. How could she ever truly treat your branch well?”
“Don’t help her. She only married into our family with hidden motives for Shen Xinglan.”
Shen Yujiao looked at Mu Wanting and saw her smile faintly at her. She said calmly:
“Putting everything else aside, when it comes to carrying things, Mu Wanting is actually paying me. I’m not working for free.”
After all, the fish soup wasn’t something everyone got to drink.
As soon as she said this, Madam Shen was speechless. Shen Yujiao was actually defending Mu Wanting!
Madam Shen, unable to stir up trouble, grew even more frustrated as the second branch’s men had been taking turns pushing Shen Xinglan while the third branch had become relatively idle.
But what truly broke her temper was dinner that night.
The third branch had a lavish meal, while they themselves could only buy white buns and meat soup—even if the taste was slightly better, it was nothing compared to Mu Wanting’s cooking.
That day, Mu Wanting caught many fish, so besides boiled fish, she also grilled fish.
The aroma instantly spread, causing everyone to salivate uncontrollably.
Mu Wanting cooked both boiled and grilled fish effortlessly, clearly enjoying herself. She liked the process of turning raw ingredients into delicious food, especially when others enjoyed it—her sense of achievement soared.
Since there was extra fish after feeding the third branch, she wrapped some grilled fish in large clean leaves and asked Shen Xingyi to carry it to the officials.
“Officers, you’ve worked hard on this journey. This is what I made today. I hope it suits your taste.”
The guards swallowed their saliva and nodded calmly.
After Mu Wanting left, they immediately devoured the fish.
They had tried grilling fish themselves before, but it was either undercooked or burnt and bitter.
Yet this grilled fish completely changed their perception—tender, flavorful, not fishy at all, and perfectly seasoned. They couldn’t stop eating.
Unfortunately, there were only five fish, and with so many guards, each person only got a few bites.
They licked their lips, hoping they could eat it again next time.
When Mu Wanting returned, she saw members of the main and second branch surrounding the fire, having eaten all the fish clean.
The third branch had been pushed aside pitifully, unable even to get a bite.
Shen Xinghe was arguing angrily with a younger member of the second branch, but the main and second branches were numerous, and even Madam Shen Old Lady was there, so he could not escalate things.
Shen Xinglan was still unconscious. Shen Yujiao was furious, Shen Mingjiao was crying, and Madam Shen remained silent, unable to scold them despite her anger.
Mu Wanting sneered.
“Oh? Didn’t you say you liked eating alone and excluding our third branch? So now you’re stealing from us too? Keep eating alone then.”
Shen Lijun and Shen Linong looked embarrassed, while Madam Shen and Madam Shen Second both sneered.
“You clingy woman, eating your fish is already giving you face.”
Mu Wanting smiled lightly.
“Oh? So you think you’re very honorable? Taking things without asking is theft. Return them—ten fish in total.”
Their expressions darkened. “We’re your elders, so what if we ate a few of your fish?”
Mu Wanting walked over quickly and took the money bags of both branches.
Their faces turned green with rage, and they picked up stones to throw at her.
Mu Wanting lightly placed a finger at her lips and smiled.
“As a junior… what’s wrong with taking your pocket money?”