Chapter 15: Maid Training Class

  With a creak, the wooden door with a diamond pattern was gently pushed open, and Luo Mu, the leader of the Imperial Guard, stepped in. He wasn't someone who hadn't seen the world, but every time he entered this hall, it seemed as if he was shaken by an inexplicable aura. The seventy-two nanmu wood dragon pillars were indeed intimidating, but that deterrent force came more from the person on the nine-dragon gold lacquer throne. No wonder since ancient times, many ambitious people had risked everything to try and sit there, even for just a moment. But now, the person on the throne didn't seem as majestic as he had appeared at dawn; his eyes were filled with desolation. At least, that's what Luo Mu thought in this moment.

  "The Crown Prince has already set off on his return to Kyoto, and it seems that Qin Wang's side will also be returning empty-handed this time. As for Miss Liu, I've only heard that she recently opened a grocery store in Shazhou City." Luo Mu had become the most favored person by the Emperor's side over the years, although he didn't hold a high official rank, but this imperial favor was something that even the concubines in the palace couldn't match. He could enter and exit the Imperial Palace freely without needing to report, and he could address the Emperor as "you" directly. Despite being such a person, he still made those sycophantic officials dare not to interact with him, because everyone knew that if they were invited by this fat man to drink tea and chat, it would definitely mean that the one above had some intention, which would be unlucky for them. Luo Mu was actually just a fat man with a very warm smile who made delicious sweets.

  "These days you've been working hard, but it seems like you've gained some weight. You don't seem to have suffered at all. Did that person come with you today?" The emperor had his worries, but looking at Luo Mu's increasingly rounded belly, he couldn't help but tease him. Just then, the eunuch's announcement came from outside, and the emperor suppressed the smile on his lips.

  The newcomer was no longer the same as he was on that day in Shazhou, wearing a coarse linen shirt. Now, dressed in a deep purple official robe, he had become the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. In front of the Emperor, he naturally performed the full ceremonial bow: "Your humble servant Liu Yi pays his respects to Your Majesty." The Emperor's mouth also curled up into a cold smile, but Liu Yi kept his head bowed and didn't see it.

  "After all these years, doesn't Liu Qing have anything to tell me first?"

  Liu Yi slightly furrowed his brow. The Emperor's thoughts were not unknown to him. Initially, he had been tasked with searching for the female infant in the west, but... This time, following Luo Mu back to the capital, he had thought that even if he died, it would be a big deal. However, the Emperor not only did not punish him but instead promoted him to be a Shangshu of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs. The king's heart is like the bottom of the ocean: "Your Majesty... Since Your Majesty knows she is not of imperial blood, why bother searching for her again? To Your Majesty, she is just a speck of dust. As for that painting, it is only natural to try one's best to find it."

  "Do your best? I've heard that phrase over a decade ago, and I also know what you're thinking. Don't interfere with this matter from now on, just focus on being my attendant official. Today, I simply wanted to hear about that girl's situation."

  。。。。。。

  That night, Qi also invited Sima to have dinner at Xin Kaiyuan, under the pretext of rewarding him for his hard work over the past few days. Sima knew that being summoned by this young lady was not a good thing, so he just moved his chopsticks slightly and asked: "I don't know what instructions Miss has, but City Master has already told me to follow Miss's arrangements in everything here. If there's anything you need, you don't have to go to such expense."

  "Hey, nothing can be hidden from Uncle Sima after all. This time I'm really grateful to Uncle Sima, and by the way, I'd like to discuss with you whether there are any female partners in Yunzhong City?" Qiuxi smiled slyly for a while before speaking out her mind. She was thinking that since Yunzhong City had free labor, why not use it? Plus, her purse had been a bit tight lately, so she wanted to save money whenever possible.

  However, Sima's words afterwards thoroughly shattered her wishful thinking: "Did you see half a woman in Yunzhong City?" It seems that this job is still to be done by herself. This meal was eaten very happily by Sima, but Qiuxi's heart was bleeding. Although her current situation had not yet reached the point of being penniless, she even reduced the number of wontons she loved to eat every morning from ten to nine. When leaving, Sima let out a satisfied burp and said thank you.

  The next day, a red paper appeared outside the glass showcase of Dayang Department Store: High salary recruitment for female clerks, please refer to the model outside the store. Early in the morning, this notice and the woman in front of it attracted a large crowd's attention. The women's eyes sparkled with silver and handsome men, and the notice clearly stated that it was a high-paying job. Coupled with the fact that there were many handsome men among the male clerks in Dayang, a long queue immediately formed in front of Sima's registration office; while the men who came to watch the commotion also had their eyes shining with excitement after seeing the female model. In fact, the little girl outside was borrowed from Gan Jingfu's house, and this girl, who was about 1.65 meters tall according to Qi Mei's estimation, looked neat and clean with sparkling eyes. Qi Mei didn't expect to recruit such a beautiful salesgirl, but only hoped that those ugly men would have some self-awareness.

  But she overlooked that there will always be a lack of the spirit of Fu Rong, especially under the double temptation of money and handsome men. Although Sima has been staying in the Yunzhong Temple for a long time, he is also a man after all, and some gazes still exist. In the end, ten women who passed the double interview were left behind. Gan Jing happened to be passing by, of course this was what he said himself, whether it was coincidental or not, Zixi didn't plan on investigating further. So he also coincidentally became today's staff selection consultant.

  "We are in the service industry, so we must adhere to the principle that the customer is like a Buddha; first, the customer is always right; second, if the customer is wrong, please refer to the first point. In addition, everyone must maintain a smile while serving." To avoid having to explain what God is, Qi Xi directly used "Buddha" instead to highlight the importance of customers to them.

  Of course, there were also some more lively ones who immediately asked what a smile service was. As the instructor of the female attendant training class, Qi Xi naturally explained and demonstrated it to them one by one. These female shop assistants had to undergo training before they could take up their posts, and this glorious and great task was entrusted to Xiao Lan. Xiao Lan had been sold to the Gan household as a maid since she was young, and maids in large households would all be taught by the authoritative female servants of the household before formally taking up their posts. Qi Xi thought that she couldn't withstand the tyrannical Kun Sao of the Gan household, so she called upon Xiao Lan instead.

  Those women also looked like they were in high spirits, and most of them were around the same age as Qī Xiǎo. At that time, society gave very few job opportunities to women, and if a woman was too outgoing, she would often be criticized by others. Except for brothels, most shops wouldn't hire female employees because, firstly, women weren't considered as capable as men at work, and secondly, women had many family obligations and might get married or have children anytime. So when the big store put up a notice recruiting female employees, it was like giving those women who wanted to prove themselves an opportunity.

  "I really want to crack open that little brain of yours and see what's inside." Gan Jing chuckled and patted Qi Xie's head, looking like an elder spoiling a younger one, but Qi Xie's blood pressure immediately shot up, his face flushing bright red as he dodged Gan Jing's hand and laughed loudly: "That would kill me! Big brother, you're really cruel!"

  "By the way, I seem to recall that you mentioned having many complaints about my new restaurant a few days ago. Today, I'd like to hear more about it from you. Shall we go to New Yuan and sit down for a good chat?"

  This old man really has no intention, I don't know if he's being stubborn or following the principle that his family's money doesn't flow to outsiders' shops. He led Qi Xian to Xin Kaiyuan again with no new ideas. Qi Xian knew this meal wasn't so simple but couldn't escape, so she could only comfort herself that she had another free lunch to take advantage of.