"Shopkeeper."
Yan Mei blinked, surprised that the young master had given her such a position. After her initial shock, she kowtowed repeatedly, "Thank you, young master, thank you."
"Get up. But I'll be upfront with you: if I find any mistakes, you'll be kicked out. You'd best hold onto this hard-earned job."
Yun Xiaoyu said earnestly.
Yan Mei nodded repeatedly, tears and laughter mingling. She was overjoyed. After her child was born, she hadn't had any nutritional food, resulting in her baby having no milk. Her three-month-old child was as thin as a kitten.
As a mother, her heart was twisted with pain. However, now that she had work, she could support her child. She would not easily let go of this windfall.
"Thank you, young master. Yan Mei knows what to do."
"Get up," Yun Xiao waved for Yan Mei to rise. Just then, Wan Wan walked in from outside, glanced at Yan Mei, and handed the paper in her hand to her master.
Yun Xiao briefly scanned it. The wages for the shop assistants were much lower than for the doctors. The doctors' wages were also reasonable. Although slightly more expensive than other places, she wouldn't quibble about the price if they worked diligently.
"This is Yan Mei, the future shopkeeper of the clinic."
Yun Xiao introduced Yan Mei to Wan Wan. She had originally intended for Wan Wan to be the shopkeeper, but with a dedicated shopkeeper now, Wan Wan only needed to perform daily checks. The rest of her time should be focused on taking care of herself.
Yan Mei looked up at the woman with a delicate and charming face, her features as if painted, especially her fair, snow-like skin, which was truly enviable.
Yet, despite her delicate beauty, this lady possessed a fierce streak when fighting and a fiery temper when scolding. Yan Mei curtsied respectfully.
"Sister, please look after me in the future."
"Alright," Wan Wan walked over, patted Yan Mei's shoulder, and nodded vigorously, "We'll work for the young master together from now on. The young master is an excellent person. As long as you work hard, you're in the right place."
"Yes," Yan Mei smiled.
Yun Xiao remembered something and looked at Yan Mei, "Where do you live now? And your daughter?"
Yan Mei's eyes reddened. Her child was being looked after by an elderly couple who pitied them and helped care for the child. She herself had been looking for work and had recently been doing odd jobs. Now, things were better.
"She's at someone's home."
"Wan Wan, prepare a room for Yan Mei to live in."
"Yes, young master," Wan Wan nodded. Yun Xiao got up and headed upstairs. At the top of the stairs, she remembered something and said slowly, "Yan Mei, you can bring your daughter here, but remember not to disturb the patients. Patients are most sensitive to noise."
"Okay, thank you, young master, thank you. I'll take good care of my daughter," Yan Mei followed Wan Wan out.
The clinic was all set. Shop assistants, doctors, and a shopkeeper had been hired. The medicinal herbs arrived the next day. Yan Mei, along with a few shop assistants and doctors, shelved the herbs.
The opening was originally scheduled for the first day of the sixth month. However, that day was the day the Emperor of Dong Qin was to marry Princess Yan Ling of Bei Chao and escort her into the palace. They couldn't possibly compete with the Emperor for the date, as it would cause trouble. Thus, the date was changed to the fifth day of the sixth month.
The first day of the sixth month was sunny and cloudless.
Streets and alleys were packed with people. The vast alleys were a sea of heads, all craning their necks to look ahead.
Black screens were erected along the streets, with soldiers posted every three steps and guards every five steps, strictly controlling the area to prevent any incidents. If the Princess of Bei Chao were to suffer any mishap, it would likely lead to the complete breakdown of relations between Dong Qin and Bei Yan. Therefore, Dong Qin attached great importance to this alliance.
It was astonishing that Shangguan Yao could endure marrying Yan Ling into the palace despite having an undisclosed illness, which showed how desperate he was.
Yun Xiao stood on the second floor, leaning against the window, holding a cup of fragrant tea, leisurely gazing at Jiuhua Street.
The wedding procession was scheduled to pass through Jiuhua Street today. All businesses on this street had ceased operations. Shops on both sides of the street were closed, with only the common people crowding on the sides to watch the spectacle.
A deep and melodious drumbeat sounded, the rich wedding songs of Bei Chao carrying from afar. The crowd grew more eager, craning their necks to catch a glimpse.
The first to appear were Dong Qin cavalry in black armor, seated majestically on their horses, holding long spears, their expressions solemn and dignified. Their stern faces were matched by sharp, eagle-like eyes.
Behind the five hundred cavalry appeared Prince Shangguan Lin of Dong Qin.
It was unexpected that the official escorting the bride this time would be the powerful Prince Shangguan.
Prince Shangguan sat high on his horse, exuding an imposing presence. His perfectly sculpted features were overlaid with a layer of frost, and his cold, discerning eyes hid a bloodthirsty ferocity as he scanned the surroundings vigilantly.
Behind him were two hundred imperial guards, all elite fighters.
Following the Dong Qin contingent was the Bei Chao ceremonial procession, led by a large red drum.
People danced on the drum. A man dressed in red, with a red silk ribbon tied around his head, his supple movements like a willow branch, beat the drum while dancing, creating a beautiful and awe-inspiring spectacle.
The people of Dong Qin watched in amazement. They had never witnessed such a scene before.
Following the large red drum was a long line of ceremonial guards, playing the Bei Chao wedding songs. Unlike the gentle melodies of Dong Qin, theirs was a powerful and grand tune that echoed throughout the entire street.
After the ceremonial procession came Princess Yan Ling's palanquin, a magnificent carriage draped with white brocade with dark patterns.
Through the semi-transparent silk, one could faintly discern a woman veiled in red. This woman was undoubtedly the Northern Princess Yan Ling, sitting quietly in the palanquin, her hands clasped around a bouquet of flowers.
The escort for the Princess of Bei Chao was none other than Crown Prince Yan Yu of Bei Chao.
This was the second time Yun Xiao had seen Crown Prince Yan Yu of Bei Chao. Logically, a princess's wedding should be escorted by a peace envoy from the court, not the Crown Prince.
It was rumored that Crown Prince Yan Yu and Yan Ling were full siblings, so it was not unusual for a brother to escort his sister.
After the Bei Chao escort procession passed, it was followed by the Dong Qin welcoming officials and then more cavalry. The entire procession, viewed from afar, resembled a long dragon, winding its way along Jiuhua Street.
Yun Xiao smiled faintly. Wan Wan beside her couldn't help but speak.
"I didn't expect the Emperor to remarry so soon, and to forget our young master."
"It's good that he forgot," Yun Xiao nodded. She feared he wouldn't forget, and that forgetting would be good fortune for their Yun Prince's estate. However, that man might not have forgotten, but rather be waiting to plot against them.
Yun Xiao was lifting her teacup, preparing to leave. They had already passed, so why continue watching?
However, just as she turned, her peripheral vision caught sight of dark shadows on the eaves of some buildings along Jiuhua Street. Those motionless shadows clearly belonged to assassins. Who did they intend to kill?
Was it Prince Yan, or Princess Yan Ling?
Yun Xiao intently watched to see how the situation would unfold. Wan Wan, seeing her master staring fixedly out the window, looked up in confusion and gasped, rubbing her eyes in disbelief.
Upon closer inspection, she indeed saw people. Only those in high positions could see them. The people below likely had no idea there were people on the rooftops.