Quick Wear: Reversing Life

Chapter 535: The eldest daughter-in-law of a wealthy family (57)

After taking Hongxiu to visit the entire Lantang Villa, Fu Huaiying took Hongxiu to her private residence.

The manager of the manor had already asked people to move the New Year's goods they brought with them on the carriage into the house.

"I'll take you to identify the person later."

"Beyond the hot spring pavilion, there are some fruit trees and farmland, all of which were taken care of by the tenant farmers from the former farm."

"The orchards are full of apricots, plums, and peaches. The hot springs will buy the crops grown in the fields, which also provides an additional source of income for the tenant farmers."

In the past, when the fruits were ripe, some tenant farmers would take them to the city gate to sell them. Now, hot spring halls will buy them, which at least saves them energy and time and provides them with a stable income.

"There are two managers in this village, thirteen households, and thirty-seven people."

"I have asked the steward to assign positions to twenty of them according to their strengths."

"But if we want to open, we have to hire some more people."

Especially the maids and servants who serve the nobles must be smart and beautiful, and it would be better if they can read and write, but the most important thing is to be honest and hardworking.

There is a staff dormitory outside the museum, right near the back door, making it convenient to enter and exit.

Soon the person in charge gathered everyone together and stood them in the courtyard for the host to recognize their faces.

After going through the whole process, Fu Huaiying took Hongxiu to the private bathhouse to soak in the hot springs.

She built a private pond behind her single-family house.

The pool is the same as the "Imperial Concubine Pool" in the courtyard. It is a circular pool made of white marble and has been sprinkled with rose petals by servants.

There are screens and a small tea table around the pool. Even the tray on the small table is a moisture-proof gilded clam box with a cloth towel neatly folded on top.

Before entering the pool, you need to rinse off the stains on your body in the greenhouse.

Fu Huaiying told Hongxiu that opening a hot spring restaurant is the same as opening a restaurant, and both must ensure hygiene and safety.

The hot spring is boiled and disinfected every day according to the prescription in Qianjin Fang, adding peach branches, orchids, mugwort leaves, etc.

Towels and bathrobes prepared for guests in the locker room, as well as bedding in the guest rooms, also need to be changed and disinfected.

"VIP guests can also be provided with exclusive bath products and bed supplies, which can not only highlight the VIP status but also ensure hygiene issues."

Hongxiu asked, "Madam, how much does it cost to soak in the hot springs here?"

"We operate a 'membership system' here. The so-called 'membership system' means you have to purchase our 'monthly contract'."

"Only those who possess this 'monthly contract' are eligible to spend money at our Lan Tang Villa. One 'monthly contract' costs one hundred taels of silver and includes a complimentary visit to the open-air hot springs and accommodation."

"As the name suggests, a 'monthly contract' is valid for one month. If you don't have a monthly contract, we won't accept any of you who want to spend money here."

Hongxiu asked, "Madam, is this 'Moon Contract' just an admission ticket? Only by purchasing the 'Moon Contract' can one be entitled to spend money on hot springs and stay in the villa?"

"Yes."

"Then my lady, is there really anyone willing to come?"

Fu Huaiying said, "Hongxiu, remember, nobles only spend money on things that can show off their status."

"Take the sandalwood fan for example. They are willing to spend a lot of money on it, not because the fan is exquisite and beautiful, but because its value is worthy of their status."

"'Yueqi' can screen out most people. It not only helps us screen out clients without financial resources, but also helps us screen out those with unequal status."

"The rest are the ones worthy of their association."

Hong Xiu nodded bewilderedly, "So that's how it is. No wonder the dignitaries in the capital hold such grand banquets when they travel."

"Come on, I'll take you to the hot springs."

After washing themselves in the greenhouse, the two wrapped themselves in clothes and went to the open-air hot spring pool in the yard together.

"Ah! It's so cold!"

I don't know when it started snowing outside.

Hongxiu couldn't wait to get into the pool and soak herself in the warm water.

The pool was surrounded by mist. If you pushed aside the petals floating on the water, you could see a circle of seating platforms built under the pool.

"This is to prevent people from slipping and drowning." Fu Huaiying said: "Although the pool is not deep, we are afraid of accidents."

Whether it is the open-air hot spring pool or the private pool in the guest room, there is a tiger head sign next to it with the three big words "No Drunk Bathing" engraved on it.

To prevent some guests who love drinking from getting drunk and drowning.

Hongxiu scooped up a handful of water and poured it on her face, and suddenly she smelled a strange smell.

"Madam, why does this water smell like sulfur?"

"This is the sulfur spring."

This spring was diverted from the sulfur spring at the foot of the mountain. She specially found skilled craftsmen and spent a lot of money to build it.

Sulfur springs themselves have many functions. They are beneficial to the skin, joints and metabolism in the body. They can also kill bacteria and dredge meridians.

The only drawback is that the spring water smells unpleasant, and you need to lay a layer of flower petals to cover the odor.

...

You can't soak in a hot spring for too long, so after a quarter of an hour they got up and went back inside.

The floor heating was already on in the room and dinner was ready on the dining table.

After drying their hair and changing into clean clothes, the two sat cross-legged on the couch, ready to enjoy dinner.

Sitting cross-legged on the couch to eat is a characteristic culture of this dynasty, which was also influenced by the Hu people. The furniture and food culture are a bit exotic.

The Hu people like to do everything on the couch, including eating, chatting, drinking tea and sleeping.

The low-legged tea table on the couch in front of you can also serve as a "dining table".

The overall decoration style of "Lantang Villa" also incorporates Hu Feng's characteristics.

"This is the 'hot spring banquet' I asked the kitchen to prepare specially. Come and see how it tastes."

The so-called "hot spring banquet" actually uses seasonal ingredients such as winter bamboo shoots and sea bass, and uses techniques such as steaming and stone cooking, which is somewhat similar to the method of steam pot chicken.

Sea bass and winter bamboo shoots are both delicious ingredients that don’t require any seasoning.

Hongxiu couldn't stop after just one bite.

"good to eat!"

The people of this dynasty placed a lot of emphasis on spices in their diet. The mutton, venison, rabbit and other meats they ate needed to be processed with spices such as pepper, cardamom and cinnamon to remove the fishy smell.

The fact that Hongxiu likes this dish shows that it is really delicious.

Fu Huaiying picked up the lemon slices that Xiaodie had prepared and squeezed a little lemon juice on them.

"How about another try."

Sea bass meat is rich in iron, which is not easy to digest and absorb. If it is eaten with vinegar, soy sauce or lemon, it can promote digestion and absorption.

The sour taste of lemon juice can further stimulate the flavor.

Hongxiu picked up a piece of fish drizzled with lemon juice. The tender fish mixed with the sour lemon juice was so appetizing.

"Madam, I have eaten sea bass before, but I have never tasted it prepared like this."

Fu Huaiying smiled and said, "There's a fish pond in the farm next door, and this sea bass was caught from there."

"If you like sea bass, how about I make you some spicy grilled sea bass tomorrow?"