Chapter 11 – The Owners on the Boat

They had caught more than two hundred jin of fish. This amount was far too much for the Su family to handle on their own, so Old Lady Su left Su Fourth and Li Sumei to watch over the fish, while she and Su Second packed a basket of crabs and went to find Wang Shan.

When Wang Shan heard how they had managed to catch so many fish, he was extremely shocked. But he soon smiled and accepted the crabs, saying to Old Lady Su, “You’re quite clever—not selling the seafood privately on the boat. Otherwise, you would’ve broken the rules onboard, and Steward Zhang would definitely have kicked you off the ship.”

Old Lady Su laughed and said, “Yes, we remembered the rules Brother Wang mentioned yesterday. I was wondering if we could entrust these fish to the main family to help us sell them? As for the profit split, we’re open to negotiation.”

“Money matters aren’t my decision to make. Let me ask Steward Zhang first,” Wang Shan replied.

After speaking, he found a few sailors and had them bring out several water vats from the storeroom. They helped the Su family put the fish into the vats, scooping several buckets of water into them to keep the fish alive for at least two hours. With the basket of crabs gifted by Old Lady Su in hand, he boarded a small boat and rowed toward the main family’s ship ahead.

Watching the small boat drift away, Su Second looked a bit worried. “Mother, what if Steward Zhang doesn’t agree?”

Old Lady Su responded calmly, “If he doesn’t agree, we’ll just dry the fish into jerky and eat it ourselves.”

These fish could be preserved for a long time once dried. Besides, the power to decide pricing and the profit split lay with the Wang family, and there was no way they would pass up over two hundred jin of fish.

She then said, “Alright, let’s pick out the fish for ourselves first. Make sure to choose the best ones, with fewer bones! And don’t forget to set aside some for the squad leaders of Third and Fifth.”

“Got it, Mother!”

The whole family happily carried water basins and baskets to pick out the fish.

At that moment, aboard the lavish main ship painted in red and adorned with carved railings and intricate designs…

An elderly woman with gray hair wore a headpiece inlaid with jade and gold filigree. She was dressed in lilac jacquard satin that flowed like water. With a dignified air, she sat on a huanghuali wood luohan bed. Beside her stood a nanny.

When Wang Shan entered, the old lady was gently patting a baby girl in her arms while speaking with Steward Zhang.

Their conversation was interrupted, and Steward Zhang frowned, scolding, “Why are you here for no reason? If someone finds out that there’s no ‘Master’ on our main ship, only the Old Madam and the young Miss—just two vulnerable women—you know how serious the consequences would be!”

Seeing that Steward Zhang was angry, Wang Shan’s heart tightened. He quickly smiled apologetically and presented the basket of crabs, whispering the whole story into his ear.

Steward Zhang’s expression relaxed slightly after hearing it.

The old madam looked over at them and asked in her aged voice, “What’s the matter?”

Steward Zhang turned slightly toward her and smiled, pointing at the crabs in Wang Shan’s hands. “Old Madam, there’s a family on the ferry who caught over two hundred jin of fish. They can’t deal with it on their own and want to entrust us with selling it.”

The old madam’s eyes moved slightly. “Is it that family who was fishing on the deck early in the morning? Two young daughters-in-law, one of them holding a baby girl about the same size as our little Miss, two men, an old woman, and two children?”

Steward Zhang smiled. “Yes, that’s them. How did you know, Old Madam?”

The old madam chuckled as she cradled the baby girl in her arms. “I took Ying-jie out for some fresh air this morning and saw them. At the time, I wondered whether they could catch any fish at all. The current is so fast. I didn’t expect not only did they catch some—they brought in over two hundred jin. That’s quite something.”

Seeing that the old madam was interested in them, Steward Zhang thought to cheer her up by saying more. He gave Wang Shan a look.

Wang Shan understood instantly and picked up the story with a grin. “Old Madam, do you know how they managed to catch so many fish?”

The old madam replied, “It must’ve been with a fishing net. What else—fishing rods?”

Though her tone was casual, she was genuinely curious.

Wang Shan quickly lifted the basket of crabs with a smile. “You guessed right, Old Madam! It was a fishing net—but not one they borrowed from us. Yesterday, when we were moving luggage, some broken rope fell to the ground, and no one picked it up. But they gathered all of it. They also found a three-meter-long rod, reattached the broken rope themselves, and made a big fishing net. They firmly tied it to the rod, turned it into a scoop net, and placed it into the water. The fish actually gathered themselves into the net! It was so packed, a whole bunch of fish swimming right in! Ordinary people wouldn’t even be able to lift that catch. But one of their men just rolled up his sleeves and hauled it up all by himself!”

The old madam was a bit surprised. “He lifted over two hundred jin of fish all by himself?”

Wang Shan realized he might’ve exaggerated, so he smiled sheepishly and offered the crabs. “Old Madam, look—these are the crabs that family gifted to the ‘Master.’ They might not be as good as the ones we raise ourselves, but they’re still quite large. Would you like to try them?”

The old madam smiled and waved her hand. “Perfect. It’s been ages since I had a crab feast. Let’s prepare one tonight using these crabs. Zilan, take them.”

“Yes, Old Madam.”

A delicate maid in purple took the basket.

Seeing that the old madam was in a good mood and had accepted the gift, Steward Zhang smiled and said, “It’s that family’s good fortune that the Old Madam is willing to eat their crabs. I’ll go deal with their fish now and report back later.”

The old madam said, “It wasn’t easy for them to catch those fish. Let’s not take too much from them.”

“You’re right, Old Madam. I only plan to take a thirty percent commission.”

As he slightly raised his head, he saw the old madam looking down at the baby girl, seemingly lost in thought. He asked cautiously, “Old Madam, is something troubling you?”

The old madam stroked her granddaughter’s cheek and sighed. “Ying-jie is almost three months old now. Except for when she’s sick, she never cries. I’m afraid if this continues, her personality will become even more subdued. Since that family’s old woman also has a baby, I was thinking—why not invite them over to keep Ying-jie company for a few days? Maybe it’ll cheer her up and improve her condition.”

Steward Zhang breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s easy. I’ll go speak with that elder later.”

The old madam smiled. “That’s best. But even if they refuse, don’t force them.”

“Yes.”

Steward Zhang bowed and took Wang Shan back to the ferry.

“Madam, we can help you sell the fish and will only take a thirty percent commission. But on one condition—you must bring your granddaughter to the main ship to stay with our young Miss for a few days. No one else is allowed to accompany you. Once aboard, there will be maids and nannies to take care of you and the child.”

On the deck, Steward Zhang said to Old Lady Su.

Old Lady Su was stunned. Out of the blue, why was the main family asking her to bring her granddaughter to stay with their young Miss?

Wang Shan gave her a discreet look. Old Lady Su understood—it likely wasn’t a bad thing. She smiled and agreed, “Thank you, Steward Zhang, for the suggestion. Since we’re on the ship, we should’ve gone to pay respects to the main family anyway. We just held back because of our status. Now that the main family has personally invited us, how could I refuse?”

“Then it’s settled. Tomorrow morning, you and your granddaughter will come with me to meet the Master. Remember—no one else is allowed to come.”

Steward Zhang glanced at the ever-watchful Su Second, then left with Wang Shan to handle the fish.