The lights in Xingyue Courtyard were still on, and Jiang Shuyue was bent over her desk writing down the data she hadn't finished organizing during the day.

She not only wrote theoretical knowledge about growing greenhouse vegetables, but also took the time to compile a book on the medical principles of diseases.

She had said she would give Xu An a handwritten copy of a pathology book; keeping one's word is a principle she adheres to.

The leader of the men in black gestured to the others, then walked alone toward the window with the light on.

The window was half-open, and the man in black outside pulled down his black mask, revealing an exceptionally handsome face. He stood quietly for a long time, as if admiring a painting.

Inside the room, the beautiful woman would sometimes furrow her brows slightly, and sometimes write furiously with her pen.

Her hands were as soft as tender shoots, her skin as smooth as cream, and the soft light reflected on her face, casting a shadow beneath her eyes with her butterfly-like eyelashes.

A gust of wind blew by, lifting a stray strand of hair that had fallen behind her temple, making her look charming and alluring.

Looking at the vermilion beauty mark, Xiao Jingzhao's Adam's apple bobbed.

Seeing Jiang Shuyue put down her pen and pull her cloak tighter, Xiao Jingzhao coughed lightly, his fist half-clenched to his lips.

Jiang Shuyue suddenly looked up, then quickly composed herself and asked, "Your Majesty, when did you arrive?"

"I just arrived, and I stood there for a while so as not to disturb you."

Before she could finish speaking, Jiang Shuyue felt a figure flash before her eyes, and Xiao Jingzhao was standing beside her.

Just as Jiang Shuyue was about to get up, a pair of large, well-defined hands pressed down on her shoulders. "I've said it before, when there are no outsiders, we don't need those formalities between us."

The large hand quickly left her shoulder, and Jiang Shuyue's heart, like a calm lake, was stirred by a stone thrown in.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Jiang Shuyue did not have the habit of having someone serve her to bed. There was no one else in the room, so she invited Xiao Jingzhao to sit down.

Then he got up, poured a cup of chrysanthemum tea, and handed it over: "It's not advisable to drink green tea at night. Autumn weather is dry, so drinking some chrysanthemum tea can help relieve dryness, improve eyesight, and protect the liver."

"Don't overwork yourself. Leave the affairs of the estate to the steward. If there aren't enough people, I can have Xiangyang send some to help." Xiao Jingzhao took the teacup and held it in his hand.

Whether it was because Jiang Shuyue had her hair down or because his memory was wrong, he felt that Jiang Shuyue had lost weight.

Jiang Shuyue shifted her chair to face Xiao Jingzhao and sat down, smiling slightly. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. The head of the estate is a capable person. Cangyun is meticulous in his work, and the construction of the greenhouse is going smoothly. I estimate that the first greenhouse will be completed in a few days."

Xiao Jingzhao took a sip of chrysanthemum tea and nodded slightly, saying with a double meaning, "Not bad, very good."

"Sui Sui has already gone to sleep."

Xiao Jingzhao was stunned for a moment by Jiang Shuyue's sudden question.

He put down his teacup, took out a piece of paper from his pocket, and pushed it in front of Jiang Shuyue. "There's plenty of time in the future. I'll give you this today when I see the child again."

Now that the three major families are all loyal to him, Xiao Jingzhao knows this well, and Jiang Shuyue deserves much credit for it.

He didn't want to say "thank you" because it would create distance between them.

"What is this?" Jiang Shuyue looked up at Xiao Jingzhao.

Xiao Jingzhao raised his chin slightly, his voice as warm as a spring breeze, "Open it and see, it's what you need."

Xiangyang delivered the glass paper to the manor, and when he returned, he mentioned that Gao Mu and Cangyun had both stayed at the manor.

Xiao Jingzhao was worried that the mother and daughter would be left unprotected, so he sent people to take turns protecting the Jiang family's safety.

Today, the guards returned and reported that several brokers had visited the Jiang residence in the past few days.

He sent someone to inquire at the real estate agency and learned that she was looking for a shop.

Jiang Shuyue picked up the paper on the table and unfolded it. The words "Juxian Pavilion on Zhengdong Street" were written on it.

Looking further down, there was a property deed, which listed the owner as Jiang Shuyue and bore the official red seal of the government.

The ink on the property deed still smelled faintly of vanilla, and anyone with a discerning eye could tell that the deed was freshly made.

"Your Majesty, this..."

Jiang Shuyue suddenly felt that the house deed was a bit of a hot potato. She understood the principle that one is obligated to help others.

Even close brothers should keep clear accounts, Jiang Shuyue silently calculated in her mind.

She looked at Xiao Jingzhao and asked, "Your Majesty, this shop is one of the best in the capital. Can I pay in installments?"

Xiao Jingzhao: "..."

"No need, consider it as us opening a shop together."

Xiao Jingzhao reacted quickly: since she wouldn't accept it, then they would partner up.

“Okay, you provide the shop, I’ll manage the business, and we’ll split the profits 50/50, including the greenhouse vegetables.” Jiang Shuyue agreed without hesitation.

Xiao Jingzhao's lips curled slightly, "A 2:8 split is still better."

Jiang Shuyue gritted her teeth and said, "Fine, you get eight and I get two."

The gold shops in the capital are still registered in her name; even if she gets only a tenth of it, she's still getting a good deal.

Xiao Jingzhao's gaze lingered on her face, his phoenix eyes burning Jiang Shuyue's face.

Seeing Xiao Jingzhao looking at her like that, Jiang Shuyue blinked, swallowed, and said, "You said it yourself, so it's not impossible for me to get 10%."

She paused for a moment and then said, "Trust me, I guarantee you'll earn back the money you spent on the shop within three years."

Jiang Shuyue didn't dare to make any promises too confidently. According to her business philosophy, it would only take two years to break even.

A smile spread across Xiao Jingzhao's eyes, and he parted his thin lips slightly: "You have eight, I have two."

He then looked away and said seriously, "Do you think I'm a petty and despicable person?"

Knowing she had misunderstood Xiao Jingzhao's meaning, Jiang Shuyue smiled somewhat guiltily, "No, no, His Majesty is a man of noble character, how could he be so petty? It's just that I think His Majesty is at a disadvantage, so it should be split 50/50, that way the accounts will be easier to calculate."

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