The next morning, Li Shiyue went to Shousong Hall as usual. It was already December, and she had changed into a heavy cloak.

Not seeing Madam Xu, Li Shiyue walked familiarly into the inner room. Granny Chang noticed her first and habitually handed her the gold hairpin in her hand.

A gold hairpin was inserted into her hair. Li Shiyue looked up, and the eyes of the grandfather and granddaughter met in the bronze mirror.

"You look good today. My cousin said he'd take you to Guanqing Garden for a stroll after the New Year. It's warm in winter and cool in summer. You can stay there until spring to help you recover, and then we can come back together."

"Your cousin won't be home by spring, so we'll talk about it then." Thinking of her granddaughter's upcoming marriage, Old Madam Xu felt both reluctant and sad.

He grasped Li Shiyue's hand and they walked together to sit down in the main room: "You got up so early today and even specially put on your new clothes."

"I'm going to check out the shop today. My aunt said that since I've been studying accounting for a long time, I should go and take a look at my own shop. Yesterday, my aunt sent someone to tell Manager Wang that I can just go directly."

Li Shiyue glanced at the newly tailored light blue cloak with dark patterns she was wearing. Although it was thick and heavy in the dead of winter, it was very warm.

She's been particularly fond of purple lately, and this outfit is the new dress she's been looking forward to for a long time. Li Shiyue smiled shyly: "My aunt has been having Manager Wang manage the shop, and she was worried that I wouldn't understand anything there, so she asked Manager Wang first, and if there's anything I don't understand, I can come back and ask my aunt."

Tell me not to show weakness. If the people below are incompetent, just have them punished. I'm afraid I'll be easily swayed and deceived by them.

Madam Xu nodded: "Your aunt is right. Have your meal first, and come back as soon as possible."

Emerging from Shousong Hall, the morning chill had gradually faded, replaced by the biting wind of December. The blazing sun overhead and the chill all around felt quite different.

She put on a veil and got into the carriage, with two servants on either side of the carriage. These servants were specially hired by Madam Yang to learn martial arts, and they accompanied her out of the mansion.

The shop was spacious. After the carriage stopped, Li Shiyue saw that it belonged to her. It was a tea shop, which was what Manager Wang was most good at. The estate in the suburbs was also a tea shop. Manager Wang managed tea shops in Yunzhong County, so he naturally knew a lot about tea.

Although he was over fifty, he moved with swift and powerful steps, standing at the doorway and glancing outside every now and then. The long street was bustling and noisy early in the morning, with carriages towering above people's figures, making it easy to spot the approaching carriage in the distance.

Li Shiyue descended the steps wearing a veil and carrying a spring silk ribbon. Steward Wang led the way, and she removed the veil only when they reached the back courtyard. The furnishings in the back were simpler, suggesting it was the usual place for receiving guests.

"Manager Wang, how are you doing these days?"

Chunling walked over, took out a purse and placed it in Manager Wang's hand: "Miss has been thinking of you. She came to the shop today and remembered that your knees are not good. Please make sure to get your medicine on time."

The purse felt thin to the touch; it certainly didn't contain loose silver. The silver notes must have been worth at least a hundred taels. Manager Wang looked shocked and hurriedly tried to decline.

"Please accept this. You've come to the capital with me, and I imagine you're finding the climate there very difficult. Your knees have always been bad, so consider this a token of my gratitude."

Li Shiyue stood up and placed the purse in Manager Wang's hand: "I have looked at the account book. You have managed the shop very well. My aunt told me that she would give you some easy jobs after the New Year."

"This money is insignificant compared to your health. Don't be afraid to spend the money. If you don't take good care of your leg, I've heard from the imperial physician that you'll suffer terribly within two years. Please accept it."

Besides her belongings, the only people who accompanied her to the capital were Steward Wang and Chunling. In her eyes, Steward Wang was like an uncle next door, someone who cared for her even more than her blood-related father.

Manager Wang sighed, looking at the purse in his hand: "How can this be worth it? How could this old servant be worthy of such treatment from the young lady?"

“How could it not be worth it? Back in Yunzhong County, every New Year’s Eve, the steward would buy candied hawthorns for the young lady. At that time, he had to do it behind the back of the Marquis’s family, just so that the young lady would be happy to eat them.”

Chunling smiled and helped Steward Wang sit down: "This year, Miss has been thinking of you, Steward. You have managed the shop very well. Now that you are following the Duchess, you also know some housekeeping. Even I, Chunling, can read."

Steward Wang has never married, nor has he had any children to care for him. Now, in his fifties, he remains alone. Chunling, having been orphaned since childhood, has always respected Steward Wang as an elder.

"The Duchess is doing well." Steward Wang held the purse, his eyes moist. He was now worthy of the kindness of his former mistress. At least now the young lady had no worries about food and clothing and no more troublesome matters to worry about. She couldn't be happier.

Li Shiyue sat on the other side, feeling a warmth in her heart: "I also came today for something. I was looking at the account book, and the Prince of Yan's mansion orders tea at the beginning of each month?"

"Yes, there are more Yunwu and Yinzhen teas, but since the tea plantation's output has been lower than before a few months ago, the Prince of Yan's mansion now only wants Yunwu tea."

Steward Wang answered truthfully: "The capital is not as famous for tea as Yunzhong County. The annual quantity is scarce. Apart from the Prince of Yan's mansion and a few other families that come regularly, the other common people occasionally have some loose tea, which they sell at a low price."

Li Shiyue nodded. She had seen these in the ledger: "The best tea-producing area is naturally Yunzhong County. If we contact tea merchants, we can buy low and sell high."

I've discussed this suggestion with my aunt, and I'd like to hear your opinion. Would you be willing to make a trip to Yunzhong County? I think that since we're looking for a tea merchant for long-term cooperation, we need to see for ourselves, and no one is more suitable than you.”

Steward Wang's eyes lit up: "Yunzhong County is next to Yunshui County. If we're talking about the best tea, these two places are the best. It would be best if we could go and see for ourselves."

"Yunshui County? We can go and take a look. I'll mention it to my aunt when I get back, and I'll assign you some manpower. You can set up the shop properly, and if you need anything, just come to the Duke's Mansion to find me."

"It's not too late to set off after the New Year. With the year drawing to a close, I should take care of my legs first. I'm waiting for good news." Li Shiyue picked up the teacup beside her, and the delicate fragrance of mist wafted up from it, not much different from that of the Duke's mansion.

"Have things been peaceful these days? After all, we're in the capital, right under the emperor's nose. Nobody's causing trouble, is that right?"

Manager Wang shook his head: "Most of the shops on this street are teahouses and wineries, all of which have powerful families behind them. The people working there are friendly and have never caused any trouble. They have a good relationship with the surrounding businesses, so you can rest assured, young lady."

Li Shiyue nodded in relief. As she walked in, she saw that the shop was simple and clean, and the people working there were doing their jobs diligently without slacking off.

Manager Wang must have put a lot of thought into it, no wonder Li Shiyue trusts him. He manages the new shop very well, even Yang Shi praises him. The new shop is already showing signs of expansion in less than half a year, no wonder Yang Shi is interested in tea.