Chapter 478 I Don't Like It

It’s a long story, and it has to start with the winery.

Ever since Yuxiang Pavilion in the capital began experimenting with grape winemaking and was sought after by many dignitaries, many businessmen became interested and began competing to contract vineyards in order to get a piece of this huge potential market.

Xue Hui's father was also among them.

He took a gamble and spent 10,000 taels of silver to contract several of the most sought-after manors.

The grapes produced by those manors were large and round, with thin skin and thick flesh, fresh and sweet. He was very happy, waiting for the season to come, and he would make a lot of money.

However, when he confidently went to the largest wineries to discuss business, he learned that those wineries had just signed a contract with another vineyard.

Xue Hui's father was shocked because he had the best manor.

He was unwilling to give up and insisted on going to see what was so special about the grapes from that estate.

Upon first sight, he discovered that the grapes from that farm had thick skin, astringent flesh, and a slightly bitter taste. Compared to the grapes from his own estate, there was a world of difference!

At this time, the shopkeepers of the wine shops told him the truth -

It turns out that the sweeter the grapes used for winemaking, the better. The grapes with many seeds, thick skins and a slightly bitter taste produce the most mellow wine.

One of the shopkeepers said that they didn't understand the secret before, and the wine made from table grapes was always unsatisfactory.

It was not until the vineyard took the initiative to send the raw materials to them and asked them to try it that they were able to produce a wine that amazed them.

Now all the wine merchants in Daliang are scrambling to purchase grapes from that estate. Who would still be interested in the goods in the Xue family?

"Lanlan, I brought you a jar of the latest red wine, remember to try it when you go back.

These are all made from wine grapes that I spent a lot of money to grow. They are the only ones in Daliang!"

Qiao Youyou took out a small jar of wine like a magician, opened the lid, and a sweet aroma instantly filled the air.

Zhu Lan happily accepted it and asked:

"The Xue family has suffered heavy losses this time, right?"

Qiao Youyou smiled complacently, "Business depends on information asymmetry."

“Some people don’t have the skills, but they want to do this job. Ultimately, it’s just greed.

Mr. Xue lost so much money this time that he has nothing left but his pants. He is probably crying in his quilt now!"

"Oh, right!" Qiao Youyou said again.

"Now Xiang Lai'er has officially been transferred to Tongyun Money House, and Zhang Sigu and many old masters have also returned.

Yu Wei also sent a message. Now that she was a noble concubine, it was impossible for her to manage the shop all the time, so she simply handed it over to Tongyun Money House and Zhang Sigu.

Yu Wei is the founder of Xiang Lai Er. She and Zhang Sigu will get a share of Xiang Lai Er's operating income, which is more than enough for the palace expenses. "

Zhu Lan nodded, "Fourth Aunt is loyal and reliable. Xiang Lai'er's development to where it is today is inseparable from her hard work. This arrangement is also appropriate."

Zhu Lan looked down at the letter in his hand, turned to the next page, and read softly:

"The winter snow in the capital is gradually melting. Yesterday, I saw a swallow returning with its mate outside the Jinxiao Pavilion, carrying mud to build a nest, which made me happy.

Although Lingnan does not have a severe winter, you should not be careless when the weather is warm and cold, and remember to put on more clothes..."

Zhu Lan had just read halfway when Qiao Youyou suddenly jumped up and snatched the letter back.

“Ahhh, I forgot there was this page!!!

This cannot be seen!!!!”

She clutched the second page of the letter tightly, her face redder than the tomato fruits on the tree.

Zhu Lan teased with a gossipy look on his face:

“Hey, isn’t this the world-famous Qiao, the leader of Jinxiao Pavilion, the president of the Four States Chamber of Commerce, the ordinary little genius who makes money, and the Youyou female hero?

You are usually fearless, why are you so shy here?"

Qiao Youyou covered her feverish cheek and hummed while laughing. She stretched out her hand and dug twice next to the tomato seedlings planted by Zhu Lan.

"What are you digging for?"

"I dug a hole and buried myself. I'm too embarrassed to see anyone..." Qiao Youyou looked sad.

"No, what if your Xiaobai asks me for help later?"

"Just say I'm a tomato spirit that has been cultivating for five hundred years and now I've returned to my original form."

"This extraordinary love story that transcends species would definitely be a big seller if I wrote it into a storybook."

"It's all muddy!!!"

The two of them started playing and fighting again. It took a while for them to stop and find a place under the shade of a tree to sit down.

Qiao Youyou held her chin and asked her:

"Lanlan, after I finish my work in Biquan Village, I will return to the capital. I will come back to Nanzhou every few months at most and stay for a while.

What are your plans for the future? Are you really planning to leave the court and retire here?"

She paused, then quickly added:

"Of course, we share the same honor and disgrace, and I welcome you to stay!

But I think with your personality, you won't be willing to just accept this, right?"

Zhu Lan's eyes dropped to his slowly opening hands.

"My life has been smooth sailing. The emperor trusts me, the ministers respect me, and you help me... But sometimes I can't see clearly what I am holding in my hands.

Now I am down and out. When I was in Biquan Village, Kang Gaoyi was just a small county magistrate. I watched him bully the people and abuse his power. I couldn't do anything about him. I couldn't do anything...

I don’t like that feeling of powerlessness.”

She raised her head slightly, and her deep eyes penetrated the scattered branches and leaves, as if they also penetrated the clouds and saw a more distant place.

After a moment, she spoke softly:

"I think I still like the feeling of being on a high place."

"Are you planning to return to the court?" Qiao Youyou asked.

"When? How can we help you?"

Zhu Lan retracted his gaze, his tone became more relaxed, and he said with a smile:

“It’s not good to rush some things.

When the time comes, I'm afraid there will be no escape."

She stretched lazily, with a look of laziness and comfort on her lips, and leaned diagonally against Qiao Youyou.

“It’s a rare opportunity to take a break from your busy schedule.

If you don’t enjoy the delicious food, fun and beautiful scenery, wouldn’t it be a waste? "