Chapter 88 Thoughts

Shangguan Jin and the others finally understood.

No wonder they're a brother and sister!

The two men followed the same path. Even Qianli disliked the Ruyi Alliance, feeling that it was all about fighting and killing, which was uncivilized.

Hua Wanli, too, disliked Wanhualou.

She felt that the girls at Wan Hua Lou were all too cunning, and she could easily trick them into revealing secrets.

She would rather live a life of fighting and killing.

Then Hua Yue Niang felt that her daughter was growing up and it wasn't right for her to stay in the building all day.

He gave Hua Wanli a sum of money and told her to find a place to open a teahouse, restaurant, brothel, or any other kind of establishment.

As long as I can get the information, that's fine.

Hua Wanli, wanting to get away from the Wanhua Brothel in Jiangnan, happily took her money and went to the capital.

As a result, she, who knew nothing about what kind of building to open, happened to run into Lian Qianli, who was reluctantly coming out to do a mission.

The two met and, after hearing each other's grievances, immediately hit it off.

Isn't it just about helping each other?

You help me with tasks, and I'll help you open a teahouse. We both get what we need; it's a good deal.

After Lian Qianli finished telling everyone about Hua Wanli, everyone fell silent.

Especially winter wheat, who can't keep things to herself and speaks her mind directly.

"You can't make mud stick to a wall, but you have to make it stick; you can't carve rotten wood, but you have to carve it."

It would be so much better to let the mud lie there and the rotten wood stay put!

Our young lady is the best; she never forces the young masters and ladies to learn things they don't want to learn.

Our young master and young lady both wanted to learn those things on their own.

"Don't you agree?" Dongmai said, glancing at the five children of the Shen family.

Led by Shen Qingyue, the five children immediately nodded in agreement, looking a little guilty.

That's right, they all wanted to learn it themselves, their mother didn't force them at all!

Even Qianli scratched his head and felt that the Duchess of Dingguo was better; she wouldn't force her child to do things he didn't want to do.

“Actually… you two should have switched places back then; maybe you would both have liked it,” Shen Qingyue suddenly said.

Everyone was taken aback, but then they understood what Shen Qingyue meant.

If Lian Qianli were kept at Wan Hua Lou, this kid would probably be overjoyed!

The endless gossip about the Zhang and Li families—wasn't this exactly what he wanted?

And then there's that girl, Hua Wanli, whom I haven't met yet. She spends her days wandering the martial world, upholding justice and helping others. She should be very satisfied with that too!

But then I thought about it again.

The leader of the Ruyi Alliance, which strikes fear into the hearts of martial arts practitioners, is a young woman...

Or rather, the seemingly alluring owner of the brothel, Wan Hua Lou, is actually a man...

Hmm, I feel a little out of place!

"Never mind all that, they're already like this. Now that you and your sister have decided to stick together for warmth, are you going to start making arrangements for that teahouse?"

"Have you figured out what to do?" Shangguan Jin asked.

Lian Qianli nodded, somewhat excited.

"Madam, I've made up my mind. The most suitable place for your shop is to turn it into a teahouse."

That shop has a good location; it's lively in the front and quiet in the back. You can watch the excitement or chat if you want.

So, I opened a teahouse.

I want to open a teahouse in Beijing that is different from other teahouses.

In the teahouse I own, you can drink all the famous teas in the world.

Of course, this is just the most basic.

I will make anyone who has been to my teahouse want to go a second time, a third time, and always want to go.

"As long as someone goes, the news will spread," Lian Qianli said excitedly.

"And then? That's it?" Shangguan Jin was clearly uninterested.

Lian Qianli shook his head.

"Madam, I've been thinking about this a lot lately."

Think about it, most teahouses are for listening to storytelling or opera. There are many people there, but in such places, most of the news that circulates is a mix of truth and falsehood.

Therefore, with so many people around, it's not appropriate to whisper among yourself.

The teahouse I want to open will also have a place for listening to storytelling and opera performances.

But it's only in the lobby on the first floor.

The second and third floors were all converted into private rooms.

I know that other teahouses also have private rooms, but my private room is different from others.

I have someone specifically to take care of me.

Madam, think about it, in other teahouses, the waiters serve you tea.

Leave right after you're done soaking.

I plan to do it this way: my teahouse won't need those waiters serving tea.

When guests arrive and ask what kind of tea they would like, all the tea is brewed by women.

"Isn't this different?" Lian Qianli asked excitedly.

"Isn't this just a combination of a brothel and a teahouse? What's so strange about it?" Dongmai muttered from the side.

Shangguan Jin, however, thought of certain occasions in later generations.

"Of course they're different."

Brothels primarily cater to men, but my teahouse caters to both men and women.

Madam, just imagine, you sit down in my building, and a young lady will immediately brew you tea and carefully serve you.

Are you feeling comfortable?

Furthermore, only wealthy families could afford to use the private rooms.

Even if they go, they won't go alone; they'll definitely bring others along.

When you relax and feel comfortable, you tend to talk more.

As you talk, isn't it easy to reveal your own family matters?

Then…” Lian Qianli’s smile became somewhat lewd.

Shen Qingyue and the others suddenly realized.

That seems to be the case!

Sure enough, this kid was cunning and wicked, full of bad intentions, trying to get people to talk about his affairs.

I must stay away from this kid from now on, lest he trick me into revealing information.

Shangguan Jin thought about what Lian Qianli said.

That seems to be the case.

In her later life, didn't she like to go out for coffee or various tea houses with her friends?

Work-related matters and family matters are not always discussed in those kinds of settings.

However, Shangguan Jin thought of something else...

“What you said is indeed good, but I have another idea. Would you like to hear it?” Shangguan Jin suddenly asked.

Lian Qianli was taken aback.

Of course he wanted to hear it; in his opinion, a lady like Shangguan Jin was the one who had the real information.

“Madam, please speak.” Lian Qianli immediately sat up straight.

"To be honest, I have some requirements," Shangguan Jin said with a smile.

"Please speak, Madam. As long as it's not an unreasonable request, I, Lian Qianli, will certainly grant it." Lian Qianli sat up even straighter.

"I want to invest in your teahouse!" Shangguan Jin said.

The Shen family members...

Lian Qianli thought about it and realized that every shop in the capital was backed by nobles, so he could agree to the request. It would also give him another powerful backer.

"I couldn't be happier!" Lian Qianli laughed.

"I want a share of the profits!" Shangguan Jin continued with a smile.

She herself felt that it was a bit shameless of her not to take out her penny.

Lian Qianli nodded.

He hadn't originally intended for Shangguan Jin to pay for it.

It's only a few thousand taels of silver; he can afford it!

“That suits me perfectly! Please continue, Madam.” Lian Qianli sat up even straighter.