Upon hearing Jiang Shuwan's words, the shopkeeper's admiration only grew stronger.

No one dislikes having too much money, especially the rich, who crave wealth even more than the poor.

They are the type to think twice before acting, and when faced with profit, they are like wild beasts, only capable of eating until they are stuffed and vomiting, never wanting to stop eating.

Like Jiang Shuwan, there are very few people who can stay true to their principles, make money, and benefit ordinary people at the same time.

They were seasoned businessmen who had seen many people who spoke eloquently and appeared virtuous, but who completely forgot their morality and ethics the moment they saw money.

In addition, Jiang Shuwan is so young, yet she has such a temperament; I truly admire her.

“Young Madam is truly kind-hearted. The weather is so cold, and we have so much firewood. If it were any other shop, they would have already raised the price and made a fortune. But Young Madam, you don’t know that because of your kindness, our shop’s reputation on Zhuque Street is getting better and better. Many people say that we are benevolent and virtuous merchants.”

The shopkeeper said excitedly.

Merchants have always had a low social status, but with the title of "benevolent merchant" or "Confucian merchant," their status has indeed risen considerably.

Anyway, the shopkeeper next door, who was raising the price of firewood every day because of the heavy snow, wasn't as popular as them.

Jiang Shuwan smiled, took a sip of tea, and then said leisurely, "Doing business cannot only focus on immediate profits; we must plan for the long term. Only when the people's lives improve can our business be safe and sustainable."

Especially in the last two years, a time of many troubles, we must be even more careful.

Jiang Shuwan thought to herself, but didn't say it aloud.

After that, she went to the area in the backyard where they piled up fine charcoal.

The price of premium charcoal will also rise as it was last year.

These aristocratic families have accumulated wealth over a century; if we don't make money off them, who will we make money off?

She was waiting for the money to build a factory in her sugar workshop in the North, and she also needed to hire a large number of people to grow sugar beets next spring.

Labor, land, wages, and their food expenses—all of these cost money.

Such a large expenditure could only come from the pockets of these aristocratic families.

After doing all that, Jiang Shuwan took another stroll around the shop, carefully inquiring about some details of daily operations.

After chatting with the shopkeeper, Jiang Shuwan returned to her residence.

So, for the next few days, she inspected the businesses under her control.

That day, Jiang Shuwan had just returned from the shop, still carrying a bit of the chill from outside.

A maidservant rushed over to report, "Young mistress, Madam requests that you come over tomorrow."

Jiang Shuwan was taken aback. "Madam wants me to come over?"

Since the Wen family moved to Lotus Manor, they have only asked Pei Yanzhi to visit once. Why would they ask her to go over there out of the blue?

She and the Wen family had never gotten along, and the Wen family would definitely not invite her if there was anything good happening.

However, since Wen was an elder, and filial impiety was considered a grave offense, she had no choice but to go, whether she wanted to or not.

The next day, Jiang Shuwan packed her things and went to Lotus Manor in the suburbs. She also brought several bolts of cloth and some snacks that Wen Shi usually liked to eat.

Upon arriving at Lotus Manor, before she even disembarked from the carriage, she saw Madam Wen quickly emerge from the manor to greet her.

Lady Wen was dressed in plain clothes, with only a gold hairpin in her hair and no other adornments. She was followed by a large group of old women.

Although she no longer enjoys the same power and prestige she had when she was in the Marquis's mansion, none of the servants, including the former maids of Lotus Manor, dare to look down on her.

Jiang Shuwan didn't dare to underestimate her either.

With a beaming smile, Madam Wen grabbed Jiang Shuwan's hand as soon as they met, "Shuwan, you've finally arrived! Come in quickly, it's cold outside."

This intimacy was different from what she had expected. A glint flashed in her eyes, but Jiang Shuwan remained calm and let Wen Shi lead her.

"It's so cold, why isn't Madam waiting inside? If Madam gets sick, it will be my fault."

She handled the situation carefully and walked quickly inside.

After all, if Wen Shi really got sick from waiting for her, wouldn't that make Wen Shi seem idle and kind?

It was only with great difficulty that Lady Wen was banished to the estate to reflect on her actions after damaging Pei Yanzhi's property; we cannot bring her back because of her carelessness.

"Hehe, look how fast the young mistress is walking. Is she afraid our madam will try to extort money from her?"

"Say less. Things are different now. Our madam is begging the young mistress."

Jiang Shuwan didn't hear the whispers of the servants around her, but judging from their obedient and compliant attitude, she could roughly guess that there shouldn't be any traps today.

“You’ve lost weight since I last saw you. This is some food and cloth that your daughter-in-law brought for you. Lotus Manor is not as grand as the Marquis’s Mansion, but we still can’t be careless about your food, clothing and other necessities.”

These words were so well-intentioned and showed the utmost care that Wen couldn't help but think of Pei Jing's visit to her a few days ago.

She also brought food and clothes, but the first thing she did was to berate Jin Jiaoniang for being obsessed with the young master, for the Duke's mansion for favoring concubines over wives, and for the Duchess for pretending to be confused and not caring about such nonsense. She didn't care at all whether her mother was doing well at Lotus Manor or whether she could help her return to the Marquis's mansion.

"I can't count on Pei Jing for the rest of my life!" With a sigh in her heart, Madam Wen warmly led Jiang Shuwan into the inner hall.

There was very little smoke inside, and there was a Buddha statue that had been moved from the Marquis's mansion's Buddhist hall.

"Young mistress, please have some tea."

The tea soup was golden yellow, and upon tasting it, Jiang Shuwan immediately realized that it was a top-quality Pu'er tea.

The girl raised an eyebrow with amusement.

The Wen family doesn't have much money right now, yet they're willing to treat her to such fine Pu'er tea. It's clear they need something from her.

"I wonder what brings you here today, Madam?"

After a few pleasantries, Jiang Shuwan got straight to the point.

When it came to serious matters, Madam Wen also became solemn. She even personally poured Jiang Shuwan a cup of hot tea, looking guilty.

“Wan’er, I’m sorry for what I did to you before. As an elder, I have done many things wrong. I hope you won’t take it to heart.”

"Madam, you flatter me. It's my honor to be taught a lesson by elders. Of course, even if there are some misunderstandings, I haven't taken them to heart," Jiang Shuwan said cautiously.

Madam Wen immediately showed a relieved expression. "That's good, that's good. Wan'er, I called you here today because I have something to ask of you. As you know, Yunzhou is not young anymore, and I, as his mother, have been worried sick about his marriage. After thinking it over, I realized that the only person in this mansion who can help me is you."

As she spoke, she patted Jiang Shuwan's hand.

Jiang Shuwan was slightly taken aback. So it was because of Pei Yunzhou. No wonder the Wen family was so humble.

"Does Madam have someone in mind?"

"It just needs to match the Marquis's residence."

"The Marquis's family is a noble and prestigious family, and there are several families that are a good match for the Marquis's family. Why don't you tell me more about them, so that your daughter-in-law can give me some advice?"

These words struck a chord with Madam Wen, as she was genuinely worried that Jiang Shuwan might not be doing her best. She quickly replied, "Do you still remember the noblewoman that the young master married last year? Her family background should be comparable to his."

"..."

Jiang Shuwan almost spat out her tea.