The waiter brought the dishes to the table one by one: stir-fried fresh bamboo shoots with flounder and crispy spring rolls.

Sizzling chrysanthemum Buddha's Hand pastries, fragrant steamed sea bass, deep red braised mutton, white and green crab meat with bamboo shoots, a plate of lush green vegetables, and bubbling hot soup.

There are also Yuhang's specialty dishes, such as glutinous rice cakes and meatballs, which are cooked to a rich and delicious flavor, perfect for this cool season.

The shopkeepers stared wide-eyed.

"These... I've never even seen these dishes before, let alone eaten them!" Sister Wen exclaimed, her mouth watering.

"Sir, your lotus buds and Hedong wine are warmed up. Please enjoy!"

The waiter placed the drinks on the table, made a sound, and left.

The group's eyes lit up as they looked at the dishes on the table. "Mmm, it smells so good! Let's eat! Let's have a good meal today!"

"Oh, this soup comes in small jars, it's quite cute."

"Oh, Brother Fan, let me toast you! This time, we owe you so much!"

Manager Wen poured herself a glass of wine and then filled Manager Fan's glass as well. She stood up, patted Manager Fan on the shoulder, and said, "I'll drink mine, you can drink as you like!"

"Brother, you're too kind. We help each other out and support each other!"

Manager Fan stood up and clinked glasses with Manager Wen.

"Ziwan, we really owe you a lot this time. Sister Wen is so sorry!"

The group clinked glasses, expressing their feelings, and ate until their faces were red and their necks were bulging.

"Come on, come on, cheers!"

This Hedong wine is not like the Hibiscus Osmanthus Wine; it's much stronger. Manager Wen drank it too quickly, choked on it, and coughed so hard that veins showed on his face.

"Slow down, Sister Wen, this liquor is strong!"

Yun Yishu didn't say much, but looked at everyone and occasionally exchanged a few pleasantries.

He discovered that Liao Ziwan and Chu Dunshi were very good at handling these kinds of situations, and he could confidently entrust the shop to them in the future.

After drinking, the group exchanged pleasantries for a while before each taking their own carriage back to their shops.

…………

After leaving Pinxiangzhai, Yun Yishu went to Yuexiayuan Painting Workshop and invited Liao Ziwan to go with him. He also asked Shitou to go to Baixiangge to invite Zhao Pin'er.

After chatting about their recent situations for a while, Yun Yishu got straight to the point and said, "I want to open a money exchange."

"A money exchange?"

Liao Ziwan and Chu Dunshi looked surprised, but quickly regained their composure. They seemed to have adapted quickly to Yun Yishu's unusual ideas.

"Yes, there are many money shops in the capital, but as far as I know, the people are not satisfied with them."

“Yes, whatever you want to do, boss, I will support you,” Zhao Pin’er said.

Yun Yishu smiled and said, "Ping'er, I'll have to trouble you again. When you have time, find a capable subordinate to help me look after the shop."

"What's the trouble? Leave it to me."

Zhao Pin'er filled everyone's cups with hot tea and continued, "Well, we've recently opened a few branches and gotten to know some people. I also have a pretty good understanding of the shops in the capital."

“When I get back, I’ll have someone look at shops. You need to find a good location to open a money exchange.”

“Okay, I trust you to handle things.” Yun Yishu nodded.

Chu Dunshi nodded thoughtfully, "There are quite a few things to consider when opening a money exchange. Should we consult a fortune teller beforehand?"

"Hmm, Brother Chu is right. Do you know any masters?" Yun Yishu pondered, then suddenly remembered that Yun Duoduo was at Wanfo Temple. However, judging by the time, Yun Duoduo would be returning to the capital soon. If he sent a letter there, it might be too late.

"Well, I'll make time to go to Lingyin Temple tomorrow and ask the holy monks about the opening date, what's auspicious to do, and what's inauspicious to do." Chu Dunshi finished his tea in one gulp.

"Okay, then I'll trouble you."

After chatting and drinking tea for a while, they noticed it was getting dark outside. Yun Yishu said, "Let's go back first. If there's a suitable shop, we can rent it directly. The money will come from the profits of Baixiangge Spice Shop."

"If the location is very good, we can use money from spice shops, painting studios, and silk shops to buy the shop and get the property deeds and land deeds."

"Okay, don't worry."

Zhao Pin'er nodded. She hesitated for a moment, and seeing Yun Yishu and Shi Tou walk out of the Yuexiayuan Painting Shop, she hurriedly said, "Boss, please come and visit the shop when you have time!"

Her face flushed slightly as soon as she said this.

He then scratched his head and said, "Boss, we need you to take a look at the accounts!"

"Okay." Yun Yishu turned and smiled at her.

...

Back at the palace, Yun Duoduo brought back the abbot's letter and the offering lamps from Wanfo Temple. She also relayed to Yun Beiye the abbot's words about the auspicious omens that had descended from the heavens and the Emperor's long life and good fortune. Yun Beiye was overjoyed.

After a lengthy welcome and cleansing ceremony, Yun Duoduo finally dragged her tired body and lay comfortably on the soft bed in Fu Shuang Palace.

...

The next morning, Yun Yishu arrived at Fushuang Palace.

The two dismissed the servants and, while having breakfast, discussed recent events.

“Your Highness, the matter concerning the silk shop is related to Consort Li.”

"Consort Li?" Yun Duoduo paused, her hand holding the spoon still.

She really didn't expect it to be Consort Li.

"Consort Li, are you short of money?"

Yun Yishu shook his head: "Although the people in the Imperial Household Department treat the unfavored concubines in the palace differently depending on who they are, the concubines' monthly allowance will not be reduced by a single penny."

"Then, what does Consort Li need so much silver for?"

"Could it be to save money for the seventh prince?"

Parents who love their children plan far ahead for them.

"In short, although Consort Li looks weak, here..." Yun Yishu pointed to his head.

"It's not simple. We should pay more attention in the future."

"What my third brother says is true."

Immediately afterwards, Yun Yiqiu told Yun Duoduo that all the money was kept in a money exchange and that the money exchange charged protection fees.

"Yes, it means that if you deposit money at Desheng Money Exchange, they will charge you protection money after a year."

"ah?!"

Yun Duoduo was stunned. If money is deposited in a bank, the bank should pay interest. Why is the bank charging depositors interest instead?

"Is it a lot?"

"Yes, the fee is calculated based on the amount of silver deposited. Since we deposited a relatively large amount of money, their fee is also quite high."

"Okay, I understand."

Why not consider switching to another money lender?

Yun Duoduo clicked her tongue twice and continued to ask.

"The money shops in the capital are all pretty much the same. Moreover, Desheng Money Shop is closest to the painting studios and silk shops, making it convenient for exchanging banknotes and withdrawing silver."

"How about we open a money exchange?" Yun Yishu suggested, sharing his idea.

"Is there a suitable person?"

Yun Duoduo knew that people who went to the money exchange came from all walks of life, and ordinary managers and stewards couldn't handle them.

"No." Yun Yishu shook her head.