Just then, a deep, resonant voice of a middle-aged man came from the doorway. The group turned around and saw Su Buqing, the manager of the money exchange, walk in.

He was the oldest and had the most social experience.

Naturally, I know how to propose marriage in the safest way.

"Master, Brother Chu, congratulations in advance."

Su Buqing repeatedly offered his congratulations: "I've come today to deliver the interest accounts from the money exchange."

"It's just in time for this joyous occasion."

"That's right!"

"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Su!"

Yun Yishu nodded: "The Liao family is the one where Ziwan's father likes to play with gourds. You can also give him some oiled and dried gourds to play with."

Yun Yishu added that she discovered this when she went to Shengze and chatted with Liao Ziwan's parents.

"Moreover, it would be best to set up the banquet on the bridge over East Lake, through the alley, and right at her doorstep."

"Let Mr. Zhang from Manxianglou take care of the banquet. Mr. Zhang from Manxianglou is very well-known in the Shengze area."

Yun Yishu talked on and on, expressing great interest in matters such as marriage proposals and weddings, even though he had never experienced them himself.

If Duoduo were here, she would definitely love all this excitement.

"Brother Chu, train some of the clever guys in the shop, promote one to be the shop manager, and then we'll go to Jiangnan with you."

Let's have some fun together!

Yun Yishu spoke slowly and deliberately, and Chu Dunshi listened attentively.

"Okay, that's great!"

Chu Dunshi rubbed his hands together, beaming with joy. With friends by his side to help, he suddenly realized that proposing marriage wasn't such a difficult thing after all.

"Oh dear, what did I come to see you about today? Why are we talking about your marriage proposal?"

Yun Yishu and Chu Dunshi laughed heartily.

"By the way, have you had anyone look at the shops in the business district?" Yun Yishu asked.

He plans to open a commercial district that includes not only painting studios, silk shops, and spice shops, but also restaurants, teahouses, and other places to relax, in order to attract more customers.

"I had Xiao Zhao take a look for me," Chu Dunshi said.

“Okay, then. Once you have the shop, if you want to open a painting studio or find painters to teach painting and calligraphy, just tell me.”

"OK."

Chu Dunshi nodded.

"Then let's continue talking about my marriage proposal."

Chu Dunshi steered the conversation back on track, saying somewhat embarrassedly.

Yun Yishu found it quite amusing. Chu Dunshi looked mature and composed, but in reality, he was a very shy and thin-skinned person.

“Master, I’m a little worried about Ziwan’s thoughts.”

Chu Dunshi stammered.

"You and Ziwan get along quite well, don't you? You should know her thoughts best, right?"

Yun Yishu said this on purpose to tease Chu Dunshi.

Previously, Duoduo had asked Liao Ziwan, but all she knew was that Liao Ziwan was single.

"That's right. Based on our observations over the years, Brother Chu, don't you understand Sister Ziwan's feelings?"

Stone, standing to the side, added fuel to the fire, covering his mouth and laughing.

Upon hearing this, Chu Dunshi became somewhat anxious. "What if I'm just imagining things? How embarrassing would that be? What if we can't even be friends anymore?"

"Okay, okay, I won't tease you anymore."

Seeing Chu Dunshi's embarrassed expression, Yun Yishu quickly suppressed her smile, "Don't worry, anyone with eyes can see the spark between you two!"

"Ah, don't rush."

Yun Yishu comforted Chu Dunshi.

"If you ask me, Brother Chu, you'd better buy a small courtyard in the capital or its suburbs and bring Ziwan's parents over as well."

"This is what Ziwan wants most."

Yun Yishu continued speaking.

"Boss, I think the same way. I've looked at the courtyards, but I haven't decided which one to buy yet."

"Alright, I'll leave here in a bit and head to the silk shop. I'll have dinner with Ziwan and ask her what she thinks."

Yun Yishu said, but he felt it would be more appropriate for the women to discuss this matter with each other.

But Duoduo wasn't there, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go ahead.

"Thank you very much, boss."

Chu Dunshi stood up and bowed.

"Oh dear, there's no need for such a grand gesture."

Seeing Chu Dunshi stand up, Yun Yishu also stood up, stopping Chu Dunshi from bowing deeply. "After I ask around, if I have any leads, I'll have Shitou tell you so you can make plans as soon as possible."

"By the way, how's the preparation going with the joint venture with the owners of several painting studios to open a calligraphy and painting academy?"

Yun Yishu sat down and took a sip of tea.

“Oh, speaking of this, I was just about to discuss it with you. I don’t plan to rent a new shop for the calligraphy and painting academy. There’s a vacant lot in the backyard of our studio, and a few empty rooms. I think we could use the vacant lot in the backyard to open it up first.”

"Yes, this would save a lot of money, but it's already late autumn. Won't it be too cold for the students and teachers to be teaching painting outside?"

"It is indeed quite cold, but as you know, painting involves depicting the mountains, forests, birds, and animals outside, so you can't just sit indoors."

Chu Dunshi continued, "We can decide based on the weather. If it's too cold, we can come inside for class. If the weather is nice and sunny, we can practice calligraphy and painting outside. What do you think?"

"Hmm, that sounds pretty good."

"Where is the plaque hung?" Yun Yishu continued to ask.

"The signboard is hung next to our Moonlit Edge Painting Studio signboard, or on the doorpost, so that the servants can remind customers who come and go that those who want to learn can sign up."

"Well, to open a proper calligraphy and painting academy, you need to find out whether painters need to be registered in the Hanlin Academy and the Ministry of Commerce's registers, and whether you need to obtain documents from the Ministry of Commerce to open a calligraphy and painting academy. You need to find out these things in advance."

"We can't miss any of the necessary procedures and documents, because we might run into the same troublemakers who appeared at the money exchange last time."

Yun Yishu frowned slightly with concern.

"Okay, don't worry, I've got it. I'll arrange to meet with Zhang Xuetai and ask him when the time is right."

"Zhang Xuetai?"

"The Xuetai was an official in charge of imperial examinations and teaching, subordinate to the Hanlin Academy, and was a third-rank official."

"Zhang Xuetai has only been in office for a few months. He came to the painting studio a while ago and saw the paintings. I remembered him and we occasionally ask him to have a meal together."

"Hmm, not bad."

Yun Yishu nodded in approval, "Alright, let's leave it at that for today. Keep an eye on the calligraphy and painting academy's affairs. I'll go to Jinxiu Silk Shop to ask Ziwan what she thinks."

"That's wonderful, thank you very much, sir."

Yun Yishu and Shi Tou left Yunhua Studio and were about to board their carriage when Chu Dunshi called them back.