After everyone left, Jiang Shuxiu remained in the Xiangyun Hall, continuing to bury his head in the account books in front of him.
Her eyes wandered among the complicated numbers, and her mind was thinking about how to reorganize these nine stores.
Antiques, silk, ginseng and antler medicine shops, each of them has its own unique way of doing business, and at this moment, she needs to find an idea that can give these shops a new life.
Rui'er walked lightly to Jiang Shuxiu's side and carefully placed a bowl of steaming lily and lotus seed soup on the table. The sweet fragrance filled the air, making people feel relaxed and happy.
"Miss, I never thought that my son-in-law has so many private shops outside. I'm afraid even the old lady doesn't know about it?" Rui'er said with some surprise.
Jiang Shuxiu nodded slightly, stirring the lotus seed soup gently with the spoon in her hand, and her thoughts also turned accordingly.
"It's really surprising. Moreover, these shops were purchased directly, not rented. I'm afraid they put a lot of thought into it at the beginning." She said lightly, with a hint of helplessness in her tone.
The capital city is now at its peak of prosperity. Not to mention mansions, even two-story shops in the market cost more than three thousand taels of silver each.
"Miss, these shops are temporarily closed now, but this is not a long-term solution. Whether to continue operating them or simply sell them off, you have to ask the old lady to decide." Ruier reminded.
"I think so too. After all, it's different from my own dowry, so I can't make the decision on my own." Jiang Shuxiu put down the soup spoon, picked up a piece of red date and bird's nest cake and put it in his mouth.
The delicate texture and sweet taste soothed her mood a little.
"Is mother in the Prajna Hall now?" she asked.
"Yes, young lady. When I went to the kitchen to get some cakes just now, I happened to meet Aunt Zhao who was also going back with some cakes." Rui'er replied.
Jiang Shuxiu nodded, put down the cake in her hand, stood up and sorted out the account books. "Okay, then, let's go to the Prajna Hall to pay our respects to Mother. We can also take these account books with us and ask for Mother's opinion."
Rui'er gestured to Lai Xi and Bing Qiao outside the door, and the three of them each picked up a stack of account books and followed Jiang Shuxiu's footsteps towards the Prajna Hall.
Halfway through the corridor where flowers were in full bloom, a shrill howl suddenly came from the Lanyue Pavilion. The familiar voice was undoubtedly Xue Yuanchu's.
Jiang Shuxiu took several of the maids from Lanyue Pavilion, Rui'er, Lai Xi and Bingqiao, to Tingyuxuan, and the others stayed there to take care of Xue Yuanchu.
After hearing the voice, she raised her eyebrows slightly, but did not stop. She just asked calmly: "Who are the people serving in the house now?"
Rui'er immediately responded, "After the young lady moved to Tingyuxuan, the only one who served her closely was Guanqi, while the outer courtyard was managed by four young maids."
Lai Xi couldn't help pouting when talking about this, and interjected with some dissatisfaction: "Look at those little maids, they look very active and restless. Now that the young lady has moved out, who knows how happy they are, each vying to act coquettishly in front of the prince."
Jiang Shuxiu didn't care at all and just said casually: "Having them here saves me a lot of trouble."
As they were talking, they had already arrived at the Prajna Hall.
After Jiang Shuxiu described the situation of these shops to Hong Yingrong in detail, she spoke hesitantly, "Mother, please tell me what to do with these shops."
When Hong Yingrong heard this, a hint of deep thought flashed in her eyes.
In her previous life, because she came from a scholarly family and later married into a noble family, she always regarded "merchants" as the lowest class among the four classes of scholars, farmers, artisans and merchants.
However, times have changed, and her ideas have also changed accordingly. Instead of living off her savings at home, she would rather actively increase revenue and reduce expenditure, which can also pave a way out for the future.
She pondered for a moment and finally made a decision: "There's no need to ask Yuanchu about these shops anymore. I'll make the decision and transfer them all to your name, and you'll be the one managing them."
Jiang Shuxiu was shocked when he heard this. Not to mention whether these shops could make profits in the future, the value of these shops was at least 20,000 taels of silver.
She quickly waved her hands and refused: "Mother, this is unacceptable! How can the husband's family property be directly transferred to the daughter-in-law's name?"
Hong Yingrong looked at her sincerely, her tone full of honesty: "I will feel at ease only if I leave it to you."
Jiang Shuxiu was touched, but still had some concerns: "I'm deeply grateful for your trust, mother. However, outsiders may not see it that way. People's words are scary. I'm afraid they will say I'm authoritarian and greedy..."
Hong Yingrong naturally understood this. Since ancient times, women's words and virtues have indeed imposed many restrictions on women.
"Your concerns are not without reason... How about this? There are nine shops in total. You get five, and Huichun and Shanqiu each get two, which will serve as their dowries. But for now, I'll need you to help manage them."
She paused and added, "As for Zhongfu and Ji Yan, they are men who should be independent and self-reliant. These shops should not be counted on them."
After hearing this, Jiang Shuxiu felt relieved and felt deeply that Hong Yingrong was thoughtful.
Such distribution not only avoids gossip from the outside world, but also ensures that the shop can continue to operate.
"Thank you, mother, for your consideration for your daughter-in-law." Jiang Shuxiu said gratefully, her words revealing confidence. "Please rest assured, mother, your daughter-in-law will do her best to manage these shops in an orderly manner."
On the way here just now, an idea had already sprouted in Jiang Shuxiu's heart.
Although she had only a vague understanding of the business world, she had a limited knowledge, but she had thought of someone who could help her.
Hong Yingrong noticed the thoughtful look on Jiang Shuxiu's face and asked curiously, "Did you come up with any good ideas?"
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