Chapter Twenty-Eight [V] Competing for Business and Customers...
Li Yan hadn't thought much about what Han Yue was thinking beforehand; it was just that the conversation had drifted to this point, and she had made a couple of provocative remarks.
Having said that, Li Yan thought about it again and realized that her speculation might not be wrong.
Han Yue is the male protagonist of the book. Although he is currently only a scholar, he will later hold an important position with great power and influence. How could someone who can rise to a high position in the imperial court not have some cunning and shrewdness? How could he possibly be truly innocent and kind?
Such people are often secretive and won't easily show their displeasure, even if they are unhappy inside.
This kind of person is a master of using others' strength against them, ultimately using someone else to do the dirty work. They clearly benefit from the situation, yet manage to disappear without a trace. They simply shift the blame onto others.
How naive can someone be who can navigate the imperial court and thrive there?
So, don't be fooled by his leading man aura.
Besides, the people in that book just don't actively do anything immoral, which doesn't mean they won't retaliate.
If someone is truly put in a difficult position, and someone uses personal connections to force them to do something they don't want to do, shouldn't they be allowed to retaliate?
Looking at the expression on her adoptive father's face, Li Yan became even more certain. She guessed that the Li family had caused that young master Han a lot of trouble because of Li Zong's matter.
Li Yan seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire, making the instigation burn even brighter: "If you want Zong-ge'er's future to be intact, it's not too late to find another way. But if Father just wants to vent his anger and doesn't care about Zong-ge'er's future, then I don't care. At most, I'll just get a few scoldings from you, but it won't cost me anything."
Li Yan's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Li Shangping's head, making him completely calm down.
Zong'er's matter has indeed caused his son-in-law a lot of trouble. So, now that things have turned out this way, is he also blaming the Li family?
Although this girl is hateful, what she said just now wasn't entirely unreasonable.
That scholar Weng has already kicked Zong'er out of Xiaochun Academy. If he continues to meddle with him, it might backfire and displease the old man.
What if... just as this girl said, she angered Scholar Weng and ended up not being able to attend any other schools in the county?
He has no way out, so he must be cautious in this matter.
At worst, he can just drop out of Xiaochun School and go to study elsewhere. As long as he can afford the tuition, Zong-ge'er will always have a place to study.
After calming down, Li Shangping finally took a good look at his daughter. Upon seeing her, he couldn't help but gasp.
In my memory, she was broad-shouldered and burly, a real brown bear. How come she's become more and more beautiful now?
Her eyebrows and expression even bore a resemblance to her deceased mother.
Thinking of his ex-wife, Lin, and recalling the happy family of three when she was still alive, Li Shangping's heart softened slightly.
His heart softened, and knowing that arguing with her wouldn't get him anywhere, Li Shangping said, "You must remember that Zong-ge'er is the one who is related to you by blood. Now that you're living a good life, you should think about your younger brother from your maternal family. After all, your maternal family is your support, and you'll still have to rely on Zong-ge'er in the future."
Li Yan didn't believe this nonsense; she only believed in herself, and she herself was her greatest source of confidence.
Li Yan just wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible, so she said, "Instead of lecturing me here, Father, you should hurry up and go to the Han family to find my brother-in-law. It will be September soon, and we need to ask my brother-in-law to send Zong-ge to another school. We don't want to waste time and end up with Zong-ge not having a school to attend."
Li Yan's words struck a chord with Li Shangping, and even though he didn't want to listen to her, he could only stomp his feet and leave.
After she saw him off, Li Yan finally let out a deep breath.
"What bad luck so early in the morning," she complained.
Since she had spoiled her neighbors' good mood early in the morning, Li Yan naturally had to apologize to them.
At the same time, he also revealed the unfortunate experiences of the original owner in his early years to his neighbors.
The neighbors already had a good impression of Li Yan, thinking she was kind-hearted and hardworking. Although her appearance wasn't particularly outstanding, they gradually found her more and more attractive, the kind of beauty that grows on you. Moreover, she had a good character and a kind personality, making her incredibly likable.
Now that they see her pitiful background, the aunties and grandmas in the neighborhood feel even more sorry for her.
Some even planned to arrange a marriage for her.
After everyone left, Li Yan closed the small gate to the courtyard, and then called Xu Ge'er and Yue Jie'er to the main room.
"Xu-ge'er, don't take today's matter to heart. Just focus on your studies." Li Yan knew that Xu-ge'er was more mature than other children his age, and she was afraid that he would overthink things if he was too deep in his mind. So she simply said it directly, "Your aunt is supporting your studies so that you can achieve something in the future. If you want to repay your aunt, then focus on your studies and try to pass the imperial examinations as soon as possible. That way, your aunt can hold her head high in the future."
Xu Ge'er clenched his fist and nodded solemnly: "Xu Ge'er will definitely live up to Aunt's good intentions."
"Then let's take Yue'er inside to read." Since she had decided to send him to school and had already arranged a school, Li Yan naturally spent money to buy him a book.
Before school starts, I'll read some books to cultivate my mind and temperament. After school starts, I'll buy suitable books according to the teacher's recommendations.
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After leaving Tongye Hutong, Li Shangping did not return to his own home, but went directly to his son-in-law Han Yue's house.
After finding her son-in-law Han Yue, she skipped the pleasantries and directly stated her purpose: "Let's forget about Xiaochun Academy. If we keep bothering the young master of the Xue family, who was personally taken in by the scholar Weng, the outcome will be even worse. If he can't attend Xiaochun Academy, let's see if there are any other schools he can attend."
Seeing that he was covered in sweat in the late autumn, Han Yue knew that he must be extremely anxious.
Moreover, they must have been to other places before coming here. Otherwise, they wouldn't be covered in sweat and panting so much.
Last night, my wife told me that her father would be going to talk to her sister-in-law again today. So I suppose he must have gone to see her stepmother first.
"Father-in-law, don't be anxious." Seeing his anxious expression, Han Yue first reassured him, then invited him to sit down and talk slowly.
"Did Father-in-law go to see Second Aunt?" Han Yue asked after the two were seated.
Li Shangping nodded, but his expression remained serious and solemn: "I scolded her, but it was no use. She's like water spilled from a basin; her heart is no longer with her family."
Han Yue suddenly became distracted, and it was only when Li Shangping called him that he came back to his senses.
Han Yue smiled and said, "Okay, if my father-in-law has already made up his mind, then I'll go and ask other schools."
Thinking of what Li Yan had said about how her sons-in-law were disgusted with the Li family, Li Shangping couldn't help but be a little cautious and said, "Thank you for your concern about Zong-ge'er's matter."
Han Yue shook his head: "Not at all, it wasn't much trouble, I just did my best. In the end, it didn't work out, and I really couldn't do anything about it."
Li Shangping came and went in a hurry. After making arrangements with his son-in-law, he had to rush back to tell his wife about the situation, as she was waiting for news from him at home.
Han Yue escorted his father-in-law all the way to the gate of the Han residence, and only after watching his father-in-law leave did he turn around and go back to his own room.
Li Jiaojiao was waiting for him to return. As soon as she saw him enter the courtyard, she immediately went to greet him and asked, "What did Father say?" She was very concerned about her younger brother's future. "Did Second Mother agree?"
Han Yue quickly leaped across the courtyard, walked to his wife, took her hand, and led her into the house. Only then did he say, "Father came to say that he has given up on Xiaochun Academy and asked me to help him find another school."
Li Jiaojiao's slightly long nails dug into her flesh, a result that clearly disappointed her.
How can other schools be compared to Xiaochun School?
Zong-ge'er couldn't attend Xiaochun School, so he was at a disadvantage from the start.
Han Yue glanced at his wife, pulled her close, and hugged her tightly: "Dad is right. Old Master Weng has already made his choice and decision, and he has returned the tuition fees, gifts, and all the gifts sent, including even a pastry... This proves that no matter how hard we try, it will be in vain."
Li Jiaojiao understood this reasoning, but she was still unwilling to accept it.
Li Jiaojiao gently bit her cherry-red lips with her white teeth, her eyes glistening with tears, clearly showing that she had suffered a great injustice. But she held back her tears.
Seeing his wife's expression, Han Xu tenderly cupped her face and kissed her gently.
"Alright, don't be angry," Han Yue comforted her. "It's already happened, so try not to worry. There's plenty of time. Maybe your brother will do well in another school."
As the two whispered sweet nothings to each other, they started talking about Li Yan again.
“Second Aunt has really changed, and changed drastically.” She felt a man’s hot breath on her neck, which tickled her, so she turned her head slightly away to give way. “I went to see her yesterday and almost didn’t recognize her. Looking at her eloquent and charming appearance, there is not a trace of the person she used to be.”
Han Yue had never met her, but he found out about her address and some of her deeds from a friend.
Now, she not only collaborates with Yuanbaolou, but she also rents a stall on Xifu Street to sell tea drinks, and business is quite good.
Putting everything else aside, Han Yue did admire his wife's younger sister quite a bit.
A woman, widowed shortly after marriage. Enduring gossip and slander, she forged her own path.
Not only did she earn money to support her mother-in-law's entire family, but she even had some money left over to pay for her husband's nephew's schooling.
It must be admitted that she is an extremely intelligent woman. Once she had money, she knew where to invest it, instead of simply holding onto it and becoming a mere businessman.
"People change." Han Yue's mind was elsewhere at the moment, so he just gave his wife a perfunctory reply.
With a soft, warm body in his arms, and still newly married, even Han Yue, who had always been quite self-controlled, succumbed to temptation.
Li Jiaojiao was already exhausted, and now her whole body felt weak. She couldn't straighten up and could only let the man do whatever he wanted.
Even though she tried her best to hold back, she still couldn't help but let out a soft moan.
The maid Cui'e blushed deeply upon seeing this and hurriedly ran out, then closed the door behind her.
It was one thing for it to happen at night before, but why is it happening during the day today?
Han Yue had some ulterior motives. He had been quite annoyed by the Li family recently, so when he learned that Li Zong had been expelled from Xiaochun Academy, he not only didn't think of helping him anymore, but instead felt like kicking him while he was down.
After such evil thoughts arise and then disappear, Han Yue would also examine himself in his heart.
Why bother arguing with them?
Seeing his wife's heartbroken expression, he felt even more guilty.
She was his lucky star; it was because he married her that he became the top scholar in the imperial examination. How could he forget his roots?
After Li Shangping returned, he told Yue Shi about the situation. Although Yue Shi was furious, she knew in her heart that there was absolutely no hope for her son to attend Xiaochun School.
Fortunately, the son-in-law was willing to help, so Zong-ge'er wouldn't be left without a school to attend.
“This time we’ll have to trouble our son-in-law again, and troubling him means troubling Jiaojiao. We always ask the Han family for help, which makes Jiaojiao feel even more inferior in front of her two sisters-in-law. Although she is now a scholar’s wife and looks respectable, her life is actually quite difficult.” Madam Yue had her own plans in mind.
Now that Zong'er's matter has been settled, we should take this opportunity to ask for more things for Jiao Jiao.
She knew that Lin Yunniang had once worked as a maid in a wealthy household and was quite wealthy. The dowry she brought to the Li family was definitely much larger than she had imagined.
Previously, when Jiaojiao got married, she tried various methods to get the man beside her to contribute part of her dowry to Jiaojiao's dowry. But that was clearly far from enough.
Madam Yue knew that this man also had his own selfish motives. He knew that Jiao Jiao was not his biological daughter, so he couldn't possibly treat her entirely like his own daughter.
He certainly won't be very generous with money when it comes to Jiaojiao.
The only good thing was that he kept all the dowry to himself and didn't give it to Lin Yunniang's only child.
It's just unknown whether he intends to leave it to Zong Ge'er later.
"Jiaojiao's jewelry... is still too little. A few days ago I visited the Han family and saw her sister-in-law adorned with jewels. It made our Jiaojiao look rather shabby. Moreover, she has been busy and exhausted for Zongge'er's sake. If it weren't for her, why would our son-in-law have risked being disliked by that scholar and tried to mediate time and time again? Although it didn't work out in the end, and everyone was very sad, the two children's hearts are truly sincere."
"As Jiaojiao's family, we can't let the child be put in too much of a difficult position."
Li Shangping suddenly remembered what his daughter had said that morning: that her son-in-law, Han Sanlang, might not be entirely without displeasure about this matter.
Before his son became successful, Li Shangping naturally dared not offend his son-in-law, Han Xiucai. Therefore, he planned to give his son-in-law some gold, silver, and jade items to make him happy.
"Then go see Jiaojiao tomorrow and bring her two decent pieces of jewelry."
Madam Yue was secretly pleased, but she didn't show it on her face. Instead, she deliberately said, "But now, where do we have any spare money? Those ten taels of silver are for Zong'er's tuition fees, so we absolutely cannot touch them."
Li Shangping: "I'll give you the jewelry; you can just take it with you."
.
Li Yan was still worried that the Li couple would come looking for her again, but two days had passed and tomorrow would be the first day of the ninth lunar month, and no one had come. Li Yan then knew that the Li couple had completely compromised and given up on the matter at the school.
Aunt Xue was also very worried. After all, Yan Niang was someone else's daughter. If the Li family really came to her door to cause trouble, she wouldn't be able to justifiably kick them out.
At the same time, I was also very scared, afraid that my daughter-in-law might change her mind and really shortchange Xu Ge'er on the tuition fee.
If she really did that, it would be difficult for her to say anything negative. After all, it was someone else who earned the money, and they have no obligation to support their distant nephew.
If they hadn't had this opportunity before, it wouldn't have mattered, but Xu-ge'er already had the chance to study, which was like a piece of fat meat that was already in their mouth. If this fat meat that was already in their mouth were to slip away, Aunt Xue couldn't help but feel a little unwilling.
She lost both of her sons, and now only Xu Ge'er remains as her male heir.
She hoped that Xu Ge'er could escape the fate of continuing to serve in the army, study hard, enter officialdom, and bring glory to his ancestors in the future.
Of course, she would remember Yan Niang's kindness. Not only would she keep it in her heart, but she would also make sure that Xu Ge'er would remember it for the rest of his life.
These past two days, she had been on tenterhooks. With school starting tomorrow and everything finally settled, Aunt Xue's anxiety finally subsided.
This afternoon, the old man from the carpenter's shop delivered the wooden bed that had already been made.
Li Yan had already asked Aunt Xue to find some coarse linen, and the curtains were already hung up. Now that the bed was in place, Xu Ge'er finally had his own little room.
Standing inside the room, Li Yan pointed to the area under the window and said to Xu Ge'er, "There's also a desk and a chair, which should be delivered in the next few days. We'll put them here for you. After school, you can sit by the window and read every day."
Looking at everything before him, Xu Ge'er clenched his fists in excitement. He had never dared to dream of such a life.
Even when his second uncle was still at home, he never dared to imagine that he would live such a life one day.
Now he has no worries about food and drink, and eats meat every day. Not only that, he can also go to school.
Xu Ge'er secretly made up his mind that he would study hard, make something of himself, and repay his aunt in the future.
Li Yan was in high spirits when she started talking about the future: "There are four people in our family, but we only have two rooms. The house is still a bit small. When we have money, we will definitely move to a bigger one." And then she will not be renting anymore; she plans to buy a house to live in.
These days, she's also been asking her neighbors about housing prices in this county town. It is, after all, a county town, so housing prices aren't too high.
The house in this alley, with about three large rooms and a courtyard, can be bought for around forty taels. If you bargain a bit, it should be around thirty-eight taels.
Li Yan had calculated that she was now making a profit of thirteen taels of silver a month, which was her break-even point. Xu Ge'er's tuition for the year had already been paid, and she could use the remaining ten taels to buy him books, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
Other daily expenses don't cost much.
So even if she sticks to selling milk tea at her stall and doesn't come up with any new ideas, she'll be able to save enough money to buy a house in just four or five months.
Moreover, she plans to launch some new products starting in September. She also plans to make an extra two kilograms of milk tea every day.
Now that the weather is getting colder, her hot drink business is becoming increasingly successful.
In the past two days, Li Yan has also tried making red bean and pearl products at home. She plans to launch these two new products first.
Red bean soup is easy to make; just cook it until soft and put it in a large bowl, then scoop it out when you're ready to sell. Pearl soup is a little more complicated, but since she'd made it countless times for her short videos, it was still quite simple for her.
After making it, she sent some to her neighbors to try first. Only after receiving positive feedback did Li Yan officially launch the new product on the first day of September.
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On the first day of the ninth lunar month, Li Yan found another large earthenware jar in her car. Beside the jar, besides several bowls and a basin of water for washing the dishes, there were also two small bowls, one containing red beans and the other taro balls.
Li Yan's milk tea business is booming, but because the daily quantity is limited, many people want to drink it but can't.
So at this time, other vendors who also sold sweet drinks sensed a business opportunity and started selling milk tea drinks as well.
However, even though they are both milk tea drinks, they taste quite different.
Li Yan's tea was made by stir-frying with sugar. Other people's tea, on the other hand, was made by boiling with water.
The brewed tea had a bitter taste, and to save money, they used cheap tea leaves. Therefore, in terms of taste, it was definitely much worse than Li Yan's milk tea.
But because it's cheap, only three coins a bowl, many people are willing to buy it to drink.
Although he earns far less than Li Yan, if he continues to run the business like this, earning ten or twenty coins a day is not a problem.
However, if Li Yan increases the portion size, even if her price is much higher, customers are more willing to buy from Li Yan.
Since you've already spent the money, you definitely want to drink a milk tea that tastes better.
The two stalls were not far apart. Li Yan's stall was bustling with customers, while the other stall was deserted.
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Author's Note: Update is here~~~ [Straight-eared rabbit head]
Please water it!
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