I stretched and rubbed my sore neck.
The tea was finished, it was getting dark, and the account book was only half done.
"Luo Luo, you must be tired. I'm sorry..."
I'm really tired, but Nangong Qing doesn't need to apologize.
"What's there to apologize for? Ah Xu didn't do it on purpose, and I didn't mean to blame him."
Nangong Qing apologized only because of his selfishness; he wanted to be alone with Su Luo and didn't want her to be so tired.
"Let's rest for a while and then go have some food."
Nangong Qing tidied up the table, put away the teacups and teapot, and washed them.
He seemed clumsy and awkward when he first started tidying up.
It was already dark, and Su Luo wanted to finish calculating quickly, so the innkeeper had someone bring the food up to the third floor.
The food was exquisite; it was clear that Nangong Qing had put a lot of thought into it.
However, Su Luo's eyes were fixed on the account book, and she only ate a few bites of food casually.
"Put it down and eat properly first."
Seeing Su Luo's earnest and hardworking appearance, his heart ached with a dull pain.
She snatched the ledger from Su Luo's hand, and only then did she realize that the small bowl in front of her had been filled with food.
There was also a bowl of soup at just the right temperature.
"Nangong Qing, I must finish settling accounts tonight. You too, you must finish today's work today. I don't like procrastination."
Nangong Qing wasn't one to procrastinate, and he regretted making Su Luo so tired when nothing had actually happened.
"Luo Luo, go back and rest after you finish eating. I'll do the accounting myself. I promise you, I'll finish it by noon tomorrow."
Su Luo shook her head, "There's not much left. If we calculate for another two hours, we'll be almost done."
I have to go out again tomorrow. After the accounts are settled, Butler Shi will take over the distribution of profits.
Nangong Qing's hand, which was holding a piece of food, froze in mid-air. Was Su Luo about to leave again?
Where are you going? How long will you be gone?
"An Changzhou, the return date is uncertain, it depends on the progress of things. If everything goes smoothly, he should be able to return in seven or eight days."
"Anchangzhou".
Nangong Qing murmured these three words, and a plan seemed to be forming in her eyes.
That evening, two managers from Fumanlou were called in to do the accounts, and they finished the calculations in just one hour.
With both Fu Man Lou restaurants combined, Su Luo's dividend for February was three thousand taels.
After escorting Su Luo onto the carriage and watching it drive away, Nangong Qing beckoned with his finger, and two men in black knelt on one knee in front of him.
"Greetings, Master..."
"You two protect Luo Luo well; there must be no danger around her."
"Yes, Master."
The two guards returned to the shadows and followed Su Luo's carriage back to Changping Village.
They were originally assigned by their master to protect Lady Su. Having followed Su Luo for so long, this was the first time their master had called them out.
I need to tell them again to take good care of Lady Su.
...
Back home, Zhao Ruyun was still awake. She was worried that Su Luo was going on a long trip alone and that she might not have enough to eat or wear.
"Luo Luo, I've asked Chunhua and Qiuyue to pack the things you need. See if there's anything you're missing."
Oh, and don't forget the dry rations.
Zhao Ruyun hurriedly loaded the pancakes she had made herself into the carriage for Su Luo.
“Mother-in-law, it only takes a day and a night to get to Anchangzhou. I’m taking the official road, and there are inns along the way, so I won’t starve.”
"A mother worries when her son travels a thousand miles; nothing outside is as safe as food at home."
I've heard that there are more bandits robbing and plundering outside now. As a woman, you should avoid showing off your wealth if possible.
Don't dress too brightly, lest you attract the attention of bad people.
Watching Zhao Ruyun's busy figure, Su Luo felt a warmth in her heart; it's so good to have family.
"Okay! I'll do whatever you say."
"By the way, Luo Luo, when you go to Anchangzhou this time, take Chunhua and Qiuyue with you. I think they are both very good at taking care of people."
Su Luo was going out on business, not for leisure, so she didn't need to bring so many people with her.
"I can take Qiuyue with me. Let Chunhua stay here to take care of you."
"But……"
Zhao Ruyun wanted to persuade her further, but Su Luo grabbed her hands and told her not to rush.
"Mother-in-law, this isn't my first time traveling far from home, and I'm not used to having someone wait on me. Don't worry, I'm going to check on Yi Huan."
Su Luo originally intended to go alone, but brought Qiu Yue along to put her family at ease.
Having grown accustomed to being alone, she felt uncomfortable having someone suddenly by her side, serving her from head to toe.
The lights were still on in the embroidered tower in the west courtyard, and there were occasional sounds of stringed instruments being plucked.
Su Luo tiptoed upstairs and stood at the door, watching Xie Wanwan explain the sheet music and the sounds of the strings to Yi Huan.
After they finished, Yi Huan got up and went to the door.
Chao Su Luo bowed slightly and greeted her: "Mother!"
This posture makes her look more and more like a rich young lady.
"Huanhuan, what did you learn from Teacher Xie today?"
Su Luo bent down and pinched Yi Huan's chubby little face.
"Replying to Mother, Huanhuan learned to read sheet music today."
Every night when her brother and Brother He came home, they were still studying hard. Yi Huan secretly resolved that she couldn't be too bad at it.
I must follow in my brother's footsteps and become the most talented girl.
"Huanhuan is great! This crystal cake is a new pastry from Fumanlou. Take it and have some."
Su Luo asked Chunhua to give one portion to Yan Chuan, and the remaining portion to Yi Huan.
Although Yi Huan is increasingly resembling Xie Wanwan, her eyes still light up instantly when she sees delicious food.
"Thank you, Mother!"
Upon receiving the pastries, Yi Huan pulled An An, who was behind her, to the table.
Unwrapping the oil paper, he handed a piece to An'an, and the two of them ate it with great relish.
"Miss Su, I heard you're going out again tomorrow?"
Su Luo and Xie Wanwan tidied up the books on the table together, and Xie Wanwan took good care of the two zithers.
"Yes, to Anchangzhou."
The name Anchangzhou was not a good one for Xie Wanwan; it was her abyss and almost her final resting place.
"I heard from Steward Shi that things are not very peaceful outside. Madam Su should be careful when she goes out."
Xie Wanwan didn't know anything about business, but she really admired Su Luo.
It's truly remarkable that a woman can lead her family to such a life.
If she had even half of Su Niangzi's strength back then, perhaps her family wouldn't have fallen apart like this.
"I will take good care of myself. Huanhuan is in your care while I'm away, Wanwan."
"Huanhuan is very well-behaved. She learns everything very quickly. In a few years, she won't need me as her teacher anymore."
After thinking for a moment, Xie Wanwan tentatively suggested, "Madam Su, why don't you teach me how to do business sometime?"
Su Luo turned to look at Xie Wanwan. In this era, merchants did not have a high social status.
"Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—do you really want to study these classes?"
When talking to a smart person, you don't need to explain it too clearly; she will understand.
The social hierarchy is scholar, farmer, artisan, merchant. Xie Wanwan was once a daughter of an official family, so she should have looked down on merchants the most.
Merchants who are solely driven by profit are considered despicable in this era.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com