Chapter 193 Transfer Trouble
Madam Min Qiao said unhurriedly, "As far as I know, there is only one hot spring resort near the capital, and it belongs to His Majesty. No one else has a hot spring resort. Even if they do, they are in other places. This is the second hot spring near the outskirts of the capital."
Li Sanqi said irritably, "So what?"
Min Qiao slowly explained, "Things are valued for their rarity. I plan to leverage the hot springs to create a hot spring resort that integrates hot spring bathing, gourmet food, scenic views, and entertainment."
"What does this have to do with me?" Li Sanqi frowned, puzzled.
Madam Zheng, however, seemed to grasp the underlying meaning and exclaimed with delight, "You intend to open the resort to the public?"
Madam Min Qiao nodded, "Yes! I want to build a hot spring resort open to the public. It will only be open to the ladies of the upper-class noble families in the capital."
Li Sanqi also understood the implication. "You mean, this manor can be used as a place to win people over?"
Madam Min shook her head. "It's too early to say that we're winning people's hearts. We can only say that if this place is really well-developed, it can be a good place to make connections with noble ladies."
"As for who I can befriend, to what extent we can become friends, and whether they can be of use to the princess, all of these are unknown."
Li Sanqi nodded solemnly, then frowned and looked at Min Qiaoshi, "Isn't this your estate? How did it get involved with me?"
Madam Min Qiao laughed and said, "Hot springs are a rare commodity, and I can't possibly reap such huge profits by myself. I'm thinking of bringing a few people on board to run this hot spring resort together."
"I came to see Madam Zheng today for this very reason. And what a coincidence that I ran into the Seventh Princess."
"So, does the Seventh Princess want to get involved?"
Li Sanqi nodded repeatedly, "I want it!"
Madam Min Qiao looked at Madam Zheng and asked, "Where is Madam Zheng?"
Madam Zheng rolled her eyes. "How could I refuse?"
Madam Min Qiao smiled and said, "It seems impossible."
Madam Zheng glared at her, annoyed: "Isn't that settled then? Alright, tell me your thoughts."
After thinking carefully, Madam Min Qiao said, "My idea is that the Seventh Princess and Madam Zheng will each contribute 10,000 units of capital and take 30% of the profits. I will contribute the rest and take 40%. On the surface, I will still be the one running the manor. If there are any issues that I cannot resolve, then the two of you will step in."
The budget for building the mountain villa was 100,000 taels. However, only the two women were allowed to contribute 10,000 taels each, yet each received 30%, meaning Min Qiao suffered a huge loss.
However, it's good to have a big tree to lean on for shade.
She still doesn't know whether the group that came for the children and the hot springs is one or two groups, or who exactly is behind it all.
In short, let's bring two people in first, just in case.
"Ten thousand taels!?" Li Sanqi clicked his tongue. "But I don't have that much silver."
All she could muster right now was a few thousand taels of her private savings. Although she didn't lack nice things, they were all gifts from her father, mother, and grandmother, and she couldn't sell them.
Madam Min Qiao laughed and said, "How could I really let the princess pay? I would be more than satisfied if the princess were willing to get involved and give me a name on the project."
“How can that be?” Li Sanqi immediately objected. “You’ve already paid for it, why should I take 30% of the profits for nothing? What do you take me for?”
Madam Min quickly reassured her, "Princess, please don't be angry. What I mean is, you won't contribute money, but you will contribute your efforts. If any foolish person tries to seize our hot spring resort in the future, won't you have to step in?"
Li Sanqi nodded, "Don't worry, if anyone dares to cause trouble, I will definitely step in to help."
"However, I must also pay the money."
"I have five thousand taels on hand right now. I'll have someone send it to you later."
"I'll give you an IOU for the remaining five thousand taels. Once the resort is open for business, it will be deducted from my share of the profits."
"Look, is this okay?"
Madam Min naturally did not object. And so the matter was settled.
Afterwards, the three chatted about other things. Because of Min Qiao's words, Li Sanqi's opinion of Min Qiao changed drastically, and the atmosphere between the three of them was better than ever before.
After lunch, the two saw Li Sanqi off. Turning back, Madam Zheng questioned Min Qiaoshi with displeasure, "Why did you say those things to the Seventh Princess?"
"Although the Seventh Princess is spoiled and willful, and her attitude towards you is indeed questionable, you can't hold a grudge and incite her to commit suicide!"
"You should know that she is the Empress Dowager's darling, and she genuinely respects me as an elder."
“You are my friend and my savior. I don’t want you to scheme against her.”
"If I have to choose between the two of you, I'd rather die!"
Madam Zheng spoke these words with great seriousness.
Madam Min sighed and said irritably, "Although I am not a good person, I am not so heartless as to push the Seventh Princess to her death."
"I say this only because I don't want the Seventh Princess to be so preoccupied with love and romance that she suffers at her own expense."
Seeing Madam Zheng's sharp gaze sweep over her, Madam Min Qiao quickly added, "Alright, alright, I just don't want her to hold all her resentment against me. Otherwise, she'll target me, my eldest granddaughter, and my third granddaughter whenever she has a spare moment, and I can't take it."
"Instead of letting her get depressed and cause me trouble, it's better to show her a clear path and let her compete with her brothers and sisters."
"She's simple-minded. No matter how much she tries to compete, it's just child's play. With the Empress Dowager and the Empress protecting her, nothing serious is likely to happen."
Madam Zheng looked at Madam Min speechlessly, "You don't want trouble yourself, so you're just passing the trouble on to others?"
"And what about the hot spring resort?"
"How come I've never heard you mention the discovery of hot springs at your estate outside Beijing?"
Madam Min gave a wry smile. "I only discovered this a few days ago when I stayed at the estate for a while. It hasn't been long, and I haven't told anyone about it. I was afraid of causing unnecessary trouble."
Madam Zheng nodded, then narrowed her eyes. "Could it be that someone has already set their sights on your hot spring resort?"
Madam Min smiled awkwardly, "I just received the news. It seems that someone is secretly watching my hot spring estate. A few days ago, they sabotaged the construction progress of my estate."
Madam Zheng glared at her, "You really want to use the Seventh Princess to the fullest extent? I don't think you're a good person!"
Madam Min Qiao smiled bitterly, "I've never been a good person to begin with. If the person who's secretly plotting something has little power, the Seventh Princess's name is enough to scare them away. If they have enough power, even the Seventh Princess's intervention won't work, and there's nothing I can do about it. I can only accept my fate. How could I really trap the Seventh Princess in this?"
Madam Zheng glared at Min Qiaoshi with annoyance, "You'd better just calm down and live a peaceful life."
He just caused a huge scene at the Annam Earl's mansion last time, and now he's encouraging the Seventh Princess to go back and fight for power. Isn't he afraid that he'll really get himself killed one day?
Madam Min Qiao also said helplessly, "I want to too."
But that depends on whether the other person agrees!
She said she doesn't get involved in anything or cause trouble, and as long as you don't mess with her, everyone can live in peace.
But there are always some people who want to target her. She feels helpless about it!
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