Chapter 594: Elder Brother Visits Manxiang Garden
The night was already deep.
The lights were still on in the Cheng family courtyard. Cheng Zhao and Situ Man were sitting in the courtyard, while Manager Yu was reporting on the situation of the reading room.
Half a month ago, five thousand copies of "The Pear Blossom Romance" were printed and put on the market. They sold out in less than five days. The bookseller priced each book at one tael and eight mace. Five thousand copies would be nine thousand taels of silver. The Reading Pavilion would take seventy percent of the profits, which would be six thousand three hundred taels of silver. This amount of silver would be divided into five equal parts, and Cheng Zhao would end up with more than one thousand two hundred taels.
"My lord, the booksellers are asking if we could print another 10,000 copies for sale..." Manager Yu continued after reporting the accounts, "Isn't it true that Sui'an became the first female official in the Great Yu Dynasty? The Reading Pavilion was founded by Sui'an, and this 'Pear Blossom Romance' is also a story conceived by Sui'an. If this book were sold outside the capital, it should be able to make another fortune..."
Cheng Zhao nodded: "Reprinting is no problem, but we must be careful that the paper used for the books is consistent with the first batch. We cannot raise prices arbitrarily, and we must not allow the reputation of the Reading Pavilion to be damaged..."
Situ Man picked up the manuscript in her hand: "Someone has filled in some details for the rough outlines of Second Aunt's stories. As usual, we'll first find someone to write out the complete story, draw beautiful illustrations, and then make ten copies to put in the reading room to test the effect..."
As the group was discussing matters, there was a knock on the courtyard door.
The old woman who was sweeping the floor immediately opened the door and said with a smile, "Young Master Shen has arrived."
Shen Zheng rushed in: "Brother Cheng, my godmother is setting off back to Dahe Village tomorrow morning, and she wants Cheng Ding to go back with her."
Before Cheng Zhao could speak, Old Mrs. Cheng, who was sitting in the courtyard sewing shoe soles, suddenly looked up: "She's doing very well in the capital, why is she suddenly leaving?"
Although she had always lived in the suburbs of Beijing, she knew about what was happening in the capital. Her second daughter had caused quite a bit of trouble since she came to the capital, and she had been worried sick about her. But then she found that her daughter always managed to escape danger. Now, she had even become a role model in the eyes of countless women and old ladies, which was... a bit outrageous.
If she achieved that, she would definitely stay in the capital and wouldn't want to go back to that wretched mountain village...
"Now that my godmother's business is settled, it's time to go back." Shen Zheng looked at Cheng Zhao, "Brother Cheng, have you dealt with all those businesses you registered under Cheng Ding's name?"
Cheng Zhao nodded.
Because Cheng Ding was his second aunt's man and would eventually return to her side, he transferred all his businesses to his wife's name after they got married.
He didn't actually have any big businesses. He invested in an iron mine with someone, and he also opened a stationery shop in the capital. The iron mine yielded more than 400 taels of silver every three months, which was enough for him to do some other things. The stationery shop brought in more than 10 taels of silver a month, which he used to supplement his household income.
He said, "Since Second Aunt is going back, please help me take some things back with me."
"Wait a minute, Zhao'er, how are you handling those businesses?" Sister-in-law Cheng walked over, frowning as she asked, "It's better to keep profitable businesses under family names, don't you think?"
Just as Cheng Zhao was about to speak, Situ Man smiled and said, "My husband has temporarily entrusted me with managing those businesses. Once I learn to write and do accounting, I will immediately take over the management of these businesses. So, I need to make the most of my time to read more books and practice my calligraphy."
Whenever reading and writing are mentioned, Sister-in-law Cheng loses all her energy; she feels that writing is even more difficult than farming.
But if she can't learn it, and can't even read the ledgers, how could Zhao'er entrust the business to her?
She muttered to herself, "I don't know what that bastard of a father of yours is busy with all day long. He comes to learn to write, and I come to learn to do accounts so I can learn faster. He's never home and doesn't care about anything. How did I end up with such a man..."
Just then, the courtyard gate was kicked open, and Brother Cheng stumbled in, reeking of alcohol.
Sister-in-law Cheng immediately exploded: "How come you're so drunk? No, why do you smell so good? Where did that perfume smell from...?"
"You woman, mind your own business!" Brother Cheng shoved Sister-in-law Cheng aside. "Bring me some more wine, two ounces of pig's ear, and half a pound of beef, quick!"
Grandma Cheng couldn't help but scold, "How can you eat such a precious thing as beef? You've really drunk yourself silly."
"Why can't I eat it? I'm the father of a third-ranked scholar!" Brother Cheng said, his face full of drunkenness. "The first female official in the court today is from Sui'an, she's my own sister. She's been invited to the palace by the Emperor and Empress many times. Why can't I eat beef? Half a jin is too little, give me a whole jin!"
Cheng Zhao's brows furrowed tightly.
He knew that everyone in his family had some minor ailments, but he never expected that his father's minor ailment would become a major problem after they arrived in the capital. It wouldn't matter if it caused trouble for him, but if it brought trouble to his second aunt, how could he face her?
Just as he was about to walk over, Situ Man grabbed his sleeve: "For the past two weeks, Father has been going out drinking every day. Everyone fawns over Father, so naturally Father has become arrogant. Also... I heard from the people below that for the past three or four days, Father has been drinking at Manxiang Garden every day..."
Manxiangyuan was a brothel on the outskirts of Beijing, a place many men frequented.
Cheng Zhao's face immediately turned ashen.
But now is not the time to talk about that.
He took a deep breath and said, "Grandpa and Grandma, take Dad back to his room to rest. I'm going to Auntie's place."
Situ Man didn't want to stay at home and get involved in the mess, so she also went to say goodbye to Cheng Wanwan.
Cheng Zhao entered the courtyard carrying a small bundle and solemnly handed it to Cheng Wanwan: "Second Aunt, here are three letters. One is for Master Yu, one for the clan head of Cheng Family Village, and one for the old scholar who taught me. There are also five hundred taels of silver. One hundred taels will be donated to Dahe Academy to buy books for the children, one hundred taels will be given to the old scholar as retirement funds, and the remaining three hundred taels will be given to the clan head. If any children in the clan wish to study, they can use this money first. I will send tuition fees back every year thereafter..."
Cheng Wanwan looked at him approvingly. The entire Chengjia Village had supported him, and he had finally earned a little money. The first thing he did was to give back to the entire village. The fact that Chengjia Village could produce a Cheng Zhao was the luckiest thing for the village.
She took the bundle: "I will definitely pass on your message."
Situ Man also took out a few purses from her sleeve: "When my husband and I got married, none of my younger brothers and sisters came. These are gifts for my younger brothers and sisters. These are gifts for my second uncle, second aunt, and third uncle and third aunt. Please help me take them back."
Cheng Wanwan nodded: "If you want to bring anything back, just tell Xiao Zheng. He will probably set off in seven or eight days."
After talking for a while, it grew darker and darker. If they continued talking, the city gates would be closing soon, so Cheng Zhao and Situ Man had no choice but to say goodbye reluctantly.
Cheng Wanwan did not sleep well that night, and many things were on her mind.
She got up at daybreak. Cheng Jia and Cheng Ding had already prepared the carriage and were ready to set off at any time.
Shen Zheng and Zhao Sidan's eyes were full of reluctance, and they insisted on seeing her off to the gates of the capital.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com