Chapter 57 Successfully securing funding was a disgrace. Truly disgraceful…
Before Huang Chao, powerful clans operated a "manor economy," constantly annexing land by acquiring the farmland of bankrupt farmers during wartime. Their manors often occupied mountains, rivers, and lakes, stretching for dozens or even hundreds of miles. For example, the manors built by the Xie family in Kuaiji and Wuxing during the Eastern Jin Dynasty were not only nestled against mountains and beside water, but also included farmland, pottery workshops, weaving workshops, and wineries, housing thousands of slaves, retainers, and tenants—comparable to a complete city.
After Huang Chao, the manor economy collapsed, and the powerful clans were no longer able to monopolize the selection of officials, land and wealth. The common people living in the Song Dynasty, relying on the burgeoning "commercial" economy, created the richest dynasty in this feudal era.
Shen Miao led Xiang Jie'er and Ji Ge'er out of the carriage and into the Xie family's manor in the countryside outside Bianjing. For some reason, she still had this thought, like a historical observer: compared with their ancestors from the Wei and Jin Dynasties, this manor could only be called a large courtyard house with a courtyard built on a large expanse of farmland and mulberry gardens.
Of course, with its green tiles and flying eaves nestled among the mountains and waters, looking out along the manor's covered walkway, one sees endless green fields, weeping willows by the pond, their soft branches brushing the water; not far away, there is also a four or five-story tower, from which one can climb up and gaze into the distance, taking in the entire landscape, which is truly beautiful.
The doorman who led them in was an acquaintance, Yan Qi. He was overjoyed to see Shen Miao and rubbed his hands together, saying with a smile, "I am so lucky to meet Lady Shen. There are so many guests today, and yet I still managed to run into Lady Shen."
He chatted with Shen Miao all the way, and halfway there, Ji Ge'er had to go alone with another doorman to meet the male guests at the banquet ahead. Yan Qi said, "Ninth Brother'er's classmates from the academy are all together, so Madam Shen doesn't need to worry."
Shen Miao and Xiang Jie continued walking inside. After passing through two gates, the view suddenly opened up. The Xie family's manor was truly unique, with the back garden connecting directly to the mountains and fields. Stepping through the gate, they expected to see deep courtyards, but instead, they found themselves in a scene of "a calm lake with clear autumn waters, and boats with cassia oars and magnolia branches"—the women were actually in twos and threes, boating and playing on the water.
When she first got off the bus, she looked at the house in front of her and thought it was just a large courtyard house. Now, Shen Miao couldn't help but feel ashamed. She was so narrow-minded. It seemed that this entire hilltop and the large wheat field below probably all belonged to the Xie family.
It seems the foundation of the manor's economy hasn't been completely destroyed by the failed scholar. Shen Miao thought awkwardly. But then again, in real history, the final death knell for the aristocratic clans actually tolled during the Jingkang Incident.
By this time, the wheels of history in the Song Dynasty had long since turned onto a winding mountain road, and the past was so vast that it could no longer reflect the history learned in memory; some differences were to be expected.
In the reeds by the lake, there were still a few small bamboo boats that were not full. Under Yan Qi's guidance, Chen Miao pulled Xiang Jie'er to bend down and pick one of the least crowded boats to board. When she looked up, she found that there were already three young women sitting inside.
Two of them looked quite familiar.
The girl with the oval face and the girl with the round face seemed familiar; she recognized them both from the shop. Although Shen Miao couldn't recall their names, she was certain they had been customers—the girl with the round face was still clutching her custom-made "mermaid cotton doll." She had even dressed the doll in a Song Dynasty-style outfit, with rice beads adorning the cuffs and collar—such exquisite craftsmanship!
The girl with the round face seemed extremely shocked when she saw her come in, but it was unclear why. The girl with the oval face, however, greeted her with a blushing smile, "Madam Chen, what a coincidence! Please have a seat."
Shen Miao sat down as instructed, and Xiang Jie'er sat close to her legs, holding the ribbon hanging from her skirt. Usually the mountain queen in the alley, she was obedient and didn't utter a sound when she came out.
The boat wasn't narrow; the bamboo canopy was stretched into a high arch. A small table was placed between the five people, and in the lacquered wooden box on top were the egg yolk pastries and cookies that she had previously taught Chef Fang to make.
The young woman with the oval face even used a handkerchief to cushion her hands, and first took out two pieces to give to Xiang Jie'er: "Are you Madam Shen's younger sister? Then shouldn't I call you Second Madam Shen?"
Xiang Jie first glanced at Shen Miao, and seeing Shen Miao nod slightly, she reached out and took it. She then turned back and gave the oval-faced young woman a sweet smile: "Thank you, elder sister. My name is Xiang Jie."
The young woman with the oval face immediately smiled: "You're very well-behaved. Much better than my sister."
At this moment, the round-faced young lady seemed to come to her senses and hurriedly greeted Shen Miao. The group then exchanged names, and Shen Miao realized that the two were actually acquaintances. The oval-faced young lady was the seventh daughter of the Feng family, and the round-faced young lady was actually the ninth brother's younger sister, Xie the eleventh daughter.
Xie Shiyi Niang then pointed to the woman in the corner who was gazing at the water and introduced her to Shen Miao: "This is my aunt's eldest cousin, Cui Yuan Niang. You can call her Cui Yuan Niang, Madam Shen."
Shen Miao looked over, but Cui Wanniang seemed not to have heard, staring blankly at the water.
She was emaciated, her face paler than paper, and her clothes were barely fitting her, clearly indicating that she was still recovering from a serious illness. She looked remarkably like the eldest daughter-in-law of the Xie family, both possessing a spirited and heroic appearance, but because of her illness, that heroic spirit seemed shattered and hopeless, and a faint deathly aura hung between her brows and eyes.
She ignored her, so Shen Miao remained silent. When she first boarded the boat, Shen Miao had mistaken her for the Xie family's eldest daughter because she resembled the Xie family's eldest daughter, but she hadn't expected her to be a cousin.
Eleventh Sister even tried to smooth things over: "My elder sister from the Cui family is not in good health, please don't take offense, Madam Chen."
The vast and boundless Dao cannot be understood.
Xie Shiyi Niang glanced at the blue-green jacket on Chen Niangzi's body, then looked at Cui Wan Niang. Her mind was in turmoil, but only she knew the truth. She was filled with a storm of emotions, and there was no one she could confide in.
Shen Miao had no idea what Xie Shiyi Niang was thinking. A gentle breeze caressed her face, and she quickly began to enjoy it.
In particular, Feng Qiniang loved to talk to her, which surprised Shen Miao. She had thought that someone like her, a commoner, wouldn't be able to connect with these noble ladies in such a place. Unexpectedly, Feng Qiniang first praised her soup dumplings, then mentioned that her father, Dr. Feng, had eaten her grilled fish and couldn't forget it, sending his servant to buy it for her every day. Later...
"Didn't Madam Shen hold a festival celebration a couple of days ago? Father even ordered Feng Liu to store eighty fish and draw lots as many as he could. He won several silk figurines and sent them all home to give to us daughters."
Shen Miao blinked, the case was solved! It turned out that the top spender of the past two days was a servant of the young master of the Feng family! She wondered why his extravagant spending style seemed so familiar. It turned out to be the Feng family.
That's not surprising.
Enjoying the breeze, snacks, and tea on the boat, Shenmiao could also hear the distant sounds of string and wind instruments, like birds' wings gently touching the water's surface, carried by the wind, making one feel very comfortable.
Xiangjie was engrossed in eating the egg yolk pastry. Since Chenmiao had been busy, she had rarely made it. Today, she was eating it here, and the taste was very similar to that of her older sister. She ate it with shining eyes, as if she had found a treasure, and her mouth was covered with crumbs of crispy pastry.
Xie Shiyi Niang was still hesitating when she caught sight of Xiang Jie'er's incredibly satisfied eating, and couldn't resist reaching out to grab one as well. Today, Chef Fang had made three or four flavors of egg yolk pastries: one was red bean paste, another was lotus seed paste, and the lotus seed paste was made from the freshest lotus seeds picked from the estate. The seeds were cored, steamed, ground, and then cooked with sugar, oil, and other ingredients, resulting in a delicate texture and a subtle lotus seed fragrance.
There are also matcha flavor and pork floss and taro flavor; I heard that these were taught by Madam Shen.
Xie Shiyi Niang still prefers red bean paste the most. The soft and sweet red bean paste balances the saltiness of the salted egg yolk, and there is also a strong red bean aroma. She can eat as many as she wants without getting tired of it.
Once she started eating, Shiyi Niang quickly lost herself in the food again. Later, she simply sat down next to Xiang Jie'er, and the two of them ate and said, "This is delicious. Xiang Jie'er, you eat this one. Chef Fang crushed the rose petals and mixed them in, so this cricket cake has tiny red dots floating on it. It's fragrant, sweet, crispy, and beautiful."
By the time the ship docked, the two of them had eaten all the snacks on board.
After disembarking, they were led into a large hall where several tables and chairs had been set out. Shen Miao and Xiang Jie were pulled to sit together by Feng Qiniang and Shiyi Niang, but the cousin from the Cui family did not come in. Instead, a maid came to call her, and she whispered a few words to Shiyi Niang before leaving on her own.
At this moment, Shen Miao sat down and realized that all those seated in the hall were juniors; there were no other elders. She asked Eleventh Sister and learned that the eldest daughter of the Xie family was in a separate place from the eldest daughters of other families, and the men outside the family had also been settled elsewhere.
Shen Miao understood; it seemed that the adults sat at one table and the children at another.
She was placed at the "kids" table.
Does that mean she won't be able to see Madam Xie today? Shen Miao couldn't help but place her hand on the small crossbody bag she was carrying, inside which was her prepared financing proposal titled "A Bite of Bianjing"...
She wrote and drew on ten pages, detailing everything from the shop's location, market analysis, menu features, risk assessment, investment needs, and expected returns.
She even drew a detailed bar chart of income forecasts!
Shen Miao finished her meal absentmindedly, while Xiang Jie ate with great relish, her cheeks bulging. She even remembered to serve Shen Miao some food, whispering to her, "Sister, eat up, beef!"
After finishing their meal, Shenmiao and Xiangjie were dragged by the excited Shiyi Niang to watch two more opera performances. Xiangjie couldn't understand the opera, so she focused on eating her snacks. While chewing, she listened with wide eyes as Shiyi Niang was moved to tears beside her. She couldn't understand how Shiyi Niang could cry so much that her handkerchief was soaked.
Shen Miao, however, had no interest in listening to stories of talented men and beautiful women breaking up and getting back together; he was preoccupied with his own investment that had failed midway through.
Was today a wasted trip? The thought had barely crossed her mind when, unexpectedly, Madam Xi appeared before her like a goddess and whispered, "Madam said she would like to see Madam Chen during the play to discuss something."
Shen Miao was overjoyed; she had something to do too!
So she asked Feng Qiniang to help look after Xiangjie, while she watched Shiyi Niang watching the play with great interest. Shenmiao took the opportunity to apologize and leave the table. She followed Xi Mama off the stage, took a boat across the lake, and went straight to another side hall after landing.
Lady Xi didn't like watching operas either. She had been busy all morning and took the opportunity to change clothes and go back to her room to rest while everyone was watching the opera. But she didn't really rest at all. As soon as she left her seat, the stewards and servants rushed up to report on all the matters related to the banquet. By the time she finished and finally sat down, almost two quarters of an hour had passed.
Just then, someone else arrived. Mama Xi lifted the curtain, and a ghostly figure stepped in. After taking two steps forward, the figure knelt before Madam Xi's legs and choked out, "Wan Niang begs Aunt to save my life."
Xi was astonished and instinctively reached out to help her up, but Cui Wanniang, with her frail body, remained kneeling and refused to get up. She raised her dim, almost burning eyes and said, "Aunt, I know I have no face, but I really have no way to live. After today, my mother and father will take me to the Loutai Temple and never let me out again."
Lady Xi frowned. Loutai Temple was a Taoist temple for women, but it was far away on Yongxing Army Road, hundreds of miles away from Bianjing. Why send her daughter, who was so sick she was practically skin and bones, there?
Seeing the doubt on Xi Shi's face, Cui Wanniang felt an even deeper sorrow welling up in her eyes. She smiled bitterly and said, "So Ninth Brother really didn't even tell his aunt. He is the true gentleman. I was blind..."
Then, she steeled herself and confessed all the mistakes she had made. It turned out that she had fallen in love with a down-on-his-luck musician who lived in her home and taught her younger brother to play the zither. She believed him and was willing to abandon everything to elope with him. Little did she know that he was only after extorting money from the Cui family to pay off his debts. The man made an outrageous demand, asking for ten thousand taels of silver in paper money, or he would expose the whole affair.
Later, he was naturally tricked and killed by the Cui family.
The Cui family was highly respected in Chenzhou, so how could they not have a way to manipulate a down-on-his-luck rogue? They pretended to agree to his request, lured him to their door, and then fabricated a charge of theft. They stuffed a hot charcoal into a cornbread bun and forced him to swallow it, burning his throat. Then they sent him to the government office, bribed the clerk with ten taels of silver, and had him beaten dozens of times until he was a lump of mud.
She couldn't see through such a foolish and greedy man back then, only deceiving herself, wanting to escape that suffocating home with him. From a young age, she was different from her sisters, loving to ride horses and hunt. She would often leave her servants behind, riding alone to the highest mountain in Cui Family Village to watch the sunrise. But when she looked out from the high mountain, all she saw were swirling clouds and mist, and beyond that, only more high mountains.
The other women's greatest hope in life was to marry a good man from a wealthy family, with handsome features, and live a peaceful life as wives and mothers. They didn't think about anything else. But she was rebellious and deeply resented the marriage arranged since childhood, which had moved her from one large mansion to another.
She had always wanted to see what the mountains beyond were really like.
The musician had told her that the water towns of Jiangnan were gentle and beautiful, the scenery of Lingnan was magnificent and rugged, Guanzhong was full of chivalrous heroes, and the northwest was vast and desolate... The beautiful landscape was breathtaking, and she truly believed his vow, thinking that he would take her to travel the world and never abandon her.
As a result, she eloped with him with dreams in her heart, but he kidnapped her and sent her back to the Cui family to extort money.
All sweet words are lies.
She was locked in the ancestral hall, watching helplessly as her belly grew bigger day by day, only then realizing the terrible trouble she had caused. She wanted to escape, but ultimately there was no way. If it weren't for Ninth Brother's rescue, she would probably have been beaten to death by her father.
Father was of a strong and unyielding nature, and he couldn't tolerate any dissent. He disliked her at the sight of her and had long wanted to send her away. It was only after Mother knelt down and begged Father that she was allowed to stay at home to recover after childbirth, at least until she could get up again, before being sent to a Taoist temple to spend the rest of her life.
But what difference is there between that and letting her die slowly?
Cui Wanniang kowtowed heavily to Madam Xi, tears streaming down her face: "Aunt, I know I'm shameless, but... I still want to live..."
Madam Xi remained silent for a long time, only gesturing for Mama Xi to help Cui Wan Niang up. After a long period of contemplation, she finally spoke in a heavy tone: "Wan Niang, I watched you grow up. You have been intelligent since childhood, otherwise I would not have arranged your engagement with Ninth Brother. You have read so many books and learned so many principles, how could you be so easily trusting of others, leading to such a disaster!"
Cui Wanniang lowered her head.
She was bewitched; every day of these past few days, she hadn't stopped regretting it, but it was all in vain...
Lady Xi sighed, "Your mother sent you to find me, didn't she? Your father was most afraid of me back then. When he came to Youzhou to ask for your mother's hand in marriage, I beat him with a stick several times."
Xi Shi and Cui Wan Niang were sisters, born of the same mother and raised together since childhood. The two sisters had contrasting personalities, one quiet and the other lively. Cui Wan Niang was gentle and demure by nature. When she learned that her dearest elder sister was going to get married, Xi Shi was not one to tolerate it. She would beat up every time the Cui family came to visit, and she would hold her elder sister tightly while sleeping at night, determined not to let her leave.
She used to like Cui Wanniang, and never thought that her older sister was somewhat like her.
I never expected her to be so foolish.
“Yes, Mother… is outside the door.” Cui Wan Niang nodded. Her mother doted on her and couldn’t persuade her father, which was why she had to come to Bianjing despite her illness. If it weren’t for the Xie family’s invitation, she would have been heading to the pavilion to watch the view. Otherwise, she would have had no chance to escape her father’s gaze.
Madam Xi led the eldest daughter of the Cui family, who was already in tears, into the room. When Madam Xi saw that she looked much older, she felt a pang of sadness. She got up, took the eldest daughter of the Cui family's hand, sat down, and gently wiped away her tears.
“Sister, don’t cry. I know your heart. I don’t blame you and Wan Niang for this. In the past, Ninth Brother was often unlucky and had many accidents, but you didn’t complain about his bad luck. I also know about Wan Niang’s situation. If Brother-in-law insists on sending her away, why not let her return to her maternal grandparents’ home in Youzhou?” Xi Shi then instructed Xi Mama to help Cui Wan Niang sit on the embroidered stool.
Madam Cui had also considered this, but... she sighed, "I had thought about it before, but my husband was afraid that this matter would leak out. If his uncles and nephews found out, the Cui family would lose face even more. Therefore, he only thought of sending her to a place where she had no relatives, so as not to tarnish the reputation of the Cui family girls."
Cui Wanniang sat on the stool, which was as thin as a piece of paper, and trembled slightly upon hearing this.
After a moment's thought, Lady Xi said, "I do have another place to go."
She looked up at Cui Wanniang and asked, "I remember Wanniang started learning to manage household affairs when she was six years old?"
Madam Cui nodded, tears welling in her eyes again. She lowered her head to wipe them away: "Wan Niang is proficient in everything from music, chess, calligraphy, and painting to horseback riding and archery. She also learned accounting and management skills from me every day since she was little. If it weren't for that damned scoundrel, she would have done everything well. Her father used to praise her as the most intelligent and capable among her sisters..."
“I’ve started a workshop with someone in Youzhou, and I’m worried about finding a reliable person to manage it. The workshop is located in Luxian County of Youzhou, which is two counties away from our home. My brother wrote last time saying that construction had started, and judging by the timeline, it should be almost finished. If Wan Niang is going there, she doesn’t need to stay at her uncle’s house; she can stay at the workshop.” Xi Shi glanced at Xi Mama, who seemed to understand Xi Shi’s thoughts, nodded slightly, and then left.
Cui Wanniang suddenly raised her head.
Madam Xi then explained her plans in detail to Madam Cui. There was another business entity above the workshop, used as a smokescreen. This shell business needed a loyal and capable person well-versed in mathematics, tax law, and criminal law to manage it; otherwise, all the arrangements would be in vain. She had been searching for such a person, originally intending to find someone among the servants, but now it was better to let Wan Niang do it.
She valued the business of Tangbing Workshop very much this time. She wanted to try this method to see if it could really protect the wealth and assets accumulated by the Xie family. If it was effective, the other businesses under the Xie family should also be gradually transferred away in the same way.
“Rather than being locked up in a Taoist temple and dying in despair, it would be better to use the rest of your life to do something great.” Xi turned to Cui Wanniang, whose face was flushed with excitement, “But you must swear to your aunt that you will always be clear-headed and always put the interests of the workshop first, and not be misled by others and lose your mind.”
"Don't worry, Aunt." Cui Wanniang gritted her teeth in hatred. "The thing I hate most in the rest of my life is men."
She felt even more disgusted when she recalled how she had been so infatuated with scumbags.
Cui Wanniang knelt down again and kowtowed repeatedly: "I am willing to go, Aunt, Mother. I was foolish enough to place all my hopes on others in my life. Now I have suffered a great loss and almost lost my life. I have long since realized that one must rely on oneself. Relying on mountains will lead to their collapse, relying on walls will lead to their ruin, and relying on men is a dead end. I really want to live again. Please."
Madam Cui also made up her mind and said sadly, "It's for the best. Wan Niang can never remarry in the future. The Taoist temple is abject and stifling, no different from being in prison. She has always wanted to see the outside world, so this can be considered as her wish coming true."
However, the price was simply too high.
She's only seventeen, yet she's already reached the end of her road in life.
It was her fault. She hadn't paid enough attention to her daughter's feelings, and she was useless, unable to influence her husband's thoughts... Madam Cui's tears flowed like a spring, wiping them away again and again, before she calmed down with the comfort of Madam Xi.
Just then, a knock came at the door. Xi said, "The person who is my partner in running the workshop has arrived." She then invited Cui's eldest daughter and Cui Wan Niang to go to the back to wash up.
They went behind the screen and into the inner room, whereupon Lady Xi spoke up: "Please come in."
Madam Xi led Shen Miao through the door, and Madam Xi smiled and said, "I apologize for the intrusion, but I'm afraid I'll have to keep you from watching the opera, Madam Shen." Her gaze lingered on Shen Miao for a moment, but she didn't say anything more, her smile remaining unchanged.
Shen Miao smiled somewhat embarrassedly, "Not at all, I'm not very good at listening to opera either."
Madam Xi then invited Shen Miao to sit down and had a maid serve tea. She went straight to the point, explaining in detail her intention to send her niece to Youzhou to manage the workshop. She naturally didn't mention the cause of Cui Wan Niang's illness, only saying that she was skilled in accounting and management, but her health was poor, making marriage difficult in the future. She suggested finding her a better path, as she was related to the Xi family by blood and of noble status, making her more reliable than the servants. She added that once she arrived, the Xi family would select a dozen or twenty literate household servants to assist her, and her status would also keep the servants in check, preventing them from harboring any disloyalty towards their mistress.
Shen Miao thought about it and agreed. In ancient times, it was better to employ someone you were closest to. Clan members helped each other, and many hands make light work, so she wasn't surprised by Xi Shi's choice. She was just a little surprised that Xi Shi had transcended the perspective of her time and chosen a woman instead of a man from the family to handle this matter.
but.
“I happened to meet Miss Cui today,” Shen Miao said, recalling the pale appearance of the Cui family girl, and was a little worried about her. “Youzhou is bitterly cold, can her body withstand it?”
Madam Xi smiled and said, "That was caused by her being depressed and suffering. Now that she has hope, she will get better with some rest."
The person's words were vague, probably concerning privacy, but I trusted Madam Xie's character, so I didn't ask any more questions and nodded, saying, "In that case, I'll entrust this matter to you, Madam."
Madam Xi patted her hand: "Don't worry, Madam Chen. The soup and cake workshop is related to the meals of the Youzhou garrison, so I will not take it lightly." The Xi family has been operating in Youzhou for two or three generations, and the Youzhou garrison can almost be called the "Xi Family Army". Every soldier is treated like a family member, and any loss is heartbreaking.
Her initial intention was to improve their lives, not solely for personal gain.
Seeing Shen Miao's straightforwardness and trust, Xi was also pleased. Her gaze fell on the lotus flower embroidered on Shen Miao's collar, and she said with a smile, "Shen Niangzi's clothes today suit you very well."
Shen Miao's face flushed slightly, but she quickly suppressed the ripples in her heart. In her heart now, love was not as important as bread. She took out the hand-drawn proposal she had kept in her bag for a long time, licked her lips, and said, "Actually, I also have something I want to discuss with you today, Madam."
"Oh? What is it?" Madam Xi took it curiously, and was quickly drawn in as she opened it. It was the first time she had ever seen an account book like this. The first page contained the address of a small shop, its location, the surrounding buildings and streets, and specifically pointed out that it was a bustling area with many well-to-do families living nearby.
Next came the prices of this shop and other shops in the surrounding area, which she had drawn up using several rectangular bars. Even without reading the words, it was clear that this shop was 20-30% cheaper than the other shops in the area.
"Madam Xie, I'm afraid my suggestion is a bit presumptuous, but I hope you can hear me out." Shen Miao observed Xi's expression and carefully explained her plans: why she intended to expand the shop, how much savings she currently had, how much she needed, and offered three investment options.
One option is to withdraw the profits from the soup noodle workshop in advance, deducting them annually until the debt is fully repaid.
Secondly, the investment is made through equity distribution. The thousand strings of cash that Madam Xie invested is considered an investment in her shop. She will receive 20% of the shop's revenue and will also provide her with regular accounts to ensure that her thousand strings of cash will not result in a loss.
Thirdly, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Xie family would fund the purchase of the shop and lease it to her. This way, the Xie family wouldn't have to bear the risk of her potential losses and would still receive a stable rental income. Even if she went bankrupt in the future, the Xie family could still lease it to others.
After Shen Miao finished speaking, she flipped to the last page of her handwritten proposal. She had actually also made a financial plan, outlining the potential returns that Madam Xie might receive after investing in her, according to the short-term, medium-term, and three different plans.
Xi was somewhat surprised. She looked up from the booklet and gazed at Chen Miao. She noticed that although Chen Miao looked a little nervous, she still spoke clearly and logically, and finished stating her requirements with great determination.
“Madam Xie, you can leave this booklet here and reconsider.” Shen Miao smiled slightly. “Rest assured, no matter how you answer me, in my heart, you will always be someone I respect and a benefactor. That will never change.”
Xi looked at her and smiled, "I never do things half-heartedly, so let's choose the second option."
Shen Miao blinked. She had considered that Madam Xi might refuse, or choose option one or three, but she hadn't expected Madam Xi to be willing to spend money to deeply bind herself to a small shop like hers. In fact, the second option would benefit Shen Miao the most, not the Xie family.
If we're going to share the risks, then the business is still in jeopardy.
After saying this, Madam Xi put Shen Miao's booklet into her pocket and said with a smile, "I'll gladly accept this booklet as well. What I admire most about Madam Shen is your wisdom, ingenuity, and meticulous planning. Madam Shen has a clear understanding of how to spend money and resources, down to the last penny. She is also wholeheartedly dedicated to making a living for the family, whether it's running a small business or acquiring some property, she manages everything carefully and thinks long-term. This is what makes a woman who can bring prosperity to a family."
The phrase "a woman who brings prosperity to the family" at the end seems to carry a deeper meaning.
But Shen Miao was so happy that she forgot everything else. She stood up to thank them and bowed deeply.
“I know that Madam is not short of such petty benefits. The fact that she so readily agreed to my request is mostly out of love and care for the younger generation. I don’t know how to thank her. I will remember this kindness in my heart. In the future, if Madam asks me for anything, I will never dare to refuse.”
Madam Xi said nothing more, glanced at the sky, got up and saw her to the door: "Since Madam Shen has come to the Xie family as a guest, how can I, as the host, spoil the fun like this? Go on, after the play, take a stroll around. Although Chunzhuang is large, only the lake is worth enjoying. You can't find such good water in Bianjing City. Madam Shen, don't let it go to waste."
Xi's mother politely escorted her all the way to the long corridor embankment leading to the lake, and Shen Miao thanked her again.
The stage was set up on the opposite side of the lake, and to get back, one had to take a boat. Fortunately, there were many Xie family servants waiting by the boats on the lakeside, ready to help row. She randomly chose the one closest to her.
Overjoyed at the successful collaboration, she couldn't contain her excitement and jumped into the boat. Her movement caused the boat to rock violently. She smiled and grabbed the side of the boat to steady herself before raising her head.
There were people on the small boat, who seemed to have been drinking; a faint aroma of plum wine wafted through the air.
The man turned his head, his dark, bright eyes seeming to be moistened with wine, making him appear even gentler than usual. Suddenly, a gust of wind stirred the tall reeds, causing them to sway and pass by the two of them.
Xie Qi's mind, which had been somewhat clouded by the alcohol, instantly cleared up.
He looked at the woman in the turquoise dress in front of him. She seemed a little surprised that he was there. Her delicate eyebrows were slightly raised. Her somewhat dazed expression made him smile.
Long ago, he felt that Madam Shen was like a lotus flower standing gracefully in the wind. Now... she wore this dress and was indeed as beautiful as he had imagined. Looking at her, one could only wish that time would stand still, and that all the beauty in the world would be gathered in her.
"Why is Ninth Brother hiding here?" Shen Miao was annoyed that the servants on the shore hadn't reminded her, otherwise she wouldn't have jumped down like a weight with a "plop," shaking the boat.
How embarrassing. So embarrassing!
"You've had too much to drink, so hide here and sober up." Xie Qi's smile remained unchanged as he looked at her with a smile.
Shen Miao became increasingly embarrassed under his gaze. She touched her slightly flushed cheeks with the back of her hand, awkwardly adjusted her skirt, and whispered, "Ninth Brother, what are you laughing at? Is there something on my face?"
Xie Qi shook his head and finally turned his eyes away. A gust of wind swept over, blowing the clothes and hair of the two of them.
It seemed that he was always overjoyed whenever he saw Madam Shen.
For no particular reason, perhaps it was simply because the same breeze had brushed against their clothes together.
He was also very happy.
**
She had originally planned to ask Ninth Brother about why he suddenly gave her clothes once she saw him, but later, even after leaving the Xie family, Shen Miao was still confused and said nothing.
She and he sat together on the boat, speechless, for a long time, enjoying the breeze and gazing at the water.
Later, Shen Miao found it hard to believe her own behavior. How could she have become such a dumbfounded, speechless person in front of Ninth Brother? Why did she suddenly stop wanting to say anything?
Xiangjie, on the other hand, had a great time. In her words, the Xie family's garden was delicious, beautiful, and fun. While Chenmiao was just enjoying the breeze, she not only finished watching the play but also ran into Yanshu. The two "foodie friends" hadn't seen each other for a long time and chatted for quite a while. Yanshu then gave her a bag of candied loquats, saying that he had picked wild loquats with the Grand Madam when they went to the countryside last time. He was afraid they would spoil if they couldn't finish them, so he made them into candied fruit.
Shen Miao pondered and pondered, her mind filled with thoughts of what Ninth Brother was thinking and what she was thinking. Before she could figure it out, Zheng Neizhi came to deliver the investment funds and the contract. She immediately put all her girlish thoughts to the back of her mind and stopped thinking about it altogether.
She's going to expand the store!
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