The Secrets of a Clever Businesswoman
The joyous atmosphere at Prince Yi's residence did not diminish the sisters' curiosity about Liu Mianying's words that day. Especially Shen Anci, who was an impatient person and could not keep things to herself, soon gathered with Xu Nianchu and Qin Yuti under the pretext of visiting Liu Mianying's villa in the capital, "Mianying Pavilion".
The Mianying Pavilion was decorated with great elegance, yet it was not without luxury. All the furnishings were exquisite and precious, revealing the owner's extraordinary taste and wealth. When Liu Mianying saw her sisters arriving together, she knew exactly what was going on. She smiled and welcomed them into the flower hall, instructing the maids to serve them the finest tea and delicate Jiangnan pastries.
Shen Anci took a sip of tea and couldn't wait to get to the point: "Good Ying'er, there are no outsiders here, so tell us the truth! Who is this 'sweetheart' you mentioned the other day? Who is he that has caught the eye of someone as discerning as you? Don't try to fob us off with some excuse about 'the time not being right'!"
Xu Nianchu smiled gently and said, "Yes, Mianying, if you really have someone you like, tell us so we can give you some advice." Even Qin Yuti, who was pregnant and a little short of energy, cast a curious glance at her.
Seeing that she couldn't avoid it, Liu Mianying blushed slightly, raised her round fan to cover half of her face, her eyes sparkling with a hint of shyness, but also with a certainty: "Since you sisters have pressed me for an answer, I dare not hide it any longer. Actually... you all know that person."
"We all know each other?" Shen Anci was even more surprised, her mind quickly going through all the eligible young men in the capital. "Who are they? Tell me quickly!"
Liu Mianying softly uttered three words: "Feng, Yan, Shu".
"Feng Yanshu?" Shen Anci was taken aback, then suddenly realized, "Ah! It's Yu Ti's bookish cousin?!"
Qin Yuti was also taken aback: "Cousin Yanshu?" Her cousin, obsessed with poetry and books, was old-fashioned and spoke in classical Chinese, a stark contrast to the shrewd, quick-witted, and charming Liu Mianying—they were from completely different worlds. How...did they get involved?
Xu Nianchu also showed a thoughtful expression: "That's right, Young Master Feng is now working at the Hanlin Academy, and his scholarship is excellent. However... Mianying, it seems that the two of you don't have much interaction?"
Liu Mianying put down her fan, a sweet smile of reminiscence appearing on her face: "This is a long story. Last year, during the plum rain season in Jiangnan, I accompanied my father on an inspection tour of the industry, and in Hangzhou, I happened to meet Young Master Feng, who was on his way to study at the Jiangnan Academy."
She recounted the story in detail. At that time, Feng Yanshu, unfamiliar with the southern climate, caught a cold and fell ill at the inn. He was only accompanied by a pageboy, and was in a state of disarray. Liu Mianying happened to be staying at the same inn. Seeing that he was a scholar in dire straits, she took pity on him and had the accompanying doctor treat him, and instructed the servants to take good care of him.
“You wouldn’t believe it,” Liu Mianying chuckled, covering her mouth, “that young master Feng, even when he was sick, still had books in his hands. When I had my maid bring him some white fungus soup, he insisted on asking about the price, saying that ‘one should not accept a reward without merit,’ and even wrote me an IOU! His earnest manner was both pedantic and… quite amusing.”
Later, after Feng Yanshu recovered from his illness, he insisted on repaying the medical expenses. Liu Mianying jokingly suggested that he explain the local customs and historical anecdotes along the way to her as payment. Unexpectedly, Feng Yanshu took it seriously. Along the way, he quoted extensively from classical texts and talked eloquently. His focus and erudition gradually revealed to Liu Mianying, who initially found him merely amusing, the sincerity and brilliance beneath this "bookworm" exterior.
“He is unlike any other man I have ever met,” Liu Mianying said, her eyes shining. “He doesn’t understand business, he’s naive, and he’s even a bit clueless about human relationships, but he has depth in his heart and stars in his eyes. When I’m with him, I feel very peaceful and at ease.”
After returning to the capital, the two occasionally exchanged letters, mostly discussing poetry or sharing their experiences. Liu Mianying knew that the Feng family had a pure and upright tradition, and that Feng Yanshu intended to pursue the orthodox path of the imperial examinations. She feared that her status as the daughter of a merchant was not a suitable match, so she kept her feelings hidden deep in her heart. It wasn't until she saw that her sisters were all engaged, and Yuti was even pregnant, that she was overcome with emotion and let slip her feelings.
Shen Anci was dumbfounded, and finally clapped his hands and laughed, "Well done, Liu Mianying! Without saying a word, you've actually set your sights on Yu Ti's most precious old-fashioned scholar! Really... I never would have guessed!"
Qin Yuti also recovered from her initial surprise. After thinking it over carefully, she realized that her cousin was an upright and honest person, and Mianying was intelligent and clever. If they could really get together, it would be a wonderful coincidence. However… “Mianying, my cousin’s personality is probably… not quite there yet, right? Besides, what about my aunt…” The Feng family was a respectable family and inevitably had some prejudice against merchants.
Liu Mianying smiled confidently: "Sincerity can move mountains. Young Master Feng is a gentleman, and I will treat him with sincerity. There will always be a time when the clouds part and the moon shines through. As for Madam Feng... I have my own way of dealing with her." Having managed such a large business, what difficulties hadn't she encountered? She had her own "business acumen" for winning over a scholar and a refined lady.
Xu Nianchu held Liu Mianying's hand and said softly, "Since you have made up your mind, we will naturally support you. If you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask."
The sisters laughed and joked for a while, agreeing to help Liu Mianying "win over" her bookish cousin. Meanwhile, Feng Yanshu, buried in old books at the Hanlin Academy, was completely unaware of the waves that a clever and insightful woman from Jiangnan was about to stir in his heart, which was filled with the classics.
What kind of wonderful story will Liu Mianying's proactive move bring to the capital?
Meanwhile, inside Prince Yi's residence, the soon-to-be father, Zhao Jingyi, was currently pacing back and forth, worrying about when he could get close to the princess without "harming" the baby.
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