Although she had already brought a considerable amount of money to her family in Qingyun County, Gu Yaoniang was still somewhat worried.
The dream from that day is still vivid in my mind, even after all these days, and I always feel it's an ominous sign.
Nowadays, using silver coins makes buying anything much more convenient. However, with more silver coins circulating in the market, it's inevitable that some things will increase in price.
Gu Yaoniang was worried that her parents didn't have enough money, but she didn't say anything and continued to live frugally.
-
Before we knew it, the year was coming to an end.
The candidates for this year's imperial examination finally received their results before the new year, though the court did not offer a specific explanation for the delay.
Gu Pingsheng was on the list, even ranking quite high. Passing the autumn imperial examination meant Gu Pingsheng had truly taken his first step in the imperial examination process, much to the delight of his family. Gu Yaoniang also sent a congratulatory gift to Xie Danqiu, who was also on the list.
The release of exam results before the Lunar New Year brings joy to some and sorrow to others. Families like the Gu family, whose children passed, are naturally overjoyed and celebrate the New Year. Those who failed, however, are understandably dejected.
The Gu family had a joyous New Year; almost everyone had a smile on their face.
On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, Jin Yu Lou closed early as usual, and the people from the Gu family business gathered at Jin Yu Lou for a banquet.
Before the person arrived, Manager Su and Gu Yaoniang were checking the accounts together.
Jin Yu Lou's profits are getting better and better. Mr. Li's storytelling at Jin Yu Lou has also brought many customers to the restaurant.
However, Manager Su's face clearly showed his worry.
"Boss, we have to raise prices!"
He advised.
Holding the account book in her hand, Gu Yaoniang flipped through it page by page, her beautiful eyebrows furrowing more and more tightly.
"Boss! Don't be fooled by our big turnover and high profits; we're spending even more! Buying things for the shop costs money everywhere! Things in the city are getting more and more expensive. If we didn't have our own shop to buy goods and offset some of the expenses, we wouldn't be making any money at all!"
Manager Su became a little anxious when he saw that Gu Yaoniang was only looking at the account book and not responding to him.
Gu Yaoniang frowned: "Why are things so expensive lately?"
Before the Lunar New Year, everyone is busy buying New Year's goods. Prices usually rise slightly in the twelfth lunar month, but at most by 10% or 50%. Even now, due to the impact of the silver price increase, prices have gone up a bit, but not to the point where they have almost doubled!
"Is it just food and daily necessities that are going up in price?"
Gu Yaoniang asked.
She hadn't gone shopping in a long time, and most of the shops in the Gu family's store were food shops. She had also been worried about Gu Pingsheng lately, so she hadn't paid much attention to shopping and had only focused on the things in front of her, without noticing the price changes in other industries in Shuojing City.
She couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.
Manager Su said worriedly, "How could that be! We haven't raised prices on food and daily necessities. We're the biggest company in Shuojing City. As long as we don't raise prices, no one else will dare to make any rash moves. Especially jewelry, antiques, gold and silver artifacts—anything that nobles like has gone up in price! The more expensive it was to begin with, the bigger the price increase! Some have even quadrupled or quintupled!"
Gu Yaoniang was shocked: "How could this be!"
She shook her head: "No, this isn't right! How can prices rise like this! Something must be wrong. If this continues, the world is going to descend into chaos! Bizhu!"
Gu Yaoniang turned to Bizhu and said, "Go and find someone to inquire about the prices in the city now. Not just in Shuojing, but also ask people from other prefectures and counties."
Bizhu was about to leave when Gu Yaoniang stopped her, saying, "Never mind, there's no rush. Let's wait until after the New Year. You should eat first."
After finishing his business, Manager Su told Gu Yaoniang and went to another place. Gu Yaoniang absentmindedly responded and fell into deep thought.
How could prices suddenly skyrocket like this? Could it really be as I feared?
Gu Yaoniang gently shook her head. It seemed that she might need to meet with Lu Zhaoan and Princess Ruining.
-
On Lunar New Year's Eve, families reunite. The royal family is no exception.
Perhaps due to his advanced age, Emperor Zhenlong increasingly favored the atmosphere of ordinary people's homes. The entire palace and the imperial family had a family banquet together, and the banquet ended early, leaving only Princess Ruining and the Empress and her son to keep vigil in Yong'an Palace.
Inside the main hall, a brazier was heated with the finest silver charcoal, and thick curtains blocked the wind from getting in. The four people sat around the fire, chatting idly.
The palace servants kept their distance and did not approach. It was just like an ordinary household.
Princess Ruining held fire tweezers, her left hand holding the cuff of her right sleeve, and carefully turned the embers with her right hand.
Emperor Zhenlong watched from the side, always worried that she might accidentally drop her sleeve into the brazier and set her robe on fire, injuring herself; he was also worried that the fire tongs were too hot and would burn her delicate fingers.
He opened his mouth, and just as the fire crackled once more and Princess Ruining picked up the fire tweezers again, the Sage finally couldn't help but speak: "You should rest. Let your younger brother do these things."
Prince Qing smiled but didn't react much, while Empress Lu's gentle smile froze.
Princess Ruining glared at Emperor Zhenlong: "Father! How can you be like this!"
She knew her father was afraid he would get hurt, but her aunt was sensitive and thoughtful. Although she had always treated her like her own daughter, she couldn't help but feel saddened that her father loved her more than her brother.
Her aunt treated her well, so she should cherish her aunt even more to avoid hurting her feelings.
Another popping sound came from the fire. Princess Ruining carefully used fire tweezers to pick up a black chestnut from the fire and placed it in the "Bamboo Brings Peace" dish prepared on the table next to her.
She carefully peeled it open with her hands, wiped the charcoal ash clean on a towel, and then handed it to Emperor Zhenlong.
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