Chapter 238 Going to the Capital
"Today?"
Xie Qi shook his head: "No, I haven't explained it to my wife yet."
Yuan Xu chuckled: "What do you need to explain to a man like you who is going to the capital on official business?"
"How can a real man not need to give an explanation?"
Xie Qi frowned: "I can't just disappear without a word and never come home, or my wife will worry herself to death."
"Worry will never kill you."
Yuan Xu glanced at him sideways and teased, "You keep giving explanations, but has your wife given you any?"
"What explanation does my wife want from me?"
After Xie Qi finished speaking, he frowned slightly: "How long will it take to get to the capital this time?"
"It can take anywhere from one month to two months."
"So long?"
Xie Qi raised an eyebrow and said directly, "I'm not going. Let Yun Zheng go. It's been too long; I can't be without my wife..."
Yuan Xu was amused by his undisguised manner.
He stared at Xie Qi's expression, a half-smile on his face: "You can't leave your wife, but how do you know if your wife wants to leave you?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Qi's expression instantly darkened, and Yuan Xu found it even more amusing to see him change his attitude like this.
"Alright, stop with that pathetic, resentful look on your face. I'll give you fifteen minutes to go and tell your wife what's going on, then come with me to the capital."
"A quarter of an hour?"
Xie Qi said, "It's not enough."
"How long will it take you?"
Xie Qi hesitated for a while, then clicked his tongue, "Can't we just send Yun Zheng?"
Yuan Xu suppressed the urge to stand up and kick him, and said impatiently, "Let Yun Zheng sign a contract with the government? If you don't want to run for the imperial merchant position, then forget it. I'll take the owners of Xiecui Workshop and Shen Family Dyehouse with me."
"Um……"
Yuan Xu kicked him in the knee: "You've actually considered it?"
He glared at Xie Qi and said meaningfully, "Go, you'll see your wife soon, not long."
Xie Qi didn't understand his meaning, and was reluctant and unwilling to part with him.
But the opportunity to become a royal merchant was rare, and he didn't want to give it up.
After thinking for a moment, Xie Qi said, "How about you give me two days, Father-in-law? These two days will allow me to go home, pack my bags, and prepare..."
Yuan Xu asked, "What kind of luggage do you need to pack if you're traveling with me?"
The fact that he was willing to take Xie Qi along was already a favor that others would beg for, but this useless fellow only longed for a life of pleasure...
Seeing that everyone had left and Shen Yuanzhu had already disappeared into the inner area, Yuan Xu said, "Come with me to see Eunuch Li first, then I'll give you an hour to go home and 'explain' to your wife. After that, come with me to the capital."
Xie Qi reluctantly nodded and followed Yuan Xu to see Eunuch Li.
Shen Yuanzhu was unaware of what was about to happen. At that moment, she was celebrating with Luo Bai, her wet nurse, and Ling'er at Xie Cui Fang.
Ling'er's face lit up with joy: "Miss, although we didn't become the champion of the competition this time, Linwen Ran was favored by the eunuch of the inner court. Does this mean that we are now imperial merchants?"
Shen Yuanzhu shook her head: "That's not the case. This time, it was just that Eunuch Li took a fancy to the scale-patterned dye. The purchase of this single material is still far from what the imperial merchants are capable of."
Luo Bai nodded: "Imperial merchants must be appointed by the imperial court, serve the royal family directly, and have written records."
"That's right."
Shen Yuanzhu laughed and said, "Imperial merchants are either managed by eunuchs or nobles, or they are included in the official register of artisans. We don't have any official documents. At most, it's just an ordinary business, except that the buyer is the royal family."
"But this time our fabric caught the eye of the Imperial Wardrobe, and our Xiecui Workshop in Suzhou Prefecture has become a supplier of imperial goods. This title is much more useful than winning the Dyeing Competition."
Luo Bai nodded repeatedly: "Yes, we won first place last time, but we didn't make any profit. It's nothing compared to today."
"The reputation of being a trusted supplier is the most important thing for us."
Shen Yuanzhu said, "That's right. With this title, we can expand further and make Xiecuifang as large as a royal merchant..."
The group became increasingly excited as they talked, envisioning a wonderful future together.
Just as they were getting into the conversation, Luo Qing returned.
Upon seeing him, Madam Luo hurriedly asked, "Father-in-law, have you truly taken a liking to our scale-patterned dye?"
Luo Qing nodded and turned to look at Shen Yuanzhu: "Miss, my father-in-law told me that he intends to take the owners of Xiecuifang, Shenjia Dyehouse and Jixia Manor to the capital this time."
"A month later, it will be time for the Imperial Merchants' Court to verify their qualifications in the capital. Eunuch Yuan's idea is to take the three of us to join in the fun. If we are selected, it will be a good thing for Suzhou Prefecture. If not, it will be good for us to learn the techniques from the capital."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yuanzhu's eyes lit up: "That's wonderful!"
Luo Qing frowned: "There's just one troublesome matter."
"What?"
Luo Qing said, "The eunuch said that the owners of the three families need to come forward, especially our Xiecuifang, which also needs to sign a contract with Eunuch Li. I can't do it on my end, so you need to come forward, Miss."
"this……"
Shen Yuanzhu pondered for a moment: "In that case, let's go."
She is no longer a little girl who can be easily manipulated. Neither the Xie family nor the Shen family can take away her Xiecuifang.
"I'll go home and tell Xie Qi."
Luo Qing nodded: "The young master is behind me, he should be home soon. I'll take Miss home."
Shen Yuanzhu agreed and led Luo Shi and Ling'er back to her own courtyard.
As soon as Xie Qi opened the door, he asked anxiously, "Where have you been?"
Before Shen Yuanzhu could speak, he pressed himself against her. Madam Luo pulled Ling'er back to her room, leaving the two of them to hug and cuddle in the courtyard, which was quite improper.
"I have something to tell you."
Before Shen Yuanzhu could speak, Xie Qi said, "I also have something to tell you."
"You go first."
Shen Yuanzhu let him pull her along, and listened as Xie Qi said, "I'm going to the capital with Eunuch Yuan, and we have to leave today."
"Huh?"
Xie Qi pressed his lips to her pulse on her neck, reluctant to part: "Yuanzhu, I can't bear to part with you. My father-in-law said it would be at least a month, and at most two months. I don't know if I can bear not seeing you for two months."
"Huh?"
Shen Yuanzhu asked, "Are you also going to the capital? Leaving today?"
"yes……"
Xie Qi nuzzled against her neck for a while, then looked up and asked, "Besides me, who else is going to the capital?"
"..."
Shen Yuanzhu said, "My elder brother."
Yes.
Xie Qi nodded: "The owners of Xiecuifang and Jixiazhuang, as well as your brother, are all going to the capital. Yuanzhu... I will miss you so much."
She patted Xie Qi gently on the back with a smile: "It's alright, you'll be able to see me soon."
Xie Qi muttered, "A month is a long time."
Shen Yuanzhu looked at him and smiled meaningfully: "Xie Qi, how about I give you a surprise in a couple of days?"
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