Once everything in the shop was sold out, Li Xiang'an instructed the shop assistants to close the shop to customers.
Then he sat down with Mu Xi and started doing the accounts.
Today, the shop received a total of 68,600 taels of silver, including the goods and deposits.
After deducting costs, commissions for shop assistants, and various expenses, they still made a net profit of 55,000 taels.
After settling the accounts, Li Xiang'an tidied up the silver notes and put them in his sleeve. He then had the remaining silver ingots put into a box, and he and Mu Xi happily returned to Mingzhao Prefecture with the silver.
Upon returning home, Li Xiang'an immediately went to report to Yan Qingqing, a habit he had developed over the years.
When they were in Canghe Town, Yuan Huiniang was in charge of the household affairs. Li Xiang'an would usually explain the situation to Yan Qingqing first and then go to Yuan Huiniang to deliver the money.
Since Yuan Huiniang was far away in her hometown, Li Xiang'an naturally handed the money directly to Yan Qingqing.
Yan Qingqing had long anticipated that business wouldn't be too bad, but she hadn't expected it to be this good.
With a smile, he took the silver notes, then took out ten thousand taels of silver notes and handed them to Mu Xi, saying, "Take these silver notes. Buy whatever clothes or jewelry you like without worrying about the money."
Mu Xi was not yet married into the family, so naturally she refused to accept the money.
Moreover, it felt that the lady was too generous, giving away ten thousand taels of silver.
How can she receive so much money from the lady of the house before she's even married into it?
Mu Xi declined, saying, "Madam, I cannot accept this money. I usually eat, dress, and use the money at home, so I don't spend much money."
"The clothes and jewelry that Madam had made for me are still quite new."
Yan Qingqing knew what Mu Xi was thinking and smiled, "You don't need to worry. The second son has worked hard for the family business all these years. To be honest, he earned half of the family's assets."
You're the second son's wife, what's wrong with spending a little money?
From now on, all the money he earns will be for you to spend.
Li Xiang'an nodded in agreement and said, "Mother is right. Just take it. This little bit of money is nothing to our family."
Even if you don't buy clothes or jewelry, you can still use it as pocket money.
"Once we're married, all my secret savings will be yours to manage."
These words caused Mu Xi's face to turn bright red again. How come she never noticed that Li Xiang'an was so reckless before? This was in front of Madam. How could she ever face anyone again?
Upon hearing this, Yan Qingqing glanced at Li Xiang'an and said, "Second brother, that's where you're wrong."
If the slush fund is to be handed over, why wait until after the wedding instead of handing it over now?
Could it be that you still have something to hide from Mu Xi?
Mother is warning you, I will only recognize Mu Xi as my future second daughter-in-law.
"If you ever have any shady ideas, I'll break your legs."
Li Xiang'an: ...
He had seen people protect their daughters-in-law before, but he had never seen anyone protect them like this.
Protecting his daughter-in-law is putting his son at risk. He can finally understand his older brother's feelings. In their family, the son is an outsider, while the daughter-in-law is the only one who is truly family.
Seeing the suspicion in Mu Xi's gaze, Li Xiang'an quickly explained, "Mother, it's not that I don't want to hand over my secret stash of money now, it's that I don't have any at all."
I've devoted myself entirely to our family; I have no selfish motives whatsoever.
But Mother is right, I need to save some money on my own for Muxi's sake.
"I hope Mother won't accuse me of embezzling money later."
Yan Qingqing: ……
Isn't this a case of her shooting herself in the foot? Li Xiang'an has openly embezzled funds, hasn't he?
However, Yan Qingqing believed that Li Xiang'an was a sensible person, and besides, it wouldn't be unreasonable for him to save some money on his own.
In the end, Mu Xi accepted the ten thousand taels of silver. She remembered the kindness the Li family had shown her and vowed to live a good life with Li Xiang'an and help the lady manage the family's secret guards.
That day, Yan Qingqing was planning the embroidery workshop when Ruyi walked in and said, "Madam, His Highness Prince Chen has arrived."
Yan Qingqing quickly put down what she was doing and said, "Please invite him in."
It has been five or six days since Yan Qingqing was assassinated in the palace. Xiao Mochen has not come again except to send someone to deliver things twice.
Yan Qingqing actually understood his thoughts; he was probably ashamed to face her if he couldn't catch the murderer.
Although Yan Qingqing had never been to the imperial harem, she knew that the palace was a very complex place.
Especially those concubines who have been in power for many years, how could they be caught so easily?
Xiao Mochen entered quickly, followed by several eunuchs carrying boxes.
Upon seeing him, Yan Qingqing teased, "You always bring so much stuff when you come. Are you planning to move your entire palace here? If you ask me, you might as well pack up the entire Prince Chen's Palace and move it all over here."
Xiao Mochen replied earnestly, "Aunt, I really do miss it. During my time back in the capital, I've been longing for the days in Canghe Village. It's a pity that such peaceful days will never return."
However, these items weren't brought by me; they were compensation from my father.
Xiao Mochen finished speaking and gave a sarcastic smile.
Upon hearing this, Yan Qingqing instructed Ruyi to have people inventory these items, register them, and store them in the warehouse.
Ruyi was also very perceptive. Knowing that Yan Qingqing wanted to talk to Xiao Mochen alone, she quickly agreed and left.
Yan Qingqing looked at Xiao Mochen and asked directly, "What, have you found out who's behind this?"
Xiao Mochen shook his head and said, "Although we have guessed most likely who it is, we don't have any concrete evidence."
"I'm sorry you had to suffer, Auntie, but don't worry, I'll avenge you sooner or later."
Yan Qingqing knew that if someone dared to openly use a eunuch to assassinate her, it meant that the person behind it wasn't afraid of being found out.
Seeing that Yan Qingqing was not surprised at all, Xiao Mochen knew that his aunt was probably already aware of this outcome, so he told her everything he had found out.
It turns out that the eunuch who assassinated Yan Qingqing that day was named Xiao Qingzi, and he had been working in the palace for many years.
This Xiao Qingzi is quick-witted, efficient, and skilled in martial arts. A few years ago, he was favored by Consort Qian and transferred to Qianyue Pavilion.
With Yan Qingqing's assassination attempt, Consort Qian was naturally listed as the prime suspect.
However, Consort Qian had no grudge against Yan Qingqing, and the two were strangers, so naturally she would not admit it.
At first, Xiao Qingzi kept quiet, but after enduring torture, he started making wild accusations.
Finally, unable to withstand the torture, he breathed his last.
Xiao Mochen was furious. He had specifically instructed that Xiao Qingzi must not die, but in the end, he still died.
With Xiao Qingzi dead, the trail essentially went cold. However, Xiao Mochen discovered another important piece of information, which led him to pinpoint the mastermind behind it all.
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