Chapter 49
Seeing that Fu'er's smile seemed somewhat forced today, You Cuicui stopped mentioning their young master.
With a serious expression, he stated the purpose of his visit: "Fu'er, this shop is too small."
"Let's switch shops."
"The backyard is cramped, and the room where you make incense is stuffy and hot."
Fu'er naturally wanted to move to a bigger shop, but the two of them had only been running the shop for less than a year.
The net profit was only fifty or sixty taels of silver, which was simply too much to afford for a larger shop.
"Let's change it next year."
"By then, I will be able to create several more new fragrances."
Yu Cuicui pulled Fu'er, who was about to go back to making incense, and said, "Take a break, don't be busy making incense all day long."
"Anyway, the shop sells other incense."
He then immediately stated, "No need to wait until next year, we'll change it tomorrow."
"I've already found the location; it's on Ruyi Street."
Fu'er exclaimed in surprise, "Sister Cui Cui, Master Wan has recently put you in charge of his private treasury."
"You dare to rent shops on Ruyi Street."
Ruyi Street is right next to Dongmen Zheng Street, and the rent alone costs ten taels of silver per month.
Their small business is really not worth it.
You Cuicui just smiled and said that it was the shop of the Wan family's cousin, and the rent was not expensive.
Fu'er felt it was too easy and was hesitating.
You Cuicui said, "Don't hesitate, I've already put my fingerprint on the lease."
"You can't go back on your word."
"Didn't you say I always have good taste? This time, I'll definitely listen to my sister."
Fu'er couldn't refuse, and secretly thought that when she came to discuss things with her, she was clearly there to inform her.
Since we've come this far, we have no choice but to agree.
Wenchun Garden.
Yunyou was having breakfast when Caiwei returned from outside, having inquired about the situation. "Auntie, I found out that the young master went to Lin'an to discuss business."
Since returning from Lingnan, Ning Shiyu has not returned to the Ning residence.
All of Yunyou's previous preparations were in vain.
Upon hearing that Ning Shiyu hadn't brought her along this time, her face immediately darkened, and she lost her appetite.
He pushed his breakfast aside and asked, "Did Fu'er go with them?"
Caiwei knew what she was thinking and had already gone to Fu'er's shop to check. "She didn't go with her."
Yun You's expression softened somewhat after hearing this.
Then Caiwei said, "But I see that Miss Dongyue is helping out at her shop."
Yunyou became wary again, "You mean Dongyue is at Fu'er's shop?"
"Are you sure you're not mistaken? She's proud and arrogant, and no one can persuade her except for the young master."
“Aunt, I am not mistaken, it is indeed Miss Dongyue.”
"She seems to be working quite enthusiastically."
Yunyou's mood plummeted once again. She remembered that when she drugged Fu'er last time, Dongyue hadn't even gone to that shop.
But as soon as Ning Shiyu returned, Dongyue went from being a guard to a maid.
It must have been arranged by Ning Shiyu.
Thinking of how well he took care of Fu'er, Yunyou's heart bled again.
Her fingertips dug into her palms. "If I'm not mistaken, Fu'er should be by your side these past two days."
When Caiwei saw that her palm was bleeding, she quickly stopped her, "Auntie, perhaps you are overthinking it. Young Master really has something to do."
Yun You forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. "How could I be overthinking it? Aren't these things obvious enough?"
“The child that Fu’er miscarried last time was the young master’s.”
The few people in the household who knew about this matter kept it a secret very well.
Ke Yunyou used two pieces of jewelry to get Alan from the kitchen to tell her everything she knew clearly.
"Otherwise, why would Granny Yu bring her ginseng soup every day?"
"All of this was at the young master's behest, and this time he even made Dongyue her maid."
Yunyou's face turned somewhat ferocious. She picked up a plate from the food counter and smashed it down hard, startling Caiwei into a scream.
“If the child that Fu’er miscarried was not his, why would he cherish her so much?”
"How ridiculous of me to think I could use this to make sure Fu'er can never win back the young master's favor."
Seeing Yun You so angry, Caiwei didn't dare to step forward.
After a long while, seeing Yunyou sitting blankly in the rattan chair, she slowly approached her side and said, "Auntie, don't be sad."
"Fu'er followed the young master without proper status. He hasn't even given her the status of a concubine, so he won't take her back to Chang'an."
“Fu’er has been by your side for so many years, but she has never returned to Chang’an.”
"Isn't this blatant disdain for her background and a plan to raise her outside the family?"
"I will stay in Lingyang in the future."
"You were sent by the old lady, so your status is much better than Fu'er's."
"Otherwise, why would the young master never take her with him when he takes you out?"
"She's just a woman the young master can't have in public."
Yunyou finally snapped out of her despair and looked up at Caiwei blankly.
A glimmer of hope appeared in her eyes again. "You're right. What good is being pampered if you can't be the principal wife or enter the princess's residence?"
"What am I competing with her for?"
"It's probably just that he's unwilling to accept that you would rather touch her than get close to me."
"She's just a common girl; even if she returned to Chang'an, no one would respect her."
“A man’s favor is never lasting. Once he returned to Chang’an, the young master married his principal wife, and she was no longer on his mind.”
These words sound like they were spoken by her.
Yunyou wiped away her tears, lay down on the couch, and looked quite dejected.
Caiwei was filled with anxiety, thinking that if Yun Youruo really fell out of favor, her situation wouldn't be much better.
In another year, she will be of marriageable age.
She stayed in Lingyang and married only a servant.
She couldn't let her master fall out of favor completely.
He was still hoping she would take him back to Chang'an, introduce him to influential people, and help him find a good marriage.
Caiwei slowly walked to Yunyou's side and picked up a fan to wave it.
Although an ice chest was placed inside, a cool breeze blew through this door.
Yunyou opened her eyes again. "Go and rest. I'm tired."
Caiwei smiled gently, "Auntie, I have thought of a way to keep Fu'er completely away from the young master."
After each failed attempt, Yunyou lost all hope.
He waved his hand, "It's all useless; it can't compare to the young master's feelings for Fu'er."
"The bond we share from childhood can't compare."
"Don't be discouraged, Auntie. Let me tell you something."
Caiwei fanned herself faster and faster, blowing quite a bit of Yunyou's black hair up. "Auntie, do you still remember the Shangsi Festival this year?"
"The way Young Master Wei looks at Fu'er is as if he wishes he could be her."
Yun You's pupils suddenly contracted, and she immediately sat up, her eyes shining brightly.
A meaningful smile appeared on her lips. "How could I forget? It's just that you protected her very well back then."
Caiwei smiled sinisterly, "With the young master away, isn't this the perfect opportunity for us to strike?"
"Young Master Wei has a peculiar hobby: he likes married women."
Even if Fu'er is no longer a virgin, he won't care.
"Once Young Master Wei gets tired of playing with her, why would he still want Fu'er?"
"Aunt, what do you think of my idea?"
Yunyou took the tea she offered, her smile reaching her eyes. "Excellent, you've thought even further ahead than I did."
Caiwei was overjoyed to hear her mistress praise her, "It's all thanks to Auntie's excellent teaching."
As soon as Yunyou put down the tea, Caiwei quickly served up some refreshments.
Upon seeing that it was Longjing pastry, Yunyou said, "Isn't it your favorite? I'll give you this plate."
During the days when Ning Shiyu was not at the mansion, Yunyou's expenses remained the same as before.
An hour before lunch and an hour before dinner, the kitchen staff would prepare pastries and send them over.
However, it was made by the cook in the manor.
In terms of taste, it naturally cannot compare to Zhengmingzhai's.
Caiwei happily accepted it, saying, "Thank you, Auntie."
"No need to thank me, you deserve it."
"If you do a good job on this mission, you will be richly rewarded."
Caiwei bowed and thanked her, secretly thinking to herself that she hoped she could get the gold hairpin that she didn't usually wear.
She mentioned it tactfully several times.
So he tried even harder, saying, "Auntie, how can we get Dongyue out of here?"
"She's highly skilled in martial arts, impervious to reason, and difficult to deal with."
Yunyou stretched out her slender hand, which was newly painted with red nail polish, her smile carrying a hint of malicious calculation.
"We don't need to get involved in this matter; Young Master Wei will handle it himself."
"Go and tell Young Master Wei's servant that Fu'er has been kicked out of the Ning residence by the young master and that the young master has gone to Lin'an."
"Yes, I understand. I'll go right away."
*
Yu Cuicui was always quick and decisive in her work, and the next day, before dawn, Chen Qiao was woken up.
A group of people arrived in two mule carts, saying they were sent by their head manager, Madam You, to move the shop.
Fu'er had mentioned this yesterday, so Chen Qiao wasn't alarmed and cooperated with the group.
Two mule carts made three trips and emptied their spice shop.
When You Cuicui asked her groom to pick up Fu'er, he delivered the new shops on Ruyi Street.
When Fu'er and Dongyue arrived, Chen Qiao and his men had already set up all the shelves in the shop.
Fu'er exclaimed in shock, "Brother Chen, you guys are moving way too fast!"
Chen Qiao put down his work and chuckled, "It's all thanks to Madam You's excellent arrangements."
"Young lady, let me show you the incense-making room. It's very spacious."
Fu'er was taken by Chen Qiao to the backyard, to a spacious and bright house.
The room was not only spacious, but also had a window facing the room.
Push open the front window and you can see the bustling Ruyi Street.
Pushing open the window at the back of the house, a wave of floral fragrance wafted in.
Inside, all sorts of incense-making tools were neatly arranged.
They also used multiple screens to partition off a bedroom.
The room is fully equipped with beds, tables, chairs, cabinets, and storage cabinets.
Even the tea set on the tea table was her favorite white porcelain.
It's almost like moving a side room from her Ning residence here.
Fu'er really liked this shop. She thought to herself that her cousin had become a mother and was very thoughtful.
Yesterday I was still hesitating about renting a bank account.
I fell in love with this place the moment I arrived today.
Just then, Dongyue pushed open the door to another room right next to the backyard.
She exclaimed in surprise, "What? They even have a kitchen!"
Fu'er followed and was stunned when she saw it.
This is hardly a kitchen.
Instead, it refers to the utensils used for steaming fragrant liquid, such as steamers, pots, and condensation tanks.
Fu'er's expression changed from joy to silence.
As I approached the inner room, my peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the flowers in the plum vase.
It was all a cluster of lotus flowers growing side by side.
At this moment, Fu'er no longer needed to doubt; she was now completely certain.
This shop wasn't rented by her cousin at all.
It was Ning Shiyu who arranged it for her.
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