The Marquis told Xu Zhi about some things from the previous dynasty, and finally said, "Old Madam Zheng has a token to mobilize the guards in the mansion. If Old Madam Zheng sends someone to go to Yuezhou with you this time, don't say anything, just take the people with you. Your husband is in Yuezhou, and it's always better to have a few of your own people with you than to fight alone."
Xu Zhi nodded in agreement. The Marquis said, "Your grandmother and your brother have already found a few people from the old lady's estate to accompany you. They are all skilled in martial arts. Wherever you go, you must take these people with you. We are unfamiliar with Yuezhou, so it is always better to be cautious."
Finally, the Marquis took out a small mahogany box, about the size of a palm, and said, "This is the capital my grandfather gave you to start a business."
Xu Zhi quickly said, "Grandfather, I have already prepared the capital for the business."
The Marquis said, "Just take what your grandfather gave you. Ninth girl, things are always good at home, but difficult when you go out. It's always good to have more money on you. Your grandfather knows that your maternal uncles are very good to you and your siblings, but can they be closer than your grandfather? If you really don't want your grandfather's money, you can pay it back to your grandfather with interest when you earn money."
Since the Marquis had already said all that, Xu Zhi had no choice but to accept the box. After saying a few more words, the Marquis told Xu Zhi to return to the old lady's courtyard.
Before returning to the old lady's courtyard, Xu Zhi handed over the things the Marquis had given her to Granny Lu for safekeeping. If she simply took the things to the old lady's courtyard without any regard for propriety, people would inevitably speculate about their whereabouts.
The old lady was already waiting in the side hall, where several tables had been set up. Seeing Xu Zhi return, Ning said, "It's getting late, Grandmother, shall we take our seats?"
The old lady said, "Yes, let's take our seats and eat first."
Several young masters from the manor also returned from school and came here to have dinner with us.
After the meal, Madam Zhu and the others returned to their respective courtyards. Xu Zhi and the old lady nestled together on the old lady's kang (heated brick bed) and talked.
The old lady had been to Yuezhou before, and she told Xu Zhi about her experiences there. Xu Zhi listened with great interest until evening, when Granny Lu came to urge Xu Zhi to go back, since they had to leave for Jizhou early the next morning.
Xu Zhi bid farewell to the old lady, who held Xu Zhi's hand and kept saying, "Child, you must take good care of yourself, you must take good care of yourself."
Xu Zhi held the old lady's hand and nodded repeatedly. The old lady saw her off to the second gate, where Xu Zhi knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times to the old lady before getting into the carriage while crying.
Looking at the old lady standing on the second gate, Granny Lu sighed and said, "This is the first time I've ever seen our old lady like this."
Xu Zhi wiped away her tears and said, "It is my fault for being unfilial, causing my elders to worry so much about me."
Granny Lu sighed and said, "They are your elders. It is said that raising children is a lifelong worry, and once you become a parent, you will always be working hard for your children and grandchildren."
Xu Zhi took Lu Mama's hand and said, "Mama, Yuezhou is too far away. I can't bear to see you, at your age, accompany me all the way there. I've heard that the climate there is very different from ours. Mama, shall I send someone to take you back to Ganzhou?"
Looking at Xu Zhi, whose eyelids were swollen from crying, Granny Lu reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Xu Zhi's ear, saying, "Miss, when I came to our family, I made a promise to your parents that I would stay with you, take care of you, and let you support me in my old age. What, are you saying that this old woman is too old and useless?"
Hearing Granny Lu's joking words, Xu Zhi gently leaned into Granny Lu's arms and said, "Granny, I really can't bear to see you working so hard all the way here."
Granny Lu said, "I like following you, young lady. If you still consider me your nanny, then let me stay with you. Wherever you go, I will go."
Xu Zhi understood perfectly well that Granny Lu was worried that without an elderly person by her side while she and Zheng Boyuan were in Yuezhou, they might not be able to think things through properly. At this time, although the Great Liang Dynasty appeared prosperous on the surface, it had actually reached the point where adult princes were vying for power. Ordinary people could still live a peaceful life, but as a pawn in this grand game of vying for the throne, one careless move could bring about their own demise.
In her previous life, Xu Zhi had witnessed the destruction of many noble families and noble households overnight. Some were lucky enough to survive but were exiled to remote and desolate places, while others were executed along with their entire families, and the women in their families were even forced into prostitution.
Granny Lu gently stroked Xu Zhi's hair, just like when she was a child. Xu Zhi said, "Granny, it's so good to have you by my side."
Granny Lu smiled and said, "I'm happy to stay with you, young lady. Alright, get up. I've kept the things the Marquis gave you on my person. Let's take them out and see what they are."
Xu Zhi said, "Grandfather said it was about the situation of several shopkeepers. These shopkeepers were going to Yuezhou with us. Grandfather also gave me some money, saying that I should take it as capital for doing business."
Upon hearing this, Granny Lu unfolded the pages, which contained detailed biographies of several shopkeepers. After reading them, Granny Lu said, "The Marquis has truly gone to great lengths for the young lady. These men are all servants of our household, carefully trained since childhood. Such people are extremely loyal and rare indeed."
Xu Zhi said, "Granny, I've made my plans. I'll take these managers to the south and slowly develop my business. Then I'll train my own people, whether they're managers or stewards, I'll train them little by little."
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