After Shen Liyue returned home, a maid came to report that the young master of the third room, Shen Yian, had come to see her. Because Shen Liyue was not at home, the young master left without having tea.
The girl who delivered the message was called Meixiang. She was a newly bought servant of Chen Liyue and was placed under the care of Liandong and Yuzhou. She was accompanied by Lanxiang, Yinzhu, and Yinju.
The four little girls each had their own unique personalities and specialties. Meixiang was clever, much like Liandong in that respect. Lanxiang was very interested in cooking and had a natural talent for it. After the family split up, Lanxiang took charge of the kitchen's food. Yinzhu and Yinju were sent by Lu Yun. Hearing that Chen Liyue was shorthanded, Lu Yun sent two girls who knew some basic skills.
After Yin Zhu and Yin Ju entered the mansion, Shen Liyue realized that Lu Yun was too modest when he said that they knew some martial arts.
Shen Liyue usually didn't see the two of them, but if she called their names for something, they would appear from nowhere.
Meixiang's personality is very similar to Liandong's. Liandong thinks she is smart and likes her very much. On weekdays, if Liandong, Yuzhou and Chen Liyue go out, Meixiang will be left at home to take care of the housework.
"What did he want to talk to me about?" Chen Liyue asked Meixiang.
Meixiang replied, "I haven't said that yet."
Shen Liyue nodded and asked Meixiang to tell Shen Yian that she was back, and if she needed to find him for something, she could come over now.
Lian Dong and Yu Zhou quickly helped Chen Liyue wash and change her clothes.
Shen Liyue changed into casual clothes and came out. As soon as Shen Yian saw her, he bowed to her.
Chen Liyue helped him up and asked Yuzhou to bring him a glass of milk.
Shen Yian is only twelve years old this year. In Shen Liyue's eyes, this is the age for growth.
"I came to see you today because I have something to ask of you." Shen Yian said as he stood in front of the hall with his hands hanging down.
"Sit down and talk." Shen Liyue actually liked Shen Yian's straightforward personality. If he started beating around the bush with her, Shen Liyue would be unhappy.
Shen Yian obeyed Shen Liyue's words and sat down beside Shen Liyue.
When Shen Liyue saw Shen Yian sitting down, she said, “You can talk.”
Shen Yian said, "Some time ago, my mother went to my aunt and told her that she didn't want to move out of the Shen family. My aunt was kind enough to let our third branch stay. We are very grateful to my uncle and aunt. My aunt asked my mother that day how our third branch would live after the family split up."
"Big sister knows about the situation in the Third Branch. My father..." Shen Yian didn't want to say his father was unambitious and lacked courage, so he changed his words. "My father believes that a small fortune is enough, and he doesn't seek great wealth. Therefore, he hasn't pursued fame and fortune for many years. It's just that what my aunt said that day reminded my mother that before, with my uncle and aunt taking care of us, we had no worries about food and clothing. But now that the family has split up, it's time for our Third Branch to stand on its own feet."
"When the family was divided, the third branch didn't get much money, and my father's salary is barely enough to support the family. If the third branch continues like this, it will sooner or later be destitute."
"Mother said we should save money and be more frugal with food, clothing, and other expenses. Mother is right, but I think our parents are getting older, and my sister is still unmarried. If we just keep saving money, I'm afraid it won't work."
"As the old saying goes: Increase income and reduce expenditure. I think we can save money, even if it means suffering a little. Auntie has kindly allowed us to continue living in the Shen family, which simply means reducing our expenses on food and clothing. But I still want to increase income. If there is no income, I am afraid that the life of the third house will get worse and worse."
"These are my selfish thoughts. I'm not afraid of being laughed at by my elder sister, so I've told her everything."
Shen Liyue listened patiently to what he said in one breath, and understood in her heart.
What Shen Yian said was indeed the truth. This was the current state of the Third House. Third Uncle's words sounded nice, suggesting he wasn't interested in power, but from another perspective, they were simply not striving for progress. Before the family split, Mother had never withheld money from the Third House. To put it bluntly, the Third House relied on the Shen family for survival. Now that the family had split, each of them was living their own lives. With the Third House's own abilities, it would be difficult for them to even maintain the same level of living they had in the Shen family, let alone improve their lives.
Shen Liyue asked: "Then how do you want me to help you?"
Shen Yian looked up at Shen Liyue with a firm gaze: “I want to learn business from my elder sister.”
Chen Liyue tapped her fingers on the table, pondered for a moment, and said, "You're still young, and should be studying. Why don't you focus on studying and come to learn business from me? Besides, as you said, my mother told Third Aunt to come to her if she has any difficulties, then Third Aunt should come to my mother. Why are you coming to me?"
Shen Yian was young after all, and his face blushed at what Shen Liyue said. He lowered his head and said, "Mother said that it was kind of our aunt to allow us to live in the Shen Mansion. We can't be ungrateful and cause trouble for our uncle and aunt. Besides... Mother can't think of any good solution. If we go to our aunt, we can only ask her for money, but this is not a long-term solution after all."
"It was my own idea to come see Big Sister today. I believe that for a man to travel the world, economics and officialdom are both important learnings, as is learning how to do business. My father isn't interested in these things, but someone has to support this family, so I..."
Speaking of this, Shen Yian became more and more embarrassed.
If his father had been able to stand on his own feet, he wouldn't have had to take the lead like this.
Chen Liyue said, "Scholars, farmers, merchants, and artisans are the highest of the four classes. If you study hard, you may have a promising future. Learning business is one option, but I'm afraid you'll regret it later."
When Shen Yian heard that Shen Liyue was about to give in, he looked at her with sparkling eyes: "A gentleman never regrets his words. Since I have come to ask for your help today, I will never regret it."
Chen Liyue asked, "Have you told your mother about your thoughts?"
Shen Yian said: "Not yet. I always ask my elder sister before I go back and tell her. I'm afraid that my elder sister won't agree and that my mother will be disappointed..."
Chen Liyue said, "I have no objection. You call me Big Sister, and I treat you as my own brother. I am pleased that you are so kind and willing to take the initiative to shoulder the burden of the family. However, this matter is serious, so you should go back and discuss it with your Third Uncle and Third Aunt before coming. If your Third Uncle and Third Aunt disagree, even if I agree to it, it will be useless. I cannot hinder your future."
When Shen Yian heard that Shen Liyue had agreed, he smiled brightly like a young boy: "I'll go back and tell my parents!"
"It's not about informing, it's about discussing," Shen Liyue corrected.
"Yes!" Shen Yian said.
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