Gu Lili thought for a moment and decided to draw a few more portraits for Chang'an, and also ask Li Ershu to help him find out about his background along the way.
Gu Lili smiled and said, "Then, Second Uncle, you can stay here today. It just so happens that Yun Chu is engaged tomorrow. After the engagement, you can take some goods and try your luck."
Gu Lili's plan was that since she was going, she might as well bring the soap along.
"Lili, I'm afraid we'll have to wait a few more days," Li Ershu said. "The wheat can be harvested now, but I'm afraid we'll have to wait until the wheat is harvested and the rice is planted before I can leave."
When wheat was mentioned, both of their eyes were filled with sorrow.
The wheat turned yellow, but the yield was greatly reduced due to the freezing rain.
I'm afraid we won't even get half of what we used to get, and after paying taxes, there probably won't be much left.
Everyone depends on this wheat for their livelihood. If production doesn't decrease, after paying taxes, they can still sell some and keep some for themselves.
In the current situation, if a family doesn't have stored up grain, they probably won't be able to keep up until the rice ripens.
Gu Lili nodded, "Yes, maybe I can go out and see the world with you then."
The sweet potato vines should be ready for planting in the next day or two, and I'll only be making soap for today for now.
We'll do other things after we've harvested and planted all the crops in the fields.
Li Ershu's eyes lit up with joy when he heard what Gu Lili said.
He had been so focused on promising Gu Lili that he would go out and explore, but deep down he was also quite apprehensive.
During this period, the only place he visited was Mingyue Town.
However, he wasn't selling sugar paintings for nothing these days; he also heard a lot of useful information.
For example, Jiangdu has been a commercial hub since ancient times, and many goods were traded there.
Because there is a river there, all the goods from all over the country gather there and are then sold by merchants.
So he decided to try his luck in Jiangdu.
“Okay, then let’s go to Jiangdu!” Li Ershu nodded.
Once they had discussed it, they started working.
Around noon, everyone gradually went home for lunch, and Gu Lili finally had time to ask Grandma Li about what happened yesterday.
Grandma Li sighed and told Gu Lili what had happened yesterday.
"Sigh, although the money is gone, it's good that Xiuhong has reformed. If we can talk things out as a family, we can live in harmony."
Old Mrs. Li must have felt terrible about suddenly losing so much money.
With the money lent out by Zuo Xiuhong, the total is seven taels of silver. With a little more money, we can build a mud house.
Another thing is that losing the pork intestine business is bound to be heartbreaking.
However, these things are nothing compared to family harmony.
Gu Lili comforted her, "Grandma, you're right. Family harmony is more important than anything else. As for Uncle, I..."
Before Gu Lili could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Old Mrs. Li.
“Lili, I know you mean well and want to help your uncle again, but even if you want to help, you have to wait a little longer, otherwise they won’t appreciate it.”
Before Gu Lili could finish speaking, Old Mrs. Li already knew what she wanted to say.
Grandma Li also knew that helping Li Qingshan would be an easy thing for Gu Lili.
Although Li Qingshan was her son, she knew she couldn't spoil them both like that.
Gu Lili thought about it for a moment and then nodded in agreement.
What Old Mrs. Li said makes sense. Zuo Xiuhong got the pork intestine business too easily back then, which is why this happened.
Now that they have lost their business and owe Li Tiansheng and Li Qingshan two taels of silver, plus Li Qimu's tuition and food expenses, they are indeed in a bit of a hurry.
Once the matter was out in the open, and there was no major problem at her grandmother's house, Gu Lili felt relieved.
"Miss, dinner is ready." Gu Chenxi brought the dishes to the main room and called out to Gu Lili under the eaves.
Today, Gu Lili once again dined with Lord Lin and the others.
Because Lin Xiyao had spent the afternoon doing needlework with Gu Huanhuan and Zheng Yue, she had already become close friends with them. So when it was time to eat, Lin Xiyao dragged the two of them into the main room to have lunch as well.
Lin Xiyao enjoys lively gatherings; food seems to taste better when there are many people around.
"Lord Lin, you've worked hard. Please have some more." After saying that, Gu Lili turned to the other three and said, "You've all worked hard too. Please have some more as well."
Lin Xiyao nodded and picked up two pieces of meat from the plate in front of her, giving one to Gu Huanhuan and one to Zheng Yue.
Then he picked up another piece for Gu Lili and Lord Lin before picking up a piece for himself.
Seeing Lin Xiyao's attentive manner, Lord Lin, who was still eating, raised his head and squinted at Lin Xiyao.
This girl is acting strangely; there must be something fishy going on. She's being so attentive; I wonder what she's up to.
Feeling a little guilty under Lord Lin's gaze, Lin Xiyao muttered, "Father, just eat your food. What are you looking at me for?"
After saying that, he quickly lowered his head and continued eating.
Lord Lin remained unmoved, looking at Lin Xiyao with a half-smile.
The more guilty she seems, the more she has something to hide.
"Okay, okay, I'll tell you, why are you staring at me like that!"
Unable to withstand her father's scrutinizing gaze, Lin Xiyao decided to reveal her true feelings.
"Lili, I want to learn how to do business with you!" Lin Xiyao said to Gu Lili with a hopeful look on her face.
Upon hearing this, Lord Lin nearly choked on his own saliva.
Before Gu Lili could even speak, Lord Lin preemptively refused.
He shouted, "Yao'er, aren't you just making a fool of yourself? Look, there are daughters of officials in the capital who study business!"
However, when Lord Lin shouted the words out, he was surprised to find that he had misspoke.
"Your Highness, that's not what I meant. I didn't mean to look down on merchants," Lord Lin hurriedly explained.
Although merchants were ranked at the lowest level among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, they paid the highest taxes every year.
Therefore, Lord Lin actually respected merchants.
However, most daughters of officials like Lin Xiyao need to learn the art of managing a household.
I want to find a husband from a similar social standing and grow old together.
Making Lin Xiyao learn martial arts is already unconventional enough.
Gu Lili waved her hand, indicating that she didn't care.
“Lord Lin, you don’t need to explain. I understand what you mean. Everyone has their own path to walk,” Gu Lili said with a smile.
Upon hearing Gu Lili's words, Lin Xiyao's lips immediately pursed.
Lin Xiyao originally thought that Gu Lili would agree with her idea and help her persuade her father.
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