After a thorough inventory, Lanqin possessed thirteen sets of jewelry adorned with gold, gemstones, and jade, along with over fifty bolts of fabric, all made from precious materials from various regions. Lanqin only instructed that a few sets she regularly wore be kept, and then ordered Cui Niang to pack everything into boxes. She resolved to pawn these items at the largest pawnshop in the capital the next day.
Concerned, Cui Niang lingered to do some chores, not leaving the manor when it was time to go, hoping that Fourth Master would return so she could speak to him personally. Sure enough, when Fourth Master returned, he did not come to the South Courtyard. Cui Niang then told Lanqin that she had left the manor, but instead went to the front courtyard.
The Fourth Prince has been busy with court affairs these days, so he spends more time in the front courtyard than before. Perhaps he wants to go to the South Courtyard, but he is worried about Madam Nian and the others, so he simply doesn't go anywhere.
Because Cui Niang was Lan Qin's person, the people in the front yard treated her with great respect and immediately went to the study to report to her.
"This servant greets Your Highness!" This was the first time that Cui Niang had come to the Fourth Prince's study to "report" to Lan Qin.
Fourth Master was looking at something when he heard that Cui Niang was requesting an audience. He was slightly surprised and lowered his head, wondering what Cui Niang wanted to do.
"What is it?" Fourth Master asked calmly.
"Your Majesty, I was worried about Consort, so I came to tell you this without her knowledge. Please don't take offense!" Cui Niang said, bowing her head. She was a little uneasy. She knew that Lanqin would not like what she did, but for Lanqin's sake, she would rather suffer her misunderstanding than have something bad happen.
"Speak! What exactly happened?" Fourth Master was slightly startled.
"Your Majesty, it's about Consort Niang wanting to open a branch of Daqing Hot Pot. She intends to expand the business, opening about four or five branches. This requires a lot of money. However, Consort Niang doesn't have that kind of money, and she doesn't want to talk to Your Majesty about it. So she's thinking of pawning all the jewelry and fabrics that Your Majesty and the palace have bestowed upon her, to raise the money," Cui Niang said in one breath. "Please, Your Majesty, don't punish Consort Niang. She just wants to find a way out for her family. I heard that Your Majesty's half-siblings in the Niohuru household don't have proper jobs, and relying solely on Lord Ling's salary, they're probably going to run out of money. Your Majesty wants to find a way out for them, which is why she's doing this kind of public display."
Fourth Master listened quietly as Cui Niang explained things to Lan Qin, but he was truly shocked! This little woman's ambitions were truly outrageous; she wanted to open four or five branch stores! That would cost fifty or sixty thousand taels of silver! And she didn't even come to him; she just wanted to sell all those things to get the money!! This little woman was simply lawless!
When Cui Niang saw that Fourth Master was silent, she became worried. It seemed he was getting angry! Luckily, she had come to report him, otherwise, if Lan Qin had done it, Fourth Master would have been even angrier!
"I understand! You may leave!" Fourth Master finally spoke.
The voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, yet Cui Niang felt inexplicably afraid. After Cui Niang left, she wondered if she should go back to the South Courtyard to inform Lan Qin that she had already told the Fourth Master, so that Lan Qin would be prepared. Even if she was scolded, it would be better than not knowing at all.
Just as Cui Niang was hesitating in the front courtyard, Fourth Master came out of the study and brushed past her like a gust of wind. Cui Niang had no choice but to curtsy in greeting. Su Peisheng followed behind him and gave Cui Niang a wink.
Meanwhile, Lanqin was in her study writing down her expansion plan. The more she thought about it, the happier she became, as if she could already see herself making a fortune. She imagined herself venturing into other industries, becoming a wealthy businesswoman with a lot of money, no longer relying on Fourth Master's meager monthly allowance. Just thinking about it made her incredibly excited!
Lanqin couldn't help but laugh a few times, completely unaware that someone was already standing behind her!
"What's making you so happy? Tell me, let me have a laugh too!" Fourth Master suddenly blurted out.
Lanqin was so frightened that her legs almost went weak; her heart nearly skipped a beat from the shock of the Fourth Master.
"Master, how did you come in without making a sound? You scared me to death!" Lanqin turned around and looked at the Fourth Master reproachfully.
"That's because you were too focused, that's why you didn't hear my footsteps," Fourth Master said.
"Master, didn't you say today that you weren't coming?" Lanqin said.
"So, you're hoping I won't come?" Fourth Master said with a stern face.
"Oh, no. Your Excellency's arrival is timely. I have something I'd like to tell you!" Lanqin said. She was determined to talk to the Fourth Prince first, otherwise, if she did something and he objected, things would be difficult. Actually, even if Cui Niang didn't say it, Lanqin would still say it.
The Fourth Master wondered if the little woman was about to confess to him, so he said calmly, "Speak, I'm listening."
Lanqin looked at Fourth Master's somber expression and couldn't help but feel uneasy, wondering if there was something wrong with his sudden appearance.
"Master, is there something you need to see me about?" Lanqin asked instinctively.
"I also have something to say. You should speak first," said the Fourth Master.
"My lord, I have an idea. I wonder if you would support it?" Lanqin said.
"You haven't even spoken yet, how do you know if I support it or not?" Fourth Master said.
"My lord, I want to make money! I want to open a branch of the Daqing Hot Pot restaurant," Lanqin said. "Think about it, our capital is such a big city, Daqing Hot Pot can bring in more people to eat hot pot. But obviously one store is not enough, so I want to open several in different areas to meet the needs of a wide range of diners. And even if we don't open them ourselves, others will imitate us."
Fourth Master listened attentively as Lanqin analyzed the market situation of the Qing Dynasty hot pot restaurant, and then listened to the young woman's ideas on how to make a lot of money before opening other shops.
"What do you need so much silver for, Master?" Fourth Master interrupted Lanqin's reverie. "I'm not a businessman. You're my concubine. Do you need to work so hard to earn money? I can't afford to support you."
Seeing that Fourth Master didn't seem to support her, Lanqin quickly said, "Master, why not earn money when there's money to be made? Besides, I feel like I have nowhere to use it now. It might not seem useful now, but it will be a lifesaver when I need money later."
The Fourth Prince gazed at Lanqin, and the two remained silent, staring at each other. Finally, Lanqin spoke up: "What does Your Highness wish to say to me?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to come and see you," Fourth Master said.
"My lord, I won't go out and show my face in public. We can just hire a professional manager," Lanqin said.
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