Tong Cheng'er said directly, "I didn't know that Wangyue Tower was owned by the Fourth Prince. My apologies."
Yinzhen explained simply: "There's no other way. The princes' stipends aren't much, so they need some means of livelihood."
Tong Cheng'er didn't believe his nonsense. Although the princes' salaries weren't much, she had heard her father say that the Emperor was quite generous to his sons, and had given them many good things. So how could they lack money?
Although the post explained the reason, Tong Cheng'er still asked again, "What does the Fourth Prince mean by summoning this servant here today?"
Yinzhen explained the reason: "I still have a few shops under my management, but they are not very profitable. So I was thinking of changing my business. I just happened to hear about the instant noodles at the examination hall of Master Tong, and I thought it would be good to open a shop selling instant noodles. So I had my people inquire about it. I hope you will not take offense if I offend you, Princess."
She did want to blame him, but he was a prince, could she afford to blame him?
"Fourth Prince, you're too kind. Instant noodles are nothing special. Since you were able to find out about me, you must also be able to find out about how they're made. With your status, there's no need for you to come all this way in person."
Yinzhen sensed Tong Cheng'er's displeasure, but he didn't think much of it. He was a reasonable person. Even though he was a prince, he couldn't stop people from expressing their emotions when inquiring about their family affairs.
Of course, if the other party is not Tong Cheng'er, then that's a different story.
Tong Cheng'er was special to Yinzhen, so he was patient with her and willing to get to know her better.
He wanted to know why Tong Cheng'er was special.
He couldn't go his whole life without touching a woman, nor could he bear the shame, so he could only find the answer step by step through Tong Cheng'er.
It was rare for Yinzhen to apologize to anyone: "It was wrong of me to inquire without permission, but since it was the princess who came up with the idea for instant noodles, I naturally wouldn't take credit for it. The reason I called the princess out today is to discuss a business deal with her. I will provide the shop and staff, and the profits from the shop will be split 30% with the princess. What do you think, princess?"
Tong Cheng'er was somewhat surprised to hear him apologize and offer her a share of the profits. As a prince, he was a member of the royal family and should have been unhappy about being secretly lectured. Why was he acting the opposite?
What he said sounded good and quite tempting, but Tong Cheng'er still shook her head and refused, saying, "It's not a difficult skill to begin with. I'm sure Fourth Prince has already found out the steps for making instant noodles, so this servant will not get involved in this business."
It's not that Tong Cheng'er looks down on money. She lacked money in her previous life, but in this life she was born into a wealthy family and has no shortage of money. However, she doesn't think that having too much money is a burden. But just because the Fourth Prince is a prince, no matter how much money he gives her, she won't do business with him.
Although money is good, she was afraid that the money she earned with him would be too hot to handle and she wouldn't live to spend it.
Her wish was to live a comfortable and carefree life, but if she got involved with a prince, how could she be so carefree?
Yinzhen was somewhat surprised: "Why would the princess refuse such a sure-fire deal?"
They don't accept any benefits that are offered to them.
He was puzzled, utterly puzzled.
So I want to know why.
Why refuse?
Tong Cheng'er naturally couldn't tell the truth; that would be courting death.
Tong Cheng'er: "This servant is tired and finds it troublesome. Besides, this servant doesn't lack this money to spend."
Yinzhen continued, "As far as I know, if the shop can really be opened, there will definitely be a lot of income. That's not just a little bit of silver. Does the princess really want to refuse?"
Tong Cheng'er hated Yinzhen to death, but she still refused him despite the pain. Didn't you see how hard she was forcing herself to do it?
She kept asking, and she still couldn't agree. Did she not know how much money she had refused? As a financial management student, couldn't she calculate how much 30% of a certain chef's annual revenue was? Did she need him to tell her?
Tong Cheng'er was inwardly vomiting blood, but on the surface she still had to appear calm and composed, saying, "Fourth Prince, you are too kind. I appreciate your kindness, but there's no need for the matter of opening a shop together."
When Yinzhen saw that she refused without hesitation and that there was some pain in her eyes, he was somewhat surprised. But after thinking about it more deeply, he could understand why she might have some concerns because of his status.
I had heard that Princess Tong was lazy and didn't like to socialize, and that she loved reading storybooks. I never expected that she would be so clear-headed.
Yinzhen felt a greater fondness for intelligent people. After all, he had seen many women who appeared intelligent, including his mother, Consort De. But this woman, who looked foolish on the outside and possessed such inner beauty, was a first for him.
Since Tong Cheng'er refused, Yinzhen didn't mind. In fact, he had just wanted to find an excuse to come and see Tong Cheng'er. Now that he had achieved his goal, he could return the money in another way in the future.
"Since you refuse, I won't force you. If you ever have any problems that you can't solve in the future, just let me know. If I can help, I will."
Tong Cheng'er took it as a polite remark; these important people weren't so easy to invite to help.
Tong Cheng'er replied very politely, "Then thank you very much, Fourth Prince."
"Wangyuelou has some new dishes; why don't you try them, Princess?"
Tong Cheng'er wanted to refuse again, but seeing his cold expression, although the Fourth Prince's expression was always the same, she thought that she had already refused him once, and if she refused him again, would he hold a grudge? After all, he was a prince.
In addition, she had eaten a hasty breakfast, so she readily agreed.
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