Chapter 272 Invitation
"How's business today?" Jiang Xuan slowed down her clothes, walked over to Jiang Mi, and asked in surprise as she watched Jiang Mi using the abacus with great skill, "You're really good at using the abacus! You're so good, I bet your sister-in-law is only at your level."
Jiang Mi said proudly, "Of course! I learned this trick from my sister-in-law, and now I finally have a chance to use it. Business was pretty good today, but because the price was halved, it's impossible to break even. Business always loses money at the beginning. Once I build up my reputation, business will naturally be easier in the future."
Jiang Zhi said proudly, "We must make a name for ourselves. With your two older brothers backing you up, after our battle today, who won't know about our shop at the end of the month? Even those who don't come to buy will have heard of it."
Jiang Mi was naturally happy, but also worried: "I just feel that this is not good for you. What I do is not a big business, but if you want to expand in the future, you will have to be like the Liu family and supply goods to the palace. As long as you supply well, you will not only have fame, but also money, face, and status. However, wealth and honor are dangerous. If you fail to serve the nobles well one day, it will be like falling from the clouds to the mud, and you may even lose your life."
Jiang Zhi said with a serious expression, "With the two of us here, you will never have to go through this. Just do what you want and be happy. Leave everything else to us."
With Jiang Zhi and Jiang Xuan's words, Jiang Mi felt at ease. Just then, a servant came over and said, "Second Young Master, Third Young Master, someone outside invites you to have a drink."
"Drinking?" Jiang Zhi frowned. "We never drink. Who's going to invite us for drinks?"
The servant replied, "He seems to be an official. I don't recognize him, but his rank seems quite high. Why don't you go and take a look?"
Sooner or later, both of them would enter the imperial court and come into contact with officials. In particular, one of them was the top scholar in the imperial examination and the other was the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination. Both of them were highly sought-after talents, and everyone wanted to win them over.
"Brothers, it's not good to refuse when someone invites you, so go ahead. Just don't get really drunk, and don't say anything wrong. Be careful in everything you do."
Jiang Xuan nodded: "Don't worry, your second and third brothers may be bookworms, but they're not stupid. They understand some things. We'll go first, you can eat by yourself tonight."
Jiang Mi escorted the two to the door, where she saw a carriage. The carriage looked very simple, but the materials were very expensive, indicating that the people were not ordinary. After watching them leave, she felt a little worried. This was only the beginning. The imperial court was a place full of deceit and treachery. She hoped that her two brothers could stay there safely.
"Oh right, I haven't asked my brother yet, who's the second-place winner?"
Mo Hua quickly interjected, "He's the man who came out of the palace with the two young masters that day. He's quite handsome and seems very talented. I didn't expect him to be even more capable than the Third Young Master."
Siqin nudged her with her elbow: "What nonsense are you talking about? Our third young master definitely didn't use his full strength. Besides, the third-ranked scholar is much better than the second-ranked scholar. People say that only those who are both talented and good-looking can become the third-ranked scholar, so that person is definitely not as good as our third young master."
Mo Hua thought about it and quickly nodded in agreement, saying, "You're right, our third young master is definitely more powerful."
Jiang Mi smiled. Although that might be true, she shouldn't be arrogant because of it. She should always be humble and low-key, otherwise those who are envious will only hate her more. In this world, only family members truly want the best for you.
"You mustn't say those things anymore. There are plenty of talented people out there. If others hear us say such things, they'll think we're incredibly arrogant. Besides, my two brothers are only this year's top scholar and third-place scholar. They only come out every three years, so what's so special about them? The most talented person in our court right now is the prime minister."
Siqin nodded: "This servant has also heard of it. Prime Minister Liu was a top scholar in the imperial examinations back then. His family was extremely poor; he only managed to enter the academy and become the top scholar thanks to his mother's hard work, stitch by stitch. Now he's a prime minister, I estimate..."
His mother was also very happy and gratified.
Mo Hua said regretfully, "That's true, but I heard that the Prime Minister's mother passed away the year before he passed the imperial examination, so she had no way of knowing such good news. It's a pity. But now Prime Minister Liu is second only to the emperor, and his mother would be very gratified if she knew in the afterlife."
Thinking of Liu Zijun, Siqin said unhappily, "It's a pity. Such talent, in the end, was integrated with those people. The daughter she raised is so unreasonable and domineering, completely different from before."
"People change." Jiang Mi sighed. She had changed back. In her previous life, she never imagined that she would have such a day.
In her past life, she was lazy, fat, ugly, and silly. Now she is shrewd, calculating, loves money and business, and is beautiful and thin. This is a wonderful thing that she never dared to dream of in her previous life.
Meanwhile, in the Ning Prince's mansion, Huo Ran stared at the white object in the exquisite box and fell into deep thought.
Seeing his master's puzzled expression, Liu Min said embarrassedly, "Master, I've inquired about it. This thing seems to be called soap. It's used in a similar way to soapberry, but it's much more fragrant and looks nicer. I've heard that many girls like it."
Upon hearing this, Huo Ran looked up at him with a serious expression: "Really? Then let me ask you, since it's something all girls like, why did you buy it for me?"
Liu Min looked completely innocent: "Master, you asked me to buy this, saying it was to support Miss Jiang's business. Why are you blaming me now? You can't blame me for this. Besides, this thing is really good, and it was personally selected and carefully given to you by Miss Jiang. She didn't even ask for money. After all, it's Miss Jiang's kind gesture. Why don't you try it when you take a bath tonight?"
Hearing that Jiang Mi had carefully selected it for him personally, Huo Ran's eyes changed again. After a struggle, he closed the box and said, "Never mind, next time. You should keep it safe and don't damage it in the slightest."
After all, it was the first gift Jiang Mi had given him.
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