“Sister-in-law, Princess Nan’an has always been infatuated with my brother. When he was at the Imperial Academy, she would always find excuses to get close to him and even made a bold statement, saying that anyone who dared to marry him would be going against her. Otherwise, with my brother’s talent, he wouldn’t have waited until last year to marry you.”
"Is that really true?" Jiang Shuwan was slightly taken aback; this was the first time she had ever heard of such gossip.
She thought Pei Yanzhi wanted to get engaged after passing the imperial examination.
"That's right. Because of her, many noble ladies in the capital don't dare to show their affection for my brother. If she hadn't gone back to the Prince of Pingnan's mansion for a short stay last year and wasn't in the capital, my sister-in-law and brother's marriage might have been ruined by her."
“Last month, the princess returned from the south, but she didn’t come to see you or your brother. I thought she had given up, but I didn’t expect her to be plotting something big.”
Pei Shushu pointed at Li Yuyan's invitation with absolute certainty, clearly convinced that this was a trap.
Jiang Shuwan remained calm, simply accepting whatever came her way.
Besides, Li Yuyan's tea tasting banquet is in mid-January, which is still more than half a month away. There's no rush to consider her. The next day, Jiang Shuwan went to Donglai Street first.
Late December is the time for the Beijing Chamber of Commerce to elect its new president.
With the support of merchants from all over Donglai Street, and the distribution rights she granted, she finally secured the position of general manager after a year of planning.
Of course, on the surface, it's still Sister Nai sitting in that position, but everyone in the Beijing circle knows that she's the one who's really in charge behind the scenes.
"Congratulations, young mistress."
"Congratulations, Vice President Song."
Seeing Song Yi congratulate her with a smile, Jiang Shuwan also smiled and replied to him.
Following in her footsteps, Song Yi's business not only flourished, but he was also elected as the vice president of the Beijing Chamber of Commerce during this leadership transition. His position was one level lower than Jiang Shuwan's. Song Yi's father had also retired, so Song Yi also served as the president of the East Market Chamber of Commerce.
Everyone is doing better and better, which can be considered as fulfilling the agreement made six months ago when we formed an alliance.
Thus, Jiang Shuwan signed several more contracts with him. Since Song Yi was already part of her perfume business, she simply brought him onto her chariot.
Her business is growing bigger and bigger, and she will be making sugar next year. It's really too much for Brother Nai to handle all of this alone, and she can't always be at the shop. With Song Yi's help, both she and Brother Nai can relax a bit.
Anyway, all of the Song family's businesses are managed by experienced managers, so Song Yi can use his free time on their side.
"You trust me so much?" Song Yi asked, somewhat surprised.
"Trust those you employ, and don't employ those you don't trust." Jiang Shuwan said with a smile, then looked at the entire Donglai Street, the empire she had built.
Ignoring Song Yi's complicated expression, Brother Nai pushed open the door to the private room. "Miss, the banquet is ready. Do you really want to attend?"
He still remembered the time when Jiang Shuwan accidentally drank too much at a banquet and was caught by Pei Yanzhi.
Jiang Shuwan hadn't forgotten about this either. She waved her hand and said, "It's alright, just drink a little bit."
Song Yi laughed and said, "Young mistress is truly a heroine among women, and the Marquis's mansion is also very magnanimous. How could a noble family accept the mistress socializing with men outside like this?"
The Marquis's Residence.
Seeing that Jiang Shuwan had left in the morning and hadn't returned by noon, Liu Yunyan, who was chatting and drinking tea with the old lady in the house, rolled her eyes.
"Grandma, I heard that my sister-in-law's brother-in-law is now the president of the Beijing Chamber of Commerce. I must say, this Brother Qin is truly a remarkable person. He has achieved such success in just one year of doing business. Of course, the greatest credit goes to my sister-in-law. If it weren't for her intelligence, wisdom, and resourcefulness, how could she have built such a large empire on Donglai Street?"
"Yes, your sister-in-law is indeed capable."
Seeing that Madam Pei's expression was indifferent, Liu Yunyan quickly gave Xia Mama a look. Xia Mama hurriedly said, "Madam, the young mistress has worked so hard. Should we wait for her to come back before having a meal? Or should I have a few maids prepare some good dishes and send them to the young mistress? We can't let the young mistress work so hard all morning and not even get a hot meal."
As she spoke, she glanced at the maids and servants who were setting out lunch in the room.
"No need, she's booked a restaurant for a celebration banquet today, she probably won't be back until tonight."
"What? The young mistress won't be back until tonight? Does that mean she's been out all day, and with men all the time..." Granny Xia stared wide-eyed in astonishment.
Liu Yunyan immediately frowned, "What nonsense are you talking about! Everything your sister-in-law does is for the sake of the Marquis's mansion. How dare you, a lowly servant, speak ill of your sister-in-law behind her back? Slap yourself!"
"Yes, this servant was wrong, this servant is guilty!" Granny Xia said, slapping herself in the face.
Slap, slap, slap, the room was filled with the sound of her slapping herself.
Glancing at Granny Xia, who was very remorseful, the old lady beckoned Liu Yunyan to come closer.
The old man first held her hand and stroked it for a while, then traced her fingers up to her gold bracelet inlaid with various gemstones.
"Yun girl, if I remember correctly, this bracelet was given to you by your sister-in-law, right?"
"And the clothes you're wearing."
The old man grabbed Liu Yunyan's sleeve, his thin, bony hands, like tree roots, tenderly caressing her sleeve with boundless affection.
"The newly arrived Yun brocade fabric from the south is not only expensive, but also very scarce. The entire Marquis's mansion only received two bolts."
"One horse was given to Fourth Sister who was going to the imperial concubine selection. The last horse was made into winter clothes for you by Wan'er. This dress with the pattern of weeping crabapple blossoms was also made by Wan'er's servants."
"Now you have several new outfits, while she hasn't made a single one yet."
"People should know how to be grateful!"
After watching Liu Yunyan leave with a livid face, the old lady summoned Chang Mama and said, "Where is the young master? Tell him to come over when he returns."
Jiang Shuwan didn't return until almost dark, but she wasn't drunk.
On the way back, she lifted the curtain to let in the wind and admire the snow scenery. By the time she arrived at the Marquis's residence, she was perfectly sober, with only a slight blush on her face.
Before the carriage even stopped, Jiang Shuwan noticed the Pei brothers, Pei Yanzhi and Pei Yunzhou, standing at the door talking.
Pei Yunzhou was packing his things and moving them onto the carriage when Pei Yanzhi whispered something, as if giving instructions.
"Where does Uncle want to go?"
Jiang Shuwan, holding Qingxing's hand, stepped down from the carriage.
"Starting tomorrow, I'll be going to the martial arts academy for classes. I'll pack my things and move there first, and I'll be back every ten days. I'll be troubling my sister-in-law to take care of the house from now on," Pei Yunzhou said with a smile, cupping his hands in greeting.
"Both the old lady and the Marquis have agreed?"
"Mmm." Pei Yunzhou nodded vigorously, his eyebrows dancing with excitement.
Previously, Jiang Shuwan saw that Pei Yunzhou looked like he was in prison when he went to school, which showed that Pei Yunzhou really liked learning martial arts, otherwise he wouldn't be so happy.
"Madam also agreed?" Jiang Shuwan said, glancing at Pei Yanzhi.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
