"However, Zhao Ping'er is the manager of the spice shop and knows many people."
Yun Yishu had mentioned the spice business to Yun Duoduo before, so Yun Duoduo had some impression of Zhao Pin'er.
"Opening a money exchange is not easy; it's much harder than running a silk shop or a painting studio."
"This shopkeeper must be a very shrewd and adaptable person."
“I’ve got it. We can ask Brother Qiming.” Yun Yishu smiled.
"Brother Shang Yan, you must know some of them as well."
Yun Yishu suddenly remembered Kang Qiming and Xiong Shangyan. One was the grandson of the Minister of Revenue, and the other was the son of the Minister of Commerce. They must know many people.
...
Winter arrived quickly, and the entire capital was covered in snow.
Early in the morning, palace maids and eunuchs were clearing snow everywhere in the palace. Charcoal fires had already been lit in Fu Shuang Palace. Although it was bitterly cold outside, the bedchamber was warm and cozy.
Yun Duoduo was lying in bed, not wanting to move. These days of staying in bed like a lazy bum in winter are just too wonderful!
She and Jin Zhuangzhuang shared a quilt, lying shoulder to shoulder, while a young palace maid was reading a storybook by the window.
"Sister Duo, Zhuangzhuang wants to hear the Tale of Ten Thousand Insects..."
Yun Duoduo was engrossed in listening to the storybook, which was about the crucial stage of the dispute between the eldest and second wives of a wealthy merchant in Jiangnan over the inheritance. However, Jin Zhuangzhuang couldn't understand it and found it extremely boring, yawning incessantly.
The palace maid reading the storybook's expression changed slightly. The storybook described various insects and poisonous creatures from Nanyang, Western Chu, and Northern Liang, and the book even had illustrations of the insects' appearances, which looked terrifying.
Just as Yun Duoduo was about to ask the palace maid to change the book, she noticed Ah Xiang hurriedly walking in.
"Aunt Xiang?"
Ah Xiang originally went to get breakfast, but she came in empty-handed.
“Princess, I just stepped out of Fushuang Palace and ran into Cuiling from Zhaoyang Palace.”
Cui Ling was the head palace maid of Empress Zhao Yuan. Cui Ling came so early in the morning, she must have something important to do.
Yun Duoduo gestured for her to continue.
Ah Xiang hesitated for a moment, then glanced at the bewildered Jin Zhuangzhuang: "Cui Ling said that Madam Jin is ill."
Yun Duoduo looked at A Xiang in surprise, her eyes filled with worry. She then looked down at Jin Zhuangzhuang.
Madam Jin is ill; Brother Jin must be extremely worried.
“Winter is the season when it is easiest to catch a cold. The palace has already sent a royal physician to take a look. His Majesty and the Empress mean that Zhuangzhuang should go home and get checked out.”
Jin Zhuangzhuang then realized that his mother was sick: "Mother..."
She looked at Yun Duoduo, bewildered.
Yun Duoduo patted her head: "Don't worry, your sister Duo is here. Your sister Duo is a little medical officer!"
"Zhuangzhuang, quickly pack your things, I'm going back to the Jin residence with you!"
"Princess, it's freezing cold outside..."
As Ah Xiang packed Jin Zhuangzhuang's things, she talked to Yun Duoduo, worried that Yun Duoduo might catch a cold if she went out.
"Aunt Xiang, don't worry, I'm very healthy!"
"Aunt Xiang, please take my medicine box with you."
Ah Xiang had no choice but to agree, and without saying another word, she silently packed their things for the two of them.
...
The carriage was already prepared and waiting outside the palace. Yun Duoduo and Jin Zhuangzhuang carried the medicine box and headed towards the Jin residence.
The north was desolate, and the trees on both sides of the street were withered and decaying. There were no vendors on the road, perhaps because they couldn't withstand the biting cold wind.
The streets were very quiet, the silence like a gentle snowfall, slow and peaceful.
"It's so cold outside, there's hardly anyone on the street."
Yun Duoduo lifted the carriage curtain and took a look.
Upon arriving at the Jin Mansion, Yun Duoduo noticed that, unlike the designs of other mansions, the Jin Mansion had many bamboo groves, but there was nothing related to water in the courtyard.
It seems the fake Wanfo Temple letterhead sent earlier was quite effective.
When the butler saw Yun Duoduo, he was startled and wanted the servants to come out and pay their respects to her.
Yun Duoduo waved her hand, indicating that he should go in and see Madam Jin directly.
She came to see a patient, not to show off or throw her weight around.
"Take us inside, so as not to disturb Madam Jin's rest."
The steward nodded, his whole body tense, afraid of neglecting the Ninth Princess, who was the most favored princess of Nanyang.
Upon arriving at Madam Jin's bedroom, a strong smell of medicine filled the air.
"Mother!"
Jin Zhuangzhuang stumbled and ran to Xun Yunge's bedroom.
"Zhuangzhuang, come here quickly, let Mommy hug you."
With the help of the maid, Jin Zhuangzhuang took off his outer robe and shoes and nestled into Xun Yunge's arms.
"Mrs. Jin."
Yun Duoduo followed behind Jin Zhuangzhuang and whispered something. She looked at Jin Zhuangzhuang nestled in Xun Yunge's arms with great envy.
It's so good to have a mother...
I also want this warm embrace...
"Duoduo is here too."
Xun Yunge was pale and weak, but she smiled at Yun Duoduo.
Jin Jinzhi was brewing medicine in a side room when she heard the noise and craned her neck to look.
[Why do I think I heard that little girl's voice?]
Jin Jinzhi shook her head.
He must have misheard. At this time of year, she would definitely be sleeping in the palace.
Jin Jinzhi carried a bowl of porridge and a bowl of medicine into Xun Yunge's bedroom.
"Here, take your medicine."
He looked up and saw Yun Duoduo sitting by the window, a look of slight surprise on his face.
The little girl actually came.
[I didn't sleep in on such a cold day...]
Listening to Jin Jinzhi's inner thoughts, Yun Duoduo wanted to roll her eyes. [Her reputation was being unfairly targeted.]
She's incredibly hardworking, you know!
Jin Jinzhi handed the bowl of porridge to Xun Yunge, who drank it spoonful by spoonful.
"Duoduo, did you not have breakfast?" Jin Jinzhi asked Yun Duoduo.
Yun Duoduo shook her head involuntarily. She and Jin Zhuangzhuang had been lying in bed acting like spoiled children since they opened their eyes, without having eaten a single hot meal.
"You wait."
Before Yun Duoduo could react, Jin Jinzhi got up and left the bedroom. A moment later, she came back in with a bowl of porridge, blew on the steam from the bowl, and handed it to Yun Duoduo.
"Drink it quickly, it's still warm."
"I got up early to cook the porridge."
Looking at the hot, sticky porridge in her hand, Yun Duoduo was very happy. This was the first time she had eaten porridge made by her brother Jinzhi.
"Mmm, it smells so good!"
The porridge was thick and delicious.
Jin Zhuangzhuang, sniffing the aroma of rice while still in bed, felt his stomach rumble.
"Brother, Zhuangzhuang wants to drink porridge too." She tugged at Jin Jinzhi's sleeve, looking at him pitifully.
Jin Jinzhi then turned around and noticed Jin Zhuangzhuang on the bed.
"Oh, Zhuangzhuang is here too."
Jin Zhuangzhuang looked at Jin Jinzhi with a dark expression.
Jin Jinzhi gave a dry laugh: "There's no more porridge..."
"Dong'er, quickly go and tell the kitchen to prepare some breakfast and send it over!"
Jin Jinzhi spoke to Xun Yunge's maid, Dong'er.
"Yes, young master."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
