The outside disturbances did not affect Xie Yushu's entrepreneurial pace. While Consort Chu and the others were scheming about how to win over Xiao Yi, Xie Yushu had already taken over three adjacent stores in the commercial center of the capital.
One clothing store and two jewelry stores were sold because the competition was too fierce and they could not survive.
Because it was in the bustling city center, the land was very expensive. Xie Yushu spent eight thousand taels of silver to buy the three shops, which was more than two thousand taels per shop, more expensive than the house she bought.
Fortunately, although the place wasn't as big as that house, it was still two stories high, and the interior was spacious enough.
After Xie Yushu bought the property, she immediately had Jin Ge and his team find someone to open up the middle section and renovate it. Then, she waited for Han Zhongyu to deliver the glassware before officially opening for business.
At this time, Xiao Yi and his party finally arrived in the capital.
When the victorious general entered the capital, the emperor, to show his respect for the meritorious official, specially sent the eldest, second, and third princes, all of whom were adults, to greet him at the city gate.
The people lined the streets to welcome them.
Xie Yushu was inspecting the renovation results in the store when Dajun walked downstairs. Xie Yushu still went to the second-floor window to take a look, after all, he was an "acquaintance", so she wanted to see if he was alright!
Xie Yushu looked down from the second-floor window. Compared to when he was at Phoenix Mouth, Xiao Yi was like a completely different person. He had changed from being decadent and weak at that time to being resolute, majestic, and imposing!
Seeing that he was alright, Xie Yushu went back inside. In the end, it didn't matter anymore, and she didn't want to pay too much attention to it.
They were neither enemies nor enemies. They had never truly connected, and a single letter of divorce severed their ties completely.
All she wants now is to live her own life well and make those who follow her live well; as for the rest, she'll leave it to fate.
Anyway, now that she has established herself as a female household and become a princess, she no longer needs to find a man to settle down and make a living!
Moreover, she had heard that the princesses and noblewomen here could keep handsome young men as pets. If she couldn't find love, she could always keep one in front of her for her own enjoyment. Xie Yushu thought to herself, somewhat incoherently.
If anyone knew she had such dangerous ideas, they'd probably be furious!
As soon as Xie Yushu turned and retreated back into the house, Xiao Yi seemed to sense something and looked towards the place where Xie Yushu had stood, but there was no one there, only a half-closed window!
Xiao Yi frowned in confusion, then continued walking forward.
He hadn't gone more than a few steps when Chu Mingzhu rushed out from the crowd and stopped him.
Xiao Yi glanced at her in surprise, then dismounted and said...
"Why are you here? There are too many people here, be careful not to get bumped!"
With tears welling in her eyes, Chu Mingzhu looked at the tall and imposing man, her eyes filled with admiration and heartache, and softly said...
I'm worried about you! I want to see you safe and sound as soon as possible!
The maid, Tao Hong, also spoke at the opportune moment.
"General Xiao, ever since you went to the battlefield, my princess has been burning incense and praying for you every day! She prayed for your safe return. Now that you have returned safely, my princess's efforts have not been in vain!"
Xiao Yi felt that something was off about what he was saying, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it, so he said...
"Thank you for going to so much trouble!"
I still need to escort Princess Wangshu to the post station, and then go to the palace to report on my duties. You should have your guards escort you back first!
Chu Mingzhu has met with him, and he has expressed his feelings. He will not press the matter further, and instead says...
"Then I'll listen to Brother Xiao Yi and go back first. Come find me when you're done with your work."
Xiao Yi thought that he should also tell Jin Yu about her matter, and he would have to go there eventually, so he nodded.
Chu Mingzhu returned home satisfied, while Xiao Yi first sent Wang Shu to the post station for accommodation, and then entered the palace accompanied by the three princes.
Emperor Qingyuan knew that the army was entering the city today and had already prepared a banquet for him!
Also present were several important officials of the court.
Of course, there were also the three princes who came to greet him.
Along with Xiao Yi, several vice generals who had distinguished themselves in battle and had fought alongside him through thick and thin were also attending the banquet. Among them was Li Daniu, the blacksmith who had come out with him.
Xiao Yi gave Emperor Qingyuan a brief report on the situation at the border, including which battles his outstanding deputy generals had fought, what merits they had made, and the casualties of the army.
It can be said that although the Qi state won the battle, it also paid a considerable price.
Emperor Qingyuan was somewhat downcast.
However, considering that they now have repeating crossbows, once they are deployed everywhere, they will surely deter any invasion from all directions!
After discussing the military situation, Emperor Qingyuan immediately bestowed rewards upon Xiao Yi and several deputy generals.
Xiao Yi was promoted from a third-rank Tiger Might General to a second-rank General of the Cavalry, and was rewarded with a General's Mansion, three thousand taels of silver, and one hundred bolts of silk and satin. The other deputy generals were all promoted one rank from their original positions and were rewarded with one thousand taels of silver and fifty bolts of silk and satin.
It is worth mentioning that, in addition to this, Emperor Qingyuan actually bestowed two beauties upon each of them, and upon Xiao Yi, he bestowed upon him one wife and two concubines at the same time.
The wife was, of course, Chu Mingzhu. That's right, Emperor Qingyuan still felt sorry for his beloved concubine and son, so he compromised and granted Xiao Yi and Chu Mingzhu a marriage decree. However, he also bestowed two concubines upon them at the same time.
The purpose, of course, is to plant spies!
Upon hearing the imperial decree bestowing the marriage upon him, Xiao Yi was stunned and instinctively declined.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me, but I cannot accept your decree. I am already married, and my wife is virtuous and without fault. I cannot abandon her and remarry, thus becoming an ungrateful person!"
Although Consort Chu deliberately avoided mentioning Xiao Yi and Xie Yushu, the Emperor wanted to use Xie Yushu, so how could he not investigate her background?
Moreover, Xiao Yi already has military power, and Xie Yushu is a money-making machine. The alliance between the two is not what Emperor Qingyuan wants to see. As a subject, if he has no weaknesses for the emperor to check and balance, wouldn't the emperor never feel at ease?
This was because Emperor Qingyuan weighed the pros and cons and then settled for second best, granting Xiao Yi and Chu Mingzhu a marriage.
When Xiao Yi mentioned his wife at home, Emperor Qingyuan immediately said...
"As far as I know, your wife has been divorced by your mother and sent back to her parents' home. She has nothing to do with you now."
As for Chu Wei, it seems that you and Chu Mingzhu made a verbal engagement. Moreover, Consort Chu also specifically mentioned to me that Chu Mingzhu is determined to marry you and has even come to me for help. I can't be the bad guy!
Besides, you two have a childhood bond, so I'm not just randomly matchmaking you. What, do you also feel that the Chu family has declined and is no longer a good match for you?
When Xiao Yi heard Emperor Qingyuan say that his mother had divorced Xie Yushu, it was as if a thunderbolt had struck him. He couldn't believe that the woman he had been thinking about day and night, the woman he had been longing for, was no longer related to him!
His mind went completely blank, and he didn't even hear what Emperor Qingyuan had just said!
It wasn't until Emperor Qingyuan saw that Xiao Yi looked absent-minded that he raised his voice, bringing Xiao Yi back to his senses!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
