A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 141

Chapter 141

Li Jiang was wearing clean blue cotton clothes and pants, and on his head, he was wearing a hat that was popular among young men in the capital.

Very stylish.

Seeing Wen Yu coming out with Xiao Ji and Laba, his face was full of smiles: “Miss!”

At the door, a brand new carriage was parked.

The carriage from their hometown was not brought to the capital. Li Yuanji bought a new one.

He found an old man who was familiar with the roads to drive the carriage.

Seeing Li Jiang’s big smiling face, Wen Yu also smiled, “Li Jiang, are you familiar with the capital?”

Li Jiang came with Master Qing. He said proudly: “To answer Miss, I am very familiar! Originally, Li Jiang could drive for you, but my father said that I still need to do things for Miss, and I can’t take care of both sides!”

Wen Yu got into the carriage, Li Jiang rode a donkey and followed beside the carriage, chattering non-stop, “Miss, I have visited the shop we are going to open many times, oh my, it’s magnificent! The location is unbeatable! Oh, Miss, unbeatable is a capital saying, meaning it can’t be better!

The house is big, with a second floor and a backyard!

Li Jiang inquired around, the shops there are not something you can buy just because you have money. Even renting one is not easy! The previous tenant made a lot of money and could afford to buy a shop! Madam Qi is really generous to give it to you!”

“She’s letting your Miss use it, not giving it! You went in to see it?”

“Yes, we’ve seen it several times! The first time, the person arranged by Madam Qi took us! Master Qing also went to see it several times! It’s very close to the silver shop opened by Fifth Master Song! There are several silver shops nearby, it’s very prosperous!”

“Oh? There must be good business in a place with many silver shops!”

Li Jiang didn’t stop talking all the way.

After walking for a while, the carriage stopped.

Laba and Xiao Ji helped Wen Yu get out of the carriage, Li Jiang pointed to the other side and said: “Miss, walk along this road, pass three intersections, then turn right, and you’ll reach the Song family’s residence.”

“So close?! ” She had lived in that residence in her previous life, but she didn’t know the location.

“Indeed! The Song family’s residence, the front door is not impressive, but the houses and gardens inside are really good! Much bigger than ours!”

Song Shang is still a commoner now, with his way of doing things, he definitely won’t be ostentatious.

When he wants to show off, he will probably book the best inn in the capital: “Bin Zhi”.

Li Jiang knocked on the door, the man who opened the door was called Zhang Zhu, who was the head of the family that Song Shang lent to her.

Song Shang saw that Wen Yu found them useful, so he sent the whole family over.

Zhang Zhu was taciturn, knew some martial arts, and the whole family worked very steadily.

Entering the courtyard gate, it was a courtyard, clean, quiet, and spacious.

“The front yard is where the embroideresses and a few young girls live. They usually work in the front living room. Young Master Lanzhou lives in the small side yard in the middle. Miss Yan, Miss Mu, and Master Qing live in the backyard. The kitchen is next to the backyard.”

Hearing the voices, Li Yuanji, Master Qing, and others came out to greet Wen Yu.

A group of people came out…all with smiles on their faces.

Wen Yu asked if everyone was used to living in the capital, and everyone said they were doing well.

Hearing the voice, Yan Zhu ran over.

“Ah Yu!” She came up and hugged Wen Yu.

“Zhu Zhu, aren’t you cold wearing so little?” Wen Yu touched her small hand.

“It’s not cold inside, but it’s cold outside. Come in quickly…” Yan Zhu pulled Wen Yu towards the back.

“How is Lanzhou?” Wen Yu asked as she walked.

Master Qing followed behind and said: “After we arrived, we had the doctor take a look at him. The doctor said he was fine and prescribed three doses of calming medicine. He doesn’t leave the room. Those two turtles haven’t eaten, drunk, or moved since they got here.

Young Master Lanzhou was anxious, so Steward Li explained for a long time, saying that turtles don’t move in winter. They only move when the weather warms up. So he watches them every day… Li Tan said that he doesn’t eat much, but he sleeps well.”

Wen Yu said: “After such a long journey, and in a strange environment, it’s good that he hasn’t gotten sick. Let him recuperate slowly.”

Entering the main hall of the backyard, there were many boxes piled up, not yet unpacked.

Several people sat down, Yan Zhu said: “There are quite a few rooms, but we are all crowded together! Otherwise, we would have to light so many fires!”

Li Yuanji said: “A few kitchen helpers came from Fifth Master Song’s residence. They said Fifth Master Song won’t be entering the capital until after the New Year, so they let them work here first. Therefore, we haven’t hired anyone from outside for the kitchen yet.”

Yan Zhu said: “The food they cook is not good. We’ll let them take care of the small kitchen. Ah Yu, I’ll cook for you every day from now on!”

“We are going to open a restaurant, you have to take on apprentices.”

“Oh my, I can cook, but I can’t teach apprentices like Master Qing! Ling Ling, hurry up and make tea.”

“Okay!” Mu Ling had changed a lot, she was very lively.

Yan Zhu put the snacks on the small table, and saw Li Jiang grind over and grab a handful before running to the side.

Li Yuanji smiled and shook his head, took out the account book, “Miss, this is the account for this courtyard. Currently, we have only bought this courtyard. And this, Fifth Master Song said that you might not be used to the food in the capital, so he bought a small estate specifically to grow vegetables for you!”

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Wen Yu smiled, “I’m not that particular. However, we are going to open a restaurant, I’m afraid it will be indispensable.”

“It’s already been bought, and we’ve found people. Master Qing brought some seeds when he came. We can only plant them in spring.”

“We only bought one courtyard? Didn’t you say we were going to buy another one for my uncle to live in?”

“After arriving in the capital, we went to look for Uncle.”

“How is it?!” Wen Yu was very concerned.

“Uncle is not in good health. He hasn’t held an official position. He usually helps Lord Mo with some official duties. He is considered an advisor! Lord Mo has arranged for Eldest Young Master’s enrollment. He said Eldest Young Master has some foundation in his studies, but he has been delayed. He barely passed the last Tong Sheng examination. Xiu Cai… he said he’s still far from it.

Uncle rents a courtyard near Lord Mo’s residence. With Lord Mo’s care, and the money you gave before, they are living a decent life.

We inquired discreetly, and it is said that: that Eldest Young Madam is quite troublesome, making a fuss from time to time. Relying on the fact that she has a son, she always angers Aunt. It is said that… she even had unpleasant encounters with Lord Mo’s family members.

Another thing is… that young master is a bit mischievous, doesn’t study seriously, and even goes out gambling with others. Uncle caught him and gave him a good beating, Aunt was so angry that she fell ill. It is said that he improved after the beating, but I investigated privately and found that he’s just being more discreet.

Uncle’s family came here to visit us. I told them that you wanted to buy a house for them and asked Uncle if he had any requirements. But Uncle disagreed. He said it was convenient to live near Lord Mo, coming and going every day, saving him the trouble of traveling.

Moreover, he couldn’t help you with your dowry when you got married, but he also didn’t want to cause you any more trouble…

Oh, I also told Uncle about your engagement! He was very happy and asked Lord Mo to inquire about the Qi family for a long time! He also wanted to see Fifth Young Master Qi, but he didn’t get to see him. Uncle was so anxious. After Lord Mo’s inquiries, he was also very happy. He said that when you come to the capital, he invites you to visit him!”

Wen Yu nodded, the general situation was about the same as she had imagined.

“Go and talk to Uncle, I’ll visit him in the next two days. Don’t tell the Wen family about this for now! Wait until I’ve sorted everything out…”

Uncle hasn’t risen in status, while Father is doing very well.

Why give the Wen family a chance to show off in front of Uncle!

Then, Li Yuanji introduced the general situation in the capital, as well as several popular businesses.

He also specifically talked about Madam Qi’s shop, full of praise, “Having such a shop in the capital is like lying down and eating! It is said to be Madam Qi’s dowry, the Cui family really loves their daughter!”

“You only have Xiao Ji as your daughter, you also need to prepare her dowry early!” Wen Yu teased.

Xiao Ji looked at her father expectantly, Li Yuanji laughed heartily, “If she can get married, I will also give her a generous dowry.”

“Your eldest son is not married yet!” Li Jiang muttered in a low voice: He’s not young anymore!

But… getting married is too troublesome!

It’s better to wait until he’s made a fortune with Miss… or maybe, flatter Miss’ handsome husband, maybe he can even get an official position! Ah, that would be great.

Then, marry a good wife.

Yes! That’s the plan!

Everyone was talking about serious matters, Li Jiang was daydreaming.

Master Qing waited for Li Yuanji to finish his introduction, then talked about his own work, “I taught the embroideresses some new things, everyone is very happy, they all expressed their willingness to work hard for Miss. As for the other little girls, I’ll tell Miss in detail later, in short, they are all good.”

“I’ve been to the shop several times and also visited other shops to learn from them. These…” Master Qing took out a thick stack of paper, “are some of my new ideas, business characteristics, etc. I’ve even picked out the furniture. Miss has good taste, these are just for Miss to get some ideas.”

“Good.” Wen Yu took it.

“Last time, you said… I don’t have to consider money when doing things, so I… didn’t hold back. To pursue this style, the materials used can’t be bad. After calculating, it will indeed cost a lot of money! I’m a little worried, what if the business doesn’t keep up, we’ll lose a lot…” Master Qing’s face flushed, the pressure was great.

“Master Qing, don’t be like this! You have to remember: making money is important. But it’s even more important for me to have a place in the capital!”

“You mean…”

“I’m a woman, with so much money in hand, what business do I need to do?!” Just the 400,000 taels Song Shang promised, how many noble ladies in the capital could afford such a sum?

“This place of ours is to help me establish myself!”

Master Qing suddenly realized: “I understand, no wonder…”

To create a place for women and young ladies to gather, where they can drink tea, chat, shop, and socialize. It’s like moving the things from the inner quarters to here.

Moreover, socializing in the inner quarters has limitations: it’s usually among families who know each other, relationships that are useful. Some families even have to be careful about their interactions being known by others…

But here, even if they don’t know each other, even if they can’t socialize, they will meet and become familiar.

Once they’re familiar, what can’t happen?

What news can’t be obtained?

And it all happens naturally!

I was thinking too simply before, Miss’ heart is so big!

Master Qing looked at Wen Yu with bright eyes.

Wen Yu smiled…