Chapter 231: Which 'spring' are you, this spring?!

I've seen a ghost.

I really saw a ghost.

How could A Chun take a liking to Afang?!!

Du Shanü was startled, Du Shanü was truly startled.

These days her mind is all——

'No wonder Afang could lure this brat here!'

'Speaking of Qiongzhou, what kind of place is it exactly? How could it be a land of outstanding people and spiritual energy...'

'No wonder this brat keeps praising Ouyang Yan; it turns out seeing Ouyang Yan reminds him of Afang!'

'If A Chun and Afang were to ever actually get together, would it affect official duties? And when sleeping together, who would be on top?'

"Your Highness? Your Highness?"

Call after call, they dragged Du Shanü out of her mind full of improper thoughts.

Chunrijian called out several times, yet his face remained that of an unflappable dead person... oh no, it's a fox's face.

He again bowed deeply and then said:

"Your appearance and bearing are the utmost top‑notch person I have ever seen in my life."

"Moreover, you once helped me block an examination cheating incident; I, as your subordinate, have always taken a liking to someone like you and never felt it was something hard to mention."

"But since you have never been aware of it, I have kept it deep in my heart, fearing to tarnish your pure reputation, daring not to reveal it or spread it among others... I did not intentionally conceal it from Your Highness; I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

Rules, still the same rules.

However, Du Shanü can now see beneath that orderly, steady exterior a hint of familiar extraordinariness...

Or rather, a freakish vibe.

If it were because of disdain for same‑sex love, that wouldn't be something Du Shanü would do.

What she cares more about is——

How is it that there isn't a single ordinary person around her; they're all freaks?

Du Shanü felt a faint ache in her forehead, and only then did she realize she perhaps really ought to get a good sleep.

She raised her hand to rub her forehead, pondered for a few breaths, then asked carefully:

"You keep praising Ouyang Yan and saying you want me to let him handle the accounts again..."

"Could it be that you want me to reinstate Ouyang Yan so you can return to Dun Cheng and look for Afang?!"

Du Shanü admits she sometimes judges others by her own standards, but the facts show that sometimes judging others by one's own standards is truly useful.

Chunrijian's back stiffened as he bowed, and only after several breaths did he slowly say:

"That is indeed the case."

"In Buddhism there are the five poisons: greed, anger, ignorance, pride, doubt. Greed means never being satisfied—getting a thousand coins and wanting ten thousand, becoming emperor and wanting to become an immortal."

"Before coming here, I spent thousands of days and nights wishing to become an official; once an official, I could bring my parents to escape Qiongzhou, stand tall, and show those masters who look down on people that they aren't the only ones with talent."

"But now that an official position is within easy reach, I don't know why I keep thinking that if I could stay closer to you, sir, and also do more for you...... that would be even better."

To be frank, if today he were to deny it to the death, or beat around the bush and gloss over the matter...

Du Shanü would not think him at fault.

Nowadays it's the Confucian mindset that weighs people down; although keeping male favorites in noble households is common, getting these people to openly admit they have same‑sex love is still as hard as climbing to heaven.

Chunrijian, however, is different.

Not only does he openly admit it, but he actually wants to return to Afang's side to help...

His conduct is both affectionate and righteous, but the dilemma it leaves Du Shanü with is even greater——

If Chunrijian were to leave, who would take charge of Cang Cheng?

Those capable of taking charge don't want to stay, while those who want to take charge either lack ability or are not trusted by Du Shanü...

What a fine Cang Cheng, who would have thought it would turn into a hot potato?

Du Shanü had no way to respond to his words, so she steeled herself and also 'coaxed' him:

"No rush; first gain some experience in Cang Cheng, then we'll talk—if Afang sees your talent, she might also..."

"Cough cough, let's not talk about that! You said earlier your father does business for the master's household, so you must have some mercantile skill? What do you think I should produce from this tin vein I hold, to improve its sales?"

Tin has many uses.

From the incense burners, tin foil, and ritual vessels used in the imperial palace, to the paperweights, ink boxes, powder boxes, and ink droppers used by wealthy families, down to wine jugs, tea jars, bowls and plates, lamp stands, candle holders, and grain storage jars...

In fact, there are traces of tinware.

Making all that at once would surely be impossible; better to make a few items first, test the market, which is a wise move.

If it sells well, then we can mass‑produce it.

If we can mass‑produce it, we can recoup a batch of silver to fund troops...

As long as we have soldiers and weapons, our great undertaking for the ages is already at hand.

Du Shanü had been furious for two days straight, exhausted to the limit, yet she was not ready to collapse just yet.

Or rather, except when facing Chinu, she is consistently someone who attends to public affairs with utmost care.

With Chinu and Afang not around, having finally met a clever person, she needed to ask a few more questions to set her mind at ease.

However, however.

Chunrijian also didn't let Du Shanü feel any sense of ease.

Chunrijian still maintained a reverent posture, his mouth uttering words of devastating destruction:

"Your Highness has asked, and I dare not refuse to answer. But as for business matters, I truly don't know much, because my father made his fortune selling bedroom novelties..."

Du Shanü: "......"

Du Shanü: "?"

Chamber, what's a boudoir?

Has she really gone deaf today?

Otherwise, why does she keep hearing strange things?

Du Shanü remained silent; Chunrijian saw those slender eyes slightly open, her expression completely earnest and solemn:

Your Highness, please hear me out, I truly am not lying! (? _?)

From ancient times to now, it's not only the salt, iron, and grain trade that can make money; as long as one has the ambition to explore, there are plenty of businesses with tenfold profits.

These curious items are also called hidden spring objects or chest-bottom items; they have existed since ancient times. Food and lust are natural; although openly everyone despises them, the authorities forbid open sale and forbid blatant signs, so my father could only sell them secretly... yet their sales volume and profit margins far exceed many people's imagination.

This item is widely liked by wealthy families, but they don't understand delicate carving and design, let alone the many 'ingenious ideas'. Most of the time, one has to go through three or five friends to pass it along, purchasing it discreetly under the guise of antiquities...

Du Shanü listened, eyes wide open, her forehead throbbing.

Chunrijian's resolute expression became even more determined:

Our shop year-round sells hundreds of kinds of curious objects and antiquities, thousands of volumes of various spring palace pictures. Once a customer comes in, often without haggling, they just take it away. One item sold can cover the wages of an ordinary family for several years.

The way these things are sold differs from ordinary goods; therefore, although my family has been in business year-round and truly earned considerable silver, if we were really to open a commercial line, I fear it would indeed be somewhat difficult.

However, if Your Highness speaks up, I will certainly try my best; who knows, tin might also be usable to make these curious items... Your Highness? Your Highness?

Du Shanü had endured for a long time; now she finally couldn't help but bury her head in her arms on the table and reflect——

Are there any normal people!

In this world, after all, are there any normal people!

A Chun's 'spring', exactly which spring is it!?

This bunch of people simply makes one's eyes go black; there's simply no future to be seen!!!

?? Come on, come on! Today, is anyone going to praise the author? (*^▽^*)