Chapter 755

Rongguo Prefecture, Lixiang Courtyard.

Xue Yima thought of her son's dissolute ways and the difficulty of continuing the main branch's family business. She had to shift things around left and right and racked her brains, unable to help but sigh repeatedly.

She said, "The Xin Chun Hao in Cong Ge'er's hands is such a huge business, yet he never asks about it, only putting his whole heart into being an official.

He throws everything to that Miss Qu to manage, and doesn't even use a single person from the Jia clan, yet I have never seen him have worries like ours.

On the contrary, the business is more prosperous day by day. The shop managers have mentioned several times in their letters that the Xin Chun Hao main store in Jiang Nan is now one of the top commercial firms in Jin Ling.

Ever since the Zhen family was raided, the business of Xin Chun Hao has become even more prosperous. Every month, there are whole ships of goods transported out to sea from Long Tan Port.

The people of Jin Ling all say that since the 'Zhen Half-City' has fallen, I fear it won't be long before the 'Qu Half-City' rises.

This Miss Qu is loyal and devoted to Cong Ge'er. Every New Year, birthday, success in examinations, or promotion, she unfailingly sends things to Cong Ge'er from far away.

I hear that even the servants in Cong Ge'er's East Prefecture were personally selected and purchased by her from various places in Jiang Nan.

And every few days, without interruption, whole chests of silver are carried into the East Prefecture. Can Cong Ge'er even spend that much?

Moreover, this young lady is clear-minded; even Grandmother and Sister Feng often receive gifts from her, and every single item touches people's hearts.

Grandmother has chatted with me in the Rongqing Hall more than once about this matter, saying that Miss Qu is sensible and knows how to conduct herself, a top-tier person.

I hear that many of the clothes, shoes, and socks that Cong Ge'er wears were personally made by this Miss Qu.

I don't know where Cong Ge'er found this woman, who not only knows how to do business and earn silver but also knows how to serve a man and please his elders."

Baochai felt a bit distracted after hearing these words, and there was a touch of bitterness in her heart.

She said, "Mother, Cong Brother has great ability, and his good fortune is not small either; this kind of thing is not something others can envy.

This Miss Qu has quite a background. I have heard Second Sister mention some things about her.

When Cong Brother went to Qingshan Academy to study at the age of ten, he rarely returned to the prefecture all year round. I don't know how he met Miss Qu, and the two of them even partnered to open Xin Chun Hao.

I hear Miss Qu is from De Zhou, and her father was a bodyguard who passed away many years ago. Although Miss Qu is a woman, she possesses a family-inherited martial art.

Even the skills Cong Brother uses on the battlefield were learned from Miss Qu when he was small. Mother saying she is a woman Cong Brother 'found' is not quite right."

Xue Yima breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this and said, "So her father was a bodyguard. She has outstanding character and ability, but this background is slightly lacking.

No wonder last time Cong Ge'er succeeded in the imperial examinations, Miss Qu sent several chests of gifts.

Among them were gifts for Grandmother and Sister Feng. That time, Sister Feng was happy in her heart and said that Miss Qu was young, yet she had already become an imperial merchant for the Imperial Household Department.

Not only is her ability and talent outstanding, but she is also meticulous, knows etiquette, and knows how to handle affairs.

If Cong Ge'er were to marry her as his wife, he would be bringing a golden Bodhisattva into the house. At the time, Grandmother's expression was uncomfortable, and she didn't pick up on the topic at all.

Thinking about it, although Grandmother likes Miss Qu's efficiency, she finds her family status too low for a granddaughter-in-law."

……

Baochai smiled bitterly in her heart. Grandmother is usually cautious in her actions and rarely reveals her thoughts in front of others; even Mother didn't notice it carefully.

But Baochai's thoughts were all on Jia Cong, so naturally, she paid attention to everything related to him.

This year, the Lady of Marquis Lady Bao Ling has visited very frequently, and her words and behavior already suggest the age for discussing marriage. Ever since Cong Brother was granted a title, Grandmother has also tacitly approved of this matter.

Marquis Shi, the Great Master of Lady Bao Ling, went to Jin Ling to take up his post, and his wife and son followed him to Jin Ling, leaving only Sister Xiangyun in the Jia family.

Sister Xiangyun was raised by Grandmother's side since she was small, so even if this were the case, it wouldn't count for much.

But she should have accompanied Grandmother and lived in the West Prefecture to accord with the usual logic of coming and going, yet she chose to live in the East Prefecture. Grandmother never said a word, and both inside and out, it was a tacit approval.

Grandmother doesn't dislike Miss Qu because her family status is low, but rather because she has long harbored thoughts about Sister Xiangyun, so naturally, she is unwilling to let others interfere.

Originally, because the Great Master of the East Road Courtyard passed away and the imperial marriage between Cong Brother and Miss Zhen San was annulled, I fear Grandmother was also extremely satisfied in her heart.

……

Xue Yima saw her daughter suddenly looking distracted after she started chatting about Miss Qu, her delicate eyebrows knitted as if she were full of worries.

She couldn't help but feel some regret in her heart. Why did she babble about Cong Ge'er's woman? Isn't this poking at her daughter's heart and making her uncomfortable?

She said, "I was just chatting idly. Miss Qu's name has been famous for several years, yet I haven't seen her step into the prefecture even once; I don't even know what she looks like.

Perhaps she is mediocre in appearance. Even if she is sensible and knows how to conduct herself, she is ultimately an outsider without status, not even as intimate as those few maids of Cong Ge'er."

Baochai said, "Mother, you can't say it like that. Miss Qu is also a maiden of pure virtue. Relying on her own strength, she has been able to make the Jin Ling Xin Chun Hao so outstanding.

Just based on this ability and talent, she is an extraordinary woman. I know Cong Brother's temperament; he must respect her very much...

If our Xue family also had Cong Brother's good fortune and had such a person holding down the fort in Jin Ling, we wouldn't have to worry so much about the family business."

Xue Yima sighed, "What you say is true. I fear your Second Uncle's situation is also difficult. He has been running around these years to collect rare treasures for the palace.

He is doing a proper imperial errand; how can he just put it down whenever he wants? Last time he went to the capital to audit accounts at the Imperial Household Department, I heard he was even summoned into the palace to see the Emperor.

If your brother had Ke'er's temperament, how good that would be. Even if he couldn't prosper the family business, he would be more than enough to guard it, but he just isn't."

Xue Yima suddenly thought of something and said, "I hear that the perfumes, soaps, toothpastes, and other items produced by Xin Chun Hao are selling like hotcakes in Jiang Nan, making a fortune every day.

It's just that Xin Chun Hao's goods are only sold in their own branches and rarely sold in cooperation with other shops; this business is their exclusive property.

If, relying on our closeness to Cong Ge'er, the two families could cooperate in business, and our Jin Ling shops could distribute Xin Chun Hao's products...

That would be the most profitable business. The family fortune your father left behind might be able to prosper again."

Baochai shook her head and said, "Mother thinks of things too simply. Xin Chun Hao's business in Jin Ling is so prosperous, yet no one has ever dared to covet it.

It is not only because Miss Qu's ability is outstanding, but also because Xin Chun Hao carries the brand of an imperial merchant, and even more because others fear Cong Brother's high official rank and title.

He has been to Jin Ling twice, repeatedly cracked major cases, is famous throughout Jiang Nan, and is favored by the Emperor.

The officialdom in Jin Ling is all willing to give him face; only in this way can they hold down Xin Chun Hao's daily fortune.

After Father passed away, the Xue family's influence has greatly diminished, and there is not even a shred of foundation in officialdom within the clan.

Although the Great Uncle is still serving as the Regional Commander of the Capital Camp, these past two years have been far from what they used to be; it is already very difficult for him to look after the kin in Jin Ling.

If Cong Brother really sold this favor and let Xin Chun Hao's products be distributed in the Xue family's shops, the Xue family's business would definitely soar.

But we have no capable person in charge in Jin Ling. When others see this, wouldn't they be jealous and covetous? What would the Xue family rely on to protect its wealth?

By then, I fear a good thing would turn into a bad thing. We wanted to prosper the family business, but in the end, we would have to spend money to avert disaster."

……

Xue Yima's face turned slightly pale after hearing this, naturally knowing that what her daughter said was reasonable.

In previous years, the Xue family did big business in Jin Ling not only because the master of the house had powerful methods.

It was even more because the elder brother, Wang Ziteng, received support from the Jia family and rose rapidly in officialdom. The Jia, Wang, and Xue families had close relations and were each other's support.

The Jin Ling Xue family had a solid foundation in officialdom, which allowed them to sail smoothly, have a prosperous business, and have abundant sources of wealth.

But now the situation is very different. Not only has the elder brother, Wang Ziteng, lost power, but the Rongguo second branch, which was originally closely related to the Xue family, has also fallen into a side branch.

The foundation the Xue family relied on in the past has now been completely lost. Just as the daughter said, even if the Xue family were to win wealth now, what would they rely on to keep it?

Although Jia Cong treats her with great courtesy, it is also out of the sentiment of having lived in the same prefecture for many years, as well as the friendship Baochai and the Jia sisters have forged.

Although Xue Yima wanted to seek a decent lifelong future for her daughter through a marriage between their children and add a helping hand to the family, given the current situation, this thought is ultimately dim...

Baochai said, "The Xue family shouldn't be thinking about how to expand the family business now, but rather how to securely protect the family business so that we can have a long future.

If the children of the family can live in comfort and study, that is the foundation. Wait until a talented person emerges in the clan, or there is a promising talent among the brother's descendants.

At that time, when the clan has an extra reliance, thinking about expanding the family business and wealth will be the right time. This is a matter of a long, flowing stream; being overly anxious is useless.

However, Miss Qu holding down the business in Jin Ling and her actions make one respect her. I really do want to see such a person, or perhaps we will have to rely on her in the future."

Xue Yima's eyes lit up after hearing this and asked, "Baochai, do you have some thought in your heart?"

Baochai shook her head slightly and said, "Miss Qu being able to manage such a big business in a place like Jin Ling makes me feel it is very rare.

Although I have some thoughts in my heart, it is just my own wild imagination. Worldly affairs are unpredictable; how can one think of something and have it happen..."

……

Xue Yima was just about to ask again when she saw Jin Chuan lift the curtain and come in, carrying a small bag in her hand.

She said, "Madam, half a catty of bird's nest was just sent from the shop, saying it is what you wanted a few days ago; it is top-quality new goods that arrived from the south yesterday." Xue Yima said, "Now that Seeing Cai Xia is pregnant, Grandmother has ordered two taels of bird's nest to be given to her every month to nourish the fetus, and Sister Feng has also ordered five taels every month from the shop."

Baochai smiled and said, "Yesterday I met Ping'er, and she also said that the bird's nest is now prioritized for Seeing Cai Xia, plus what Grandmother uses daily, and what Sister Feng uses to nourish her body after childbirth.

The public bird's nest is about to hit the bottom, and she even asked me when the shop's goods would arrive. It is a coincidence that they have arrived now; I will send them to Sister Feng and take the opportunity to visit."

Baochai went into the room and changed into a long jacket with a white plum blossom pattern on a satin surface, and Jin Chuan helped her tie on a lotus-green cloak with crane patterns. The two of them left Lixiang Courtyard one after the other.

Halfway there, they happened to meet Baoyu coming out of Rongqing Hall. Seeing Baochai coming toward him with Jin Chuan, he couldn't help but be happy; he really doesn't learn his lesson.

These past few days, Baoyu's mood has been low. He was extremely unwilling for She Yue to become a managing maid in the East Prefecture, and even developed a bit of twisted jealousy.

He has always considered himself extraordinary, and the maids around him should all be infatuated with him. Aren't Sister Xi Ren, Bichen, Qiuwen, and others all like that?

He originally thought that if he spoke to keep her, She Yue would be moved beyond words and would be dying to stay in the courtyard.

Who knew that She Yue was different? A series of cold and resolute words tore Baoyu's narcissistic and sentimental feelings into tatters.

Although he was ashamed and unconvinced in his heart, he was helpless. To him, the East Prefecture is not only a place of corrupt officials but also a threshold he can never cross.

With She Yue gone to the East Prefecture, he could only sigh in vain. Although he had said he would find Jia Mu to reason with her, he was wary of Mother's blame, and his heart swayed, causing him great distress.

After dawdling like this for a few days, the thoughts of resentment remaining in his chest soon dissipated, as if nothing had happened.

In the end, he just spent a few days mourning the spring and autumn, fooling himself into letting it go, but his mood remained depressed.

……

These past few days, when meeting the sisters in Rongqing Hall, except for Xiangyun who would say a few things carelessly,

the other sisters, for some reason, had nothing to say to him, which made him feel very sad and bored.

Ever since his visit to Lixiang Courtyard last month was quite embarrassing, he has not dared to set foot there easily, especially when Xue Yima is at home.

Baochai usually stays at home or visits the East Prefecture, besides going to Rongqing Hall with the sisters.

Baoyu rarely meets Baochai alone in his daily life, so to him, this was an unexpected joy, and his mood suddenly relaxed and became interested.

He hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Where is Sister Bao going?"

Seeing it was Baoyu, Baochai's expression stiffened slightly, then she smiled and said, "I am just going to Sister Feng's courtyard. She ordered bird's nest from the shop, and I am just about to send it to her.

This five taels of bird's nest also includes Seeing Cai Xia's share; Grandmother specially ordered two taels to be given to her every month to nourish the fetus.

Now that Seeing Cai Xia is pregnant and precious, I haven't seen her for many days. Is her complexion and body still well?"

Because the news of Seeing Cai Xia's pregnancy was widespread in the West Prefecture, and even Jia Mu cared about it deeply, Baochai asking about it when they met was just a matter of polite etiquette.

But Baoyu's face turned bright red after hearing this, as embarrassed as if he had been slapped in the face.

The previously meddlesome Xue Yima's talk of marriage and childbearing had already left Baoyu with nowhere to hide.

Now, the infinitely beautiful Sister Bao asking about the pregnant Seeing Cai Xia face-to-face, smiling and without a trace of sadness, made Baoyu even more indignant.

Originally, when he first met Baochai, many good words surged in his chest, seemingly about to burst forth, just to please Baochai and get a smile.

But they were all choked in his throat by Baochai's greeting, unable to go up or down, and his fair, round face turned red from holding it in.

Beside him, Jin Chuan suddenly said, "Young Lady, last time I heard Madam mention that she has a secret recipe for nourishing the fetus. You really should ask Madam to write it down and send it to Seeing Cai Xia.

Let her nourish the fetus well, and next year raise a fat boy for Bao Er Ye Bao."

……

Baochai was slightly stunned after hearing this, and seeing Jin Chuan wink at her, she hurriedly said, "Oh, I don't remember this matter. You remember to remind Madam when you go back.

It would be best to copy that secret recipe out properly and send it to Seeing Cai Xia quickly."

Jin Chuan smiled like a flower and said, "Young Lady, don't worry, I will definitely remember this matter!"

Baoyu's face had already turned somewhat purple, and he was so anxious he didn't know how to defend himself, his heart filled with unspeakable resentment. Seeing Cai Xia being pregnant is one thing, but why always use me as the topic?

And to talk nonsense in front of young ladies is truly the height of profanity and ugliness. To think that I, such an innocent person, am always humiliated like this.

Before it was Xue Yima and Sister Feng, now even a Jin Chuan has started to learn to talk back; is there no way for a person to live?

Seeing Baoyu's face purple and swollen, Baochai asked cautiously, "Brother Bao, I am going to Sister Feng's place now. Do you want to go together?"

Baoyu came back to his senses and said hurriedly, "Sister Bao, go ahead. I have something else to do, so I will leave first."

Last time he went to Wang Xifeng's courtyard to chat idly, originally wanting to see Wu'er's beauty, but ended up being humiliated by Wang Xifeng as if he were being skinned and deboned. Now, how would he dare to set foot there?

Seeing Baoyu turn and leave in a hurry, looking very much like he was fleeing in defeat, Baochai couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Turning to look at the smiling Jin Chuan, she said, "Why haven't I heard Mother mention any secret recipe for nourishing the fetus? It's you, this girl, playing tricks again."

Jin Chuan smiled and said, "I was worried that Bao Er Ye Bao would stick to you and nag you again, so I made up a lie on the spot. I didn't expect it to really work.

This Bao Er Ye Bao lives a strange life. Before, he was most afraid of others urging him to study, and now he is most afraid of others talking about marriage and raising children.

It's as if if people didn't say these things, he wouldn't have those matters. I wonder if he is trying to deceive others or deceive himself; living like this is tiring enough."

Baochai couldn't help but laugh and scolded softly, "Strange and weird, a whole bunch of nonsense and crooked talk."

……

Rongguo Prefecture, Sister Feng's courtyard.

Baochai took Jin Chuan into the courtyard and went straight into the inner room of the main house facing them.

Lifting the curtain, a wave of fragrant heat hit them. She saw a cloisonné hollow incense cage in the room, emitting a gentle, fragrant scent.

Wu'er was sitting sideways by the Luo Han bed, recording accounts on a desk, while Wang Xifeng stood to one side saying something.

Although she can recognize characters now, she doesn't know how to write. Wu'er has followed Jia Cong for many years and can write a delicate and graceful brush script.

Ping'er was holding the eldest daughter, walking back and forth in the room, holding a rattle-drum in her hand, shaking it 'dong-dong' incessantly, making the eldest daughter laugh non-stop.

Ping'er herself was all smiles, holding the eldest daughter, unable to put her down, tireless, appearing even more delicate and moving.

Seeing Baochai enter the room, Wang Xifeng hurriedly greeted her with a smile, and let Feng'er take the bird's nest from Jin Chuan's hand. The two sat down and chatted about idle matters.

Baochai inadvertently saw quite a few exquisite makeup items neatly arranged in front of Wang Xifeng's dressing table.

One of them was a snow-white porcelain box, with beautiful landscape and flower patterns painted on it, and the three characters 'Jin Feng Ge' written in the center.

Baochai smiled and said, "So Sister Feng also loves to use the rouge from Jin Feng Ge in Jin Ling."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "You also grew up in Jin Ling, so naturally you can recognize this item at once. I loved using Jin Feng Ge's rouge before I was married.

Later, after I married into the Jia family, because Jin Feng Ge had no branch in the Love Shenjing, it wasn't easy to buy from then on.

This box of rouge was sent by Miss Qu from Jin Ling. Every New Year and festival, she prepares things for Cong Ge'er.

I, bearing the name of the eldest sister-in-law, have also benefited from Cong Ge'er's light. Every time Miss Qu sends things to Cong Ge'er, she never forgets to send a share for me.

There is an even stranger thing: every time she sends me gifts, there is always Jin Feng Ge rouge inside, as if she knows I am used to using this one.

After all, we are all women. I think that when Miss Qu arrived in Jin Ling, she also used Jin Feng Ge rouge daily, so she sent a share for me too.

Cong Ge'er also has good fortune. This is a young lady with ability and thoughtfulness. I have been thinking about returning this favor."

Baochai thought of the conversation with her mother just now and thought that although this Miss Qu had never been here, she was quite popular in the prefecture. Her heart felt a bit empty.

At this time, Lin Zhixiao's wife lifted the curtain and entered the room, saying, "Second Madam, Madam from your maiden home in Jin Ling has sent a letter."

Wang Xifeng took the letter and, while opening and browsing it, smiled and said, "This Miss Qu really can't stand being talked about. Sister Baochai and I were just chatting about her.

Madam's letter from home just mentioned her. Because I received several gifts from the young lady, I have always owed her a favor, and I have always been concerned about it in my heart.

This is thousands of miles between the Love Shenjing and Jin Ling, so it's not that easy to return the favor.

I wrote to Madam at home, asking her to prepare a gift and send it to Xin Chun Hao to express my thanks. It is a coincidence that the letter mentions this matter."

Wang Xifeng read the letter for a while and suddenly a look of confusion appeared on her face, saying, "This is a rare thing. I have never heard Cong Ge'er mention it before.

Madam at home sent a trusted old woman to Xin Chun Hao to send gifts to Miss Qu, and she came back saying that there is also a second manager at the Jin Ling Xin Chun Hao.

She is a young lady surnamed Qin, who is extremely outstanding in character and appearance..." (End of chapter)