Chapter 911

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Jia Mu chuckled: “What good is my opinion? I’m old now, my eyesight’s dim, my thinking’s outdated—girls’ hearts are hard to fathom.”

In my view, send all these silks to the Xia household—let Miss Xia pick for herself; that’s the surest way to please her. When your daughter-in-law enters the family, you’ll also secure a lucky omen.”

Last year, you and your in-laws set the wedding for March—I thought it too far off. Now I feel it’s too soon. Why not delay it a few months?”

Lady Wang smiled: “You’ve always doted on Baoyu, always wanting him married early. Now that the match is settled, why suddenly complain it’s too early?”

Jia Mu chuckled: “Cong-ge is currently on campaign. Such matters take at least half a year, sometimes a full year. When Baoyu’s great-grandfather was alive, I’ve seen plenty.”

If Baoyu marries in March, Cong-ge won’t make it back. This wedding will lack luster—that’s why I say it’s too soon. It’s truly a pity.”

Hearing this, Lady Wang felt a sharp pang of resentment. Her own Baoyu’s wedding had nothing to do with that brat from Dongfu—he’d better not return at all, lest he spoil the sight…

She said: “Cong-ge holds office—he must attend to state affairs. His delay is natural. With you overseeing the household, everything is sufficient.”

…

Jia Mu glanced at Lady Wang and said: “You don’t understand me. Just look at the past two days: when Cong-ge received his imperial appointment, how many guests came to congratulate us.”

Not counting those noble families with generations of ties—even officials from every bureau, generals, and regional commanders arrived in droves. And this was only because Cong-ge was away—if he’d been home, the gates would’ve been trampled flat.”

Over these years, his rank has risen, his reputation grown, his network in officialdom strengthened. Even the late Lord Jia, at his age, never shone so brightly.”

Rongguo Jia was a military family—we’ve produced a Hanlin Academician, now even a Vice Minister. Among these noble kin, which family doesn’t envy us?”

With Cong-ge holding up our household, it benefits us all. If Cong-ge could be home on the day Baoyu marries…”

Not only would every noble kin attend without fail, even half the officials from the Six Ministries would come—this would elevate Baoyu’s dignity.”

But if Cong-ge doesn’t return, the guests will be far fewer. Our household hasn’t held a wedding in ages—I naturally want it grand and lively. That’s why I say it’s too soon.”

…

Hearing this, Lady Wang felt deeply twisted. Though she bitterly resented Jia Cong, she knew Jia Mu’s words were sound—this was simply how things were.”

If that brat were home during Baoyu’s wedding, not only would every noble family come, but many civil officials too—and that brat has ties with several Ministers.”

If even one or two of the Six Ministries’ heads attended, Baoyu’s wedding would shake the capital—only then would it match his noble birth from the jade. Who would dare look down on the Second Branch again?”

Jia Mu spoke these words from genuine feeling—she was awed by Jia Cong’s fortune, and favored Baoyu, hoping he’d gain dignity through Jia Cong’s influence, to better stand in the world.”

Yet this stirred Lady Wang’s emotions into turmoil—she wished Jia Cong would vanish forever, yet also longed for his return, torn between opposites, her mind reeling in chaos.”

Lady Wang barely regained composure. Her mind, frayed by this agonizing tug-of-war, felt the Jia household had truly gone mad—as if everyone were bewitched by Jia Cong.”

Even the elderly, shrewd old lady had been awed by Jia Cong’s power, uttering such words—and worse, she herself found them reasonable. This was enough to drive one mad.

Only Baoyu had true backbone. No matter how others bewitched him, he held his own mind. She dared not speak further with Jia Mu—she feared she’d choke on rage.”

Fortunately, Baoyu marries a merchant’s daughter. Had he married an official’s daughter, seeing Dongfu’s brat’s achievements, wouldn’t she envy him too? That would shame Baoyu beyond repair.”

Lady Wang’s wild thoughts brought her a strange relief—she grew even more satisfied with the match, exchanged a few more pleasantries with Jia Mu, then sent servants to deliver the silks to the Xia household.”

…

Shenjing, Qingyu Alley, Xia Residence.

Late January. Before the maiden’s embroidery pavilion, the wutong trees had sprouted tender buds. Though spring chill still bit the air, a gentle warmth already lingered in the breeze.

Miss Xia wore a ginger-yellow layered satin jacket, embroidered with exquisite dual-colored hibiscus branches—exquisitely lavish, accentuating her slender figure, waist like a willow, grace and charm radiant.

She sat on a luohan bed in the main hall of the pavilion, sipping tea slowly from a pink-and-white porcelain lidded bowl. Before her stood a maid, mid-thirties, holding an account ledger.

She said: “Miss, Madam says she’s grown old, and you’re nearly ready to marry. The family business will soon be yours to manage—she wants you to review the monthly accounts.”

If you spot any irregularities in the ledger, just instruct us. Madam says you’re sharp and capable—you won’t mishandle the business.”

Miss Xia took the ledger. She wasn’t particularly eager to manage the family enterprise. The Xia bloodline was thin, with no troublesome collateral relatives—clean and simple.

As the only daughter, the estate would be hers. She was calm, not feverish. In the flush of youth, her heart yearned only for forbidden desires and wild fantasies.

She flipped idly through the ledger, paused at one page, her eyes brightening: “Xiu Niang Perfume Shop—no prior dealings. This is Xin Chun’s Shenjing headquarters!”

Madam Xu chuckled: “You’re right, Miss. Xiu Niang Perfume Shop is Xin Chun—their founding shop. The old name stuck because everyone in Shenjing’s trade circles uses it.”

Their premium perfumes are famed across the land. To make them, they need top-grade fresh flowers—until now, they sourced from three flower nurseries in the southern city.”

If you speak of flower business, Xia family is second in Shenjing, no one dares claim first. When Xiu Niang Perfume Shop gained fame, Madam sent envoys to negotiate.”

Back then, the shop was run by Master Qu from Jinling—but the deal fell through. Later, Madam inquired and learned: Lord Weiyuan didn’t want to displace the old supplier.”

But fortune turns. On the Lantern Festival, a fire broke out at one of the southern nurseries supplying the perfume shop—burned to ashes.”

As soon as Madam heard, she sent her chief merchant the next day to negotiate. Xiu Niang’s perfume sales were booming—they’d lost three-tenths of their raw material and couldn’t hold out.”

Xia family moved swiftly. Our flowers are top-tier in Shenjing. The deal was sealed quickly. Since Xia isn’t an ordinary nursery, we priced it one-tenth higher than others.”

…

Miss Xia frowned slightly: “Madam Xu, how long is the contract? Who’s the shop’s manager? What’s her connection to Lord Weiyuan?”

Madam Xu replied: “The manager is Madam Feng. Her background is unclear—we didn’t dig. But anyone managing Xiu Niang Perfume Shop must be of considerable standing.”

The contract is for six months. Whether to renew will be decided then. It’s likely both an emergency measure and a trial—common in trade.”

Miss Xia said: “This deal is flawed. When Lord Weiyuan refused Xia’s business before, he showed strict principles—he wouldn’t change for Xia’s minor reputation.”

Madam Feng, managing Xiu Niang Perfume Shop, must be someone Lord Weiyuan trusts. Her principles likely mirror his. She signed only six months—she’s left an escape route.”

Xin Chun started later than Xia, but its rise is undeniable. Now it’s a top imperial merchant, backed by Lord Weiyuan. We can’t let this deal slip away.”

Send your chief merchant to negotiate with Madam Feng. Jia and Xia are now in-laws—we act with dignity, not petty merchant greed. Lower the price by two-tenths. Say it’s my wish.”

…………

Madam Xu stared, startled: “Miss, our price to Xiu Niang isn’t inflated—it’s our standard rate.”

By custom, this deal yields four-tenths profit. Cut it by two-tenths, and we halve our earnings. Add losses, we barely make anything.”

Miss Xia said: “Business demands long view. Xia doesn’t lack silver. A widow and orphan girl holding such wealth? It’s no easy task.”

What Xia lacks most is a powerful patron. You know Xin Chun’s reputation—how many merchants beg for a chance to deal with them, yet find no door? This opportunity must not be missed.”

I’m soon marrying into the Jia household. Jia’s Lord Weiyuan is peerless—he’s now a proper Hanlin family. Before I even step through their gate, if I earn one-tenth less profit, won’t they look down on me?”

Madam Feng is cautious. Even with our one-tenth higher price, she accepted this deal—she knows I’m marrying into Jia, and gave face for it.”

Yet she signed only six months—leaving a wide escape. Lord Weiyuan is currently on campaign. In six months, he’ll return victorious. Then the matter reaches him.”

At that time, he’s the eldest branch’s heir; I’m a daughter-in-law of the second branch—kinship is already distant. He’s seen great things, a man of grand affairs—he won’t care about petty family gains or favors.