Chapter 312: Leave it to Father to handle

For the next few days, Jiang Jinshi stayed at the inn, waiting for good news from Shen Mo. Occasionally, he would go out to experience the local customs of Jiangnan, and his days were spent quite comfortably.

On the contrary, things were not going smoothly for Fu Ruyan.

"Young Miss, why did the Master ask for you?" Jiang Qingyan followed behind Fu Ruyan, her expression somewhat uneasy.

"I don't know!" Fu Ruyan shook her head, though her complexion was much better than before.

She knew her own body best; ever since she took the medicine Jiang Jinshi gave her that day, her health had been improving day by day.

She hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time, and since she hadn't taken any other medicine during this period, she concluded that the medicine had taken effect.

Fu Ruyan hadn't expected that after the Fu family had spent so much silver on her illness without success, a tiny pill would finally cure her.

This further solidified Fu Ruyan's inner resolve; she would certainly not let down the other party's intentions, and she would organize this merchant caravan and make it grow larger and larger.

When Fu Ruyan stepped into the main hall, Third Master Fu was sitting upright on the grand armchair at the head, slowly skimming the tea foam.

He was about forty years old, sporting a three-strand long beard—the very image of a standard scholar-gentryman.

"Father." Fu Ruyan bowed; although her voice was soft, it was no longer as faint as a gossamer thread like before.

Third Master Fu raised his eyelids, his gaze lingering on his daughter's face for a moment, a flash of surprise appearing almost imperceptibly.

This girl's complexion seemed better than it had been a few days ago?

He remained calm on the surface and said indifferently, "Sit."

Fu Ruyan sat down, her back straight, her hands folded on her lap—a standard sitting posture for a young lady of a noble house.

The scholar-gentry families valued these etiquettes highly, so even though Fu Ruyan was frail, she had learned them to perfection to avoid being scolded by her father.

"I heard that recently, besides managing the Yunlai Inn, you have had some other interests?" Third Master Fu got straight to the point, though his tone sounded like a casual inquiry.

Fu Ruyan's heart tightened, but she maintained a calm expression: "Daughter is dull-witted and does not know what Father is referring to. Daughter reports the inn's accounts every month, and there have been no discrepancies."

To pave the way for her business, she had done some preliminary sales of the goods obtained from 'Jiang Shi', and the results were quite good; she just hadn't expected her father to notice.

"The inn is the inn." Third Master Fu put down his teacup. "I am talking about the fact that you seem to have privately obtained some excellent goods? Sugar, and... mirrors?"

As expected! The fingers in Fu Ruyan's sleeves curled. This had only been going on for two days, and she had been selective about who she sold to, after all, ordinary people couldn't afford rare items like mirrors.

She hadn't expected her father's intelligence network to be so well-informed.

"Yes."

Fu Ruyan no longer denied it; after all, denial was useless. She had known this day would come sooner or later!

"By chance, Daughter became acquainted with a merchant from the North and obtained some Northern specialties of decent quality. Thinking they were rare items, I decided to sell a few to test the waters."

"Decent quality?"

Third Master Fu gave a light hum and took a small paper packet from his sleeve; inside were a few crystals of sugar.

He then signaled the steward beside him to present a brocade box, which contained the very small mirror Fu Ruyan had sold.

"You call this 'decent quality'? Ruyan, do you take your father for some ignorant fool who doesn't know goods?"

Fu Ruyan looked at the sugar and the mirror, her heart clear as snow. Not only did her father know, but he had even obtained the items. It seemed his goal was very clear now, wasn't it?!

"Such strange treasures are worth a fortune. Why did that Northern merchant choose you specifically? And why did he only give you such a small amount of goods?"

Third Master Fu's voice carried a hint of anger. "What is your relationship with him? Do not forget, you are a daughter of the Fu family; every word and action concerns our family reputation!"

If this reprimanding tone had been used in the past, Fu Ruyan would likely have turned pale and begged for forgiveness in terror.

But at this moment, Fu Ruyan saw her father clearly.

What 'damaging the family reputation'? Wasn't it just wanting to seize the resources in her hands? Why bother speaking so sanctimoniously!

After all, her father didn't just have her as a daughter!

"Father, please observe clearly."

Fu Ruyan raised her eyes, for the first time not dodging his gaze. "Daughter and that Young Master Jiang are clean and upright, having only business dealings. He sought out Daughter, firstly because Daughter manages the inn and is slightly familiar with general affairs.

Secondly, perhaps because Daughter is a woman, making it convenient to act without attracting much attention. The small amount of goods provided was perhaps a test, or because it was our first cooperation, and he was being cautious.

Daughter purchased them at a fair price and did not dare to use the Fu family name for profit, nor did I engage in any illicit acts. How could this damage the family reputation?"

Her tone was steady and her logic clear. In the past, she could choose not to fight or compete, but for this matter alone, she had to fight for it no matter what.

"Business dealings?"

Third Master Fu tapped his fingers on the table. "Even if it is business, for a young lady of a noble house to show her face and interact with an outside merchant—what kind of decorum is that? Such goods have great profit; is this something you can handle? What if something goes wrong?"

He changed his tone, softening it with a hint of "thinking for your own good": "Father knows you perhaps want to share the family's burdens. How about this! Since this matter has already begun, let Father handle the follow-up.

As for that Young Master Jiang, Father can send capable people to liaise with him. Father will give you twenty percent of the profits from this batch of goods, and I will certainly not let you suffer a loss. Your health has just improved, so you should rest well and not worry about these matters anymore."

The fox finally revealed its tail; this was Third Master Fu's true goal!

Fu Ruyan hadn't seen ice crystal sugar before, but Third Master Fu had, so he naturally understood what a huge business opportunity it was.

Not to mention the mirror, a rare item never seen before. Relying on these two things, Third Master Fu's status in the Fu family would surely rise.

Twenty percent of the profits?

Fu Ruyan knew in her heart that if she really handed over this business, then from now on, this matter would have nothing to do with her.

She would remain just a frail, sickly young lady in the Fu family's back courtyard who needed to be carefully provided for, and who could be arranged or forgotten at any time.

Fortunately, Jiang Jinshi had given her enough confidence. Thinking of this, Fu Ruyan spoke up:

"Father! Since Daughter started this matter, Daughter should be the one to finish it. Young Master Jiang trusts Daughter, which is why he trades with me. Changing people halfway might cause a loss of credibility and could also cause the other party displeasure, leading to complications."

Third Master Fu naturally wouldn't believe any talk about changing people halfway causing displeasure; he just assumed his daughter didn't want to hand over the business.

He hadn't expected his usually obedient daughter to reject his arrangements to his face, and with such a clear attitude.

"Nonsense!"

Third Master Fu raised his voice, carrying the authority of a head of the household. "What do you know about doing business? The background of that Northern merchant is unclear, and his motives are unknown! Such great profit must have something complicated behind it!

For a young lady like you to get involved—what if you are used by others or dragged into some trouble? By then, it will be too late for regrets! Father is doing this for your own good, and for the sake of the Fu family!" ===== CHAPTER 313 =====