Chapter 317: Take a look, what did she see?

He Jinglan tilted her body to look at Gu Xixi.

Then you just lose one for me to see.

Anyway, I've already gotten my dowry in hand; if I unfortunately lose it all, that's fine—I still don't want to get married.

Gu Xixi couldn't help laughing, "You don't want to get married?"

In the Jinwu Guard, our old friend surnamed Meng—what does he amount to?

He Jinglan feigned ignorance, "An old friend is just an old friend—what else could it be?"

Gu Xixi smiled helplessly and shook her head, "How do I feel like you're setting a trap for me?"

The more you say it's fine if we lose everything, the more I can't help but worry.

He Jinglan finally couldn't hold back laughter and said, "Can't we both just drop the act?"

I know you're confident, and I've also made full preparations. This shop is mine, so even if we lose money, we won't lose much. Let's go all out.

Besides, we already agreed you'd be the second partner—don't try to put on airs now!

Gu Xixi smiled, "All right, seeing how eager you are to make money, I'll give you all the recipes when we return to the inn. Thirty-six sheets, including some spring‑summer seasonal ones—enough for you to start the shop."

He Jinglan was both surprised and delighted, "You've finished all the recipes?"

And yet you're still saying you're afraid of this and that, when you've clearly already prepared.

Gu Xixi smiled without saying a word.

Even before He Jinglan returned to the capital, Gu Xixi had started writing the sugar‑water recipes.

Besides the types she had already made successfully, she added pearl milk tea, flower milk tea, and fu‑tea milk tea, among others, and adjusted the formulas for kumquat black tea and sour plum tea to upgrade them.

For each recipe, Gu Xixi personally made it and determined the taste based on her experience drinking so many beverages.

The final thirty‑six sugar‑water recipes are all flavors she has tried from various milk‑tea shops and bottled drinks that have stood the test of time and are widely praised.

It's a pity that a certain happy drink can't be reproduced; otherwise, once launched it would surely cause a sensation in the capital.

But confidence is confidence—Gu Xixi won't get overconfident this early.

After all, she has no business experience; she's just looking at it from a consumer's perspective, and the reasons a shop is popular or not are complex.

Is the shop's exterior appearance and interior decoration attractive?

What's the style like? What consumer group does the positioning attract?

How should we price it? How should we promote it?

Every little detail is a subject of study.

Gu Xixi recommended that He Jinglan hire a manager with experience running a tea house.

He Jinglan replied cheerfully, "It's just poaching staff—easy. Besides, we still need to hire assistants; we can arrange that together."

Besides the interior and exterior decoration, we'll figure it out together—I'll draw the plans tonight and have people measure and start construction tomorrow.

Gu Xixi sighed, "Are you really in such a hurry?"

He Jinglan laughed, "Since we're here, doing a bit more is still progress."

I also want to have you personally cut the ribbon to open our sugar‑water shop before you go home.

The two of them stayed in the shop for an afternoon.

During that time, the coachman Lao Li delivered a packed meal from a nearby restaurant.

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan ate, then kept working, and finally settled on a basic renovation plan for each part of the shop.

The remaining interior furnishings, fixtures, and decorations can be gradually refined later.

On the carriage back, Gu Xixi was still thinking.

They say it's hard to please everyone—I'm not entirely sure whether I can win over the locals.

It would be best to find more people to sample the drinks before opening.

"Hmm……" He Jinglan frowned in thought, then suddenly understood.

I have a way.

She first kept it a secret, "You go about your business—I'll take care of this."

At the inn's entrance, He Jinglan got out of the carriage and followed Gu Xixi inside.

Gu Xixi looked at her in surprise, "It's already late—aren't you going home?"

"Sure," He Jinglan said matter‑of‑factly, "Take your luggage and come back with me."

Gu Xixi tried to reason, "I'm quite comfortable living here—it's convenient for visiting various tea houses and tea shops."

He Jinglan smiled, "My home isn't far from here either—it won't interfere with your affairs."

Living at one's own home is quiet, safe, and clean.

Gu Xixi didn't want to impose on others' homes, "But……"

"No buts!" He Jinglan declared firmly, "It's settled like this."

She went upstairs, entered Gu Xixi's room without invitation to pack up her belongings, then knocked on the door opposite.

After He Jinglan stated her purpose, An Qinghe was in high spirits, "Before we stayed at Xixi's place; now we'll take turns staying at your place—I think that's great."

He glanced at Gu Xixi and added, "As long as Xixi goes, I'll go too."

Jiang Mingyuan and He Jinglan had only met once from a distance, never even spoken, so naturally they weren't as close as An Qinghe.

He clasped his hands politely and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss He, but I really can't impose."

He Jinglan stared at Jiang Mingyuan, the corners of her mouth turning up, "You're avoiding suspicion—do you know who my older brother is? If you set foot in my family's gate, you'll be branded with the He family's mark."

"Or perhaps, Young Master Jiang, you've already picked out which official you want to become a disciple of?"

At such moments, He Jinglan still reveals the sharpness of a noble clan's daughter.

And despite this obvious investigative intent, Jiang Mingyuan remains calm and unhurried.

"I come from the northwest; in the capital I have no connections, and I don't think I have the ability to climb any heavenly ladder."

So lately I just want to shut the door and study.

He looked at He Jinglan, his eyes clear, without any sign of wavering.

I have long heard of Sir He's fine reputation; my heart longs for it. If I get a chance to meet you in person and seek your guidance, I, Jiang, would be deeply honored.

After the spring examinations announce the results, if Sir He does not disdain me, I will certainly come to pay a formal visit.

The answer was neither humble nor arrogant, and also showed worldly wisdom.

He Jinglan's attitude toward Jiang Mingyuan also turned solemn: "All right, then I will wish you success in your hopes, and may you directly become an imperial examination graduate."

Jiang Mingyuan returned the salute with clasped hands.

As he was leaving, He Jinglan told Jiang Mingyuan that if he encountered any difficulties, he should go to Xiao He Fu to look for Gu Xixi.

An Qinghe also said he would often come to the inn to see Jiang Mingyuan, so everyone wouldn't have to worry.

Gu Xixi rode in He Jinglan's carriage, while An Qinghe drove the empty carriage behind.

Xiao He Fu is located in Tong Hua Fang, separate from the old He family residence area in the Capital City.

Tong Hua Fang is very close to the Imperial City; most residents here are officials and gentry, especially on the street where Xiao He Fu is located.

Just as the carriage turned the corner, Gu Xixi felt that the surroundings were noticeably quieter than outside.

Faintly seeing a place with bright lights outside, she curiously lifted the curtain to look.

Only saw that outside the manor's gate stood several guards, with over ten bright lanterns hung high, illuminating the surroundings brightly.

Above, the plaque plainly read: Regent Prince's Manor.

Gu Xixi froze, her mind automatically translating it into two words: Underworld.

Behind her, He Jinglan was as quiet as a quail.

From behind the carriage came An Qinghe's excited voice: "Is this the Regent Prince's Manor?"

Only when Gu Xixi turned around, looking as if she had lost her soul, did He Jinglan hurriedly clarify, "I'm not trying to trick you into going to his house! It's just that we live nearby…… that's all."

Gu Xixi dazed for a moment, then suddenly grabbed He Jinglan's shoulder and shook it, "Why didn't you tell me before we set out?!"

He Jinglan looked aggrieved: "If I had told you, could you have come home with me?"