Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 497 - 501: Handling Affairs (6)

"Mr. Song?" Speaking with such gravity, the First Master didn’t react right away, thinking it might be some renowned scholar he hadn’t heard of before. He glanced at Xiqiu, who smiled and explained, "It is Mr. Song Yuanzheng from Changzhou, a scholar from 1519, currently teaching some children at the mansion."

It was then that the First Master understood. Min was trying to raise his teacher’s status intentionally, leading him to nod in agreement, "Since you are under such tutelage, you must study diligently and not disappoint your parents and teacher!"

"I will remember Grandfather’s teachings!" Min replied respectfully.

The First Master nodded with satisfaction and presented a set of scholarly items as a gift, which Min accepted with respect.

Xiqiu then turned to salute Tong Shen Zhi, and also to Jiang Shilin and Ren Jun, before leading Min to sit beside Tong Xiyan and Tong Xiyang.

Tong Quanzhi and Tong Minzhi both stood up to salute Xiqiu. They were visibly pleased to see Min, and the three exchanged looks, communicating without words.

"... Whether it’s the sea ban or the military parade, it’s clear that the Emperor intends to make significant movements." The First Master stroked his beard and frowned as he spoke.

Jiang Shilin responded first, nodding in agreement, "Tomorrow is the day for the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ bidding; it’s likely to cause quite a stir." Not just porcelain and manufacturing, even down to small items like needles and threads, everything needs a new supplier.

The First Master nodded, "On my journey, I noticed the competition was especially fierce, particularly in the Yuhang area, with merchants trying all possible means to secure their positions."

Everyone wants a share of the imperial business. Not only is there a large demand and high profit from supplying the royal household, but it also signifies reputation and quality, and becoming an Imperial Merchant elevates a family’s status immensely.

Xiqiu listened intently to their conversation.

Jiang Shilin nodded and suddenly turned to ask Ren Jun, "I heard your brother-in-law’s restaurant business is thriving, and he has rented a thousand acres in Jiangnan for greenhouse vegetables. Did he submit a bid to the palace?"

Ren Jun waved dismissively, "Selling food to the common people is one thing, but it’s better to steer clear of palace business to avoid trouble without profit!"

The First Master frowned in distaste.

Jiang Shilin coughed slightly and forced a smile, "That makes sense, that makes sense!"

Tong Xiyan wasn’t interested in their discussion about the court and turned to Xiqiu, "I heard you and Nurse Zhang plan to open a pharmacy together. Is that true?"

"It’s an idea, but it hasn’t taken shape yet," Xiqiu replied with a smile. She noticed Tong Quanzhi and Tong Minzhi gesturing for Min to join them, to which Min looked at Xiqiu for permission. Xiqiu nodded, and Min happily went over to Tong Minzhi.

The three of them got up one by one, greeted the First Master, and left to play.

Tong Xiyan said with a smile, "Running a pharmacy isn’t easy, but with Nurse Zhang managing it, I’m sure business will be fine." After a pause, he continued, "I was actually thinking of discussing this with you; I plan to open a small embroidery shop on East Street. Just a small one, for wedding garments and children’s clothes. I’ve observed that, although there are some embroidery shops like the Brocade Pavilion, they mostly sell embroidery along with jewelry, catering mainly to women. If I focus on weddings, children, and men’s attire, the competition should be less fierce."

Xiqiu thought carefully about it and found the idea feasible, "That’s a good idea. If you can find a suitable shop, it doesn’t need to be large, and I’m sure business will be good." Back when Tong Xiyang, Tong Xiyan’s marriage garments were commissioned from an embroideress, families without an embroideress in-house would buy from outside. However, they feared others would gossip about their purchase. If the shop could offer delivery and confidentiality for customers, there would undoubtedly be a market.

"I originally wanted to collaborate with you, so I wouldn’t have to worry and just take the money, but if you’re not doing it, I don’t want to handle it alone." Tong Xiyan remarked with disinterest.

Xiqiu chuckled, "Where’s the sense in that, expecting to ride on someone’s coattails?" After a pause, she added, "But I truly can’t spare time for anything else right now. You should see if there’s anyone else suitable."

Tong Xiyan nodded and sighed, "I’ll think about it."

Tong Xiyang sat nearby, sipping tea, and with a mocking and disdainful expression, said, "If Fourth Sister wants to start a business, will Old Madam Jiang permit it? I think it’s best to ask Old Master Jiang first."

Xiqiu was taken aback, hearing Xiyang imply that Tong Xiyan’s relationship with her mother-in-law might not be good?

Tong Xiyan frowned and retorted, "Third Sister should manage her affairs; I heard your husband recently brought a singer from Drunken Immortal Pavilion and made her a concubine? Congratulations, is there still room in the backyard?"

"You!" Tong Xiyang’s face turned red with anger. Seeing them about to quarrel, Xiqiu interjected with a smile, "Where’s Sister-in-law? I haven’t seen her since I arrived."

"She’s in her room. She wasn’t feeling well this morning, and Madam Jiang made her stay in bed. She’s lying down now." Tong Xiyan glared at Xiyang before turning to speak to Xiqiu.

Xiqiu was shocked and asked, "Has a doctor seen her? The first three months are critical."

"Yes, the doctor said she’s just tired and needs rest," was the reply.

Relieved, Xiqiu stood up, "I’ll go check on her." Tong Xiyan stood up to accompany her, "I’ll go with you."

They thus left Xiyang behind.

As Xiyang also got up, she smiled at Xiqiu and said, "I’ll go with Sixth Sister to see Sister-in-law too. It’s been a while since I last visited her."

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow and smiled, agreeing as they took their leave from the First Master and the rest and headed to Madam Jiang’s courtyard. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

On the way, Xiyang spoke to Xiqiu with a strange tone, "The Hu Family’s recent issues caused quite a stir in the city. Sixth Sister, weren’t you too careless? How could you associate with such a family, lowering your own status?"

"That’s in the past," Xiqiu said calmly, "How’s your health, Third Sister? I heard the Count wasn’t well, and you haven’t visited. Is he better?"

Evidently, Xiqiu didn’t want to discuss family matters. Xiyang pursed her lips, but as the Count was mentioned, she showed genuine concern, "No, he’s taking medicine every day."

Xiyang genuinely respected the Count. As long as he was around, the Marquis Mansion was complete, and despite Ren Jun’s antics, no one dared to suggest dividing the family. However, if the Count passed one day and with the family title inherited by the master of the Ren Family, the third branch of the family might not only have to move out but also receive little of the family’s wealth.

With Ren Jun’s temperament, if they were evicted from the Marquis Mansion, even with the Drunken Immortal Pavilion and some shop income, it wouldn’t be enough to support a courtyard full of children, women, and concubines. The future would be easy to foresee.

Every time Xiyang thought of this, she wished she could ease the Count’s illness.

Xiyang fell silent, and Xiqiu didn’t attempt to engage her in conversation again.

When they arrived at Madam Jiang’s courtyard, they hadn’t even entered when they heard faint sobbing from within, and Madam Jiang’s helpless voice comforting, "Blessing or hardship, it’s all your fate!"