Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 279 - 115 Unmarried Men and Women
"Is the silver still manageable? If it’s not enough, take some from me!" Gu Chengyu calculated, and over the past three years, each year’s dividend amounted to 800 taels of silver, so it shouldn’t be insufficient.
"What use would a small shop have for so much silver? It’s just the herbs that are expensive; I plan to plant herbs in the fields this year. Just opened the shop, selling cheaper than other places, that’s the only way to find a path!"
Upon hearing this, Mr. Gu quickly waved his hand, "You can’t make it too cheap; otherwise, others might struggle in their business and come to trouble you! I can help with the herb planting, but manpower is scarce, better to plant only a few acres, I’ve heard some herbs are hard to grow! It’s not the same as planting crops!"
"I know, of course, I won’t make it much cheaper!"
After chatting for a while, Gu Chengchi took Mrs. Zhao back home.
Gu Chengyu greeted the family and Gu Chengli, preparing to go for a walk. Without bringing Ming Mo and the others, he walked alone along the field paths, watching the expansive fields, the verdant seedlings, and the villagers working in the fields, slowly making his way towards the foot of the mountain.
He sat by the large stone he often sat on as a child, from where he could see the entire Shangling Village. Leaning against a big tree, he marveled at how cool it was under its shade. Since starting school, he hadn’t been here, feeling that life was always so busy with many things to do, never stopping for a moment.
Inside the entrance of Shangling Village, there is a stone archway built when he became a scholar three years ago, as well as the Gu Family’s ancestral hall and the two courtyards of the Gu Family. These were changes in Shangling Village since he came to the Dayan Dynasty, and maybe he would leave more marks of his own in this world.
As Gu Chengyu watched, he suddenly felt his mind open up. Then he picked up a branch from the ground and started scribbling. After more than an hour, Gu Chengyu looked at his writings; the joy on his face was hard to conceal, his writing possessed a more grandiose and majestic aura than before. It’s a pity branches can’t draw; otherwise, he could surely sketch the full view of Shangling Village.
His writing and drawing had not improved for a long time, but surprisingly, revisiting this old place had yielded such gains? After sitting for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Gu Chengyu got up, ready to return.
When Gu Chengyu returned to the courtyard, he happened to meet Ming Mo coming his way.
"Young Master, Mr. Sun is here!" Ming Mo had sweat beads on his forehead; he had searched almost half the village for Gu Chengyu, who only mentioned going for a walk without specifying where he went.
"Oh? Where is he?" Gu Chengyu wasn’t surprised; after all, it wouldn’t be long before heading to the Capital, so taking the time to see his fiancée was normal.
"He has already gone to the inner courtyard, accompanied by the old master!"
Gu Chengyu nodded and headed towards the inner courtyard, looking at the houses on either side. Gu Chengyu suddenly felt that as the ancestral home of the Gu Family, this house was still too small. But there were people living around, so expanding the courtyard seemed impossible.
If only he had bought the plot at the foot of the mountain earlier, he could have built a house with three courtyards. The various families squeezing into one place, having split the household, always felt inconvenient.
Moreover, this house would belong to his elder brother in the future; it seems necessary to build a new residence elsewhere. Although he owned a house in the Prefecture, Shangling Village was his foundation. To ensure a spacious place to stay when he returns, he should build a large house; after all, money is not an issue.
"Where did you go just now? Ming Mo was looking everywhere for you." Sun Xian sat on a chair in the main hall, drinking tea, and said with a smile when he saw Gu Chengyu entering the courtyard.
"Just went for a walk. Why? You don’t need to help your mother?" Gu Chengyu sat next to Sun Xian. The two were already familiar, almost family, so they didn’t need formalities; such empty courtesies were long dispensed with.
Three years ago, Gu Chengyu introduced Sun Family’s pickles to the restaurant, which was well-received; since then, Sun Family had been supplying pickles to the restaurant annually. A small jar of pickles ranged from 500 wen to 1 tael of silver, and over the past two years, Sun’s mother had developed more varieties.
The cheapest included radish strips and cabbage, while pricier ones included cucumbers, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, etc. Additionally, Sun’s mother had made some sweet and spicy sauces, earning quite a bit of silver these past two years. The courtyard of Sun Family was piled high with jars, so much so that Sun’s mother couldn’t handle it alone and had to hire village women for help.
"Today’s batch is already pickling; home has recruited two aunties. My mother said she doesn’t need my help. We have to thank you for this; without your restaurant selling them, how could my family have sold them? And earned so much silver?"
In the past, Sun Xian thought about how to repay Gu Chengyu, only to find the debt of gratitude growing larger.
"How many times have you said this? Enough already! Your family’s doing well, that’s all that matters. Besides, with your family’s pickles, the restaurant’s business has improved a lot!" Gu Chengyu saw Sun Xian thanking him again and felt compelled to speak up comfortingly.
Actually, Sun Xian knew well, Gu Chengyu was just looking for a livelihood for his family, and the restaurant’s business thrived even without their pickles; they were merely the finishing touch!
After chatting for a while, Sun Xian grew a bit restless. Gu Chengyu watched Sun Xian, who seemed unable to sit still, and couldn’t help but smile.
"Brother Xian, stay for dinner tonight and spend the night at our place." Mrs. Lv came over from the kitchen, laughingly.
"Thank you, auntie! It’s trouble for you! I always bring you inconvenience when I come." Sun Xian was still shy when facing his future mother-in-law, afraid that a misstep might make her dissatisfied.
He had been here for quite a while but hadn’t seen Gu Wan. While it wasn’t impossible for engaged couples to meet under the supervision of elders, Gu Wan was learning proper behavior that afternoon, so she hadn’t come to the main hall yet.
Of course, Sun Xian wanted to stay at the Gu Family for dinner; it was a legitimate opportunity to see Gu Wan, although they wouldn’t be eating at the same table.
By dinner time, Gu Wan finally arrived, and Sun Xian’s gaze instantly turned toward her.
Gu Wan was already fifteen, and two months from now, she would come of age. Unfortunately, Gu Chengyu and the others would miss her coming-of-age ceremony.
She was dressed in a crimson floral jacket with blue pleated skirt, her hair styled in a hanging coil with pearl flower and a hairpin. Her skin was fair and ruddy, looking exceptionally beautiful.
Sun Xian couldn’t take his eyes off her after just one glance. Having learned proprieties from Dumb Granny, Gu Wan seemed no different from a lady of noble family now.
Gu Wan walked gracefully with delicate steps. Upon entering the main hall, she saw Sun Xian sitting inside, blushing instantly, she turned her head quickly and walked towards Mr. Gu. But that glance, in Sun Xian’s eyes, held endless charm; her graceful figure and delicate face stirred his heart.
Gu Chengyu saw all this but had to speak up as a reminder, "Ahem!" He and his father were still here! This Sun Xian, dared to behave like this in front of his future father-in-law?
