Chapter 0068 Private Matters

Chapter 0068 Private Matters

A good night's sleep brought a fine day. In the early morning, a gentle breeze blew, making it quite refreshing.

It felt comfortable, but in reality, the weather turning cool in June was not a good omen. It only indicated that this year would be another cold one, with winter arriving earlier than usual.

The feeling of being at home after traveling is different. The tension in his heart eased, and Xiao Rong did not dream all night. He woke up just as the sky began to lighten, having slept little but feeling no fatigue.

The first thing he did after getting up was brush his teeth with willow twigs. He couldn't help but marvel at the wisdom of the ancients; they had managed to invent toothpaste so soon after leaving slavery.

However, this toothpaste was different from what Xiao Rong knew. Its ingredients were all herbal, it didn't foam, lacked the minty freshness, and tasted slightly bitter. While its cleaning power was somewhat lacking, it excelled in addressing oral health issues.

Since using this toothpaste, Xiao Rong had not experienced any more bleeding gums.

This wasn't something easily obtainable; it was a gift from Yu Shaoxie. They called it *Fuling Fragrance*, which was part of the dowry Yu Shaoxie's mother brought from her family.

As expected of a noble family, even a recipe could be considered a dowry.

Xiao Rong had once hinted to Yu Shaoxie about selling this toothpaste. He suggested opening a shop for Yu Shaoxie, splitting the profits equally between the Yu family and the government. Yu Shaoxie found it amusing rather than offensive, thinking Xiao Rong's constant pursuit of profit was... truly straightforward.

But Yu Shaoxie told him it couldn't be sold. If his maternal family discovered the recipe leaking out, not only his mother but also his maternal relatives would face severe punishment, ranging from expulsion to disownment.

This was just a minor example of how some noble families operated, isolated and self-governed, often disregarding laws.

Yu Shaoxie's mother had passed away giving birth to Yu Shaocheng, and the Yu family had been declining for over a decade. Even though Yu Shaoxie and his brother had almost forgotten what their maternal family looked like, blood ties bound them forever.

This phenomenon seemed inhumane, but it had reasons. Large families had better survival rates during disasters, banding together to survive harsh conditions.

Now that Xiao Rong had sufficient emergency funds, he no longer needed to think about profiting from small items. Yet, staring at the *Fuling Fragrance* in the porcelain dish, his gaze sharpened.

For Yu Shaoxie's maternal family, *Fuling Fragrance* was like the Xiangong Paper for the Xiao family in Linchuan. Both were their prized assets, indispensable to their livelihoods, and outsiders could not touch them.

Yu Shaoxie's maternal family would even execute their own members to protect this secret, while the Xiao family's influence was far greater. If the Xiao family acted seriously, Xiao Rong's current scale and connections would struggle.

But whether building a library or developing the imperial exams, they needed paper, and its price must be reduced. The paper industry must involve the Northern Pacification Army.

Previously, Xiao Rong had no good solution and had to put the idea aside. But this morning, a sudden insight struck him, realizing his position was no longer passive.

With a light laugh, he finished rinsing his mouth and hummed a tune as he left.

Ah Shu: "???"

What song was Master humming? Why had he never heard it before?

Since he woke up early, Xiao Rong didn't rush into work. He first checked on the projects he had assigned before leaving.

Treasure Street was overseen by Jian Qiao. When Xiao Rong left, it was still just foundations, but now it was taking shape. The street was six hundred feet long, longer than most commercial streets. However, due to the limited construction techniques of the Northern Pacification Army, most buildings were single-story, with only the core area having two-story structures.

When the first shops were completed, the wealthy clans came to see. They marveled at the design, which eliminated windows and replaced them with doors along the street side. Each wall could have six doors, all open when doing business, allowing customers to see the merchandise inside.

Additionally, flower beds were reserved in front of each shop, where proprietors could plant flowers or display samples. Across from the flower beds, near the river, square spaces were set aside for stone tables, wooden stools, pavilions, and swings for customer rest.

In reality, attracting wealthy patrons was the true purpose. The most leisurely group in the city were rich wives and retired officials. Making Treasure Street attractive would naturally draw them, leading to more sales.

The wealthy clans understood Xiao Rong's intentions and were even more satisfied seeing the details. There were even dedicated garbage chutes, with Xiao Lingyin promising daily collection!

This was a luxury previously seen only in Chang'an, yet now available in Chenliu. And these shops were rent-free! If only taxes were waived too...

Xiao Rong: Dream on. Anyone who doesn't pay taxes will be kicked out with their goods.

Seeing the progress, Xiao Rong left without disturbing anyone.

Next, he visited Yu Shaoxie, who had just woken up. Upon hearing Xiao Rong's arrival, Yu Shaoxie knew why he came.

He was definitely here to ask about the play script's progress.

Previously, Xiao Rong had asked Yu Shaoxie to find a penniless and unscrupulous scholar to write the story. Yu Shaoxie found one and checked on the progress daily. Due to Xiao Rong's urgency, there was a theater on Treasure Street, near the square, reserved for Xiao Rong's personal use. It was the tallest building, two and a half stories high, and would open simultaneously with the completion of Treasure Street and the launch of the literary collection.

Without swallowing his tea, Yu Shaoxie hurriedly presented the first three acts. A good script usually took years, but Xiao Rong wanted a fast product. Yu Shaoxie had no choice but to comply.

Honestly, Yu Shaoxie had never seen such a crude work. He would likely lose his temper watching the first act.

But as Xiao Rong read, his eyebrows raised higher. He nodded continuously, "Well written. This person is talented."

Yu Shaoxie: "...Are you serious?"

Xiao Rong was indeed serious. He smiled, "This person must have experienced much hardship, capturing the voices of the poor. It's excellent, without any pretentiousness, and every line rhymes. Given that it took only half a month, it shows efficiency. I'll take these three acts. One act per ten days, three acts for a month. But actors need time to rehearse, so let him deliver one act every first and fifteenth day. I'll reward him based on ticket sales. Rewards breed motivation."

Yu Shaoxie: "......"

He genuinely couldn't understand, "Does Brother Xiao really find this script so exquisite? It's clearly rough and sounds like doggerel—"

Xiao Rong winked, "But the common people can only understand doggerel."

Yu Shaoxie paused, still shaking his head, "I understand your eagerness to win the people's hearts, but the literary collection will soon begin. If scholars learn that you own this theater and it performs such vulgar lyrics, this—"

This was the second time Yu Shaoxie hesitated, restraining his temper due to his fondness for Xiao Rong. Each hesitation meant swallowing sharp words.

Xiao Rong fell silent for a moment before asking, "Why did Brother Yu join the Northern Pacification Army?"

The topic shifted too quickly, and Yu Shaoxie was taken aback before answering, "The King is valiant, and the Northern Pacification Army is at its peak. Looking across the Central Plains, The King is the only one who can rival Southern Yong."

Xiao Rong: "If The King and the Northern Pacification Army had a slightly more noble origin, it would be perfect."

After a few moments, Yu Shaoxie realized that Xiao Rong was continuing his thoughts in his own voice.

Yu Shaoxie couldn't help but frown, while Xiao Rong merely smiled faintly. "Actually, The King's humble origins are an ironclad fact, and there's no need to hide or deny it. If you want to find someone with worse origins than The King, you'd only find bandits and robbers."

Yu Shaoxie: "……"

Xiao Rong paused, then continued, "But this isn't a bad thing. Because The King comes from humble beginnings, he can accept the majority of people seeking refuge. Look around the Northern Pacification Army—there are criminals, refugees, foreigners, fallen aristocrats, Buddhist disciples, and even eldest sons of noble families. Such a combination would be unheard of elsewhere, but here, under The King, it exists because The King, with his lowly origins, is highly tolerant. He doesn't care about others' pasts. So why can't Brother Yu, with your high birth, do the same?"

Yu Shaoxie stared at him blankly. Xiao Rong smiled again, then stood up. He waved the play script at Yu Shaoxie and turned to leave. ...

Xiao Rong appeared calm, but after leaving Yu Shaoxie, he felt somewhat troubled.

He knew what kind of person Yu Shaoxie was—a typical scholar whose thoughts aligned closely with other scholars. Elevating one class inevitably meant belittling another, so it wasn't surprising that he believed scholars were superior. Xiao Rong used to let such comments pass without comment, knowing that trying to change Yu Shaoxie's mind was unlikely and might create awkwardness between them.

In summary, he shouldn't have said those things; brushing them off would have been better. ... But now it was too late; he had already spoken.

Xiao Rong didn't know why, but as soon as he heard Yu Shaoxie's remarks, he couldn't help but speak up. Even folk poems that commoners enjoyed were unbearable to him, so how could Qu Yunmie, who disliked even those, be viewed?

Moreover, Yu Shaoxie never contradicted himself, but he had a different attitude when facing Qu Yunmie. Although Yu Shaoxie rarely harshly criticized Qu Yunmie recently, if something displeased him, he still spoke bluntly.

Qu Yunmie was used to this and usually ignored it or dismissed it. Xiao Rong hadn't noticed this before, but today he suddenly realized something.

He thought Yu Shaoxie criticized Qu Yunmie because he was particularly righteous, but he wasn't like that with everyone. Why? Was it because he thought Qu Yunmie was uneducated, ignorant, and unfit for his position, which made him angry every time they met?

If Yu Shaoxie thought this way, it wasn't entirely wrong, as Qu Yunmie's governance skills were indeed lacking. Feeling frustrated was understandable, but suddenly, Xiao Rong found Yu Shaoxie's attitude intolerable.

Even though Qu Yunmie was improving, Yu Shaoxie still treated him the same way, which annoyed Xiao Rong slightly.

On one hand, Xiao Rong felt relieved; on the other, he regretted it. Regardless of Yu Shaoxie's views, he was a practical worker in the Northern Pacification Army and treated Xiao Rong well, genuinely considering him a friend.

Xiao Rong sighed heavily, leaning against a rockery, absentmindedly plucking leaves from the vines hanging down. As he was lost in thought, a child walked by. Xiao Rong glanced over and then looked away.

A second later, he suddenly realized it was Danran. Why would she be here at this time? Shouldn't she be helping at Huichuntang?

Xiao Rong was startled and hurried over. Hearing him call her name, Danran turned around, smiling happily. "It's been a while, Mr. Xiao."

Xiao Rong looked at the basket she was carrying. "Why is Miss Danran here at this hour?"

Danran: "That Luo asked me to deliver medicine to Minji. He left in a hurry yesterday and forgot to take it."

Xiao Rong repeated her words. "Yesterday?"

Danran looked at him curiously. "Yes, last night Minji visited That Luo and chatted for a long time. I was so sleepy, but their conversation kept going. This morning, I almost overslept, and That Luo teased me, calling me a little pig."

Xiao Rong: "……"

He stared at Danran, then abruptly turned and strode toward Qu Yunmie's residence.

Danran was stunned, unsure what had happened, but she felt a sudden unease.

A moment later, she heard Minji's angry shout: "Danran!!!"

In the next instant, Danran ran off, of course, in the opposite direction of Qu Yunmie. ...

Inside Qu Yunmie's bedroom.

Xiao Rong, with one hand on his hip and the other pointing at Qu Yunmie, said, "Don't blame Miss Danran!"

Qu Yunmie: "……"

He sat silently, not saying a word.

Xiao Rong: "How did The King promise? To rest properly in Chenliu, not go to the training grounds until fully recovered, and the Butou clan lives farther than the training grounds, where even riding horses is forbidden!"

Qu Yunmie tried to lie. "Luo Wu was staying at the medical hall..."

Xiao Rong angrily retorted, "Don't think I don't know. Chief Agusega takes Danran back to see her mother every day!"

Qu Yunmie: "…………"

Indeed, he had no secrets.

Damn Danran, why does she tell everything!

Realizing there was no salvaging the situation, Qu Yunmie admitted reluctantly, "Yes, I went out of town. Staying in the palace bored me, and besides, this injury—"

Before he could finish, he saw Xiao Rong's sharp gaze, as if daring him to say the injury was minor.

Qu Yunmie: "……This injury is almost healed. With caution, there won't be any problems."

Xiao Rong crossed his arms, moving his shoulder, then looked at Qu Yunmie suspiciously after a while. "Really?"

Qu Yunmie nodded vigorously, lifting his robe to show him. "I haven't bled since yesterday."

Xiao Rong: "……"

No bleeding and being almost healed were two different things, but at least it showed the wound was healing.

Xiao Rong's expression improved slightly, and Qu Yunmie, seeing this, slowly relaxed. However, before he could fully relax, he heard Xiao Rong say, "Since The King finds idleness so boring, I'll entrust some official duties to you."

At the mention of official duties, Qu Yunmie's head ached, and he wanted to refuse, but Xiao Rong glared at him darkly. "So The King wants to stay in bed?"

Qu Yunmie: "……" No.

He agreed lifelessly, but he never expected that the first official task Xiao Rong assigned him was to take Danran out to play for the day tomorrow, with two conditions: no leaving the city and no riding horses.

Qu Yunmie: "…………"

What kind of official business is this??

Have you been bewitched by that girl? Wake up, she's not as innocent as she looks. You'll see if you get to know her longer; she'll spill all your private affairs to the whole city. Believe me, believe me!!

Author's note: