Chapter 48 Money

Chapter 48 Money

As Duan Yunlang entered, Xin You subconsciously glanced at the door.

Duan Yunlang reacted quickly: "Eldest Brother said he wants to review his books for a bit longer. Let's not wait for him and go back first."

"Alright."

Seeing Xin You agree, Duan Yunlang sighed in relief and, on the way back, remarked, "Cousin Qing, I heard about it. Someone set fire to the Bookstore the other day. Running a bookstore is so difficult!"

Xin You lifted the curtain of the carriage and smiled at the young man riding beside them: "Studying is also very hard."

Hearing this, Duan Yunlang immediately frowned, thinking about the upcoming monthly exams and sighing heavily.

"The Second Young Master and Cousin Lady have returned." With this announcement, the two walked into Ruyitang.

The Old Madam saw her granddaughter and grandson return together and a smile appeared on her face; she temporarily held back what she was going to say.

"Qingqing, come sit by your grandmother."

Xin You smiled and walked over to sit beside the Old Madam, showing no signs of the discord between them a few days ago.

"Are you accustomed to living outside?"

"Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. Everything is fine."

After such inquiries, Xin You went to pay respects to Second Lady Zhu in her courtyard before returning to Evening Serenity Abode.

Evening Serenity Abode was quiet. Although she had only been away for a short time, it felt strangely empty.

This feeling was broken by Xiaolian's shout: "Miss has returned."

Maidservants Wang Mama and Li Mama quickly came out and bowed to Xin You: "Miss."

Xiaolian wondered, "Where's Hansnow?"

Wang Mama cautiously replied, "Two days ago, Hansnow was transferred to the Old Madam's courtyard."

"Well, she must be lucky to catch the Old Madam's eye."

Hearing the sarcasm in Xiaolian's voice, Wang Mama remained silent.

"I heard her parents begged Yang Steward, who handles personnel transfers," said Li Mama this time.

Xin You glanced at Li Mama.

She remembered the hands that had choked Xiaolian in the scene. This Li Mama was Qiao's person, and with Qiao's dismissal, her influence in Shaoqing Mansion crumbled, leaving Li Mama as an insignificant presence in Evening Serenity Abode.

Li Mama's response intrigued Xin You.

Someone who was supposed to harm Xiaolian now seemed to be signaling loyalty. People's choices indeed change.

Xiaolian sneered, "She sure knows how to climb."

"People always aim higher," Xin You said calmly, stepping into the house.

Xiaolian did not follow but instead took out the key and opened the door of the storeroom, checking the inventory.

These items left behind were worth quite a lot. She would check them every time she returned to prevent anyone from getting ideas.

Just before noon, a message arrived from Ruyitang, inviting everyone to have lunch there.

Xin You tidied up and left, encountering Third Miss Duan Yunling, who was clearly waiting for her.

"Cousin Qing, how has it been at the Bookstore these past few days?"

"We encountered some minor troubles, but they've all been resolved."

Duan Yunling looked embarrassed: "I wanted to visit you, but Grandmother said Elder Sister and Second Sister were behaving improperly and told me to stay put."

Mentioning Duan Yunhua, Duan Yunling blinked and whispered, "Ever since Second Sister was punished and made to kneel in the ancestral hall, Grandmother forbade her from leaving the courtyard. You won't see her today, Cousin Qing."

Xin You didn't care whether she would see Duan Yunhua or not. The cousins chatted casually as they reached Ruyitang.

Lunch was laid out in the main hall. The Old Madam, Duan Shaoqing, Lady Zhu and her daughter, Duan Yunchen and Duan Yunlang, Xin You, and Duan Yunling were all present. Second Lord Duan Wenbo was absent due to business.

Everyone ate in silence. After the meal, while sipping tea, the Old Madam began asking questions.

"How are your studies, Chen'er and Lang'er?"

Duan Yunchen replied calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. My studies are fine."

Duan Yunlang, feeling guilty, laughed nervously and said, "They're okay too."

The Old Madam glanced at him: "You always say 'okay,' but when the results come out, you're dumbfounded."

Duan Yunlang hastily took a sip of tea and fell silent.

Knowing his grandmother, the more he spoke, the more scolding he'd receive.

The Old Madam's focus wasn't on Duan Yunlang. Turning her gaze to Xin You, she asked, "Qingqing, I heard someone set fire to the Bookstore?"

Xin You put down her teacup: "Yes, it happened. The culprit was handed over to the authorities, but we couldn't determine who instigated it."

"It's been said that running a bookstore isn't easy. There's so much to worry about inside and out."

Xin You slightly lowered her head, appearing obedient: "Qingqing understands now."

The Old Madam's lips curved upward: "How is the Bookstore's business?"

"The business is very quiet."

"Long ago I said—"

Before the old lady could advise her to return to Shaoqing Mansion, Xin You's eyes immediately welled up with tears. "Qingqing had thought too simply before, believing that such a large Bookstore would at least bring in some pocket money. But it turned out to be a loss. In just these few days, all the monthly savings have been used up. Grandmother, please give me some more money, or else the newly acquired Bookstore will have to close."

The smile on the old lady's lips froze.

Duan Shaoqing put down his teacup and frowned. "Qingqing, your grandmother is right. Running a Bookstore isn't easy; you, a young girl, can't handle it. You should come back home—"

Xin You pouted, feeling wronged. "Running a Bookstore isn't easy, but from the beginning, Qingqing didn't even have the capital to run it. Grandmother only gave me the money to buy the Bookstore."

Duan Yunlang was shocked. "Cousin Qingqing, you didn't bring any operating funds?"

Duan Shaoqing, already speechless from Xin You's words, was further infuriated by his nephew's remark.

What an idiot!

"Woodblock printing, buying stories, paying craftsmen, and various expenses—all require money," Xin You listed, looking pleadingly at the old lady. "Only after experiencing it did Qingqing realize that not only does one need money to buy the shop, but running it also requires capital."

Everyone around the table looked at the old lady.

There were still several grandchildren present, so the old lady, maintaining her dignity, took a deep breath and asked calmly, "How much do you need?"

"I think five thousand taels should be enough."

The old lady's hand trembled as she struggled to keep her composure. "Qingqing, you're young and don't understand money. Do you know how much five thousand taels is?"

"Qingqing knows. But if we spent twenty thousand taels to buy the Bookstore and then had to close it due to lack of operating funds, wouldn't that be a waste? It would be so disappointing."

Hearing the words "so disappointing," the old lady's temples throbbed, and she endured her frustration. "I'll give you two thousand taels. If you still can't manage, then close the Bookstore and come back home."

Xin You smiled. "Thank you, Grandmother."

On the way back to the Bookstore, Xiaolian looked at Xin You with admiration. "Miss, you're amazing! You got two thousand taels just from having a meal at Shaoqing Mansion!"