Chapter 158: The Coveted Miss Kou

Chapter 158: The Coveted Miss Kou

In taverns and teahouses, people were buzzing with the latest gossip.

"Have you heard? Miss Kou from the Duan family at Shaoqing Mansion owns over a dozen shops!"

"Over a dozen? No way!"

"How could that be false? Yesterday, Miss Kou went to inspect these shops, and many people saw her with their own eyes. The Xingbao Building in East City, the tailor shop in the north, and the teahouse in West City."

Listening to someone with an excellent memory list off all the shops Miss Kou owned, people were stunned.

"Miss Kou has such wealth; even the daughters of prime ministers might not be as rich as she is!"

Marrying Miss Kou would ensure three generations of prosperity!

As the news spread, this thought sprouted in countless minds.

The old lady, hearing the news from the steward who had gone out to buy supplies, immediately frowned and sent someone to Qingsong Bookstore to find Xin You.

That day, business at the bookstore was unusually brisk.

Liu Zhou, whose bottom still ached from yesterday's carriage ride, complained to Manager Hu during a lull, "I thought we'd have a quiet day today. Why are there so many people suddenly?"

Qingsong Bookstore was well-known in the capital. With the opposite bookstore closed, they usually did good business, but it couldn't compare to the crowds during the release of new novels. Today, however, the number of customers surged unexpectedly.

Manager Hu, a shrewd observer, raised an eyebrow. "It's probably because people heard that the owner has so many shops and came to see for themselves."

Some of them might even hope to catch the owner's attention, dreaming of marrying into a mountain of gold.

Thinking about these people's intentions made Manager Hu angry.

Why do they all have designs on the owner? Can't they let the owner run the business in peace?

It was in this context that the maid from Shaoqing Mansion squeezed her way to Manager Hu.

"I'm from Shaoqing Mansion. I've been sent by the old lady to invite the young miss to return for a visit."

Soon after, Xin You received the message and left directly from the eastern courtyard, boarding the carriage back to Shaoqing Mansion.

As soon as she entered Ruyitang, Xin You gracefully bowed. "Grandmother."

Though the old lady was seething inside, she didn't show it on her face, smiling and inviting her to sit down.

"Qingqing, what's going on with those rumors outside?"

Before this year, her granddaughter rarely went out, and people hardly noticed that Shaoqing Mansion had a cousin. This year, the girl caused quite a stir, but being an orphan made it difficult for most families to consider her seriously.

But now, things were different. A young girl owning over a dozen shops, with a father who, though deceased, had been a legitimate official through the imperial examinations, meant her background wasn't a hindrance. Marrying such a daughter-in-law would bring significant wealth, even if her family couldn't provide additional support.

For some families, the lack of a powerful maternal clan might even be a plus.

The old lady could imagine that many people would start having designs on her granddaughter, which was naturally distressing for her, as she wanted to keep her granddaughter at Shaoqing Mansion.

"What rumors? What are you talking about?"

The girl's bewildered expression made the old lady pause, suppressing her anger. "How did everyone outside know you have over a dozen shops to manage?"

Xin You smiled. "Grandmother, you're asking about that. As you know, I don't have many reliable people to help me. I thought the bookstore manager was loyal and trustworthy, so I took him to check on the shops to share the workload. I didn't expect so many curious people to make it a big deal."

With winter approaching, more people had free time, and gossip indeed spread faster.

The old lady frowned. "Wealth stirs hearts. This kind of news spreading widely won't do you any good."

Xin You pursed her lips, looking obedient. "How could it not be good? People are praising Grandmother and Uncle for being kind to me, and Shaoqing Mansion for being generous. Qingqing gained wealth, and Shaoqing Mansion gained a good reputation. I think it's a win-win, don't you agree, Grandmother?"

The old lady was momentarily speechless, her lips trembling. "Grandmother is worried that someone might have designs on you."

Xin You smiled gently. "Don't worry, Grandmother. The bookstore recently hired many guards, and Lord He from the Jinlin Guard has been very supportive. It won't be easy for others to have designs on me."

Jinlin Guard, always the Jinlin Guard!

The old lady was inwardly furious but couldn't show it. However, she had to admit that this news had indeed led many to praise Shaoqing Mansion for its generosity.

"You must also be cautious. Even if you're safe, you should watch out for those with ulterior motives."

Xin You nodded obediently. "Thank you for your advice, Grandmother. Qingqing understands."

The old lady no longer believed her granddaughter was truly obedient, remembering how she had demanded money before.

The elderly lady also put on a loving smile. "It's good that you listen."

After Xin You left, the old lady asked the maid about the situation at Qingsong Bookstore.

"The young miss is truly remarkable. The bookstore was packed, almost stepping on my shoes," the maid, unaware of the rift between the young miss and the head of the household, chattered on.

The old lady felt both relieved and anxious upon hearing this.

She was relieved that her niece could run the bookstore so well, indicating strong management skills. But she was anxious that if she couldn't keep her at home, the loss would be significant.

The old lady sent a trusted confidant to the Imperial Academy to deliver a message to Duan Yunlang.

Duan Yunlang rushed to the gate of the Imperial Academy upon receiving the message.

"Mother Hong, is everything alright at home?"

The confidant was named Hong Yun, known as Mother Hong throughout Shaoqing Mansion.

"Second Young Master, have you heard about the young miss?"

"Cousin Qing?" Duan Yunlang shook his head. "What about Cousin Qing?"

The students at the Imperial Academy had two main sources of information: one was when they went home on holidays, and the other was during their midday or evening outings to buy supplies.

It was only the second day, and the news of Miss Kou owning over a dozen shops hadn't yet spread throughout the Imperial Academy.

Nanny Yun recounted the situation and conveyed the words of the matriarch: "The matriarch is worried that some people might deliberately get close to the young lady for her wealth. She wants the second young master to keep an eye on things."

Duan Yunlang didn't hesitate and readily agreed, "Please reassure Grandmother. I will be vigilant and ensure that Cousin Qing isn't deceived."

By evening, several classmates invited Duan Yunlang to go out and buy paper and pens, which made him wary.

"Buy paper and pens? Where are we going to buy them?"

"Of course, to Qingsong Bookstore."

"Why go to Qingsong Bookstore to buy paper and pens? Don't we have them right here at the Imperial Academy?"

Meng Fei reached out to feel Duan Yunlang's forehead. "Yunlang, are you running a fever? Didn't we used to buy them from outside as well?"

"But the paper and pens outside aren't as good as those in the Imperial Academy!" Duan Yunlang looked at his classmates, who were around his age, making a final plea.

These lads were all handsome and charming; what if his cousin got bewitched by one of them!

All his classmates, including Meng Fei, spoke in unison: "But they're cheaper outside."

Duan Yunlang looked at Meng Fei with despair.

Old Meng, do you still remember that your grandfather was the chief administrator of the Imperial Academy?