Chapter 74: Taking a Fancy to Liu Shuhui

Chapter 74: Taking a Fancy to Liu Shuhui

Mrs. Cui had given her eldest daughter-in-law the same task of managing the household, and it was up to who could complete it better.

Now, with the biting cold of winter, each day grew colder than the last, and soon the test of managing the household would come.

Duke Xu's Mansion was a major user of charcoal, with the most expensive ground-heating systems burning in the main residences, and the charcoal basins in the maids' and concubines' rooms were twice as large as those in ordinary homes. Even the guest halls had to be supplied with ample charcoal, ensuring a warm environment.

The Xu family, being wealthy and influential, could afford to burn such quantities of charcoal, but the problem was that charcoal was hard to come by these days!

This winter was particularly severe, and the city's demand for charcoal had skyrocketed. Several heavy snowstorms outside the city had blocked the roads, leading to insufficient supplies within the city. Li Niyue had instructed the stewards to spend more money on buying charcoal, but even that didn't help.

With the charcoal supply at Duke Xu's Mansion running critically low, the rooms were getting colder by the day. She thought of Lu Lingyun.

Perhaps Lu Lingyun had a solution.

Seeing Li Niyue's predicament, Lu Lingyun smiled suddenly.

Charcoal shortage, just what she needed.

"Prepare the carriage; I'm going out," Lu Lingyun said to Shuang Hong.

"Yes."

Fifteen minutes later, Lu Lingyun, holding a warm foot warmer and wearing a thick peacock fur cloak, sat in the carriage heading west to the city.

Xike Lai General Store.

Business at the general store was booming, especially with the New Year approaching. Customers flocked to buy their holiday goods, and Xike Lai was the only store in the surrounding streets selling charcoal.

Their charcoal was of medium quality in the city, neither the cheapest nor the most expensive.

However, Xike Lai limited the sale of charcoal both in time and quantity, selling only about a hundred pounds daily, providing a steady supply to the neighborhood.

"Miss, you're here!" Dong Sheng, dressed in thick cotton clothes, saw Lu Lingyun's carriage enter the courtyard and hurriedly greeted her excitedly.

"Mm." Xia Mei lifted the curtain, and Lu Lingyun stepped down from the carriage. She looked around the bustling courtyard where people were moving various goods in and out. "It's been busy these past few days?"

"Very busy! Business is excellent," Dong Sheng said happily, his eyes gleaming as he noticed Xia Mei's new, thick clothing and her rosy, plump face, unable to hide his satisfaction.

"Are you here to inspect?"

"Yes, call Zhiran over."

"Right away."

In no time, Dong Sheng brought Zhiran from the front yard.

Seeing Lu Lingyun, Zhiran's face lit up with joy. "Miss, why did you come? Come inside, it's freezing out here."

Zhiran quickly ushered Lu Lingyun into a room heated by charcoal in the front of the shop.

This room provided a view of the bustling business happening outside the store.

"Miss, our business has been fantastic lately. With a steady supply of charcoal, everyone comes to our store for their purchases. Other general stores nearby have been asking us about our source. We should take advantage of this situation and put more charcoal on the market; we'll make a fortune."

As Zhiran spoke, she added two more pieces of charcoal to the single basin in the room, ensuring Lu Lingyun wouldn't feel the cold.

Lu Lingyun smiled slightly. "No need to sell to others. Send twenty carts of charcoal to Duke Xu's Mansion, specifically to the eldest madam, Lady Li."

Zhiran was taken aback. "Sell to the Duke's Mansion?"

"Yes," Lu Lingyun nodded.

After giving instructions regarding the delivery to Duke Xu's Mansion, Lu Lingyun reviewed Zhiran's accounts and arranged the subsequent sales of charcoal. Then, she heard a familiar voice.

"Send the charcoal to Room No. 2, Wing D, Zhaoji Inn."

Lu Lingyun looked up and saw a familiar face.

"Cuicui?"

Lu Lingyun called out, and Cuicui, who was purchasing goods outside, glanced in and saw Lu Lingyun sitting inside.

"Miss Lu!"

Cuicui was Wang Qiluo's personal maid.

Lu Lingyun called Cuicui into the room. "Why are you buying charcoal here? Is your house short on it?"

Cuicui's face turned red, and she waved her hands hastily. "No, no, we have enough charcoal."

General Wang's residence wasn't large, and General Wang, having a military background, disliked excessive use of charcoal. Only the ladies and concubines used some, and they had prepared plenty before winter, thanks to Lu Lingyun's reminder.

"Then why are you buying charcoal?" Lu Lingyun frowned. "And sending it to Zhaoji Inn?"

"Miss Lu, there's really nothing to it."

Lu Lingyun's expression turned stern. "If you don't tell me, I'll go to your aunt's place."

"No, no, no!" Cuicui quickly waved her hands. After a moment of hesitation, she whispered to Lu Lingyun, "It's for Miss Qiluo. She wants to send some charcoal to Scholar Liu at Zhaoji Inn."

"Liu... Shuhui?" Lu Lingyun blurted out.

"Yes," Cuicui lowered her flushed face. "Our miss has met Young Master Liu a few times and admires his talent. She asked me to send him some charcoal privately to support him."

Lu Lingyun: "......"

Goodness gracious, Wang Qiluo had actually taken a fancy to Liu Shuhui.

She should have seen it when they went to the theater last time.

How dare that girl!

"Miss Lu, please don't tell anyone. My miss will be upset if she knows." Cuicui pleaded softly with Lu Lingyun.

Lingyun huffed, "Hmph, go back and tell your miss to come see me when she has time."

"Yes, yes, yes," Cuicui repeated quickly.

"And also, stop sending charcoal to that scholar Liu."

"But how can we not?"

At that moment, the young delivery boy returned and asked, "Where is the girl who asked me to deliver the charcoal? The inn refused to accept it; they said it wasn't what they ordered!"

"As you can see," Lingyun said irritably, "just go back and don't bring any more charcoal."

Liu Shuhui, that stubborn and upright man, would never accept charcoal from Wang Qiluo.

If this got out, Wang Qiluo wouldn't even need to show her face anymore.

"Yes."

Cuicui left Xi Ke Lai grocery shop.

Lingyun also left.

As she stepped out, she saw Dong Sheng and Xia Mei standing under the eaves, chatting. Dong Sheng held his sister's hands in his own, warming them with his breath.

"Sis, I'm not cold. Look, I haven't gotten any frostbite this year. Working in Madam's room keeps me warm."

Dong Sheng smiled warmly, "That's great!"

His eyes were filled with affection and joy.

Then he noticed Lingyun coming out, "Miss, you're here."

"Why aren't you inside?"

"I need to keep an eye on things," Dong Sheng said with a simple smile. "These items are for Madam Li at Duke Xu's Mansion, right?"

"Yes, tell her I have whatever amount she needs, whenever she wants it."

"Understood, you can count on me." Dong Sheng patted his chest.

Lingyun smiled gently, "Good, when the New Year comes, you'll go back to the mansion with Zhiran."

"Sure thing!"

Dong Sheng personally delivered the goods to Duke Xu's Mansion, while Lingyun led her people back.