Chapter 57: Successful Financing

Chapter 57 Successful Financing

Before Huang Chao, the aristocratic families operated a "manorial economy," consolidating the land of bankrupt peasants during wartime chaos, continuously annexing land, and building estates that often occupied mountains and lakes, stretching for dozens or even hundreds of miles. For example, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Xie family built estates in Kuaiji, Wuxing, and other places, which were not only nestled by mountains and waters but also included farmland, pottery workshops, weaving workshops, and wine workshops, housing thousands of slaves, retainers, and tenant farmers, comparable to a complete city.

After Huang Chao, the manorial economy collapsed, and the aristocratic families could no longer monopolize official positions, land, and wealth. The people of the Song Dynasty, relying on the burgeoning "commercial" economy, created the wealthiest era of the feudal dynasty.

Shen Miao, holding Xiang Jieer and Ji Geer's hands, stepped into the Xie family's estate in the countryside outside Bianjing. For some reason, she still felt like a historical observer, thinking that compared to their ancestors from the Wei and Jin periods, this estate might only be called a large courtyard house built on vast farmland and mulberry fields.

Of course, the blue tiles and flying eaves amidst mountains and waters, the endless green fields, and the willows by the pond were breathtakingly beautiful, with a four or five-story tower nearby offering a panoramic view.

The gatekeeper who led them in was an acquaintance, Yan Qi, who was delighted to see her. He rubbed his hands and smiled, "I am fortunate to meet Madam Shen again today, with so many guests around."

As they chatted, Ji Geer was taken by another gatekeeper to join the male guests' banquet. Yan Qi said, "Ninth Geer's classmates from the academy are all here, Madam Shen need not worry."

Shen Miao and Xiang Jieer continued inward, passing through two gates, and the view suddenly opened up. The Xie family's estate was truly unique, with the rear garden directly connected to the wild mountains, offering a stunning view. Stepping through the gate, one would expect to see deep courtyards, but instead, it was "the lake calm with autumn water, with magnolia boats"—the ladies were actually boating in twos and threes on the water.

Just after getting off the carriage, she had looked at the mansion before her, thinking it was just a larger courtyard house. Now, Shen Miao felt a bit embarrassed, realizing how narrow-minded she had been. It seemed that the entire mountain and the vast wheat fields below were all owned by the Xie family, a testament to their wealth.

It seems that the foundation of the manorial economy has not been completely destroyed by failed scholars. Shen Miao thought awkwardly. But in real history, the final death knell for the aristocratic families was sounded during the Jingkang Incident.

At this time in the Song Dynasty, the wheels of history had turned onto winding paths, and Shen Miao could no longer align her memories with the history she had learned, so some differences were normal.

In the reed marshes by the lake, there were still a few bamboo boats that were not fully occupied, offering a serene setting. Under Yan Qi's guidance, Shen Miao and Xiang Jieer bent down and boarded the one with the fewest people. Looking up, she found three young ladies already inside.

Two of them looked familiar. The one with a melon-seed face and the one with a small round face seemed to have been seen in the shop. Although Shen Miao couldn't remember their names, she was sure they had visited—the small round-faced one was holding a customized "mermaid cotton doll," dressed in a Song-style outfit with rice pearls adorning the cuffs and collar, a very delicate work.

The small round-faced one seemed shocked to see her, though it was unclear why. The melon-seed-faced one greeted her with rosy cheeks, "Madam Shen, what a coincidence, please sit down."

Shen Miao sat down as told, with Xiang Jieer sitting close to her leg, holding the ribbon hanging from her skirt, a sign of her affection. Usually the neighborhood's little tyrant, she was now quiet and well-behaved outside.

The boat was not narrow, with the bamboo canopy forming a high arch. A small table was placed in the middle, with a lacquered wooden box containing the egg yolk pastries and cookies she had taught Chef Fang to make.

The melon-seed-faced young lady kindly took two pieces with a handkerchief and offered them to Xiang Jieer, "Are you Madam Shen's sister? Should I call you Second Madam Shen?"

Xiang Jieer first looked up at Shen Miao, and after seeing her nod slightly, she took them, then turned to the melon-seed-faced young lady with a sweet smile, "Thank you, sister. My name is Xiang Jieer."

The melon-seed-faced young lady also smiled, "You are very well-behaved. Much better than my sister."

At this point, the small round-faced young lady seemed to come back to her senses and hurriedly greeted Shen Miao. They then exchanged names, and Shen Miao learned that these two were actually acquaintances. The melon-seed-faced young lady was Feng Qiniang, and the small round-faced one was Ninth Geer's own sister, Eleventh Niang Xie.

Eleventh Niang Xie pointed to the lady in the corner who had been gazing at the water and introduced her to Shen Miao, "This is my aunt's daughter, Miss Cui. Madam Shen can call her Cui Yuanniang."

Shen Miao looked over, Cui Wanniang seemed not to hear, just staring blankly at the water.

She was extremely thin, her face paler than paper, and her clothes hung loosely on her, clearly still recovering from a serious illness. She looked very much like the eldest daughter of the Xie family, both with a strong, heroic appearance, but due to her illness, that heroism seemed shattered, with a faint aura of death in her brows.

She ignored people, so Shen Miao also remained silent. When she first boarded the boat, Shen Miao had thought she was the Xie family's daughter because she resembled the eldest daughter of the Xie family, but it turned out she was a cousin.

Eleventh Niang also helped smooth things over, "My cousin Cui is not well, Madam Shen, please don't mind."

Shen Miao naturally said she wouldn't.

Eleventh Niang Xie looked at the greenish-blue jacket on Madam Shen and then at Cui Wanniang, her heart in turmoil, as she was the only one who knew the storm of emotions she was harboring, with no one to confide in.

Shen Miao didn't know what Eleventh Niang Xie was thinking. With the breeze brushing her face, she quickly began to enjoy herself.

Especially since Feng Qiniang loved to talk with her, which surprised Shen Miao. She had thought that as a commoner, she wouldn't have much to talk about with these noble ladies in such a place, but Feng Qiniang first praised her soup cakes, then mentioned that her father, Dr. Feng, couldn't forget her grilled fish and sent servants to buy it every day, and later...

"Didn't Shen Miao hold a festival celebration the other day? My father even had Feng Qiniang store eighty fish, drew lots enthusiastically, and won several silk dolls, all of which were sent home to us daughters."

Shen Miao blinked; the mystery was solved. So the top spender from those two days was the servant by Mr. Feng's side! She wondered why the lavish style seemed so familiar—it was from the Feng family.

No wonder.

On the boat, enjoying the breeze, snacks, and tea, Shen Miao also heard the distant sound of string and bamboo instruments, like the gentle touch of a bird's wing on the water, carried by the wind, making it quite enjoyable.

Xiang Jieer was busy eating the egg yolk pastries. Shen Miao had rarely made them since she got busy, and today she found them here, tasting remarkably similar to what her sister used to make. She ate with such delight, her eyes sparkling, as if she had found a treasure, crumbs of the crispy crust around her mouth.

Eleventh Niang Xie, in the midst of her inner turmoil, caught sight of Xiang Jieer's utterly contented eating expression and couldn't help but reach for one herself. Today, Chef Fang had prepared three or four flavors of egg yolk pastries: one with red bean paste, another with lotus seed paste made from the freshest lotus seeds on the estate, de-seeded, steamed, ground, and then cooked with sugar and oil, resulting in a smooth, fragrant lotus seed paste.

There were also matcha flavor and taro with meat floss, all reportedly recipes taught by Shen Miao.

Eleventh Niang Xie still preferred the red bean paste the most. The soft sweetness of the bean paste balanced the saltiness of the salted egg yolk, with a rich aroma of red beans. She could eat them endlessly without tiring.

Once she started eating, Eleventh Niang quickly got carried away. She eventually sat next to Xiang Jieer, eating and chatting: "This is delicious, Xiang Jieer, try this. Chef Fang crushed roses and mixed them in, so the pastries have specks of red, fragrant, sweet, crispy, and visually appealing."

By the time the boat docked, they had already eaten all the snacks on board.

After disembarking, they were led into a large hall where tables and seats were already arranged. Shen Miao and Xiang Jieer were pulled to sit with Feng Qiniang and Eleventh Niang Xie, but Cui Wanniang did not come in. Instead, a maid came to call her, and after whispering a few words to Eleventh Niang Xie, she left on her own.

At this point, Shen Miao realized that all the seats in the hall were occupied by the younger generation, with no elders present. Upon asking Eleventh Niang, she learned that the matron of the Xie family and other matrons were elsewhere, and the men were also separately accommodated.

Shen Miao understood—it was probably the adults at one table and the 'children' at another.

She had been placed at the "children's" table.

So, she wouldn't get to see the matron of the Xie family today? Shen Miao couldn't help but place her hand on the small crossbody bag she carried, inside which was the financing proposal titled "The Taste of Bianjing" that she had prepared...

She had written and illustrated ten pages covering the shop's location, market analysis, menu features, risk assessment, investment needs, expected returns, and more.

She had even meticulously drawn an income forecast bar chart!

Shen Miao absentmindedly finished her meal, while Xiang Jieer ate happily, her cheeks bulging, and even remembered to serve Shen Miao, whispering to her softly, "Sister, eat up, it's beef!"

After eating, Shen Miao and Xiang Jieer were excitedly pulled by Eleventh Niang Xie to watch two acts of a play. Xiang Jieer didn't understand it, focusing on eating snacks, chewing while opening her big eyes wide, listening to Eleventh Niang Xie beside her, who was moved to tears, unable to understand how she could cry so much that her handkerchief was soaked.

Shen Miao, however, had no mood for the story of the scholar and the beauty's ups and downs, preoccupied with her own investment worries.

Had she come all this way for nothing today? Just as this thought emerged, unexpectedly, Xi Ma appeared before her like a deity, whispering to her, "The matron says she has a moment during the play and wishes to see Shen Miao to discuss something."

Shen Miao was overjoyed—she had something to discuss too!

So, entrusting Feng Qiniang to look after Xiang Jieer, who was absorbed in watching the play with Eleventh Niang Xie, Shen Miao took the opportunity to excuse herself from the table and hurriedly left the stage with Xi Ma, crossing the lake by boat, and upon landing, headed straight to another side hall.

Xi also didn't enjoy the play. Having been busy all morning, she took the opportunity during the play to excuse herself to rest in her room. But saying she was resting, she actually didn't rest at all. As soon as she left, various stewards and servants rushed to report on the arrangements for the banquet. By the time she finally sat down, nearly half an hour had passed.

Just then, someone else arrived. Xi Ma lifted the curtain, and a ghostly figure stepped in, walked forward two steps, and knelt before Xi, choking out, "Wanniang is bold, begging Aunt Xi to save my life."

Xi was startled, instinctively reaching out to help, but Cui Wanniang, as frail as a flickering candle, refused to rise. She lifted her dim, almost extinguished eyes: "Aunt, I know I have no face, but I truly have no way out. After today, my mother and father will take me to the Loutai Temple and never let me out again."

Xi frowned. The Loutai Temple was a Taoist nunnery, but it was far in Yongxingjun Road, hundreds of miles from Bianjing. Why would they send their daughter, who was as thin as a skeleton from illness, there?

Seeing Xi's puzzled expression, Cui Wanniang's eyes filled with deeper sorrow. She smiled bitterly, "So Ninth Geer really hasn't told Aunt. He is truly a gentleman, it was I who was blind..."

Then, with a heavy heart, she confessed all her wrongdoings. She had fallen in love with a destitute musician who stayed at her home to teach her brother the qin. She trusted him, even abandoned everything to elope with him, only to find out he was merely trying to extort money from the Cui family to pay off his debts. He demanded a promissory note worth ten thousand taels of silver in jiaozi, or else he would expose the affair.

Later, he was naturally lured into a trap by the Cui family and killed.

The Cui family was highly respected in Chenzhou, how could they not deal with a down-and-out scoundrel? They feigned agreement, lured him to their home, fabricated a charge of theft, wrapped a piece of burning charcoal in a bun, forced him to swallow it, severely scorching his throat, then sent him to the authorities, bribed the officials with ten taels of silver, and beat him dozens of times until he was a broken mess.

Such a foolish and greedy man, she couldn't see through him at the time, just deceiving herself, hoping to escape the suffocating home with him. Since childhood, she was different from her sisters, loving horseback riding and hunting, often slipping away from the servants, galloping through the dust clouds, rushing to the highest mountain on the Cui estate to watch the sunrise. But looking out from the high mountain, amidst the swirling clouds, beyond the mountains lay more mountains.

Her sisters' greatest aspiration was to marry a man from a respectable family with a handsome appearance, to live a peaceful life raising children. She, however, was defiant, detesting the arranged marriage that would shift her from one grand mansion to another.

She always wanted to see what lay beyond those mountains.

The musician once described to her the gentle beauty of the Jiangnan water towns, the rugged landscapes of Lingnan, the many chivalrous heroes of Guanzhong, the vast wilderness of the northwest... the vast rivers and mountains were breathtakingly beautiful. She truly believed his vows, thinking he would take her to travel the lands, never to abandon her.

Instead, she eloped with him, only to be bound and sent back to the Cui family for ransom.

All his sweet words were lies.

She was confined in the ancestral hall, watching her belly swell day by day, realizing she had made a grave mistake. She wanted to escape, but ultimately couldn't. If it weren’t for Ninth Geer’s rescue, she would have been beaten to death by her father.

Her father was stern, unable to tolerate any flaw, and despised her, wanting to send her away long ago. It was her mother who knelt and begged her father, allowing her to stay home for a brief confinement, at least until she could get up, before being sent to a nunnery to live out her miserable life.

But what difference was there between that and slowly letting her die?

Cui Wanniang kowtowed deeply to Xi, tears streaming down her cheeks: "Aunt, I know I’ve been shameless, but I... still want to live..."

Xi stayed silent for a long time, simply signaling Xi Ma to help Cui Wanniang up. After a long pause, she spoke in a somber tone: "Wanniang, I've watched you grow up, you've been clever since childhood, otherwise I wouldn't have betrothed you to Ninth Geer. You've read so many books, learned so many principles, how could you be so gullible? To cause such a disaster!"

Cui Wanniang hung her head.

She was bewitched, these days, not a day passed without regret, but it was too late to regret...

Xi sighed deeply: "It was your mother who let you come to me, wasn't it? Your father was most afraid of me back then, when he came to Youzhou to propose to your mother, I beat him several times with a stick."

Xi and Cui Wanniang's mother were sisters from the same womb, growing up together. The two sisters had contrasting personalities, the Cui lady was gentle and serene. Back then, knowing her beloved sister was to be married, Xi didn't hold back, she beat the Cui family members every time they came, and at night, she clung tightly to her sister, refusing to let her marry.

Her fondness for Cui Wanniang was partly because she felt the child resembled herself.

But she never expected her to be so foolish.

"Yes, Mother... is outside." Cui Wanniang nodded, her mother loved her, but couldn't persuade her father, which was why she dragged her sick body to Bianjing. If not for the Xie family's invitation, she would have been on her way to the nunnery, otherwise she had no chance to escape her father's sight.

Xi Ma brought in the tearful Cui lady, Xi saw her much aged face, her heart also ached, she stood up, took the Cui lady's hand to sit down, and gently wiped her tears.

"Sister, don't cry, I know your heart, I don't blame you or Wanniang for this matter. Before, when Ninth Geer was often unlucky, you didn't shun him for his bad luck. I also know about Wanniang's matter. If brother-in-law insists on sending her away, why not let her return to her maternal grandparents' home in Youzhou." Xi then ordered Xi Ma to help Cui Wanniang sit on the embroidered stool.

The Cui lady had also thought of this, but... she sighed: "I had thought of it, but my husband fears this matter leaking out, if the uncles and nephews find out, the Cui family would lose even more face. So he only thinks of sending her to a place without relatives, to spare the Cui girls' reputation."

Cui Wanniang sat on the stool, thin as a sheet of paper, trembling slightly at the words.

Xi pondered for a moment: "I have another place."

She looked up at Cui Wanniang, asking: "I remember Wanniang started learning to manage household affairs at six?"

The Cui lady nodded, tears welling up in her eyes again, she lowered her head to wipe them away: "Wanniang is skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, horseback riding, and archery, she also learned accounting and management from me since childhood, if not for that damned scoundrel, she could do anything well, her father once praised her as the most capable among the sisters..."

"I've co-founded a workshop in Youzhou, just worried about finding a reliable manager. The workshop is built in Lu County, Youzhou, two counties away from our home. Last time my brother wrote, saying it had started construction, now counting the days, it should be almost done. If Wanniang goes there, she doesn't have to live with her uncles, she can live in the workshop." Xi glanced at Xi Ma, who seemed to understand Xi's thoughts, nodded slightly, and left.

Cui Wanniang suddenly looked up.

Xi then detailed her plans to the Cui lady, the workshop had a front company as a decoy, that shell company needed a loyal person proficient in accounting, tax law, and criminal law to manage, otherwise all the arrangements would be in vain. She had been looking for such a person these days, originally planning to find one among the servants, but now it might as well be Wanniang.

She attached great importance to the noodle workshop's front company, she wanted to test if this method could truly protect the wealth and assets accumulated by the Xie family, if it really worked, other businesses under the Xie name should also be gradually transferred in this way.

"Rather than being cooped up in a Taoist temple, living out a lonely and miserable life, it's better to make something of the latter half of your life." Xi turned to Cui Wanniang, whose face was flushed with excitement, "But you must swear to your aunt to always stay clear-headed, prioritize the workshop's interests, and not be swayed by anyone's seduction."

"Aunt, rest assured," Cui Wanniang said through gritted teeth, "The thing I despise most for the rest of my life is men."

She felt sick to her stomach remembering how she had once been infatuated with a scoundrel.

Cui Wanniang knelt down again, kowtowing repeatedly, "I am willing to go, Aunt, Mother. I was once foolish enough to place all my hopes on others. Now that I have suffered greatly and nearly lost my life, I have awakened. One must rely on oneself; mountains can crumble, walls can fall, and depending on men is a sure path to ruin. I truly wish to live again, I beg of you."

Cui Wanniang's mother also made up her mind, saying gloomily, "This might be for the best. Wanniang can't possibly marry after this. The Taoist temple is harsh and stifling, just like a prison. She's always wanted to see the world outside, and this way, she gets her wish."

But the cost was too great.

She was only seventeen, yet her life had already reached a dead end.

It was her fault for not paying more attention to her daughter's feelings, and for her inability to sway her husband's decisions... Cui Wanniang's mother wept profusely, wiping her tears again and again, and only calmed down after Xi comforted her.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Xi said, "My business partner is here," and invited Cui Wanniang and her mother to freshen up in the back.

They moved behind the screen and into the inner room before Xi called out, "Please come in."

Xi Ma led Shen Miao into the room. Xi smiled and said, "I've taken the liberty of inviting you, and must have kept you from enjoying the opera." Her gaze lingered on Shen Miao for a moment, but she said nothing more, her smile still warm.

Shen Miao replied somewhat sheepishly, "Not at all, I'm not much of an opera fan anyway."

Xi invited Shen Miao to sit down and had the maid serve tea, then got straight to the point, explaining in detail her intention to have her niece manage the workshop in Youzhou. Naturally, she did not mention the reason for Cui Wanniang's illness, only that she was skilled in accounting and management, but in poor health and unlikely to marry in the future, so it was better to find a path for her. She was also of noble birth and related to the Xi family, making her more trustworthy than servants. Once she went, the Xi family would select a dozen or so literate household servants to assist her. Her status would also help keep those servants in check, preventing them from harboring thoughts of deceiving their master.

Shen Miao thought it over and found it agreeable. In ancient times, it was better to use people who were close to you, and mutual assistance among clans was common. She was not surprised by Xi's choice, though she was somewhat amazed that Xi had transcended the norms of the time by choosing a woman instead of a man from the family to handle this matter.

However.

"Today, I happened to see Lady Cui," Shen Miao recalled the pale appearance of the Cui family girl and was somewhat worried about her, "Is she able to withstand the harsh cold in Youzhou?"

Xishi smiled and said, "Her condition is due to her own mental distress. Now that she has something to look forward to, she will be fine with some more care."

The other spoke vaguely, likely due to privacy concerns, but Shen Miao trusted the character of the matriarch of the Xie family, so she did not press further. She nodded and said, "If that's the case, I'll entrust this matter to you, Madam."

Xishi patted her hand, "Rest assured, Lady Shen. The noodle shop is crucial for the meals of the Youzhou garrison; I won't take it lightly." The Xishi family had operated in Youzhou for two or three generations, and the Youzhou garrison could almost be called the 'Xishi Army.' Every soldier was like their own child, and any loss would cause heartache.

Her original intention was to make their lives better, not just for profit.

Seeing Shen Miao's straightforward trust, Xishi felt pleased. Her gaze fell on the lotus embroidered discreetly at Shen Miao's neckline, and she smiled, "Lady Shen, your attire today suits you well."

Shen Miao's face turned slightly red, but the ripples in her heart were quickly suppressed. In her current state of mind, love was less important than bread. She took out a hand-drawn business plan that had been in her bag for a long time, licked her lips, and said, "Actually, I also have something to discuss with you, Madam."

"Oh? What is it?" Xishi curiously took the plan and, upon opening it, was quickly drawn in. This was the first time she had seen such an account book. The first page listed the address of a small shop, its location, and the surrounding buildings and streets, specifically noting the bustling area and the many moderately wealthy residents nearby.

Following that were the prices of this shop and others in the vicinity as listed by intermediaries. She used several rectangular bars to create a chart, making it clear even without reading the text that this shop was about two to three tenths cheaper than the others around it.

"Lady Xie, my proposal might seem presumptuous, but I hope you will hear me out." Shen Miao observed Xishi's expression and carefully explained her plans: why she wanted to expand her business, how much savings she currently had, and how much more she needed. She then presented three investment options:

First, to advance the dividends from the noodle shop, deducting annually until the amount was repaid.

Second, to invest through equity distribution, where Lady Xie's one thousand guan would count as an investment in her shop. She would receive twenty percent of the revenue, and Shen Miao would provide regular financial statements to ensure no loss of the one thousand guan.

Third, for Lady Xie to fund the purchase of the shop and lease it to her. This way, the Xie family would not bear the risk of potential losses and would receive stable rent. Even if she went bankrupt, the Xie family could still lease the property to others.

After finishing, Shen Miao flipped to the last page of her handwritten proposal, which included a financial plan detailing the potential returns for Lady Xie under short-term and medium-term scenarios and the three different options.

Xishi was somewhat surprised, her eyes moving from the document to Shen Miao. She noticed that although Shen Miao appeared somewhat nervous, her words were orderly and logical, and she firmly presented her needs.

"Madam Xi, you can keep this booklet here and take your time to consider it," Shen Miao said with a gentle smile. "Please rest assured, no matter how you respond, in my heart, you will always be someone I deeply admire and my benefactor. This will never change."

Madam Xi, however, looked at her and smiled, "I never procrastinate in my decisions. I'll choose the second choice."

Shen Miao blinked, surprised. She had anticipated that Madam Xi might reject her or choose the first or third options, but she never expected Madam Xi to be willing to invest so deeply in her small shop. The second choice was actually the most beneficial for Shen Miao, not the Xie family.

They would share the risks, but the shop would still belong to Shen Miao.

After saying this, Madam Xi took Shen Miao's booklet and praised, "I'll gladly accept this booklet. What I admire most about you, Shen Miao, is your wisdom and meticulous planning. You have a clear understanding of financial matters, down to the smallest detail. You are always thinking about your family's livelihood, whether it's managing a small business or acquiring modest assets. You handle everything with care and foresight. You are truly a woman who can bring prosperity to her family."

When she said "a woman who can bring prosperity to her family," her tone seemed to carry a deeper meaning.

But Shen Miao was too overjoyed to notice. She stood up and bowed deeply in gratitude, "I know that Madam Xi doesn't need these small profits. Your willingness to grant my request so easily is likely out of kindness to a younger generation. I don't know how to express my gratitude, but I will always remember this kindness. In the future, if Madam Xi has any requests, I will never hesitate to fulfill them."

Madam Xi said nothing more. She glanced at the sky, stood up, and escorted Shen Miao to the door, "Since you are a guest of the Xie family, how could I, as the host, let you leave without enjoyment? Go ahead, after the play ends, take a stroll around. Although the estate is vast, the lake is the only sight worth seeing. You won't find such beautiful water in Bianjing City. Don't miss it."

Xi Ma politely accompanied her all the way to the long corridor leading to the lake, and Shen Miao thanked her once again.

The opera stage was set up across the lake, and to return, one had to take a boat. Fortunately, there were many Xie family attendants waiting by the boats, ready to help row. She casually chose the one closest to her.

Overjoyed by the successful negotiation, Shen Miao couldn't contain her excitement. She couldn't resist bending down and leaping into the boat, causing it to rock violently. She laughed, gripping the side of the boat to steady herself, and only looked up after regaining her balance.

There was someone in the boat, seemingly drunk, with a faint aroma of plum wine lingering in the air.

The person also turned his head. His dark, luminous eyes, mellowed by the drink, seemed even gentler than usual. A sudden gust of wind stirred the tall reeds, brushing past both of them.

Xie Qi, whose mind had been dulled by the alcohol, suddenly felt clarity.

He looked at the woman in front of him, dressed in a light green robe. She appeared startled to find him there, her delicate eyebrows arched slightly. Her slightly bewildered look made him unable to resist smiling, his eyes crinkling.

Long ago, he had thought that Shen Miao resembled a graceful lotus in the wind. Now, seeing her in this outfit, she was just as beautiful as he had imagined. Looking at her, he wished the moment could last forever, and all the beauty in the world would converge in her.

"Why are you hiding here, Ninth Geer?" Shen Miao was annoyed that the attendants on the shore hadn't alerted her. Otherwise, she wouldn't have leapt into the boat so clumsily.

How mortifying. Truly mortifying.

"I had too much to drink and came here to clear my head," Xie Qi replied, his smile unwavering as he continued to gaze at her.

Shen Miao felt even more self-conscious under his gaze. She brushed her warm cheek with the back of her hand, smoothed her skirt self-consciously, and whispered, "Why are you smiling, Ninth Geer? Is there something on my face?"

Xie Qi shook his head and finally looked away. The wind gusted in waves, lifting the hems of their clothes and their hair.

It seemed that every time he saw Shen Miao, he was filled with joy.

He couldn't explain why, even if it was just because the same breeze had brushed past both of their clothes.

He was also very happy.

Originally, she had planned to ask Ninth Geer why he had suddenly given her the clothes, but in the end, she left the Xie family without saying a word.

**

She and he sat silently in the boat, enjoying the breeze and watching the water for a long time.

Later, Shen Miao couldn't believe her own behavior. How had she become such a mute fool in front of Ninth Geer? Why had she inexplicably lost the desire to speak?

Meanwhile, Xiang Jieer had a great time. In her words, the Xie family's garden was delicious, beautiful, and fun. While Shen Miao was foolishly enjoying the breeze, Xiang Jieer not only watched the play but also ran into Yan Shu. The two gourmands hadn't seen each other in ages and chatted for a long time. Yan Shu even gave her a package of loquat preserves, saying they were wild loquats he had picked during a trip to the countryside with the Dowager. They had too many to eat, so they preserved them as candied fruit.

Shen Miao kept pondering, wondering what Ninth Geer was thinking and what she herself was thinking. Before she could figure it out, Zheng Neizhi came to deliver the investment silver and contract. She quickly set aside all her romantic musings and stopped pondering altogether.

She was determined to focus on expanding her shop!