In order to expand the business in multiple areas, this deal did not go through the Luo family's connections, but rather through Xu Yan's own little-known channels in Yizhou.
Speaking of which, Luo Cuiwei also had a share in Xu Yan's business in Yizhou. Now, after the accounts are settled every quarter, Xu Yan would hand over Luo Cuiwei's share of the profits to Luo Cuizhen, who would then pass it on to her elder sister.
Despite seemingly having no connection, they have always maintained a link of interests.
Since she began stockpiling military supplies for the major battle at the end of next year, this line has become an important hidden pawn in Luo Cuiwei's hands.
Providing Xu Yan with some support now is Luo Cuiwei's backup plan. This way, even if someone in the capital suddenly cuts off the Luo family's business dealings with Linchuan in the future, she won't be trapped in a predicament because of Xu Yan.
After hearing her explain the ins and outs, Yun Lie was filled with admiration for his wife's business acumen, but he was also deeply troubled by Xu Yan.
"Anyway, he has ulterior motives towards you, so just ignore him."
Since only the husband and wife were in the study at the moment, and they couldn't reason with each other, Prince Zhao simply started to act unreasonably and shamelessly.
That coquettish way of acting was truly unique.
Luo Cuiwei, amused and annoyed, put down the soup bowl and walked over, loosely grabbing his neck with both hands and shaking him back and forth.
"You scoundrel, why would I pay him any attention? The previous bonuses were collected by Luo Cuizhen and then transferred to me. Now the letter is issued in the name of the manager of Guanghuitang. I have never even met Xu Yan!"
"What? With whom?" Yun Lie gritted his teeth, raised his arm and wrapped it around her waist. "Think carefully and say it again."
He simply cannot accept his wife being associated with any other man, not even in words.
I can't stand it, it's so sour.
"Are you just going to stir up trouble and act like a troll?" Luo Cuiwei smiled slyly, pinching his face with both hands. "If you keep babbling on and on, believe me, I'll make you eat a pear!"
Yun Lie, whose face had been pinched until it was distorted, immediately fell silent. After making a painful gag gesture, he weakly replied, "Then I'll just have to treat you to a drink..."
Seeing the fierce glint in Luo Cuiwei's eyes, he quickly swallowed back the words "chicken soup" and changed his words, saying, "If you insist on treating me to... well, I'll just have to eat you!"
****
The days flew by in this warm, bustling atmosphere of everyday life.
After the New Year, as the weather gradually warmed up, Luo Cuiwei and Yun Lie each had more and more things to do.
The busier you are, the more you feel that there is not enough time. Before you know it, spring clothes are replaced by winter robes, and summer clothes replace spring clothes. The days fly by like a mad dog that has been released from its leash, and half a year has passed in a flash.
On the morning of the 24th day of the fifth month of the 43rd year of Xianlong, Luo Cuiwei began to experience labor pains, and the entire Zhaowang Mansion was on high alert.
Although three midwives and the doctor Hua Ming were by Luo Cuiwei's side, and all the preparations they had given were in place, everyone waiting outside gradually became anxious as Luo Cuiwei occasionally cried out in pain.
Yun Lie, who had been chased outside early in the morning, felt as if his heart was being torn apart and that each day was an eternity. Finally, he couldn't bear it any longer, so he pushed away the people who were trying to dissuade him, and with a stern face, he pushed open the door and went into the room.
As always, Hua Ming was straightforward. He turned around and stood in front of Yun Lie, saying, "Your Highness, please wait outside. I'm afraid you might be... scared to tears later."
"I went to the battlefield at the age of sixteen, and I didn't even cry when I saw mountains of corpses and seas of blood."
After making his bold statement, Yun Lie walked past Hua Ming with a cold expression, knelt down beside the bed, and took Luo Cuiwei's hand.
Luo Cui, who was in excruciating pain, squinted and saw that it was him. Without saying a word, she grabbed his big hand and bit his tiger's mouth hard.
Yun Lie remained unmoved, quietly letting her be.
His eyes, as black as jade, were filled with a deep, agonizing pain of helplessness.
He pressed his thin lips tightly together, his Adam's apple bobbing as he thought blankly:
This kid is such a scoundrel, he's absolutely outrageous.
After the baby is born, he has to personally give it a beating.
Don't think you won't get beaten up just because you're young!
Chapter 80
At this moment, Luo Cuiwei truly wished she could faint and wake up to find out she had given birth; that would be wonderful.
Several times, she was in so much pain that she felt dizzy, and she was overjoyed, thinking that she was about to get what she wanted. But each time, she only had a brief moment of hesitation, and afterwards everything was back to normal, and she was in pain again.
It was a truly devastating experience.
Despite the waves of pain, she remained remarkably clear-headed, able to hear every conversation around her clearly.
"She looks like she's in a lot of pain."
Yun Lie's voice was very different from usual; it was wooden, like an undercurrent surging beneath a thick layer of ice.
If she weren't in such extreme pain right now, Luo Cuiwei would have loved to jump up and smash his head flat—
It doesn't just "looks" like it hurts, it really does hurt!
A moment later, Yun Lie asked again, "Just how much does it hurt?"
He asked very seriously, each word heavy, yet concealing a sense of helplessness and fear of not wanting to be known.
Luo Cuiwei rolled her eyes inwardly in exasperation, yet inexplicably felt a pang of pity.
Her dog is probably scared.
Her heart softened, and she loosened her teeth, focusing intently on the midwife's instructions.
****
"Has Your Highness ever had your fingertip caught in a door crack?" Hua Ming calmly looked at Yun Lie's inscrutable face.
Yun Lie glanced at her indifferently, but did not reply.