Before the New Year, Luo Cuiwei and Yun Lie, the two lords of Linchuan, finally ended their days of living in a cramped courtyard, and the brand-new Prince Zhao's mansion was finally bustling with activity as its owners were welcomed in.
With many familiar helpers transferred from the capital, Tao Yin managed the huge new residence of the prince smoothly and took meticulous care of the two princes.
Yun Lie couldn't shake off the habit of "doing everything himself" that he had developed in the army, and he always pushed everyone in the mansion to Luo Cuiwei's side.
Luo Cuiwei was already obsessed with making money and was pampered like a star, which made it convenient for her to focus on the business of Guanghuitang and occasionally inquire about military and political affairs in the vassal state. She could then simply follow the doctor's advice and focus on her pregnancy, which was just right.
****
With the New Year approaching, several fabric and garment shops in the city have prepared a lot of fine fabrics and garments in advance to meet the custom of every household buying new fabrics and new clothes for the New Year.
The merchants assumed that Guanghuitang, which liked to dabble in all kinds of businesses, would not miss this opportunity. However, by the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, no fabrics or garments had been brought in or out of Guanghuitang.
This surprised not only others, but even Song Qiuqi, the nominal manager of Guanghuitang, couldn't contain himself and hurriedly went to the Prince's Mansion to see Luo Cuiwei.
Just then, the kitchen had just finished cooking braised shark fin with winter melon. Following the doctor's advice not to sit for long, Luo Cuiwei went to the kitchen and took out a small, warm bowl of it herself. She had just walked to the back hall corridor when a servant came to report that Song Qiuqi requested an audience.
She thought for a moment and then instructed the waiter to fetch another bowl from the kitchen, along with a small plate of sweet cakes, and send it to the study so that Song Qiuqi could eat and talk at the same time.
Song Qiuqi, who was originally waiting impatiently outside the study, saw Luo Cuiwei carrying a small cup from afar and hurriedly went to meet her, insisting on taking the cup for her.
"You're pregnant now, so don't lift heavy things." After taking the small cup, Song Qiuqi glanced nervously at Luo Cuiwei's protruding belly.
Recently, Luo Cuiwei's belly has grown rapidly, and her face has become much rounder. Her steps have also become heavy and slow, and she doesn't look as agile and light as before.
The little girl's inexplicable maturity made Luo Cui smile. Rubbing her face, she said as she walked, "It's just a small cup, weighing no more than two ounces. How did it become a 'heavy thing'?"
As they were talking, they reached the door of the study, where a servant kindly opened it for them.
Since Yun Lie had previously stated that either he or Xiahou Ling would always be within ten steps of Luo Cuiwei, and since Xiahou Ling was out on business today, he stayed home to handle official duties, and was naturally in his study at the moment.
After Song Qiuqi greeted him politely, he went about his business, flipping through the memorials in his hands without saying much.
Luo Cuiwei sat down behind her desk, and Song Qiuqi placed a small bowl in front of her and thoughtfully lifted the lid for her.
The young girl had never had a good life before; she was lucky to have enough to eat, so she had no idea what shark fin was. But when she saw a handful of "vermicelli" soaking in the bland broth in the bowl, along with a few winter melon balls, a few slices of ham, and two stalks of bok choy, it was nothing like the kind of nourishing food a pregnant woman should have, and she immediately frowned.
"Your Highness, how can you eat such bland food? Shouldn't pregnant women drink more chicken soup?"
Upon hearing the words "chicken soup," Luo Cuiwei quickly covered her mouth and couldn't help but roll her eyes.
She drank too much chicken soup in the first few months, which probably upset her stomach. Now, she feels uncomfortable even just hearing about it, let alone eating it.
Once the churning in her stomach finally subsided, Luo Cuiwei cleared her throat and gave a bitter smile, her face not looking too good. "Don't tell me... well, I ate too much the other day, and lately I really can't stand hearing those two words, just like Your Highness can't stand hearing... um, you understand?"
Song Qiuqi nodded blankly, then turned to look at Yun Lie, "Oh, I heard my brother mention that His Highness isn't listening to 'pears' anymore..."
Before he could finish speaking, Yun Lie, who was sitting behind the table next to him, felt a churning in his stomach.
He closed his eyes expressionlessly, abruptly tossed aside the folded document in his hand, rubbed his forehead with his left hand, pointed his right index finger at Song Qiuqi, and almost spat out a warning through gritted teeth, "Shut up, or you'll say another word..."
He paused, his voice heavy with suppressed emotion, before continuing, "Don't think you won't get beaten up just because you're young."
****
A short while later, the waiter, following Luo Cuiwei's previous instructions, brought another bowl of braised shark fin with oysters and a small plate of sweet cakes, and placed them beside Song Qiuqi.
Poor Song Qiuqi came to talk to Luo Cuiwei, but His Highness Prince Zhao's words "Shut up" successfully shut the little girl up, leaving her only able to drink soup and eat snacks to shut herself up.
Fortunately, on the territory of Prince Zhao's residence, "the Princess Consort's decree" always seemed to be more arrogant than "Prince Zhao's decree." Luo Cui smiled and threw a crumpled piece of paper at Yun Lie, and the "shut up" "oral decree" was immediately invalidated.
Having received Luo Cuiwei's permission, Song Qiuqi quickly stopped eating, her anxious little face scrunched up, and she blurted out, "The other merchants have all stocked up on new clothes and fabrics, but we haven't made any preparations at all. We're going to miss this business opportunity before the New Year!"
She usually negotiated these matters with Xiahou Ling, but recently Xiahou Ling has been frequently leaving the city, and she hasn't seen her for several days.
Seeing that all the other merchants were ready today, she couldn't contain herself any longer and came to see Luo Cuiwei.
"How can someone so young have such a bad memory?" Luo Cui smiled and took a sip of soup, calmly saying, "Didn't I ask you to place an order with a man surnamed Xu in Yizhou at the end of last month? Judging by the journey, it should arrive in a few days. What haven't you prepared?"
She was so engrossed in talking to Song Qiuqi that she didn't notice Yun Lie suddenly narrowing his eyes and looking at her warily.
Song Qiuqi nodded vigorously, "I haven't forgotten! But we ordered coarse linen short coats, which we'll only need to work in the fields after spring, not the expensive new clothes we wear for the New Year."
“It seems your Master A-Ling was too busy and didn’t teach you this subject properly,” Luo Cuiwei smiled and pursed her lips. “At this time of year, other merchants are only focused on the lucrative business of new clothes for the New Year, so we won’t compete for that kind of attention.”
Over the past six months, due to the construction of new houses and city defenses, many homeless people without land in the surrounding area have gathered here to work and make a living.
After spring, in addition to the city's defense, manpower will continue to be needed. With the completion of many houses in the city, many people will once again face a situation of being without property, employment, and work.
To prevent these people from leaving the city again, at the end of the year, the Prince Zhao's Mansion posted a notice: Anyone who has worked in the new city for more than half a year can go to the prefectural government to leave relevant records and register in the new city. After paying half a tael of silver as a guarantee, they can obtain a location designated by the prefectural government on the barren mountains around the new city. After the spring, they can cultivate the wasteland, build houses and settle down on their own.
"Think about it, if it were you, would you be willing to wear the expensive new clothes you bought for the New Year while you're clearing land and farming?" Luo Cuiwei tapped the table with her fingertips and said with a smile, "Besides, you've gone from being displaced to having land to settle down, and you've just saved up some money from working for the past six months. Isn't it just right to buy a couple of cheap outfits for working in the fields to bring good luck?"
Song Qiuqi suddenly realized that it was the same old approach, another deal that others overlooked, but which could be quickly sold out as soon as the goods were displayed.
“But there are only so many people in the city…” After all, Song Qiuqi was already a small shopkeeper who had stepped into the business world, and she was gradually learning to apply what she had learned to other situations.
Luo Cuiwei nodded with satisfaction and explained, "Besides this city, there are also places like Tongshan, Qinglu, and Changfan. With so many young men and women under your command, it would be a good time to let them go door-to-door and explore."
Although the population in the other five cities is dwindling, there are still quite a few households in the countryside. These households rarely come to the city, so if someone brings these everyday necessities to their door and shouts for them, even if it's just out of curiosity, someone will always buy some.
"Since it's a face-to-face transaction, and only a few copper coins, there won't be any credit. The money and goods are settled, and everyone is happy."
Having learned her lesson, Song Qiuqi felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders. After finishing all the snacks and stews, she happily took her leave.
After the girl left, Yun Lie coldly snorted, stomping his foot on the crossbeam under the table with a dull thud. "You surnamed Xu, huh?"
Luo Cuiwei turned her head and glared at him with a smile, then said in a slightly annoyed tone, "It's just business, why are you being so jealous?"