Chapter 377: Chapter 378: Making a Fool of Oneself

Seeing how many shops they’d acquired, Jin Qianqian’s staff grew restless.

To them, this was a golden opportunity. More accountants and shopkeepers might be chosen from their ranks.

Liu Qingmei, the internal housekeeper, once again came before Jin Qianqian, trying to suppress a smile.

"Looks like you’re being showered with compliments again," Lichun said with a laugh. Her hands remained busy, swiftly pinning up Jin Qianqian’s hair.

Liu Qingmei made no attempt to hide it. "They want me to put in a good word for them with you, Madam, to see if they can secure a position. They’ve been praising my unremarkable looks to the high heavens."

"I know they all have an agenda, but who doesn’t enjoy a few compliments?"

Jin Qianqian picked up a hairpin, fastened it in her hair, and glanced in the mirror. "Tell them not to worry about it for now. They should just focus on following the shopkeepers and learning as much as they can. When the time comes, I won’t forget them."

’I was originally planning to have them take up posts in rotation, but I’ll have to change that. If we really end up moving, these people will be truly valuable.’

"Madam, we’ve bought so many shops. Surely we can’t just let them sit empty," Qinglan said, her eyes exceptionally bright. "Every day we open for business is another day of income for us."

’Every time she thought about those empty storefronts, Qinglan grew restless. She was constantly wondering what new strategy the Madam would come up with this time.’

Jin Qianqian shook her head. "Those shops won’t be opening for now. The estate—have you sent someone to take a look at it yet?"

Qinglan was a little disappointed but knew her mistress had other plans. "I’ve already sent someone to inspect it. The estate is large, but it seems access to water is not very convenient."

They were referring to the smaller estate they had purchased more recently. Whatever plans Jin Qianqian had for it would have to be put on hold for now.

"Have someone give it a simple cleaning for now. We can figure out the rest later."

"You and Qingzhu, make sure to consolidate the accounts from this period. I have a use for them."

"Yes," Qinglan replied.

* * *

「Early morning.」

Dressed for the day, Jin Qianqian went to Li Cuicui’s courtyard and found Gu Yuanshui and Gu Lehuan already waiting there.

After exchanging greetings, they all escorted Li Cuicui to the dining hall.

"Is Seventh out again?" Li Cuicui asked casually, not seeing her seventh son. She knew Gu Wenheng had to leave for his official post every day.

"He has to leave at the crack of dawn every day," Jin Qianqian explained. "He wanted to come and say goodbye to you, Mother, but he was afraid he’d disturb your rest."

"It’s not easy for Seventh," Li Cuicui said, then turned to her fourth son. "You were out so late yesterday. How did things go?"

Gu Yuanshui glanced at Jin Qianqian, looking dejected. "I checked many places, but I couldn’t find a single one suitable for a tofu workshop."

"I even went out to the countryside, but not a single farmhouse was for rent. It’s incredibly difficult around here."

Jin Qianqian had nothing to say.

Li Cuicui then looked at her grandson. "Lehuan, what about you?"

’The boy came back early enough, but he just holed himself up in his room. He even had a servant bring him his meals.’

Gu Lehuan also glanced at Jin Qianqian before saying quietly, "I’m going to head out again in a bit."

Jin Qianqian had nothing to say.

’What’s with both of them looking at me before they speak?’

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When she couldn’t figure something out, Jin Qianqian never dwelled on it. She had the butler bring in the two young servants they had purchased the day before.

"These two are quite familiar with Shangjing. Have them accompany you from now on. That way, you’ll have someone to help with errands."

Gu Yuanshui was short-handed, so he didn’t stand on ceremony. "Thank you, Seventh Sister-in-law."

Gu Lehuan, having never had a servant before, found it hard to accept. He quickly waved his hands in refusal. "Seventh Aunt, I don’t need one. I can handle things on my own."

Jin Qianqian said, "It will give us some peace of mind to have someone with you when you go out."

Li Cuicui was also uneasy about her grandson wandering around by himself. "Since it’s a kind gesture from your Seventh Aunt, you should accept it. We’ll all feel more at ease knowing someone is with you."

Gu Lehuan thanked them profusely, quickly finished his breakfast, and left again with his new attendant.

As Jin Qianqian walked with Li Cuicui in the rear courtyard, the conversation turned to Gu Lehuan.

"I wonder who that boy is going to see," Li Cuicui mused. "But he’s seemed so preoccupied these last couple of days. I wonder if his meeting isn’t going smoothly."

"When children grow up, they have their own minds," Jin Qianqian said. "Maybe he’ll surprise you and bring home a granddaughter-in-law."

The moment she heard the phrase "bring home a granddaughter-in-law," Li Cuicui’s mind went to the troublesome Song Xiuyang. "When it comes to finding a wife, the family elders still need to be the gatekeepers. Otherwise, if another menace like her gets in, your second brother will never know a moment of peace."

Jin Qianqian had nothing to say.

* * *

Gu Lehuan, accompanied by the young servant He Chun who had just been assigned to him, arrived once more outside the Xu Nuo brokerage.

Staring at the closed doors, Gu Lehuan summoned his courage, walked up, and knocked.

He Chun, standing beside him, quickly interjected, "Young Master Huan, allow me!"

Gu Lehuan shook his head. "It’s alright."

When the door opened from within, the familiar face of Dazhuang appeared before him.

"Young Master Gu?" Dazhuang hadn’t expected Gu Lehuan to be the one knocking at his door so early. ’He left yesterday without a word, so what’s he here for this morning?’

"I’d like to see Proprietor Xu," Gu Lehuan said, taking a deep breath.

Xu Nuo hadn’t expected to see Gu Lehuan again either.

Although Dazhuang had mentioned him yesterday, she had assumed he was just passing by. She never thought he would actually come to her door today.

She sized up the young man before her. Perhaps because he hadn’t been working for some time, his face was a little fairer, and he had put on some weight.

Dressed in fine brocade and followed by a servant, he looked so different. ’If I’d seen him on the street,’ she thought, ’I wouldn’t have dared to greet him.’

Thinking of her own circumstances, Xu Nuo pushed her thoughts aside and smiled. "There’s a saying that after a three-day separation, one should look at a scholar with new eyes. It’s certainly true in your case. It looks like you’ve been doing well for yourself, Young Master Gu."

"Please don’t tease me, Proprietor Xu," Gu Lehuan said, secretly sighing in relief. ’She can still joke around. That means she doesn’t see me as a complete stranger.’

"What brings you here today? Are you looking to buy something?" The thought that she hadn’t made a single sale in days made Xu Nuo’s first words all about business.

Gu Lehuan hadn’t actually considered that. "Our family has moved to Fu County now, and my mother is in charge of all our household affairs. I can ask her what we need and then come back to you, Proprietor Xu."

Xu Nuo froze for a second, then broke into a wry laugh. "The two places are too far apart. It wouldn’t be economical at all to purchase things from me."

"It seems I won’t be getting your business after all, Young Master Gu."

Gu Lehuan finally realized what he’d said and anxiously scratched his head. ’How could I have said something so foolish?’

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