On the way back, without the nagging voice of Qin Mama, the atmosphere in the carriage rexed significantly.

  Guyu lifted the curtain and gnced outside. The shadows on the ground were nearly invisible now, and she couldn't help but mutter, “The Jiang family is really something. It's almost noon, they called us over, yet didn’t even offer us lunch. What kind of people are they!”

  On the way back to the Marquis's residence, they had to tidy up again. Who knew when they would get to eat!

  She wasn’t too bothered by the hunger, but what about the madam?

  Thinking of this, Guyu cursed the Jiang family again, but this time with more venom in her thoughts.

  Jingzhe observed Jiang Fuyue’s expression and noticed she seemed indifferent. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. “Alright, you’re upset about missing just one meal?”

  She didn’t know that Jiang Fuyue had lived through one life already. She only knew that the Jiang family was different from the Marquis's household—it was where Jiang Fuyue had grown up. Even though the pce and people had changed, Jiang Fuyue couldn’t help but still feel some attachment to the Jiang family.

  What Guyu said might make Jiang Fuyue think too much.

  Though Guyu didn’t realize it, she was quick-witted enough to see the warning in Jingzhe’s eyes and immediately stopped talking.

  “Jiang family’s meals aren’t anything special,” Jiang Fuyue said with a faint smile, “Let’s go to Xiaozhulou.”

  The best cooks in the Jiang family were now in the small kitchen of Shaoguang Yuan, and the food in the Jiang household could no longer compare to what it used to be. They might as well dine out.

  Guyu’s eyes lit up. “Xiaozhulou sounds great! Braised ribs with bamboo shoots, stir-fried green peppers with whip bamboo shoots, fresh bamboo shoot chicken soup, and red-shell bamboo shoots with chicken... It’s strange, though. These dishes are made with different seasonal bamboo shoots, but Xiaozhulou somehow manages to get them all. It’s really something!”

  “Wipe your drool. Don’t drown us with it!” Jingzhe handed her a handkerchief with a look of distaste. “You get all fired up talking about food. You’re the one with skills!”

  Jiang Fuyue had originally had no appetite, but when she heard Guyu list all those dishes, her stomach seemed to be rebelling.

  Seeing this, Jingzhe smiled faintly, and instructed the driver to speed up.

  Xiaozhulou was situated in a quiet bamboo grove amidst the bustling city. The three-story building looked a bit old-fashioned from the outside but was very elegant. There were no artificial decorations; the pce was adorned with greenery, giving it an aura of vitality.

  Only the wealthy and powerful were allowed to dine there, so anyone who came to eat had a remarkable status.

  The shopkeeper had just led a customer inside when he turned around and saw Jiang Fuyue getting out of the carriage. He hurried over, saying, “Madam! What a rare visit! We’ve reserved a private room for you upstairs. Please, follow me!”

  “Thank you, Shopkeeper Wu.” Jiang Fuyue nodded politely, then led Jingzhe and Guyu upstairs.

  Soon, a table full of delicious dishes was id out. The sight and aroma of the food stirred Jiang Fuyue’s appetite, and the bad mood she had been carrying was forgotten. She began to focus on the meal.

  The three of them had a hearty meal and then strolled through the bamboo forest to digest, before returning to the Marquis's residence.

  As soon as they returned to Shaoguang Yuan, Guyu couldn’t help but yawn. “Madam, let me help you out of your clothes. You should take a nap.”

  They had just eaten and walked for a while. Guyu was already too tired to keep her eyes open, barely making it back.

  Seeing her condition, Jiang Fuyue couldn’t help but ugh. “If you’re tired, go ahead and sleep. Jingzhe will be back soon, and I still have to check the accounts.”

  She had handed all the Marquis's estate management to the steward in the household. From checking it monthly to quarterly, she now needed to look at her dowry’s properties.

  Guyu firmly shook her head. “That won’t do. I must stay with Madam!”

  Guyu then sat down nearby, clutching a hidden pouch. Her head was so heavy with sleep that she could barely keep it up, but she stubbornly refused to lie down.

  Jiang Fuyue shook her head helplessly and gave in to her.

  Before long, Jingzhe returned, struggling to carry a book chest filled with account books.

  The chest hit the ground with a thud, startling Guyu, who sat upright immediately.

  “Madam, I’ll help you look through these,” Jingzhe said, sitting down beside Jiang Fuyue.

  Jiang Fuyue nodded and casually poured a cup of tea, setting it beside her.

  Guyu, half-asleep, mustered what little energy she had to sit up and help with grinding the ink and passing the account books.

  The three of them were engrossed in the accounts for two full hours.

  As the sun began to set outside, golden light filled the room. The smoke from the kitchen rose as the household started preparing for dinner.

  In the study of Shaoguang Yuan, Jiang Fuyue looked at the ledger Jingzhe had compiled, her brow furrowing.

  Jingzhe, thinking she had made a mistake, hurriedly asked, “Madam, did I write something wrong?”

  Jiang Fuyue shook her head.

  The properties were scattered all over, mostly in bustling towns, except for one location.

  Liangzhou.

  It was more isoted than the others, yet the profits from the shop in Liangzhou weren’t any less than the others.

  That was interesting.

  “Who’s in charge of the shop in Liangzhou?” Jiang Fuyue picked up the tea cup beside her.

  Jingzhe thought for a moment before replying, “It’s managed by a Madam Zhou. I remember, she used to be a maid accompanying the te madam. Then, for some reason, she left and went to Liangzhou to manage the shop. She’s been there ever since.”

  Madam Zhou...

  Jiang Fuyue didn’t remember her.

  “Send word to Liangzhou, tell Madam Zhou to hand over the shop’s affairs and come to the capital immediately.”

  “Yes.” Jingzhe nodded but didn’t leave right away. “Madam, do you think Madam Zhou is someone useful?”

  Jiang Fuyue gave a slight nod. “Anyone who can make something of themselves in such a remote pce must be talented.”

  It would be a waste to leave such a talent in a small pce like Liangzhou.

  She had already decided. To gain control, she first needed money.

  And that talent would have to come to the capital and serve her.

  “But I remember we don’t have any shops in the capital?” Jingzhe said.

  It’s hard to work without resources!

  “Don’t worry, I haven’t used up all my savings. I can still buy a shop,” Jiang Fuyue replied. “But we’ll have to wait until Madam Zhou arrives before we can discuss the details.”

  “Yes,” Jingzhe responded and was about to leave to write the letter.

  “Wait,” Jiang Fuyue suddenly called out, stopping her. “Never mind, I’ll write it myself.”

  Madam Zhou had worked hard for years in Liangzhou to build up her business. To suddenly ask her to abandon it and start over in the capital might upset her.

  Though servants should obey their masters’ orders, what if Madam Zhou came to the capital and didn’t perform as expected?

  Guyu quickly id out some writing paper and handed Jiang Fuyue a brush.

  Jiang Fuyue thought for a moment, carefully choosing her words before she started writing.

  She quickly finished the letter, which was sent out by Jingzhe personally.