Zhou Xuan lovingly fiddled with the Damascus knife and asked Abu: "Old brother, does this knife have a loud name?"

  "This sword is called 'Poison Dragon'."

  "What is it, called Dragon Slayer, Treasure Sword Dragon Slayer?"

  "No, it's called the Poisonous Dragon." Abu explained: "This knife was tempered with the venom of a giant desert viper during its forging process, which is why the blade has a dark color. Young master, be careful when wielding this knife in the future, don't hurt yourself."

  "Could it be that we will see blood and have our throats sealed?"

  Abu said, "It's not that serious, the wound will just rot and be hard to heal. But I have a special medicine -" He took out a silver container from his pocket and handed it to Zhou Xuan, saying, "There are 36 detoxification pills inside. If you accidentally hurt someone, crush one pill and mix it with wine to apply to the wound. It will scab over quickly."

  Zhou Xuan accepted the silverware and said: "Old brother, we really have a good affinity, I'll invite you to drink two cups."

  Abu was delighted, looked around and didn't see any drinking atmosphere, said: "Dr. Qin has recently encountered some difficulties, so I won't disturb him, another day I'll invite Brother Zhou to drink heavily." Abu also started calling him Brother Zhou, he's a descendant of a big eater, it's not easy to find a friend who can be called brother in the Tang country.

  Zhou Xuan said: "Never mind, I'll invite you to a nearby wine house for a drink, and there's something important to discuss with you."

  Zhou Xuan first returned to the bedroom and hid the Damascus knife and San Ci's sword together, took some silver with him, and said to Qin Furen: "Mother-in-law, I'm going to the wine tower in the town with that Hu merchant to discuss something. I'll let my partner send some delicious dishes over, don't let Needle Sister cook, I've already spoken with Liao Yin and his wife from the insect store, they will return to their hometown to help the Qin family find a few honest and simple cooks and servants, they should arrive tomorrow, the brokerage fee will be paid by me on behalf of 'Super Autumn War Hall', Mother-in-law doesn't need to worry. Also, I've already made an appointment with Officer Xue Ba on Father-in-law's side, if Lord Li returns, he will immediately come to Qin Fu to report the news."

  Zhou Xuan's heart is meticulous, and he thinks of everything. Madame Qin said: "It's really hard on you, son-in-law."

  Qin Que said: "Zhou——" She now felt that calling him Young Master Zhou was not suitable, and it was hard to call him Husband. "Zhou——this gift from the Hu merchant is too valuable, isn't it? Just this one piece of five-colored glassware can be sold for over a hundred taels of silver. Que thinks maybe we should return all the other gifts to him and just keep that knife."

  Zhou Xuan laughed and said, "Who receives gifts like this? Later, that Abu brother will think that Dr. Qin dislikes his gift, haha, just accept them all, it's nothing, you saved three lives in his family." He took a folding fan and walked out shaking it.

  Qin Que hurriedly followed up and reminded him: "You... drink a little less wine."

  Zhou Xuan turned his head and looked at Qin Que, a smile playing on his lips: "Do you care about me?"

  Qin Que's face turned red and she quickly turned around and went back.

  "Don't worry, I have a limit, if I drink too much wine, I'll give birth to a foolish child."

  Qin Que's face turned red with a burning sensation, but she didn't find Zhou Xuan's words annoying or hateful. Thinking back to the conversation between Zhou Xuan and the three foolish sons of Xu at the Xu manor, she couldn't help but want to laugh again.

  Zhou Xuan and Hu Shang Ab brought their arms to the wine tower half a mile away from Qin's mansion, first instructing the partner to prepare meals for eight people to be sent to Qin's mansion, then pushed cups and changed plates with Abu, discussing Jiangzhou business, originally Abu owned three major monopoly industries, namely large food carpets, five-color glass utensils and "Fanghua Yong Zhu Xue".

  Abu said, "Zhou's brother's wife, Dr. Qin, has a good complexion, so I didn't give her 'Fanghua Yong Zhu Xue', and I won't hide it from Master Zhou either. This 'Fanghua Yong Zhu Xue' is not suitable for long-term use, it's only suitable for those old women who have lost their beauty."

  Zhou Xuan knew that the cost of making those colorful glassware was extremely low, but they were sold for over a hundred taels of silver each. No wonder Abu brother made a fortune. Alas, I didn't learn how to make glass before, otherwise, this one item would have made me rich. Never mind, I'll just open my insect shop and slowly develop my entertainment business. Just making money is boring, it has to be fun and profitable at the same time to suit my taste.

  With a flushed face, Zhou Xuan started to attract foreign investment: "Old brother, I and Lin Er Miss of the Du Hu Fu have partnered up to open an insect store, that 'Super Autumn War Hall', you've seen it, it's very prosperous, right? My brother and Lin Er Miss are planning to find another partner to make 'Super Autumn War Hall' bigger and stronger. As soon as this news spread, the bosses of the three major insect societies in Jiangzhou were eager to partner with us. I'm still considering who would be a suitable partner."

  Abu's eyes widened, and he grasped Zhou Xuan's arm urgently: "Brother Zhou, why don't you consider me? I'm also very interested in fighting insects. I've long wanted to start an insect club, but unfortunately, I couldn't find a partner. This great opportunity, Brother Zhou, you must give it to me." In fact, Abu didn't understand anything about fighting insects and couldn't even tell the males from females apart.

  "Based on our friendship, partnering up is definitely no problem—"

  Abu was overjoyed.

  Zhou Xuan said: "But this also needs Miss Lin Er's agreement."

  Abu said, "Then trouble Brother Zhou to speak well of me in front of Miss Lin, just say that I'm passionate about insect fighting and willing to build the 'Super Autumn War Hall' into the largest insect club in Jiangzhou or even the entire Tang country. With Brother Zhou's and Miss Lin's relationship, Miss Lin will agree to let me join."

  Zhou Xuan was still considering, seemingly wavering among several candidates. Abu grew impatient: "Brother Zhou, after the insect society is established, I will provide all the silver needed. Tomorrow, I will send 5,000 taels of silver to your hands as the first capital for our partnership."

  Zhou Xuan slapped his thigh and made a determined decision: "Alright, since you're so sincere, I won't let you down. I'll go talk to Miss Lin Er and make sure she agrees."

  Abu's beard was trembling with excitement as he grasped Zhou Xuan's hand and shook it: "Good brother, good brother! I'm really too grateful!"

  Zhou Xuan said, "No need to thank me, we're partners, don't worry, I guarantee that the insect company will have returns within half a year. Annual profit statistics - uh, it's the money earned excluding the principal, Lin Er and Abu brother, the three of us will split it equally, and get rich together, haha."

  Abu was deeply infected with Zhou Xuan's depiction of a beautiful future, and he drank cup after cup, getting drunk, finally being supported by Zhou Xuan and his two strong men to get on the carriage to return.

  Zhou Xuan gently shook his fan and returned to the Qin mansion under the reflection of the lamp lights on both sides of the street. He didn't realize that they had been drinking for so long until he heard the night watchman's drumbeat, it was already the third watch at night. However, this meal was worth it, as he managed to drink out 5,000 taels of silver, giving him a great sense of accomplishment.

  Lai Fu Lai opened the door, and Zhou Xuan walked into the inner courtyard. He saw that all the lights in the rooms were out, except for his bedroom, which was still lit. Everyone had been exhausted these past two days, so he assumed they had gone to bed early. As he entered his bedroom, he saw a single lamp lit, and Xiao Hua curled up asleep on his intricately carved large bed, having waited for him to return for a long time before falling asleep.

  Zhou Xuan didn't disturb Xiao Huixiang, took the clothes to the back garden well to bathe, finished bathing and was putting on her clothes when she suddenly heard a voice from beside the yellow mud wall ask: "Sister-in-law Zhou, have you finished your bath?"

  Zhou Xuan quickly tied his belt and said: "Oh, sister of the spinning needle, it's so late and you haven't slept yet, is there something going on?"

  Under the misty starlight, Su Xian brought a wooden basin from the moon gate and walked in: "I'm here to help you with the laundry. You did it yourself yesterday, didn't you? It doesn't seem very clean."

  Zhou Xuan hurriedly said: "I'll just wash myself casually, why bother troubling Sister Zhenni."

  Zhen needle sat on the bluestone by the well, quickly putting away the wet clothes that Zhou Xuan had taken off into a wooden basin, saying: "Zhen needle has always been the daughter of a poor family, not some kind of young lady."

  I just like daughters from poor families, they know how to care for people.

  Su Xianzhen let out a soft "ah" and her cheeks flushed bright red, she quickly fetched a bucket of water and began to scrub the clothes vigorously, hiding the joy and shyness in her heart.

  This confession is too straightforward, Zhou Xuan also felt a bit awkward. Fortunately, a sound from the other side of the mud wall gave him something to say: "What's that noise?"

  The needle was busy washing clothes and said without lifting her head: "It should be that Siamese cat."

  It was actually the Siamese cat, Qin Que, who was on the other side of the yellow mud wall. She had heard Zhou Xuan return and went to the backyard to take a bath, also wanting to come over to help him wash his clothes. However, she was beaten to it by Zhen Zhen. Then, hearing what Zhou Xuan said, her hands and feet turned cold for a moment, her heart felt sour, and she leaned against the yellow mud wall, causing a piece of soil to fall off.

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