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  Ding Rou didn't let Liu's mother accompany her to the capital, and as soon as she left the village, she saw a neatly arranged horse-drawn carriage parked by the side of the road. Standing beside the carriage were two rich-looking mothers in their thirties, a young servant in a green robe and hat, and a coachman sitting on the carriage. The carriage was adorned with the Qian family crest. When Ding Rou came out, the lead mother approached her with a smile, handing her an invitation card, "It's Master who sent me to pick you up, please get on the carriage."

  After a slight daze, Ding Rou smiled and took the invitation card, glanced at it, and her evaluation of Mr. Qian increased by another point. Ding Rou didn't think she could hide her identity, as Mr. Qian only had two daughters, and the huge family business was inherited by the Qian sisters. Anyone close to them would be thoroughly investigated from both a businessman's perspective and a loving father's perspective, so it wasn't strange that Mr. Qian did his due diligence. Moreover, after what happened with Qian Qing forcing Wang Cheng to marry into their family two days ago, Ding Rou didn't feel humiliated by Mr. Qian's actions.

  "Trouble you, Old Master Qian." Ding Ruo helped her mother into the carriage, pulled down the curtain, and the two mothers exchanged a glance, secretly marveling at Ding Ruo's demeanor. Recalling that she was the sixth young lady of the Ding family, they felt somewhat reassured. A young lady from a scholarly family, even if born out of wedlock or raised in the countryside, would still have an air of elegance and poise about her.

  Mom got on the horse-drawn carriage, presented tea, Ding Rou smiled and took it, sipping tea leisurely, admiring the interior decoration of the carriage. Mom could see that Ding Rou was not envious or jealous, calmly appreciating it as if she were admiring a decorative piece.

  The carriage was elegant enough, and Old Man Qian had shown respect in a formal manner. Ding Ruo didn't feel inferior, yesterday she sat in a simple rented carriage, today she could have her own luxurious carriage. Along the way, Ding Ruo didn't ask the two mothers for any news, which made them feel surprised. Ding Ruo looked out of the window and enjoyed the scenery while thinking about how to deal with Old Man Qian. From the arrangements, it was clear that Old Man Qian wasn't a foolish person who could make a business successful just because his sister was the wife of the King of Wuling. Ding Ruo had more confidence in doing business together, she wasn't afraid of fierce competitors, but rather incompetent partners. If her partner was too foolish, then it would be impossible to do business.

  Qian Lao Ye is a shrewd person, and it took Ding Rou some effort to persuade him. The corners of Ding Rou's mouth curled up in satisfaction. This kind of stimulating and struggling life was the most enjoyable. While taking it easy was good, the days of struggle were just as wonderful. Ding Rou might be ordinary and low-key, but she could not tolerate mediocrity and drifting with the tide.

  The horse carriage once again entered the capital of Yanjing, Dagu, along the Ten Cross Street towards Qianfu. The Taizu Emperor was relatively tolerant of merchants and traders, without the many restrictions of the Ming Dynasty, merchants could wear silk and satin, ladies could wear golden hairpins and earrings, and the rules for merchant residences were only slightly inferior to those of officials and scholars. Although the status of merchants could not be equal to that of scholars, they could still make money and enjoy a life of luxury, but in the early Ming Dynasty, even if merchants had a lot of money, they could not enjoy it due to various restrictions.

  After the carriage stopped, a small servant from Qian's mansion came out and asked, "What's going on?" The mother, dressed in a blue silk dress, lifted the curtain of the carriage and asked.

  "Returning to Mother Zhou, it's Auntie returning home."

  Mrs. Zhou was taken aback and apologetically explained to Ding Ruo: "The old master instructed Miss Ding to enter through the main gate, but unexpectedly, the lady of the house returned home, which is really an affront to Miss Ding."

  "It doesn't matter, Princess Wuling coming to visit Old Man Qian is a happy event, I should yield and enter from the side door."

  Ding Rou smiled faintly, and Master Qian should not have known in advance that the wife of Wuling Wang had returned. It was not intentional to give Ding Rou a warning, but as an official's daughter who married into a merchant family, she would be humiliated if someone found out. Everyone thought that the Qian family looked down on the Ding family, but no one knew that Ding Rou was eager to get rid of her identity as a Ding family member. As long as she remained in the capital, her status would still be that of a Ding family daughter.

  Mother Zhou saw that Ding Ruo was really not bothered, so she smiled and said: "Miss Ding is indeed discerning between right and wrong, no wonder Second Miss often praises you. You know, Second Miss rarely praises people."

  "It's Miss Qian's kindness."

  The carriage entered through the side gate, and Ding Rou supported her mother's hand as they got out of the carriage. She took a look at the layout of the Qian estate and praised: "Mr. Qian has a meticulous mind." Being in the Qian estate, Ding Rou felt that it was different from the mansions of nouveau riche families. The layout of the Qian estate was not like the official residences she had imagined, but rather more elegant than the homes of scholars and more dignified than those of merchants. The Qian estate did not have the air of a merchant's extravagance, nor did it try to curry favor with the feudal aristocracy. From this, one could see that Mr. Qian was a man who knew his place and had a sense of proportion. He was not arrogant or proud because he had money, nor did he fawn on others because of his merchant background. If the Qian family continued to develop in this way, they might become a prominent family with a deep foundation. Mr. Qian had laid down a good foundation, but unfortunately... Ding Rou shook her head secretly. Not having a son was ultimately Mr. Qian's fatal weakness. Ding Rou did not look down on women, but in the Great Qin Dynasty, it was difficult for young ladies to inherit family businesses and discuss business with others.

  Miss Qian's marriage is of the utmost importance. A mediocre person cannot take on the responsibility of the Qian family, and someone too capable would also make Mr. Qian uneasy, fearing they have ulterior motives. Moreover, Qian Qing has a good heart but is a spoiled miss who has been doted on by her father, so it's inevitable that she has an arrogant air about her. In the future, finding a husband will be even more difficult, and as a son-in-law in the Great Qin dynasty, he would face discrimination.

  "Miss Ding, please go with me to listen to the Rain Pavilion."

  Zhou Mama led Ding Ruo to the Rain Pavilion, and she had just received a reply from Xiao Yatou. She explained: "It's really too unfortunate, Madame will arrive in a moment, the two young ladies are accompanying Master to greet Madame, Master asked me to serve Miss Ding, he'll apologize to you personally later."

  Ding Rou smiled faintly, her mind turning quickly. The sudden return of the Madame of Wuling Wang's household must be due to an urgent matter. If it were a normal return to the estate, she should have been informed in advance, and Master Qian wouldn't have invited Ding Rou to the estate today. Ding Rou didn't think that Madame would wait for Master Qian to come see her; Madame's urgent matter was of utmost importance. The Qian family's status was due to two things: one was Master Qian himself, and the other was the Wuling Wang household.

  If Ting Ruo leaves now, Old Man Qian will think she's angry. Let's sit for a bit and then leave. It's not easy to find a suitable partner after all. Ting Ruo followed Zhou Mama into the Listening Rain Pavilion and sat down on the sandalwood chair. Zhou Mama explained, "The Listening Rain Pavilion is where Second Miss usually receives close relatives and friends. Please don't be polite, Miss Ting. If you have any instructions, just tell me."

  The little girl neatly presented tea and arranged various dried fruits. From the arrangement of the Listening Rain Pavilion, Qian Zhao indeed treated Ding Rou as a good friend. Ding Rou said: "It doesn't matter, if Mr. Qian and the two ladies are too busy, I can visit again another day."

  Zhou's mother secretly let out a sigh of relief, she was afraid that Ding Rou would leave in a huff. "Miss Ding, don't be in such a hurry to leave, just wait a moment, the old master and young lady will arrive soon."

  Ding Ruo was tasting tea in Qian Fu's listening rain pavilion, half a time had always given enough face to Qian Zhao, and also let Mr. Qian know Ding Ruo's sincerity, which was enough.

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