West City’s West Grand Street. The “Welcome Guest” General Store. The capital city is bustling with life. The east side is where the nobles reside, the north side is the Imperial Palace, while the south and west sides are where ordinary people live. The “Welcome Guest” General Store is located on the main street of the west side, with a constant flow of customers and a thriving business.
“Miss!” Lu Lingyun’s carriage discreetly entered the “Welcome Guest” General Store’s backyard. As she stepped out, a girl, wearing an apron and sleeves, her attire suggesting a capable worker, rushed up excitedly. It was Zhiyan, Lu Lingyun’s trusted maid who she had sent out to manage affairs.
“How have you been adjusting to being out in the world?” Lu Lingyun, her heart filled with joy, asked Zhiyan.
“Everything is good, except for not seeing you, Miss.” Zhiyan exclaimed with excitement.
Lu Lingyun, observing Zhiyan’s rosy complexion, energetic spirit, and bright eyes, noticed a change in her aura compared to her time at the Houfu. She was more capable, more spirited, and had gained a measure of composure. Lu Lingyun couldn’t help but be pleased. This was her hand-picked future steward.
In this life, she wouldn’t have to waste herself, paving the way for Li Wenxun, becoming his nutrient source, nurturing his growth like in the past. This time, she had married into a Houfu, a rich and expansive new world. In such a place, she didn’t have to sacrifice herself and struggle to move forward. She could simply stretch her limbs and bask in the abundant sunshine, becoming stronger.
Internally, she would firmly root herself in the Houfu, taking control. Externally, she would leverage all available resources, expanding her own ventures.
Everything that could be hers would be hers.
Currently, Lu Lingyun owned three shops: a tavern, a silk and fabric shop, and this “Welcome Guest” General Store. Each of these shops brought in over 300 taels of silver per month, meaning roughly a thousand taels in total. In addition, she had five farms, each with over 20 tenant farmers, producing around 3,000 taels of income annually. These were all part of Lu Lingyun’s private funds, separate from the Houfu’s.
“Miss, we bought all the available cash for charcoal. We purchased 10,000 carts in total, costing 9,170 taels. We filled four warehouses. It’s all here.” Zhiyan excitedly reported to Lu Lingyun. It was almost November, and the weather was growing colder. The price of charcoal was rising rapidly, but fortunately, Lu Lingyun had instructed her to buy early. Each cart had cost less than a tael of silver, but now the price had risen to 1.5 taels.
“Excellent.”
Lu Lingyun inspected the four warehouses.
During the coldest months, a cart of charcoal typically rose to 2 taels of silver, but this year, prices could peak at 5 taels per cart, with supply struggling to meet demand. She had stockpiled 10,000 carts of charcoal; she was guaranteed to make a huge profit this winter.
After reviewing the accounts and verifying the figures, Lu Lingyun instructed Zhiyan on the warehouse’s moisture-proofing and fire prevention measures. But it turned out there was no need for her to say anything; Zhiyan had thought of everything. Each cart of charcoal was neatly stacked, with fire and moisture prevention measures already in place.
“This little one has really grown up,” Lu Lingyun said, pinching Zhiyan’s cheek with satisfaction.
The praised Zhiyan flushed, her eyes filled with pride. “Of course, I wouldn’t want to disappoint you, Miss.”
“I’ll give you a good reward this New Year.”
Zhiyan was delighted. Being praised and making Lu Lingyun happy was enough for her. Then, her eyes lit up as she remembered something. “By the way, Miss, I need to introduce someone to you.”
“Who?”
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