With Su Xiaoqi’s promise, Du Yiyi felt reassured, and her mood instantly improved.
She even started gossiping with Su Xiaoqi.
“There are rumors circulating in the market that someone is impotent, hahaha, it’s hilarious!” With her worries put aside, Du Yiyi reverted to her carefree, mischievous self.
Catching wind of Shen Fu’s situation, she chattered endlessly to Su Xiaoqi, full of animation.
Su Xiaoqi held her back, asking if the rumors had indeed spread through the market.
Du Yiyi nodded, “Some rumors have spread, but they aren’t very specific. It’s just a whisper. I wish I knew who was behind it, spreading it even wider would be more fun.”
Du Yiyi was the type to enjoy a good spectacle, never thinking the situation was dire enough.
However, even with her words, who would dare?
It was merely occasional whispers exchanged in teahouses in the marketplace.
That was, after all, the Prince Ning’s estate, at the height of his favor. Who would dare provoke them? It would be akin to not valuing their own life.
Moreover, the Princess Ning was extremely protective of her own. If you crossed her, you’d face a barrage of tactics.
Su Xiaoqi thought it made sense; anyone who dared to spread such rumors openly would certainly become a primary target of the Prince Ning’s estate.
“Besides this news, I heard that Princess Ning is busy arranging a marriage for the Prince Ning’s heir. I wonder which unfortunate soul will become his wife,” Du Yiyi didn’t have a good impression of the Prince Ning’s estate.
She was happy to watch their troubles unfold.
Su Xiaoqi, however, fell into deep thought.
She realized that the recent plot was deviating quite a bit from the original novel’s storyline.
In the novel, the Prince Ning’s heir was not rendered impotent.
She remembered clearly that the Prince Ning’s heir not only married but also had a daughter.
She just couldn’t recall who he married very clearly.
The two of them then returned to discussing their two businesses.
“Doing business with Sister Xiaoqi is both profitable and hassle-free,” Du Yiyi’s eyes crinkled with a smile.
For these two shops, from start to finish, she had only provided the storefronts and found a shopkeeper; everything else was arranged by Su Xiaoqi.
Now that Chen Jin Ji had Xiao Xique as its shopkeeper, and the supermarket had Xiao Yi, she was even more at ease.
Every day, she only needed to look at the account books, count the money, and at the end of the month, a large sum of dividends would come in, making her exceptionally happy.
As she was leaving, she quietly calculated her personal little treasure trove.
Including the shops she had previously opened in Yizhou Prefecture in cooperation with Su Xiaoqi, she had now earned nearly fifty thousand taels.
This was more than the silver dowry her father had prepared for her.
“With this money, don’t spend it carelessly this year. Buy some estates with arable land,” Su Xiaoqi advised.
Du Yiyi readily agreed, “I’ll listen to Sister Xiaoqi.
Oh, right, my mother said you haven’t visited our home for a while. When will you go see her?”
Su Xiaoqi was very fond of the forthright Yu Rong and immediately nodded, saying she would go after she finished with her current tasks.
At that time, she would be hosting a banquet at her estate on the second day of the fifth month, which would be a perfect opportunity to personally deliver the invitation.
Du Yiyi smiled and urged her to come, saying she would be waiting for her at home.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you, Xiao Han has left,” Su Xiaoqi suddenly recalled what Zhang Yu had told her.
Du Yiyi nodded, a somewhat inscrutable expression on her face. She responded with a simple, “I know, I saw him yesterday.”
“He came to look for you?” Su Xiaoqi was somewhat surprised, yet it also felt within reason.
At the time, she had noticed Xiao Han’s gaze towards Du Yiyi seemed unusual.
When he heard that she might be betrothed to the Prince Duan’s heir, his expression was subtle, clearly displeased.
However, out of consideration for Du Yiyi’s reputation, she couldn’t say too much.
“He came to the capital, saying the most dangerous place is the safest.
It just so happened that he needed to rally his old subordinates, investigate the cause of his father's death, and find the murderer.”
Du Yiyi had apparently talked a lot with Xiao Han, but seeing her look a bit hesitant, as if she hadn’t yet decided how to say it, Su Xiaoqi didn’t press her, continuing to chat with her.
A few days later, Su Xiaoqi’s banquet invitations were ready. They were hot-stamped with gold and inlaid with floral patterns, elegant and refined.
Su Xiaoqi personally went to the Princess’s residence, holding the invitation.
The Princess was in the small Buddhist hall in the back, burning incense and praying.
Madam Xu came out to greet her and asked her to wait outside for a moment.
Su Xiaoqi smiled apologetically, “I’m sorry, I’ve come rather abruptly.”
Because she had a waist token personally given by the Princess, she hadn’t sent an invitation beforehand, so the Princess naturally didn’t know in advance and wasn’t prepared.
She reflected that this was indeed her oversight.
“Please don’t say that, Madam Shen. First, you saved our young master, and then you helped our young princess.
You are a distinguished guest of our estate, and normally we can’t even invite you. Please don’t be so self-deprecating.”
Madam Xu had always had a very good impression of Su Xiaoqi, and her praise was naturally sincere and enthusiastic.
Su Xiaoqi pursed her lips and smiled, sitting calmly on the chair, waiting quietly.
Meanwhile, Princess Huian and Bao Ge’er, upon hearing that Su Xiaoqi had arrived, specifically came to find her to play.
“Our slide park is ready! Sister Xiaoqi, let’s go play together,” Bao Ge’er enthusiastically invited Su Xiaoqi.
Su Xiaoqi was a bit curious. She wanted to see what the improved family children’s playground, which she and Shen Yun had designed together, would look like.
However, she hadn’t yet paid her respects to the Princess, and leaving with Bao Ge’er like this seemed rather impolite.
She hesitated, while Bao Ge’er was excitedly urging her on, unaware of her indecision.
Su Xiaoqi thought for a moment and came up with a solution that would satisfy both parties.
“How about I first go and pay my respects to the Princess, and then I’ll go with Bao Ge’er to have a look, and then return to the Princess’s side?”
She looked towards Madam Xu.
Madam Xu pondered for a moment and felt it made sense.
The Princess was devout in her worship of Buddha, and each session of burning incense and chanting sutras lasted at least half an hour.
It had only been a quarter of an hour since she went in, so there was enough time to wait.
It wouldn’t do to make Su Xiaoqi wait idly.
It was a good idea to let Bao Ge’er and Princess Huian take her around for a bit.
Though she thought this, Madam Xu still needed to go into the Buddhist hall to inform the Princess.
Madam Xu went in and soon came out.
She gestured for Su Xiaoqi, Bao Ge’er, and Princess Huian to follow her inside.
Before even entering the Buddhist hall, Bao Ge’er started sneezing loudly: “Ach-oo, Ach-oo…” Bao Ge’er’s nose was itchy, and he sneezed one after another.
“Oh dear, Bao Ge’er, hurry and go out. Your nose can’t tolerate these smells.”
Madam Xu was flustered, unsure what to do, and quickly pulled Bao Ge’er outside.
Su Xiaoqi sniffed and also felt the air was a bit too heavy with scent.
However, she wasn’t sneezing. She asked, “Is Bao Ge’er allergic to his nose?”
“He’s usually fine. He can even tolerate incense, wear sachets, and smell various scents.
But there’s one thing: he cannot enter my small Buddhist hall. As soon as he smells the scent of the incense here, his nose gets itchy, and he sneezes incessantly.
Amitabha, Buddha bless him. This is due to his physical condition. Buddha, please do not blame him.”
After the Princess explained, she immediately closed her eyes, cupped her hands together, and knelt before the small Buddha statue, praying devoutly.
Su Xiaoqi looked at the Princess’s back, then at Bao Ge’er. She stepped forward and took his pulse, her brow furrowed: Something was wrong.