“The matter with Siqingfang has been settled with Shopkeeper Yu over there. We can deliver the goods to them before the sixth day of the tenth month, and then there won't be any problems. I have an idea..."

Inside the Su family compound shrouded in heavy rain, raindrops fell from the eaves like curtains. In the reception room lit by oil lamps, Xi Junyu was telling Su Tan'er about the progress of the business. Afterwards, Xing'er brought a handkerchief for him to wipe off the rain-soaked areas of his body. After a moment, Juan'er also came in with a tea tray, placing a serving of tea and snacks on the small table beside Xi Junyu. Search:\(¨Complete¨Book¨God¨Station¨) to read high-quality literature for free.

"Shopkeeper Xi, please have some tea."

"Thank you, Juan'er." Xi Junyu nodded with a smile, then continued talking to Su Tan'er about business matters. "Now that we have a starting point with Siqingfang, I think we can invest about ten thousand taels in Yuanzhou to build two dyeing workshops and warehouses. In this way, with Yuanzhou as the hub, we can expand to the surrounding areas with confidence..."

After he finished speaking, he waited for Su Tan'er's response. Originally, the expansion of the Su family's business was basically done in this way, but at this time, Su Tan'er took a sip of tea, looked up at him, and said in a low voice, "Although Yuanzhou is also due, it is not a priority recently. For now... let's talk about it in a while."

Su Tan'er's voice was soft, and this answer was already within Xi Junyu's expectations, but the look in her eyes made him a little unable to understand. When he met Su Tan'er, she was only a twelve-year-old girl, but since Su Tan'er started to get involved in the family's business, in the past few years, this woman, who has gradually grown into a young woman and is now nominally a married woman, always has aspects that he cannot understand.

Of course, that was just a little feeling. He believed that he still understood most of this woman's personality, including the pressure she was under and the efforts she made under such pressure.

A few years earlier, around the time Su Tan'er was fourteen or nearly fifteen years old, she would work with him and the other shopkeepers, discussing various business strategies together. The girl would occasionally have amazing ideas, but most of the time she would appear slightly clumsy. Most of the ideas she came up with were unusable, and when they were pointed out, she would often smile awkwardly and then say in surprise, "Oh, so that's how it is..."

She was soft and humble, kind to everyone, and never lost her temper. She didn't get angry when the servants made mistakes, and she didn't get angry when others gossiped about her because she was a woman. Of course, there were times when she encountered situations that she didn't know how to deal with, after all, she was just a teenage girl. At that time, she would not speak, with a smile on her face, pursing her lips tightly, and waiting in silence.

People's emotions are strange, without very obvious dividing lines. Xi Junyu didn't know when he started to decide to stay in the Su family's cloth shop. Xi Junyu's family was poor when he was young, his mother died early, and his father was sick and an alcoholic. He was intelligent since childhood and originally thought that he would have a good future by studying, but later he went to the cloth shop to help out, originally only to earn some spare money to supplement his family, who knew, he has been doing this ever since.

Smart people are quick at everything. Xi Junyu is a confident person who can be competent in any industry, not just business. After being in business for a long time, you will gradually understand human nature and people's hearts. In his opinion, everything in the world is inseparable from the changes in these things, and studying is just a side issue.

He just helped with a few deals while doing odd jobs at the Su family's cloth shop, and the money he earned was enough to make his family more comfortable. Of course, at that time, he still planned to go back to school. Later... it's hard to say how much the reason for staying in the Su family was related to the girl who kept running to the cloth shop, but a large part of the reason was definitely like that.

He actually thought it through clearly. His family was poor, and it would be very troublesome to take the imperial examination if he really wanted to study, and he couldn't afford to give gifts and go through various relationships. And the feeling of having money is actually quite real. At that time, he probably set a relatively ideal route for himself. He worked for the Su family, became a shopkeeper, a senior shopkeeper, and then married into the Su family. When Su Tan'er took control of the Su family, he would be able to share the spoils with her.

At that time, he, who had already begun to show his talent in the cloth shop, cooperated quite well with the fifteen-year-old girl who was constantly learning. He was able to make up for the loopholes in some of Su Tan'er's blunders very promptly. Ever since he knew about Su Boyong and Su Tan'er's ideas, he understood that one day Su Tan'er would need a husband who would marry into the family, and he was obviously the most ideal candidate. He himself didn't mind this kind of thing.

Incompetent people always expect identities or various innate factors—of course, they do have an impact—but for truly capable people, they will know that their own abilities actually account for a large part of their position. For him, he was confident that no matter where he was, he would have the opportunity to stand out and always make people pay attention. The innate factor that he came from a poor family definitely couldn't be changed, so marrying into the family was actually not unacceptable.

Su Tan'er would understand his ability, and he also understood her character. Under such tacit understanding, the two would also be the most ideal partners after marriage. Some people may initially make an issue of his identity as a son-in-law, but it doesn't matter, as long as his ability is demonstrated, others will naturally look at him with admiration. One year, two years... facts will change everything. Su Tan'er is also burdened with shackles and can grit her teeth and move forward, so why can't he?

It's a pity that the later developments were beyond his expectations. The Su family must have considered him. They must have considered him. But in the end, the old master made the decision and actually chose such an incompetent scholar.

The Su family... only did it so that this man would be easier to control.

Sometimes being too capable becomes a disadvantage. He thought sarcastically in his heart at the time. He also thought that if he were the one arranged to get married, Tan'er would definitely not run away on the day of the wedding under some pretense.

He was originally very confident and didn't worry much when he knew that the Su family was considering that Ning Yi. It was only when the other party suddenly decided on Ning Yi that he felt surprised. He had originally had the idea of directly telling Su Tan'er his love for her, but at that time, he realized the distance that this girl had always maintained with others. She may have called him "Brother Junyu" before, but soon after, she became Shopkeeper Xi, and had always used the title of Shopkeeper Xi.

She may be soft and gentle, or smart and lovely, or even playful and humorous, but most of the time, this girl actually always places a part of her mind outside the arena to watch. That part may still find it interesting, may feel curious, and may laugh cutely when watching, but... she always maintains an attitude of observation and learning. As long as a smart person puts their heart into it, they can learn things very quickly, which is what Xi Junyu knew early on.

At that time, he realized that he couldn't say his love, because the other party wasn't as kind as he imagined.

He was also an aloof person. If he ran over and said it, the girl on the surface might be incredibly kind, incredibly gentle, and even incredibly sad, but the heart that was really watching on the sidelines didn't take him seriously at all, which was a result he couldn't bear.

Later, Su Tan'er took on the attitude of a wife after marriage, which was something he had expected long ago. The issue of identity was originally the main reason for Su Tan'er's marriage. He wondered what it would be like when that scholar was with her. Su Tan'er would not make others unhappy on the surface, but that scholar definitely couldn't see what his wife was really like inside.

Thinking about it, he felt amused and pitiful. They didn't even consummate their marriage. Although the later developments were somewhat beyond his expectations, that scholar actually had some knowledge at least in learning. But in any case, it was certain that they were together in name only. No one but himself could really understand Su Tan'er. The heart hidden behind her was a clarity that had been forced out of her by long-term pressure and loneliness.

If she wanted to take charge of the Su family as a woman, there would always be resistance. Even if she cried, no one would really sympathize with her. Even if the shopkeepers under her helped her at Su Boyong's behest, they would still consider the fact that the head of the family was a woman every time they did business. Even if she continued to prove her ability, when she reached forty or fifty years old, even if she became a figure like Empress Wu Zetian, people would still consider her a woman. She could only maintain an absolute clarity behind this.

It seemed a little cold, a little lonely, and a little pitiful. She needed someone who could truly share her joys and sorrows and weather the storms with her. Xi Junyu liked this feeling—at the moment, he could only like and accept the status quo. The facts had already happened, complaining was useless, and he should consider what to do.

Sometimes he felt that the figure deep inside Su Tan'er's heart was a little unclear. She was also constantly growing, but in any case, in a sense, Su Tan'er was almost taught by him. In the next few years, she wouldn't lose control too much.

Su Tan'er had already made a decision about the Yuanzhou matter. He was just a "shopkeeper," so there was no need to say more. When necessary, the two could be very talkative. At this time, Xi Junyu was talking about some interesting things he heard when chatting with Shopkeeper Yu of Siqingfang, and then analyzing the possible events inside and outside the city in connection with the recent disaster situation. He knew what Su Tan'er usually liked to hear. Su Tan'er was indeed listening intently while holding a teacup, nodding occasionally, and asking a few questions. Her girlish curiosity had not changed in these years. After all, this was an era where news was not very well informed, and many of the news was indeed useful. When Xi Junyu talked about it, it was often something she didn't know.

Afterwards, he also mentioned the matter of Xiaochun's father's funeral, saying when Ning Yi would probably be back. This matter was only touched upon briefly to hint at his existence and how he was different from Ning Yi. Although it seemed that some things had not entered the other party's heart, he might be able to chat for a while longer tonight. Ning Yi would be back tomorrow, and he had some ideas today, considering whether to make them clear.

At this time, Xing'er came running in from outside the courtyard, holding an umbrella. She looked a little happy, nodded and smiled at Xi Junyu, and then ran to Su Tan'er's side: "The young master and Xiaochun are back."

"Really?" Juan'er, who was standing behind Su Tan'er, spoke first. Su Tan'er also looked up, smiling on her face, but also frowning at the same time: "Such heavy rain, coming back so late? Did they get rained on?"

"Not really. Oh, the driver Dongzhu got wet. The young master told Dongzhu to go take a bath first outside, and then ordered the kitchen to prepare some food. They rushed back all the way, so they probably didn't have a good dinner."

"Mm." Su Tan'er thought for a while, "Xing'er, go and tell the kitchen to prepare some of the young master's favorite food, and then prepare a bowl of millet porridge. I'm also a little hungry, I'll go over later...

Also, prepare some chilled white fungus soup, mainly for Bodyguard Geng and Dongzhu to cool off in the evening after eating. They don't usually eat this. If you and Juan'er want it, go and prepare some yourself. I don't need it. The young master and Xiaochun probably won't want to eat this after dinner... Uh, Shopkeeper Xi, would you like some?"

"I don't need it. Now that Young Master Ning and Xiaochun are back, I don't have anything too urgent, so I'll take my leave now."

Xi Junyu smiled naturally, and Su Tan'er nodded.

"In that case, I'll see Shopkeeper Xi off."

"No need, it's raining heavily."

"It's okay, and I still want to hear more about the plans for Yuanzhou that Shopkeeper Xi just mentioned."

You really want to listen, right? Xi Junyu smiled in his heart, but then he held up an umbrella and walked out with Su Tan'er and Juan'er, still talking about a series of plans and ideas. Whether it was about the customs and conditions in Yuanzhou or various joints and officials' information, it was quite detailed. Su Tan'er just nodded and listened.

The rain was roaring. Sometimes walking on these roads, you could only faintly see the lights of the distant courtyard, giving the feeling that only the three of them were walking in the rain in the huge Su family mansion. When they approached the side door, they could see that there were still people running in and out there, all in a hurry. His follower was also waiting in the gatehouse over there. When they reached a veranda where they didn't need to hold an umbrella, Xi Junyu took a deep breath.

"Actually, in the past year or so, although the Su family seems to be developing the same, funds are being intercepted in various places. I know all these things clearly. You are already preparing, this matter is too big, and I shouldn't have mentioned it if you didn't want to say it originally. But... it's really too big, have you thought clearly about what it means if everything is lost?"

Su Tan'er stopped and looked at him quietly, pursing her lips lightly, without speaking. Her eyes were a little complicated, as if she was saying sorry that she couldn't tell him these things, after all, she had to oversee the overall situation... Xi Junyu didn't mind this, just shook his head and sighed.

"I don't know when you had this idea, maybe you were thinking about it a few years ago... You want to get the palace's favor, you want to become an Imperial Merchant. That's... right?"

He looked at Su Tan'er, paused slightly.

"It might have been a little better a few years ago, but since last year, the Xue family has also been aiming at the position of Imperial Merchant, or the Wu family has also been considering it. The most difficult time you're encountering now is when you have these ideas, did you know about these things?"

Under the rainy night, this was almost the most severe warning. Xi Junyu's considerations had their reasons...

***************

Sorry for the interruption of the update yesterday.

I originally wanted to maintain the update in an extreme way this month, but, similar to the title, in the past few days, my body has been issuing serious warnings, palpitations, stomach pain, diarrhea, scalp numbness fatigue, various discomforts, pain. The writing method I use is probably the most thankless one. Each chapter needs to have several points set, which may be very subtle points, subtle emotions, hints, foreshadowing. It is not simply setting a plot as long as you follow the line. Any emotion that is not brewed properly, or some changes in vocabulary, may cause these points to lose control and make the entire chapter tasteless. Without the successful transmission of these subtle points, it would be meaningless for me to write 100,000 words a day. Water injection is almost a fantasy for me. When I write those trivial chapters, the emotions I need to grasp and the mental effort I spend are several times more than walking the main line.

So it often takes six or seven hours to write three or four thousand words, or even six or seven hours is not enough, and the mental consumption is high.

It seems a bit complicated to say, but what is written is such an article. In short, in order not to hang up before I finish writing this book or go to the hospital next month, I still gritted my teeth and changed my lifestyle. I must go to bed at eleven o'clock every night and get up at seven o'clock in the morning. I will post a post in the book review section every morning and evening. Everyone can supervise it ^_^

I will try my best to maintain the update.

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