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Chapter 202: Heading to the Capital
When Ye Xin Ran updated Leng Qing Yu on her preparations, she noticed a subtle change in his expression.
“Xin Ran, I’ve already discussed things with Jing Zhi at the academy. The two children have passed their assessments, but they…” Leng Qing Yu hesitated mid-sentence.
Sensing something was wrong, Ye Xin Ran immediately asked, “What’s the matter?”
Leng Qing Yu sighed and explained, “The children are still young, and it’s normal for them to get caught up in their own thoughts.
I’ve explained it to them countless times these past few days, but Chang An and Chang Ping still believe that you’re planning to abandon them…”
Ye Xin Ran immediately understood without needing further explanation.
No wonder Chang An and Chang Ping had been acting so hesitant around her recently.
It was her oversight. She had been so preoccupied with business matters that she forgot the children had their own feelings and thoughts.
“I’ll talk to them,” Ye Xin Ran said. “The children are sensible. Once I explain everything, they’ll understand.”
After dinner, Ye Xin Ran called the two children into her room.
Chang An, who was usually affectionate and eager to cuddle her, stood unusually quiet today and didn’t rush over as he typically would.
“Chang An, Chang Ping, come over here. Why are you standing at the door?” Ye Xin Ran beckoned them.
The two children walked over with their heads lowered. Chang An kept twisting the hem of his clothes in his hands, leaving the fabric crumpled.
“How’s your studying these past few days? I heard from your grandmother that you both did very well in the academy’s assessment,” Ye Xin Ran asked gently.
Her warm tone made Chang Ping finally look up. “It’s all thanks to Chang An helping me review,” he admitted.
“That’s because you’re clever yourself!” Ye Xin Ran teased, playfully tapping his nose.
Then, she pulled out two pieces of candy from her pocket and handed them to the children. “Here, you’ve both worked so hard at your studies. Auntie’s rewarding you with some sweets!”
Chang An looked at the milk candies in his hand. They were the same ones Ye Xin Ran had given him the first time they met.
Unable to hold back any longer, he burst into tears. “Waaah! Auntie, please don’t leave us! Chang An will be good. I won’t eat the candy, I’ll save it all for you!”
Seeing his brother cry, Chang Ping couldn’t hold back either. “Auntie, we’ll be obedient! I haven’t had the chance to properly repay your kindness yet. I don’t want us to be apart!”
Now that the two little ones had finally let their emotions out, Ye Xin Ran breathed a sigh of relief.
“Who said Auntie is going to abandon you?
Didn’t we already agree before? Auntie will work hard to earn money, and you two will study hard. Even though your second uncle isn’t here anymore, we have to live even better than before.”
“But…”
Chang An’s tear-streaked face was filled with disbelief. “But everyone said you’re leaving the village!”
“Yes,” Ye Xin Ran replied.
Chang An and Chang Ping exchanged a glance, as if silently confirming their suspicions.
“I am leaving the village for a while, but leaving doesn’t mean I won’t come back!” Ye Xin Ran continued. “You’re still young, but you should understand that the world outside is vast. How can we stay confined to this small piece of land in Yun Bian Village forever?”
Chang An tilted his head and asked, “So Auntie is just going out to see the world and will come back? Auntie still wants us, right?”
“Of course!”
Ye Xin Ran patted their heads gently.
“It’s Auntie’s fault for not explaining things earlier, making you worry needlessly.”
“We don’t mind worrying!” Chang Ping said firmly.
“As long as Auntie still wants us, we’re not afraid of anything!”
“Exactly!” Chang An, now reassured, leaned against Ye Xin Ran.
“As long as Auntie still wants us, we’ll do whatever it takes.”
Ye Xin Ran smiled and explained her plans to the two children.
Chang An blinked and asked, “So Auntie is going to protect Grandmother?”
“More or less!” Ye Xin Ran replied.
“Although your grandmother is quite capable, as her daughter, I want to ensure her safety.”
“As your children, we also want to protect Auntie’s safety!” Chang An mimicked her tone, his small face serious.
Ye Xin Ran laughed. “Auntie is aiming to become a great female tycoon of Da Liang. You’ll need to be strong if you want to protect me!”
“Yes, we will!”
The two children nodded vigorously, their eyes sparkling with determination.
Four Days Later
Everything was finally ready.
The children were sent to the Wei residence, and Ye Xin Ran, along with Leng Qing Yu, set off for the capital.
Their group consisted of five carriages.
In one carriage sat Ye Xin Ran and Leng Qing Yu.
One carriage carried Ding Qiao and the other maids.
The remaining three carriages were loaded with Leng Qing Yu’s personal belongings in one, and the other two held the facial cleansing soaps and Snow Glow Cream Ye Xin Ran was bringing to the capital.
Li Mo was right.
Since she was going to the capital, she needed to seize the opportunity to explore business prospects.
After all, it was the imperial city, where nobles and royals gathered.
It was time to expand the market properly.
As they traveled, they moved at a leisurely pace, stopping and resting along the way.
Ye Xin Ran saw and learned much about the local customs and cultures during the journey.
Geographically, Yun Bian Village was in the northwest, whereas the capital lay in the central plains.
Thus, as the carriages moved closer to their destination, the weather became increasingly warmer.
Thick winter clothes they had donned were gradually replaced with lighter garments.
They were in no rush, and whenever they reached larger towns, they would stop for a break.
Ye Xin Ran also began to realize the immense strength of the Leng family, as nearly every town had businesses owned by the Lengs.
Silk shops, fabric stores, although the types of stores varied from town to town, they all bore the same signboard: “Leng’s.”
“So many stores,” Ye Xin Ran commented. “Is it hard to manage them all? Are there often cases like Yun Tong County, with bad debts or losses?”
Leng Qing Yu replied, “Once a business grows, these kinds of issues are inevitable. As long as the bad debts remain within reasonable limits, we don’t pursue them too strictly.
Moreover, the Leng family set rules from the beginning. Businesses are managed by region, divided by provinces.
Superiors oversee subordinates, and any problems in stores at the county or village level will be traced upward, with corresponding punishments issued.
This layered system effectively boosts accountability among those in charge.”
“So that’s how it works!” Ye Xin Ran nodded.
She wanted to expand her own facial soap business but lacked experience in management.
It seemed she had much to learn from Leng Qing Yu.
However, another thought crossed her mind: “Are the managers of these shops hired locally or assigned from the capital? Does the Lu family have a hand in any of this?”
Lately, she’d been pondering a lot about Leng Qing Yu and Lu Ting En.
For Lu Ting En to feign affection and deceive Leng Qing Yu for so many years, it couldn’t have been just for the monthly household allowances from her.
What exactly was his ambition?
And for this ambition, what had he done over the years?