Chapter 26: Hoping for More Choices

Moying, seeing the mission was complete, spoke up: “Master, I take my leave.”

“Mm.” Jiang Huaiyue responded.

After Moying left, Fu Yao remained standing in place. Jiang Huaiyue casually asked, “What skills do you have?”

Fu Yao: “Killing people.”

Jiang Huaiyue twitched at the corner of her mouth—this girl was honestly blunt.

At this moment, Qiuchan came in carrying a basin, looking at Fu Yao with caution, as if ready to fight to the death if Fu Yao dared to harm Jiang Huaiyue.

“Qiuchan, find a room for Fu Yao,” Jiang Huaiyue instructed.

Since the person had been sent over, she had no choice but to accept it—after all, the arm can’t wrestle the thigh.

Qiuchan responded unhappily: “Yes.”

She looked at Fu Yao: “Let’s go.”

After they left, Jiang Huaiyue sighed deeply, feeling troubled. From now on, with Fu Yao watching over her, she would have to be extremely careful in everything she did.

——————

General’s Mansion.

Su Wan took Ningxiang outside. These days, she had been busy back and forth, finally getting some of the details settled.

She had long sent the shop’s renovation plans to Yunshang and now, having some free time today, went to check the progress.

When she arrived at the shop, the workers were busy inside. Yunshang was moving around inside, occasionally helping by handing something over.

“You’re here?” Yunshang glanced at the plans and then smiled at Su Wan who had just come in.

Su Wan nodded: “I came to check on the progress.”

She looked around; the decoration was nearly done. She guessed it would take no more than two days to finish.

“Let’s talk in the backyard,” Yunshang said, brushing the dust off her hands.

Su Wan had no objections and followed her to the backyard.

Once inside, Yunshang washed her hands and poured water for herself and Su Wan. “It’s almost ready. I’ve found an auspicious date — seven days from now for the opening. How does that sound?”

“Sounds good. I have no objections.”

After spending time together recently, Su Wan realized Yunshang was very capable. Under her management, the shop wouldn’t do badly.

“So, what should we name it?” Yunshang had been thinking for days but hadn’t decided. She wanted to discuss it with Su Wan.

Su Wan lowered her eyes, thinking for a moment before slowly speaking: “How about Yunshang Pavilion?”

Yunshang hesitated for a moment, her expression conflicted.

“Is there some concern? If so, I can think of another name,” Su Wan said softly, sensing something.

“I owe some favors in the past. I’m just worried that if the business grows too big, it might attract unwanted attention,” Yunshang sighed, explaining.

Though the capital was far from Yangzhou, she still worried just in case.

Su Wan nodded in understanding, took a sip of water, and said: “Then let’s call it Qingshan Pavilion.”

“Qingshan Pavilion,” Yunshang repeated, liking it. She immediately agreed: “Okay, that’s it. I’ll arrange to have the sign made later.”

The shop name was decided, and Su Wanwan took out the contract she had prepared: “Yunshang, I drafted a contract. Take a look and see if there’s anything you want to add.”

When going into business together, some things are better clarified in black and white.

Yunshang reached out and took it, reading through every word. At the end, she frowned: “Why is the profit split 30/70?”

Even so, it’s still you getting 70%, and me 30%.

“I only provided the blueprints. Everything else needs you to manage. You get the larger share,” Su Wanwan explained. Now that she was a general’s wife, she couldn’t show her face recklessly. If Yunshang ran the business with her, it would be a lot harder on Yunshang.

So she deserved the bigger share.

“That won’t do. Without your blueprints, the shop wouldn’t even open. You should take the larger share,” Yunshang immediately objected. She hadn’t opened the shop to make money before—she was just messing around alone.

But ever since meeting Su Wanwan, she truly wanted to make a go of it—and she genuinely liked Su Wanwan’s personality and considered her a true friend.

Seeing Yunshang so determined, Su Wanwan smiled and said, “In that case, let’s split it 50/50.”

“That works, let’s settle on that.” Yunshang smiled and wiped her lips before stamping the contract.

Seeing her so carefree, Su Wanwan suddenly laughed, her eyes full of admiration.

After settling the important matters, Yunshang looked at Su Wanwan: “Wanwan, how did you come up with the idea to go into business?”

From the first meeting, she suspected Su Wanwan’s identity wasn’t so simple.

A few days ago, she investigated and found that the only Su family in the capital was that of the Right Minister.

And the only children under him were his married daughter and Wanwan, matching everything. Wanwan had never deliberately hidden her identity, so it was easy to put two and two together.

“A married woman is like a rootless floating weed. If the husband’s family is kind, life can be a bit easier. But if you marry poorly, you’ll spend your life shedding tears and self-pity. I want to go into business so I can have more choices for myself.”

Su Wanwan believed that no matter one’s situation, people must have the courage and determination to keep climbing.

In ancient times, merchants were the lowest class in the social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, but business always made money. Otherwise, why would those officials be so greedy? Who doesn’t want endless money?

Hearing her words, Yunshang thought of her own past. Yes, if she had money, she would have redeemed herself long ago, no need to please others just to escape suffering.

“Wanwan, I didn’t expect you to be so insightful.” She had thought Wanwan, born into a noble family, lived a life of ease and luxury, but Wanwan could see things on a deeper level.

Su Wanwan smiled slightly: “You’re not bad either. Opening a shop alone in the capital must be tough!”

The capital looked prosperous, but was very dangerous. On this street, very few women did business; Yunshang must have endured a lot.

Though Yunshang had only been in the capital for three months, only she knew how hard it was.

Through all these hardships, she had always been alone. Had anyone ever asked if she was tired? She was the first.

Her nose tingled, and her eyes quickly became moist.

Seeing the beauty tear up, Su Wanwan took out a handkerchief and handed it to her: “It’s all past now.”

Yunshang took it and gently wiped her face: “Sorry for making you see this.”

She couldn’t help herself; a flood of emotions overwhelmed her, and tears fell.

“It’s nothing. Everyone has times when they’re unhappy. Cry when you want, laugh when you want—no one’s watching, so don’t worry so much.”

Su Wanwan saw the sorrow in her eyes, knowing she had worries. But everyone has a past, no need to dig too deep.

Besides, if she didn’t want to talk, she had her reasons.

After chatting for a while, Yunshang’s mood brightened. Yes, days like this were a fresh start; those past troubles were already behind her.