Chapter 7  

A Great Deal! A Fortune to Be Made!  

A Chou summoned the wet nurse and carefully inquired about the incident, learning the cause of the children’s fight.  

Xijin watched him from the side—his face was so dark it seemed to drip with gloom, his black eyes cold and heavy.  

But Xijin didn’t care.  

No matter how angry he got, it wouldn’t change anything.  

Xijin believed that the extent of a person’s anger was tied to their status. For instance, if the head of the Ning family was furious, the entire household might be thrown into chaos. If she herself was angry, her own small household would be unsettled.  

But if A Chou pulled a long face, at most, a few servants in the house would feel uneasy.  

What could he really do? Could he defy the heavens? Could he dare to show her attitude?  

Even Sun Momo probably wouldn’t put up with his nonsense!  

Xijin sat before the bronze mirror, leisurely removing the jeweled hairpins from her hair.  

A Chou dismissed the servants and stood silently in the room, lips pressed together as he watched Xijin.  

She acted as if he weren’t there, going about her business as usual.  

Then A Chou stepped closer to her.  

His tall figure cast a shadow over her, filling the bronze mirror with his presence.  

Xijin raised an eyebrow, slanting a glance at him.  

Finally, A Chou spoke. “In the past, I’ve made mistakes. I lacked ambition, failed to uphold our household’s dignity, didn’t manage the shops well, and couldn’t bring you pride. Instead, I let others look down on you.”  

Xijin replied, “Oh.”  

A Chou lowered his gaze. “I’ve never been an ambitious man. All I’ve ever wanted was a life free from want, with my family safe and sound.”  

Xijin said, “We certainly aren’t lacking in food or clothing.”  

Thanks to her parents’ legacy, she had her own shops and properties, with two other rented storefronts and houses bringing in income. They would never want for basic necessities.  

But people’s expectations rose with their circumstances. The people they associated with weren’t penniless drifters but members of her maternal family and the various branches of the Ning family—all of them polished and prosperous. Hiding away in contentment while living modestly just didn’t suit her.  

If their life wasn’t prosperous, they’d lose face in public, and others wouldn’t take them seriously.  

Xijin cared about appearances. She didn’t want to be pitied. She wanted to shine, to be envied, to have people say, *Even though Ning Xijin took in a male matrilineal marriage, she still lives well.*  

A Chou said gently, “But this time, I’ll do my best to make this deal a success.”  

He lifted his eyes, meeting hers through the mirror.  

As their gazes locked, Xijin saw an unprecedented seriousness in his dark, ink-like eyes.  

Looking at her, he murmured, “Xijin, believe in me, won’t you?”  

Hearing this, Xijin felt a faint stir in her heart.  

His voice always carried a cold, detached quality, like the clink of metal—pleasing to the ear but not necessarily comforting.  

But now, as he gazed at her, his eyes held a softness she had never seen before, and his tone carried a gentle persuasion.  

Xijin steadied herself, biting her lip lightly before deliberately replying in a flat tone, “You talk a good game, but how about actually making money for me? At least come up with a plan!”  

Empty sweet talk without substance wouldn’t convince her.  

A Chou said, “I’ve inquired—tomorrow, Third Uncle’s Erlang is heading to Hangzhou to inspect that batch of goods. I’ll go with him. If it’s suitable, we’ll act quickly.”  

Xijin asked, “What about the silver we have on hand?”

A Chou said, “I’ve already had the shopkeeper take stock. Because of the New Year, we can gather six hundred taels of silver on short notice. Even if we purchase at three hundred coins per bolt, accounting for taxes and shipping costs at three hundred fifty coins, we can still acquire about seventeen hundred bolts. This batch is much more exquisite than ordinary workshop silks. Even if we don’t raise prices and sell them slowly ourselves, we’re bound to make a profit.”

Xijin was surprised—he had calculated everything so clearly?

She replied, “That works.”

In truth, she had long noticed that A Chou had a sharp mind. He could do calculations without an abacus, and his interpersonal skills were decent too. As for why he wasn’t good at business, she could only say the man simply lacked ambition.

Now that he was determined to take this venture seriously, with a bit more effort and her oversight, there shouldn’t be any major mistakes.

**********

Xijin was very supportive of her husband’s newfound motivation, and her mood improved considerably. She busied herself with preparations, instructing Suier and Qiuling to pack his luggage, prepare clothes, and pack food.

Xijin also sorted out the finances. Aside from travel expenses and a deposit, she took out some treasured items from her personal stash: a pair of serpentine scepters, a pair of gilded flower and bird hairpins, and a two dragons playing with a pearl solid linked bracelet. She wrapped these in white silk and placed them in a black lacquered octagonal treasure box.

When night fell and they were alone, she first opened the silk book to review her mother’s teachings. After putting it away, she began lecturing her husband.

“You’re about to leave, and I can’t help feeling uneasy. I’ve thought it over and came up with a few rules for you—you must remember them at all costs!”

A Chou: “…”

Eventually, he replied, “Alright, tell me. I’ll recite them daily. Even if I forget my own name, I won’t forget your words.”

Hearing this, Xijin straightened her slender back, her face solemn, even her delicate brows radiating seriousness.

She looked at him and said, “First, remember: don’t provoke the unruly.”

A Chou: “Hmm?”

Xijin: “When you’re out there, don’t rush into anything. Let others take the lead—you stay back and observe. Only step in once it’s safe. If you accidentally cross the wrong people and something happens to you, wouldn’t I become a pretty widow?”

Pretty widow…

A Chou said, “I understand. When I’m away, I’ll be a coward—I’ll avoid any trouble.”

From her mention of “pretty widow,” he inferred another layer of meaning.

If he died, she would undoubtedly remarry quickly, without hesitation.

To keep his position as the male matrilineal marriage partner, he absolutely couldn’t die.

Xijin: “Good!”

A Chou then asked, “You mentioned the first rule. What’s the second?”

Xijin paused. The first rule had been made up on the spot—there was no second.

But she maintained a serious expression and said, “There’s nothing else to emphasize. I suddenly think that with your cleverness, A Chou, you’ll surely adapt to any situation. So I won’t say more.”

She sighed. “If I say too much, you might think I’m just nagging, and you’d find it annoying. But there is one more thing I need to tell you.”

With that, she opened the black lacquered octagonal treasure box to show him.

A Chou was taken aback at the sight.

Xijin glanced outside to ensure no one was around before lowering her voice and saying, “Take all these with you. Use them for social exchanges when needed. In this world, one must learn the ways of human relationships to do business—people are easily swayed by favors.”

A Chou replied, “But that gilded hairpin and beaded bracelet were only crafted last year. You even said they were beautiful back then.”

Their household wasn’t permitted to wear gold, only silver—though silver could be gilded. The hairpin and bracelet were so well-gilded they looked like real gold. He remembered Xijin praising the craftsmanship, utterly delighted with them.

Xijin said, “Yes, they’re beautiful, but I won’t be wearing them anytime soon, so you might as well gift them to someone.”

A Chou countered, “If you like them, keep them for yourself.”

Xijin frowned, puzzled by his response.

A Chou pushed the black lacquered octagonal box back toward her. “When I go to Hangzhou, I’ll find something nice there to give as gifts.”

Xijin sighed in resignation, muttering, “But that means spending more money… I’d rather save it to stock up on goods for selling.”

A Chou reassured her, “There’s no rush for that.”

With a soft huff, Xijin shot him a sidelong glance. “Then make sure this trip turns a good profit. Once we have more money, you can commission a few gold pieces for me.”

A Chou gazed at her, his dark eyes brimming with tenderness. “Mm, I know.”

***********

After A Chou left for Hangzhou with his servant Zhou Fu, Xijin found herself with little to do at home. Aside from spending time with Mang Er, she immersed herself in the new batch of storybooks recently stocked by the bookstore—reportedly all the rage in Yanjing City.

Xijin secretly flipped through one. The cover was silk-backed paper, the pages butterfly-bound, clearly printed with the latest woodblock technique. The characters inside were crisp and legible.

She skimmed through casually, noting the vibrant illustrations—mostly proper, though a few risqué images were discreetly tucked among them.

Blushing, she set the book down, pretending indifference before selecting a few others. Then, as if absentmindedly, she picked up that one too and bought them all.

Back home, she eagerly began reading—only to discover, of all things, a tale about a lonely young wife.

Her husband had gone to Yanjing City for the imperial exams, leaving her alone and restless. Eventually, she entangled herself with a flirtatious deliveryman, leading to silken quilts, fragrant chambers, and the two rolling together in passion.

The deliveryman praised her, calling her “firm yet warm, moist yet fragrant, soft yet supple!”

Firm yet warm, moist yet fragrant, soft yet supple?

Curiosity piqued, Xijin hurriedly read on—and sure enough, the details followed.

Realization dawned, and with it, wandering thoughts: Was she like that too?  

If so, how did A Chou feel about it?  

He never spoke much of such things, just quietly went about his business.  

Truth be told, her skin was smooth and delicate as jade, softer than the finest satin. Even she couldn’t help admiring herself during baths—let alone any man!  

Sighing, she lamented, “A peerless beauty like me, wasted on someone as unromantic as A Chou!”  

This train of thought inevitably led her to Huo Erlang.  

Truthfully, after three years of marriage, she rarely thought of Huo Erlang anymore—what was the point, except to invite melancholy? Yet now, she couldn’t help wondering: Had Huo Erlang been the romantic type?

Who knows…

That Huo Erlang was indeed extraordinary in appearance, a handsome gentleman with a face like fine jade. From a young age, he had been well-versed in poetry and literature, brimming with literary talent and adorned with elegance—qualities far beyond ordinary men.

But her mother had said that Huo Erlang, being the great hope of the Huo family, must harbor grand ambitions. Such a man, if taken as a husband, might not necessarily be considerate. If he achieved his ambitions, his household would inevitably include several concubines.

Thinking of this filled her with melancholy, feeling she had drawn the short straw. To possess such beauty that could rival flowers and the moon, yet fail to find a satisfactory match—what a pity.

After much deliberation, she sighed again: “If I had been born a man, I would surely be the most extraordinary man in the world, capable of accomplishing earth-shattering deeds, attracting swarms of admirers, and engaging in three hundred battles a day!”

“And then, if I met a delicate beauty like myself, I would cherish her dearly, adorn her in gold and silver, lavish her with fine clothes and delicacies, hire eighteen maids to serve her, and dote on her night after night!”

—That would be the most perfect marriage under heaven.

Alas, she couldn’t split herself in two to achieve this ideal union!

Just then, she heard a commotion outside—chattering voices that sounded like Xi Yu’s.

Xijin quickly tucked away her romance novel and went out to greet her as if nothing had happened.

Xi Yu: “Sister, what’s wrong? Your face is flushed—it makes you look even lovelier.”

Xijin replied nonchalantly, “Probably just woke up. What is it, Xi Yu? Why have you come again?”

It was rather odd. She didn’t understand why Xi Yu kept hovering around her every day. Were they really that close?

Even stranger was how affectionate Xi Yu was with Mang Er—one might think Mang Er was her own son.

Xi Yu held up a box of side dishes: “Look, sis, I bought some new pastries, including the peony cake Mang Er loves. Let’s try them together later.”

Xijin was even more baffled but decided to play along, curious to see what act Xi Yu was putting on.

Once inside, Xi Yu eagerly asked, “Sis, are you going to see the Glazed Lantern Mountain in a few days?”

This Glazed Lantern Mountain had just been erected, said to be nearly fifty feet tall, adorned with a Five-Colored Glazed Pavilion and topped with the globe-patterned dragon playing among flowers.

Such a spectacle was unprecedented in Ru City, and all the ladies—young and old—were eager to go. Xijin had initially planned to join them, but considering the Lantern Festival, she felt it would be inconvenient with Mang Er in tow. Going alone wouldn’t be much fun either.

Some beautiful sights were best enjoyed with loved ones—that was true joy. Watching with people one disliked would only spoil the view.

So she decided to wait for the Lantern Festival. By then, A Chou would likely be back, and they could go together.

Thus, she replied listlessly, “No, I won’t go.”

Seeing her lack of enthusiasm, Xi Yu teased, “Sister, ever since your husband left, you’ve been like a flower without nourishment—wilting away!”

Xijin looked up, puzzled. “Xi Yu, where did you hear such words?”

It didn’t sound like something a young maiden would say—more like the bold banter of married women behind closed doors.

Xi Yu was taken aback for a moment before forcing a smile. “Nowhere in particular, just making a casual joke. Sister, you’ve been so listless lately—aren’t you missing Brother-in-Law?”

Xijin replied bluntly, “Yes, I am.”

Her straightforwardness left Xi Yu at a loss for words. She gave an awkward chuckle before tentatively adding, “By the way, Sister, I heard something—obviously not true. I mean, I don’t believe it at all. My brother-in-law is such an upright man, how could he possibly do such a thing? It’s just unbelievable.”

Xijin: “?”

Xi Yu looked at her. “About Brother-in-Law… you don’t know? Well, it’s best if you don’t. Knowing would only upset you.”

Xijin: “Oh.”

Without another word, she carried Mang Er into the house.

Who knew what was going through Xi Yu’s mind? If she had something to say, she should just say it instead of playing these coy games.

After Xijin entered the house, Xi Yu stood there dumbfounded.

She wasn’t the least bit curious? After all the hints she’d dropped, the least she could do was ask! If she had just asked, Xi Yu would’ve spilled everything right then and there!

This cousin of hers had such a terrible temperament—absolutely terrible!

With a personality like that, how had she become empress in her past life? And how had A Chou tolerated her?!

If Xi Yu were A Chou, she would’ve banished her to the cold palace long ago. Empress? She wouldn’t even deserve to be a palace maid!

But alas, the woman had luck on her side.

What luck, you ask? Luck that her mother bore only one daughter, necessitating a Male Matrilineal Marriage.

Luck that her father was such a soft-hearted fool, treating that unremarkable A Chou so well that he willingly became this family’s son-in-law.

Luck that she was fertile, bearing a son who became Crown Prince the moment A Chou ascended the throne!

Luck that A Chou was so patient, enduring such a spoiled and willful empress?!

Luck that A Chou had no interest in women, leaving the entire harem at her mercy—not even a single jealous mosquito to compete with!

In short, Xijin must’ve accumulated immense virtue in her past life. A mere merchant’s daughter, she somehow sprouted phoenix wings and soared to the highest branch as empress.

Xi Yu seethed inwardly, but she knew the reality: Xijin held all the advantages now. She had already been married to A Chou for three years and had borne a royal Bloodline.

How could she compete? She couldn’t.

All she could do was swallow her resentment and keep currying favor.

So Xi Yu followed her inside, smiling. “Sister, you really shouldn’t take this lightly. It’s a serious matter. Brother-in-law may seem honest, but with all these cousins in our clan around, who knows what bad habits he might pick up?”

Xijin leisurely handed Mang Er to the wet nurse, took a sip of tea, and raised her eyes. “Xi Yu, just say it. What exactly has my husband done?”

Xi Yu grinned. “Sister, I’m only looking out for you.”

Xijin sighed. “You’re my sister—we’re family. Of course I know you mean well.”

Only then did Xi Yu continue, “Well, I heard that the other day, Brother-in-Law went to a teahouse with some men and called over several young ladies. They were all dressed in goose-yellow robes, wearing purple hairpins, and carrying little drums—quite charming, really.”

Xijin remained expressionless. “My husband conducts business outside. Such things are unavoidable.”

Xi Yu hadn’t expected success in one attempt, so she simply agreed. “True.”

Xijin tilted her head, eyeing her with a puzzled expression. “It’s one thing for men to call for courtesans—that’s hardly surprising anymore. But you? An unmarried young lady, you actually went there? If word got out, wouldn’t your reputation be ruined?”

Xi Yu hurriedly replied, “Sister, I didn’t go.”

Xijin: “You didn’t? Then who did? Which man was spreading such nonsense and telling you these things? Talking to a young lady of the household about courtesans—what kind of decency is that?”

She stood up immediately. “Xi Yu, don’t worry. I’ll stand up for you. Come, let’s go find Eldest Uncle and have him settle this for you.”

Xi Yu: “…”

She quickly said, “Sister, there’s no such thing. I just heard it from someone else. How would I know the details?”

Xijin: “Heard it from someone? Who?”

Xi Yu: “Well… I just overheard it while passing by one day.”

Xijin shook her head, exasperated. “You, a young lady about to be married, why are you eavesdropping on such talk? People might think you have some ulterior motives…”

Xi Yu’s face paled. She mumbled a few excuses and fled in a panic.

At that moment, she thought to herself, Xijin’s tongue is truly sharp. How does A Chou even put up with her?

Once A Chou becomes emperor, he’ll probably divorce her sooner or later!

A deposed empress!

Watching Xi Yu run off as if chased by dogs, Xijin called out to Sun Momo: “Quick, fetch a basin of laundry water and splash it outside!”

To ward off the bad luck.