Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 175

Chapter 175: Buxian Tower’s Development Plan

Liu Liang lifted his head, his gaze urgent as he looked at Mu Yunyao. “Master, everything is of my own willingness. Besides, I signed a bond of servitude. My life naturally belongs to Master as well. If it can be put to proper use, that is only right.”

He spoke of his own life as though it were an object, yet his expression did not ripple in the slightest, as though he truly were mentioning something utterly meaningless. It made a chill creep into one’s heart.

Looking at Liu Liang’s serious expression, Mu Yunyao sighed faintly. “You do not need to be like this. Although I do not know your real name or identity, one can still glimpse a thing or two from your every movement. Your background is not ordinary. In the future, perhaps you will return to your original path. I bought you once, and you have repaid me with loyalty. That already counts as fulfilling benevolence and righteousness. Anything beyond that is unnecessary.”

Liu Liang grew even more anxious. “My identity is your guard. My name is Liu Liang. The path I must walk is to follow you forward…” To repay her with his life would also be a worthy end.

Seeing his anxious appearance, Mu Yunyao smiled faintly at him. “Enough. Help me investigate the news in detail, and that will already be a tremendous help. Do not worry. I know my limits. Now that I am living so well, I naturally cherish my life greatly. Moreover, I still have Mother to protect. I cannot bear to let anything happen to myself. You should already know the identity of Fourth Master Ning next door, yes?”

Liu Liang nodded. “I knew the ginger tea was sent to Yuexi. Later, I carefully verified it and guessed that Fourth Master Ning should be the Fourth Prince, Yue Wang.”

“Correct. This time, he will also intervene. He is the divine dragon capable of overturning rivers and seas. At most, I am only a small fish. There will be no danger to my life. Rest assured.”

In her previous life, Yue Wang had been able, after the Emperor fell gravely ill, to seize control of the capital. That could never have been mere good fortune. Once she learned that he had begun extending his hand into Jiangnan, it only further confirmed her guess: Yue Wang had always been working hard to develop his own forces, and perhaps he had already achieved some small success. If they could now successfully insert themselves into the salt administration, it would give him a platform from which to rise with the wind and strike straight into the ninth heaven.

“Yes.” Liu Liang agreed aloud, yet inwardly, he had already made up his mind. If anything truly happened, he would protect Master’s safety at all costs.

Afterward, Yue Wang left. Mu Yunyao began carefully counting the days, wondering when he would return. It was the first time she had ever looked forward to the return of an outsider in such a way.

Buxian Tower had gradually opened up its prospects, but Steward Qin still felt uncertain. Finding a suitable time, he invited Mu Yunyao to Jinxiu Garden.

Yun Chun brewed tea with exceptional care and presented the cup before Mu Yunyao.

After appreciating the full sequence of her movements, Mu Yunyao could not help praising her. “Miss Yun Chun’s tea-brewing skill has left even me staring in amazement. As expected, once the apprentice has been taught, the master starves.”

Receiving Mu Yunyao’s praise, a flash of delight passed through Yun Chun’s eyes. “Many thanks for Miss’s recognition. I will certainly work even harder in my practice.”

Steward Qin was also extremely satisfied with Yun Chun. “Some time ago, according to Miss’s instructions, we allowed guests to specify which tea attendant they wished to brew tea for them. Afterward, the guests who reserved Yun Chun’s service have already been booked out for two months. Even so, people are still nearly fighting over a single opening!”

“Then why has Steward Qin not quickly increased Yun Chun’s monthly wages?” As Mu Yunyao spoke, she winked at Yun Chun. “If Steward Qin truly listens to me, you must brew a few more pots of tea for me in the future.”

Yun Chun hurriedly nodded. “Yes. However much Miss wishes to drink, I will brew that much for you.”

“That would be wonderful. But if I keep taking up your time, I fear those guests may come knocking at my door.”

“Miss only knows how to tease me.” Yun Chun grew somewhat embarrassed.

“Indeed, Miss should stop teasing Yun Chun.” Steward Qin signaled for Yun Chun to withdraw, then said to Mu Yunyao, “I invited Miss here because there are some matters I wish to discuss with you.”

“Steward Qin, please speak.”

“Over this past half year, Buxian Tower has gradually opened up its position. But as for how it should be planned from here onward, I have no certainty in my heart. Therefore, we still need Miss to lay out the strategy and oversee it.”

Mu Yunyao considered for a moment. “At most, I can offer some ideas. The specific arrangements will still require Steward Qin to personally put them in place.”

“Good, good. That is no problem.”

Mu Yunyao said, “Over this past half year, we have gained footholds in the various cities of Jiangnan. However, if we expand too widely all at once, first, we do not have enough silver on hand; second, training tea attendants also requires a process. If the scale is large but the quality poor, it would inevitably tarnish Buxian Tower’s reputation. Therefore, it is still best to seek victory through steadiness.”

“How should we seek victory through steadiness?”

“I see that Yun Chun can already stand on her own. Yangzhou City and Huai’an City are not far from Jingling, and rivers connect them, making travel convenient. Why not open the next Buxian Towers in these two places?”

“Only two?”

“Since we seek refinement, many things cannot be handled carelessly. First, regarding silver: to buy two gardens roughly the same size as Jinxiu Garden, then renovate them, arrange tables, prepare tea wares, ready various teas, open up personal connections, and train suitable tea attendants—each location will require nearly one hundred thousand taels at the very least. If we expand the scene any further, I fear expenses will exceed income.”

One location was one hundred thousand taels; two would be two hundred thousand. At present, he simply could not take out that much, let alone spread things out further…

Steward Qin’s expression immediately grew a little awkward. “I thought of the matter too simply.”

“Before, we had Jinxiu Garden as a foundation, and the personnel were also personally provided by Fourth Master. Thus, we did not spend much silver. But starting anew is naturally different. Moreover, customs differ every ten li. The arrangement of scenery and the selection of personnel in each place must be handled with particular care, which will require even more time. To have everything arranged before the new tea arrives in the third or fourth month is already somewhat difficult.”

Admiration rose in Steward Qin’s heart. “Miss still thinks most thoroughly.”

“After doing business for long enough, one gradually learns how to consider such matters. In another year, even without me saying these things, you will be able to think through them thoroughly yourself. There is one more matter that requires special attention.”

“Miss, please speak.”

“Although Buxian Tower has His Majesty’s personally inscribed plaque and will generally not attract searches, if what we do is too obvious and others notice something amiss, it will still cause trouble. It would be best to send people into Huai’an City and Yangzhou City ahead of time. When Buxian Tower begins recruiting people to serve as tea attendants, gather them then. This way, it will draw less attention. If possible, you may also appropriately look for some locals. Many times, even a mighty dragon cannot suppress a local snake; what matters is how one uses them.”

Steward Qin quickly nodded, carefully committing this matter to memory. “Miss is right. I will certainly pay close attention.”

“Mm. If there is anything else, Steward Qin may send someone to notify me at any time.”

“Good. With Miss Mu here, who knows how much trouble has been spared? You are truly Buxian Tower’s noble benefactor.” Steward Qin spoke with complete sincerity. In truth, what he wanted to say even more was that she was a golden treasure doll—one that shone brightly and was made of pure, solid gold.

Edited by Little Kitty on 16/09/20

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