Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Her Answer Surprised Him
Qu Fulan caressed the cup in her hand, her expression calm, though the pond of her heart rippled as if stirred by the wind.
Actually, now that she is working for the "Flower Garden Ode," Heir Pei has given her a generous reward. He’s just like her modern boss; as long as she can produce results, reward is not an issue.
So in terms of salary, she’s not at a disadvantage.
And what she seeks isn’t just salary.
For a moment, she couldn’t help but want to speak.
But she held back in the end.
The time isn’t ripe yet.
"No," she said.
"Oh?"
His eyes showed obvious surprise. Besides that, he stared into her eyes as if trying to find some clues.
"What I most want to do now is to make ’Flower Garden Ode’ better. Several days of stable operations mean nothing. If it can maintain its current status for the long term, or even rise higher, that’s my goal. If you wish to reward me, it won’t be too late to do so then."
Qu Fulan’s emphasis was on rising higher, clearly indicating her strong career ambition, while regarding the reward as optional.
Such loyalty.
Pei Ji’an’s eyes flickered, and after a while, he said, "Is that so."
Qu Fulan felt something was off; why didn’t he ask how to rise higher?
If he wouldn’t ask, she had to tell.
"Heir, I have a grand plan in mind for career advancement, and I’ve been brewing it for two days. I’ve also written a plan, which I believe is highly feasible, so I want to report it to you. If you also find it feasible..."
He had already risen and turned away, "I’ve already said that ’Flower Garden Ode’ is in your hands. How you operate it is your decision; you don’t need to ask me."
Qu Fulan was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly followed, "But this plan is quite large, and it’s not confined to ’Flower Garden Ode’..."
"Do as you see fit."
Qu Fulan was truly surprised and delighted.
...
Just as Mrs. Xiao steadied her mood, ready to continue lecturing her son with reason, Xiao Shiqing had finished grooming the horse and had it led into the stable, where he washed his hands.
Mrs. Xiao followed him over, about to speak.
Without lifting his head, Xiao Shiqing said, "Mother need not say more. My mind is made up and won’t change."
With that, he rose and left.
Mrs. Xiao felt a tightness in her chest, contemplating fainting to regain her son’s attention.
But then someone reported, "Madam, Miss Ji has arrived and is waiting for you in the flower hall."
Mrs. Xiao’s shaky body immediately stabilized, and her eyes brightened.
Miss Ji is the cousin of the Xiao Family, a cousin of Xiao Shiqing, named Ji Nishang, from a family involved in commerce.
"Tingya Building" is Mrs. Xiao’s dowry business, and all her income relies on this restaurant.
Results had always been far ahead, leaving competitors in the dust, but now the business has been snatched by another restaurant called "Flower Garden Ode," causing a steep decline in business and significant losses.
After Mrs. Xiao sent someone to investigate, she found out it was a restaurant named "Flower Garden Ode," which had never had business before, so much so that she didn’t even have an impression of it, yet its business suddenly skyrocketed.
Connected with some milk tea and a story booklet called Journey to the West.
Mrs. Xiao naturally became anxious but the people she knew in business couldn’t compare to the operators behind "Flower Garden Ode."
At a loss, she received a letter from her niece inquiring about her health, realizing her niece was young but business-savvy, and handled family affairs well, a naturally gifted individual.
So she wrote to invite her to the Capital City for assistance.
This was Mrs. Xiao’s initial plan, yet now, after her son’s actions, those in Marquis Mansion may not dare to easily step into Xiao Mansion.
Her son’s marital affairs were, naturally, delayed.
However, now that her niece has arrived, being family and knowing her roots, isn’t she more reassuring than outsiders?
Originally, Mrs. Xiao planned at a scale of five or six, but seeing the grown-up niece, it surged to ten.
...
The next day, Qu Fulan had to go to "Flower Garden Ode" before dawn.
Likewise, Ying Man’er had to leave before dawn.
Yet she held onto the door, unwilling to go.
Two matrons forcefully pulled her away.
"Why struggle? You’re not the rightful master of this mansion. Two years of eating and drinking for free is already a blessing. Do you expect to stay forever? A young girl ought to have some dignity."
"Exactly, it’s ludicrous that she declined the old lady’s marriage arrangement yesterday. A girl’s marriage is always arranged by parents and matchmakers; yet she has such high ambitions, picking this and that, now good luck back in the countryside where a suitable marriage awaits you."
Ying Man’er was embarrassed, her hair disheveled, and exclaimed, "I want to see the old lady!"
"See what? The old lady is not someone you can see at will. Besides, your rejection of the old lady’s proposal yesterday is already known throughout the mansion. Who doesn’t know you’re an arrogant type? Someone like you, oblivious to reality, cannot be supported by Pei Mansion; who knows when you might bring shame to them. Were I you, I’d cover my face with a rag and rush home, or you’ll lose face completely."
Ying Man’er was so ashamed and pained. If she knew things would turn out this way, she would’ve never refused, even if given a hundred guts yesterday.
Now being sent home, don’t mention anything about scholars and the ninth-rank family; even a common family offering a few taels will have her married, forever worrying about daily essentials.
Thinking of this, Ying Man’er struggled more fiercely.
"Get moving, stop dawdling. Once you’re gone, we have work to do!"
As Ying Man’er tried to speak, one of the matrons covered her mouth and dragged her away.
The matrons dared to act so roughly because the Heir had spoken, and for those summoned to be expelled, courtesy was unnecessary.
As Ying Man’er was dragged into the carriage, she saw another carriage escorted by four guards exiting through the side gate. The drapes fluttered with the wind, revealing the person inside.
Inside the carriage, a beautiful young lady leaned against the wall, sleeping.
Anyone who saw her would assume she was a young lady from a high-status family.
At that moment, Ying Man’er’s eyes felt hot, and a myriad of emotions welled in her heart.
Thinking back to her days of arrogance before Qu Fulan, yet now she’s advancing step by step, perhaps even becoming part of the Heir’s household, enjoying lifelong wealth and honor.
Ultimately, the two carriages departing through Pei Mansion’s side gate drove in opposite directions.
One headed towards Chang’an Street in Capital City, the other to the dock.
Two entirely different directions, seemingly symbolizing different destinies.
The carriage stopped beside vendors who had also risen early to set up breakfast stalls.
Douya just stepped off the carriage to buy breakfast but was shouted at by the one following.
"My young lady wants food from this stall; the carriage in front is blocking the way. Please clear the path!"
Douya looked over, seeing it was also a carriage escorted by personal guards, with quality no less than theirs.
Qu Fulan was woken by the commotion and asked what was going on.
Douya replied, "I don’t know which noble’s carriage it is, wanting us to clear the way, though we stopped here first."
"Then ignore them, get the breakfast, and share it with those traveling with us."
The maid behind saw the carriage ahead refusing to yield and angrily furrowed her brows, "You..."
"Chun Chan, the carriage ahead bears the exclusive insignia of a noble; don’t be rude." The lady in the carriage evidently noticed the "Pei" mark on the front carriage and reminded kindly.
Chun Chan was undeterred by the words, "Miss Ji, you’re new here and might not know, but our Xiao Family isn’t afraid of the Pei Family."