Chapter 494 - 494: Counting Money Together

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Chu Qingzhi pondered for a while, “In the next few days, collect some medicinal herbs. I’ll teach you surgery.”

Bao Linjiang asked, “Does surgery mean opening the flesh to treat diseases?”

Chu Qingzhi nodded, “Have you seen a coroner dissect a body?”

Both replied, “We have.”

“It’s similar to that,” Chu Qingzhi explained. “The technique is similar, but the process is very delicate and requires a lot of precautions. I’ll explain in detail later.”

When the two young men with a great fervor towards medicine heard this, they immediately looked forward to it. “Yes, Master.”

At dusk, the sound of gongs signaled the closing of Guangxi Garden. As the announcement echoed, people began to leave, and the vendors started packing up.

Chu Qingzhi’s family also began to pack up, having sold everything. The stall remained set up for the next day.

Once everything was packed, Chu Qingzhi checked the garden one last time before locking up and heading home with her family.

At the inn.

Returning to the inn, Zhou Yunlin hurriedly went to Zhou Xiangfu’s room, “Father, I talked with Chu Xuyao. Guess what happened?”

Zhou Xiangfu hadn’t expected Chu Xuyao to refuse.

He thought that upon their offer, Chu Xuyao would feel lucky and agree without hesitation. But Zhou Yunlin’s expression suggested otherwise.

“Did something unexpected happen?”

Zhou Yunlin shook his head, “No accident, but I was surprised. During the negotiation, Chu Xuyao didn’t seem very pleased. Instead, he said he needed time to consider. Father, doing business with the Chu family is not easy. They have experts.”

Zhou Xiangfu became interested, “Tell me more.”

Zhou Yunlin said seriously, “Initially, while negotiating with Chu Xuhua, at the critical moment, he said he wanted to consult with his fifth sister, Chu Qingzhi. After coming back, his attitude changed.”

Zhou Xiangfu stroked his beard, pondering, “So, Chu Qingzhi is the real decision-maker in the Chu family?”

Zhou Yunlin affirmed, “Yes.”

Zhou Xiangfu was silent for a while before handing a stack of papers to Zhou Yunlin. “Take a look.”

Zhou Yunlin read through the papers. “Chu Qingzhi not only built her family’s fortune from scratch but also uplifted her entire village… received royal recognitions and gifts… and is engaged to the National General…”

Stunned by each revelation, Zhou Yunlin realized the immense value of having a relationship with Chu Qingzhi, not only for business but for countless other benefits.

“We must secure this deal!” he exclaimed.

Zhou Xiangfu agreed, “Our business is large enough, but being the taller tree means we’ll easily be the target. We must tread carefully.”

Zhou Yunlin solemnly responded, “Father, 1 understand.”

“You indeed need to tread carefully, or else you are sending yourself to your demise!” Li Changle’s voice came through the window, filled with a threatening undertone.

Startled to find someone outside their window, the two were relieved they hadn’t discussed any secrets. Otherwise, the consequences would have been dire!

Zhou Yunlin looked towards the window, “Who’s there? If you have something to discuss, please show yourself.”

The window was pushed open, and a figure flew in, landing in the center of the room.

Li Changle was disguised, so the two of them didn’t recognize her. She took out a token. When the two of them saw it, they knelt down. “Greetings, Your Highness the Princess.”

Li Changle put away the token, getting straight to the point, “I don’t want your family to cooperate with Chu Qingzhi. She’s my enemy. If you work with her, consider the consequences.”

Zhou Yunlin, out of the capital for a year, was unaware of their feud, “May I ask how Miss Chu offended the princess?”

Li Changle, annoyed, “Are you deliberately provoking me?”

Zhou Yunlin bowed, “Forgive me, princess, I truly didn’t know.”

Li Changle calmed down and said, “Forget it. It doesn’t matter if you know or not. You just have to remember that I don’t want you to work with Chu Qingzhi! Otherwise, 1 will definitely intervene in the marriage of the eldest daughter of the Zhou family and the eldest son of the Zhou family.”

The eldest daughter’s marriage determined whether or not the Zhou family could find a strong alliance.

The eldest son of the Zhou family was their heir.

Both were vital lifelines for the Zhou family.

Zhou Xiangfu and Zhou Yunlin shuddered at the thought, reluctantly agreeing, “Yes, Your Highness.”

Li Changle, having achieved her goal, left happily.

While she was pleased, the Zhou father and son were distressed. They exchanged a look and sighed in unison.

Their situation felt like finding a treasure only to be told they couldn’t touch it.

That feeling was indescribable!

Zhou Yunlin helped Zhou Xiangfu to a seat, “Father, what should we do now?”

The old are wiser. Zhou Xiangfu, deep in thought, said, “To deal with an obstacle, one must remove it.”

Zhou Yunlin hesitated, “What do you mean, Father?”

Zhou Xiangfu, cunning and shrewd, had no difficulty dealing with people, “The princess likes meddling in others’ marriages, doesn’t she? Isn’t she still unmarried herself?”

Zhou Yunlin’s eyes widened, swallowing nervously, “Father, what are you planning?”

“The prince of Mobei Kingdom is seeking a marriage alliance in Dalin, right? I think the princess would be a suitable match.” Sending her far away would keep her from interfering in others’ affairs.

Zhou Yunlin offered tea respectfully, “Father, that’s a brilliant move!”

Zhou Xiangfu remained calm and composed, showing no hint of his impending scheming. “Play the game well, and this plan is almost certain to succeed.”

Zhou Yunlin raised his eyebrows and smiled. He had learned another trick.

In the Chu Village.

After returning home, everyone gathered in the living room, bringing out the ledger, money jar, and orders to count the day’s earnings.

Chu Qingzhi reviewed the orders, Shen Ruyue checked the ledger, and the others counted the money.

Li Qingyu emptied the money jar on the table, creating a small hill of coins clinking pleasantly.

Chu Xuyao dramatically remarked, “So much money!”

Chu Xuyan reminded him, “Hurry up and count. It’s late, and we have school tomorrow.”

“Got it.”

There were a total of 220 orders, varying in content, worth nearly 80,000 taels. The upcoming months would be incredibly busy.

According to the ledger, they had earned 730 taels for the day.

After counting, the total came to exactly 730 taels, matching the ledger.

Chu Xuyao passed the money jar to Li Qingyu, “Mother, here’s the money.”

Li Qingyu had always been in charge of the family’s finances.

“Okay,” she responded, her heart blooming with joy..