Chapter 312: Chapter 312: 320: Swift and Decisive Actions

“Moreover, the Main House has felt guilt over the years due to the division of the family estate, constantly offering clandestine assistance to Our family. Eldest Aunt has also been very considerate towards Mother. Being a guest from afar, and now that her children have grown up, Mother finds time to chat with Eldest Aunt. Many of their past grievances have been resolved, and the two sisters-in-law get along harmoniously. With New Year approaching and the move to the prefecture, Eldest Aunt sees Mother busy all day and is willing to help share the burden.”

Seeing her own mother and Eldest Aunt getting along so harmoniously, Su Wenyue was also pleased, “That’s good, with Eldest Aunt there, I really won’t go and add to the chaos.”

Su Hengyi was usually busy running about outside, especially during these tumultuous times, he seldom had a moment of leisure. On a rare visit home, Su Wenyue chatted with her big brother for a long time, and at noon, Su Hengyi marveled at the fresh and tender vegetables on the table. Although it wasn’t completely impossible to have vegetables in winter, they were typically those that preserved well, but the vegetables on the table were clearly the kinds that weren’t available in winter.

“Younger Sister, where did these vegetables come from, being able to eat them in the dead of winter like this, it’s quite novel.”

Su Wenyue had forgotten to mention this to her mother’s family; she had intended to send a batch to them once the vegetables at the Zhuangzi were ripe: “Big Brother, these are grown in my own greenhouse. Since it’s a new technique I’ve been tinkering with, I was afraid it might not succeed, so I didn’t tell you. Now it seems to be a success. Many vegetables have been grown in the greenhouse. I’ll tell you the method later, and next year you can have it implemented at the Zhuangzi, too.”

Su Wenyue readily shared the technique with Su Hengyi. Her mother’s family had done so much for her, she could finally repay them in some way. Su Family’s financial resources had stores opened everywhere in the Daming Dynasty. If they applied this technique, they would certainly make a great profit, though the world was difficult, the wealthy were still numerous, only the lower-class commoners bore the brunt of hardship.

Su Hengyi, the future head of the Su Family, had been operating in the business world from a young age and could see the potential this offered far better than others. Moved and comforted by his sister’s unconditional trust, he was reluctant to take advantage of her generosity.

“This technique you’ve figured out must not have been easy. If you want to help, just send home some fresh fruits and vegetables,” Su Hengyi implied with this that he did not want to take Su Wenyue’s technique.

“Big Brother, I am your biological younger sister, aren’t you being too formal with me? I’m giving you the technique with consideration, after all Our family’s financial and energy resources are limited. Using this technique, we can at most supply for our own consumption or open a store in the prefecture; it wouldn’t have much influence. In your hands, however, it can be maximized.”

“But this…”

“There’s no ‘but’, Big Brother. You’ve always given to me without asking for anything in return; I’ve only ever enjoyed the benefits you provided without ever doing anything for you. If even this small matter has to be so distinctly separated between us, I will really be angry. From now on, I’ll also refuse the gifts you bring me. After all, a married daughter is like spilt water, you’ve disowned me!” Su Wenyue said almost petulantly, knowing without such insistence, her elder brother would definitely refuse to accept.

“Alright, there’s really no reasoning with you. How did I end up with such a foolish younger sister, so eager to send advantages outward,” Su Hengyi said with a growing tender smile on his face. Although he accepted the technique, he was resolved not to let his sister suffer any loss.

“How could you talk about an outsider? You’re my big brother. Do you think your sister is foolish? But to tell the truth, this technique will be profitable only for the next couple of years because it’s not too sophisticated. Anyone with determination could figure it out,” Su Wenyue said.

Su Wenyue remembered later, virtually every wealthy household had their own greenhouses during winter. Initially, it wasn’t something that cost much, and Su Wenyue mainly considered that by then, Noble Consort Li’s fame had slowly begun to spread. It wouldn’t be possible for their family to monopolize this business, so it was best to make more money while they could in these two years.

However, they still had an advantage— a wider variety of vegetables. If the seeds obtained from the Spice Shop could be successfully grown, they would have an absolute edge. In the future, once the owner of the Spice Shop switched allegiances, she would send people out to continue gathering seeds from outside.

Su Wenyue wrote down the greenhouse technique and handed it to Su Hengyi, “Big Brother, this is the method for building a greenhouse. It’s not that difficult; you’ll understand it easily. Also, the seeds—I’ve gotten some from the Western Foreign Clans, but I’m not sure yet if they’ll grow. They’re over at Xiao Xi’s place; you should have someone visit my Zhuangzi to get some from Xiao Xi, separating out a portion for you. If they grow, don’t rush to eat or sell them. Keep more seeds because getting seeds from the distant Western Foreign Clans isn’t easy.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

As for keeping it a secret, Su Wenyue did not even mention it. There was no need, for with her brother’s shrewdness, he would surely handle it even better than she would.

Su Hengyi pocketed the greenhouse technique and took his leave, though he had previously agreed to stay the night.

“Big Brother, didn’t you say you would stay one night? Why the hurry? If you head back now, it’ll be very late by the time you get home.”

“I won’t stay. I thought I might as well spend the night since there was nothing pressing, but now with this technique, I reckon there’s no need to wait until next year; I can start now. Even though it’s snowing outside, it’s just a bit colder; there’s always a way. At most, it’ll be colder and more tiring, but paying more wages will do,” Su Hengyi, having operated in the marketplace for many years, saw opportunities for profit far beyond what Su Wenyue imagined. Being a businessman at heart, he was unwilling to miss out on a great opportunity to make money. He had initially no plans to partake, but now that he had decided to proceed, he acted swiftly and resolutely.

Knowing her brother’s intentions, Su Wenyue didn’t insist further and prepared a jug of their home-brewed wine for Su Hengyi, something to warm his body if he got cold while hanging it at his waist and taking a sip.

“Big Brother, the roads are slippery with snow. Be careful on your way and go slowly on your horse,” Su Wenyue admonished with concern, accompanying Su Hengyi to the door.

Han Yu watched Su Wenyue walk out like that and quickly wrapped her in the fox fur cloak, then took a hand warmer and placed it in her hands, worriedly walking alongside her.

Seeing the thoughtful care Han Yu provided to his sister, Su Hengyi was a few degrees more pleased with him as he looked at Su Wenyue.

“Don’t worry, Big Brother knows. It’s cold outside; you’re not well, so hurry back inside. I’ll come to see you again when I have the time,” Su Hengyi said, knowing his sister’s stubborn nature—she wouldn’t go back unless he left. So he said no more and rode off.

Once Su Hengyi had left, Han Yu, finding his daughter-in-law’s hands a bit cold, also took off his large coat and wrapped it around her, bundling her up before embracing her and returning to the Room.