Chapter 121

Chapter 121: Preparing to Go All Out

“The Marquis will likely return near dusk; Steward Fang may first take his rest,” Steward Zhang replied. He could easily guess Fang Da’s purpose and was inwardly pleased; two months ago, the Marquis had spent heavily for the Heir Apparent’s affairs, and the household was presently short of funds.

Fang Da nodded, and Xin An led them to the place where Madam Wang handled household matters so they could sit and talk. Only after they sat did Xin An realize the marquisate did not yet have a proper reception space that was hers.

Tea had not even been served when Fang Da could not help asking, worry and affection plain in his tone: “Master and Madam are very anxious about your situation in the marquisate.” Xin An smiled and answered simply: “All is well, and likely better than Father and Mother imagine.”

She turned to business with brisk warmth: “Uncle Da, Qin Bo, why did you bring only Xiao Xiao? Where are the others?” Fang Xiao Xiao, Fang Da’s eldest daughter, had a touch of talent in medicine and had apprenticed under Qin Bai, the latter claiming she had made small but real progress.

“If you have come this time, it will not be easy to return,” Xin An said with frank concern. “If you are to help me yet must live apart from your families, I would feel guilty.” Qin Bai snorted, more amused than chiding: “Married now and even fonder of fussing.” He took a sip of tea, frowned a little as if the brew did not suit him, and added with crisp practicality: “Should we not first test the waters before doing things in earnest?”

Fang Da explained the plan with calm clarity: “We in Huaijiang do not clearly understand the situation in the capital. The young master suggested we come first. When spring arrives next year, he will come to the capital and bring our families with him. Xiao Xiao knows some medicine. Master worries the big girl might face some mishap in the marquisate, so he sent Xiao Xiao ahead to stay by your side.”

Fang Xiao Xiao stepped forward with bright eagerness: “Big Girl, I have been studying diligently with Master. Please let me remain at your side.” Xin An did not refuse and decided on the spot: “In that case, stay with me for now. When Aunt comes next year, you can return.” [She did hope to keep someone skilled in medicine by her side, but because the Fang family were free people and had never signed away their persons, it felt a bit improper.]

She lifted her gaze to Fang Da and asked the key point with intent focus: “What business brings my younger brother here next spring?” Fang Da’s expression brightened: “The Yao family has invited our family to accompany them to the capital to deliver tribute after spring begins next year.” The Xin family had married into the Weiyuan Marquisate; although the groom had changed, the marriage was a fait accompli. Tang Mo was a legitimate son of the marquisate. Though some mocked in secret, courtesy on the surface remained. The Yao family’s move was a gesture of goodwill.

Xin An’s mind was crystal clear as she weighed the timing, and she thought through her next steps: [I must accelerate the pace with Tang Mo and make him more valuable after spring next year. Merchants are the most pragmatic and sharp-eyed; I must make them feel the marquisate is a rock-solid backing.]

She continued decisively: “Uncle Da, I asked you here because I want to establish some businesses in the capital. If I proceed well, the Xin family will eventually need to set down roots here, and we must prepare.” Then she turned to Qin Bo with a plan already sharpened: “I want to open a restaurant specializing in medicinal cuisine and would like to ask you to sit in command.”

Fang Da, who owed the Xin family a great debt and had been given the chance to return to the capital, perhaps even to settle old scores, had only gratitude in his heart and no objection to her arrangements. Qin Bai, supported by the Xin family for many years and never once forced into anything that put him in a bind, agreed without hesitation the moment Xin An spoke: “Idle anyway, and medicinal cuisine is simply cooking with herbs. That is easy enough.”

Xin An’s spirits lifted at once; seeing her own family made her heart lighter.

[The marquisate was not a convenient place to discuss too much.] Qin Bai proposed the practical course: “Did you not say the Xin family residence is repaired? Let us first pay our respects to the Marchioness, then head over.” “Very well,” Xin An said. She took them to greet Madam Wang, exchanged a few polite words, then personally escorted them to the Xin family residence. The goods they had brought from Huaijiang had not yet been unloaded, so they took them along.

Under the oversight of Wang Jin and Wang Fu, father and son, work at the Xin family residence had gone smoothly. The main renovations were complete, and only the flowers and shrubs remained to be planted slowly once the weather cooled. Hearing that Xin An had arrived, the two hurried forward to offer greetings. When they saw Fang Da and Qin Bai behind her, their surprise turned to delighted welcome, and they ushered everyone in. “It is still most comfortable to be on one’s own ground,” Qin Bai remarked, visibly relaxing; he had been distinctly ill at ease in the marquisate.

“The east yard happens to have two small courtyards, just right for Steward Fang and Divine Physician Qin,” Wang Jin said. “Several new maids and lads have joined the household. They have been training for over a month and can at least manage sweeping and serving tea.” He led them to look over the quarters. Freshly refurbished, the spaces felt bright and open. Fang Da and Qin Bai were both satisfied, and Fang Da said sincerely: “To have such a courtyard in the capital is already excellent. Many thanks to Steward Wang for seeing it arranged.”

Wang Jin and his son were genuinely pleased at their arrival. The Xin family residence was large; with only the two of them guarding it, it felt a little deserted. More people meant a livelier air and a more prosperous look. What was more, Fang Da was a steward of the Xin family who handled certain businesses; his coming to the capital surely meant he was here to do big things, and they, too, might share in that good fortune.

Everyone proceeded to the main hall, where Xin An naturally took the chief seat and laid out her plans. Her emphasis was plain: “Though I am establishing these businesses, they have nothing to do with the marquisate; however, we must borrow the marquisate’s influence.”

Fang Da was puzzled and voiced the practical question at once: “If we do not give the marquisate any benefit, how can we borrow its influence?” Xin An answered without embellishment: “You all know my situation, and I will not hide it. The marriage swap left me angry. I do not wish to earn money for the marquisate to spend, especially not for the Heir Apparent’s use.” [Her stance was explicit.]

Fang Da understood immediately how to proceed. Xin An added the operational detail: “After arriving in the capital, the second young master of the marquisate will assist you. For any problem, you may go to him directly. Do not bring up benefits; I will discuss those with him.” Fang Da nodded at once. Their son-in-law was not the Heir Apparent, so of course they should build up their own household: “With our son-in-law’s support, the Xin family’s ventures will surely enter the capital smoothly.”

“The Master was worried you might be short-handed for the social comings and goings in the capital,” he continued, “so he had us bring many Huaijiang specialties. At the same time…” He lowered his voice a notch. “The Master instructed me to bring this year’s funds for the marquisate. The amount is the same as in previous years, but he specifically ordered that thirty percent of it is to be delivered to our son-in-law.”

Xin An arched a brow and let her lips curve: “That is perfectly reasonable.” [If she and Tang Mo were not yet fully established, she would not wish to give Tang Gang and Tang Rong a single coin.] She added the family principle with calm resolve: “If our son-in-law has needs in the future and you can help, then help.”

“Of course,” Fang Da said at once, loyalty bright and uncomplicated. In his heart, he thought it only right to stand with their own son-in-law; how could he possibly prop up that shameless Heir Apparent? Missing out on their big girl proved the Heir Apparent had no blessing.

After asking about affairs at home, Xin An turned to the medicinal-cuisine restaurant. The location had already been found by Tang Mo, in the southern part of the city on one of its busiest streets. The rent was not cheap, but the target clientele for medicinal cuisine were the wealthy and noble, so profitability would not be a problem. “It is a prime shop, leased for ten years. The previous tenant also ran a restaurant, and many of their furnishings are still in place. Rest today. Tomorrow I will have someone take you to look it over, and then we will begin renovations. Whether the interior work or the head chef we hire, everything must be the best.”

She stated the strategic purpose clearly: “Once the medicinal-cuisine house opens, beyond making money it must also help us meet and befriend the powerful. Do not be afraid to spend.”

Fang Da nodded, and Xin An told him about the four storefronts on Ying Hui Street: “The location is good, the shops are spacious, and they have back courtyards. I plan to open a store dedicated to Huaijiang specialties. It should do well.” Fang Da thought that selling only Huaijiang specialties would be too narrow and suggested a broader scope: “We can also sell specialties from multiple regions. Coordinate with trade caravans, find local partners in each place; it will be more convenient. There is no fear of failing to make money, only the fear of incomplete goods.”

Xin An smiled in real relief: “With you here, Uncle Da, I am steadier. Before this, I wanted to do many things but felt constrained. The situation now looks favorable. I believe it will not be long before you are making waves in the capital.” Then she set the terms with generous decisiveness: “I will make the call. From now on, for our businesses in the capital, a full twenty percent of the total profits will be yours, Uncle Da.”