Wine-scented Beauty

Chapter 238: A Visit to Shops in the Capital

Chapter 238: A Visit to the Capital

Ji Meiqing, annoyed that her wine glass had been taken from her, said, "What? I'm fine now. That medicine is so bitter, but it's very effective." No matter how Ji Meiqing tried to convince herself, Lu Yu just kept eating his food, unmoved.

Finally, realizing there was no possibility of drinking, Ji Meiqing stopped talking and ate the food in front of her.

After the meal, Ji Tianci went off to pursue his official career, while Ji Meiqing and Lu Yu decided to rest in the room. Lying on the bed, Ji Meiqing asked, "Brother Lu, our business in Rongcheng is now stable and we've established ourselves. I have a plan; would you like to know?"

Lu Yu turned to the side and put his arm around her, saying, "What are your plans? Tell me."

“I want to expand my business to the capital. Didn’t you say last time that you had already made the necessary arrangements?” Ji Meiqing looked into his eyes and said her idea.

"Okay, I agree." Lu Yu closed his eyes, preparing to rest. "Let's not talk about this now, let's go to sleep, and discuss it again at the restaurant this afternoon."

Seeing that he had no intention of continuing the conversation, and considering that he had been very tired lately, Ji Meiqing stopped talking, closed her eyes, and soon went to sleep.

They woke up not too late, so the two walked to the restaurant. Although it wasn't mealtime yet, the restaurant was packed and bustling with activity. Not only were the people busy, but even in the kitchen, pigeons could be seen flying around. Ji Meiqing, thinking that as the owner, she couldn't be idle, went to the counter to get some account books that the manager couldn't handle, and went upstairs with Lu Yu. She placed the thick stack on the table and began to read.

Lu Yu interrupted her, "Stop looking at it now. Didn't you say you wanted to open a restaurant in the capital?"

Ji Meiqing stopped what she was doing and looked at him. "Yes, do you have any suggestions?"

Lu Yu said, "I don't think this is that difficult. First of all, we have enough money. The Yuanyang Tower has recently boosted the Ji family's business and accumulated some funds. Moreover, we don't have any enemies in the capital, and we have Princess Xunhua and Prince Shangguan as our backers. Most importantly, they have a wide network of connections."

Ji Meiqing nodded in agreement, "I've thought about these things too. We can't be confined to one place. I mean, let's get this done soon, since we're so impulsive."

Lu Yu asked worriedly, "What about your health?"

"It's okay, look at me, I'm fine now, aren't I? Besides, you give me such bitter medicine every day, what problems could there be? Even if there were, I still have you, right?" Ji Meiqing said a lot just to prove that she was really okay.

"Alright, let's not delay. I'll go prepare for this now. You can deal with these account books when I get back." Lu Yu said, walking towards the door.

"I was waiting for you to come back, but the daylily buds will get cold, okay? I'll just have to take care of it myself." Ji Meiqing said to the door after he left.

Several more days passed like flowing water. Lu Yu was efficient; within a few days, he had withdrawn enough money from the bank, and together with some trusted people and Ji Meiqing, they set off for the capital. To ensure everyone's comfort, the group traveled slowly, stopping frequently along the way.

So when they arrived in the capital, it was several days later than scheduled. However, perhaps the slow journey had an effect. Everyone was full of energy, especially some of them who were visiting the capital for the first time; they were practically bursting with adrenaline.

Lu Yu and Ji Meiqing settled them in the inn first, then went to greet Princess Xunhua. The princess hadn't changed much, just like before. They were about to take their leave to visit Prince Shangguan, but the princess informed them that while they were traveling in Jiangnan, the prince had been betrothed to the daughter of the prefect of Cangzhou—a different, albeit more shrewish, woman. To put it bluntly, she was quite fiery.

After returning from the princess's place, Ji Meiqing felt even more fortunate to have left the Ji family; otherwise, she wouldn't know where she would have been married off to. Not even being able to decide her own marriage to a prince meant she wouldn't be as carefree as before.

The two naturally didn't bother the prince; he was sure to be in a bad mood, and they weren't about to risk getting themselves into trouble. Ji Meiqing and Lu Yu browsed the streets and finally settled on a restaurant. They couldn't afford anything too expensive, so they chose one that was neither doing too well nor too poorly.

As soon as the two entered and explained their purpose, they were led to the owner. To their surprise, the owner of the restaurant was a young girl, just like Ji Meiqing.

Although she looked delicate, she had a strong presence. She went straight to the point and asked, "You want to buy my restaurant?"

Since it was a little girl, it was naturally Ji Meiqing who stepped forward. "Yes!"

The woman thought for a moment and then said, "Although my restaurant isn't doing very well, its location is quite good. I've been busy with other things this year and haven't had time to take care of it, which has led to its current state of decline. Since you have such good taste, and I really don't want to run it here anymore, then I'll make an offer. Five thousand taels, no bargaining."

When Lu Yu heard that the other party wanted five thousand taels, he frowned and said, "Miss, don't you think your price is a bit unreasonable?"

The woman smiled and said, "Young master, I didn't say you had to buy it. If it's really not possible, you can go to another store."

Ji Meiqing confidently whispered to Lu Yu, "I have a plan, don't say anything for now." Then she turned to the woman and said, "Miss!"

The woman interrupted her, "You still remember to call me 'Miss'? My name is Qianxin. Or you can call me Boss Qian."

Ji Meiqing continued, "Qianxin, we won't give you the five thousand taels, but there is a way for you to earn more than five thousand taels."

"Oh? What method?" Seeing Qianxin's interest, Ji Meiqing didn't hesitate any longer and said, "You give us this restaurant first, you can invest, and at the end of the year you can use your shares to get a share of the profits." Although Ji Meiqing had used this trick many times, it was undeniably very effective.

Qianxin changed to a disdainful expression. "Why should I trust you? If you can't make money, what's the point of splitting the profits?"

"Don't worry, Ms. Qian." Seeing that her attitude had changed, Ji Meiqing also changed her form of address. "I haven't finished yet. I was talking about when we're making money. If we're not making money by then, I'll pay you out of my own pocket. After all, I just want to expand my business here, not that this is where I started."

Upon realizing she wouldn't lose out, Qianxin took out her writing implements and signed the agreement. "Then I'll leave this restaurant to you. I have other matters to attend to. I've lingered here too long, so I'll be leaving now."