🚨 Important Note : For the continuity of this story consider to Support us on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access +200 advance Chapters and To Support The Daily Update
Su Li was practicing calligraphy in her room. Seeing that dusk was approaching, she put down her brush and asked Si Qin, who was doing needlework beside her, "Has Mo Hua not returned yet?"
Si Qin looked at the sky outside and said, "Not yet. A few days ago, she said Young Master Xu planned to look for a shop front, so she's probably been busy with that these past few days. But looking at the sky, she should be back soon."
No sooner had she spoken than the voices of Zhi Shu and Mo Hua were heard from the courtyard.
Su Li smiled, "It's true what they say, you can't talk about people behind their backs."
Mo Hua entered the room and said, "Young Lady, I'm back."
Su Li knew they had been looking for a shop front recently. Wang Wei was in the south, and Xu Mu Bai in the north. The two decided to choose a few shops to transport goods from the south to sell in the north.
In a short time, Xu Mu Bai, as expected of someone from a merchant family, not only opened "Jinzhao Zui" (Drunk in the Morning), but also successively opened pawnshops, casinos, gold shops, etc., all under the unified signboard of 'Su Ji XXX'.
Before the capital's residents could even realize, various 'Su Ji' shops sprouted up like mushrooms after rain on different streets of the capital.
The current situation was that there was an urgent need for shops in good locations.
Su Li personally poured her a cup of hot tea and handed it to her, saying, "Quickly, warm up."
Mo Hua smiled, took it, and held it in her hands, saying, "Thank you, Young Lady."
After she drank the hot tea, Su Li asked, "How is the search for the shop front going?"
"Young Lady, shop fronts are easy to find, but good locations are hard to find."
Su Li nodded in agreement. This was reasonable.
Business requires favorable timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony.
Although it's said that good wine fears no deep alley, wouldn't a shallower alley be even better?
"Don't worry, take your time searching. There will always be a suitable one."
Mo Hua sighed, "Young Lady, I and Young Master Xu have found that every time we leave Jinzhao Zui, someone is secretly following us. And recently, our shop has often had people causing trouble. They either don't queue, or intentionally shout loudly that they have stomach aches after eating. Thankfully, Young Master Xu is capable and handles everything well each time, but if this continues, I'm worried..."
Su Li's eyes darkened slightly, "Have you found out who they are?"
Mo Hua angrily counted on her fingers, "There are several big restaurants: Yunxuan, Qingfeng Restaurant, Jing Shui Lou, Guilin Ju, and more."
Su Li's lips curved into a cold smile, like a blooming poppy.
Jun Hui's people, their methods are as despicable as their master!
"Alright, I know. Don't worry, they won't be arrogant for long. Let's go, Father should be off duty by now."
Indeed, as soon as they entered the main courtyard, they saw Father Su had just taken off his large overcoat.
"Father, Mother."
Mother Su smiled, "Come quickly, today we have your favorite crystal duck and seven-skill cakes."
Su Li smiled brightly and went to sit down.
While they were eating, Father Su suddenly spoke, "Today, His Majesty had the Imperial Astronomer select an auspicious day for Prince Jing and Li'er. I didn't expect the Imperial Astronomer's people to say that there wasn't a single suitable auspicious day for the entire next year. Prince Jing's face, tsk tsk."
Father Su's tone carried a hint of schadenfreude.
Mother Su, however, asked in confusion, "Not a single day for the whole year? This has never happened before."
Su Li lowered her gaze, thinking that there were people of Jun Hui in the Imperial Astronomer's office. Was this his doing?
After dinner, Su Li took her maids back to her own courtyard.
After washing up, she changed into her nightclothes.
She walked to her desk and picked up her brush.
She carefully recalled the booklet she had seen in Zhao Huai'an's study in her previous life, then put her brush to Xuan paper.
Looking at the sheet of Xuan paper filled with flowing script, Su Li curled her lips.
This all thanks to Zhao Huai'an becoming Jun Hui's confidant in my previous life.
These businesses, on the surface, seemed to have no connection to Jun Hui, but their true owner was him.
No one would have expected that the Sixth Prince, who usually appeared so carefree and distant, actually had so many businesses hidden in secret.
Moreover, some of these businesses were explicitly prohibited by the imperial court.
And some businesses were very profitable but not suitable to be openly discussed.
Jun Hui, I hope you like this gift!
She folded the Xuan paper and put it away.
"Mo Yun."
"Mo Yun is here!"
"Tomorrow, I want to see Prince Jing."
Mo Yun was about to leave when she heard her Young Lady add another sentence.
"Come during the day."
Mo Yun replied, "Yes!"
...
The next day, Su Li was practicing calligraphy in her room when Zhi Shu rushed in.
"Young Lady, Prince Jing has arrived! He's currently in the front hall, talking with Madam."
Su Li put down her brush and lightly hummed in acknowledgment.
"Young Lady, do you want to wash up again?"
"No need, this is fine."
"Yes, Li'er looks good no matter what!" Jun Mo's voice came from the courtyard.
Si Qin and Zhi Shu hurriedly bowed: "Greetings, Your Highness Prince Jing!"
"Rise."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Su Li's maids said, "You all may withdraw first. I will call you if needed."
"Yes, Young Lady."
When only the two of them remained in the room, Jun Mo walked to the table and sat down, pouring himself a cup of tea.
"Li'er, why did you send for me?"
Su Li handed him a piece of paper and said, "Take a look at this first."
Jun Mo took it and read it carefully.
He frowned and said, "These are Jun Hui's businesses?"
Some of the familiar shops on the list were ones his people had investigated. Others, he hadn't received information about.
"Yes, and there might be more. This Sixth Prince is truly formidable!"
Indeed, if she didn't have a blood feud with Jun Hui, she would definitely think this man was remarkable.
He seemed inconspicuous, the most unremarkable among the princes, but in reality, he was the most ambitious, and his abilities could support his ambition.
He lacked nothing: troops, weapons, wealth, or connections.
But by a twist of fate, this man had a blood feud with her, and heaven allowed her to live another life.
If she didn't do something, she would be letting down the opportunity heaven had given her!
Looking at the words on the paper, Jun Mo's understanding of his imperial brother deepened.
'Loan sharking,' 'smuggling salt,' 'illegal mining,' 'forcing good women into prostitution,' 'smuggling imperial treasures'...
What else was he not daring to do?
Jun Mo slammed the paper onto the table with his palm.
Su Li raised an eyebrow, drinking her tea.
After a while, Jun Mo picked up the paper and, expressionlessly, tucked it into his robes.
Su Li said, "Don't you doubt the accuracy of this information?"
Jun Mo said, "I believe you."
He paused, then continued, "Although I don't know why you understand him so well, I believe Li'er would not lie to me."
Su Li's fingers paused.
It was a while before her voice was heard.
"Fool."
Her tone carried a hint of emotion, and a touch of helplessness.