The carriage rumbled onward.
Gu Yan Chen took the initiative to ask, "Is Madam going to Xiang Shui County to bid farewell to your mother?"
Lu Nian Fu shook her head. "No, I have some matters to discuss with Shopkeeper Yan."
Gu Yan Chen understood. "Arranging your assets, right?"
"Mm, can't just leave without any preparation."
"Indeed, you must arrange things properly. With money, everything is easier wherever you go." Gu Yan Chen, whose purse was perpetually light, felt ashamed at the thought of the stack of IOUs. He was already shamelessly taking his share of the inn's profits every month, yet it still wasn't enough for expenses. He suspected he was too extravagant.
As it turned out, his wife was far more extravagant than he was.
Lu Nian Fu asked, "If we return to the capital, shouldn't we buy some gifts for your family? Your stepmother is easy; the exquisite jewelry from Jiangnan, perhaps a set of ruby adornments would suffice. But for your father, I have no idea what to buy."
Upon hearing this, Gu Yan Chen nearly exploded. Gifts were something he had truly never considered.
They had been married for over two years. His father, apart from sending two letters inquiring about him at the very beginning, had never mentioned him since. As for his stepmother, she wrote quite a few letters, but each one was either asking for money or wanting him to arrange for his two younger brothers to join the army by his side.
Or, failing that, use his connections to get them official positions.
Ever since he became an official, he had been in Yangzhou. What kind of connections did he have in the capital to secure jobs for them? Joining the army was even more impossible. Gu Yan Xi was somewhat better; at least he hadn't slacked off in martial arts lessons and was quite proficient in archery and riding. Gu Yan Dong, that fellow, was merely a scholar with lofty ideals but little practical skill. Sending him to battle the enemy? Hah... wouldn't that be no different from sending him to his death?
They hadn't even bothered to care about him, so why would he take the initiative to mention buying them gifts?
However, it wouldn't seem right for his wife to visit his parents for the first time without preparing some gifts. He tapped on the small table. "What ruby adornments? That stuff is outrageously expensive. Just pick some local specialties from Yangzhou, it'll be fine. Oh right, when we get back, make sure you keep your good teas and wines, which are comparable to tribute goods, well hidden. Don't flaunt your wealth. Don't be foolish enough to tell them how many assets you have; just say you have a cosmetics shop, understand?"
Lu Nian Fu blinked honestly. "I don't quite understand."
Gu Yan Chen choked, then asserted forcefully, "Just listen to me, and you won't go wrong. If you really want to buy something, get a famous painting or a rare edition. No ruby adornments. Buy something cheap, definitely not exceeding a thousand, no, two hundred taels. If my father and mother give you decent welcoming gifts, then give them these two gifts. If they deliberately try to make things difficult for you, just ignore them. Have Qing Miao embroider a pair of shoes for you and send them over."
Lu Nian Fu: ...
Would sending a pair of shoes embroidered by a maidservant to the Emperor and Empress truly not result in beheading?
This casual attitude, it was indeed the Seventh Prince, favored by the Emperor.
She shook her head. "Hearing you say this, you seem to have deep resentment towards your family."
"Hmph, anyway, we just need to close our doors and live our own lives." Gu Yan Chen comforted her. "You are my wife, and I will never let anyone bully you."
Lu Nian Fu was deeply moved. As she was moved, she once again suppressed the strange feeling in her heart.
With the sea trade banned, Jiangnan had become much more desolate over the past two years. The once bustling Eight Directions Inn would often have to turn guests away due to lack of rooms. Now, it was considered quite good if the inn was half full.
However, Yan Qing was still busy, as he also had to manage the distillery.
Lu Nian Fu's distillation method seemed unreliable, but because the purchased instruments and equipment were too precious, he persevered with the principle of not wasting resources. Finally, in June of this year, he managed to distill a batch of white spirit.
Because it was potent enough, this liquor, named Yan Xia (Misty Glow), became very popular. In just two months, it recouped all the previous research funding and also received a large order.
Currently, relying solely on Yan Xia, the distillery could net over five hundred taels per month. He was already contemplating how to expand the distillery.
The distillation method also needed to be continued. He was just waiting for an even more potent liquor to be released. He had already thought of its name: Huo Shao (Burning Fire).
The name Yan Xia was given by Lu Nian Fu, meaning that one cup of this liquor would intoxicate the drinker, making their face glow like misty glow.
It sounded pleasant, but it wasn't manly enough. Those who drank strong liquor were mostly men, so it should be grand and robust. Yan Qing was very satisfied with this name; one cup would make your blood rush and your heart burn.
The carriage slowly stopped at the entrance of the inn. The young attendant guarding the door, seeing her, quickly greeted them and cast an admiring glance at Gu Yan Chen. "Shopkeeper, distinguished guest has arrived."
This meant he was to personally welcome her and then lead the horse to the backyard.