Wang Shoucheng was a young man with great ambition. Ever since arriving in the capital, he had rolled up his sleeves, ready to make a big splash. The Lunar New Year was no time to be idle, and he had already scoured the bustling main streets of the capital several times. When he heard Lu Nianfu was looking for him, he arrived immediately, brimming with enthusiasm: "Young lady, I hope your New Year has been a good one?"
"It's been alright. Steward Wang seems to be in good spirits too, though you look a bit thinner."
"Indeed, these days I've been wandering the streets every day, wearing my legs thin."
A flicker of amusement crossed Lu Nianfu's eyes. "It seems the scenery in the capital is quite captivating, charming Steward Wang into going out so often."
Wang Shoucheng wagged a finger. "No, no, no, what attracts me isn't the capital's scenery, but its money."
Lu Nianfu smiled knowingly. "Steward Wang must have had quite a harvest these past few days."
"Heh heh, I've identified several shops and workshops. Does the young lady intend to open Xiangdai Pavilion or a wine shop?"
"What choices do adults make? Naturally, we'll have both."
"That's precisely what I thought. If the young lady hadn't returned today, I would have sought you out at the Marquis of Guangling's mansion in the next couple of days. The shops and workshops I've scouted recently are quite good. The most suitable is the shop on Vermillion Bird Street in the East City. It's large, in a prime location, but a bit pricey. Moreover, its owner is in urgent need of funds and requires a full payment of thirteen thousand taels."
This was no small sum, but the shop on Vermillion Bird Street was indeed worth the price.
"Besides that, what else is there?"
"There are two workshops in Jingyang Ward available for transfer, one for rent and one for sale. Additionally, there are suitable shops on Xingqing Street and Jintai Street."
Lu Nianfu remarked, "You've almost scoured the entire capital, haven't you?"
"Pretty much."
"Then let's go take a look. If they are suitable, we'll acquire them. Both Xiangdai Pavilion and the wine shop will need them."
Wang Shoucheng beamed. "That's what I was thinking too. Yanxia Huoshao is popular in Yangzhou, and it will surely sell well in the capital. And the items from Xiangdai Pavilion, tsk tsk, they are in such high demand here in the capital! The prices are more than five times what we sell them for in Yangzhou. The money in the capital is truly easy to earn."
Lu Nianfu didn't shatter his illusion. Young people need dreams to have drive. As for the depths of business in the capital, he would learn that in time. After all, with Yan Qing backing him, his mistakes wouldn't be too catastrophic.
The two were decisive. The carriage was barely back in the rear courtyard before it was pulled out again, before the driver could even feed the horses their good fodder.
Wang Shoucheng sat on the carriage shaft, his face alight with excitement.
Lu Nianfu lifted the carriage curtain, taking in the street view outside. The long streets of the capital were as prosperous as ever. Due to the New Year, everything exuded festivity. Pedestrians hurried along the streets, their faces mostly smiling.
The shop on Vermillion Bird Street was quite large, divided into two floors. It would be ample even if both the wine shop and Xiangdai Pavilion were to be opened in the same place.
Apart from the price, Lu Nianfu found everything else extremely satisfactory.
The rented workshop in Jingyang Ward could be disregarded. However, the one for sale was a viable option. That workshop was also quite large, perfect for a brewing facility, with enough space to partition half for experimenting with new wines.
After a tour, Lu Nianfu confirmed these two locations and instructed the real estate agent to negotiate the prices.
Finally, the shop on Vermillion Bird Street was settled for twelve thousand taels. The workshop was cheaper, costing a full four thousand taels. If she hadn't earned so much in the past two years, she wouldn't have dared to spend so lavishly.
Having spent a considerable sum, Lu Nianfu returned to the Marquis's mansion in high spirits.
The gatekeeper, who had previously looked down on her and insisted she use the side entrance, now adopted a respectful demeanor and presented her with a calling card: "Madam, this is a calling card from the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Pingning's mansion. Do you have time tomorrow?"
The eldest daughter of the Marquis of Pingning's mansion? Wasn't that Zeng Weiyang? Lu Nianfu conjured an image of a frail young girl with a sickly complexion, the one her Ladyship the Marchioness of Pingning doted on like a piece of porcelain. She never expected her to seek her out actively.
Could it be that she was coming to acknowledge kinship?
She recalled that she hadn't been very friendly to this half-sister when they were younger. Of course, she was now the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis of Pingning's mansion.
She pondered for a moment and then said, "Alright, I have time tomorrow afternoon."
"Then I shall go to the Marquis of Pingning's mansion to relay your reply."
Lu Nianfu nodded, and Qingya handed over ten copper coins: "Here, this is for your trouble."
Ten copper coins were not much, but for a gatekeeper whose monthly wage was only six hundred copper coins, it was half a day's pay. Clutching the coins, the gatekeeper became even more solicitous. He watched Lu Nianfu and Qingya's retreating figures, his eyes gleaming. The new Madam was truly generous.
It seemed merchants from Jiangnan were indeed as wealthy as the rumors suggested.