Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

Chapter 843: Chapter 843: Shop Reopens
 

Di Yelei had spent many days outside, and he still had impressions of where the hustle and bustle was.

Initially, although the gold mine in Macheng County was jointly mined with Nan Tianzong, once Nan Tianzong left, he never came to claim his share. In Di Yelei’s heart, he was determined to keep the other party’s portion.

“I understand, wealth is for people’s comfort and joy. Right now, the most important thing is to ensure the safety of our family. As long as everyone is well, nothing else matters…”

Liu Sisi turned her head to look at Niuniu and Chou Chou, who were once again playing noisily together, with both children fighting over the football, neither willing to give in.

She sighed inwardly, wondering how the children who were drifting about outside were doing now.

“That’s right, Chou Chou is not young anymore, once we find Ying’er and Xuan’er, we should hire a teacher for the children. And we should also find an educating nanny for Ying’er and Niuniu, so as not to delay the children’s development.”

“You’re saying the right thing! Look at me; I’ve even become forgetful lately.”

Di Yelei slapped his forehead in annoyance, “Chou Chou is already over five years old; he can start his enlightenment. Let me find out if there is a suitable candidate lately. If there is, we may as well invite him to the mansion to become a tutor. The eldest sons of Prince Qing and Prince Fenyang are also a few years old now; perhaps in some time there will be a need for a studying companion…who could say?”

Liu Sisi’s heart stirred, and she couldn’t help but lower her voice, “Do you mean to say that Prince Qing and Prince Fenyang…”

Di Yelei nodded slightly, “His Majesty has already considered the opinions of the court ministers; he will likely choose between Prince Qing and Prince Fenyang as the Crown Prince. As for the final decision, it will depend on His Majesty’s will. No one dares to bet on the outcome until the very last moment.”

“I don’t quite agree.”

Liu Sisi shook her head, “If Father Emperor truly had the intention of selecting Prince Qing or Prince Fenyang, he probably would have issued the order days ago. I think Father Emperor is playing a much bigger game, a very big one…”

“His Majesty told you this?” Di Yelei asked in surprise, raising an eyebrow.

“No, it’s just a feeling of mine.”

Liu Sisi felt hesitant, but her intuition had never been wrong. The moment Di Yelei mentioned it just now, an idea flashed through her mind, but it vanished just as quickly, eluding her grasp no matter how hard she tried to catch it.

“Apart from those exiled, there are only Prince Qing and Prince Fenyang left in the capital city. If His Majesty doesn’t establish a Crown Prince soon, I fear that other issues may arise…”

Di Yelei’s words made Liu Sisi nod in agreement, “Let’s not rush; we’ll take one step at a time.”

For the following days, Di Yelei was busy running around for the matter of selecting an honorable teacher for the few children, while Liu Sisi was preoccupied with the opening of several shops.

Though Liu Sisi didn’t need to worry about the day-to-day affairs within the shops, she still had to make decisions about various accounts and strategies, often seeing several managers of the shops coming and going, tirelessly busy.

Finally, once the shops each had their grand openings, Liu Sisi had a respite by her side.

“What’s going on? Today is a great day for the grand opening of several shops, and you, the real shopkeeper, aren’t going out to show your face?” Di Yelei stepped in quickly from outside and said teasingly upon seeing Liu Sisi still dressed in plain clothes.

Liu Sisi, who had been teaching Niuniu how to write, let go of her hand to let her practice on her own before stepping out of the room.

“The shopkeepers of those shops are oldtimers, and now they just have a new boss. I believe they can handle it; what do I have to worry about?”

“Even so, aren’t you curious if those shops are making any profit?”

Seeing Di Yelei with a smug look on his face, Liu Sisi changed what she was about to say, “What about you? Did you just go to the shops?”

“Haha, you guessed right! Right after the early morning session, I walked around Imperial Street and saw that the business of our newly opened shops was especially good. It seems your merchant skills are indeed formidable,” Di Yelei said more and more excitedly as he hurriedly described the scene along the way.

“When the old shops opened their doors, everyone knew who owned the shops. Now that the ban has just been lifted not long ago, and our shops have already opened, those with intentions will naturally come to pry. But it doesn’t matter, even if they know, it’s no harm; after all, I have obtained an imperial decree from Father Emperor, so I’m not afraid of anyone causing trouble,”

There was a smile brimming on Liu Sisi’s face, not a hint of surprise.

“Well, I too stood at the shop for a while, and I arranged some of my trusted soldiers inside. I believe anyone with some discernment will not easily cause trouble,” Di Yelei was obviously quite satisfied as well.

“Your trusted soldiers? Do these people recognize you?”

Liu Sisi was somewhat surprised! When had Di Yelei become so prominent in the capital city?

“You, you!”

Di Yelei lifted his hand and playfully ruffled Liu Sisi’s head, his eyes filled with doting affection: “Haven’t you thought about it, I, the Marquis Yongping, have fought my way out on the battlefield with real knives and real guns. Among all the civil and military officials in the court today, who dares to challenge this Marquis Yongping?”

In the midst of speaking, he patted his chest proudly.

This made Liu Sisi laugh as well!

“Alright, go ahead and boast about yourself like Wang Po selling melons. If outsiders heard this, wouldn’t they laugh at you?”

“Isn’t it only in front of you that I talk like this? I certainly wouldn’t say such things in front of outsiders,” he said and shamelessly brought his face closer, taking hold of Liu Sisi’s hand.

Liu Sisi promptly pushed him away: “Stop fooling around, Niuniu is still inside practicing her writing…”

Before she could settle, Old Cheng hurriedly ran in.

“Old Master Marquis, Princess, Prince Qing and Princess Consort Qing have come to visit and are already outside the main entrance,”

Could it be that Prince Qing had come with some matter? The gazes of the two met in midair, each seeing solemnity in the other’s eyes.

A moment later, Liu Sisi and the others quickly went out to greet them at the main entrance.

“Your visit brings light to our humble abode, Prince Qing and Princess Consort Qing, we apologize for not welcoming you from afar, please forgive us,”

Prince Qing, leading Princess Consort Qing, was just alighting from the carriage, and upon seeing Di Yelei and Liu Sisi bow, Princess Consort Qing hurriedly walked over quickly to personally help Liu Sisi up.

“We are all family. Princess Sister, please don’t be so formal, you mustn’t overstrain me,”

Seeing the smiling Princess Consort Qing before her, Liu Sisi felt a refreshing sensation flowing through her heart, and just from a single encounter, she had a very good first impression of Princess Consort Qing.

She quickly took hold of Princess Consort Qing’s hand: “Imperial Sister-in-law jests, it is only proper for Ruyu to greet Elder Imperial Brother and Imperial Sister-in-law. Only, our humble dwelling is simple; I hope you don’t mind,”

Princess Consort Qing also constantly observed Liu Sisi’s expression, and seeing that the other party’s complexion was quite good, she felt relieved of a great weight in her heart.

At present, during this critical period, if they could gain the strong support of the Marquis Yongping, who had the ability of attending a dragon, and of Princess Ruyu, the most favored by Father Emperor, then Prince Qing’s important affair would be halfway to success. How could this not worry Princess Consort Qing?