Su er laoye frowned slightly. “When we first heard you were betrothed to Gongzi Zhao, your da jiujiu and I were quite worried. Xiao Jiu, do you know that Ning wangfei, Pei shi, is only a half-sister to Lu hou, Pei Ren?”
Gu Jiu nodded. “I’ve heard about it.”
Su er laoye continued, “The current Pei lao furen is Ning wangfei’s biological mother, and her relationship with Lu hou, Pei Ren, isn’t exactly good.”
Gu Jiu pondered for a moment. “Jiujiu means that Lu hou won’t be a support to Ning wang fu, and may even act against it behind the scenes.”
Su er laoye was surprised at how quickly Gu Jiu understood. He nodded. “Exactly.”
Gu Jiu had a question. “Er jiujiu, is Lu hou really that petty?”
Su er laoye snorted. “He’s not only petty, he’s greedy and vindictive. Over the years, he’s made many enemies at court. If it weren’t for his remarkable military achievements and the Emperor’s trust, he would’ve long been impeached and imprisoned. Back in the day, he and Ning wang even fought in brothels over jealousy, and there were lawsuits involving death.”
Gu Jiu pinched her forehead. So even the famous figures at court had ridiculous, chaotic pasts when they were young. There’s no limit to absurdity.
Su er laoye reminded her, “Lu hou holds grudges. Be careful, he may act covertly. You must watch Ning wangfei, Pei shi’s movements.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “I understand. Thank you for the reminder, er jiujiu.”
Su er laoye sighed, and the wrinkles on his face made him look ten years older than he was.
It was clear the Su family had endured hard times over the years.
He said, “The Su family has been away from the capital for over ten years. Many things in the city feel unfamiliar. Especially among the imperial grandchildren, we don’t know a single one. Your jiujiu can’t help much, don’t look down on him.”
Gu Jiu quickly replied, “Jiujiu, you’re too kind. I’m already grateful that both of you came. How could I ever look down on you? For example, with the recent purchase of medicinal herbs, if it weren’t for the Su family’s reputation, I could never have bought quality herbs at a fair price. And even if I had, I probably wouldn’t have been able to transport them back to the capital safely.”
Su er laoye waved his hand. “Such a small matter is worth hardly mentioning. In fact, it’s we in the Su family who should thank you.
“These years have been tough for our family. We even swallowed our pride to do some business ventures. But none of us in the Su family are good at trade. Not only did we not make money, we lost the last of our property.
“For so many years, we’ve only been able to hold on to a few acres of poor land and survive as teachers. Our family is large, expenses are high, and life has gotten harder each year.
“If Su Zheng hadn’t been helped by you, he wouldn’t have made it to the capital safely and settled here. The Su family owes you and your brother a debt. You two struggled under your stepmother, and the Su family couldn’t help at all.
“And now, you even help us, you make me ashamed. But seeing you grown and your brother successful brings joy to my heart, and joy to your mother as well.”
Her eyes reddened from his words.
She said, “Er jiujiu, please don’t speak that way. I hope one day the Su family can regain its former glory, and life improves for everyone.”
Su er laoye smiled. “It will. With Zheng’er around, the Su family has a future.”
Su Zheng felt an enormous pressure.
Gu Jiu smiled at Su Zheng, who could only reply with a bitter smile.
Time was running late, and Gu Jiu needed to return home.
Su er laoye asked Su Zheng to escort her.
“Xiao Jiu meimei, I’ll see you out.”
“Thank you, Su biaoge.”
They walked out together. Gu Jiu said, “About the Jumeizhai incident… I’m sorry for involving Su biaoge. Please forgive me.”
Su Zheng shook his head and replied solemnly, “Xiao Jiu meimei, it’s I who should thank you. If you hadn’t given me the opportunity to invest in Jumeizhai, I wouldn’t have earned anything.
“The incident at Jumeizhai had nothing to do with you, it was just an accident and misfortune. And now that it has reopened, even if profits are low or losses occur, it’s fine. If you ever need my help, just send word.”
When Gu Jiu opened Jumeizhai, she had already thought of Su Zheng.
She was confident it would earn money; it was just a matter of how much. Bringing Su Zheng in as an investor was partly to let him earn some pocket money, making life a little easier for him.
The start-up cost for Jumeizhai was minimal, only two or three hundred taels.
Su Zheng contributed thirty taels, Gu Ting twenty, and together the three of them opened Jumeizhai.
Later, Gu Jiu learned that those thirty taels were all of Su Zheng’s savings at the time. Because of that, he and his servant almost went hungry.
When Su Zheng left Jinzhou, he had 500 taels. Two hundred taels were gratitude from Gu Jiu for helping him; the remaining three hundred were effectively a loan.
He didn’t dare spend freely, so he sent 400 taels home and lived frugally with 100 taels to settle in the capital.
He spent his days copying books at a bookstore and writing letters for others to earn money, reviewing his studies only at night.
Even the servant Shunzi had to do odd jobs every day.
The master and servant survived by working, and managed to establish themselves in the capital.
Of the 100 taels, after spending on the journey, rent, and other expenses, the remainder was carefully saved.
If Su Zheng hadn’t fallen ill later and spent heavily on medical care, they would not have been left with only thirty taels.
But at the time, Gu Jiu knew nothing. Seeing Su Zheng produce thirty taels, she assumed he still had some money.
It wasn’t until later, when Jumei Zhai issued dividends and Er Zhuang brought silver to Su Zheng, that she learned from Shunzi that those thirty taels were all the savings the master and servant had.
If it weren’t for Shunzi being paid daily, the two of them would have gone hungry.
After learning of the matter, Gu Jiu felt guilty.
Later, when Jumeizhai ran into trouble and closed down, Gu Jiu worried that Su Zheng and his servant would run short of money.
She sent people to deliver silver to Su Zheng, but he refused, saying he had enough funds and would not take it.
Gu Jiu knew Su Zheng had a strong sense of pride, so she did not insist.
In truth, Su Zheng had some savings, he had saved every bit of profit from the past few months without spending a single coin.
He planned to save a total of 100 taels, sending 50 taels home and keeping the other 50 for Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu said to him, “Rest assured, Su biaoge, Jumeizhai won’t lose money, it will only make more. By the end of the month, there will be another dividend. This year, Su biaoge should be able to have a comfortable New Year.”
Su Zheng performed a deep bow to Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu quickly stepped aside. “Su biaoge, what are you doing?”
Gratefully, Su Zheng said, “Xiao Jiu, thank you for helping our Su family so much, helping our lives gradually improve. I have limited abilities and don’t know how I could ever help you in return.”
Gu Jiu smiled. “Su biaoge, do you really want to help me?”
Su Zheng solemnly said, “Of course I want to help you.”
Gu Jiu’s smile faded as she spoke seriously, “Su biaoge, if you truly want to help me, then promise me this: from today onward, stop copying books and writing letters.
“The dividends from Jumeizhai are enough for you and Shunzi’s expenses. I want you to dedicate all your time to studying.
“I hope that one day I can see Su biaoge reciting his name at Donghua Gate, becoming a student of the emperor, entering the officialdom successfully. Only if you succeed in the bureaucracy can you truly help me.”
Su Zheng stared at Gu Jiu, his gaze deep. “You want me to help you in the bureaucracy?”
“Exactly. If you don’t want to, I won’t force you.”
“No, I want to help you. I promise that from today onward, I will stop copying books and writing letters, dedicating all my time to study. When the day comes that I recite my name at Donghua Gate, I hope to see Xiao Jiu meimei happy for me.”
Gu Jiu nodded firmly. “Absolutely!”
“Absolutely!”
Su Zheng watched Gu Jiu leave. Only when the ox cart turned the corner and she was out of sight did he retract his gaze.
Back in the main house, Su er laoye asked him, “What did you say to Xiao Jiu?”
Su Zheng solemnly replied, “From today onward, I will focus on my studies.”
Su er laoye looked gratified. “You should have done this long ago. Your father told me to repeatedly remind you, not to worry about money. Studying is what matters most. Wait, did you suddenly come to realize this because Xiao Jiu persuaded you?”
Su Zheng nodded.
Su er laoye sighed, “Xiao Jiu is truly clever. How did she convince you?”
Su Zheng said, “Shufu, if there are no other matters, I will return to my room to study.”
Su er laoye’s beard twitched, this brat.
Su Zheng returned to his room and opened his books.
Shunzi attended to the ink and brush beside him. “Biao guniang’s words are the most effective. I spent a whole year trying to persuade gongzi, but he would not listen, worrying daily about money. Yet biao guniang convinced him in just a few words. Next time we encounter something, we must ask biao guniang to intervene.”
Su Zheng, with a serious face, whispered a scolding, “You talk too much, shut up.”
Shunzi made a face and ran off.
Gu Jiu took the opportunity to visit the Cheng Medicine Shop.
The shop wasn’t far from Shili Alley, located in the western market. The rent was a bit expensive.
Since Gu Jiu’s dowry silver hadn’t arrived, she couldn’t buy the shop outright and had to rent it.
The rent was high, but the location was good.
After renovation, the counters and displays were set up, and the medicinal herbs brought by er jiujiu were sorted and arranged.
Song Zheng was helping in the shop.
Seeing Gu Jiu, he hurried over to pay his respects.
Gu Jiu waved him off. “No need for formalities outside. You’ve worked hard, traveling over a thousand miles in the winter.”
“It’s no trouble. If guniang has other errands, just let me know. I’m happy to run them.”
Song Zheng’s demeanor was completely different from the first time they met.
Now, he was full of energy, alert, eyes bright.
Only his beard was too thick, clearly not trimmed for days.
Combined with his sturdy build, standing there, he looked very imposing.
Truly, a former imperial guard.
Er Zhuang ran out from the back yard.
From now on, Er Zhuang would manage the Cheng Medicine Shop.
Jumeizhai would be managed by Er Zhuang’s apprentice.
“Guniang, xiaode will show you around.”
Gu Jiu nodded. She toured the shop, inspected the consultation room, and finally sat in the backyard to drink tea.
Er Zhuang asked, “Doctor Tian is here. Would you like to see him?”
Gu Jiu perked up. “Yes! Invite him in.”
Er Zhuang went out and brought Doctor Tian in.
Song Zheng took the chance to report, “Guniang, xiaode has something to report.”
“Go ahead.”
“Yi furen has a money house under her name, lending money at interest.”
Yi furen was the wife of Gongzi Yi, Xiao Qin’er. Gongzi Yi was Liu Zhao’s younger brother of the same mother.
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure her money house is lending at interest?”
Song Zheng confirmed, “Yes, I’m certain, monthly interest at five percent.”
That was clearly usury, with compound interest.
Gu Jiu asked, “Has anything happened yet?”
“Not yet.”
Gu Jiu smiled knowingly. “Keep an eye on this money house for me. If anything happens, report it immediately.”
“Yes, guniang.”
Gu Jiu snorted. How much did Xiao Qin’er love money? As the wife of an imperial grandson, she actually ran a moneylending business and issued promissory notes.
Xiao Qiner’s dowry plus betrothal gifts totaled no less than seventy to eighty thousand taels. With such a fortune, there were countless legitimate businesses she could have pursued, yet she chose to sully her reputation with high-interest loans, clearly not thinking straight.
But for Gu Jiu, this was good news.
If handled properly, she could exploit this situation and strip Xiao Qin’er of her advantages.
Gu Jiu quietly asked Fang mama, “Does Xiao Qin’er have rights to housekeeping?”
Fang mama nodded. “Since Yi furen entered the wang fu, the wangfei has kept housekeeping rights with her. Er furen has been pushed aside.”
Gu Jiu smiled. “Wangfei truly dotes on Gongzi Yi. She extends her favor to everyone around him, and clearly values Xiao Qiner highly.”
Fang mama said, “Yi furen loves money so much, there must be plenty of leverage against her. Once you enter the wang fu, leave it to me. I will catch her red-handed.”
Gu Jiu laughed. “I’ll leave this task to mama. Be sure to find Xiao Qin’er’s weak spot.”
Fang mama’s eyes gleamed with excitement. She hadn’t felt this fired up in a long time, finally, she could roll up her sleeves and go into battle. She would help her mistress start off strong and slap Xiao Qin’er right in the face.
Gu Jiu also instructed Song Zheng to keep an eye on both the imperial palace and the wang fu.
Er Zhuang led Doctor Tian to Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu stood. “Please, Doctor Tian, have a seat.”
“Guniang is too polite.”
Doctor Tian was fifty-five, a practitioner of medicine passed down through generations. He originally had his own pharmacy but fell victim to malice, which destroyed his family and forced him into exile.
With no other choice, he brought his family to the capital to seek help from his senior brother.
However, his senior brother feared his wife’s authority; all household matters were controlled by her. She looked down on his family, spoke coldly, and constantly criticized them in veiled insults.
Doctor Tian, now an older man living under someone else’s roof, endured quietly, unwilling to trouble his senior brother. He had no choice but to make a living for his family.
Relying on his medical skills, he barely managed to establish himself in the capital. Life was harsh without backing, and being skilled in medicine didn’t guarantee an easy life.
The capital was full of nobility; one wrong word could offend them, erasing years of effort. His son had also suffered misfortune and legal troubles.
When Doctor Tian was in despair, he met Er Zhuang.
Er Zhuang asked Gu Yu to intervene and resolve his son’s legal troubles. Seeing that Doctor Tian’s family was upright and honest, he recruited them as reserve talent for Gu Jiu.
Doctor Tian, with graying beard, wore a faded blue cotton robe, his face lined with worry.
Gu Jiu asked, “How is gongzi’s injury?”
Tian Ku, Doctor Tian’s only son, had not only gotten into legal trouble but had his leg broken. Without Gu Yu’s intervention, he might have died in prison.
Doctor Tian actually had two sons. The elder son and his wife had perished when he encountered malice in his hometown. His old wife died of grief, leaving only the younger son Tian Ku and a grandson. Truly a family destroyed.
That was why Doctor Tian had no choice but to flee with his family to the capital.
He nodded. “Much better. Thanks to the prescription you provided, guniang. It’s extremely effective. Laofu is humbled.”
“Doctor Tian, you’re too polite. Once Tian Ku recovers, he can help out at the pharmacy.”
Doctor Tian was surprised and delighted. “Is that… appropriate? His medical skills are not sufficient to diagnose or prescribe; he can only assist.”
Gu Jiu said, “Right now, the pharmacy needs someone to assist with medicinal knowledge. And I think Tian Ku’s skills are lacking mainly because he hasn’t had enough hands-on experience.”
Doctor Tian nodded repeatedly; her words hit home.
Tian Ku understood medicine and pharmacology but had missed years of practical training.
“Thank you, guniang. Many thanks. By giving Tian Ku this opportunity, he will not disappoint you.”
Gu Jiu waved her hand. “No need to be so polite. The Xinglin Hall will rely on you in the future.”
“Rest assured, guniang. I will uphold the reputation of Xinglin Hall.”
Gu Jiu nodded approvingly. She pulled a few prescriptions from her sleeve and placed them in front of Doctor Tian. “Please review these. Are they effective? I want to use them in the pharmacy as our hall’s signature prescriptions to establish our reputation.”
Doctor Tian’s expression lit up.
One treated injuries and bruises, one relieved rheumatism and pain, one stopped coughs and phlegm, one nourished qi and blood, plus three for healthful medicinal cuisine.
“Excellent, excellent! These prescriptions are ingenious. You are truly skilled, guniang. Please accept my deepest bow.”
Doctor Tian stood, bowing deeply to Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu hurriedly stood to avoid taking such an elaborate bow from an elder.
“Doctor Tian, you flatter me. If these prescriptions work…”
“They will work, they will work. Absolutely brilliant.”
“Then let’s use them in the shop and aim to make Xinglin Hall famous as soon as possible.”
“Laofu will not fail to live up to guniang’s expectations.”
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