"My parents previously took over the rouge shop. Afterwards, the business grew bigger and bigger, and they opened many branches. The two of them discussed and decided that the young ladies and madams in the Imperial Capital were the wealthiest and the easiest to earn money from. Thus, they headed to the Imperial Capital."
Upon hearing Lu Taobao's words, everyone in the room was stunned.
They had gone to the Imperial Capital a month ago, and how long had they taken over the rouge shop? Two months?
Their actions were too swift.
Shen Xiaoyan felt that as a person from the 21st century, who valued efficiency the most, she was now not even half as efficient as Lu Taobao's parents.
This realization made Shen Xiaoyan quite depressed. The only thing worth being happy about was that Lu Taobao was accompanying her to the capital, leaving her with no worries.
Perhaps this was the fabled predetermined fate.
For the first time, Shen Xiaoyan somewhat believed in destiny.
"Then what should we do about these things at home?"
Lu Taobao's sudden question stunned Shen Xiaoyan and the others.
According to Shen Xiaoyan's previous plan, even though they would be going to the capital together, they would eventually return.
Therefore, the people at home would still stay here, guarding the house, and waiting for their return.
However, after Lu Taobao's question, she began to hesitate.
After a while, Shen Xiaoyan asked Brother Taobao, "Are you asking this because you have something in mind?"
Lu Taobao chuckled and said, "I was just thinking, we don't know when we'll be back after we go. Should we take everyone at home with us?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiaoyan was about to say that they would return soon.
But before the words could leave her mouth, she closed her lips.
No matter what, one should not be too absolute about things.
Especially this trip to the Imperial Capital. No one knew what it would be like once they got there, and whether they could return quickly was still an unknown.
Actually, taking everyone along wouldn't be much of a problem. At most, they would follow behind at a slower pace while they went ahead.
However, it was easy to say for the others, as they had all been bought and had signed indentured servant contracts.
But the wet nurses for the four children were all found from nearby villages.
Although they had been living here since the four children were born and rarely returned home, they were ultimately staying because of the high monthly wages she provided and were reluctant to give up this income.
Furthermore, their homes were not too far away. Even at night, if they missed home, they could walk back and just need to return early the next morning.
But if they were taken to the capital, it would not be so convenient.
Moreover, she did not know their thoughts, and it was necessary to inquire.
Shen Xiaoyan inwardly felt that these people would definitely resign.
After thinking it through, Shen Xiaoyan switched to Huo Fen and told her about going to the Imperial Capital. Then she said, "Tell everyone to pack all the necessary belongings into boxes and cabinets. I will arrange everything uniformly."
When Huo Fen heard Shen Xiaoyan say they were moving the entire family to the Imperial Capital, she was so surprised that she didn't know what to say.
But she quickly lowered her head, said "yes" loudly, and hurried out.
She had to quickly tell the others. After all, they had lived there for a long time, and there must be many things to pack.
Shen Xiaoyan smiled as she watched Huo Fen rush out. After a few laughs, thinking about the issue of the wet nurses, she hesitantly looked at Yue Qingxin, "Sister, what do you think about the wet nurses?"
Yue Qingxin's expression also became serious. "Sister, I was thinking the same thing. I think Brother Rong is drinking much less milk daily now. So, if the wet nurses are unwilling to come with us, we can just let them go."
Shen Xiaoyan looked at Yue Qingxin in surprise, her thinking was indeed very progressive.
However, if she thought this way, did Sima Han also think this way?
Shen Xiaoyan looked at Sima Han again and saw that he had no strong expression on his face, indicating that he was listening to Yue Qingxin's arrangements.
Shen Xiaoyan recalled reading in her previous life that it was common for royal children to still be breastfed at three or four, or even five or six years old.
Now, Sima Shui Rong was only nine months old, and Yue Qingxin and Sima Han could heartlessly make him wean, instead of coercing the wet nurses to come along. This truly impressed Shen Xiaoyan.
Shen Xiaoyan kept looking at Yue Qingxin. Even with Yue Qingxin's usual composure, she couldn't stand it after a while.
"Sister, why are you looking at me like that?"
Shen Xiaoyan withdrew her overly intense gaze and said, "Although Sister is willing to let Brother Rong wean, he is only nine months old. Little Sanzi is also only nine and a half months old. Is it a bit early to wean him now?"
In fact, Shen Xiaoyan's words had touched upon Yue Qingxin's inner thoughts.
She did not want to force the wet nurses to leave their homes, but that did not mean she did not feel sorry for Sima Shui Rong.
After a while, Yue Qingxin said again, "We will be traveling at full speed along the way. It will take at most four or five days to reach the Imperial Capital. Can we ask them to bear with it for now and find better wet nurses in the capital?"
Shen Xiaoyan shook her head. Although she was a mother for the first time, she had seen many pigs run even if she hadn't eaten pork in her previous life, let alone heard about it.
It was said that weaning was the most troublesome time for children, and it was impossible to successfully wean them in just three to five days.
Therefore, Yue Qingxin's method was not feasible.
Even when weaning at home comfortably, the child might still cry and fuss.
Moreover, they had to hurry. Could they allow the child to cry all the way in the carriage?
Imagining that scene, Shen Xiaoyan shivered.
Even just imagining it made her unable to accept it.
Seeing Shen Xiaoyan deep in thought, frowning and looking sad, Zheng Wei felt a pang of sympathy.
"I have a suggestion, see if it works," Zheng Wei said after thinking for a while.
Shen Xiaoyan and Yue Qingxin looked at Zheng Wei, eagerly awaiting his words.
Zheng Wei looked at the two of them and found it somewhat amusing, but he suppressed his laughter and said, "How about we discuss it with the wet nurses, offer them more money to come with us, and then, once we reach the Imperial Capital and find new wet nurses, we can send them back?"
Shen Xiaoyan's eyes lit up. This was indeed a good idea.
As the saying goes, money makes the mare go.
As long as they offered enough money, the wet nurses would surely be willing to make the trip.
Thinking quickly, Shen Xiaoyan stood up and was about to walk out. Zheng Wei quickly stopped her, "Where are you going?"
Shen Xiaoyan said, "Naturally, to discuss with the wet nurses."
Zheng Wei stepped forward and said, "I'll go."
Shen Xiaoyan looked at Zheng Wei suspiciously, "You'll go?"
Zheng Wei's face darkened, "What, Mi Mi, do you not believe in my ability to handle things?"
Seeing Zheng Wei like this, Shen Xiaoyan gave a dry laugh and quickly waved her hand, "You go, you go."
Zheng Wei turned around proudly and walked out. Sima Han also stood up and followed him out.
With Shen Xiaoyan's previous experience, Yue Qingxin also became wise, closed her lips tightly, and watched Sima Han walk out of the room without saying a word.
After Shen Xiaoyan heard their footsteps recede, she pouted and said, "If you were going, you should have gone earlier. Now you're competing with me, making me worry for so long for nothing."
Just as Shen Xiaoyan finished speaking, she saw Zheng Wei emerge from behind the glazed screen, looking at her with a smile, and saying:
"Mi Mi, what are you saying? I thought I heard you complaining about me?"
What was going on?
Hadn't he already left?
Shen Xiaoyan stared blankly at Zheng Wei's face, unable to react for a moment.
Zheng Wei looked at Shen Xiaoyan's shocked and bewildered expression, inwardly laughing heartily, but on the outside, he gave her a cool glance and turned to leave.
Shen Xiaoyan stood in place for a while longer, then suddenly, as if possessed, she ran behind the glazed screen.
Seeing no one behind the glazed screen, she lifted the door curtain and still saw no one by the door.
Shen Xiaoyan breathed a sigh of relief, it seemed he had really left.
"Is Mi Mi looking for me?"
And suddenly, a voice echoed, and Shen Xiaoyan's relief was instantly replaced by a sense of thankfulness that enveloped her.
However, after a moment, she realized why she felt thankful.
She hadn't done anything wrong, so why should she feel thankful?
After thinking for a while, she understood.
She was simply being toyed with by Zheng Wei's startling antics. It was a subconscious reaction.
In fact, she didn't need to feel thankful at all.
After understanding, Shen Xiaoyan turned around, ready to have a good talk with Zheng Wei, but to her surprise, behind her was empty, and Zheng Wei's shadow was nowhere to be seen.
Just as Shen Xiaoyan was puzzled, she suddenly saw Zheng Wei standing by the door of the side room.
Shen Xiaoyan smiled wryly, "You've come."
Zheng Wei calmly shook his head, "Your husband was just trying to amuse you. Mi Mi, don't be angry."