Xiangdai Pavilion and the Lu family's wine shop officially opened. Yan Qing, whom they hadn't seen for a long time, finally reappeared and highly praised Wang Shoucheng's work during this period. Good wine needs no bush. Yanxia and Huoshao, once launched, quickly attracted the wine lovers of the capital.
Everyone who tasted them couldn't praise them enough.
Yan Qing threw himself into the brewery, working with the distillers brought from Xiangshui County to try and produce spirits even purer than Huoshao as quickly as possible. Wang Shoucheng was also very pleased. Xiangdai Pavilion's business was as expected, drawing a large number of female customers as soon as it opened.
Two years prior, Xiangdai Pavilion's cosmetics had already made a name for themselves, but the maritime ban during those two years made Xiangdai Pavilion's products scarce in the capital. Now that Xiangdai Pavilion had opened in the capital, there was no reason not to buy them.
The first batch of goods on the shelves sold out in just a few days, but fortunately, the workshop had already started procuring raw materials.
In March, peach blossoms bloomed, the best time for making rouge.
Lu Nianfu also threw herself into the workshop, coming home each day perfumed with flowers.
The workshop didn't require her constant attention, but the problem was, if she stayed home, Feng Xinyao would drag her into discussing revenge plans. This girl was full of hatred, and her ideas were all of the "mutual destruction" variety. Lu Nianfu dared not delve deeply into them with her.
One day, as she was examining the results of the petal sorting, she saw Mian'er seeking her out: "Miss, hurry home and see. Young Master is throwing a tantrum at home."
"Hm? Do you know what happened?"
"Xiao Wuzi said that the court has decided on the person to go to Jiangnan, and it's not Young Master."
No wonder.
Gu Yanchen had told her a few days ago that he was going to Jiangnan for revenge, and now that he couldn't go at the last minute, he must be feeling stifled. However, his temper flared up and died down quickly, so there was no need to worry too much.
As expected, by the time she arrived home, he had calmed down.
Qingmiao swept the broken porcelain shards in the outer room into a pile and was carrying a dustpan out. "Miss, you're finally back."
"Where is Young Master?"
"He's in the room painting."
Lu Nianfu: ...
Having been married to him for so long, how did she not know he could paint?
Entering the room, she realized Qingmiao had misunderstood. He was clearly painting a defense map of the Jiangnan coast. Lu Nianfu picked up an inkstick and began grinding it. "Who is going to Jiangnan? Is it worth your concern?"
"Minister of Justice Qiu Chenghe, and the son of Duke Cao, Fu Chuan."
"Is Fu Chuan going to replace Situ Jue?"
"More or less."
"It seems the Crown Prince has won this time. Do you have any personal connection with that Fu Chuan?"
Gu Yanchen said, "We studied together. We weren't very close. Although he's a bit proud, his character is decent."
Not for personal reasons, then it must be for justice.
Lu Nianfu looked at the defense map and thought that while he was stubborn, he still couldn't let go of the common people.
If one doesn't have the skill, one shouldn't take on the task. Situ Jue was shameless enough. Knowing nothing, he dared to seize a general's position for a bit of military merit, causing tens of thousands of people to suffer.
He was brainless, and were the people behind him also kicked by a donkey? Knowing he was incompetent, why didn't they assign him a more capable strategist?
However, the Marquis of Qiying's family came from a civilian background, so it would indeed be difficult to find a good strategist. Military merit had always been Situ Jue's weakness in his past life, especially after the Fourth Prince Situ Sheng took over his maternal grandfather's position.
She asked with some unease, "Has this Fu Chuan ever fought in a war? Is he capable?"
"The Duke's title of the Fu family was earned on the battlefield. His family has been generals for generations. Even though Fu Chuan is young, he has been guarding the pass for three years. If it weren't for his arm injury before, he wouldn't have been able to participate in this matter. The Emperor finally used his brain when selecting generals. However, land warfare is different from sea warfare. All I can help with is this defense map."
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but complain, "The Emperor is really something. Why hand over the Dali Temple case to the Ministry of Justice? If I were sent, it wouldn't be this troublesome to draw maps."
Lu Nianfu thought for a moment, "Your qualifications are no less than the Minister of Justice, and you'd be at a disadvantage against Situ Jue."
"Do I fear him?"
"Circumstances are stronger than individuals, young Lord Gu. You still have a long way to go."
Gu Yanchen's defense map, still wet with ink, was soon put to use.
Xiao Wuzi came to report, "Young Master, there is a visitor named Fu Chuan. He says he is your former classmate."
"Tsk tsk tsk. I've been back in the capital for several months now, and there have been many opportunities to meet in court. Why didn't he come to say hello? Now that he needs a favor, he has the nerve to bring up the name of a former classmate. I never paid attention to him when I was studying, alright?"
Lu Nianfu teased, "Are you sure it wasn't that he didn't pay attention to you?"
After all, as the "legitimate" son of a marquis, he was incomparable to a proper ducal heir like Fu Chuan.
Gu Yanchen snorted, "That's why I say he's thick-skinned!"
Lu Nianfu nudged him. "Enough. You've already finished drawing the defense map. What are you hesitating for? You're going to give it anyway, so why not give it generously? Xiao Wuzi, please invite him to the study."
"This courtyard has a study?"
"No. I figured neither of us are people who enjoy reading, so I set up the study in the adjacent Qingfang Pavilion. But don't worry, Qingmiao has people cleaning it daily, so it won't tarnish the reputation of Lord Gu, the Minister of Dali Temple."
Gu Yanchen: ...
As it turned out, the study arranged by Lu Nianfu was indeed quite impressive. Gu Yanchen had been left to his own devices since childhood, lacking the affluence and taste of a marquis's son, but Fu Chuan had it.
If nothing else, the celadon vase on the treasure cabinet alone was no ordinary item. The other items, even if not priceless, would cost at least several hundred taels of silver.
There were few paintings on the walls, but each one was by a master. A family without a certain foundation would never be able to display them. Fu Chuan found it strange. Wasn't Gu Yanchen disliked by his stepmother? Yet this study was clearly arranged with care.
Gu Yanchen saw him staring at the paintings as soon as he entered the room and asked from behind, "What? Do you like this painting?"
"Lord Gu, you jest..."
"It's good that you don't like it." Gu Yanchen interrupted him. "After all, my wife chose this painting. Even if you liked it, I couldn't give it to you."
Why did this classmate seem to have a screw loose? Could he really defend the Jiangnan frontline like this? Fu Chuan recovered after a while. "I heard your esteemed wife is from Jiangnan. I didn't expect her taste to have such a capital style."
Jiangnan's painting style favored extravagance, with opulence showing on the surface; but the capital leaned towards restraint. The items didn't need to be dazzling, but they emphasized foundation and substance.
Gu Yanchen had a superficial understanding of these things but had no interest in discussing them with Fu Chuan. He directly took out a drawing and spread it on the table.
Fu Chuan glanced at it. The words "Jiangnan Coastal Defense Map" leaped into his eyes, almost burning them.
This person seemed even more direct than before.
Gu Yanchen glanced at him. "Why are you just standing there foolishly? Didn't you come for this today?"
Fu Chuan stiffened. "Are you this direct in Jiangnan's official circles too?"
"What official circles are there in Jiangnan? Only the battlefield. The common soldiers below can wield swords and spears, but they may not be literate. It's better to be straightforward to manage them." He unfolded another scroll of maps. "Come, come, let me tell you about these islands. These are the strongholds of the Wokou. If you master this, suppressing bandits will be much easier."
Fu Chuan didn't move. After a long pause, he asked, "Why are you helping me? I don't think we have that kind of relationship."
"Don't you know? The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"I have no enmity with Prince Ning."
Gu Yanchen gave him a sidelong glance. "You say no enmity, but I haven't even mentioned who the enemy is, and you've already assumed. As I said, I'm a direct person. I like to speak my mind. One sentence: do you listen or not?"
Fu Chuan: "...... I'll listen!"
Anyone who didn't listen would be a fool.
An hour later, Gu Yanchen was hoarse from talking, and Fu Chuan was satisfied listening. At the same time, he looked at his former classmate with newfound respect. People had always said his achievements in Jiangnan were all exaggerated, but he now understood that this person truly had a strategic mind.
No wonder he made enemies in court with impunity, yet the Emperor always favored him. It was out of admiration for his talent. He clasped his hands in a salute. "Thank you, Lord Gu, for your guidance. I have benefited greatly today. When I return from Jiangnan, I will definitely treat you to a drink."
Gu Yanchen waved his hand. "Whether you drink or not is unimportant. Just don't mess up Jiangnan like Situ Jue."
Fu Chuan's heart stirred. "It seems Lord Gu has many reservations about Prince Ning."
Gu Yanchen's displeasure with Situ Jue was well known in court, and he had never concealed it even before the Emperor. Hearing this, he said with a half-smile, "My opinion of Prince Ning doesn't mean I'm taking sides. The Emperor is in his prime. I am merely a subject of His Majesty."
Fu Chuan: ...
This fellow's directness was truly annoying.