Three days passed, and Su Xiaoqi received word that Wang Enze had returned to the capital with the Wen family.
Upon hearing this, the Old Madam immediately wanted to go back.
Su Xiaoqi, not wanting her to go alone, asked Madam Zhao, Shen Mingzhu, Princess Huian, and the others to pack their belongings so they could all return together.
Before leaving, Su Xiaoqi called over Xiao Xi Que, who managed the estate.
She asked if anything strange had happened on the estate recently, or if anyone had come to cause trouble.
Xiao Xi Que thought back and shook her head, saying no. The estate had been very stable, with no issues.
If there were any minor problems, she could handle them.
If not, she would have asked Sister Xiaoqi long ago.
Su Xiaoqi was a bit surprised, thinking, "Did it really work so well?"
Xiao Xi Que looked at Su Xiaoqi, puzzled, and asked if something had happened.
Seeing her tense expression and fearing she might scare her, Su Xiaoqi smiled and said it was nothing, then explained:
"When we first bought this estate, there was an old man named Liu who kept causing trouble.
From time to time, some street ruffians would come to the estate gates to cause a commotion."
"Yes, yes, I saw that when I came here before, but since the club opened, I haven't seen them for a long time."
Su Xiaoqi remained silent. This was good news, but her naturally cautious nature prevented her from relaxing. She instructed:
"Tell Wu Da and Wu Er to pay more attention to the security of the estate, especially the Liuyuan at the back.
It would be best to invite some of the senior disciples and junior disciples from their martial arts school. We can offer them five taels of silver a month."
Xiao Xi Que nodded in agreement.
The ladies and young ladies who now frequented their establishment were all of noble and wealthy status, so security was paramount.
After discussing official matters, Su Xiaoqi asked Xiao Xi Que if she was adapting well here.
Originally, He Qiulue was supposed to find management for Liuyuan, but he hadn't found anyone suitable.
It was then that Su Xiaoqi had temporarily brought Xiao Xi Que over.
"At first, I found it quite difficult to adapt; I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do it," Xiao Xi Que said nervously.
Su Xiaoqi had originally arranged for her to be the shopkeeper at Chenjinji in the capital.
However, with the opening of Liuyuan, Su Xiaoqi lacked suitable personnel, so she thought of her. She temporarily had Xiao Yi train her and then transferred her here.
Unexpectedly, she found she was quite suited for the role.
"I'm just worried about Xiao Liu; I don't know if she can manage," Xiao Xi Que said, reluctant to leave Xiao Liu at Chenjinji, where she had been for so long.
But with one needing to oversee Chenjinji and the other Liuyuan, they couldn't be together anymore.
However, life was more meaningful this way, and it allowed them to create more value.
Furthermore, these past couple of days, Xiao Xi Que had seen Shen Mingzhu, an old friend.
Her skill in making pastries had, in fact, been taught to her by Sister Mingzhu.
"Continue to do a good job here. I have already allocated a portion of my shares to you. By the end of the year, not only will you receive your wages, but you will also get a dividend."
Su Xiaoqi would never treat those who worked for her unfairly.
Xiao Xi Que's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, and she exclaimed that it was unnecessary.
Su Xiaoqi paid her fifty taels of silver a month, which amounted to six hundred taels a year, plus a year-end bonus. It was already a lot.
Moreover, they provided food and drink, and everything one could desire. All six hundred taels could be saved.
"Don't refuse. As long as someone can independently bear the responsibility of managing a shop, I will give them a dividend. This is our agreement and the rule I've set.
It's not just you; Xiao Yi, Xiao Liu, and our brothers and sisters in Mianzhou City all have it."
Hearing that she wasn't the only one, Xiao Xi Que finally accepted. In her heart, she silently vowed to work even harder for Sister Xiaoqi in the future.
As long as she did well, Sister Xiaoqi would never mistreat her.
Finally, Su Xiaoqi said, "If anything happens, send someone to inform me. Don't try to handle it alone." This was the capital, and some things couldn't be handled alone.
After giving her instructions, Su Xiaoqi got up to leave.
The entire family then returned to the capital.
Su Xiaoqi first escorted the Old Madam and Du Yiyi back to the Duke of Yu State's mansion.
Afterward, she brought everyone back to the residence on Mao'er Hutong.
As her carriage entered the courtyard, she saw Zhang Lei standing anxiously by the screen wall, seemingly worried about something, looking around with a flustered expression.
Su Xiaoqi signaled Zhang Yu to go and check on him, while she calmly led the old and young back to the inner courtyard.
Madam Zhao was carsick and went to rest upon their return.
Shen Mingzhu, with her young maid, began unpacking.
Shen Er Dan, meanwhile, started playing with Bao Ge'er.
Princess Huian stood by the door, looking somewhat at a loss.
Su Xiaoqi called Shen Mingzhu over and asked her to help Princess Huian unpack.
"I'll go to the kitchen to arrange dinner for tonight."
Zi Ling and Lian Shi, the mother and daughter, were accustomed to cooking, and they pretty much knew the preferences of Su Xiaoqi's family.
Su Xiaoqi always provided ample funds for the meals, and the menu had already been decided.
Su Xiaoqi praised them happily and headed towards the front courtyard.
She hadn't forgotten the panicked look on Zhang Lei's face when he saw her.
Moreover, Shen Yun's injury had almost healed with her medicine, and he should have been on duty at the Hanlin Academy today.
However, Zhang Lei, who had been following him disguised as a page, was at home.
Filled with suspicion, Su Xiaoqi went to Shen Yun's study in the front courtyard.
Zhang Lei was talking to Zhang Yu, seemingly trying to persuade her about something.
However, Zhang Yu's attitude was quite assertive.
As Su Xiaoqi approached, she heard Zhang Lei urging Zhang Yu not to disturb the master.
The master was discussing official business.
"Who is the master discussing official business with?" Su Xiaoqi asked.
Zhang Lei flustered, opening his mouth but unable to speak.
Su Xiaoqi frowned, "Is there anything in this mansion that I cannot hear?"
Zhang Lei lowered his head. His master treasured his wife like a treasure; how could he dare to contradict him face-to-face?
But if he didn't stop her, and his wife saw the situation inside, would his master kill him?
Zhang Lei felt caught between a rock and a hard place.
With a glance from Su Xiaoqi, Zhang Yu raised her hand and struck Zhang Lei's shoulder.
Zhang Lei cried out and fell to the ground. Zhang Yu extended her foot to steady him, catching his sturdy body and leaning him against a pillar in the corridor.
Su Xiaoqi then walked towards the study.
Her sharp ears twitched, and before she even reached the corridor, she heard a delicate female voice.
"Yun Gege, do you remember the things we said when we were young..."
Shen Yun's steady voice replied, "Now is not the time to talk about this."
"Yun Gege, if you don't say it, then I won't either," the woman pouted coquettishly.
"Mei Xin, don't forget what you promised me."
"Yun Gege, didn't you also promise me? You said you would marry me, that you would carry me in a sedan chair to your home, and that you would treat me well for your entire life, just as your father treated your mother...
Did you regret it? Or have you forgotten?"
"It's all in the past," Shen Yun's voice was devoid of any emotion.
"No, it's not in the past.
Yun Gege, for so many years, I've been waiting for you. Do you know why I followed you back to the capital? You know this is a place of painful memories for me.
My father, mother, elder sister, brother, and all the dozens of members of my Mei family were punished and exiled here, losing all their glory...
But for you, I still returned, all for you. I have never forgotten you, not for a moment, nor the promise you made me.
If it weren't for your words, I, I wouldn't have wanted to live through so much!" Mei Xin cried, her voice mournful, making anyone who heard it feel sad and anyone who listened weep.
Even Su Xiaoqi leaned against the porch, unable to move as she listened.