Zhao Liushun's letter, like Shen Erdan's, was written on plain white Xuan paper, unremarkable and without any fragrance. Unfolding it, only the scent of ink was present.
Zhao Liushun was not as verbose as Shen Erdan, who would fill three large pages when writing.
Zhao Liushun's letter was only one page long, but it contained a lot of information.
First, it reported on everyone's safety.
Everyone in the courtyard was doing well.
From the eldest, Granny Wen, to the youngest, Xiao Ershisi, who was only seven years old, all were healthy and full of life.
Zhao Liushun also mentioned in passing that the supermarket's business was good and stable, and the membership card system was very popular.
Some people, in order to earn points for their membership cards, deliberately saved up many items and brought them to the supermarket to buy.
As expected, after accumulating enough points to redeem gifts, they happily exchanged them for a set of bowls and chopsticks, as if they had gotten them for free.
Zhao Liushun proposed in the letter that their school might need to be expanded.
Because they had gained a reputation in that area, many people now wanted to send their children to the school.
After all, other private schools in other places only taught reading and writing, and preparing for imperial examinations.
However, this path was not feasible for everyone.
Nor was it something most families could afford in terms of time, effort, and money.
Most people were more interested in learning a trade to support themselves and their families.
Therefore, they mainly wanted to enter the school and learn vocational skills from the teachers invited by Su Xiaoqi from various industries.
Additionally, Zhao Liushun subtly mentioned that a few of their students who excelled in their studies could actually find other teachers.
It was a waste for them to be taught by him, an old scholar who had failed in the imperial examinations.
These were not significant issues, as they could all be resolved with money.
The trouble, however, was that the Su family, taking advantage of her and Shen Yun's absence, had started to suppress the Tianxia Liangcang (World Granary) again.
Fortunately, they had not yet discovered that the supermarket was her property, otherwise, with their persistent nature, they certainly would not have let it go.
Su Xiaoqi frowned and thought, "Since they are so determined, then we simply won't operate the grain shops."
Su Xiaoqi's mindset was different now. Before, she had thought that the businesses in Mianzhou City would be her means of survival and stability after leaving Shen Yun.
But now she had changed her mind. Since she had decided to live a good life with Shen Yun, she naturally didn't need to devote all her energy to managing them.
Su Xiaoqi gestured for Shen Yun to write a reply.
"Just close it down, and then have Xiao Yi bring Xiao Er, Xiao Sanzi, and Xi Que to the capital."
She wanted to establish herself and her team in the capital and work diligently.
Shen Yun nodded, wrote according to Su Xiaoqi's wishes, and then reminded her:
"Read further down."
Su Xiaoqi was slightly confused and saw a line of small text below.
After reading it, her eyebrows furrowed tightly.
"The Su family sent people to our old residence to look for something?" Su Xiaoqi asked, puzzled.
"You know that I was married off, and the Su family didn't provide any dowry."
After saying this, Su Xiaoqi suddenly remembered something. Su Yuru had once asked her for something, a jade pendant.
But at that time, she had nothing, not a single jade pendant.
Now she had some, but each had a traceable origin.
None of them came from the Su family.
Therefore, she had a clear conscience.
But she couldn't help but be curious. The Su family valued that jade pendant so much; what kind of jade pendant was it?
Shen Yun, combining Su Xiaoqi's words with what he wanted to say, quickly wrote the reply to Zhao Liushun.
Then, they sat down together to reply to Shen Erdan's letter.
First, they reported their safety. Shen Yun briefly wrote about their situation in the capital.
Naturally, he focused on the positives.
Su Xiaoqi also wrote about their having a residence and a manor.
Reassuring them, she then shared a few interesting anecdotes.
The letters were soon finished. After the ink dried, Shen Yun took them out for Li Shushao to mail.
He also asked Li Shushao to visit the knife shop and retrieve the small knife and silver needles that Su Xiaoqi had custom-ordered.
When Li Shushao returned, he indeed brought the small knife, but the silver needles were not yet ready.
This was because the shopkeeper had found the drawing of the small knife provided by Su Xiaoqi to be very novel and couldn't resist starting to make it immediately.
It took only two days and one night to finish the small knife, but they didn't have time to make the simpler silver needles.
"Having this is good enough. I already have a set given by Doctor Lu, which can suffice for now."
With preparations made, Su Xiaoqi was to visit the Duke of Yu's mansion the next day.
She had just finished getting ready and before she could leave, it was announced that a carriage from the Duke's mansion had arrived to pick her up.
Su Xiaoqi glanced at Shen Yun, who was about to visit various renowned scholars, and said, "Then you don't need to send me. Go about your business, I'll go by myself."
Shen Yun had no choice but to agree, only reminding Su Xiaoqi that he would pick her up before the hour of You (7-9 PM).
Su Xiaoqi chuckled, "If you pick me up at the hour of You, and if the Duke's mansion doesn't serve dinner, I'll be back by noon."
Shen Yun raised his hand, lightly scraped her nose, and said, "The Old Madam would be delighted for you to stay at the Duke's mansion, she wouldn't bear not to serve you a meal."
This was indeed true. Su Xiaoqi immediately smiled, her face blooming like a peach blossom.
Shen Yun curved his lips. While she wasn't paying attention, he lowered his head and kissed her forehead, seeing her off to the second gate. She then boarded the dark lacquered elmwood carriage from the Duke of Yu's mansion.
The Duke of Yu's mansion was located within the Imperial City. Generally, commoners were not allowed to enter freely, and the Imperial City gates were guarded by soldiers.
However, Su Xiaoqi, traveling in the Duke of Yu's mansion's carriage, had no such worries.
Each family's carriage had a distinct emblem. The soldiers guarding the Imperial City gates were accustomed to them and simply greeted them as they passed.
If Su Xiaoqi had come alone, she would have needed to bring the Duke of Yu's mansion's waist token, otherwise, she would not have been able to enter.
The Duke of Yu's mansion was located in Huixian Lane, south of the Imperial City. From Mao'er Hutong, the carriage took a full half an hour to arrive.
Fortunately, this time Granny Zhao accompanied Su Xiaoqi, keeping her entertained and chatting along the way, making the time pass quickly.
Near the end of the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the carriage entered the second gate.
Granny Lin was still waiting at the entrance. Seeing Su Xiaoqi's carriage arrive, she quickly went to greet her and, as before, led her into the Pine and Bamboo Courtyard, located on the central axis.
The weather in the capital in February was still a bit cold, and the main house was heated by a ground dragon.
As soon as Su Xiaoqi entered, a wave of warmth washed over her.
Before she could speak, the Old Madam, seated on a luohan couch, extended her hand to her.
"Xiao Qi girl has arrived."
"Greetings, Grandmother." Su Xiaoqi quickly walked a few steps, bowed, and stepped forward to take her hand.
"No need for formalities, no need for formalities." The Old Madam's stern and serious face immediately broke into a smile, making her appear amiable and kind.
Su Xiaoqi naturally sat down beside her and glanced at her.
She saw that the Old Madam was wearing a dark purple jacket and skirt, still with a forehead band on her head. Her complexion was not good, and she was noticeably thin.
Su Xiaoqi knew that she must be suffering greatly from her illness, and her heart ached.
Such a kind old lady had to endure such inhuman suffering.
A bitter feeling welled up in her heart. She clasped the Old Madam's hand and began to feel her pulse.
She continued to feel her pulse for a while. After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the Old Madam looked at Su Xiaoqi's face and said softly, "Xiao Qi girl, how is it?"
Su Xiaoqi replied, "Grandmother, please trust me to treat you."
The Old Madam nodded without hesitation, "Rest assured, rest assured, of course, I trust you."
"Very well, let me tell you first, there is something in your arm, which is why it hurts when you move. I will remove it for you, but I will need time and your trust."
While taking her pulse, Su Xiaoqi used her consciousness to scan the Old Madam and discovered that there were remnants of an arrow in her arm, which was why she was in constant pain.
To completely cure it, she would need to surgically remove it.