Chapter 418: Chapter 411: I’m Just Obsessed With Good Looks 53
Anning, being pregnant, naturally couldn’t witness Xiao Yuan’s glorious moment becoming the top scorer.
However, Mrs. Xiao and Mr. Xiao had already reserved a room at their own tavern, where they spent the day waiting to see.
It was not until evening that they returned home with Xiao Yuan.
It was only then that Anning heard about Prince Su’s involvement from Xiao Yuan.
She also realized how Xiao Yuan had achieved his title as top scorer.
Xiao Yuan was overly confident, thinking he earned the title purely on his merits and that Prince Su was just a like-minded person, without giving it much thought.
But in her heart, Anning knew exactly what Xiao Yuan was capable of.
If Xiao Yuan hadn’t run into Prince Su, and if he hadn’t impressed him with his boastful talks capturing Prince Su’s interest, Prince Su would not have sent someone to escort him to the exam hall.
Without Prince Su’s favor, Xiao Yuan could not have performed so well in the examination, and becoming the top scorer would have been out of the question.
At that moment, Anning couldn’t help but feel that Xiao Yuan’s Qi Fortune was incredibly strong; his luck was simply too good.
At the same time, Anning gained some understanding of Prince Su’s intentions.
That night, as they went to bed, she said to Xiao Yuan, "I know you are talented and write excellent essays, earning this top scorer title on your own merit, but still, Prince Su sent someone to escort you into the examination hall, we must acknowledge his favor."
Xiao Yuan was receptive to her point.
"I am aware too, without his help, I might not have succeeded."
Anning, with a smile, nestled in Xiao Yuan’s arms, whispered, "Such a great favor has been shown to us, and now that you have become the top scorer, you ought to visit him to express our thanks. Otherwise, they might think we don’t know the etiquette."
That made sense, and after some thought, Xiao Yuan said, "I’ll visit Prince Su after I have paid respects to my academic mentors. But what gift should I prepare? I don’t know what Prince Su likes."
"Don’t worry about that. You’ve been focused on studying these past two years and indeed have been exhausted. I won’t hold you back during this period; do whatever you like, okay? You have a whole month to enjoy yourself."
Knowing the importance of balancing work and rest, and understanding that someone like Xiao Yuan could not be tied down continuously, Anning spoke encouragingly, "A Yuan, you’ve strived for top scorer for me, I understand your goodness towards me, and how tough these years have been. You don’t realize how much it pains me to see you study so hard. Now that we’ve achieved this top scorer position, from now on, if you like to be an official, then be one. If not, our family has enough money to live comfortably. With this title, no one dares to mess with us. We could even start an academy and teach."
In the past, Xiao Yuan might have chosen to play and enjoy life upon hearing Anning’s words.
But now, having studied intensely for over two years, Xiao Yuan had developed an interest in pursuing officialdom.
"I want to be an official."
He didn’t hide his intentions from Anning: "We do not lack money, and I won’t be a corrupt official. I just want to do some real, honest work. My father is still able to conduct business. The wealth accumulated by the Xiao family over generations is enough for us to live on. I don’t lack money and won’t be tempted by it. I just want to genuinely contribute and make this time worthwhile, not wasting this life reincarnated as a human."
Anning laughed lightly, "I knew A Yuan had lofty ambitions. Since you wish to be an official, I wholeheartedly support you."
Xiao Yuan felt deeply understood by Anning, and that she was incredibly good to him.
No matter what he chose to do, Anning would not obstruct him, and they never quarreled. He felt she was always so endearing, always leaving him yearning for more of her affection.
"Ningning, how can you be so wonderful?"
At that moment, Xiao Yuan felt overwhelmed with tender emotions, holding Anning as if he could never love her enough.
The next day, Anning prepared gifts for Xiao Yuan to take when visiting his mentors.
After sending Xiao Yuan off, Anning started to inquire about Prince Su’s character and his preferences.
Two days later, she had thoroughly understood Prince Su’s situation.
Despite Prince Su’s seemingly glorious facade, he was actually quite impoverished.
Although Emperor Yuan Chu had given him An Family’s silver when he was granted his own mansion, living in the Capital was expensive. Ordinary people spent a substantial amount daily, let alone maintaining such a vast Prince Mansion.
Moreover, Prince Su also needed to take care of the Ninth Prince and gather followers, and the money he had was truly insufficient.
While other princes had financial support from their maternal families, Prince Su did not.
He was really in dire need of money.
Knowing that Prince Su was short on funds, this was something manageable for Anning.
She reorganized the businesses of Xiao family a bit, wrote a few prescriptions, and then searched the storerooms for some items.
After preparing everything, she took great care advising Xiao Yuan before sending him off with the gifts to Prince Su’s Mansion.
People usually need to send a visiting card first and wait until Prince Su is free before they can visit Prince Su’s Mansion.
But Xiao Yuan didn’t care about those formalities, he just boldly brought some gifts and went over.
Coincidentally, when he was on his way, the attendant who had helped him enter the Imperial Examination Hall was just leaving. Xiao Yuan spotted him immediately, smiled, and greeted him: "Brother Liu, what a coincidence! Are you going out?"
The attendant smiled: "Yes, I’m going out to take care of some things."
Xiao Yuan lifted the gifts: "Is the Prince at home? I’ve come to express my gratitude."
The attendant surnamed Liu quickly responded: "He is home. I’ll let the doorman pass on the message for you."
He accompanied Xiao Yuan to the doorman, and after waiting for a while, one of Prince Su’s attendants led Xiao Yuan into the mansion.
Xiao Yuan followed the attendant into a small tea room within Prince Su’s Mansion.
When he arrived, Prince Su was drinking tea. Seeing Xiao Yuan enter, he smiled and said: "So, you’ve come to express thanks?"
Xiao Yuan set down the gifts and cupped his hands in salute: "Of course I have to thank you. If I hadn’t met you, and you hadn’t arranged someone to escort me to the Imperial Examination Hall, I wouldn’t have been able to participate in the exam at all. Just imagine, if I had not taken the exam, the title of top scorer would have slipped away to someone else—the only top scorer from the Dajing Dynasty no less. It would have flown away on wings."
Prince Su couldn’t help but laugh out loud: "You, just take a seat."
Xiao Yuan was unceremonious and sat down directly.
Prince Su looked at Xiao Yuan and asked: "Did someone remind you to come here to thank me?"
He found it strange. One might say Xiao Yuan didn’t know the proper etiquette since he didn’t know to send a visiting card in advance, yet he knew to come and give thanks.
"No one reminded me."
Xiao Yuan spoke very frankly: "I also didn’t tell anyone that you arranged for someone to escort me to the Imperial Examination Hall. Who would remind me? It was my own idea to come here. I think you’re really decent, and since you helped me, I must certainly thank you otherwise you’d definitely joke about my lack of manners."
Prince Su was somewhat at a loss whether to laugh or cry at this.
"I didn’t know what you liked, so I just brought some items from my family’s store."
Xiao Yuan pointed to the gifts on the table: "There are a few pieces of jade, some chili sauce, and also an ancient knife that someone pawned at my pawn shop and never reclaimed. It’s rather nice, no one at our home likes it, so I brought it for you."
The other items were so-so, but Prince Su truly liked that knife.
"That’s good."
He kept the knife and barely glanced at the other items.
Xiao Yuan then took out a stack of silver notes: "I don’t know if you’ll like it, but I’ve brought some money. You can buy whatever you like with it."
Prince Su: ...
At this moment, Xiao Yuan rarely felt a bit uneasy, his face slightly red and he appeared somewhat restless: "Also, I have a favor to ask of you."
"What is it?"
Prince Su thought that since Xiao Yuan had brought both money and gifts, it must be quite a troublesome favor. However, Prince Su wanted to win over Xiao Yuan, so he thought as long as it was feasible, he would help him out.
Xiao Yuan appeared even more embarrassed: "Well, it’s like this—my wife likes to tinker with things. Recently, she made some soap. It’s really good for washing clothes and even better than the traditional cleaning pods we use for washing faces and bathing. I brought some for you to try if you don’t believe me. I think it’s really good."
Prince Su was stunned, thinking what did Xiao Yuan’s wife’s invention have to do with him? Why was he asking for his help?
Xiao Yuan continued: "Our family is in business, and my wife is quite good at it too. She thinks soap is a good business opportunity. It might seem mundane, but think about how many households there are in the Dajing Dynasty. Every household needs to wash clothes and bathe. The sales could be enormous each year. Although the profit margin is small, the total profit isn’t trivial. But the business is rather large, and our family lacks a strong backing, so we’re afraid of being bullied and thought of..."
Prince Su’s heart was moved.
He understood what Xiao Yuan intended.
Xiao Yuan was seeking his protection for this business venture.
Indeed, Xiao Yuan said: "We don’t know any other officials or nobles in the Capital except for you, my Lord. We were thinking of partnering with you to undertake this business. What do you think?"
Prince Su couldn’t be more willing.
This was clearly a money-making opportunity.
No, this was like having a money tree delivered to his doorstep.
Despite being quite calculating, Prince Su did not show his delight.
After thinking it over, he said: "Well, we are friends, and naturally I should help. Here’s what we’ll do: once your business kicks off, just use my name for it."