CHAPTER 59: CHAPTER 58: STARTING AN ESCORT AGENCY??

"Miss Ruan, our boss truly has no reason to refuse. We can sign the documents today and collect this money for our boss. The two of us will certainly do as stipulated in the documents."

Ruan Mian nodded: "From now on, I’ll entrust the shop to you two. You just need to manage it as before, but replace the menu according to my recipes, and select the staff as I instructed."

"Oh, and there’s another money-making job. I’ve acquired another shop to open an escort agency. If you’re interested, you could manage it. I will provide the capital, and once you start earning money, I only ask for a thirty percent share of the profits."

"An escort agency?? Miss Ruan, we don’t have the connections for that, let alone..."

"It’s not difficult. Initially, you just need to recruit some skilled people. Once the county is accessible, you can go to Capital City and find someone named Qi Congyang, and tell him you can help him with water transportation trade."

Taoqiu County has many rivers, and in the later stages of the original book, the Fifth Princess took control of all the canal transport, using it to make money.

Last time, the Horse Transport Gang handled road transport. This time, she expanded into water transport with the escort agency, and as long as they could make the first earnings, more escort masters would become involved in the water transport business.

Later, the Fifth Princess would find monopolizing transport not an easy task.

Moreover, with these monthly dividends, she could earn a considerable amount. Why not take the opportunity?

What she proposed was tempting to those two, but Ruan Mian was, after all, a stranger and, furthermore, a woman. They were uncertain if things would be as easy as she said.

"Miss, opening an escort agency is different from running a restaurant. We’re afraid..."

Before they could finish, Ruan Mian produced several silver notes: "With money, you can make the devil push the millstone. As managers with so much experience in commerce, you should understand this."

"This is a no-cost business opportunity for you, such a good deal won’t come twice."

By throwing money at them, any concerns naturally vanished.

However, before leaving, she suddenly pulled out a dagger and stabbed it hard into the wooden table, shocking the two!

As they were still in a daze, Ruan Mian smiled and looked at County Magistrate Lin.

"If you handle things efficiently, there’ll be plenty of benefits for you, but if there’s any disloyalty, I have the Lord County Magistrate to keep an eye on things for me."

"Don’t worry, Miss! We just want to do business, earn some silver taels, and live a peaceful life. We certainly won’t ruin our future."

"That’s for the best."

After leaving the restaurant, she glanced at the not-so-small front entrance.

County Magistrate Lin couldn’t help but comment: "Miss Ruan has been benevolent to me and all of Taoqiu County. I’ll pay extra attention to take care of these matters regarding your business."

"Thank you, Lord County Magistrate."

"However... does Miss Ruan trust them so much? Aren’t you afraid they might cause trouble while you’re away?"

Ruan Mian chuckled lightly: "For merchants, profit is everything. No one would refuse a money-making opportunity. To me, any profit is good enough, regardless of how much."

Her main purpose, of course, was not merely to make money.

Some things were just done in passing.

When she returned to the group, she specifically asked Cui Zhu and Shaoxi to keep an eye on the Uncle’s Mansion.

Sure enough, after coming back, Li Mao was all smiles. Somehow, he had obtained a few live fish, finally able to enjoy some meat.

Using fish soup as an excuse, he found Ruan Jiao and softly asked: "Is tomorrow fine?"

Ruan Jiao nodded eagerly, took the bowl of fish soup, and drank it eagerly.

Unbeknownst to her, Mrs. Wang exchanged a glance with Nanny Zhang, who suddenly made some noise, attracting the attention of those present, including Mrs. Yao.

Mrs. Yao, being sharp-eyed, quickly noticed the fish soup in Ruan Jiao’s hands. When had her husband become so attentive to another outsider’s concubine?

Under her gaze, Li Mao immediately got up and left, touching his nose.

The next day.

Most people went to work, leaving only a few in the house.

Ruan Jiao, seeing no one beside Mrs. Chen, hurried over to her in a fluster.

"Sister-in-law! It seems Lin and Rui fell into the cellar in the backyard. I think I heard Rui calling for help just now. Quickly, come with me to check!"

Mrs. Chen immediately stood up: "Is it true? Where are they? Quickly, take me to see!"

Everyone knew that children were Mrs. Chen’s life, so Ruan Jiao quickly led the way, taking Mrs. Chen to a small house in the backyard and pointed inside.

"It’s the cellar in this house. I just heard Rui calling for help."

Mrs. Chen, looking tense, hurriedly opened the room’s door.

At this moment, Ruan Jiao exclaimed as if tripped by something, and lunged at Mrs. Chen from behind, knocking her over.

But to her surprise, she immediately felt a pain in her neck!!

Before she could turn her head, everything went dark, and she passed out.

Not long after, a ray of light entered the dark room again.

Li Mao looked around, and seeing no one, eagerly rushed in and quickly shut the door.

He tightly embraced the woman beneath him, intoxicated by the woman’s fragrance, his mind filled with Mrs. Chen’s gentle image he saw during the day.

Holding such tender warmth in his arms, wasn’t this the good life!!

He kissed the softness on the woman’s cheek, not forgetting to tell her: "Following me is definitely better than with that Ruan Qingsong!! Look, my good days have come! Heaven itself is rushing to send me gold. Dear, if I’m happy today, I’ll take you to feast and drink!"

"If you want the position of the main wife, I’ll divorce that ugly old hag!"

He bent down, deeply inhaled the woman’s fragrance, as if trying to integrate it into his bones.

However, at this moment, the door was suddenly kicked open from the outside!

With a loud bang, Mrs. Yao’s roar pierced the calm of the backyard.

"Li Mao!! Are you even human?!"

After shouting, she angrily hauled the woman from the ground.

Ruan Jiao was awakened violently. As she opened her eyes, Mrs. Yao slapped her heavily!

Instantly, stars danced before her eyes, and she collapsed onto the ground.

Her clothes disheveled, and Li Mao, beside her, in the same state.

Awakened fully, Ruan Jiao was filled with fright, while Li Mao, seeing it was her and not Mrs. Chen, was utterly enraged.

He jumped up, pointed at Ruan Jiao, and scolded.

"Oh, Ruan Jiao!! You actually plotted something like this, sending yourself to seduce me??"

Furious to the point of almost spitting blood, but before she could respond, Mrs. Yao began tearing her clothes: "You shameless woman, just like Aunt Chen! He’s your second uncle!!"

Ruan Jiao fought back, shouting: "I didn’t seduce him; he’s fixated on my sister-in-law. He’s the one with evil intentions!!"

Just then, Li Mao saw the old lady coming over and quickly retorted: "What are you babbling about!! You’re the one who brought me here, trying to seduce me. Shameless!"

As more and more people gathered to watch, this farce became increasingly ridiculous.