CHAPTER 1042: CHAPTER 1041 SMOOTH

By noon, Lady Qi was reluctant to let them leave, so she had lunch with them and arranged with Old Granny Zhang to meet again in a few days before allowing the two to go home.

In the evening, Imperial Doctor Du discussed Wang Yongzhu’s idea of opening a Rouge Shop with Lady Qi.

Lady Qi’s eyes lit up immediately, not because of the twenty percent dividend; she was born into nobility and grew up in Wealthy Village. When she married, her dowry was plentiful, and she never lacked money.

She owned numerous estates and shops, all managed by professionals, ensuring a steady annual income.

Since returning to Jing County, the truth is, very few people could converse with her. The families of officials just didn’t click with her, and she was unwilling to engage with them.

Staying home every day was indeed boring.

Before marriage, she had household training, and after marriage, she became the head mistress of the Du Family. Lady Qi had been living like this for years.

Returning to Jing County with Imperial Doctor Du, most of her dowry stayed near the Capital City, without having to manage a large family, she had too much idle time.

She was pondering whether to buy an estate nearby and open a few shops to pass the time. Hearing her husband’s proposal, she was suddenly energized.

She immediately said, "Don’t interfere with this matter, leave it to me!"

At once, she called her trusted maid in, whispered her plans to buy an estate in the city for a workshop, and mused whether the dozens of acres of flower fields would suffice, or if a hundred acres more should be bought.

She also calculated whether she should send word to the Capital City since there were flower fields there too, but they mostly served as leisure venues for Noble Patrons. Should she have her accompanying servants buy some land there instead?

Imperial Doctor Du saw his wife’s determined attitude, shaking his head, knowing she wouldn’t sleep that night without drafting a solid plan.

Sensibly, he took his blanket to the study room.

Lady Qi didn’t mind at all, but her trusted maid was worried: "Madam, is the master upset? He’s taken his blanket to the study himself, should you check on him? The business won’t run away, we can discuss it tomorrow—"

"Are you stupid? Your master won’t leave, but if we don’t seize the opportunity, the business will slip away! Stop talking nonsense, come on, help me work this out!" Lady Qi snapped at her maid and resumed her calculations.

...

The trusted maid could only sympathetically glance at her master once before being dragged away by Madam, unable to divide her attention anymore.

Imperial Doctor Du wasn’t actually upset. Back in the days when he was an Imperial Physician, he had palace duties, making it normal for him and his wife to go days without seeing each other.

He knew his wife’s capable nature well, moving with him to this small county town was indeed frustrating for her. He had been worried about finding something for her to do.

Unexpectedly, his disciple offered the opportunity automatically. Otherwise, given his aversion to trouble, he wouldn’t have gotten involved.

As long as his wife was happy, what’s the harm in sleeping in the study?

Imperial Doctor Du was quite adept at finding joy amidst adversity!

With Lady Qi joining in, progress was remarkably smooth.

Soon, they purchased a courtyard right next to Imperial Doctor Du’s residence. Coincidently, the owner was an old Scholar who, after many failed attempts, surrendered his hopes long ago. Recently, a letter from an old classmate offered him a lucrative teaching position which intrigued him. However, relocating elsewhere required funds.

Despite a previously wealthy family background which supported his studies, his finances were nearly exhausted over the years.

The only valuable asset was this house.

He thought of selling the courtyard, using the silver coins to relocate.

His elderly parents above, however, resisted selling the house, wishing to stay in Jing County.

Lady Qi skillfully persuaded the mother with a few words, offering a fair price and promising to send a letter along with him. She had shop assistants at the intended location, ready to help him find affordable housing.

That’s how they acquired the house.

The workshop adjoining Imperial Doctor Du’s house was perfect.

Regarding other necessary supplies, the Du Family was already a pharmaceutical shop, their uncompromising quality guaranteed prompt deliveries.

Regarding flower petals, Wang Yongzhu’s flower fields were available for use.

Lady Qi, efficient and decisive, had her trusted maid hire a trafficker to select diligent and meticulous fourteen or fifteen-year-old girls, all under lifetime contracts, to work in the adjacent courtyard.

Tasks like selecting petals, washing, and grinding didn’t require much skill, just care.

These girls hailed from impoverished families; now that they had warm clothes and enough food without exhausting work, they performed diligently and gratefully.

Each girl handled a separate task, with Wang Yongzhu and Imperial Doctor Du overseeing final preparations naturally.

Once operations were on track, Lady Qi found herself idle again.

From collaborating with Wang Yongzhu recently, she realized Yongzhu truly possessed a knack for business, with bold ideas and ambition, which fostered her admiration.

With idle time at hand, Lady Qi and Imperial Doctor Du deliberated together, splitting responsibilities: one taught medical techniques in the morning, while the other imparted business management and household mistress duties in the afternoon.

If Song Chongjin succeeded in future exams, he’d have a promising career, and a capable mistress would be paramount both domestically and socially.

Old Granny Zhang, despite being rural-born, had perceptive wisdom in line with Lady Qi’s views, but her limited countryside exposure left gaps in teaching Wang Yongzhu.

To prevent future ridicule from mistakes, Lady Qi treated Wang Yongzhu as her future daughter-in-law, providing detailed guidance.

She even invited Old Granny Zhang to join the sessions, explaining her teaching rationale while instructing Wang Yongzhu.

Wang Yongzhu gained much, and after attending a few sessions, even Old Granny Zhang returned, holding Wang Yongzhu’s hand with advice: "Daughter, what your mentor teaches you are gems, she’s not withholding anything. Cherish her kindness in your heart."

Wang Yongzhu naturally understood, "Don’t worry, mother, I cherish it all!"

Busy every day till she collapsed into bed and fell asleep.

Several days later, upon arriving at Imperial Doctor Du’s Household, she found both Imperial Doctor Du and Lady Qi waiting for her, both wearing smiles.

Seeing Wang Yongzhu enter, Lady Qi couldn’t hold back her tears: "Yongzhu, heaven blesses us, Chongjin has done us proud, coming third in the autumn examinations, achieving the title of Yayuan! If his biological mother is aware, she’d be delighted!"

What? Third place in autumn examinations? Yayuan? Wang Yongzhu was momentarily dizzy.