CHAPTER 198: CHAPTER 32: BUILDING A WORKSHOP

The three of them felt even more energized upon hearing this, casting aside any lingering hesitation. Following the young master meant they could earn silver and feast on sumptuous meals. Wasn’t mingling in society all about living well? What did they have to fear?

Lv Yang truly regretted his actions at this moment. How could he have gotten involved with such a troublesome figure? He shouldn’t have messed with the Gu Family!

Gu Chengyu walked down the small path home, reflecting on how his temperament seemed to have mellowed since arriving in this era. Tonight’s matter initially only required Yu Tuanzi to handle it, yet he still decided to go himself.

To ensure everything went flawlessly, it was best to handle it personally. He couldn’t allow any mishaps. His mother’s emotions were off tonight, and Mrs. Lv, being a very traditional woman, might take extreme measures for her reputation and her children.

Gu Chengyi was his father’s son, and as long as it wasn’t too excessive, he certainly could tolerate it. But who did Lv Yang think he was? There was nothing to be scrupulous about with him.

Early the next morning, Mrs. Lv came out of the main house and saw Gu Chengyu practicing calligraphy at the study desk by the window in his bedroom. Not wanting to disturb her son’s concentration, she refrained from interrupting. She wondered if what Xiao Bao said yesterday was true, nervously planning to grab a kitchen knife when Lv Yang stepped into the Gu Family’s courtyard.

After the family division, the other three houses had already called people to help build kitchen stoves. Mr. Gu looked around briefly and then returned inside. With the family’s land divided, they only had about ten acres, which wasn’t much to maintain. Mr. Gu lost his spirit all at once!

"Dad! What are we cooking for breakfast? Fourth Brother went to Doctor Li’s house; it’s just the four of us eating!" Gu Wan had just finished freshening up and rushed into the main room.

Now that the family was divided, each household had to manage its own meals. With her mother getting older, Gu Wan had no choice but to take over the cooking.

She looked at her own hands, feeling a bit regretful. These hands were well-maintained; her mother had always said that embroidery required good care of hands, or they would scratch the silk fabric. Her mother had just agreed to let her embroider silk fabric recently, but she feared there might be no more opportunities to embroider in the future.

"Huh?" Mr. Gu was taken aback; his daughter rarely cooked. The household chores were usually rotated among the three sisters-in-law, while she was only responsible for learning embroidery. Unexpectedly, today it was her turn to cook.

Well, it’s about time! The daughter was grown up and should learn to cook. When she marries into another family, she will need to fulfill the responsibility of being a good daughter-in-law! At home as a cherished daughter, but once married, she would be like most wives, busy every day without a break! It’s a good opportunity to learn cooking from her mother at home.

"Go ask your mother! She woke up early and might have already started cooking."

"Okay!" Gu Wan didn’t expect her mother to be this early, realizing that she still got up late.

Gu Chengyu packed up his ink and brushes, preparing to go to the main house for breakfast.

"Dad! Aren’t you going to town today to handle the family division paperwork? I’ll go with you; Wang Qikai and others invited me for tea."

"If we all leave, what about your mother? If Lv Yang comes, she might not be able to handle it." Mr. Gu looked a bit troubled. The family’s silver could temporarily appease Lv Yang enough!

At this moment, Mrs. Lv brought in some white porridge, "You two just go ahead! I can manage it!"

"Dad! Mom! As I said yesterday, Lv Yang won’t be coming today, so you can rest assured. He won’t dare to come here in the future or spread rumors outside."

"Did you really settle it? How did you deal with him without getting caught?" Mr. Gu raised his head suddenly, worried about any mishandling and exposing them, implicating Xiao Bao.

"You don’t need to ask about that; there’s no risk of exposing myself."

"Before the new year, I suggested hiring a maid to cook for the family, but you all said no. Now with the family divided, there’s still housework to do both inside and out, which would tire out my mother and second sister. Moreover, I want to hire a few people to make soap. It’s unreasonable to always have our eldest sister-in-law and others do it. When production increases in the future, just the few of us won’t manage!" Gu Chengyu thought hiring servants was more economical, as there wouldn’t be time to hire village people when needed.

Speaking of soap, he thought of Lin Lize. It was essential to deal with this person quickly, or else they would surely cause trouble for the family.

"Why are you buying people now? It’s not that extravagant; we can handle the work!" Mrs. Lv was taken aback by the idea, as buying people was not a modest expense. Where would the family get enough silver to support them?

"We don’t need many, just five people for soap-making should suffice. It’s a bit cramped at home for making soap, so it’s better to buy the house we rented before, renovate it, and make it a soap workshop. I’ll also meet with Mr. Wang today, as the demand for soap is increasing and our inventory is insufficient; we need to get production going quickly."

"Alright then! But we should build high walls around the yard. I wonder if your elder brother and others will agree?" Renovating the house would also cost silver! Who knew if the second brother’s family could contribute?

"Just inform Dad and my elder brothers. I’ll cover the renovation costs and buy the people. I have silver." Buying people in person was reassuring, and for the workshop, he planned to build a brick house, and it needed to be larger. His second brother’s family would be reluctant, but he intended to register the workshop in his own name.

"Where did you get so much silver?" Mrs. Lv asked suspiciously.

"I opened a shop in town, the First-class House, which earns me some silver! You don’t need to worry about the silver," Gu Chengyu said, taking out three silver notes worth a hundred taels each from his pocket. This should be enough for the renovation! The house didn’t need to be fancy; as long as it was spacious inside, it would be suitable.

"Why should you pay for it? It should be shared equally among everyone!"

Mr. Gu knew that Xiao Bao never cared about material possessions and always thought of earning silver for the family. In the end, even after the family division, he only got a share! It was unjust to Xiao Bao! Sigh!

"We’re all one family, why talk about these things? That house will serve my purpose in the future, so Dad, please register it under my name."

"Start eating! Aren’t you going to town soon?" Mrs. Lv saw that Gu Wan had already set the table and urged the two to eat quickly.

"Since you’re providing the silver, it should be in your name. Let’s not mention the pastry shop; I don’t know where you got the silver to open a shop, but I assume you’ve earned it yourself. Otherwise, they might become envious!"

"Little brother! Are those pastries you brought back made by your shop? They tasted great, and I heard they’re quite pricey!" Gu Wan trusted her brother’s ability to earn silver.

Gu Chengyu smiled gently, suddenly recalling something.

"Dad! Mom! I want to give half of my soap business earnings at the end of the year to my second sister. She’s a girl, and having this share will give me peace of mind when she’s married into another family!"

Gu Chengyu planned to invest in more ventures from now on, and a half share of the soap profit wasn’t much for Gu Wan. As to why it wasn’t the full amount, his parents wouldn’t agree to it.

"You can make your own decisions! Giving your second sister a share shows your affection, but isn’t half a bit much?"

Mrs. Lv certainly hoped her daughter would have silver for herself in the future. She always intended to add more to her daughter’s dowry.

"Little brother! Are you really giving it to me?" Gu Wan found it hard to believe. If the soap business thrived, it would yield continuous profits, and it would only increase over time!

"Of course! Just take it. I’m a man! I’m not worried about not earning any silver!" Gu Chengyu patted his chest deliberately, chuckling as he spoke.

Gu Wan’s nose tingled, and her eyes grew moist. She wouldn’t be modest and refuse this gesture, as it wasn’t just her brother’s kindness but also her future financial security!

"But I’m older than you! Aren’t you confident in me?" Gu Wan blinked her eyes, forcing back the tears that were about to fall, and said jokingly.

"Dad! About that house, don’t talk to the village chief yet; let’s wait for a few days!" These days, he intended to gather evidence against Lin Lize. Shangling Village’s chief should be replaced! Over the years, he must have embezzled a lot of silver, exploiting his position to extract benefits from the villagers. There’s a chance he even tampered with the tax silver.

"Why? Wait a few more days? Very well!" Mr. Gu no longer planned to overly interfere with Gu Chengyu’s affairs. His capable son needed no worrying.