Chapter 264: Act As A Matchmaker
Coming out from the backyard of the County Yamen, Shang Wan and Niangzi Shu both let out a long breath of relief, then exchanged a smile.
The matter was settled.
The two got into the carriage, Niangzi Shu rubbed her waist, “I really didn’t expect Madam Sun to be someone who knows martial arts. Luckily I brought you along; if it had been me facing her, I would’ve directly conceded.”
Shang Wan also hadn’t expected this County Magistrate’s Madam to like exchanging martial arts pointers with others, with not a hint of it outside.
After hearing the purpose of their visit, Madam Sun was very interested in a chamber of commerce with only women, but she was also a smart person and knew the real reason Shang Wan and the other wanted to pull her in.
She immediately made a request: beat her and she’d agree to join, and convincing the County Magistrate would be on her too.
Madam Sun wielded her red tassel spear quite properly and considered herself capable among women, but compared to Shang Wan, this visitor from the apocalypse, she wasn’t up to par.
To save face for Madam Sun, Shang Wan deliberately held back.
In the end, she won the match, and the matter was settled.
Niangzi Shu leaned back and looked at Shang Wan, “Once the documents come down, you’ll be the president of our Lan Cang Chamber of Commerce.”
Shang Wan poured a cup of tea and passed it over: “Aren’t you the vice president too?”
Niangzi Shu took the tea, stared at Shang Wan for a moment, then lightly hummed, “Only because it’s you; if it were anyone else, I’d definitely fight for the president’s position.”
Shang Wan smiled: “I can be the vice president too, I’m not picky.”
Niangzi Shu didn’t pick up on that, took a sip of tea and said: “As we agreed before, the guild hall will temporarily be set up at Tang Niangzi’s separate courtyard, with all rules as previously discussed. If we have better development later, we can move the guild hall then.”
She glanced at the woman sitting across from her: “You’re pregnant now and can’t overexert yourself. In my opinion, the bumpy road isn’t good for protecting the fetus, so why not give birth first and then leave?”
Shang Wan thought to herself, this idea was exactly the same as the initial thoughts of those three at home.
With her constitution, even jumping off a cliff might not dislodge the child, and she had spiritual spring water for protection too—traveling really wasn’t a big deal.
Seeing Shang Wan was determined to go along, Niangzi Shu didn’t advise further and lightly sighed: “By the time you give birth, your husband’s future will probably be set. When you reach the new place, remember to send a letter back; my sisters and I will go visit you and the child together.”
Shang Wan deliberately said: “All come to see me, and stop doing business?”
“In your dreams, how could we all go?” Niangzi Shu reached out and pointed at Shang Wan from afar, exhorting, “Remember to send a letter back.”
“Alright.” Shang Wan agreed, “Once I’m settled, I’ll definitely send a letter back.”
With this assurance, Niangzi Shu was finally satisfied.
She then discussed a few things about the merchant caravan with Shang Wan, and once they’d talked it over enough, asked: “When do you plan to set off?”
Shang Wan: “Once the chamber of commerce documents come down, we’ll set off. The capital city is far; better to leave early than late.”
The journey was long; leaving early might even let them celebrate New Year in the capital city.
Niangzi Shu nodded; who knew what the capital city would be like, so setting off early was good.
She said: “Let me know before you leave, and the sisters will go send you off together. Sisters not in the city heard you’re going far and sent things through others, all stored here with me. Especially Hong Mei, who early on sent things through someone; she personally made a few small clothes for Yuan Yuan—remember to come to my house to pick them up before you leave.”
Shang Wan was a bit surprised, but also felt warmth in her heart.
The carriage stopped in front of Shang Manor; Niangzi Shu didn’t get off, just lifted the cloth curtain and waved at Shang Wan.
Shang Wan turned and walked into the mansion only after the carriage had gone far.
Shi Tou was carrying his book box preparing to go out; seeing Shang Wan, he smiled and shouted: “Sis, Dean Luo sent someone to call me to his house—I’ll skip lunch at home.”
Shang Wan looked up at the sky; it was indeed almost mealtime.
She looked helplessly at Shi Tou, “Going over at this time, are you rushing to eat at the Luo house?”
Arriving right at mealtime—is that freeloading for a meal?
Shi Tou blinked: “Should I eat at home first then go?”
Shang Wan: “Did the messenger say to go quickly?”
Shi Tou nodded.
“Then go ahead.” Shang Wan reached out to adjust the strap on Shi Tou’s book box, “Maybe Dean Luo has something urgent for you.”
“Oh, alright, I’m off.” Shi Tou changed from walking to running, so Dean Luo wouldn’t wait too long.
Shang Wan went back to the room to change into casual clothes before heading to the study room.
In the study room, Lu Chengjing was reading history books to Yuan Yuan.
The little baby girl sat in Daddy’s lap, her little head nodding along as she listened—not sure if she was getting sleepy or understanding.
Shang Wan reached from the low table to grab an orange, peeled it, and stuffed orange pulp into the mouths of the big and small one.
The orange was sour-sweet, juicy and plentiful; the big and small one were both very satisfied.
“Madam Sun agreed; the documents should come down in about two days.” Shang Wan swallowed the orange pulp in her mouth before saying to Lu Chengjing, “I’ve arranged things at the Spiritual Medicine Pavilion and the manor; how about your side?”
Lu Chengjing: “All matters in the village have been properly handled; the people you selected are clever and know what to do.”
“Good as long as it’s smooth.” Shang Wan stuffed another segment of orange pulp into the little baby girl’s mouth who was staring at her, and smilingly asked, “And you?”
Her round big eyes blinked, Yuan Yuan nodded her little head, chewing the orange pulp and mumbling: “Little friends, all good.”
Yuan Yuan went back to say goodbye to the animals in the mountains, and conveniently returned Xiao Hui to its pack, letting it continue being the wolf king guarding the wolf pack.
At the same time, she made an agreement with her little friends to properly guard the village, protect the medicinal herbs, and not let bad guys bully the villagers.
If there were particularly tough bad guys, have the birds fly to find her.
“So great.” Shang Wan leaned over and planted a kiss on her own cub’s little round face.
Lu Chengjing suddenly cleared his throat.
Shang Wan looked up at him; Lu Chengjing slightly turned his face to the side.
Shang Wan: “…”
Is this fox only two years old too?
Lu Chengjing looked at her expectantly and softly called: “Niangzi.”
Shang Wan was silent for a moment, then leaned up and planted a kiss on Lu Chengjing’s cheek too.
Fine, the fox she raised herself—might as well spoil him.
“Younger sister.” Yuan Yuan reached out her small hand to touch Mother’s belly, tilted up her little face to look at Mother, wanting to kiss younger sister too.
Shang Wan looked down at her still unshowing belly: “…”
This consort can’t do it!
…
…
At night, Xiao Huan and Shi Tou came back one after the other, just in time for dinner.
Xiao Huan was quite happy; she’d finally sold Bao Yue Zhai at a price she was satisfied with, and would go to the County Yamen tomorrow to transfer ownership.
Shi Tou looked a bit down; Shang Wan picked a chopstick of fish meat into his bowl and asked: “Did Mister Luo scold you?”
“No.” Shi Tou shook his head, “The dean gave me many books, with his annotations on them, and told me to study them well, saying he has high hopes for me.”
“That’s a good thing.” Xiao Huan turned to look, “Why do you look unhappy?”
“Not about that.” Shi Tou sighed, “The dean wants to act as a matchmaker for me.”
“Act as a matchmaker?!” Xiao Huan widened her eyes in surprise, “Which young lady’s family?”
Shang Wan was equally curious; Lu Chengjing, who was feeding Yuan Yuan, also looked over.
