Chapter 272: Arrived Earlier Than Expected
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
The next morning, Han Qiao personally wrote a visiting card and sent it to the Feng family. She also sent a copy to Feng Xinru.
And one was also sent to the Gong Prince’s residence.
She asked Dong Lai to personally make the trip for the prince’s consort.
Han Qiao was surprised that Feng Xinru came to see her as soon as she received the invitation.
“All-Qiao!”
“Sister Xinru.”
Feng Xinru was in high spirits now, her eldest son had gotten first place in the Elementary Scholar examination, and he was in great glory.
In addition, the two fast food restaurants business was extremely good. They did not make a lot of money every day, but they made a thousand taels of silver every day.
With money in her hands and her son working hard, Feng Xinru was naturally in high spirits.
“Hurry and bring the child over to me. I’ve prepared a lot of things for him.”
As Feng Xinru spoke, her entourage immediately carried a few boxes over.
“This is…”
Han Qiao was very surprised.
“These are all the books that my Yi’an has annotated. Isn’t your eldest son,
Ah-Chi, going to take the entrance examination too?”
Han Qiao was overjoyed, “This is a wonderful gift. With these books, Ah-Chi’s chances of passing the examination next year will be higher.”
These were the books that were marked by the first scholar. Many people would not be able to get their hands on them even if they paid thousands of gold.
Han Qiao ordered someone to send all of them to Han Chi.
Then, one of her maids carried Ah-Yao over.
The little guy had just woken up. He looked left and right with sleepy eyes. He was only two months old, but he was already quick to connect the dots. The same couldn’t be said for his movements for he wore so many layers.
“Aiyaya, look at this child! What a handsome young boy!” Feng Xinru had seen many children before.
This was the first time she had seen such a cute baby.
“Who knows how many girls he will charm when he grows up.” Feng Xinru sighed.
She took out the longevity lock charm that she had prepared.
It was a huge piece of jade, green and clear, and the carving on it was exquisite.
“Ah-Yao, your aunt is an unrefined person. The bigger the jade is, the more valuable it is.”
Han Qiao looked at the longevity lock charm.
It was really valuable. After all, it came in all kinds of colors and textures. It was a valuable item that was difficult to buy even with money.
“Sister Xinru, this is too expensive.”
“How so? This is precious for your child. 1 still have something else for your Ah-Yao.” Feng Xinru smiled as she took out a contract, “This is my manor in the suburbs. It’s not very big, only about ten acres of land. There are about ten acres of orchards in the back mountain. It’s also a welcome gift for your Ah-Yao.”
Han Qiao opened her mouth and was about to refuse.
But Feng Xinru only smiled, “Don’t reject these gifts. Thanks to the fast food restaurant, I don’t have to worry about food and drink anymore. If you call me sister, I’ll treat you like my own sister.”
Feng Xinru was a straightforward person because she had the Feng family backing her up, she didn’t have to worry about anything else.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have divorced her husband and took her children away.
The Luo family did not even dare to fart in front of the Feng family’s presence.
“Then I’ll accept it on behalf of Ah-Yao.”
“Take them,” Feng Xinru didn’t mind and waved her hand to tease Ah-Yao.
This child seemed to be aware of things earlier than other children. Many children would only respond to adults’ teasing after three to four months.
Yet, this child already knew how to respond.
Feng Xinru had been busy fighting with Luo Shihang’s concubine in the Luo family for a long time, so she rarely played with the children in such a happy mood. Now, she looked at Ah-Yao with more and more admiration, and at the same time, she couldn’t help but feel regretful.
She was silly back then.
Her husband might not belong to her, but her children were truly hers.
She should not ignore her children.
“Ah-Qiao, the Gong Qin Consort Fei mentioned you earlier, when do you plan to pay your respects?”
“I’ve already sent a visiting card over. I don’t know when Consort Fei will be free.”
Feng Xinru giggled, “Of course, I have all the time in the world.”
Thanks to the fast-food restaurant, the Gong Prince’s consort received several thousand taels of silver every month. At times, she received up to ten thousand taels of silver. She still wanted Han Qiao to come to Chenzhou City earlier and open the restaurant.
The people who ate the most in fast food restaurants were the common people. How could they earn more than their restaurant earns?
Han Qiao understood what Feng Xinru was implying.
She lowered her head and smiled lightly before asking again, “By the way, Sister Xinru, are there any restaurants with good locations in the city that sell them?”
“There really isn’t.”
Feng Xinru’s two shops were already used to open fast food restaurants, and the other shops were not suitable to make another chain.
Han Qiao thought for a while before saying, “Is there a night curfew in the city?”
“How can there be a curfew? If there’s a curfew, how are those brothels in Qinhuai district going to earn money? Don’t tell me you think those brothels belong to the brothel mistress?” Feng Xinru stared at Han Qiao and continued, “Which brothels don’t have someone to back them up? Although they’re called a ‘backer’, they’re actually the boss of the establishment.”
Han Qiao wasn’t a fool and instantly understood.
The brothels and restaurants were places that held the most information. Those with power and influence needed all kinds of information, whether it was beneficial or not.
Or perhaps it was to know someone’s secret.
The more a person knew, the more advantageous it would be for him at certain times.
“The big shops in the city are all filled with people with their own positions, there’s no way to buy and sell them at all. Moreover, since they could afford to open such a big shop, they would not easily sell it.” Feng Xinru said.
“That’s right.”
Han Qiao understood this logic.
She thought about it and finally decided, “I want to open our next restaurant outside the city. I also want to set up an inn and a source of entertainment.”
Feng Xinru stared at Han Qiao.
“Outside the city?”
“Yes, outside the city, whether it’s a restaurant or an inn, the space is always limited. 1 can open as big as I want outside the city. If commoners are living in the place 1 need, I will buy it for them and allow them to work in the restaurant.”
Feng Xinru carefully considered the possibility.
“That would require a lot of effort.”
“It does require a lot of effort.” Han Qiao then handed over an orange to Feng Xinru.
“It’s from my own manor. I was thinking of giving you some tomorrow. Since you come today, bring two baskets back for your children to try.”
“Okay.” Feng Xinru smiled as she peeled an orange to eat.
She had eaten, used, and played with many good things.
Staying with Han Qiao was especially comfortable.
Han Qiao was also a smart and calculative person, but she always came straight to the point and didn’t beat around the bush.
Compared to those people who only acted one way on the surface, she was much better.
“This orange is not bad. It’s sweet and has enough water. There’s no silk seed.”
“The grapefruits will bloom in a few days. They are also very good.”
Feng Xinru smiled, “There are pomelos in the orchard that 1 gave to Ah-Yao. Let’s go and stay there for a few days.”
“Alright.”
As the two of them talked, Han Chi walked over calmly, not as nervous as when there were guests at home.
He bowed to Han Qiao first, “Mother.”
Han Qiao smiled,” This is your Auntie Feng.”
Han Chi bowed respectfully to Feng Xinru, “Greetings, Auntie Feng.”
“Good child, no need to be so polite.” Feng Xinru said as she got someone to give Han Chi a gift.
It was a set of brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
Even without opening it, Han Qiao could guess that it was worth a lot of money.
“Thank you, Auntie Feng,” Han Chi was still neither servile nor overbearing.
He did not get excited because of the greeting gift and remained calm and polite..