Remarrying Chun Yuan

When Liu Yuechu heard Song Liu'er mention that her two uncles had gone to Wei Gongming's gathering, she curled her lip in disdain.

Wei Gongming, lacking a high-ranking position, couldn't offer any real benefits, yet he thought he could outmaneuver those two old foxes.

"Let them do whatever they want, just ignore them."

Liu Yuechu looked at the ledger in front of her, and after fiddling with the last abacus bead, she was very satisfied.

Although the grain and porridge businesses lost some money, business in the capital gradually resumed after the snow stopped and the city gates reopened.

When people stocked up on goods and bought grain, their first choice was her Moonrise Rice Shop and her general store. After all, her acts of kindness in helping those in need were still fresh in people's minds. Moreover, Moonrise Rice Shop had low prices and operated on a low-profit, high-volume model. Her general merchandise was also sold at a fraction of the price, resulting in large sales volumes.

Now they not only make money, but also have a good reputation.

Song Liu'er chuckled to himself, "...There isn't a single customer at the trading company." He was so busy that his feet barely touched the ground, but he didn't forget to glance around.

He was previously ridiculed and mocked by the merchants for doing shoddy work, but now the tables have turned, and it's finally his turn to gloat.

Yao Wei was also very happy. "Someone in charge over there has already inquired with me, asking if I could come and help you."

Liu Yuechu thought for a moment, then said, "I can come."

"What do you still need them for? They weren't with you back then." Song Liu'er was immediately dissatisfied when she thought about how some people were vying for her position.

Liu Yuechu had more to consider. "We'll have more and more things to do. We can't just let the two of you handle everything. Anyone who wants to come can work under you, and their monthly salary will be based on that of a second-class manager."

Liu Yuechu was very clear about the concepts of closeness and distance. She would only give important positions to Song Liu'er and Yao Wei, who had initially followed her.

The two breathed a sigh of relief, marveling at how wise their young master was in his actions.

"Later, you will select twenty people to return to the estate on the outskirts of Beijing and start raising some piglets and chicks. From now on, our people will not buy meat from outside and will only eat what they raise themselves." She was worried about whether there would be an epidemic in the capital, so she was just taking precautions.

Song Liu'er: What's wrong? Is Master going to get involved in animal husbandry again?

Liu Yuechu didn't explain, but looked out of the shop, "Come with me for a walk. The capital city has been completely refreshed by the snow, we should take a good look at it."

Liu Yuechu left with her maids and instructed the coachman to drive through the city's streets.

She would stop every now and then to browse around, buying some snacks and trinkets. She also bought a few plain hairpins made of white peony and Sichuan pepper, which were much cheaper than before the snow disaster.

After wandering around for three whole days, Liu Yuechu had Huajiao list out several shops that had posted "For Sale" signs. In her previous life, the capital city had been devastated by the disaster and was deserted for a long time. Some shops were either poorly managed and couldn't survive, while others were just left unattended.

Although Liu Yuechu is not short of money, she has too few people around her who can do things. If she wants to expand her business, she can't just split people into eight pieces, can she?

So she considered investing money in the shops that were being sold to support these people. She would simply invest, oversee the accounts, and receive dividends, which would lighten the burden on Song Liu'er and Yao Wei, and she wouldn't have to worry so much.

She just wants to live a carefree life and doesn't want to be a hardworking career woman.

Song Liu'er breathed a sigh of relief after hearing her answer, "Which ones have you taken a fancy to?"

Liu Yuechu: All.

But she didn't dare say anything, and just smiled and told Yao Wei and Song Liu'er to dig deeper into the details of the shop.

At this moment, Wei Gongming was standing at the entrance of Jingchun Tower, having just seen Liu Chen and Liu Shang off.

The two of them spent the whole night cursing Liu Yuechu for being ruthless and ungrateful. But when Wei Gongming mentioned the kite, they insisted that it wasn't Liu Zhong's doing, but rather something Liu Yuechu was playing with.

Wei Gongming then made another sincere confession, saying that he had fallen in love with Liu Yuechu at first sight and that if the marriage could be arranged, the two of them would benefit greatly in the future.

Liu Chen and Liu Shang feigned indifference, taking a few more sips before pretending to be drunk. They then summoned a servant to prepare the carriage for their departure. Only as they were leaving did the two reveal a sliver of genuine affection, earnestly advising him that Liu Yuechu, that wretched girl, was unworthy of Wei Gongming, and that he absolutely mustn't marry such a jinx…

Wei Gongming felt a chill run through him. Having lived two lives, how could he not hear the perfunctory words? But he truly had no real benefits to offer in exchange, so he could only offer empty promises.

He tightened his old dog-hair cloak and walked back to his residence.

He stood in front of the Moonrise Rice Shop and the Grocery Store for a long time as he passed by.

If Liu Yuechu were to marry him, wouldn't this lucrative shop be his? He was momentarily bewildered, unable to understand why, having been given a second chance at life, he not only failed to achieve great things but also found all his efforts futile.

He pulled his cloak tighter around himself and caught a whiff of stale dog odor. In his past life, when Liu Yuechu had prepared his clothes, even his socks were trimmed with silk…

"Young Master Wei, what are you doing here?" A carriage stopped beside him, revealing a familiar face.

Wei Gongming glanced to the side and saw it was Li Shu.

Li Shu is petite with a round, white, and adorable oval face, freckles on her cheeks, and crescent-shaped eyes.

She wasn't ugly; she was quite a pretty girl.

But in Wei Gongming's view, what use is cuteness? In terms of assets, the Li family is far inferior to the Liu family, and Li Shu is not as pretty as Liu Yuechu.

"Lady Li".

After considering his options, Wei Gongming still returned the greeting respectfully.

Li Shu's heart nearly skipped a beat when she saw how long his eyelashes were when he bowed and lowered his eyes.

“It’s freezing cold and the curfew is early, why isn’t Young Master Wei home yet? If you’re going back to the manor, I could go that way on my way…” Li Shu looked at his thin clothes and couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. He didn’t even have a hand warmer, and his palms were already cracked and peeling from the cold.

Wei Gongming wanted to refuse, but a gust of cold wind blew into his clothes, making him shiver.

"Isn't this the direction of the Vice Minister's residence? Where is Madam Li going?" He really wanted to get in the carriage, but he couldn't just agree immediately.

Li Shu pointed to the box in the maid's hand, "Take this to my elder brother. He's been so busy at the county office that he hasn't been home for quite some time. Mother feels sorry for him working so hard, so she sent me to check on him."

Who is your older brother?

"Li Chengyue."

Wei Gongming's eyes lit up.

Li Chengyue is the county magistrate of the capital's county government. Although he is only a seventh-rank official, he is in charge of the capital's grain and horses, patrols, and security. Moreover, the county magistrate of the capital is old and just waiting to retire, so all the work has been handed over to the county magistrate.

He suddenly thought of the abandoned shops in the city.

If he could get close to Li Chengyue and secretly change the name on the unclaimed shop deeds to make them his own, wouldn't he be rich?

Anyway, these people are dead, so no one will know if the money is changed. Li Chengyue, as the county magistrate, wouldn't dare to do it himself, but he can hold onto it on their behalf. Then, he can secretly change hands a few times, and no one will know...

"It's dark and the roads are slippery. It's really dangerous for a woman like you to go to the county government office alone."

Wei Gongming, with a serious expression and a strong "fatherly" demeanor, said, "Since we happen to be going in the same direction, I'll escort Lady Li to the county government office."

If he could get acquainted with Li Chengyue and find a way in, he would naturally not have to worry about money.

Li Shu blushed deeply, knowing she should refuse but also reluctant, and finally nodded her thanks.

Wei Gongming sat on the carriage shaft and ordered the carriage to set off, saying that men and women who were not related by blood or marriage should not sit together.

Li Shu could only see Wei Gongming's back through the carriage curtain. She wanted to talk to him, but didn't know what to say.

"for you."

The carriage curtain was lifted a crack, and a hand warmer was tossed out. The hand warmer was small, and the copper pot was wrapped in a layer of wool wadding, which felt very soft to the touch.

"Thank you." Wei Gongming put it directly into his arms to warm it up; he was really freezing and desperately needed it.

Hearing that magnetic voice, Li Shu's heart fluttered, and she couldn't help but imagine more scenes.

Given how considerately he escorted her, could it be that he also has feelings for her? Although he sold grain at a high price, it was out of necessity to pay off his family's debts, so he's not a dishonest merchant.

His job at the Ministry of War must be very tough, right? His cheeks are so thin they're sunken. If Yue Niang knew they were seeing each other in private, would she be angry with her? But since Yue Niang rejected his marriage proposal, their relationship is fine...

Li Shu's thoughts were racing, and they soon arrived at the county government office.

She delivered food to her brother, and Wei Gongming then warmly escorted Li Shu home.

As they parted, Wei Gongming couldn't help but ask, "...Was the kite that Liu Yuechu flew really not made by the Painting Sage himself?"