Remarrying Chun Yuan

"Who bought the fan painting, and at one hundred taels for it?"

Before Liu Yuechu could ask, Princess Chen became curious first!

“He is a merchant who trades between Qi and Chu. He has been using the pigments I mixed to sell to foreign countries. Today, when he came to the trading company to find me, he also took a liking to the fan.”

"Actually, I painted that fan. It's not worth much, but even something worthless becomes valuable in the Liu family's business. I'm just benefiting from my father-in-law's influence." Yuan Cuo subtly flattered his father-in-law.

Princess Chen suddenly realized that it made a lot of sense upon closer inspection.

I initially thought it was a bit abrupt for Liu Yuechu to hand over the Liu family business to him, but now it seems just right...

“Even if you enjoy tinkering with these things, your main focus should still be on the imperial examinations. Once you pass the examinations and rank among the top three, a single fan painting might be worth more than a few taels of silver.” Princess Chen’s words were quite practical.

Yuan Cuo immediately cupped his hands in greeting, "I will do as the princess says."

"You said you'd listen to me before, but now you're listening to others? I don't think the imperial examinations are any good; they only imprison people. It's better to accumulate wealth, travel the world, and see the mountains and rivers of the Great Qi. That's the most beautiful life." Liu Yuechu didn't dare to be too blunt. It was like asking if he had drawn a map of the Great Qi's territory in his previous life but died in a foreign land. She could only keep stirring up his inner ambitions.

Yuan Cuo smiled and said, "Wherever you want to go, I'll go with you."

Liu Yuechu: "..." I just want to stay in the capital and laze around, and be the wife of the Duke of Baoguo for a while.

"Alright, the three-day homecoming ceremony is over. You two should hurry home and discuss the matter of the imperial merchant manager. As long as you are doing well, I can leave in peace."

Yuan Cuo was slightly taken aback. "What manager?"

Liu Yuechu then told him the news from the Imperial Household Department, "The news was quite sudden. I have never sent any gifts to the palace, and I have never even thought about becoming a royal merchant."

"Was it just delivered?" Yuan Cuo pressed.

Liu Yuechu nodded. "Let's talk about it when we get back." Not wanting to bother Princess Chen any further, she kowtowed to her godmother and left.

The two remained silent the entire way, each lost in their own thoughts.

Liu Yuechu felt that if a pie fell from the sky, it must be something sinister or thief-like.

Yuan Cuo, however, knew very well that this was a gift from that person, merely a test.

If Liu Yuechu truly becomes a royal merchant, then that person will have leverage over him.

But does he mind?

"Being a royal merchant is quite good. Two great joys in just three days of marriage. Aren't I a lucky wife?" Yuan Cuo touched her small hand and leaned closer to flatter her.

Liu Yuechu shook her head, "I always feel like someone set a trap for me. I have no idea who it is. When I started running some small shops, I did it to win by sheer volume. I didn't want to steal the limelight from the royal relatives. Saying that I'm the richest man in the capital is just an empty title. It's not real."

Yuan Cuo touched his nose. "So you're planning to give up?"

"Let's go and see first. There's a greater chance we won't be selected; it's just that the palace is giving us a chance."

“If you want to be elected, you will definitely be elected.” Yuan Cuo’s words seemed like flattery, but they were actually the truth.

Liu Yuechu looked at him and said, "I never knew you were so good at sweet talk." Coupled with his unrestrained gaze, which was full of possessive teasing, her heart was already racing and her palms were getting hot.

Yuan Cuo's gaze grew increasingly intense, and his large hands became increasingly restless.

"What are you doing? It's still light out." Liu Yuechu's voice was soft and sweet, like a piece of cotton candy.

Yuan Cuo leaned closer, "I'd like to give Yue Niang a shoulder and back massage, is that alright?"

"My shoulder doesn't hurt."

Where does it hurt?

"You just want me to be in pain?"

"I'm hoping my wife will cherish me..."

The two moaned and drew closer... Huajiao heard something was wrong as soon as she entered the room, so she quickly went out and closed both doors.

By dinner time, the full moon was high in the sky.

Liu Yuechu still refused to move, so Yuan Cuo picked up the bowl, ladled soup and fed her, and every now and then he would pick up his chopsticks and put a bite in his mouth.

Granny Fang couldn't stand this cloying affair and had already gone back to her room to rest.

Bai Shao and Hua Jiao were keeping her company, feeling both happy and worried to see their master so delicate.

After finally finishing their meal, Yuan Cuo went to the bathroom to wash up.

Liu Yuechu rinsed her mouth and wiped her face, and couldn't help but sigh, "I finally understand why the tyrannical emperor refuses to attend the morning court."

She's only been in this lap of luxury for a few days, and she doesn't want to think about anything serious anymore.

"You were so calm and rational before, it was almost frightening. How come you're still so weak after getting married? You get carried away as soon as your son-in-law coaxes you." Bai Shao felt that her master had become a different person after getting married.

Huajiao chuckled, "It's also because the son-in-law is so considerate; he knows almost everything his master is thinking."

“This servant finds it terrifying. The son-in-law can think of everything in advance. Won’t you be completely bewildered by him in the future?” Bai Shao was even more wary of this.

Liu Yuechu's joy gradually faded; she truly had an unconditional trust in Yuan Cuo.

In fact, this trust came about quite irrationally, and was even somewhat blind.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." He'll leave sooner or later anyway, so it's not a bad thing for her to live a carefree life for a few years.

"What do you know? The eldest young master hasn't shown up for three days. Uncle Chun said today that he left the manor on the day you and your son-in-law got married and has never come back," Bai Shao couldn't help but sarcastically remark.

"My brother hasn't come back yet? Don't you know where he went?" Liu Yuechu asked in surprise.

"I don't know, I left with Young Master that night." Bai Shao was referring to Zhong Ziqi.

Liu Yuechu couldn't help but feel worried.

While the third and fourth wives may be considered to have bad hearts, they don't go too far in their actions. They only seek to make money and gain benefits, and they don't get involved in anything shady.

But Zhong Ziqi was different; there was nothing he couldn't do.

"Uncle Chun is getting old and can't travel around anymore. Have Mu Chi inquire around these few days, and also send a message to Yao Wei and Song Liu'er, telling them to let us know when they see our elder brother."

Liu Yuechu spread the word, and unless Liu Musheng was not in the capital, he could be found soon.

After Yuan Cuo returned from washing up, Liu Yuechu did not mention the matter again.

The next day, just as the two got up, Liu Muchi rushed over, "Second sister, brother-in-law." He hesitated before speaking.

Seeing his hesitation, Liu Yuechu said, "Just say it." She didn't treat Yuan Cuo as an outsider.

Liu Muchi felt embarrassed. "Wang Fu has found his elder brother."

"Where did he go?"

“That… the county government.” Liu Muchi’s voice was weak. “He went to drink some wine and women, got into an argument and even beat someone. The injured person is unconscious. The other party reported it to the authorities, saying that he intentionally killed someone.”

"?! ...

"And...my cousin is inside too." Liu Muchi's voice was even weaker!

"Zhong Ziqi!" Liu Yuechu wanted to rush over and strangle him. She thought he was unreliable, but she didn't expect him to be rotten to the core.

"What's going on right now? I need to go to the county government office to take a look." Liu Yuechu was really getting restless.

Yuan Cuo stopped her, "Eat first, I'll go later."

Liu Yuechu paused for a moment, then suddenly thought of Wei Gongming.

"Why don't we go together?" She couldn't very well let him shoulder all the burden alone.