A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

An Qingyu blinked curiously.

The gray-blue pupils reflected the warm winter sun, turning into a clear, light blue like glass.

Gu Xixi smiled and asked in return, "What are you thinking? Why did I buy so many fruit trees at once?"

An Qingyu scratched his head, "You must be a super landowner who doesn't show off!"

He immediately contradicted himself, "No, you should be a princess, or a county princess!"

"You guys have a term for it, how do you say it again, 'undercover'... right, 'undercover private visit'!"

Based on the current level of Pinellia ternata cultivation.

If you plant a two-year-old sapling, it will take at least three or four years before it can bear fruit.

Even in the peak season for fruit production, the harvest from each tree does not exceed ninety kilograms.

Not to mention the losses from poor yields in years with low production, as well as the damage caused by severe weather such as hail or continuous rain.

Anyone who bets all their land on planting only the Bimbisara fruit will inevitably lose money, let alone the fact that they are willing to do so.

The long process of waiting for the fruit to ripen is enough to bankrupt a company.

Therefore, these talents from the Western Regions could only establish a seedling trade association, not a fresh fruit trade association.

How much wealth does a company need to withstand such a turmoil?

After much thought, An Qingyu concluded that only princesses and noblewomen who were born without having to worry about making a living could be so willful.

Gu Xixi chuckled, "Does the princess need to come out and buy saplings herself? She was turned away by you guys back then."

"I'm just an ordinary farmer from Huachidu Village."

"If we're talking about landlords, they're barely the smallest kind."

An Qingyu was dumbfounded. "Then you still dared to sign a contract to buy a thousand trees!"

His initial curiosity about Gu Xixi evolved into admiration and respect, and as they spent more time together, he became completely devoted to her.

So he immediately got angry, "Xixi, if you had known that you had signed and put your fingerprint on it, you would have been left with no way out!"

Gu Xixi said helplessly, "What you're trying to say is, there's no turning back, right?"

An Qingyu nodded, "That's roughly the idea!"

"Although I believe you don't need to pay the remaining 60% of the payment."

"But can you afford the initial deposit and the subsequent investments? That will bankrupt you!"

Gu Xixi could sense that An Qingyu genuinely cared about her.

She then sincerely reassured him, "Don't worry."

"First, once I plant my fruit trees, I won't just sit back and wait for them to bear fruit."

"Secondly, those thousand trees don't belong to me alone,"

“Some people in the village want to plant trees with me, and I’d like to give it a try.”

An Qingyu's brows furrowed deeply. "Even if you're confident you can survive the first few years, what about others?"

"Most people come for profit and gather together because of profit."

"You're willing to cover their initial investment, but are they willing to gamble with you?"

"Be careful not to end up doing all that work for nothing!"

Gu Xixi laughed and said, "This time, I used the idiom correctly."

An Qingyu, with a stern face, said angrily, "Xi Xi~~!"

Gu Xixi quickly suppressed her smile and said seriously, "I wouldn't choose someone who isn't prepared to burn their bridges."

"And if I want to accomplish this myself, I naturally have to show the same determination."

"Don't worry, anyone who wants to receive a sapling from me in the future must sign a contract with me."

An Qingyu was still worried. He had traveled around doing business with his father, brothers, and uncles since he was a child and had seen many uncertainties.

"Okay, there's no risk in this regard."

"If they don't sign, they might as well quit. Where are you going to plant the extra saplings?"

Gu Xixi said, "That makes it even simpler."

She smiled slyly and mysteriously, "I have other places to plant trees, and there's plenty of space."

For something this big, she couldn't just choose one path; she had to at least prepare for both possibilities.

Mu Nanzhao, who was far away in Huachidu Village, received a secret letter.

The message roughly states that the person you entrusted with your care did not bring any token.

However, I already know who she is. She has stirred up the business world of the Hu people in Yunling and has become a celebrity.

Now, under the care of the Hu merchants, and with people following her everywhere, she was thriving. Even the mules she raised had gained weight.

Based on my observations, it seems that no special care is needed, so please rest assured.

Mu Nanzhao placed the letter on the oil lamp, staring at the flame with a frosty expression.

He suddenly coughed a few times, covering his mouth. When he withdrew his hand, there were a few spots of bright red on his palm, which was shocking to see.

But he seemed unfazed and got up to wash his hands.

In Yunling County, Gu Xixi sat on a mule cart, smiling as she faced the enthusiastic crowd trying to persuade her to stay.

"No, I'm already three days past my scheduled return date."

"If I don't go back soon, my family will worry."

Boss Ge Shu joked, "If we didn't know that Boss Gu is still unmarried, we would probably all think that his wife is too strict!"

Everyone laughed.

Some people say, "You're confused. Boss Gu is a woman. If she wants to get married, it's a marriage."

Boss Ge said, "Boss Gu is a heroine among women; marrying a man is nothing to her!"

In the hometown of Boss Geshu, there are families that take the mother's surname, which is even more prestigious than the marriage of a son-in-law during the Daye Dynasty.

Gu Xixi laughed and said, "Stop joking with me."

"This separation won't be too long. I'll come back to Yunling County when spring arrives and the flowers bloom."

"I'll host the gathering then, please join us."

Everyone agreed.

Anqing Yu Yuezhong walked up to Gu Xixi and solemnly handed her a square mother-of-pearl inlaid lacquer box.

The members of the chamber of commerce fell silent, exchanging amused glances.

Everyone has practically watched An Jia grow up. Who can't tell what's on his mind?

However, it seems that Boss Gu is...

Gu Xixi put the box in her bag and slapped An Qingyu on the shoulder.

An Qingyu was tall and burly, and Gu Xixi had to stand on tiptoe and stretch out her arm to barely manage to take a picture.

"Thank you for taking care of me these past few days, and for the gift."

"I've told you all the methods for caring for the Bodhi tree fruit."

"Haven't you always wanted to prove to your father that you can stand on your own? You can do it!"

An Qingyu stared blankly at Gu Xixi ever since he was patted on the shoulder.

An Qingyu only snapped out of his daze when a group of chamber of commerce members behind him coughed lightly to remind him.

"Oh, with that in mind, I'll work harder!"

“You…” he stammered, his words fading into just three words, “Don’t worry.”

Even if it was just for the contract she signed with the Chamber of Commerce, and for her ideals.

He will also devote all his energy to the Pinellia ternata nursery.

Gu Xixi waved to the crowd and, just as she had come, drove her mule cart further and further away.

In Huachidu Village, the sky was clear and the crescent moon hung like a hook.

Laifu pulled his cart and found his way home with practiced ease. He stopped outside the door and snorted a few times.

Gu Xixi patted it with a smile, "You miss home too?"

Footsteps came from inside the door, accompanied by a sweet meow from a cat.

Aunt Zhang answered the door excitedly, "Xixi? Is Xixi back?"

Gu Xixi smiled and said, "It's me, Auntie, please open the door."

The bolt was quickly pulled open, and Aunt Zhang stepped out, holding an oil lamp. "My dear aunt, you finally realize you still have a home!"