Quick Transmigration: Leisure

Double Ninth Festival.

Xia Youmi arrived in the capital from the suburbs early in the morning. Since it was on the way, she went to the Fu residence first to keep her appointment. She had her personal luggage delivered to a shop in the west of the city by the coachman.

This shop was transferred by Panlan, but the original owner had no connection with Feihua Pavilion.

It was simply used by a merchant who was cooperating with them to pay off a debt, and was then distributed as a favor.

After Xia Youmi took over the business under the identity of Chi You, she did not rush to open for business. Instead, she quietly renovated the place for a period of time. It looked unremarkable from the outside, but one could only appreciate its charm once inside.

It doesn't specifically refer to how rare or special the materials are, but rather that the fit is excellent whether sitting or standing.

She put a lot of effort into the angle and comfort of the seat.

Inside, there's a tea room, a bedroom, a study, and a reception room open to the public. No specific products are sold, but everything is appealing. With more free time, she plans to update the design seasonally.

To talk to a customer, you only need to lead them around once, and you can sell a finished product.

They only hired one quick-handed child to help with the cleaning.

He was the youngest child in a family that Chi You met by chance. He had always preferred hands-on to mindless work, and the whole family diligently supported his only promising older brother, who was also an scholar, to take the imperial examinations.

The family has been in the timber business for generations and has a good reputation, but in recent years they have been slandered by their neighbors and can't make a living by just buying and selling timber.

The youngest brother then offered himself to Xia Youmi, asking if he could be bought as a servant to earn money for his elder brother.

They all hoped that their elder brother would become successful, rise to high office, uphold justice, drive away the vicious and domineering neighbors and fellow villagers, and earn money to continue the glory of their ancestors.

Xia Youmi saw that the youngest son was not yet old enough to do heavy work, but he could do everything.

His family, however, felt sorry for him and did not want him to overexert himself.

The young man then decided to take a shortcut and do what he could first.

Xia Youmi hired the man, mainly to manage the shop, and he didn't need to solicit business. But he had to gradually find out who the local laborers or drivers could be hired in the vicinity.

She also needed to record the visiting guests and their invitations, and organize them in order for Chi You.

As items were gradually added, Xia Youmi would explain her future business to him and give him some tips on how to respond to people, so as not to give irrelevant answers.

Of course, apart from moving large items in and out, or the youngest child cleaning regularly, this shop usually has a wooden sign hanging that says it is temporarily closed.

Curious people lose interest when they wait too long for a result.

Previously, the youngest son even wanted to come and watch the shop every day, but Xia Youmi said that wiping too much would damage some of the decorations, so she reluctantly stopped him.

But holding the money made him uneasy, and the work was too leisurely.

The youngest child was brought over by his elder brother to negotiate with her, saying that his family appreciated her kindness but felt unworthy of it and asked her to change the contract.

When they offered to take a pay cut and promised not to cause any problems, they would still try their best to help her with the shop.

Xia Youmi then placed the order.

Since you feel there's not enough work, then we'll arrange for the youngest son to help coordinate your timber orders. This involves a lot more running around and following more rules, some techniques are quite difficult, and many are methods we've never seen before.

The youngest son had to act as the supervisor, ensuring quality and learning how to hire people to manage things both inside and outside the workshop.

Seeing the brothers' surprised yet apprehensive expressions, Xia Youmi had no choice but to lay out the unpleasant truth upfront: no leaks were allowed, everything would be written into the contract. Furthermore, if the results were satisfactory, there would be long-term orders, and from their shop's perspective, the youngest employee would receive a corresponding commission. However, if the samples didn't meet their expectations, the deal would fall through.

Xia Youmi had also investigated the market in Bianjing. If she wanted to start this new business, she would definitely need to develop a stable supplier of goods.

But after going around in circles, there are still other solutions.

But the timber sector is strangely monopolized. Despite insufficient production and supply, those in urgent need can only buy substandard products or purchase them secretly. These high-quality suppliers are all extremely arrogant.

The profits had to be divided according to their rules, and the design drawings were not to be kept secret.

Xia Youmi had encountered someone who seemed honest on the surface but was actually cunning behind her back. This person would ask for exorbitant prices, assuming she was inexperienced. After being refused, the next day, the person would deliberately sell her a finished product that looked about 80% like the one in the drawings, which she had shown when she asked.

If you get into a fight with someone, they might have a hidden trick up their sleeve to sabotage you.

Xia Youmi then tossed a piece of black material, which had nothing to do with timber, into his yard.

That man's wife was literate and held a certain status; if she made a scene, she could give him a hard time.

He was arrogant because of his relationship with his wife's family, but he had already rebelled behind the scenes.

Giving such a person a lesson is an act of kindness.

At the same time, she also realized the truth.

The timber business in Bianjing, especially in the western part of the city, is not doing well; there are no wealthy merchants.

Xia Youmi then planned to cultivate some new talents or veterans who had fallen out of favor.

If they haven't lost their craftsmanship and are still willing to improve, then she'll go to the source and investigate. In any case, she'll make sure her customers survive the pressure.

Judging from the current situation, the youngest member of the Yan family is thinking straight.

The finished products were satisfactory to her, since it was only one or two items to be sent to her small shop.

The laborers hired for transportation were found by the youngest son from around the shop; they weren't from the timber-producing area, so for the time being, no one dared to use their power to cause trouble.

Most importantly, for some parts of the diagrams that were difficult to understand, the eldest brother, who was the only one in the family who was well-read, would take the time to study them and write down the relevant key points for his younger brother to give to Lady Chiyou to review.

As long as Xia Youmi approves, the finished product will be almost identical to the original, as he verbally conveys the instructions to the craftsmen in his home.

This saved her some trouble, as she didn't have to go to the site to give instructions on every part.

The studious elder brother even sought out books on engineering to study this subject. Although it was not a major subject in the imperial examinations, he was able to gain some insights into policy and strategy after reading and practicing them.

It can be considered a small collaboration that benefits all parties involved.

in this way,

Xia Youmi returned to keep her appointment on the Double Ninth Festival, without having to pass through the Feihua Pavilion area, and her luggage was properly received and settled by the youngest son.

It is also a testament, a proof of the path she reserved for Fu Miao'an.

As they approached the Fu residence, a carriage and driver were already prepared outside the gate. Xia Youmi was invited in and was greeted by a maidservant serving tea, while the other woman appeared dressed for travel.

Xia Youmi assumed that he was on duty or that there was a case that came up unexpectedly.

"Master Chi You! I've long admired you!"

"Lord Fu." Xia Youmi bowed to him in a cheerful, egalitarian manner, without the obvious distinction of rank that he made in his words.

Fu Miao'an didn't care about these things; in fact, he was the same way every day.

The two exchanged very little, and after Xia Youmi had drunk a cup of tea, Fu Miao'an invited someone to go with him to the site, which was the land where the mansion was built.

Those around Fu Miao'an seemed to have long been accustomed to his decisiveness and were not flustered at all. The maid only smiled apologetically and prepared a thin cloak for Xia Youmi, as a sign of her concern.

After thanking her, Xia Youmi boarded the carriage and followed Fu Miao'an to the south, which was some distance away.

This place isn't particularly valuable, and it's far from the capital and Kaifeng Prefecture in the west of the city. It doesn't seem like the kind of residence a promising official would intend to live in for a long time.

Suppressing her confusion, Xia Youmi discovered that this place was very close to the Yan family, the timber-producing area where the youngest son's family, who worked in the shop, lived.

Although the location is slightly off-center, there are still quite a few minor officials with limited family wealth who have settled here.

At the end of the bustling street, past a quiet mansion, lies that piece of land.

When they arrived, Xia Youmi finally understood why she had to come in person.

The situation on this plot of land is quite complicated. There are lakes and streams, as well as weeds and dilapidated earthen walls. The left and right orientations are not correct, and there are also suspicious arched mounds.

"This is it. I arranged for eight red markers to be placed here in advance. This area is the movable territory," Fu Miao'an introduced generously, and then led Xia Youmi through them one by one.

He had also observed that Chi You was dressed smartly and walked steadily, clearly someone who traveled a lot.

Fu Miao'an then took the person away without any hesitation.

After the two of them finished walking around, Xia Youmi's breathing didn't change at all, and Fu Miao'an finally showed his satisfaction.

He already knew about Master Chi You's background. If someone who travels with her husband is physically weak, especially with an unsteady gait, it would be hard to explain her skills in setting up scenes.

These are all essential; I need to personally guide them.

When taking Chi You through different terrains, Fu Miao'an deliberately maintained one state, while Chi You changed her skills accordingly.

How to step, how to avoid obstacles and how to stop, is even more precise and convenient than he is himself.

It's obvious that this isn't something that can be faked; it must have taken countless trips to master the art.

Even if someone exposes that Mi Ye is Chi You.

Without being able to physically expose the evidence, he probably wouldn't have even made any connection.

in addition,

She remained unfazed even when she saw a pile of graves.

She also shared her knowledge of feng shui. Every few words Xia Youmi uttered made Fu Miao'an and his assistants and servants prick up their ears.

"Brilliant!" Fu Miao'an smiled; he needed someone with such courage to help him.

But the surprises didn't end there. The group came to a wide, flat area to rest, and someone brought out tea and snacks from the carriage.

Xia Youmi didn't dawdle and took out the simple drawing tube she was carrying.

Inside were oiled linen paper and sharpened charcoal pencils. She laid them flat on a thin cloth, weighed down the four corners with stones, and began to draw a topographical map. Although the proportions were accurate every year, she didn't intend to go to this level of detail.

As long as they correspond, the main thing is to first separate the different blocks, and then design them according to the basic requirements and the client's requirements.

Fu Miao'an was amazed by the depth of skill of the brush when he made the first stroke.

When the initial sketches were revealed, he was even more impressed with Chi You. He was certain there was nothing strange about it; it must be this person's talent. Because before arriving, his subordinates had even sent people to make minor modifications to the location.

While there was an element of testing involved, it was more about concealment; he didn't want passersby to see his true purpose. Seeing him arrive today, it's certain someone investigated him tonight.

did not expect,

Xia Youmi's on-the-spot drawing also subtly revealed her authenticity.