After returning to the capital, the eldest daughter saved her entire clan with her medical skills.

"Your Highness, please don't misunderstand. I don't intend to sell grain and medicine at high prices for profit. Instead, I will sell them to the people at prices below market value."

"Below market price?"

Murong Xun scrutinized Xue Ruanruan intently, as if trying to discern something unusual in her eyes.

But apart from sincerity, there's really nothing else to see; perhaps his ability to judge people has declined considerably.

"Indeed, Your Highness also knows that since the beginning of winter this year, there have been frequent blizzards, and the people are not properly clothed. Grain merchants have colluded with local officials to raise prices on the spot. Now the price of grain outside has risen to more than five times that of the same period last year, and the people are suffering terribly."

Xue Ruanruan knew that Murong Xun had just returned to the capital, and he knew the situation outside better than she did.

The blizzard collapsed civilian houses, and the government ignored the situation, forcing many people to brave the freezing cold to seek refuge.

Already facing shortages of clothing and food, grain merchants colluded with government officials to drive up grain prices, leading to many impoverished people freezing or starving to death by the roadside or in the mountains.

Corpses lay strewn across the field, a scene of utter desolation.

On her way back to the capital from Yaowang Valley, she saw far too many scenes like this, and the thought of them only made her heart ache.

If she weren't the only weak woman unable to protect herself, she would surely have done her part, just like her master.

Murong Xun disappeared from the capital for more than half a year. Whether he was seeking medical treatment or secretly investigating the people's conditions, she did not believe that he would be unaware of what was happening outside.

Only the emperor was blinded by the ministers in the court, and was made to laugh all day long.

They thought that under his rule, the Chu and Qin states were in their golden age, and the people were living a prosperous and comfortable life.

If it weren't for Murong Xun's control of the court, it's debatable whether the Chu-Qin state would even still exist.

She was simply stating the facts, not trying to mislead or have any malicious intentions.

"so what?"

"I will provide food and medicine. Your Highness only needs to sell these supplies to the people at a very low price."

"Wouldn't that mean losing money? How could you possibly make money?"

Murong Xun frowned, seriously considering the feasibility of Xue Ruanruan's words.

No matter how I look at it, I feel this is a losing proposition, and the source of the goods is even more uncertain.

"Your Highness need not worry. I will provide the food and medicine. You only need to support the people in the name of the government. However, fresh vegetables and fruits are rare in winter. The common people cannot afford them. Those who can afford them are not short of money. The prices of these two items can be set higher."

The vast and fertile land in that space can produce large quantities of spirit rice and spirit wheat, and can also supply an unlimited amount of fresh fruits and vegetables.

For her, it was a risk-free business; no matter how much profit she made, it was all pure profit.

Food and medicine are the foundation upon which people depend for survival. From a young age, her master repeatedly taught her that doctors should have the heart of parents and never disregard human life for the sake of money.

They also knew that Murong Xun would not agree to make high prices on grains and medicinal herbs, like other grain and medicinal herb merchants who only cared about profit and disregarded the lives of ordinary people.

But there's no need to worry about vegetables and fruits. Those who can afford fresh vegetables and fruits in winter are either rich or noble and don't care about the money at all.

By setting higher prices, profits from both grains and medicinal herbs can be recouped from fruits and vegetables.

In any case, she won't suffer a loss.

Her only concern was that she couldn't explain the origin of the items. The reason she partnered with Murong Xun was not only because she relied on his power and network of connections, but more importantly, because she wanted him to explain the origin of those spiritual objects.

By giving up half of the profits, one can avoid being targeted or having to worry about selling the spirit items while still getting the money back – a perfect solution.

"If you can provide a sufficient supply, you don't need to worry about these things."

"Does Your Highness mean that cooperation is feasible?"

“That’s feasible, but I need to inspect the goods first. The grains, medicinal herbs, vegetables and fruits also need to be stored here with me, and I can deliver them at any time.”

Murong Xun was skeptical of Xue Ruanruan's words; he simply did not believe that she could actually produce such goods.

Can vegetables and fruits be grown in winter?

It's just a fool's errand.

He wanted to see how she would conjure up fresh vegetables and fruits for herself.

"Of course, but I do have a request."

Xue Ruanruan didn't want to buy another estate to store grain, as that would be too troublesome. If she were to open the Yangyantang business in the future, she wouldn't have the energy to manage this business.

"any request?"

Murong Xun raised an eyebrow, unable to believe that this woman would dare to make a request of him, and curious about what she would ask for.

"I need a prepayment of three thousand taels."

"That's no problem, but since we're going into business together, we need to sign a contract first. May I ask which household you're from, young lady?"

Murong Xun originally did not want to inquire about Xue Ruanruan's identity, but since she took the initiative to discuss business with him, he had no choice but to send his secret guards to investigate her identity.

The current inquiry only yields a rough estimate.

"This humble woman is from the household of the General Who Protects the Nation."

Xue Ruanruan shared the same thought as Murong Xun: since she had chosen to do business with them, she could no longer hide her identity.

Besides, her identity is no secret. Her grandmother and mother are going to hold a grand banquet for her in a few days, and her identity will be revealed sooner or later.

"From the General of the State's Mansion, what is your relationship with Xue Yan?"

Murong Xun knew the Xue family very well, but he had never heard of the Xue family taking a new wife. He wondered what the woman's background was.

"It's my father."

"what?"

Murong Xun's pupils dilated slightly, but he didn't show it. He placed one hand behind his back and calmly scrutinized Xue Ruanruan, as if trying to find something suspicious in her words.

No one could have guessed that this woman was actually the long-lost eldest daughter of the General's Mansion.

"Your Highness, why are you so surprised? I was only found a few days ago. Once this matter is announced to the world, everyone will know."

"Ahem, I just didn't expect that Miss Xue would be found."

Murong Xun looked embarrassed, an unnatural blush rising to his face, and he coughed softly, trying to cover up his embarrassment.

"Um"

Xue Ruanruan didn't say much.

Should he tell him that he found the family because his master had foreseen the troubles in the manor, or should he complain about the evil deeds the court had committed against the Xue family army and ask him to clean up the mess?

Murong Xun was, after all, a member of the royal family, and the emperor's half-brother. No matter what, he would never be of one mind with the Xue family.

Some things should be kept secret.

"I'll give you the silver when Yan Xiao returns. As for the contract, I'll go to my study to draft one right now."

Murong Xun gave Xue Ruanruan a deep look, then turned and walked outside.

Xue Ruanruan followed, making sure she kept a close eye on things so that Murong Xun wouldn't add any hidden clauses to the contract and end up deceiving her.

Unexpectedly, things went much more smoothly than planned. Xue Ruanruan looked at the contract again and again, unable to hide the smile in her eyes.

"How is Your Highness's condition lately? Has the Gu poison flared up?"

When she was in a good mood, she found Murong Xun much more pleasing to the eye and took the initiative to bring up his illness.