Female-dominated society: Striving for the position of powerful minister, doting on Xiao Yunqing

"Hehe, just wait and see the good news," Song Qi'an laughed. "I'll definitely make this Shuntian Restaurant the most bustling place in the capital!"

Song Qinghe was worried, but she couldn't bear to discourage him.

If that piece of land in the south of the city had any potential, it would have been snapped up long ago. Now, it looks no different from the countryside.

No matter how much effort they put in, they can't make a ripple.

Well then, the Marquis's mansion isn't short of money anyway. Since he likes it, let him play for a few days.

Song Qinghe took a sip of tea and asked, "How much do you need?"

Song Qi'an's eyes lit up immediately, knowing that Song Qinghe was going to give him money. "Thank you, Mother! I estimate that the cost of buying the restaurant and renovating it will be about ten thousand taels of silver."

"Go get it from Manager Xu yourself."

"Really?" Song Qi'an asked tentatively. "I'm really going, you can't back out!"

"Go."

Song Qi'an was so excited he almost jumped up. "Thank you, Mother! I'll go find Steward Xu right away."

_

Shuntian Restaurant

The carriage slowly came to a stop. Song Qi'an lifted a corner of the curtain and looked at the dilapidated restaurant in front of him, his brows furrowed. "This restaurant does look quite old. No wonder it went out of business."

“Since the fall of the south of the city, hardly anyone has come,” Mu Dong said. “Young master, shall we go in?”

"Of course I'll go, since we're already here!" Song Qi'an got off the carriage, looked up at the restaurant's signboard, and a confident smile appeared on his lips. "This Marquis has plenty of ways to bring it back to life."

"What does the young master intend to do?"

Song Qi'an stroked his chin and paced back and forth in front of the restaurant. "This restaurant has a good location. With a few minor modifications and the introduction of some signature dishes, it should attract a lot of customers."

Mu Dong shook his head and said, "Young master, the people around here are mostly refugees or poor people. They can't afford to buy these."

“What I want is not for them to be able to afford it,” Song Qi’an smiled mysteriously, “but for them to know that this Shuntian Restaurant is owned by me, and that the food inside is excellent.”

"But that would mean we'd be spending more than we earn."

“Of course,” Song Qi’an smiled slyly. “This Marquis is not one to do business at a loss. As long as I can attract those wealthy merchants, why would I be afraid of not making money?”

“Young master…” Mu Dong stammered, “I don’t understand.”

“You,” Song Qi’an gently poked his forehead with his finger, “sometimes you’re just too stupid. What I mean is, we need to find a way to make Shuntian Restaurant a landmark restaurant in the south of the city. First build the brand, then talk about profits. Do you understand?”

"But……"

"Oh, no buts," Song Qi'an pushed Mu Dong inside, "I know what I'm doing. Just do as I say, and I promise you won't be disappointed."

"Ok."

"That's more like it!" Song Qi'an nodded in satisfaction and strode into the restaurant. "Come on, let's go in and take a look."

The two slowly walked into the restaurant. The interior was dimly lit, and there was only a young man at the counter.

"My lord, what would you like to eat?"

"I've come today to take a look at this Shuntian Restaurant," Song Qi'an said, glancing around. "It's quite dilapidated."

“Yes,” the man agreed, “it’s been thirty years. The south of the city has been gradually decaying and hasn’t been renovated since.”

Song Qi'an walked to the window, looked at the desolate scene outside, and said thoughtfully, "However, I think there is still a chance to turn things around here."

"My lord, I don't mean to lie to you, but this restaurant is really struggling."

“I am well aware of the economic downturn,” Song Qi’an turned around and looked at him with a half-smile, “but it is precisely because of the economic downturn that I need to step in.”

"You want to buy it?"

Song Qi'an crossed his arms, tilted his head slightly, and looked confident. "That's exactly what I'm looking for. Name your price."

"This..." the man hesitated.

"How about ten thousand taels?" Song Qi'an said, "Take care of everything for me, including the people and the renovations."

The man asked incredulously, "Ten thousand taels?"

“Hmm,” Song Qi’an took out a stack of silver notes from his pocket and handed them to him, “This is ten thousand taels of silver notes, count them.”

"No need to order, I naturally trust Lord Marquis."

“Very well,” Song Qi’an said, “Does your restaurant have any good wine and dishes? I happen to be a bit hungry today and would like to try your cooking.”

"To be honest, my cooking skills aren't great," the man said cautiously, "and there's nothing particularly good in the restaurant..."

"It's alright, it's alright," Song Qi'an waved his hand dismissively, "Just make a few dishes."

“Alright,” the man said, cupping his hands in greeting. “Please wait a moment, Your Excellency.” With that, he walked toward the kitchen.

Song Qi'an found a seat, looked around at the dilapidated restaurant, and suddenly had an idea. "Once I renovate this restaurant and introduce some specialty dishes, how much silver do you think we can make here?"

“Young Master,” Mu Dong said seriously, “I don’t think so.”

"You also think that with this restaurant so dilapidated, it's hard to make money?"

Mu Dong nodded.

Song Qi'an reached out and grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds, then sighed softly, "Perhaps."

He was also somewhat uncertain.

From childhood to adulthood, it seems that nothing he wanted to do ever came to fruition.

From small things like raiding a bird's nest or disturbing a beehive, to big things like running away from home or skipping school, nothing is allowed.

They'll either get a good beating or be dragged back.

Although what he wanted to do wasn't exactly a good thing, it still made him feel extremely frustrated.

This situation has dampened his morale somewhat.

_

Songming Temple

Dining Room

The two sat facing each other, with vegetarian food laid out on the table.

Shen Chenxi doesn't like vegetarian food and barely touched his chopsticks, while Mu Yunqing ate with relish.

"Lord Mu's taste is indeed quite bland," Shen Chenxi said. "This vegetarian dish is good, but it can't compare to meat and wine."

"Is Lord Shen hinting at something to me?"

"Lord Mu, what are you saying?" Shen Chenxi put down his chopsticks and gently wiped his hands with a handkerchief. "I was just saying it casually, Lord Mu, please don't take it to heart."

"is it?"

"Of course." Shen Chenxi smiled gently, but his eyes were unfathomable. "Lord Mu, how do you plan to investigate this case?"

“That person’s whereabouts are unpredictable and difficult to track down. We can only wait for him to show up,” Mu Yunqing said, raising his hand to serve Shen Chenxi some food. “Lord Shen, please eat more.”

Shen Chenxi looked at the vegetables in the bowl and frowned almost imperceptibly. "Lord Mu certainly knows how to take care of people. However, we will not have a moment of peace until this man in black is eliminated."

Mu Yunqing deliberately ignored his words, her gaze falling on the vegetables in his bowl. "Does Lord Shen not like vegetables?"

"It's alright, but I prefer meat to vegetables." He slowly pushed the vegetables aside, picked up a piece of tofu and put it in his mouth. "However, in this temple, I can only make do with what I have."

“Lord Shen, this is not just making do. I think…” Mu Yunqing drawled out, his words carrying a double meaning, “Lord Mu has never touched anything he doesn’t like.”

"Why touch something you don't like?" Shen Chenxi looked up at him, her expression serious. "Or does Lord Mu think that people should compromise themselves for the sake of others?"

“Of course we can’t compromise ourselves for the sake of others,” Mu Yunqing changed the subject. “Let’s not talk about that for now. The matter of the man in black is of great importance. You and I must find out the truth as soon as possible, otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable.”

"Okay, I'll do whatever you want."

Mu Yunqing raised his hand and rubbed his temples. "Since that's the case, let's discuss it properly and find a way to deal with him."

"Is the Left Prime Minister tired?" Shen Chenxi's lips curled into a perfectly timed smile, revealing no emotion. "Why don't we find a place to rest first, and then discuss this further?"

"No need, this place is fine."

“Very well.” Shen Chenxi rubbed his fingers against the cup, pondered for a moment, and then looked at him. “Then, Lord Mu, what do you think we should do to lure out the man in black?”

“The two of us alone probably can’t capture him,” Mu Yunqing suggested. “Why don’t we ask the Empress to send some more people?”

"What Lord Mu said is very true." Shen Chenxi nodded in agreement, then changed the subject, "However, this matter is of great importance. If the Empress finds out, it will inevitably arouse her suspicion."

Mu Yunqing smiled and said, "That's exactly what I want—her suspicion."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chenxi looked at him with newfound respect, her eyes filled with admiration. "Lord Mu is indeed brilliant, but... isn't this a bit too risky?"

"We are both dedicated to our country and its people, and we act with integrity and uprightness. What is there to fear, even if it involves risks?"

“That makes some sense.” Shen Chenxi tapped his fingers lightly on the table, lost in thought. “Lord Mu, how do you think we should arrange our manpower?”

"I think the people at the military academy are quite good."

“The people from the military training grounds…” Shen Chenxi thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement, “What Lord Mu said is absolutely right. They are all exceptionally skilled and loyal to the court. They are indeed suitable candidates.”

"Well, I'll have someone send a message to the palace later."

"it is good."

_

Shuntian Restaurant

"My lord!" A man approached carrying dishes. "The food is ready!"

"Okay, put it there." Song Qi'an pointed to the table and took out a delicate little box from his pocket. "By the way, boss, come here for a moment."

He opened the small box, inside was a jade pendant. "Take this jade pendant, consider it a gift from me."

The man wiped his hands and carefully took the jade pendant. "My lord, is this... really for me?"

“Of course it’s for you, but…” He paused deliberately, keeping me in suspense, “you have to agree to one condition of this Marquis.”

"You said I would definitely help you if I could!"

“There’s no rush,” Song Qi’an picked up a piece of food and put it in her mouth, then looked up at him. “I don’t even know your name yet, so I can’t keep calling you boss.”

“Your Excellency is right,” the man said, bowing. “My name is Pan Yu.”

“Pan Yu…a good name!” Song Qi’an narrowed his eyes and nodded with a smile. “From now on, I will call you Xiao Yu.”

"Yes, my lord."

“Xiaoyu,” he said, eating his food, “do you know why the south of the city has declined?”

“I heard my mother mention it before,” Pan Yu said. “Five years ago, many people died in this place overnight. The people were terrified and moved away one after another. Later, there were many epidemics, and the population decreased. Naturally, it declined.”

"I've heard a little about the epidemic, but it's not an incurable disease, so why are people so terrified?"

“My lord, you are unaware of this,” Pan Yu sighed, “people are born into different classes, and most of the people in the south of the city are of the lowest class. They can’t even make ends meet, let alone afford medical treatment.”

After listening, Song Qi'an remained silent for a moment, then put down his chopsticks. "So that's how it is. I didn't think it through." He turned to look at Pan Yu. "According to you, if we want to boost business in the south of the city, we must first solve the people's livelihood issues."

Pan Yu looked at him in surprise, “My lord, that may be true, but this… is no easy task.”

Song Qi'an laughed and said, "Why would I, the Marquis, need to do something so easy?"

“My lord, please don’t blame me for being nosy,” Pan Yu said. “This matter is unlikely to be accomplished by you alone. Over the years, the court has neglected the affairs of the south of the city. When the epidemic is rampant, funds are occasionally distributed, but they all end up in the pockets of those nobles…”

Realizing she had said the wrong thing, Pan Yu quickly shut her mouth.

The person standing before him was none other than his benefactor.

He was just rambling on about people's livelihood; it was like casting pearls before swine.

These people simply wouldn't understand.

“Why did you stop?” Song Qi’an gestured, “Keep going.”

Pan Yu hesitated for a moment, then said respectfully, "My lord, I was just speaking casually. My words have no deeper meaning, so I will not continue."

“I think what you said makes perfect sense,” Song Qi’an praised. “The people’s livelihood is difficult, which is inextricably linked to the court and officials. In this day and age, it is common for officials to embezzle money. If we do not address the root cause, we will be unable to solve the problem.”

He raised his hand to pour himself a glass of wine and continued, "But the saying that the poor are more prone to depravity is not without merit."

“What you say is true, my lord,” Pan Yu said. “When the people know they are suffering, they eventually lose the will to work.”

"Considering this, the officials cannot be touched, and the world cannot be changed..." Song Qi'an pondered, "However, the people's strength is weak and their hearts are scattered. If we gather them together and consolidate their power, we can become a crowd, and if we gather a crowd, we can make a living."

He turned to look at Pan Yu, "Do you understand?"

"clear."

Pan Yu finally understood.

He thought Song Qi'an was trying to reason with him about people's livelihood, and he scoffed at it.

Song Qi'an, on the other hand, was always thinking about the restaurant's livelihood.

They exploit circumstances to make a living and discuss people's livelihoods to seek personal gain.

High, really high.

In this light, it seems that his vision was too narrow.

“Since you understand, let’s get started.” Song Qi’an walked to Pan Yu’s side and patted him on the shoulder. “Do as I say, start with the renovation.”

"Don't worry, my lord, I will definitely do it," Pan Yu said. "But please allow me to discuss it with my mother, after all, this restaurant belongs to her."

“Yes, that’s natural,” Song Qi’an nodded in understanding. “After all, it’s your mother’s business, so we should respect her opinion.”

"Thank you, Lord Marquis."

“I am not an unreasonable person,” Song Qi’an said with a slight smile, waving his hand casually and pretending to be generous. “Go and discuss it with your mother. As long as she agrees, we can start construction immediately.”

"Yes."

"Oh, right, let's go find a few more cooks!"

“My lord,” Pan Yu said, “there’s no rush for this.”