I, the one in the heavens, am here to protect my bottom line in all realms.

Chapter 345 The Consequences of Rumors

The Princess of Qinghe County tried to find out the answer she wanted, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but rise, and she felt even happier.

One could guess most of what happened next without even watching. Zhang Chengyuan also lost interest in watching any further. He nudged Jiang Siyou, and when he looked over, he grabbed him by the waist, hugged his legs, and lightly stepped on his feet, and flew away as he came, without alarming anyone.

The two changed back into their previous outfits and went shopping together. They heard that there would be a temple fair in ten days, so Zhang Chengyuan planned to take Jiang Siyou there...

For three consecutive months, Zhang Chengyuan went out to play with Jiang Siyou every day, and occasionally met the proud and triumphant Princess Qinghe, but they did not have much interaction. However, the news that Zhang Chengyuan and Jiang Siyou were a couple spread throughout the capital.

That afternoon, she sent Jiang Siyou home early because of the rain, and returned home early herself, but was summoned by her master.

Mu Xun held an umbrella for Zhang Chengyuan and tried to remind him, "The news that you and Master Shangguan have been together for a long time has spread everywhere. I'm afraid the master summoned you just for this matter."

"Well, that should be it. How's the profit since the food shop opened?"

While carefully holding the umbrella to ensure that the raindrops would not splash on Zhang Chengyuan, Mu Xun replied, "Girl, since the food shop opened, the business has been quite prosperous. There is an endless stream of customers coming every day, and the profit is quite considerable. After deducting various expenses, the net profit is more than 900 taels of silver per month, and now nearly 3,000 taels have been collected."

Zhang Chengyuan nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes: "Not bad, this food shop has established itself. Go back and get a hundred taels. You keep thirty taels for yourself, the shopkeeper and the cook each get twenty taels, and you decide how to divide the rest among the apprentices and waiters as a reward."

Mu Xun happily agreed. Her small treasury had a large amount of money coming in. She was really happy: "Yes, thank you for the reward, young lady."

As they were talking, the two of them had arrived at the master's yard.

Zhang Chengyuan collected his thoughts and stepped into the yard.

Mu Xun stopped talking, restrained his relaxed attitude, and followed beside him respectfully with his head lowered.

After entering the hall, Mu Xun stayed at the door waiting.

Zhang Chengyuan saw that his master was sitting in the main seat with a serious expression, and some account books were placed on the desk beside him.

She bowed politely and said, "Greetings, my lord. What do you want me to do?"

The master raised his eyes to look at her, and after his gaze lingered on her for a moment, he slowly spoke: "Yuan'er, the news that you and the eldest son of the Shangguan family have been a pair has been widely spread in the capital. Do you know?"

Zhang Chengyuan answered frankly: "My Lord, Yuan'er knows that I like Master Shangguan, so we usually interact more often."

The master frowned slightly, his expression solemn: "As a concubine of the Duke of Xingguo's mansion, your every move is related to the reputation of the mansion. I don't want to forcibly stop you from interacting with Master Shangguan.

But you should also understand that the Shangguan family is a merchant family, and the eldest son of the Shangguan family is weak and sickly. If you get too close to him and you can't get married in the future, the rumors in the capital will hurt people the most. If you really like him, you should consider the pros and cons and don't tarnish the reputation of our family."

Zhang Chengyuan was prepared in his heart, and hurriedly said: "My Lord, although Mr. Jiang is in poor health, he is talented, kind and gentle. My daughter likes him very much, and it is not a momentary impulse to get along with him.

Moreover, Yuan'er is also working hard to run the food store and accumulate wealth for herself. However, Yuan'er had no business or family before. Now that the food store is on the right track, it is time to discuss marriage. I would like to trouble the master to work hard for his daughter. "

The master nodded slightly, and his tone softened a little: "I know you have been working hard on the food store recently, and you have done a good job, but matters of love cannot be based on momentary preferences. You have to think carefully. Marrying Shangguan Siyou will not help you in any way. If you want to take a servant in the future, no one will be willing to be inferior to a merchant."

Zhang Chengyuan didn't care about that and said firmly: "Master, Yuan'er has thought it through, I hope you will help me."

The master looked at her determined eyes and sighed softly: "Forget it, since you have made up your mind, I will not say anything more, but you need to be more cautious and don't bring shame to the mansion. After all, you are the girl of my Duke's Mansion. If something happens, the Duke's Mansion will never sit idly by."

Zhang Chengyuan smiled and said gratefully: "Thank you for your help and concern, my lord. Yuan'er will never let you down." The lord waved his hand, motioning her to leave.

Zhang Chengyuan bowed again, turned around and walked out of the hall.

The rain has stopped and a faint glow can be seen on the horizon.

Zhang Chengyuan walked out of the hall and Mu Xun hurried to meet him.

Seeing his master's relaxed expression, Mu Xun asked cautiously, "Girl, did the master make things difficult for you?"

Zhang Chengyuan smiled slightly: "No, the master just reminded me to be more careful in my actions. By the way, go and make arrangements. I will visit the Shangguan Mansion tomorrow, so please prepare some suitable gifts."

Mu Xun nodded and replied, "Yes, girl, I will prepare it right away."

After saying that, he followed Zhang Chengyuan back to the yard.

The next day, it was just dawn and the morning light was dim.

She got up early and carefully selected a lavender silk dress with delicate orchids embroidered on the hem, which made her look simple and elegant yet noble. She put on some makeup, adjusted the pearls in her hair in front of the bronze mirror, and said, "Let's go. Are the gifts ready?"

Mu Xun had already had the gifts neatly placed on the carriage. They were all treasures. "They are ready. They have been moved to the carriage."

Zhang Chengyuan nodded with satisfaction, and accompanied by Mu Xun, boarded the carriage that had been waiting outside the mansion.

The carriage was moving slowly on the streets of the capital, the wheels rumbling. Zhang Chengyuan looked out the window at the familiar street scene and was in a good mood.

She planned to talk to Jiang Siyou privately first, and then express her feelings to his father Shangguan Yingcai. After all, if she wanted to be with Jiang Siyou smoothly, it was crucial to get Shangguan Yingcai's approval.

Soon, the carriage stopped in front of the gate of Shangguan Mansion.

Zhang Chengyuan got out of the car and asked Mu Xun to hand over the visiting card.

When the doorman saw that it was her visiting, he immediately and warmly welcomed her into the mansion.

Zhang Chengyuan asked Mu Xun to deliver the gift to the steward of Shangguan Mansion, while she walked along the winding corridor to find Jiang Siyou.

Suddenly, a group of people who looked like guards appeared in front of her and blocked her way.

A middle-aged woman in the lead came forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Miss Zhang, my master heard that you were coming and asked me to come here to greet you. I hope you can move over."

Zhang Chengyuan was slightly startled. He wanted to see Jiang Siyou first, but he didn't expect that Shangguan Yingcai knew about it in advance and sent people to intercept him.

Although she was a little surprised, she quickly regained her composure and said with a smile, "In that case, thank you for leading the way."

The middle-aged woman led the way, and Zhang Chengyuan followed behind. Along the way, she secretly wondered why Shangguan Yingcai suddenly asked her to come over.

Soon, they arrived in front of a spacious hall, and the middle-aged woman bowed and invited her in.