The attic connects the past and present; I became a tycoon and got rich overnight!

Chapter 77: Being on guard against others is essential

It's not a reward, it's a gift.

Upon hearing this, Song Youan smiled faintly.

Perhaps she didn't mean it, but she ended up helping Li Chuyou by chance. In that case, she would accept the gift.

Reaching out to take it, the gold belt was quite heavy, perhaps a gift from the Emperor, which added to its solemnity.

Seeing that she accepted it, Li Chuyou smiled and said, "Miss Song, although we have only met by chance, I admire you very much. Therefore, I would like to say something to you today."

Her tone was exceptionally serious, causing Song Youan to subconsciously hold her breath and look up at her.

“Don’t be nervous. I’m just afraid that if I don’t say it today, I won’t have this chance again,” Li Chuyou said.

"Please speak plainly, Miss," Song Youan replied, bowing her head.

Li Chuyou paused slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "I know that you are now moving among the powerful and wealthy families in the capital. In the capital, especially among the ladies and young ladies, you have become a rising star."

"Speaking of which, it has been many years since a person like Miss Song has appeared, who can be so popular among the sisters and is so outstanding. Miss Song has only been here for a month, and she has already become very popular. But this is a double-edged sword. It can bring you wealth from business, but it can also easily drag you into a whirlpool without you even realizing it."

Song Youan listened attentively, but some questions arose in her mind.

Having said that, she asked directly, "What do you mean by that, Miss? Do you think that I might implicate others' interests and thus incur their resentment?"

Li Chuyou smiled slightly, shook her head gently, and sighed, "Miss, you are too kind-hearted and think things are too simple."

"It's inevitable for a young lady to obstruct the interests of others. Your cakes are so popular among noble families that those famous pastry shops in Kyoto must have been eyeing you for a long time. But for you, this is just a trivial matter with no threat. You are intelligent, and the Great Zhao is a country governed by law. You will be able to get away unscathed."

This made Song Youan even more confused.

Seeing her bewildered expression, Li Chuyou straightened her expression and continued, "What I want to tell you is to stay away from the troubles of high-ranking families. A capable person like you, even though you are a woman, has great value to some people. If you are targeted by powerful and influential people, it will be difficult for a mere merchant like you to stand up to them."

Song Youan was startled: "This... I am just a businesswoman."

“This is where you are most useful, young lady.” Li Chuyou paused before continuing, “As far as I know, you have been frequently visiting the Marquis of Fuyang’s residence these days?”

“Yes, I often associate with Miss Zhu Er.” As she spoke, Song You’an frowned: “Are you saying that Miss Zhu Er will use me?”

As soon as she said this, she shook her head, not even believing it herself: "No, she is extremely sincere to me and considers me a friend."

Seeing how nervous she was, Li Chuyou quickly reassured her, "You've misunderstood. I've told you before that although Miss Zhu is a bit willful and capricious, she's not a bad person. The fact that she's close to you means she must have some genuine feelings for you."

"What I'm saying is that today there is Miss Zhu, and tomorrow there will be other young ladies and wives. As long as you are selling something new and rare, these people will eventually be unable to resist showing you their goodwill, getting close to you, and becoming your friends."

"Over time, you will become a regular visitor to all the noble residences in this capital, Miss Song. Do you know what that means?"

Song You'an's mind raced, and she seemed to have caught on to something.

"This humble woman... seems to understand some of the details," Song Youan murmured.

Li Chuyou smiled with satisfaction: "When a person can freely enter and leave all the noble residences in the capital at any time, that person's value is unparalleled. I don't want to force these conspiracy theories into your head, but you can't be too careful. If you are ever caught in the vortex, you won't be able to get out."

Despite the July heat, Song You'an broke out in a cold sweat. She had read countless historical romance novels, but could the ruthless power struggles and intrigues among the rich and powerful really happen in the capital, and even involve her?

She just wanted to make money.

Even making money isn't her goal now; her goal is to unlock the system's hidden achievements.

"Miss Song, let's leave these words in this room for today." Li Chuyou slowly stood up, looked at her gently, and said, "May everything be well for you in the future."

After leaving the Duke of Su's mansion, Song You'an carried the box and walked back with heavy steps, her mind filled with Li Chuyou's words.

No one would say these things to another person for no reason, and besides, she understood; she understood Li Chuyou's implication.

Although the words did not specifically refer to any particular city, it meant that Kyoto was full of turmoil, and if one were to be careless, one might really be drawn into it.

Everything seems calm now, but who knows when the storm will come?
As Song Youan walked into the alleyway with a thoughtful expression, she was blocked by two dark figures that suddenly appeared. She was not paying attention and almost bumped into them.

The two men stood in front of Song You'an, clearly there for her.

"who are you?"

Song Youan took two steps back without making a sound, staring at the two of them warily.

The two men were both burly and wore ordinary linen clothes. Song You'an didn't remember ever seeing them before.

Her mind was already racing. If she sensed something was wrong, should she turn around and run? She was less than fifty meters from the steamed bun stall at the alley entrance. Could she outrun it?

Holding the jewelry box in her hands, she knew she couldn't outrun these two men. Should she throw it away? She was a little reluctant…

Just as she was pondering this, one of them spoke up: "Miss, our manager wants to see you. Please come with us."

Trouble?

They're quite polite, so it seems they're not after money.

Song Youan breathed a slight sigh of relief and asked, feigning composure, "The shopkeeper? And you are...?"

“You’ll find out when you get there,” the other person said.

Song Youan thought for a moment and said, "I'm tired today. If you're willing to leave your shop name, I can visit you in person another day. If not, then forget it."

Seeing that the other party was a law-abiding citizen, Song Youan made her stance clear and then tried to walk past the two of them to leave.

Without saying a word, the two moved one step in the same direction, blocking her path again.

"Please don't make things difficult for us, young lady. The shopkeeper said we absolutely must take you back." The man spoke expressionlessly, like an intelligent machine carrying out a mission.

Song You'an frowned, her face showing displeasure: "What if I don't go? Will you forcibly take me there?"

The man chuckled and said, "That's not the case, but since you can't walk all the way home, we'll just stand here and wait for your consent."