Union

Chapter 140, 139 Refusal
Yunying finally agreed to go to the capital with the Second Master. But they couldn't leave today; it would be tomorrow.

As for the reason—Yun Ying is now also burdened with heavy responsibilities. She is also responsible for the livelihood of many people. How could she just abandon her duties and leave without saying a word?

After a year, Yunying's loom was finally assembled, and after several attempts, she successfully wove the coarse cloth and cotton cloth that Yunying wanted.

Because raw materials are readily available and labor is cheap, Yunying keeps the prices of coarse cloth and cotton cloth very low.

Since the people generally had income, everyone had some copper coins and silver coins in their pockets that year, and they were willing to buy clothes. As a result, Yunying's cloth shop became very successful as soon as it opened.

She not only retails, but also wholesales the entire stock.

In addition, the fabrics here have novel patterns and are densely woven and durable, so Yunying now has a lot of loyal customers.

Even some merchants from as far away as the prefectural city come to her to purchase goods.

The small fabric shop started with only a dozen or twenty people, but now it has grown to a couple hundred. With more people and more goods being produced, Yunying has inevitably made a lot of money.

It can be said that Yunying made a considerable amount of money from the cloth shop.

Of course, although this sum of silver was over a thousand taels, which was quite a large amount in Yungui County, it paled in comparison to Yunying's other business of weaving gold and colored porcelain.

Yes, Yunying's brocade porcelain was also fired.

The master craftsman who made the porcelain was recruited by the Second Master, while the patterns and designs on it were drawn by the exiled officials and their families.

Putting aside the exquisite skills of the master craftsmen, the exiled officials, having endured countless hardships on their long journey to Yungui County, were forced to perform hard labor every day upon arrival. They truly contemplated suicide the moment they opened their eyes each day.

At this time, the government came to their door, saying that they should paint on porcelain and that the monthly salary they earned would be used to make up for the labor they had missed... Not to mention, as long as they were not made to do hard labor, they would not complain even if they were not given a single penny of their monthly salary, let alone just a portion of it.

These officials and their families had long since lost their will to live. At this point, as long as they could save their lives, who cared what kind of lowly profession they were engaged in? As long as they had food and drink, warm clothes, and shelter, they were content.

It was under these circumstances that Yunying effortlessly assembled a group of painters and calligraphers.

With the addition of these people, the richly composed, intricately patterned, and brightly colored brocade porcelain was finally born.

However, after entering the market, marketing and brand recognition are still needed to gain a foothold and generate substantial profits.

The Second Master was handling these matters, so Yunying didn't have to worry about them too much.

All she knew was that the Second Master had taken the brocade porcelain to Prefect Zhang's place, and also sent some brocade porcelain to his close fellow apprentices and Grand Secretary Tong; later, he also sent brocade porcelain to some of his close friends in the capital for weddings or birthday celebrations of their elders.

As a result, in just six months, the woven gold porcelain of Yungui County became famous.

How big is it?

Even in the palace, there were pieces of brocade and painted porcelain.

The brocade porcelain business was a partnership between Yunying and the county government, but it was always managed by Yunying.

She also managed the cloth shop's business.

With several hundred people under her command, she was quite a figure, not too big or too small. How could she just abandon everything and leave without even saying goodbye?
Yunying wanted to settle her business first, and Second Master understood, so he decided to stay in the county for another day.

Let's not even talk about how interesting the expressions on Liu Songyun and Lou Yongchun's faces were after they learned that the Second Master had returned.

Yunying instructed Sui'er and Liu'er to quickly pack her luggage, and at the same time, she had someone summon the stewards from both sides.

The manager of the cloth shop was handpicked by Yunying and was utterly loyal to her. Whatever Yunying said went, and the manager never objected.

The person in charge of the painted porcelain, however, was a seasoned veteran.

This man used to be a government servant, but unfortunately he was too lazy and cunning, so he was dismissed by the Second Master.

Second Master knew that this person was quick-witted and that Yunying was short-handed, so he sent him to her.

When Yunying saw the man, she thought, "Wow, isn't this a natural marketing genius?"

This constable spoke to people in a human language and to ghosts in a ghost language. He had his own way of getting close to people and chatting casually. When Yunying asked him to sell colored porcelain, he was always successful.

As a result, this person became increasingly valued by Yunying, and last month he was promoted to steward by Yunying.

Although he was in charge, this man was still incredibly slippery.

Before, with her and the Second Master keeping things in check, he was alright except for his sharp tongue. The only fear is that once she and the Second Master leave, he'll feel like he's no longer under their control and start causing trouble again.

Yunying only thought these words in her heart and did not say them aloud.

However, seeing the steward patting his chest and making assurances about her entrustment in front of her, while his eyes darted around, Yunying became increasingly uneasy.

Yunying later went to find the Second Master and asked him to find two people to secretly keep an eye on Xu Shanyou.

The second master immediately understood what it meant and readily agreed.

After finishing this matter, Yunying stood beside the Second Master and refused to leave.

Second Master raised an eyebrow and asked her, "Is there anything else? Just say it."

Yunying mumbled, "I want to go find Qiuning."

The Second Master looked at Yun Ying meaningfully. "Looking for Qiu Ning is a pretense. You really want to ask Qiu Ning if she wants to return to the capital, right?"

The second master tapped her forehead, "Always so thoughtful."

Yunying chuckled softly and nuzzled her fingers in a flattering manner, "I know the two of us are a bit of a hassle, but since you've brought me along, you wouldn't mind bringing her along as well, would you?"

"I still mind."

Yunying tugged at the Second Master's sleeve and shook it, making the Second Master's heart flutter and his soul almost fly away.

"Please agree, it'll be like letting Qiu Ning keep me company. Don't worry about Qiu Ning not knowing how to ride a horse, she does. Is that alright, Second Master? Let Qiu Ning come back to the capital with us."

Unable to resist Yunying's shaking, Second Master could only grit his teeth and spit out, "Fine." Yunying immediately let go of Second Master's arm, smiled, and ran out to find Qiu Ning.

Watching her retreating figure, and feeling the gradual cooling of his hands, the second master couldn't help but mutter, "Little ingrate."

Yunying went to the dried goods store, thinking she would see Qiuning soon. However, she had already drunk a cup of tea when Qiuning hurriedly entered the room.

Yunying asked her, "What are you busy with?"

The Qiu Ning of today is not the same Qiu Ning of before. The Qiu Ning of the past was timid, jealous, petty, and domineering. The Qiu Ning of today is still domineering, but she no longer has the flaws such as being jealous.

She is now straightforward, generous, feisty, and capable, and is a well-known femme fatale in this county.

The "poison" here mainly refers to the poison in one's mouth.

Qiu Ning is truly outspoken. She had previously berated several merchants who were ruthlessly driving down prices, leaving two grown men red-faced and practically fleeing Yun Gui County.

She was also particularly outspoken and daring; whenever she saw injustice, she would always say a few words to uphold justice for the poor.

Under her assertive and assertive leadership, the dry goods workshop not only saw its work efficiency soar, but even the men and women working there developed exceptionally sound values. They always showed compassion to the poor, but if they encountered those who were unreasonable and argumentative, well, sorry, she was even more unreasonable than them.

Such a steward as Qiu is now a figure who commands respect.

She walks briskly, so busy every day that she doesn't even have time to talk to Yunying.

Upon seeing Yunying waiting in the house, Qiu Ning first picked up the teapot and poured the tea directly into her mouth.

The warm tea dripped from the corner of her mouth down to her chin, but Qiu Ning didn't mind. She simply wiped it with a handkerchief and plopped down on the stool, saying, "I'm so tired."

Yunying sighed and said, "Every time I see you, the first thing you say is this."

Qiu Ning frowned, looking even more aggrieved than Yun Ying. "Is this my fault? You should blame Second Master. You have no idea, ever since Second Master had notices posted all around, saying what kind of things the dried goods store accepts, well, this dried goods store has been bustling with activity day and night. Cicadas, snake molts, scorpions, centipedes, stink bugs—live or dead, whatever the people catch, they send over here. Just dealing with these live creatures every day is exhausting, and on top of that, I also have to manage inventory and shipping. I'm in charge of a huge dried goods store with over a hundred people. Do you think this is an easy job?"

Seeing Qiu Ning's furrowed brows and wide eyes, Yun Ying quickly raised her hands in surrender. "It's all Second Master's fault, he's really put you in a terrible situation. You've had it so tough. How about this, I'll talk to Second Master and get you transferred to help me make colored porcelain..."

"Yun Ying, don't give me any bad advice. I'm doing just fine in this dried goods shop. Don't even think about transferring me out."

Yunying spread her hands and laughed, "See? Every time I come here you complain about being tired, and every time I want to transfer you to another place, you absolutely refuse. Tell me, what exactly do you want?"

Qiu Ning coughed lightly, "I didn't mean to do anything. I just wanted to show you that I'm quite capable. I'm now in charge of management, Qiu."

"How could I not know? You're quite capable now. Madam Qi even came to me before, saying that Manager Qiu is decisive and keeps his word. She previously said that the dried goods shop only deals in low- to mid-range dried goods and has never touched high-end seafood. Madam Qi admires you, saying that you, a young girl, are more capable than the men in their family, and that you'll definitely be someone important in the future."

Yunying's flattery finally calmed Qiu Ning down. Qiu Ning stopped complaining of being tired, picked up the teacup Yunying handed her, sipped the tea, and chuckled to herself.

After laughing enough and feeling refreshed, Qiu Ning finally remembered to ask Yun Ying, "Why did you come to see me at this time? It's almost the New Year, and didn't your porcelain workshop just get a big order to send porcelain to Jiangnan? Instead of keeping an eye on it, what are you doing here?"

"I'm planning to go back to the capital with Second Master, and I'd like to see if you want to go back too."

Yunying's casual words stunned Qiu Ning.

She seemed not to understand what Yunying had said and sat there motionless for a while. When she finally came to her senses and realized what Yunying meant, Qiu Ning's expression immediately turned sour.

Her cheeks seemed to twitch a few times, and her eyes rolled around very frequently. She held the teacup in both hands and moved her feet restlessly.

Yunying remained silent, waiting quietly for Qiuning's reply.

After a long pause, Qiu Ning finally spoke, "You're not lying to me, are you? You're really taking me back to the capital? Did Second Master agree? This is such a big deal..."

"Second Master agreed. I wouldn't have dared to come to you without his approval. Now it's up to you. If you also want to return to the capital, pack your things quickly, and we'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."

Qiu Ning suddenly stood up from her seat, all her previous confidence and high spirits gone, replaced by a look of apprehension and hesitation. She paced around the room twice before finally slowing down.

Yunying didn't quite understand Qiuning's feelings.

Hasn't she always wanted to return to Beijing? Now that she has the opportunity, why is she hesitant?
Was he worried that life back in the capital wouldn't be as pleasant as it was in Yun Gui County? Or was he worried that he wouldn't be able to retrieve his indenture in the capital and would be controlled by the Second Madam, returning to his previous miserable existence? Or perhaps he felt that the north was covered in ice and snow, making it an unsuitable time to return?

Yunying thought about many things, but she didn't ask any of them aloud. She quietly looked at Qiuning; this was a major life event for her, and it was a decision she should make herself.

Qiu Ning spun around twice more, then suddenly stopped in front of Yun Ying.

"Yun Ying".

"Hmm, have you figured it out?"

Qiu Ning said, "I've thought it through, Yun Ying. You and Second Master should go back to the capital. I won't go back."

Yunying raised an eyebrow.

Although she had expected it, she was still quite shocked that Qiu Ning would actually give up the prosperity of the capital and decide to stay in Yun Gui County.

Yunying said, "Have you thought it through? If you go back with me, Second Master will definitely be able to settle you down this time. But if you don't go back with me, who knows when you'll be able to go to the capital again."

Qiu Ning made the decision, and felt relieved.

"Oh dear, I'd rather not go back to the capital. Yun Gui County is a bit poor, but I feel quite comfortable here. On the contrary, once I go back to the capital, I don't know what I could do with my abilities. I can't possibly go back to being someone's concubine, can I? That would be like me getting worse with age. Alright, I've made up my mind. I'll stay in Yun Gui County and rely on you and Second Master. When Second Master is transferred to the capital, you can go back with him, and then I'll go back to the capital with you. For now, I'll stay in Yun Gui County."

Yunying looked at Qiuning carefully, but Qiuning turned her head away, not letting her see her expression. "Oh dear, I'm telling you the truth, don't you believe me?"

Are you sure that's the truth?

"It's confirmed! It's confirmed!"

Yunying looked at Qiuning, who was looking out the door. Yunying followed her gaze and looked outside as well.

Whether it was her imagination or not, the coarse cloth curtain hanging on the back door of the dried goods store seemed to move slightly at that moment, and a figure dropped the curtain and entered the room.

But at the same time, another gust of wind blew by, which might have blown the curtains up.

Finally, Yunying bid farewell to Qiuning with heavy heart, and the next day, she embarked on her journey back to the capital with the Second Master.