Dad, don't be greedy! My brother climbed into the emperor's bed, and I became famous overn

The horse-drawn carriage caravan entered the Peach Blossom Spring region.

Gu Mingyue lifted the carriage curtain, and then froze.

The banks of the Suhuai River are brightly lit, just like daytime.

When she left three months ago, this was just an empty street that was being paved with bluestone slabs.

Two rows of newly built wooden buildings were painted with tung oil, and peach saplings were to be planted along the riverbank—that was all.

At that time, Wen Yanzhi was still worried about how to lead the entire street to profitability in this poor and remote area.

Gu Mingyue certainly didn't want this place to make money.

What she wants is "a huge amount of money!"

I remember the day I returned to Kyoto, Wen Yanzhi stood by the river, pointing with a worried expression to the desolate area on the opposite bank, and said:

"Boss, there's not even a road over there. Let's get the east bank up and running first."

Gu Mingyue casually replied, "It's alright, there's plenty of money. You just need to worry about managing the people and getting the neighborhood running smoothly."

And now...

The wooden buildings along both banks of the river were all lit up.

Lanterns of various shapes and sizes hang under the eaves, palace lanterns are suspended in the corridors, and revolving lanterns turn at the bridgehead.

The warm yellow light reflected on the river surface, making it sparkle like a river of shattered gold.

More than a dozen painted boats were moored on the river, adorned with colorful silks and lanterns, and the faint sounds of string and wind instruments could be heard.

A painted boat was slowly passing under the bridge arch, and a woman holding a pipa sat at the bow. Her melodious music attracted the attention of pedestrians on the bridge.

The shops along the riverbank were lined up one after another, selling sugar paintings, dough figurines, calligraphy and paintings, and sachets.

The crowds were dense and shoulder to shoulder.

The air was filled with the sweet aroma of osmanthus cake, the smoky fragrance of roasted meat, the coolness of the river water, and the lingering scent of perfume from afar.

Gu Mingyue twisted her handkerchief, feeling flustered.

She originally planned for 120 shops.

Now even the west bank of the river has been developed, with an estimated 300 houses.

Every room was lit up, and there was a person standing at the door of every room.

How can this be considered a remote and impoverished area?

This is clearly a city that never sleeps!

With three hundred shops, based on the rent standards she initially set, the monthly rental income alone would be an astronomical figure.

Peach Blossom Spring... it probably won't make money anymore!

Xiao Ye alighted from the carriage, stood at the bridgehead, and slowly scanned the entire street with his gaze.

He was surrounded by more than thirty people.

The night breeze blew across the river, carrying moisture and the fragrance of flowers.

People come and go on the street, passing by them.

No one recognized the emperor among this group.

Because in the past two months, too many distinguished guests have come to visit their paradise.

People are used to it.

The old man selling candied hawthorns had a loud voice, and his shouts echoed from one end of the street to the other.

Children chased and played across the bridge, their laughter ringing out like bells.

A young couple walked along the riverbank, chatting and laughing.

The woman held a rabbit lantern in her hand, the light casting a soft glow on her face.

The man turned his head to look at her, his eyes full of smiles.

Everyone had a smile on their face.

Happiness, contentment.

Xiao Ye's gaze lingered on the young couple for a moment.

He couldn't see this peaceful and prosperous scene in the capital.

The people of the capital would avoid the sight of an official's sedan chair and bow their heads when they saw the imperial guards patrolling the city.

The people here laughed without any guard up.

Xiao Jue stood beside the emperor, fanning himself with a folding fan, his tone unusually sincere in his admiration.

"Three months ago, this place was still a wasteland. I heard that those smiling people were all hired by the Gu family's daughter to put on a show."

After he finished speaking, he laughed first and tapped his folding fan twice in his palm.

"However, this kind of lively atmosphere right now can't be bought with money."

Xiao Ye carefully observed the vendors and tourists around him.

An older woman selling wontons was bending over to serve soup to a customer, muttering, "Eat slowly, don't burn yourself."

An old man with a stall next to them was teasing a snotty-nosed child, taking a red date out of his pocket and stuffing it into the child's mouth.

The child took the date and said in a childish voice, "Thank you, Grandpa." The old man was so happy that his beard stood on end.

Xiao Ye said, "It doesn't look like a fake smile; it's a genuine expression of a healthy and prosperous life."

"Nothing like this has ever been seen in the entire Dayong Dynasty."

He turned around.

His gaze fell on the Gu siblings, who were huddled together outside the crowd, chattering away.

Gu Mingyue was tugging at her brother's sleeve, looking unhappy.

Gu Mingli, however, was very patient and kept coaxing him.

Gu Mingyue sniffed, her voice muffled.

"Brother, I feel like I'm going to make money again. I haven't spent my 210,000 taels yet."

Gu Mingli gently patted his sister's shoulder.

"It's alright, paving roads is very expensive. If all else fails, we can just throw that 210,000 taels of silver into road construction."

Gu Mingyue looked up at her brother, "This is just the beginning. If we make a profit every month..."

Gu Mingli laughed and said, "Who told my sister to be such a lucky investor! She's got natural wealth!"

Gu Mingyue felt a warm feeling in her heart.

We'll have to find other ways to spend the money.

Gu Mingli gestured towards Xiao Ye with his lip.

"Huang Jiaojiao is still waiting; don't let them discover our original purpose."

Gu Mingyue nodded and obediently shut up.

The group strolled slowly through the neighborhood.

Xiao Jue walked unhurriedly to Gu Mingyue's side, closed his folding fan, and pointed to the magnificent three-story building in front of him.

"Master Gu, what's that?"

Gu Mingyue looked in the direction he pointed.

A large plaque with gold lettering hangs above the main entrance, bearing several bold, flowing characters.

"Xianggelila Inn".

Gu Mingyue paused for a moment.

"Ah...this..."

No way!!

She casually mentioned it to Wen Yanzhi at the time.

They said they wanted to build a high-end inn, luxurious and extravagant, with service standards so high that guests would be outraged.

You could consider names like "Shangri-La," which evoke a sense of atmosphere.

As a result, Wen Yanzhi actually used this name directly.

Gu Mingyue's temple throbbed.

Wen Yanzhi, are you serious?

Xiao Jue looked at the plaque and thoughtfully read it aloud:

"Shangri-La...that's quite unique. What's the story behind it?"

Gu Mingyue: "..."

She didn't know the story behind it.

Gu Mingli immediately replied, his expression unchanged:

"Your Highness, it is derived from the ancient texts, which say, 'Fragrant breezes travel far and wide, investigate things to gain knowledge, live in harmony with others, and bring guests and friends closer together.'"

Xiao Jue raised an eyebrow: "Which ancient book?"

Gu Mingli: "It's been lost."

Xiao Jue: "..."

Gu Mingyue almost burst out laughing from behind, but quickly covered her mouth with her fist.

Xiao Jue cupped his hands in greeting to his elder brother, saying, "Brother, this inn looks quite grand. Shall we go take a look?"

Xiao Ye was also very satisfied with the appearance of the inn.

It met his requirement of being "clean".

The steps at the entrance were swept spotless, the two copper palace lanterns were polished to a shine, and even the copper nails on the threshold gleamed.

Gu Mingyue and her brother exchanged a glance and sighed.

Since it's already like this, let's just accept it.

Gu Mingyue offered, "Second Master, this place is also my business, so I will cover your accommodation expenses."

Xiao Ye nodded, "Then let's go see what's special about the Gu family's inn."