Divorced by her husband's family and rejected by her own! She defiantly turned her life around

Seeing everyone's happy faces, Liu Siyue suggested, "You all did a great job today, so I'll treat you all to a nice meal at a restaurant."

"Hurry up and tidy up the shop, then we'll go."

Wang Zhilan quickly chimed in, "Okay, okay, let's go to a restaurant to celebrate, but it has to be on me."

I was planning to celebrate after the three-day event, but since my sister wants to go today, let's go today.

"Actually, I was thinking of celebrating after the three-day event, but I'm going back tomorrow, so we're celebrating early today."

"Why did my sister leave in such a hurry? Did something happen at home?"

"There are a lot of things to do at home, and my daughter is at home too."

With my older sister looking after things here, I feel very reassured. For the next two days, just follow today's activities exactly; there won't be any problems.

"Is my sister worried about my niece? Then she really needs to go back. I'll leave things here to you, and I'll make sure you handle everything perfectly."

I was hoping to discuss other things with you in more detail, but it seems we'll have to wait until next time.

"What do you want to talk about, sister? After dinner, isn't an afternoon enough? Isn't an evening enough?"

We'll need to find a separate time to discuss this.

"Alright, I'll tell you more this afternoon. Actually, I can tell you now about the pastry shops in the prefectural city."

I'm thinking of taking the Smiling Face Cake to the prefectural city to sell. What do you think?

"It's feasible. The Smiling Face Cake uses a special processing method, so it definitely won't spoil. The only problem is transportation. How are we going to get it to the prefectural city? Have you thought about it yet?"

I can't leave Lingshui County; I need a travel permit to go to the prefectural city.

"Little sister, you don't need to worry about the transportation. You just need to prepare the goods."

"How much stock are you planning to take the first time? I need to go back and prepare!"

"Would 3000 jin be enough?"

"3000 jin! Isn't that a bit too much?"

"Is it because my sister can't make it?"

"No, no, I'm worried that if my sister brings so many over, they might not sell well."

"You don't need to worry about that. I even think 3000 jin is too little. The population of the prefecture is large, and at the rate of sales in the county, it won't last more than a few days."

Liu Siyue thought for a moment and realized that there were still 1000 jin of meat at home. If she worked for two more hours each day, she could finish it in six days.

"Sister Wang, I've done the calculations. You can send someone to Liujia Village to pick up the goods in 6 days. Let Qingwu take you there; she knows the place."

Sister, Xu San is a promising talent for business. It's a real waste to keep him cooped up in the Xu family mansion. You have such good people to employ.

Just like the county seat, you can send Xu San there to copy what he did.

"Okay, I understand."

Sister, the Lunar New Year is just two months away. Could you make some auspicious pastries that are suitable as gifts for the New Year?

This is a collaboration between the two of us. The profits are split 40/60. You're responsible for providing the formula, and I'll handle the rest.

"Okay, I'll go back and work with my family to see if we can make some innovative pastries."

Sister, after the three-day event, give some rewards to the people who worked hard in the store. That way, everyone will be even more motivated.

"Yes, I'll listen to my sister. I hope she can give me more guidance on business matters in the future."

I was spoiled by my father and brothers since I was a child, so I have no concept of money and no business acumen.

The people in my shops are all people who came with my parents as part of their dowry. Their loyalty goes without saying. If it weren't for them helping me manage the shops, I'm afraid my shops would have closed down long ago.

After marrying into the Xu family, my parents-in-law were not around, and with my husband's doting care, I didn't have to worry about anything. Everyone else did everything for me. All I had to do was be a beautiful Mrs. Xu.

Actually, this kind of life was so dull and uninteresting that my husband got tired of me and kept bringing concubines into the household. I realized that I was utterly useless; I couldn't even compete with a concubine.

Liu Siyue laughed and said, "Hmm, I can tell that you've been spoiled rotten by Master Xu."

It doesn't matter if you ruin your life, from now on, the loser will rise up!

"Spend more time in the shop every day, learn more, and with your intelligence, I believe it won't be long before you have everything under control."

"Okay, I will definitely study hard."

I regret it now. When I was a child, my family hired a tutor to teach me, but I only studied sporadically and wasted so much time.

"Yes, let's join forces, sisters, and expand our business."

The two talked for a while before Daqing came in. "Miss, Madam Liu, the shop is all ready."

Wang Zhilan stood up. "Alright, close the shop. Today I'll take you to the best restaurant in the county, 'Shili Xiang,' for a good meal."

As soon as Liu Siyue and Wang Zhilan came out of the shop, they saw a carriage parked not far away, with a person standing there, who was walking towards them with a smile.

Upon closer inspection, she recognized Liu Mama, the maidservant who served Madam Ling.

"Madam Liu, it's been a long time. Madam heard you've come to the county town and specially sent this old servant to fetch you to our residence for a chat."

"Granny Liu, it's been a long time."

I still have some things to take care of, so I can't go with you to see Madam Su right away. Please trouble you to go back and tell Madam Su that I will visit her personally this afternoon.

"Alright, then this old servant will head back now. You absolutely must come, Madam Liu!"

"Don't worry, Granny, I will definitely go."

After Granny Liu left, Wang Zhilan looked at her with some surprise, "Sister, are you acquainted with the magistrate's wife?"

"We're not particularly close, we've only met twice."

"My sister really has a wide circle of friends; I admire her."

"Having more friends means having more options. At home, you rely on your parents; when you're away from home, you have to rely on your friends."

However, you have to be selective about who you befriend; you can't just befriend anyone.

Why did my sister agree to befriend me?

Liu Siyue smiled slightly, "Should I tell the truth?"

Why is Sister Liu laughing?

"I'm wondering if I should tell my sister the truth. What if she gets angry if I do?"

"You think I won't get angry?"

"Because you're stupid!"

I initially befriended my sister simply because I thought she was fun and interesting, without any ulterior motives, and spoke very frankly, which suited my taste. Besides, we were neighbors.

I would summarize my sister's state at the time in three words: "naive, innocent, and sweet."

What does "naive and innocent" mean?

Liu Yue thought for a moment, wondering how to explain it to him. "'Foolish' means simple-minded and naive;"

"White" means pure and simple;

"Sweet" means sweet and cute.

Although my sister is older than me, she still has a simple and innocent heart, a carefree and naive nature, without many ulterior motives. Her sincerity makes her very endearing.

Wang Zhilan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Sister Liu, are you praising me or mocking me?"

"That depends on what you think, sister."

"I'm so sad. It turns out that I'm seen as a naive and innocent girl by others. I'm sure all the concubines in the mansion see me that way too."

"Sister, you don't need to be sad. At least you're happy this way."

Unlike some people who are more cunning than a sieve, always scheming about this or that, their faces are getting more and more wrinkled every day. Don't you think they get tired?

Look at Sister Wang, radiant and glowing, a true beauty of sixteen or seventeen.

"Am I really that good-looking?"

"Of course, as long as you stop being a resentful housewife and stay as beautiful as you are today, you will always be a lovely young woman of sixteen."

They both laughed at the same time, "Oh dear, let's hurry up and go, or the restaurant will be full of private rooms."