Chapter 21

"That's... "

Since he had started calling Jian Weixue "Uncle," Jian Yanzhao requested that he call him "Grandfather," and so Lian began to call him "Grandfather Jian."

Jian Weiyun, who rarely found himself in a situation where he had to explain something, continued in a somewhat embarrassed and perplexed manner.

"My older brother couldn't come to the Danmu family, and he thought that if I came alone, there would be misunderstandings, so Father... the head of the merchant guild, ordered me not to come."

Lian realized what kind of misunderstanding it was.

Jian Yanzhao seemed to be concerned that Jian Weiyun might be mistaken for the successor.

"But as a member of the merchant guild, how could I not visit the family with whom we will do business? So, I came here, even though it's a bit embarrassing."

"Is your older brother Wei Zheng? Why couldn't he come?"

"..."

"..."

Jian Weiyun only moved his lips. Lian, recalling the well-known character of Jian Weizheng, said,

"Drinking? Gambling?"

The servant jumped up again. Jian Weiyun lowered her eyes even more.

"I am ashamed."

So, the eldest brother couldn't come because of his drinking, and to be fair, the second brother was also told not to come. But he couldn't really stay away, so he came in the guise of a servant.

'I thought he was a bit cold...'

He was a successful figure who, after failing to inherit the Man Song Merchant Guild, started his own guild and succeeded. His cold and decisive nature was known even to a three-year-old in Zhejiang Province.

'I didn't expect him to be so passionate that he would dress up and sneak here.'

Well, with this level of passion, he must have succeeded in starting his own guild from scratch.

"Our family... How does it look, Aunt Weiyun?"

"Me?"

Jian Weiyun was startled by the sudden "aunt" address.

"Since Grandfather Jian asked you to call Wei Xue 'Uncle,' you can call me 'Aunt Weiyun,' right?"

"Um... Yes."

"So, speak more freely."

"Um... Okay."

From the wide-eyed look on the servant's face, it seemed that Jian Weiyun's flustered appearance was quite rare.

Jian Weiyun took a deep breath and continued.

"The family... has a simple and unpretentious charm."

She couldn't say that the family looked old and shabby to a child...

Seeing this, Lian raised her eyebrows. A starlight sparkled in her eyes.

"Still, it looks a bit too unpretentious, doesn't it?"

"Um? That's true..."

"Miss!"

The servant, standing behind, was startled and grabbed Jian Weiyun's collar. Jian Weiyun cleared her throat and denied it.

"No, no. That's not the case."

"Still, if you renovate the house and gather more martial artists, it would be better, right?"

"That's true. Honestly, it is a bit..."

"Ugh!"

The servant bit her lip and called out to Jian Weiyun, almost in tears.

Lian closed her eyes and smiled.

"So, this time, I'm trying to sell Qinglian Water to make some money. Have you heard about it?"

"I have. It seems that the house can be decorated quickly."

A glint of greed appeared in Jian Weiyun's eyes. To her, Qinglian Water seemed to be a promising product, and the desire to manage it and increase its profits was evident in her eyes.

Lian smiled innocently and said,

"So, when we become rich, I'll take my family to eat the best food."

"That's a good plan."

"Yes! And I especially want to buy new clothes for Lian."

"Um? Um..."

Suddenly starting to talk about a child she didn't know, Jian Weiyun couldn't interrupt and just nodded in agreement.

"Only for that child?"

"Yes! Actually, Lian is incredibly smart and can do everything on his own."

"I see."

"Yes! He's really smart. So, every time I can't take care of him properly, Lian always takes care of me and my sister."

"Is that so? What a good child."

"Thinking about it, I feel guilty. So, I want to buy new clothes for Lian."

As she nodded absentmindedly, Jian Weiyun's movement suddenly stopped.

Looking up at her with wide eyes, Jian Weiyun saw Lian close her eyes and smile, saying that she had to go teach her younger siblings to write, and she left the place without even saying goodbye.

* * *

"Is Lian eight years old?"

"Yes. He got up from his sickbed last autumn, so he is eight this year. He will turn nine next February."

In the carriage, Jian Yanzhao massaged his brow as he listened to his confidant.

He was recalling what his third son, Wei Xue, who was frighteningly smart, was like at that age.

─ And the Qinglian Water I can make myself is less effective, but it can be made more simply and cheaply. Can it be sold to the medical shops in batches?

The same product, different grades, different prices. The more expensive one would look more valuable, and the cheaper one would be more accessible. What could be a better strategy?

It was astonishing that this young child had thought of it herself.

Even if she had received advice from someone, it was still impressive that she had someone who could give her such serious advice.

"The head of the guild is blessed in his old age..."

Although he had hoped to soar together with his friend, while Dantumu Qianqi paid the price for saving the martial world alone, his eldest son died young, and his eldest grandson was a corpse. Jian Yanzhao's heart was not at ease watching this.

That's why he rushed over when he saw the strange Qinglian Water.

If the Danmu family had the resources to create new products, it meant they were preparing to rise again, and he wanted to lend a hand.

"...But is Wei Xue doing well in his studies?"

The confidant hesitated to answer. Jian Yanzhao frowned.

The youngest son was studying at Huizhou's Bamboo Forest Academy, a famous academy that produced many successful candidates and was attended by many children of merchants. However, there was not a single commendable story about the youngest son, leaving the confidant speechless.

"Still, sir, they say that the young master is the most Huizhou-like among the Huizhou..."

"That means he goes to the tavern every day!"

People often said that Huizhou merchants were known for their lack of frugality in official hats and drinking and entertainment.

It meant that they never missed an opportunity to obtain official positions or to enjoy themselves in taverns.

Since Jian Yanzhao was paying for the Bamboo Forest Academy, if Jian Weixue wanted to be a true Huizhou merchant...

Jian Yanzhao sighed deeply and rubbed his temples with the Qinglian Water he took from his sleeve.

A cool sensation spread like a clear mist, and soon his headache disappeared, making his mind as clear as when he was twenty. It was truly an amazing product.

"Lian gave me a new bottle, so I should send it to Wei Xue and tell him that his nephew wishes him success in the imperial exams."

What is success in the imperial exams? I just hope he passes the provincial exams, even if it's at the bottom...

"The eldest son?"

"He got up in the afternoon, took his medicine, and went out to check the shops."

Although it was a matter of the main house, which was quite far away, the report had already come in. Jian Yanzhao clicked his tongue.

"If he was drunk, he should at least pretend to be sick..."

He knew that the eldest son's drinking buddies were not decent people, but since Jian Weizheng, though not particularly capable, had not made any major mistakes, he couldn't just get rid of him. Jian Weizheng's reputation also mattered.

He could only wait for him to get rid of such friends and take his merchant guild duties more seriously.

Jian Yanzhao's sigh quietly dissipated.

* * *

"Ah, Miss. Why are you back so early...?"

"Where is my older brother?"

"He went out to the market to check the shops... to see if they are doing well..."

"Hmph, probably to gamble."

Jian Weiyun snorted, then her expression hardened. The servant beside her held her breath.

Jian Weiyun remained silent for a long time, then rubbed her brow and turned to the servant.

She was a loyal and dedicated servant who had been by her side since she was young.

"Send for a doctor and have him prepare a hangover remedy in advance."

"Me? Hangover...? Ah, I understand."

"And..."

Jian Weiyun sighed deeply and quietly looked around.

Knowing how much her father valued the Danmu family, she had learned some basic martial arts, which allowed her to sense the presence of people around her.

When she saw a servant lurking nearby move away, she quickly said,

"I need to send a letter to ask Yin Sujiang to send some people."

"Me?"

The servant's eyes widened. Yin Sujiang was the deputy leader of the third division of the Black Heaven Alliance.

"What do you need the people for...?"

"I need to get rid of the group of people who are clinging to my older brother. I need people who can discipline them and keep their mouths shut. I can't find such people in Zhejiang Province..."

"No... You mean the eldest young master's friends...?"

"Yes. Go quickly!"

"Ah, yes, yes!"

When Jian Weiyun's eyes blazed, the servant, as if hit on the buttocks, rushed out in a panic.