The next day, after breakfast, Su Li left the estate with a few maids.
She first went to This Morning's Drunk, where Xu Mubai personally welcomed her into the account room.
"Young Miss, these are the accounts for the past two months. Please inspect them," Xu Mubai said, handing the ledger to Su Li.
Su Li quickly skimmed through the ledger and chuckled, "Mubai handles things, I'm at ease. We over-purchased provisions and still have quite a bit left. Prince Jing said the imperial court intends to convert them into silver for us. Mubai, do you think we should accept this silver?"
Xu Mubai thought for a moment and said, "Young Miss, those were our donations. Accepting this silver again might not be appropriate."
Su Li nodded. "I thought the same. The imperial court is weak, and I didn't intend to accept this silver. However, we can ask for something else."
Xu Mubai asked, puzzled, "Something else?"
"I plan to ask the Emperor to personally inscribe a plaque for our Su Family Store. This way, no one will be able to challenge the Su Family Store's status."
Tall trees catch wind. She could achieve what she had today, and others could too.
Don't underestimate a small plaque. If it's an imperial bestowal and personally inscribed by the Emperor, its weight is not small. This would be tantamount to declaring to the world that the Emperor is the Su Family Store's backer!
Xu Mubai's eyes lit up. "Young Miss, that's an excellent idea. Not accepting the silver means those people will have nothing to say, and we won't suffer any loss."
Su Li nodded. "If you think it's good too, then this matter is settled. We've finished talking about business. Do you have anything else to tell me?"
Xu Mubai glanced at Mo Hua, who was standing behind Su Li, then suddenly knelt and cupped his hands.
"Young Miss, Mubai and Miss Mo Hua are in love. Please grant us your blessing. Mubai promises he will not let Mo Hua suffer even the slightest grievance, and will be loyal to her alone for life, with no second thoughts!"
Mo Hua looked at him in surprise, then at Su Li, her eyes filled with both shock and joy, her face slightly flushed.
Su Li looked at Mo Hua and asked with a smile, "Mo Hua, what do you think?"
Zhi Shu nudged Mo Hua's elbow, more agitated than the parties involved.
"Mo Hua, quickly agree to him! Hurry!"
Si Qin also smiled and pushed her forward a step.
Xu Mubai looked at Mo Hua and said softly, "Mo Hua, are you willing?"
Mo Hua saw his sincere gaze, as warm and gentle as jade.
"But you are a wealthy young master, and I am merely a servant..."
Xu Mubai looked at her seriously and said, "What 'young master' and 'servant'? I, Xu Mubai, have long ceased to be a 'young master.' As long as Mo Hua, you don't disdain my being alone and without support."
Su Li also said, "You girl, how many times have I told you? You are not a servant. All of you are free. My maids deserve the best in the world. Just tell me if you have Mubai in your heart. You don't need to worry about anything else."
Mo Hua lowered her head and whispered, "But I don't want to leave Young Miss."
Xu Mubai anxiously said, "I'm not asking you to leave Young Miss. After we get married, you can still be by Young Miss's side during the day. Our courtyard is not far from the Minister's Estate."
Zhi Shu anxiously said, "Mo Hua, such a good Young Master Xu, what are you still hesitating about? Quickly agree!"
Oh dear, she's so anxious!
If she missed this opportunity, she would regret it for a long time. Young Master Xu was so good at earning money. If Mo Hua married him, she would live a life of luxury and become a young mistress.
What's more, Young Master Xu even said he would only have her in this life. With Young Miss as a witness, she had a strong backing!
Seeing everyone looking at her, Mo Hua, blushing, whispered, "Everything depends on Young Miss's decision."
Su Li smiled. "Alright, this young lady grants this marriage. Mubai, you may rise."
Xu Mubai rose, repeatedly thanking her happily, "Thank you, Young Miss!"
Su Li looked at Xu Mubai seriously and said, "Although I agree to entrust Mo Hua to you, I'll state my terms first. You are also my subordinate. If you ever wrong her in the future or make her sad, don't blame me, as her Young Miss, for being ruthless."
These three maids were like family to Su Li, like sisters.
Xu Mubai guaranteed repeatedly, "Young Miss, rest assured, Mubai will never fail Mo Hua! I will go to the Su Estate to propose marriage tomorrow."
Su Li nodded. These three maids had no relatives. The Su Estate was their maiden home.
Su Li nodded. "Today, when I return, I'll find someone to choose an auspicious date."
Mo Hua said, "Young Miss, this servant wishes to marry after Young Miss has married."
"Then let's pick an auspicious date first." Su Li chuckled.
Outside This Morning's Drunk, in the carriage, Si Qin chuckled, "Mo Hua, congratulations! You've waited through the clouds to see the moonlight."
Zhi Shu also chuckled, "Mo Hua, you're the youngest of us three. I didn't expect you to be the first to get engaged."
Mo Hua's eyes curved into a smile, sparkling. "Si Qin and Brother Xu Jin should be soon too."
"Why am I being talked about?"
Su Li smiled faintly. "How about, we use this opportunity to set you all up? Zhi Shu, who do you like?"
Zhi Shu paused. "I just like staying by Young Miss's side, and I like our Su Estate."
Su Li pinched her round little face and chuckled, "You, Si Qin and Mo Hua are settled. You should also put your heart into it."
Zhi Shu frowned. "Young Miss, if Sister Si Qin and Brother Xu Jin get married, then Sister Si Qin will definitely stay in the Su Estate. When Young Miss marries His Highness, how can there be so few people around you? I want to follow Young Miss to Prince Jing's Estate to take care of Young Miss."
Su Li chuckled, "That's easy then. We'll find one in Prince Jing's Estate. I think Mo Yun, Mo Yu, and Mo Yang are all good."
Zhi Shu glanced around, then leaned close to Su Li, mysteriously lowering her voice. "Young Miss, you don't know yet? Mo Yun and Mo Feng are a couple."
Su Li raised an eyebrow. "Really? How do you know?"
Mo Yun's voice came from outside the carriage. "Young Miss, don't listen to Zhi Shu's nonsense."
Zhi Shu was startled by the sudden voice, but immediately retorted, "How is this nonsense? Mo Yu told me!"
Mo Yun's voice disappeared. Su Li glanced at Zhi Shu. This girl so easily sold out Mo Yu.
"Are you and Mo Yu close?" Su Li asked.
"Didn't Mo Yu come to the Su Estate a while ago to protect Young Miss by order? Mo Yu likes eating the snacks this servant makes. They got familiar after a few interactions."
Su Li pondered. Mo Yu and Zhi Shu were of similar age and got along well. It was a good match.
Mo Yu, far away in Prince Jing's Estate, was leaning against a tree, eating snacks, when he suddenly sneezed.
"It's not even autumn yet, and it's already chilly."
Mo Feng glanced at him. "Put on more clothes."
"Brother Mo Feng, do you want a piece?" Mo Yu asked, offering a snack.
Mo Feng said with disdain, "You eat so much. You'll turn into a pig sooner or later."
Mo Yu loudly said, "How could that be? I'm still growing. What's wrong with eating some snacks?"
After a while, he muttered, "The snacks bought on the street just aren't as delicious as the ones Miss Zhi Shu from the Minister's Estate makes."
Mo Yang, who was passing under the tree, suddenly stopped and looked up.
Mo Yu, eating, looked at him and asked, "Brother Mo Yang, do you want some?"
Mo Yang said coldly, "Are you and Zhi Shu close?"
His voice was chilling, making Mo Yu instinctively reply, "Not close, not close. We just ate snacks together a few times."
Mo Yang averted his gaze, then left.
Looking at Mo Yang's back, Mo Yu whispered, "Who angered him?"
Mo Feng's lips curled. "You should be careful lately."
"Why?"
"Young Miss, Marquis Wuyang's Estate has arrived."
The maids got out of the carriage and carefully helped Su Li down.
"Princess Consort has arrived?"
A maid waited at the entrance. Su Li recognized her as Huamei, her cousin's maid.
"Huamei, has Sister Qu arrived?" Su Li asked as she walked inside.
"Just a quarter of an hour ago."
Su Li nodded and followed Huamei to Wei Yuanyao's courtyard.
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