The next day, as Su Li was practicing calligraphy, Siqin entered to inform her that Miss Yu from the Yu Manor had arrived and wished to see her.
Su Li paused her brush. "What does she want?"
"She said she wished to express her gratitude in person," Siqin replied.
"No need for thanks," Su Li resumed her calligraphy. "I didn't help her for her sake. Lord Yu has already thanked me."
"But... she said if she couldn't see you, she would keep waiting outside the manor," Siqin said, looking troubled.
Su Li put down her brush. "Is that so? Then bring her in."
"Yes."
Yu Banxia, to put it nicely, was persistent; to put it bluntly, she was a one-track mind.
Never mind, she thought, she would just listen to what she had to say.
Soon, Siqin returned, followed by Yu Banxia and her maidservant.
"This humble one greets Princess Changning. May the Princess be blessed with ten thousand fortunes." Yu Banxia performed a grand, respectful bow.
Su Li watched her curiously.
She really had learned her lesson.
"Rise."
"Thank you, Princess."
Su Li smiled. "Miss Yu, please take a seat."
Yu Banxia replied, "I dare not. Princess, I have come today to apologize for my past actions. I beg the Princess for your forgiveness!"
Having spoken, she knelt again, prostrating herself on the ground.
Su Li looked at her, and after a moment, said, "You may rise."
"If the Princess does not forgive, this humble one will not rise."
Su Li asked, "Were those locations for Yu's Shops chosen by you?"
Yu Banxia shook her head. "No, the locations for Yu's Shops were all chosen by His Royal... the Sixth Prince. This humble one merely provided the ideas."
Su Li looked at her and said, "You may rise. I forgive you."
Yu Banxia was overjoyed. "Thank you, Princess!"
She rose and continued, "Princess, you have disregarded our past grievances, provided the medicinal formula, and saved me from prison. My heart is filled with immense gratitude. Thank you, Princess. This is a token of my appreciation. While it may not be much, it is a small expression of my sincerity. Please accept it!"
Su Li glanced at the box in her hand. "There's no need for a gift of thanks. Lord Yu has been busy looking after your affairs recently, and I imagine the Yu Manor isn't particularly well-off. Take your gift back."
"But..."
Su Li cut her off. "I didn't help you for your sake, so you don't need to thank me. I simply couldn't stand to see a good official like Lord Yu, at his age, being dragged down by his daughter. You should count yourself lucky to have such a good father. If you want to thank someone, thank fate for making you Lord Yu's daughter."
Yu Banxia was speechless, having nothing to retort.
"Regardless of whether the Princess accepts my gratitude, this humble one will remain deeply thankful. Should the Princess ever need my services in the future, I will certainly do my utmost!"
Su Li said, "You may go back. From now on, you must keep your eyes peeled and not be fooled by superficial appearances."
Yu Banxia still wanted to say more, but seeing Su Li's expression, it was clear she had no desire to prolong the conversation.
Yu Banxia curtsied. "Thank you for your instruction, Princess. This humble one will remember it! I shall take my leave now."
Su Li watched Yu Banxia's retreating figure.
Yu Banxia was luckier than Su Li had been in her previous life.
Su Li walked around the desk, preparing to leave.
"Miss, aren't you going to practice calligraphy anymore?"
"No, I'm going to see Mother," Su Li replied.
Mother Su's due date was approaching; she could give birth at any moment now.
Whenever Su Li was free, she would stay in the main courtyard, fearing any mishap.
Just as she was about to exit the room, Mohua entered.
"Miss, Young Master Xu has arrived. He's in the front hall."
Su Li walked out. "Then I'll see him first, and then go see Mother."
Upon reaching the front hall, she saw a handsome young man in a teal robe sitting and sipping tea.
Seeing her approach, Xu Mubai stood up and bowed. "Miss, Mubai has returned."
Since the private salt case implicated merchants from Liangzhou, the business community in Liangzhou had undergone a major shake-up.
Among them, the Xu Family's property was confiscated by the authorities, and none of its members were spared.
Xu Mubai, his great revenge avenged, had returned to Liangzhou.
"Is everything settled in Liangzhou?" Su Li asked with a smile.
Xu Mubai nodded. "Yes, everything is settled. Mubai also personally witnessed my enemies' heads roll. From this day forward, Mubai can finally show his true face!"
Su Li nodded with satisfaction. "That's good."
Suddenly, Xu Mubai knelt, performing a grand bow towards Su Li.
Su Li was surprised. "What are you doing? Quick, get up."
"Mubai thanks Miss for helping me avenge my wrongs and my hatred! This bow, Mubai must make it!"
After speaking, Xu Mubai kowtowed to Su Li again.
Su Li stood and received his bow, then quickly told Mohua to help him up.
"Actually, I should be thanking you too. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have found the breakthrough for the private salt case. This can be considered a mutually beneficial outcome. By the way, since you no longer need to hide from your enemies, do you plan to return to Liangzhou?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Mubai was about to kneel again, but Su Li quickly stopped him.
Xu Mubai said, "Miss, Mubai has no attachments in Liangzhou. All my concerns are here in the capital. So I beg Miss to allow Mubai to stay."
Su Li glanced at Mohua, then smiled. "Your decision to stay or go is naturally your own, but I didn't misjudge you. Do you remember what I asked you last time? Now that your worries are gone, shouldn't you consider it?"
Xu Mubai cupped his hands. "Yes! Once Mubai has secured a residence and land, I will come to ask Miss for her blessing." He finished, casting a glance at Mohua, who stood beside Su Li, utterly perplexed.
Su Li nodded. "Very well, then I shall continue to look after her for you for a while longer."
Siqin smiled, glancing at Mohua.
Mohua looked from one to the other, completely bewildered. What cryptic message were Miss and Young Master Xu exchanging?
Xu Mubai thanked her, then continued, "Miss, Brother Wang has sent word. In the past few days, goods from the south have already begun their journey towards the capital. The shops there have also been renovated, so it's time we transported our goods over."
Su Li nodded. "Alright, find a trustworthy merchant caravan. This won't be just a one-time collaboration; it's a long-term partnership, so pay them generously. Tell them that as long as goods arrive promptly and undamaged, they can become Su's Enterprise's exclusive caravan, and they'll also receive a share of Su's Enterprise's future profits."
Xu Mubai nodded. "That's an excellent idea. Su's Enterprise is developing so well now; I believe many merchant caravans would be willing."
Su Li recalled that Wang Wei used to be with a merchant caravan. She said to Xu Mubai, "You could write to Brother Wang and ask him to recommend a few."
"Yes, Miss."
Su Li looked at the warm sun outside. "The weather has also turned warm—not hot, not cold. The ladies and young mistresses who were cooped up all winter should be coming out now. The southern goods should arrive in a few days at most. We should pick an auspicious day to open as soon as possible."
Xu Mubai said, "Just leave that to Mubai; Miss doesn't need to worry."
Su Li smiled. "With you and Brother Wang around, I truly feel much more at ease."
"Miss, you just need to count the silver," Siqin said with a chuckle.
Mohua shook her head. "Siqin, you're wrong there. You don't know how enormous our daily incoming accounts are. If you make Miss count it all herself, wouldn't she be exhausted?"
Siqin chuckled. "Other families wish they could be this 'exhausted' but can't."
Su Li nodded. "You're right. This kind of exhaustion, I'm certainly willing to endure. All right, Mubai, if you have things to attend to, please go ahead."
"Yes, Mubai takes his leave."
After Xu Mubai exited, Su Li led her two maidservants toward the main courtyard.
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