"You mean... Princess Pingning?" A flash of inspiration struck Lu Nanyue.
Lin Zhiqing nodded. With such ability, the only person she had offended recently was Princess Pingning.
"Why would she do this? What benefit is there for her?" Lu Nanyue was a bit puzzled.
Of course, it was because of Jiang Liuyun, but Lin Zhiqing couldn't just casually make groundless accusations without proof.
"If it really doesn't work, then let's not look according to the list from the Ministry of Works. We'll just wander around ourselves." Lin Zhiqing couldn't come up with a better solution for a while.
Ultimately, it was because she was too weak, and the Lin family behind her was too weak.
"Alright, I have nothing else to do these days anyway, so we'll take our time looking." Lu Nanyue patted Lin Zhiqing's hand, also comforting her.
"Nanyue, remember to thank Uncle Lu for me," Lin Zhiqing reminded her.
"Got it, got it."
...
The two figures drifted further and further away, completely unaware that in a private room of a teahouse behind them, someone was watching their retreating backs.
"Miss, I've already spoken with the Ministry of Works according to your instructions, using Master's name. They won't find any storefronts no matter how long they search." The maid served Princess Pingning tea, not forgetting to take credit.
Princess Pingning raised her cup and took a small sip, feeling that today's tea was a few shades more fragrant and mellow. "The jade bracelet I left on the table this morning has good quality; it's yours as a reward."
The maid was overjoyed and showered her with several more compliments.
As expected, Lin Zhiqing and Lu Nanyue returned empty-handed that evening.
When Lin Zhiqing returned to the Lin family, everyone was having dinner.
However, that had nothing to do with her. She returned to her courtyard with Aunt Mu, feeling disheartened. She burrowed into her quilt and began to ponder.
Today, she and Lu Nanyue had walked around the entire East Market but hadn't found a suitable location.
Even if they did, they would directly refuse once they heard Lin Zhiqing's name.
This situation was truly tricky.
Lin Zhiqing turned over. After much thought, she decided to go to the West Market to look.
The West Market was larger and more complex than the East Market. If Princess Pingning wanted to make a move, there would always be omissions.
Having made up her mind, Lin Zhiqing took Aunt Mu to the West Market early the next morning.
This time, she didn't call Lu Nanyue, mainly fearing that she would make the trip for nothing.
Stepping into the West Market for the first time, Lin Zhiqing's heart was still very excited.
Compared to the solemn East Market, the West Market had a much stronger sense of bustling life.
Although Aunt Mu didn't like Lin Zhiqing coming to such a complex place, after walking around a few times, she no longer had her initial resistance.
The food in the West Market was much more delicious than in the East Market.
After they had filled their stomachs, they also started to look for a few good shop fronts.
This time, Lin Zhiqing was more cautious. When she left, she deliberately changed into a coarse linen outfit usually worn for work, while Aunt Mu donned a more luxurious attire.
Their roles were swapped. Lin Zhiqing became the maid accompanying the Elderly Matron out for purchases.
This method proved quite effective. They asked several shop owners and gained a clear understanding of the approximate prices and properties.
However, Lin Zhiqing still hadn't found a shop that particularly suited her.
Either the space was too small, or the location was too remote, or the environment wasn't good enough; there was always something to pick apart.
After accompanying Lin Zhiqing for half the day, Aunt Mu's breathing became slightly more rapid, but she never complained of being tired.
She even volunteered to take Lin Zhiqing to another street to look around.
Lin Zhiqing had initially thought Aunt Mu had never been to the West Market, but the reality seemed to be different from what she had imagined.
The two stopped at a bustling intersection. Lin Zhiqing proactively walked into a teahouse, ordered two cups of tea, hoping to let Aunt Mu rest.
But after sitting down, Aunt Mu stared blankly at a sealed shop across the street, not moving.
Lin Zhiqing sensed something unusual and did not speak rashly.
After an unknown amount of time, Aunt Mu suddenly turned her head and wiped the corner of her eye.
Lin Zhiqing offered her handkerchief, asking no questions, only gently patting Aunt Mu's back.
Aunt Mu put away the handkerchief and wiped her tears with her sleeve. "Miss, that shop was your mother's dowry, and her only dowry."
Lin Zhiqing paused. She had heard many stories about her parents from Aunt Mu recently, but Aunt Mu hadn't shed a tear even when speaking of her father's execution.
"Your father grew up on my milk. When he wanted to marry your mother, I was the first to object," Aunt Mu recalled past events:
"I always felt your mother's background was a bit low, not fitting for your father. After your father insisted on marrying her, I also had many dissatisfactions with her."
"But she never criticized me, and even taught me many things I had never seen before. She was born into a commoner family and met your father while fleeing from disaster."
"When she first became pregnant with you, she gave me all the money she had, entrusting me to help her set up a shop, saying she had to leave something for you."
At this point, Aunt Mu stopped speaking, but Lin Zhiqing seemed to understand, looking up at the somewhat deserted shop across the street.
No, not just deserted.
Although the shop was large, its doors and windows were dilapidated, and the seal was particularly obvious, which was a bit of a shame.
Lin Zhiqing comforted Aunt Mu for a few moments, and in the end, neither of them was in the mood to continue looking.
Back at the Lin family, Lin Zhiqing felt irritated that the shop matter was taking so long to settle.
Before she had even settled down, a servant boy came again to announce that a distinguished guest had arrived.
Lin Zhiqing subconsciously began to analyze. If it were Lu Nanyue or Jiang Liuyun, the servant boy generally wouldn't make an announcement.
If it were other high officials or nobles, the servant boy's message would likely be sent to Lin Congli.
This meant that someone had specifically come to see her.
Lin Zhiqing calculated the time. Only one person would come looking for her at this hour.
She freshened up, gathered her spirits, and went out with Aunt Mu to greet the guest.
"Miss Lin, after winning the top prize, you no longer recognize people; you've broken my heart," Miss Hua's voice carried from afar.
Lin Zhiqing's face broke into a wide smile: "Miss Hua, you jest. Recently, I've been busy with matters concerning the medical clinic, and I've forgotten to properly thank you."
"Thank me? For what? I should be thanking you!" Miss Hua had a small tanuki doll hanging from her waist, which was very eye-catching as she moved.
"Thank you, Miss Hua, for the prize money," Lin Zhiqing referred to the five hundred taels of silver.
"What's that? Let's not keep thanking each other." Entering the courtyard, Miss Hua habitually stroked the tanuki doll. "I'm here today to discuss serious business with you."
Lin Zhiqing understood: "Could it be about the ruqun?"
"Clever!" Miss Hua clapped her hands. "Name your price. How much silver for the design?"
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