A family with three widows, after severing ties with relatives, she became wealthy and married into

Chapter 245 Mr. Su Bing has arrived

Before Tian Tian set off for Xiushui County, she found Liu San Niang's courtyard.

"Aunt Liu, about Youyou's marriage..."

"I have an idea."

Liu San Niang yawned, "Tian Tian, ​​you tell me."

"I'm thinking, instead of marrying Youyou off and worrying about this and that, why not... find her a husband?"

Liu San Niang jolted awake, "Looking for a son-in-law?"

“Yes, that’s right.” Tian Tian didn’t think there was anything wrong with this idea. “Aunt Liu, we have so many shops, we need someone to manage them.”

“If Youyou gets married and spends all her time managing the business at her parents’ home, her in-laws will definitely have something to say about it.”

"It would be better to just hire a son-in-law; that way, we'd have another person to take care of the family business."

Liu San Niang thought that made sense, but finding a suitable son-in-law... "It's not that easy to find a suitable son-in-law..."

Respectable families... normally wouldn't want to take in a son-in-law.

Those willing to take in a son-in-law are usually either orphans or have too many brothers...

"Let's find it first, there's no rush anyway."

Tian Tian was in a hurry to leave. "Aunt Liu, it's settled then. I'm leaving now."

Liu San Niang had no choice but to nod and see her out, "Alright, alright, it's settled then. You should set off now..."

"Have you packed everything?"

"Please be careful on your journey..."

"That Qin Qingyun is the same; he only follows your eldest sister..."

"Sweetie, I think you should find yourself a bodyguard too."

*

Tian Tian stayed away for a month this time, taking turns to harvest rice in all the counties. Of the ten million taels upgraded by the system, five million taels were directly completed.

This past month, she hasn't been as carefree as before.

Instead, they pay special attention to skincare.

I apply a face mask immediately after being exposed to the sun outside at night.

I don't know if it's because my skin was in really bad condition before, but it has changed a lot in the past month.

The roughness of the skin surface is reduced, and it feels smooth and soft to the touch.

Pores are minimized, and skin tone becomes more even.

The skin also looks whiter and more radiant.

After harvesting rice in the last county, Tian Tian first went to Sweetheart Cottage in Songxi County.

Remembering Rong Yan'er's previous comment that she was an ugly girl, Tian Tian specially put on light makeup in the carriage.

There were quite a few people waiting at the entrance of Sweetheart's Abode, and Rong Yan'er greeted them at the door.

Upon seeing Tian Tian, ​​her eyes widened and her mouth opened so wide it could fit an egg.

"Miss Tian Er?"

"Is it you?" She took an exaggerated step back, looking Tian Tian up and down as if she were meeting her for the first time.

"You look so beautiful today! Your skin, your complexion..." Rong Yan'er reached out and touched it. "So smooth, so tender."

Tian Tian raised her chin arrogantly, "What? You're not the ugly girl you used to call me anymore."

Rong Yan'er smiled awkwardly. In the past, she had been... feeling unhappy and deliberately making fun of her.

Actually, Tian Tian is quite pretty; she's just a bit tanned from being out and about all the time.

You really can't say it's ugly.

But right now...

Her skin was as smooth as a peeled egg.

And on the eyes... it looks like there's some color, like tiny shimmering things stuck to them.

The outer corners of the eyes were also smudged... to make the eyes look more vibrant.

The lip gloss color is also nice; it's not too flashy, yet it makes my complexion look great.

"Second Miss, what are you using?" Rong Yan'er was extremely curious and grabbed Tian Tian's arm, wishing she could stick her eyes to Tian Tian's face.

Her excited voice quickly attracted the girls who hadn't yet entered the shop.

"Miss Tian, ​​where did you buy your lip rouge?"

Tian Tian touched her lips; she was wearing a mauve lipstick, and she hadn't expected them to like it so much.

"this..."

"I mixed the color myself; you can't buy this lip rouge outside," Tian Tian said.

"My goodness, Miss Tian, ​​you can even make lip rouge?" Rong Yan'er excitedly grabbed Tian Tian's arm, causing Tian Tian to quickly pull her arm back in pain.

"You are so awesome."

"Oh my god, oh my god, please teach me quickly."

The other girls chimed in, "Miss Tian, ​​please teach us too!"

Tian Tian smiled helplessly, "This..."

"I... I don't have time lately."

She was just passing through Songxi County today, mainly to check on the business of Sweetheart Cottage.

Rong Yan'er pulled Tian Tian into the shop, "Ignore them, Second Miss, you just need to teach me."

Tian Tian shrugged, "I really haven't had time lately."

Rong Yan'er nodded heavily, "I know, I'll wait for you."

Tian Tian shook her head helplessly. "I came to check on the business at Sweetheart's Abode. How's it been lately?"

A month has passed, and she estimates that business is doing well. She just saw the line of people outside, and business is indeed good.

"Business is booming." Rong Yan'er couldn't stop smiling when talking about business.

"The first day was forty-four taels, the second day was more than one hundred and thirty taels, the third day was more than one hundred and seventy taels, and later it was around two hundred taels every day."

"Business is so good, I'm thinking of opening another shop."

Her family owns many shops, so expanding by one or two more would be a piece of cake.

With more expansion, more customers came, and more money was earned.

Tian Tian frowned and thought for a moment...

Currently, most of the girls from Songxi County have already visited Sweetheart Inn. Once business stabilizes, two shops will be enough to keep them afloat.

But it couldn't be saved...

Sweetheart Abode's reputation spread, attracting girls from nearby counties and even the prefectural city...

That's definitely not enough.

"We can expand, let's expand by one room."

“Okay.” Rong Yan’er immediately agreed, “I’ll arrange it right away.”

Tian Tian hurriedly arrived in Xiushui County again.

The tea shop has been renovated inside and out, except for a signboard.

but...

The shop's business has already taken off.

I don't know how Shen Zhian hired a shopkeeper, but he turned out to be an old man with the demeanor of a scholar.

"You are..." The old shopkeeper stroked his beard and looked Tian Tian up and down.

Most of the customers at Chaxiangzhai were scholars; very few young women came.

"You are... Miss Tian Er?" the old shopkeeper suddenly remembered.

Tian Tian nodded, "Is Manager Shen here?"

"Manager Shen is upstairs, please, young lady."

"No need to lead the way." Tian Tian didn't ask him to lead the way and went up by herself.

The shop's main hall on the first floor was almost full of people, all dressed in the clothes of scholars.

"The manager of this Tea Fragrance Pavilion is truly a genius."

"Indeed, it's amazing that someone could think of using tea leaves in cooking and make it so delicious."

"If you ask me, the plating is just so-so. It has mountains, water, and a Zen feel. The owner of Cha Xiang Zhai is no ordinary person."

"Huh, why is a woman coming upstairs?"

"Could this woman be the shopkeeper?"

"impossible..."

"It's not impossible. There's a girl named Tian Er in Baishi County who comes up with all sorts of novel dishes."

"It's already rare for one Miss Tian Er to appear in the world, how could there be two Miss Tian Er?"

Tian Tian smiled...

Almost all the private rooms on the second floor were occupied, and the guests could be seen through the wispy curtains.

These people... are not all scholars.

Several of them appear to be businessmen.

That's normal; only businessmen have enough money to spend.

Tian Tian found Shen Zhian in a side room. "Uncle Shen."

"Hey, sweet girl, you're back."

Tian Tian sat down. "There's still no news about Mr. Su Bing's calligraphy?"

She hadn't gone back for a month, so she didn't ask Empress Li.

However, it would take at least two months to travel from Baishi County to the capital and then from the capital to be delivered here.

This can't be rushed.

"I'll wait in Xiushui County until the plaque is installed and the business officially opens, then I'll go back."

"Okay." Shen Zhian thought it was a good idea.

"Sweet girl, how was your mother when you went back last time?" Shen Zhian asked.

"It's all good." Tian Tian looked up at him and saw the relaxed expression on his face after learning that Lu Tao was alright, and her heart softened.

"Uncle Shen, my mother has no intention of remarrying for the time being, so I'm afraid we'll have to disappoint you."

As life improved and they had more money, Lu Tao, at her urging, began to enjoy life.

Lu Tao's current thought is... she's living a good life and doesn't want to change the status quo.

He was happy all day long, joking around with Liu San Niang and taking care of Jing He, and that was enough for him.

Shen Zhian waved his hand, "Oh, I know."

"I didn't force her, did I?"

Shen Zhian sighed, "If I were truly so attached to her, why would I have stayed in Xiushui County all this time?"

He also owns tea plantations in Baishi County.

It's just that I'm afraid of upsetting Lu Tao.

“But…” Shen Zhian looked up at Tian Tian, ​​“Now that I see how capable you are, I’m actually a little disappointed.”

"If only I could have a daughter like you."

Tian Tian shrugged. "That's easy. Just recognize me as your goddaughter, and that'll be fine, right?"

She raised an eyebrow with feigned slyness, "I just don't know if you're worried that I'm after your family fortune."

Shen Zhian rolled his eyes helplessly, "You still remember that ingrate?"

He was left alone on the mountain by that ungrateful wretch.

That's him!! You're not like him.

Shen Zhian said seriously, "Girl, you said it yourself. After Tea Fragrance Pavilion opens, I will really go to Baishi County and recognize you as my goddaughter."

“In the future, I will leave all of this tea plantation and tea estate to you.”

Tian Tian was surprised; she had only said it casually. "Uncle Shen, how can that be?"

“Why not?” Shen Zhian sighed and shook his head. “I don’t have any children. I can entrust the family business to you, Sweetie. You definitely can’t let it go to waste.”

Tian Tian sensed his loneliness. "Uncle Shen, let's talk about this later. You're still full of energy."

Shen Zhian didn't say anything more, but he had already made up his mind.

"Before the plaque arrives, you can rest at my estate. I'll take care of things at the shop."

Shen Zhian felt sorry for her, having been out running around for so long, and didn't want her to suffer any more.

Tian Tian listened to him and obediently stayed in the manor.

Taking care of my skin every day, going out to look at the fields... enjoying a moment of leisure.

That day, Tian Tian was sitting by the stream, fishing out of boredom, when the steward of the estate came running over.

"Second girl."

Tian Tian, ​​wearing a sun hat she bought from the system, squinted at him and asked, "What's wrong?"

"The master sent someone back with a message, saying it was about Su Bing..."

"Mr. Su's calligraphy has arrived?" Tian Tian stood up in surprise.

Nearly a month has passed, and autumn has arrived. Su Bing's calligraphy has finally arrived.

"Not only calligraphy, but Mr. Su Bing has also come," the steward said. "The master wants you to go there immediately."

Tian Tian lifted her skirt and said, "Please trouble the housekeeper to prepare the car for me. I'll change my clothes and then go."

My clothes were covered in mud, so I definitely couldn't cross over like that.

After a quick wash and a light makeup, Tian Tian boarded the carriage and set off.

When I arrived at the shop, the entrance was packed with people.

Tian Tian got out of the car, and the person in charge helped her squeeze through the crowd for a while before she could get in.

“Mr. Su Bing, this is Miss Tian Er.” Shen Zhian took Tian Tian’s hand and led her to an old man.

Tian Tian walked over with her head bowed and said, "Tian Tian greets Mr. Su Bing."

"Tian Tian, ​​receive the decree," Su Bing said.

Accept the purpose?

Tian Tian looked up in surprise and then noticed that Su Bing was holding a bright yellow scroll.

"Girl, quickly kneel down to receive the imperial decree."

Tian Tian lifted her skirt...

Su Bing offered a helping hand, saying, "Miss Tian, ​​there's no need to kneel."

Forehead?

Shen Zhian, Tian Tian, ​​and everyone around them were stunned.

When an imperial edict arrives, don't people always kneel down to receive it?

Why doesn't this Miss Tian Er have to kneel?

Ignoring everyone else, Su Bing directly opened the imperial edict, "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."

The people around immediately knelt down...

Shen Zhian also knelt down, while Tian Tian, ​​the main character, stood there.

"There is a woman named Tian from Baishi County, who is virtuous, kind, and upright, and is renowned in her hometown for her filial piety, brotherly love, and benevolence. She has cultivated high-yield rice varieties, which benefit the people. Her virtuous conduct is commendable. I hereby bestow upon her this special honor to recognize her excellence."

I hereby confer upon Lady Tian the title of Princess of Fufeng, granting her a fief of one thousand households, the honors of a princess, and a salary from the imperial court. Thus, I am exempt from kneeling.

I hope you will maintain humility, abide by etiquette, cultivate your character and virtue, so as to bring honor to your family and live up to my high expectations.

After the imperial decree was issued, everyone finally understood why Su Bing wouldn't let Tian Tian kneel.

Even the Emperor doesn't require Tian Tian to kneel, so Su Bing would dare not do it either.

"Princess Fufeng, please accept the imperial decree."

Tian Tian was somewhat dazed.

Princess Fufeng...

The name Fufeng is quite interesting.

"Fu" means to support or help, while "feng" also represents fortune or luck.

This Fufeng means to support the great Qi's fortune.

This shows the Emperor's praise for her growing high-quality rice.

"Tian Tian, ​​receive the imperial decree." Tian Tian accepted the imperial decree from Mr. Su Bing's hand.

"Thank you for your help, Mr. Su Bing."

Su Bing stroked his beard and said, “I dare not. The fact that Princess Fufeng has grown high-yield rice is a great blessing for Daqi and the people. I am merely announcing the decree.”

He looked at the others and said, "Everyone, please get up."

Shen Zhian and the others stood up and said, "Greetings, Princess."

Tian Tian was a little embarrassed. "Everyone, there's no need for such formalities."

Shen Zhian quickly invited Mr. Su Bing into the shop, saying, "Sir, please come in."

He whispered in Tian Tian's ear, "Your Aunt Li is upstairs."

"Her identity is not simple. Did you already know that?"

While the imperial decree was being proclaimed outside, she sat upstairs, and Mr. Su Bing did not say anything.

Tian Tian already knew Empress Li's identity...

But this time, is Empress Li revealing her true identity?