The midwife refused to go along, so Su Mingzhu had no choice but to find another one. After finally finding a replacement, she was informed that the spice supplier had arrived with the goods and needed her to personally inspect and sign off.
It was a shipment worth 30,000 taels, to be signed in person with silver delivered on the spot.
After weighing the situation, Su Mingzhu decided to send a housekeeper’s wife to follow Su Shuyao while she went to handle the delivery.
There were three partners of the spice supplier, and Su Mingzhu immediately noticed Boss Xie.
Mainly because he looked far too wealthy.
The cloud-brocade he wore was a tribute cloth worth a fortune. The jade ring on his finger and the emerald plaque on his belt were all of the finest quality. Even more unforgettable was his elegant and beautiful face, and the noble grace that naturally flowed from his every movement.
Ordinary families could never raise such a man. He was definitely from a high-ranking noble family. But why would such a person engage in business?
Su Mingzhu secretly asked someone, “Which noble family does Boss Xie come from?”
The person being questioned didn’t know. “We only know he has incredible connections and can get any kind of goods. No one knows his true identity. Some say he’s from the royal family, others say he’s from a powerful noble clan, and some claim he’s from an ancient hidden family. There are all kinds of rumors, but what’s certain is he’s extraordinary.”
Mysterious and noble.
Her interest was instantly stirred.
Even though she didn’t find out the truth, Su Mingzhu had already decided to befriend him.
She brought two professional perfumers with her to inspect the goods. With 30,000 taels involved, she had to be cautious. The two perfumers were invited into the warehouse to check everything. Su Mingzhu was about to follow them when she accidentally bumped into someone as she turned.
The golden hair ornament on her head was knocked off, falling to the ground with a crisp sound. Her brows knit in displeasure, and she opened her mouth to scold, only to meet Boss Xie’s gentle peach-blossom eyes.
His long slender fingers picked up the hair ornament. “Second Miss, my apologies.”
His smiling eyes dazzled her, and the anger in her heart vanished immediately.
“The weather is too hot. Second Miss should rest in the back courtyard with some iced tea. The warehouse is extremely stuffy and not suitable for someone as precious as you.”
His voice was low and pleasant, like rain falling into a quiet mountain spring, soothing and gentle.
Boss Xie lifted his gaze, his eyes bright and charming. “If Second Miss suffers from heat again, I will feel distressed.”
Her heartbeat quickened even more.
She had been heat-stricken because of Su Shuyao a few days ago and still hadn’t fully recovered. Hearing the warehouse was stifling hot, she did feel uneasy. Fainting wasn’t the scary part—making a fool of herself was. And she was far more eager to sit and drink tea with Boss Xie.
Such a handsome person—how could there possibly be a problem with his goods?
If she could build a good relationship with someone as well-connected as him, wouldn’t she have endless opportunities to earn silver in the future?
Under Boss Xie’s gaze, her heart fluttered.
After hesitating a bit, she told Cuihong to instruct the perfumers carefully, then followed Boss Xie to the back courtyard for tea.
What she didn’t know was that the two perfumers were also invited to drink tea instead of checking goods.
Boss Xie idly played with the jade ring on his finger, amusement hidden in his eyes. “Second Miss is so young, yet so capable.”
Su Mingzhu replied humbly, “Boss Xie flatters me.”
After chatting briefly, Boss Xie said, “I wonder if Second Miss has any interest in the grain business. I happen to have a batch of grain available.”
Su Mingzhu had indeed planned to stock grain, but all her silver was currently tied up in the spice shop business. She could only answer regretfully, “Thank you for the opportunity, Boss Xie. I really do want to, but after paying for the spices, I won’t have enough silver.”
Losing out on profit felt like a knife to the heart.
Boss Xie smiled. “If Second Miss truly wishes to do it, I can sell on credit. You only need to pay a bit of interest.”
She froze. “Why are you treating me so kindly?”
“Meeting is destiny. I feel like I instantly got along with Second Miss, and I would love to do business together.” He smiled lightly. “There’s no rush to answer. Think it through and send word later.”
Su Mingzhu’s heart was immediately shaken.
She had already planned to buy grain but had been delayed due to lack of money. Now a supplier literally came offering it to her. It was like receiving a pillow when sleepy.
This Boss Xie must have taken a liking to her, to be so attentive.
But she wasn’t a casual woman. She still didn’t know his true identity, and not just anyone could be worthy of the legitimate daughter of the Marquis Residence.
…
In her previous life, something had happened to the farmlands there, and while she was on the way to inspect, she encountered Li Yuan. This time, she was prepared. As soon as her carriage entered the main road, she saw Li Yuan’s carriage, and just like before, its wheel had broken.
“Miss, my lady’s surname is Li. Her husband is the Prefect of Xunyang. My lady’s carriage broke down and she isn’t feeling well. Could you please help?”
A sweating housekeeper’s wife stopped Su Shuyao’s carriage.
Su Shuyao lifted the curtain. “Take me to her quickly.”
Li Yuan was lying in the carriage, drenched in sweat from pain. Her amniotic fluid had broken, soaking everything beneath her.
“Move her into my carriage. We need to find a nearby household and prepare for delivery.” Su Shuyao calmly pointed at the coachman. “Detach the carriage and ride ahead. Find a farmhouse and ask to stay. Do not return right away. First, have them boil hot water, stew chicken soup, prepare a bowl of brown sugar eggs, straw paper, vinegar water, licorice and coptis, and a clean room. Once everything is ready, come back for us.”
The housekeeper’s wife was shocked. This young girl was far too calm.
Her voice was gentle and her looks soft, yet her tone was firm and steady, reassuring everyone around her.
The housekeeper’s wife also calmed down and began giving orderly instructions to move Li Yuan into Su Shuyao’s carriage.
In her previous life, Su Shuyao had indeed been terrified. A young unmarried girl encountering something like this couldn’t help panicking. But with past-life experience, she handled things much more smoothly now.
Under her guidance, everything progressed in an organized manner. “Mama Liu here has experience delivering babies. She can look after Madam Li for now. One person isn’t enough, so I’ll send people to find two more midwives.”
The housekeeper’s wife said, “We will follow Miss’s arrangements.”
After arranging people to find midwives, Su Shuyao then asked, “Does Madam have any relatives in the capital? Should we send someone to inform them?”
The housekeeper’s wife replied, “My lady’s surname is Li. Her father is Li the Great Scholar. Please send word to his residence.”
Hearing those three words, Li the Great Scholar, Su Shuyao showed no unusual reaction. “Alright, I’ll arrange it. Let’s check on Madam first.”
Li Yuan had been panicking earlier, but after reaching the farmhouse and learning that hot water was boiling, chicken soup was stewing, and everything needed for childbirth was prepared, she finally felt reassured.
Though the farmhouse was simple, clean bedding had been laid out. As soon as she lay down, Mama Liu brought in brown sugar eggs.
Everything felt safe and under control.