Gu Wanning placed the brocade box on the side table within arm’s reach and sat down on the couch.
Er Ya stood behind her, watching the Second Concubine warily, as if she were afraid the woman might suddenly pounce on Gu Wanning.
"Speak," Gu Wanning said, glancing out the window. "Get straight to the point."
The blazing white sunlight had left the flowers and plants in the courtyard withered and listless. The cicadas were screeching at the top of their lungs; it was already noon.
She was hungry and didn't want to beat around the bush.
"Replying to Madam," the Second Concubine said submissively, "the pawnshop you visited belongs to the Jin family."
"The Jin family? The same 'Jin' as yours?"
"Yes, it belongs to my family."
Gu Wanning: "…"
She suddenly felt like interviewing the Second Concubine to find out what kind of extreme admiration had led her to give up being a wealthy young lady and instead come to the Marquis Residence to work like an ox or a horse for the Marquis and his wife.
If she had such a large family business back home, she would never have become someone's concubine.
Granted, in this world, agriculture was held in higher esteem than commerce, and Xu Weibai was a Marquis, but still…
Alright, Xu Weibai was actually quite impressive.
It wasn't just because he was the Grand Princess's grandson—there were quite a few people with that kind of pedigree in the capital—but because he was Xu Weibai.
Xu Weibai had made a name for himself at a young age with illustrious military achievements.
Take this latest war for instance: he had gone missing for two months in the middle of it. Everyone thought he was dead, but it turned out he had struck straight at the heart of the Oirat’s base.
It was essentially the equivalent of planting one's national flag in the enemy's capital.
Leading five hundred light cavalry through an enemy army of a hundred thousand—who would believe it!
In any case, Gu Wanning wouldn't even dare to have a dream that exaggerated.
Many young girls probably had a hero fantasy in their hearts.
As the daughter of the Senior Grand Secretary, Gu Wanning was the official wife, so it seemed a merchant's daughter like the Second Concubine could indeed only be a concubine.
"Because this box bears the mark of the Grand Princess Residence, the pawnshop people sent word to me the first time you went… Then, I took it upon myself to instruct them that if you returned, they should accept the item and send it to me. It must never be allowed to circulate outside."
"A mark? I checked it, and there was no mark."
"There is." The Second Concubine placed her bundle on a nearby table, opened it, and brought the box forward for Gu Wanning to see. "On this bronze lock. Look closely, Madam. This line of tiny characters here—'Grand Princess Residence'…"
Gu Wanning widened her eyes and stared for a long time before she finally saw the characters, which were as thin as strands of hair.
They were too small! It really wasn't her fault for having poor eyesight.
Had these people been forged in Laozi's Eight-Trigram Furnace? Did they have Fiery Golden Eyes?
"Then I must thank you for helping me out today." Gu Wanning pointed to a seat below her. "Sit."
If the woman wanted something, she should say it now, lest Gu Wanning have to keep worrying about it later.
It was best to repay favors immediately.
The Second Concubine thanked her and sat tentatively on the edge of an embroidered stool. She said softly, "It is only right for me to show filial respect to Madam."
"Really?" Gu Wanning gave a meaningful smile. "If you say that, I won't be polite."
Second Concubine: "…"
No, please, be a little polite.
"Madam, I was raised as a son by my father from a young age. I learned some arithmetic and occasionally helped manage the accounts…"
"Hmm?"
If she was trying to pledge her loyalty by taking a technical route, Gu Wanning decided she couldn't afford her.
She didn't have enough money to require such a high-level talent. Was her remaining ten or so taels even worthy of such skills?
"I venture to guess that there might be some issues with the public accounts that are difficult to explain to the Marquis…"
Oh boy, she really was a professional! She had actually figured it out.
"And then?" Gu Wanning remained unfazed.
"I am willing to help Madam resolve her difficulties."
As she spoke, the Second Concubine pulled a silver note from her sleeve, stood up, and respectfully placed it on the small table in front of Gu Wanning.
Gu Wanning looked down. Eight hundred taels!
Good heavens!
As the saying goes, still waters run deep.
Including the eighty taels from the pawnshop, wasn't the Second Concubine offering her a total of eight hundred and eighty taels?
This silver note felt a bit hot to the touch.
Gu Wanning didn't move it. She glanced at the woman with a playful look in her eyes, waiting for her to speak.
"Madam, my only request is—"
Gu Wanning thought to herself: As expected of a business person, she’s quick to state her terms.
"I hope the Marquis can come sit in my courtyard for a while." The Second Concubine's face turned slightly red.
Gu Wanning asked, "Just sit?"
If it's just sitting and not sleeping over, I’ll feel a bit uneasy taking this much money. If you add a bit more, we could include a 'guaranteed pregnancy' package. For a whole lot more, we could even consider working until a son is born.
Oh wait, Xu Weibai doesn't listen to her.
But if it's just "sitting," maybe she could find a way?
Clearly, the Second Concubine had gauged the situation perfectly; this was a goal Gu Wanning could actually achieve with some effort. Her understanding of Gu Wanning was clearer than Gu Wanning's own self-perception.
Fine, fine, fine.
"Just sitting," the Second Concubine said, lowering her head. It was unclear if she was acting pitiful or if she truly was. "Since my parents passed away one after another, my clansmen have been eyeing the family business with greed. My younger brother—who is three years my junior—and I only have each other to lean on. To keep the clansmen in check, I exerted every effort to enter the residence and serve the Marquis and Madam…"
She was borrowing the Marquis's prestige to scare the "foxes" back home, wasn't she?
"Does that work?" Gu Wanning asked.
The Second Concubine nodded. "It worked before. Except for the period when it was rumored the Marquis had met with an accident… they became restless then. Now, I'm worried that since the Marquis has returned, he might look down on me. If they find out, they'll start plotting against the family property again."
Gu Wanning thought for a moment before saying, "You’ve seen the state of my relationship with the Marquis. I’m afraid I can’t promise you anything…"
"Madam, I only hope that when you… make arrangements, you could put me a bit further up the list."
Gu Wanning understood instantly.
So, the duty roster she managed could actually be monetized?
If even this small amount of power could be turned into cash, she was starting to reconsider her plan not to put herself on the list.
What if she put herself on the list and then sold her slot to the highest bidder?
She really was a little genius.
"Very well," Gu Wanning agreed immediately. "I'll schedule you for five days first. But if the Marquis doesn't go during those five days, you can't blame me."
And there would be absolutely no refunds.
"Thank you, Madam! Thank you, Madam!" The Second Concubine left, overflowing with gratitude.
Looking at the silver note on the table, Gu Wanning felt like she was in a dream.
This actually worked?
Then why on earth was she trying to grow corn!
Couldn't she just auction off Xu Weibai's overnight rights?
In addition to the limited resources within the residence, she could even expand her business externally. If any family wanted to send their daughter in, or if some wealthy woman wanted to sleep with Xu Weibai, as long as the price was high enough, she would work her hardest for them!