Chapter 227: Pleasing Oneself

Chapter 227: Pleasing Oneself

In the eighteenth year of Yongxing, the entire Yan family celebrated a joyous New Year.

Old Madam Yan was happy because the family was prospering, and the younger generations were achieving more. Even her daughter, who had married into the capital, was now able to communicate and keep in touch often.

Yan Zhigao was pleased because the grain seeds had been successfully planted. If the harvest in the summer yielded high production and helped ease the bandit troubles in Fenxi, his promotion after his term as the magistrate would be assured.

Madam Li was happy because her eldest son had become more steady and responsible. In two years, he could start looking for a wife. Her second son was also becoming more ambitious, and her daughter was as brilliant as ever, a little expert at making money. Not only had she earned money herself, but her family and maternal relatives also benefited from her success.

The Li family's winery had been completed, and they sold a substantial amount of wine during the New Year period, quickly earning back their investment.

As a token of gratitude, the Li family sent over ten thousand taels of silver along with the New Year gifts to the Yan family.

The Yan family’s fortune had gradually grown over time.

The second branch of the family was also content. They were happy that the first branch was thriving, which meant they would benefit too. However, the only downside was that Yan Wenjie hadn’t been able to join his three brothers at Wangyue Academy.

The third branch of the family had modest desires and was therefore the easiest to satisfy. Yan Zhiqiang and his wife, Wu Shi, looked on with pride as their eldest son, Wentao, became more accomplished, their second son entered the school, and their youngest child grew bigger every day. Their land and estates were expanding, and they had no further wishes.

The younger generation was also happy. During the New Year, there were many family gatherings, and they almost received invitations every day, visiting various homes, meeting new friends, and receiving gifts. How could they not be happy?

Daohua, too, was pleased. Not for any other reason, but because the account books documenting the earnings from the estates and stores had been steadily growing.

Wang Man’er watched her young lady sitting at the table, one hand swiftly moving the abacus, while the other flipped through the ledgers, a smile on her face that was as narrow as a slit, looking both amused and happy.

In the past, she couldn’t understand why her young lady, as the legitimate eldest daughter of the Yan family, could get silver simply by telling Madam Yan, but still insisted on working hard to earn money on her own. It seemed so tiring.

But after the last time, when Madam Yan and Madam Zhou went to the temple to burn incense, Wang Man’er had realized her young lady’s foresight.

The new set of headwear that had just hit the market cost several hundred taels of silver. Miss Zhou had liked one set very much, but unfortunately, she had no money of her own and had to ask Madam Zhou for it. Madam Zhou, however, refused, saying that Miss Zhou’s family already had too many jewelry pieces.

At that time, Wang Man’er had been standing next to them and had clearly seen the disappointment and regret in Miss Zhou’s eyes.

But her young lady, because she had money in hand, didn’t ask Madam Yan for anything. Instead, she directly bought the headwear she liked and also bought one for Old Madam Yan and Madam Yan.

Though Daohua often heard her young lady say that one needed talent to stand tall, everyone just listened and forgot. But after witnessing this event, Wang Man’er finally understood her young lady’s determination.

Even Miss Zhou, after leaving the jewelry shop, had pulled Daohua aside and said that she too wanted to open a shop and earn silver herself.

"The herb seeds sent by Little Sixth Brother are still not enough. Ask him to go around the major medicine shops. He doesn’t need to focus on the rare and expensive herbs. The common herbs are in the highest demand."

After finishing calculating the earnings from the store and estate, Daohua lowered her head, thinking about the herb planting that was about to begin after the New Year.

Wang Man’er said, "Don’t worry, young lady. I’ll go find Little Sixth Brother and explain things to him. By the way, young lady, are we still going to the provincial capital for the Lantern Festival?"

Daohua shook her head. "We’re not going. This year, both uncles are busy with their business, so we won’t bother them."

Wang Man’er smiled. "Uncle’s business is getting bigger and bigger. I heard from Sister Pingtong that their wine has even been sold outside the province."

Daohua smiled lightly. "It’s good if the business is doing well." After all, she had received three estates from the Li family. If the Li family wasn’t making money, she would feel bad.

Wang Man’er said, "How impressive are the two uncles! How did they manage to get the wine sold outside the province?"

Daohua didn’t respond.

In fact, the process of making wine wasn’t difficult, and it wasn’t like there were no other businesses selling wine. The reason Li family’s wine sold so well was due to the quality of the grapes.

The grapes planted in the Li family's fields now come from the seeds she cultivated in her space. These grapes, both in flavor and nutritional value, are far superior to others.

Ordinary people might not notice much difference, but those who appreciate fine wine or are connoisseurs of good food will certainly taste the distinction.

This is the real reason why the Li family’s wine sells so well.

Of course, promoting a good product wouldn’t be possible without the remarkable abilities of her two uncles.

Additionally, the reason the Li family was able to sell their wine smoothly without being suppressed or envied by other merchants was partly due to her "cheap father."

In ancient times, making money and keeping the earnings required many conditions—good timing, favorable location, and the right people were all indispensable.

At this point, Gu Yu and Li Xia entered the room with a bamboo sieve and placed it on the table.

Upon seeing this, Daohua immediately stood up and walked over.

The sieve contained large, plump sunflower seeds.

Wang Man’er asked, “Young lady, why did you specifically pick out these sunflower seeds?”

Daohua smiled and replied, “You’ll understand soon enough.”

During the New Year, Daohua rarely went out. Aside from visiting the Zhou family and two or three other families who were close to Madam Li, she stayed at home, either cultivating medicinal herb seeds or practicing musical scores.

Not long after the Lantern Festival, Yan Wenxiu and his three brothers returned to the academy to resume their studies. As the weather began to warm, Daohua occasionally invited Zhou Jingwan to go horseback riding.

She could now ride at a full gallop, though she still couldn’t jump over obstacles.

“Daohua, the peach blossoms at Qi Wu Mountain will bloom in early March. Miss Wang has sent an invitation for us to go enjoy the peach blossoms. Will you go?” Zhou Jingwan asked loudly, riding her horse and trailing behind Daohua.

Daohua slowed down her horse, turned her head, and replied, “I’m not going. My herb garden is starting to be sown, and I need to visit it regularly.”

Zhou Jingwan caught up with her and asked, “You already have a tea garden, a flower garden, a vineyard, a fruit orchard, and grain estates. Why are you starting an herb garden now?”

Daohua sighed, “Well, what can I do? My family is poor. I must work hard to earn money.”

Zhou Jingwan pouted. “You’re not poor. You bought three sets of headwear for over a thousand taels without even blinking. My mother says you spend money more extravagantly than she does.”

Daohua smiled and shrugged.

She earned money for what? To please herself, of course!

If she liked something and had the means to afford it, why not buy it?

(End of Chapter)