After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Shen Dagou, who was originally uneasy, breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

The fact that the Empress prepared a dowry for his sister proves that she likes her. Since ancient times, conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law have been difficult to resolve. If the sister-in-law can win the favor of her esteemed mother-in-law, her future life won't be too difficult.

After figuring things out, the group followed Liu Laosan back to the Yong'an Marquis's residence.

As soon as I entered, I saw Su Tai taking inventory of the warehouse. The abacus was clicking away, but her brows were furrowed deeper and deeper, almost crushing flies.

Upon seeing the newcomers, she let out a long sigh of relief and quickly invited everyone to sit down. She then complained to Liu Laosan, "Godfather, has your mansion been emptied by rats? I've been doing the accounting for ages, looking at it from every angle, but I can't find anything!"

Liu Laosan chuckled awkwardly twice, "You found out."

He touched his nose guiltily and glared at the butler.

The steward looked aggrieved. "My lord, it was the young mistress who said that since she rarely comes to the manor, she found it deserted and the rooms empty. She wanted to buy some things, but was worried about exceeding the budget, so she thought she should check the accounts first. I couldn't refuse!"

This investigation revealed the truth!

Although Huang Xinghua was illiterate, she recognized banknotes and silver. Looking at the meager amount on the table, she was shocked and blurted out, "Is this all of the Marquis's assets?"

Liu Laosan was becoming increasingly embarrassed!
Su Tai said worriedly, "Godfather, money is needed everywhere in the capital. If you are short of money, just tell me. I can't help you with anything else, but I can help you with money."

"What are you going to do! I didn't adopt Shen Yi as my godson so you could support me!" Liu Laosan said angrily.

Because they were extremely poor, they lacked confidence in their speech.

Su Tai became anxious, "I know what Godfather is thinking. I didn't mean to give you money directly. Instead, I suggested that we do business together!"

"Do business?" Liu Laosan became interested, but then shook his head. "No, no, I am now the Marquis of Yong'an. So many eyes are watching. If I were to do business, it would definitely reach the Emperor's ears."

Su Tai sneered, "Godfather, which wealthy family doesn't own a manor, shop, or villa? What do you have besides this mansion and the things the Emperor bestowed upon you? I heard from the steward that this silver was extorted from the Second Prince."

This won't do! Luckily, I brought some silver with me this time. If it's inconvenient for you, I'll go. I'll buy a shop in the capital, and my godfather will find someone to manage it for me. We'll split the profits fifty-fifty, how about that?"

"That won't do! You'll lose out!" Old Liu pouted. Although he didn't do business, he wasn't stupid.

Su Tai smiled and raised the corners of her mouth, "Then it's four for you and six for me, it can't be changed anymore."

After a moment of silence, Liu Laosan asked, "What kind of business do you run?"

Su Tai's smile deepened, "I'll do some less glamorous things. For example, in winter, I'll get some fruits and vegetables that aren't available in Lizhou during the winter. In the summer, I'll sell strawberry jam. Xi Ji Assorted Shop's strawberry jam is in high demand, so having another shop to distribute it won't make much difference. I'll also send you some of the green rice and glutinous rice that I secretly grew in the mountains."

"My godfather is, after all, a marquis. Entrusting you with the trade of jade isn't particularly eye-catching, and most people wouldn't question it. I can even give you some jade; these things can fetch tens of thousands of taels of silver a year, possibly more. Supporting the Yong'an Marquis's household won't be a problem."

Liu Laosan was dumbfounded, muttering in a daze, "Tens of thousands of taels of silver! Not to mention supporting my Yong'an Marquis's mansion, it wouldn't be a problem to bring in more people!"

The steward was overjoyed. "My lord, once you've made some money, you can buy estates and shops. Don't be greedy; let your money make more money."

Heaven knows how difficult it was for him to be a housekeeper. Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice. He had been struggling and meticulously budgeting his money, thinking he would have to live like this for the rest of his life. But when the young mistress came, they went from being poor to riches. Hahahaha.
Liu Laosan was amused by the steward's smug look, rolled his eyes, and ignored him.

"It seems we'll have to leave Tian Tian's marriage to you." Everyone's expressions turned serious as they discussed the matter. Su Tai nodded repeatedly, her gaze towards Shen Tian becoming more complex. "I never imagined our Tian Tian would have such good fortune. Now that it's settled, we need to plan carefully. A marriage bestowed by the palace is unlikely to take place now, as it's almost New Year's. Marriages are not discussed in the first month of the lunar calendar."

"The palace is busy in February, and we also have to prepare for spring plowing. The wedding will be at least three months from now," Liu Laosan said, following Su Tai's words.

Su Tai nodded repeatedly, "In that case, my cousins ​​can make the round trip and prepare some things for Tian Tian along the way. I'll write a letter, and you can take it back to Shen Yi for me. He'll know what to do."

Su Chuan and Su Zhan agreed.

Shen Dagou said to Huang Xinghua and Shen Tian, ​​"Mother, Second Sister, I'm going back with them too, and I'll bring Father over as well."

Huang Xinghua naturally had no objection. As a woman, she believed that such matters should be handled by a man.

Su Chuan and his group left without hesitation.

Huang Xinghua and Shen Tian stayed at the Yong'an Marquis's residence, and they could only spend the New Year there this year.

Su Tai wanted them to have a good New Year, so she volunteered to take care of the New Year's Eve dinner.

Using the portal, a large table of delicious food was prepared, including fresh mutton hot pot, fish hot pot, the highly nourishing Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, bamboo rice, and a large bowl of white rice.

The bamboo tubes used for bamboo rice were cut from bamboo tubes produced in the prefecture.

Langya Kingdom does not produce bamboo. Liu Laosan had been staying in Longxia Kingdom for a long time and longed for green bamboo. Just then, Longxia Kingdom presented several pots of green bamboo as tribute, and he shamelessly asked the emperor for one.

This thing is easy to grow. It was transplanted into the backyard and started growing like crazy. In just two years, it has grown into a small patch.

Liu Laosan's wish was to cultivate a bamboo forest, but Su Tai was sharpening her knife and cut down two bamboo stalks during the New Year.

He enjoyed the delicious bamboo rice while secretly shedding tears of heartache.

After the New Year's Eve dinner, everyone sat to keep vigil. Liu Laosan couldn't help but tell Shen Tian about some things happening in the palace. Su Tai sat quietly listening, while Huang Xinghua was uninterested and drowsy.

When Liu Laosan talked about the situation in the court, he couldn't help but ramble on, "Now the powerful families are in power. Although the emperor is willing to change the situation, there are many obstacles. There are many corrupt officials in the court, and there is also the ambitious Cen family on the border. Most of the women in the princes' harems come from powerful families."

Someone like you, without any connections, should try to avoid associating with them to avoid getting bullied.

Huang Xinghua, who had just woken up from a nap, interrupted when she heard this, "We know Mr. Tang. Isn't Mr. Tang also an official?"

Liu Laosan choked, and for a moment he didn't know how to respond.

Su Tai covered her mouth and chuckled, "Auntie, Mr. Tang is just a ninth-rank official in charge of finances and grain in the government. He's nothing in the capital."

Huang Xinghua looked disappointed. "He's clearly an official, so why is he treated differently! Mr. Tang is so learned, what a pity!"

"Alas! Now the powerful families are in power, and people are appointed through recommendations. Ordinary people have to curry favor with these families to get a position. This world seems to belong to the emperor, but in reality, it belongs to the powerful families!"

Liu Laosan and Shen Tian both looked at Su Tai in shock. (End of Chapter)