Thrown out of the house, the wet nurse enters the noble household and becomes a person of high statu

"Then let's not go back. Let's stay here. The First Madam can do whatever she wants. Destruction and reconstruction may not be a bad thing."

Liu Wenying listened quietly until Wen Jingshu finished speaking, then she placed her hand on the back of the other's hand.

Wen Jingshu murmured repeatedly, "Destruction precedes construction..."

"You're right. With the Duke's mansion gone, all those rules and regulations are gone too. In all my years, this is the first time I've felt...lighthearted."

Wen Jingshu smiled, her eyes glistening with tears.

Liu Wenying smiled and said, "Then live the way the First Madam likes. The estate is short of a supervisor. If you are willing, we will pay you a monthly wage."

"Wages?"

"Of course, the First Madam used to manage the household affairs of the Duke's mansion, so managing this small estate is a piece of cake for her."

Liu Wenying spoke with such seriousness that Wen Jingshu burst into laughter through her tears and gently nudged her.

"You..."

How long has it been since anyone joked with her like that? Back in the Duke's mansion, she was a dignified and composed mistress of the household, even her smiles required her to purse her lips and not show her teeth.

The maids and servants respected and feared her, and they had to be even more careful with their words and actions in front of their mothers-in-law.

Life was like a tightly wound string, with no time to relax.

"Wenying, don't call me Madam anymore."

Liu Wenying blinked: "What's it called?"

"Call me by my name."

"I'm not used to being called by my name, so I'll just call you Sister Wen."

Wen Jingshu nodded.

As dusk settled completely, the sky turned a deep indigo, and a few stars began to twinkle sparsely.

The lanterns under the eaves were lit, and the warm yellow light enveloped the two figures in a gentle glow.

Looking at Wen Jingshu, Liu Wenying finally felt free from all her shackles.

That year, when she first entered the Duke's mansion as a wet nurse, she was as dignified as a delicate porcelain doll.

Now, the outer layer of porcelain is broken, revealing inside a person of flesh and blood.

"Okay, Sister Wen." Liu Wenying smiled, her eyes crinkling.

Wen Jingshu smiled, her voice carrying a long-lost lightness.

"I'll go to the shops in the city tomorrow to make contact. Oh, by the way, I saw some fine fabric in the warehouse a few days ago. I'll sort it out; maybe I can sell it."

Liu Wenying clapped her hands: "That's great! The estate is looking to expand its business. If Sister Wen can help, we won't have to worry."

As dusk fell, the two chatted about trivial matters at the mountain villa, making small talk.

The night breeze grew cooler, and the fragrance of lotus blossoms grew stronger.

Wen Jingshu suddenly whispered, "Wen Ying, thank you."

"I'll go check on Luo Luo; where has that child run off to again?"

After Liu Wenying finished speaking, she walked out.

Wen Jingshu sat on the stone bench, watching her figure disappear into the corner of the corridor, a smile playing on her lips.

The crescent moon rose, hanging in the sky, gentle yet serene.

……

The two acted immediately, and the next day they took a carriage to the capital.

The merchants in the capital were located in the East Market, surrounded by silk shops, jewelry shops, teahouses and taverns.

Although the silk from Zhiyun Manor was of good quality, it lost its backing due to the decline of the Duke's Mansion. The merchants who used to fawn over it all changed their tune and started to drive down prices with a sense of entitlement.

Liu Wenying came today to meet the most difficult one among them, Mr. Sun, the owner of the trading company and also the owner of Ruifuxiang Silk Shop.

The carriage stopped at the door, the sunlight was intense.

Wen Jingshu got out of the car, reached out and supported Liu Wenying's arm, helping her down steadily.

Zizhu followed behind the two, carrying bolts of newly produced cloth from Zhiyun Manor.

Boss Sun was a man in his forties with a thin mustache.

"I am deeply grateful for your presence, Mr. Liu. I have failed to greet you properly."

He came out from behind the counter and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

Mr. Sun was smiling, but the smile was just a fleeting expression on his face.

"Mr. Sun, you're too kind." Liu Wenying sat down in the armchair, and Wen Jingshu sat down beside her.

Zizhu spread the silk on the table beside her. Its dark purple color resembled the hazy glow of dusk, exuding a noble and leisurely air, free from any trace of dust.

"Boss Sun from Zhiyunzhuang has seen it. This batch of Yun brocade is superior to last year's in terms of weaving, pattern, and quality."

"The Zhuangzi family has changed their silkworm breeds, and the fabric they weave is denser and softer than before."

Liu Wenying spoke of the advantages.

Boss Sun twirled his beard with two fingers, strolled over to the brocade, and examined it closely, turning it over and over.

"The material is of high quality, and even with the current market price, Mr. Liu knows that."

Liu Wenying didn't reply, but picked up her teacup and blew away the foam.

Seeing that she didn't intend to lower the price, Boss Sun smiled and held up three fingers.

"To be honest, I can no longer offer last year's prices. How about 30%? I'm already 50% more expensive than other places."

This is a typical business tactic of testing the waters: first, lower the price to the lowest possible level, then gradually increase it, making people feel that every penny of the discount is a donation.

Liu Wenying remained silent, but Wen Jingshu said, "Boss Sun, you've seen the quality of our silks for yourself. Most of Ruifuxiang's customers are women from official families in the capital. When they choose fabrics, they look at the texture and pattern."

"This lady is right, so it's forty percent then, no more than that."

"Then I won't bother Boss Sun any longer. Manager Zhou from Jinxiu Pavilion sent someone to inquire the other day, saying he wanted as many as he could get, and although the price wasn't high, he was very sincere."

Liu Wenying gestured to Zizhu to put the fabric away, then said to her side, "Sister Wen, let's go."

"Wait!" Boss Sun exclaimed anxiously.

Jinxiu Pavilion is Ruifuxiang's mortal enemy; if the best materials fall into their hands...

"Don't be in a hurry, boss. The price is negotiable. Fifty percent, how about fifty percent?"

"We're offering 90% off, plus a 20% discount. We really can't go any lower."

"That's too much..."

After much back and forth with Boss Sun, Liu Wenying finally settled on a price that was 80% of last year's, with both sides making concessions.

If the other party can lower the price, she can also raise it at the beginning; that's probably her initial plan.

After signing the contract, Boss Sun finally realized what had happened and cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Master Liu, you have quite the skills."

"Boss Sun is too kind. In business, mutual benefit and win-win are the principles. We will definitely make Ruifuxiang's business prosperous with the silks from Zhiyun Manor."

As the carriage drove out of the East Market, Liu Wenying and Wen Jingshu exchanged a smile, both pleased with their previous cooperation.

Zizhu sat opposite him, folding up the signed document and storing it away.

"Master Liu is truly remarkable, and his wife is equally impressive."

Liu Wenying said modestly, "No, I learned it all from the shopkeepers when I was in the manor, helping Sister Wen inspect the shops."

Wen Jingshu also smiled.

Outside the car, street signs fluttered in the breeze, and the streets were bustling with activity.

Liu Wenying lifted the curtain to look, and suddenly she hissed and clutched her stomach.

"What's wrong?" Wen Jingshu asked hurriedly.

"Perhaps it's because he's been sitting for too long, that's why the child is kicking so hard..."

As soon as Liu Wenying finished speaking, a warm liquid gushed out from between her legs; her water broke.

…………