"But what about Prince Eight over there..." Du Chengxiu couldn’t help but remind.

"From now on, I don’t plan to do business with Prince Eight anymore." Yang Ruxin shook her head, then looked at Qian Er, "Do you know why?"

Qian Er used to be a scoundrel, inherently clever. Since following Yang Ruxin, he learned to write and do arithmetic, even managed a shop, growing significantly. Now he even has a wife, becoming much more grounded, no longer acting solely on impulse or loyalty. Upon hearing Yang Ruxin’s question, he realized this was another test for him. After a brief contemplation, he said, "Madam and Prince Eight engaged in the furniture business and helped manage Baoyue Building, generating good profits. She also collaborated with Prince Three on a bar, yielding significant revenues. Adding the medicinal wine would make it too weighty." He didn’t need to guess to know how much of a stir the medicinal wine would cause once released.

"Something like that." Yang Ruxin nodded, "Although my husband supports the Crown Prince’s faction, the Crown Prince is not the Emperor yet. If the Crown Prince amasses wealth too quickly, it will raise suspicions." Those plotting rebellion must first gather wealth.

"Then who does Madam intend to collaborate with?" Du Chengxiu nodded slightly, a glimmer flashing through his eyes; he realized his narrow-mindedness earlier.

"Didn’t Uncle Du guess?" Yang Ruxin raised her eyebrows slightly.

Du Chengxiu looked at Miao Jian, "Did you guess?"

Miao Jian, though not talkative, was worldly-wise and knew Du Chengxiu was deliberately prompting him. He immediately nodded slightly, "The Empress Dowager."

"Why?" Yang Ruxin’s lips curved.

"When a son has more money, becomes more powerful, the father feels pressured. When the mother has silver, isn’t it naturally for her son’s sake?" Miao Jian grinned; the hot pot restaurant in Beijing was an example.

"Haha." Du Chengxiu laughed, "Though the words are coarse, the logic is sound." He then looked at Yang Ruxin, "I can leave comfortably now."

Miao Jian felt slightly shy but happy, indicating he passed the master’s test and could fulfill the role of butler. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Qian Er also revealed a look of realization. He understood why not to seek collaboration with Prince Eight, yet hadn’t guessed it would be the Empress Dowager. Business indeed involves many twists! Clearly, he had much more to learn.

Xiaohei returned at that moment.

Yang Ruxin gazed at the large ring and patted Xiaohei’s head, "Thank you for your hard work."

Xiaohei rubbed Yang Ruxin’s palm with grievance; he could deliver messages, but now he was reduced to a porter, seeking comfort.

Yang Ruxin generously fed him one of his favorite medicine pills and began reading the letter.

The others did not leave, standing quietly beside her, waiting.

Yang Ruxin suddenly chuckled, put the letter away, and handed the ring to Qian Er, "Go to Baolai Bank and bring back fifty thousand taels of silver."

"Okay." Qian Er didn’t ask anything, took the ring, and turned to leave. Though Baolai Bank wasn’t as large as Baofeng Bank, it had branches in most counties, including one in Baihua County.

"Miao Jian, since Uncle Du said you’re capable, from today, you will officially be the head butler at home. I’m not very mobile now, so you need to keep an eye on the various workshops and businesses..." Once she trained them well, she could be a hands-off manager."