283 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

By the Zimo Bridge, the mulberry field belongs to Lord Qin's family. Lord Qin's only daughter, Luo Fu, is married to Jiang Yun, whom he selected as her husband. Jiang Yun runs a silk shop in the capital, while he and his wife, Luo Fu, live separately for much of the year. However, in the eyes of outsiders, their relationship does not suffer from this distance. In the small town of Mosang, Luo Fu is renowned for her beauty. Unlike other men, her husband, Jiang Yun, is not robust; with his rosy lips, white teeth, delicate and slender physique, he is even more attractive than many women. People privately remark that Jiang Yun lives off his wife’s wealth. Jiang Yun operates a silk shop named Jin Shang in the city, frequently dealing with silk merchants from the capital. His business prospered despite being the matrilocal husband of Luo Fu. Many women, drawn by his reputation, would secretly watch him from outside his home when he returned to the town. As Ning Songwu's carriage passed the Zimo Bridge, a gentle breeze lifted the curtain, scattering silver light beneath the swaying shadows of mulberry trees. There, he saw Luo Fu dressed in pale purple, her skirt hem gently lifted by the wind, her presence accompanied by a subtle fragrance like that of fresh flowers. Luo Fu’s slender jade hands were busy plucking mulberry leaves. Ning Songwu couldn't help but marvel at her beauty. Though he himself wasn’t without some charm, next to Luo Fu, he felt utterly overshadowed. An image of Ran Fanyin involuntarily surfaced in his mind. He pondered whether Ran Fanyin could compare, though the thought quickly drifted away. His horse ambled toward Luo Fu, drawn to the succulent mulberry leaves she had picked and placed in a basket on the ground. Ning Songwu snapped out of his thoughts and hurriedly instructed, "Cha Le, why are you standing there? Don’t let the horse spoil the leaves." With floods and waterlogged fields frequently afflicting the region, mulberry leaves had become scarce, and he couldn’t bear to see them wasted. Hearing the commotion, Luo Fu paused her work. Seeing an officer in her mulberry grove, she stepped forward and greeted, "Greetings, officer." "Miss, your mulberry leaves look tender and lush. No wonder even the horse couldn't resist a taste. I bet your silkworms are thriving," said Cha Le with a smile. Luo Fu humbly replied, "Thank you for the compliment, officer. Alas, the continuous heavy rains over the past two months have caused floods, washing away a large part of our mulberry trees. Our silkworms barely have enough to eat, and have grown noticeably thinner. I fear this year’s silk production will suffer greatly." Cha Le consoled, "Miss, don’t worry. The prefect has already reported the disaster to the court, and a shipment of mulberry leaves from Tongzhou will arrive shortly." Ran Fanyin added, "But you must follow my instructions." "What? I paid you, and now you expect me to listen to you? Are you serious?" Yun Niang's eyes widened in disbelief as she pointed at herself, incredulous. "The market has changed, and what position does your Fengming Court hold compared to mine? If you truly want to turn things around, show some sincerity," Ran Fanyin stated firmly. "Fine, I’ll listen to you." Times were different now, and Ran Fanyin had clearly found Yun Niang's weak spot. "First, Fengming Court needs a complete makeover. We'll have to invest in decorations. Gather a list of the girls' skills for me. I also need to visit your rival, Shi Hua Lou, to understand their strategies. Only then can we devise a corresponding plan." Ran Fanyin's mind was already crafting ideas, considering Pingyang County as a potential second market outside the capital. "You know Fengming Court is already running at a loss. I have no spare money for any refurbishments," Yun Niang said, the thought of spending more causing her stress. Her funds were nearly exhausted. "Sometimes you have to spend a little to gain a lot. Just invest a modest amount, and I promise that within three days, you'll start making a profit," Ran Fanyin assured, knowing she couldn't delay any longer. She needed to redeem Wen Xiang soon; Fengming Court couldn't be her long-term base. "You’ve been in Pingyang for years. Surely you have connections. I need you to find someone for me. I’ll provide you with a portrait later," Ran Fanyin spoke with authority, setting tasks that brooked no refusal. "Alright, I’ll go along with you, as long as you help me outshine Shi Hua Lou and turn Fengming Court profitable. Agreed?" After some thought, Yun Niang decided to take a gamble, as she needed Ran Fanyin’s expertise. Ran Fanyin instructed, "Tonight, assign someone to go with me. We'll disguise ourselves and infiltrate Shi Hua Lou. By morning, I’ll provide you with a satisfactory plan. If I fail, you can do as you wish. Surely you can afford one night?" "Agreed. But first, sign this indenture!" Yun Niang laid a paper on the table, contemplating whether Ran Fanyin could truly understand Shi Hua Lou’s secrets in one night and deliver results. Was she capable of such a feat? Ran Fanyin clarified, "Signing is a given, but it won't be an indenture. It'll be a partnership agreement. I don’t do losing trades. If I help Fengming Court become the top establishment in Pingyang County, you’ll grant me freedom as my reward." Yun Niang smiled, "If you can pull that off, why wouldn’t I agree?" Ran Fanyin carefully wrote the agreement and handed it to Yun Niang, "Take a look. How does this sound?" The agreement read: Starting tomorrow, management rights of Fengming Court will be temporarily handed over to the second party. The second party must turn the business profitable within three days and surpass Shi Hua Lou. The first party will keep their promise and not detain the second party. If the second party fails, they will submit to the first party’s judgment. Effective from the 6th day of the 8th month in the 17th year of Jiankang. First Party: Yun Niang Second Party: Yu Qing Dated: 5th day of the 8th month, 17th year of Jiankang Yun Niang reviewed the agreement several times, finding no fault, and signed it promptly. "Let’s settle it like gentlemen. We'll see the results in three days," Yun Niang said, her face beaming. "Excellent. I enjoy dealing with smart people. I toast you with tea," Ran Fanyin declared as she downed her cup in one gulp. Naturally, business involves risks. Even with an agreement in hand, Ran Fanyin knew she needed a backup plan in case Yun Niang reneged. She would have to think carefully about what that safety net might be.