Chapter 10, preoccupied and busy

It must be said that the matriarch has also been quite concerned about the matter of Feng Liu's heirs. The best scenario, of course, would be for Feng Liu to take a concubine, and for any child born to be recorded under Qing Xi's name. If that girl does not harbor any improper intentions and remains in the residence as a secondary wife, that would not be unacceptable. Should she have ulterior motives, she could simply be sold off.

Qingxi quickly composed herself and focused on following Feng Liu's hand movements. How the vertical stroke was applied with strength and intention, and how the dot contained a sense of solidity within its lightness, such matters truly require hands-on instruction.

Linlang shook her head, "That boy knows nothing despite being asked three times."

Having settled a significant matter on her mind, Qingxi finally agreed to visit various courtyards. She thought to herself that since it was Fengliu who had found these people, they must be quite suitable. Naturally, the shop would see profits next year, and her finances would become more relaxed. This past month had indeed kept Qingxi restrained, but she had also managed to curb her tendency to spend extravagantly.

Qingxi was taken aback, "What are you doing?"

Feng Liu flipped through the pages, and her brows instinctively furrowed, nearly causing Mu Qingxi to gasp in shock

Qingxi was momentarily taken aback before realizing that Fengliu wanted her calligraphy. She quickly handed it over, holding her breath in nervousness.

Qingxi increasingly felt that it was good, but Linlang quickly shook her head, as if she had seen a ghost, her face pale, "I dare not, I dare not. I am incompetent and cannot even serve the lady well, how could I dare to have any other extravagant desires"

I do not wish to inquire about your dowry, but it is simply that the commotion in your shop has become quite unreasonable

They probably cannot withstand his coldness

Qingxi held Linglang's hand and said: "Rest assured, both the Duke and I will take good care of you. I feel at ease with you by my side"

The person seeking individuals is Wan Shengquan, the chief steward of the Hou residence, who is highly valued by Feng Liu. He handles matters with such competence that Qingxi naturally feels at ease. Moreover, seeing that the several shopkeepers exhibit very proper manners and their speech reveals their extensive experience, Qingxi is even more fond of them. She immediately agrees to let them coordinate with the current shopkeepers to facilitate the handover at the end of the year, in anticipation of a fresh start in the coming year

When this news reached the lady, she also smiled and praised Qingxi a few times, as it is naturally good to take the initiative to allow Fengliu to have a secondary room.

"Don't freeze your hands, why do you still write so stiffly?" Feng Liu raised an eyebrow, "You go sit at the desk, let me see how you write."

At the moment when Qingxi was lost in thought, she was suddenly met with a cold glare from Feng Liu, prompting her to quickly regain her focus and recall Feng Liu's penmanship, which could at least be considered legible.

"Alright, you write it yourself." Feng Liu released Qing Xi's hand

Brother Tingzhi

I naturally understand that Brother Tingzhi truly cares for my well-being. Qingxi quickly said, "I have long wanted to change my companion, but I have been struggling to find a suitable candidate. I don't know how to express my gratitude for Brother Tingzhi's help." Qingxi looked at Fengliu with eyes that smiled like a crescent moon.

Qingxi gently patted Linlang's hand and said, "Alright, I won't make it difficult for you. Please keep an eye out for me and see if there is anyone suitable. It is time to arrange for a concubine to serve the Duke."

Qingxi felt that she was getting too close to Fengliu, his masculine warmth almost penetrating through her clothes to her skin. The four walls were not warm, but with Fengliu's body heat, it felt particularly comfortable. Qingxi felt a tinge of shyness for this fleeting desire and unconsciously shifted forward to create some distance, but was stopped by Fengliu, "What are you doing? Focus on me."

Qingxi naturally did not dare to refute, so he could only moisten his brush, dip it in ink, and after writing just two characters, he was stopped by Fengliu, who said, "No wonder your calligraphy has not improved; this is an overcorrection. You focus too much on the structure of the characters and have forgotten the essence of fluidity, resulting in traces that fall short of excellence"

Qingxi took a deep breath, changed into a set of powder purple long dress, draped a gray-brown fox fur cape over her shoulders, thought for a moment, and selected a few good pieces of calligraphy she had practiced over the past few days, taking them along to the Si Bing residence

Linlang shook her head so vigorously that she almost twisted her neck, "Madam, please spare Linlang. Did Linlang do something wrong?"

In the twelfth month of the lunar calendar, it is the busiest time for the entire household. Although this year Qingxi does not have to deal with the matters of sending gifts for the New Year, the messy issues concerning her dowry shop are enough to give her a headache. In previous years, during the year-end accounting, the shopkeepers would have countless complaints, such as the poor business conditions and the intense competition.

In the beginning, Qingxi wanted to avoid the noise, so she insisted that they smooth things over themselves. This year, while Qingxi was troubled by this matter, Fengliu sent someone to invite her to the Fourfold Residence.

Qingxi looked up at this man, her breathing not even slightly disturbed, appearing to have no other thoughts about herself, which is truly perplexing

Only Feng Liu seemed oblivious to the multiple hints dropped by the matriarch. He had never been one to indulge in the company of women. Although the matriarch wished to directly introduce two individuals to him, she feared that her astute eldest son would catch on. If this were to involve Qing Xi and the matter were to be exposed, it would greatly contradict her true intentions.

Qingxi suddenly realized that it was no wonder that every time she heard gossip from the residence, it was always about which maid had taken a liking to the Fourth Master, or which one had sought to elevate herself by associating with the Third Master. However, there was never any news about those maids trying to seduce Feng Liu

Thus, Feng Liu took Qing Xi out to the main hall and sat down. A young servant led the guests in. Feng Liu was concerned that others might misunderstand his involvement with Qing Xi's dowry, so he instructed someone to lead them through the side door to the four-part residence.

Qingxi walked lightly, her heart beating thump-thump as she approached the inner room where Fengliu was sitting up. From a distance, she observed that his complexion did not seem too bad, which gave Qingxi the courage to step forward

It is much better than last time, weren't you supposed to practice your calligraphy again in the spring

Linlang quickly nodded

It is generally not a good sign when Feng Liu actively sends someone to invite me. Qing Xi looked at Lin Lang with some anxiety and asked, "Do you know why the Duke is looking for me?"

Feng Liu nodded, allowing Qing Xi to stop writing, "I called you here today to discuss something. The shops you brought as your dowry, I took a brief look at last time, and they are all the hottest businesses at present, yet they have been losing money year after year. It is certainly due to improper staffing. I have found a few suitable personnel for you; you may take a look."

However, Qingxi has now become more understanding, and Fengliu surprisingly managed to pull out a faint smile, leaving Qingxi stunned. Fengliu's appearance is inherently handsome, but his usual frosty demeanor makes it hard for people to think about it. Today, seeing the slight upward curve of his lips is like the melting of ice and snow in the spring moon, bringing forth the rebirth of streams, which is truly refreshing.

"The room has a heated floor, so my hands won't get cold." Qingxi smiled, indicating that she is very diligent

Feng Liu looked up and saw Qing Xi, pointed to the southern window couch and invited her to sit there. Noticing the calligraphy practice book she was holding, he said: "Let me have a look at it."

Feng Liu realized that at that moment, he could not make Qing Xi understand, so he sat down beside her, took her hand, and guided her in writing, stroke by stroke.

Qingxi was so surprised that she opened her mouth, never expecting Feng Liu to care about such matters

Linlang was almost in tears, "This servant, this servant is so frightened that I dare not even breathe upon seeing the back of the Duke."

Feng Liu beheld Qing Xi, who was charming and innocent, and the brilliant starlight reflected in her eyes left him momentarily stunned. The sweet fragrance of Qing Xi lingered around his nose, igniting a desire to bite down hard. At this point, Feng Liu quickly halted his wandering thoughts, secretly reprimanding himself for harboring such lewd ideas, as Qing Xi was still just a child