Chapter 88: Network

Chapter 88

Network

Kang Wang had not yet left. As he was familiar with the Hou and Elder Furen, he thought it proper to stay and converse for a while. Furthermore, he noticed that Nie Shuang seemed uneasy, likely concerned that her father-in-law and Song Qilin might argue. Staying longer, he figured, might help ease the situation for her. So, he quietly sipped his tea and waited.

Nie Shuang herself wasn’t in the mood to talk. Song Qilin poured her some tea and whispered softly,

"Shuang Shuang, don’t worry. Whatever happens, I’ll handle it."

He gently squeezed her hand under the table to comfort her. Nie Shuang could only nod in acknowledgment. How could she not be worried? He and the Hou would likely cause her a headache. If she left it to Song Qilin to deal with his own father, there was a good chance things would escalate into a full-blown argument.

Young Miss Mu, sensing the tense atmosphere, kept her head down, sipping her tea. The silence that followed was uncomfortable.

After a short while, the elders returned from the children’s room, led by the Hou. All of them were smiling brightly. Upon their return to the hall, Nie Shuang quickly stood to invite them to sit. Seeing his daughter-in-law personally welcoming them, the usual stern expression on the Hou’s face softened.

"There’s no need to trouble yourself, daughter-in-law. We’re all family here,"

The Hou said, waving his hand to motion for her to sit down. Nie Shuang smiled sweetly and ordered the servants to bring tea and tangyuan for everyone. After spending time playing with their grandchildren, the elders were in high spirits. Paired with the fine tea and delicious, novel tangyuan, they were all in excellent moods.

"I haven’t had the chance to properly thank you, the Hou, for bringing my parents to visit,"

Nie Shuang said, her expression full of genuine gratitude. Normally a prideful man, this time, the Hou felt that his decision to take a step back and reconcile with his daughter-in-law was indeed the right choice.

She then turned to face her parents, Nie Ran and Xiao Yi Niang, her beautiful face tinged with sorrow.

"Father, Mother, I left without even saying goodbye last time. Please forgive your ungrateful daughter. Nie Shuang has realized my mistake."

She shed tears and was about to kneel, but Nie Ran and Xiao Yi Niang quickly reached out to support her. They loved Nie Shuang as if she were their very heart, and even if she had done something far worse, they wouldn’t have blamed her. Instead, they felt only pity for her, having endured being unwelcome in the Hou Manor. Now that they had found their beloved daughter, all they wanted was to console her. Besides, with everything going well now, they had no reason to hold any grudges. Nie Shuang sighed in relief, knowing that no one would hold her escape against her anymore.

Nie Ran, ever perceptive, knew that the Hou and Elder Furen had now favored his daughter, but he also noticed the earlier tension between the Hou and his son-in-law. He feared that if the Hou suddenly remembered their spat, it would lead to another argument and only cause more distress for Nie Shuang. He then began asking about his daughter’s well-being and brought up the topic of her tea business, which helped lighten the atmosphere once more. Nie Shuang silently thanked her father. Nie Ran was determined to support her in every way, and discussing business allowed her husband’s family to learn more about her capabilities. Both the Hou and Elder Furen listened with keen interest as she recounted the origins of her enterprise. She didn’t forget to praise Kang Wang and expressed her gratitude for his continued support. They hadn’t expected a woman on her own to build such a significant business.

Nie Ran himself was deeply impressed with his daughter. As a merchant, he was always well-informed about the business world. Recently, he had heard about a new tea merchant who had secured the exclusive right to distribute Lü Cui tea. He had admired this accomplishment, knowing how difficult it was for an unknown merchant to rise to such prominence. Little did he know it was his own daughter. Right now, Lü Cui tea could be found in southern cities but was scarce in the north, where only the royal palace and high-ranking officials had access to it.

When Nie Ran heard that she had expanded her business across the region by selling tea rights to interested parties, his smile grew broader.

"It seems there aren’t many buyers for the rights in the north, are there?"

Nie Shuang nodded, her slender eyebrows furrowing slightly.

"That’s still a bit of a problem. I’m on my own and need to take care of my three young children. The northern part is vast and far away, so I haven’t had time to find buyers willing to venture that far. Moreover, transportation routes remain an issue."

At this, the Hou laughed.

"Daughter-in-law, you speak as if you don’t know your own father. Merchant Nie Ran has been trading grain in the north for years. Distributing your tea in that area won’t be difficult at all."

Song Qilin furrowed his brows, clearly displeased. The phrase ‘on my own’ struck a nerve, making his heart ache. If it weren’t for his duty to the country, would he have left his beautiful wife and their triplets alone in a distant land?

Meanwhile, Nie Shuang’s eyes lit up when she heard the Hou’s words.

Of course! How could she have forgotten about Nie Ran? He was one of the wealthiest merchants in the land, with an extensive trade network covering nearly every city. If her tea could be distributed along with the Nie family’s goods, finding buyers and expanding distribution would no longer be an issue.

"How foolish of me. If not for the Hou’s reminder, Nie Shuang wouldn’t have thought of it."

Nie Ran laughed at his daughter’s words.

"Leave the northern expansion of your Xiangyun Shop branches to me. You focus on the southern part and nearby areas. That way, you’ll have more time for your three little ones."

Song Qilin, however, felt a bitterness in his heart, as though he were worthless—unable to help his wife in any meaningful way. A sudden, impulsive thought crossed his mind: he wanted to whisk her and their children away to live with him on the border, leaving the tea business to others!

The Hou glanced at his son’s troubled face and knew exactly what he was thinking. Back when Nie Shuang had fled the Hou Manor, Song Qilin had threatened to report his own father to the authorities. The Hou still hadn’t fully forgiven him for that. Now, seeing Young Miss Mu sitting quietly, not interacting with anyone, only reinforced his suspicions.

Nie Ran was engrossed in discussing tea transportation plans with his daughter, but when he realized, he changed the subject.

"We can talk more about this later."

Nie Shuang nodded and invited Kang Wang and Young Miss Mu to stay for dinner. She also ordered the servants to prepare rooms for the elders. With Song Qilin present and the Hou accompanied by his wife, it was now appropriate to invite him to stay at the mansion. However, the Hou cleared his throat.

"No need for all that trouble. I’ve already purchased the mansion next door. Merchant Nie Ran and Xiao Yi Niang can stay with me tonight."

Everyone’s eyes widened when they heard this.

"The Hou! Are you planning to settle here? And what about the Hou Manor?"

Kang Wang asked in surprise, voicing the very questions that had crossed both Nie Shuang and Song Qilin’s minds. The Hou responded nonchalantly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, but his aged cheeks flushed a bit.

"My grandchildren are here. If I don’t move here, who will help my daughter-in-law raise them? Didn’t she just say she’s raising the children all on her own? If I live nearby, I can help take care of them and ease her burden."

Nie Shuang nearly rolled her eyes. Help take care of the children...? Ease her burden...? The idea of the Hou taking care of children was absurd. He’d spoil them rotten, if anything! Even Xu Shi stood up from her seat in surprise.

"The Hou!"

It seemed she hadn’t been informed of the house purchase or his intention to move to Huangjing City. Seeing the guests present, she quickly sat back down, but her gaze at the Hou clearly communicated that they had a lot to discuss later.

Realizing he was under scrutiny, the Hou swiftly changed the topic to his son.

"And you, Qilin! There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask. Young Miss Mu is here—did you bring her?"

Oh no!

Nie Shuang silently groaned. This old man only ever brought trouble her way!

"No, it’s not like that. Young Miss Mu..."

Nie Shuang was scrambling to come up with an excuse to cover for Young Miss Mu without revealing that she had been captured by Baihua Brothel. She had already informed Princess An Le, who was to notify the Mu family, but the Hou was an outsider, and the fewer people knew about it, the better.

"Young Miss Mu was traveling to Huangjing but encountered trouble on the way, so I helped her out. Please don’t misunderstand Qilin,"

Kang Wang intervened, taking responsibility for the situation.

"Both Young Furen and His Highness are my benefactors. In a few days, the Mu family will send someone to take me back. Please, the Hou, don’t worry,"

Mu Rongying took the opportunity to explain. However, neither the Hou nor his wife seemed entirely reassured. They knew all too well how complicated the affairs of prominent families could be. A woman who was on the verge of being sent into the palace—what business would she have traveling this far and staying in Kang Wang’s palace? It all seemed rather suspicious. Yet, out of respect for their guests, the Hou and Xu Shi kept their thoughts to themselves, planning to get the truth from their son later.Seeing that Nie Shuang was busy entertaining many guests, Kang Wang excused himself without staying for dinner. After paying respects to the elders, Mu Rongying gracefully rose and followed Kang Wang out.