Seeing her ask, and since the two of them were already familiar and not outsiders, Shu Rui briefly mentioned his idea for a new inn.
Unexpectedly, after hearing it, Cui Rui praised it highly. “This idea of yours is excellent. I don’t know about others, but speaking for myself, I often travel to other places to select and compare goods. Even though I bring people with me every time, I still inevitably run into some vulgar men.
“Especially when it comes to lodging—it’s the most troublesome. If I heard there was an inn outside that was exclusively for ge’er and women, it would definitely be my first choice.”
“If this inn gets established, I think it won’t just do business—it’ll also be doing something genuinely good.”
She took Shu Rui by the hand. “Truly a fine idea. It should have been done earlier.”
A warmth rose in Shu Rui’s chest. Cui Rui had been in business for many years and was certainly a capable person herself. Seeing her react with such surprise and approval made the venture feel all the more possible.
Still, he said modestly, “I’ve only sketched out a rough idea. I haven’t finalized anything yet.”
Cui Rui said, “If you’re going to open this inn, I can actually partner with you on it.”
Shu Rui raised his brows slightly. “Partner how?”
“You’re planning a business specifically serving ge’er and women, and my rouge and cosmetics business also caters precisely to ge’er and women, doesn’t it?”
She went on to say that once the inn was up and running, she could supply her custom-blended fragrances for exclusive use at his inn, not selling them anywhere else on the market—only through that one place.
As for the washing and bathing items used at the inn, they would continue to use products from Baoshi Workshop, which could be introduced to lodging guests. At that point, it could work much like the relationship between the storage shop and the cart companies or escort agencies—either taking a commission or having the inn stock and sell the goods directly, all negotiable.
Running the numbers, Shu Rui realized this would be an exceptionally good deal. He immediately discussed further details with Cui Rui.
After returning home, Shu Rui thought it over again and finally settled on going ahead with the new inn. Riding the momentum, he began preparations at once.
First, he had Lu Ling help him look for staff. Suitable staff would need to be found outside the area, which would take time to travel back and forth. Even after finding them, they would need a period of training before they could be put to use, so arrangements had to start early.
After handing off the matter of staff, Shu Rui selected a two-story small building with a courtyard in the southern part of the city, signed the lease, and hired carpenters to renovate and decorate it.
He planned for the new inn to continue using the style of the small inn, dividing rooms into upper rooms, lower rooms, and shared bunks.
The furnishings would still take plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum as their themes. First, it saved effort—items like bedding patterns had already been carefully chosen at the outset, and there was no guarantee new ones would be better. Second, suppliers were already in place for the themed scented powders and bathing products used in the inn.
Most importantly, after several years of running the small inn, guests had proven quite fond of this set of furnishings, with little complaint.
The new property Shu Rui rented wasn’t large. On one hand, that kept initial costs lower, and he currently had enough liquid funds to cover it.
Leaving aside their houses and farmland, and the two small shops he had bought at low prices over the past two years and rented out, as well as the five hundred strings of cash he kept deposited and rarely touched, he still had four to five hundred strings in ready money.
The days when he had first arrived in Tidewatch Prefecture with only twenty or so strings of cash were long past.
At the beginning, when operations first started and he had nothing in hand, hardship was unavoidable. But as the inn took off and brought in several dozen strings a month, he reinvested that money into buying land and small ventures. Money generated more money, and gradually he accumulated property and became more comfortable.
Reaching this point today was also thanks to him, Lu Ling, and the entire Lu family keeping themselves upright. They hadn’t let success go to their heads or indulged in reckless extravagance. They spent where spending was appropriate and refrained where it wasn’t, and that was how they managed to hold on to what they had built.
Even with money in hand, Shu Rui didn’t want to spread himself too thin all at once. If he took on a huge property, the monthly rent alone could be twenty or thirty strings. Add staff wages and other expenses, and it would be overwhelming.
If business went well, it could mean a big turnaround, but if it didn’t, it would be easy to take a hard fall.
Shu Rui thought that he didn’t need great wealth—moving slowly and steadily was better. Focusing on something small but refined could still provide a comfortable living.
After a busy day, Shu Rui returned to the inn, where Xu Cheng and Third Sister were already preparing the later round of evening dishes.
Over the past two years, both of them had studied diligently and made significant progress. Even if Shu Rui was away from the inn all day, business continued to run smoothly.
Xu Cheng had more ideas in the kitchen. The dishes he made matched Shu Rui’s taste about seventy percent, with the remaining thirty percent being his own flair, which earned him a following of diners. On ordinary days, some guests even came specifically to have him cook and take dishes away.
Third Sister, on the other hand, was more methodical in the kitchen, following Shu Rui’s techniques step by step. Her flavors were even closer to Shu Rui’s. Once the dishes were served, unless it was seasoned gourmands or regular patrons of the inn, most new guests couldn’t easily tell the difference.
Even so, neither of them yet had the seasoned mastery to truly match Shu Rui.
Still, reaching this level already left Shu Rui very satisfied with his two apprentices.
“Third Sister, how has your brother been lately?” Shu Rui asked.
Last month, Qing-ge’er had asked for leave. After marrying Advocate Meng, and before even a year had passed, there was happy news. Worried that labor might harm the pregnancy, Shu Rui had approved his return home, telling him to consider coming back only after giving birth and recovering.
A few days earlier, Third Sister had mentioned that his morning sickness was quite severe. Shu Rui had obtained some sour oranges from tenant farmers in his hometown and brought them over to visit him.
Lately, he had been so busy with the new inn that he hadn’t had time to go again.
“He’s doing fine,” Third Sister said. “I went over yesterday. He can eat and sleep now—his belly’s just gotten bigger, and he’s a bit clumsy moving around.
“In another month or two, it’ll be time. He keeps thinking about the shop every day, always wishing I’d come over so he can pull me aside and ask questions. His husband’s scolded him a few times, but it doesn’t stick—he’s set on coming back as early as possible.”
Shu Rui laughed. Advocate Meng’s family wasn’t lacking; even if Qing-ge’er never worked again, Advocate Meng could support him well. Yet here he was, expecting a child and still thinking about returning to the inn.
But Shu Rui thought this was a good thing. It wasn’t just that the shop needed someone as capable as Qing-ge’er—it was also better for him to have something he loved doing, rather than staying home entirely to manage the household.
“With Qing-ge’er away these days, you two have really been carrying the load. And I’ve been busy with the new shop too—it’s made things harder on you.”
He added, “I’m thinking of hiring two temporary hands to help things run smoothly.”
Xu Cheng said, “We’re used to the work. Third Sister and I can still manage. If we hire anyone, one would be enough.”
Third Sister agreed. “That’s right. It’s only busy at midday and in the evening. Master, you come by from time to time, and Shopkeeper Lu helps out occasionally too. There’s really no need for two helpers.”
Shu Rui knew both apprentices were honest and treated the inn like their own. Still, he didn’t want to simply take advantage of that goodwill. He decided to hire just one helper, and instead of hiring the second, he would add that would-be wage to their pay as a bonus for this busy period.
“It’s good for you two to get used to handling things as well. You’ll need to learn how to manage people eventually. Once the new inn is up and running, Third Sister will go there to learn to take charge of the kitchen. This side will be handled by Xu. Then each of you will have an assistant, managing things on your own.”
After hearing this, both Xu Cheng and Third Sister felt nervous, but also pleased.
When they had first signed contracts to study under Shu Rui, they had truly chosen the right path. Out in the wider world, how many people could learn a master’s real skills in just a few years, then immediately take charge of a kitchen in an inn upon finishing their apprenticeship—with待遇 that were uncommonly good?
Third Sister had joined Shu Rui from the very beginning, so the impact wasn’t as strong. Xu Cheng, however, had gone through many detours before ending up under Shu Rui. By comparison, he felt even more strongly that gritting his teeth back then and signing on with Shu Rui had been the right decision.
Otherwise, who knew how many more winding paths he would have had to walk before finding a livelihood with real prospects.
Both of them solemnly promised Shu Rui that they would study diligently and run the inn well.
After the evening rush finally passed and the number of guests dwindled, Shu Rui left the inn to head home.
Before he’d gone far toward the residence, he spotted a familiar figure coming toward him to meet him.
Lu Ling had been just as busy lately, working with Zhong Dayang on clever anti-theft designs for their branch shop. To open as soon as possible, they often worked late into the night.
Once autumn arrived, the number of merchants and peddlers entering the city would increase significantly compared to other seasons. Getting the branch ready before autumn would be perfect timing.
Shu Rui jogged forward a couple of steps and took Lu Ling’s broad hand, smiling as he asked, “Tired today?”
Lu Ling tightened his grip on Shu Rui’s hand. “We left early this morning and didn’t see each other all day. There were too many things to handle. But seeing you now, I don’t feel so tired anymore.”
He gave Shu Rui’s hand a small swing. “What about you?”
Shu Rui said, “About the same as you. This summer heat is something else—once you start sweating, it’s just miserable.”
“Then hurry home and rinse off.”
Lu Ling lowered his head and murmured by Shu Rui’s ear, “The two of us together.”
Shu Rui pressed his lips into a smile, and the two of them nearly jogged back to the residence.
The servants brought in hot water and filled more than half the tub.
Shu Rui undressed first and stepped in; Lu Ling followed right after him into the tub.
Water that had only reached just below the chest immediately rose once another body entered.
Shu Rui leaned back, his back against Lu Ling’s chest, resting into him. The warm water gently rippled. He took some bath beans and lightly scrubbed his arms, washed himself a bit, then turned sideways and scrubbed Lu Ling as well.
Lu Ling enjoyed this more than anything. He didn’t move his hands about, just leaned back against the edge of the tub and let Shu Rui’s soft, gentle hands roam over him.
Taking advantage, Shu Rui pinched and pressed at Lu Ling’s firm waist, his taut abdomen, and the swelling muscle of his chest.
“I heard Third Sister say this morning that Qing-ge’er will be due in another two months,” Shu Rui said. “No telling whether it’ll be a boy or a girl.”
Lu Ling tipped his head back and let out a breath amid the steam. “When the time comes and the child’s born, we’ll know.”
Shu Rui looked at Lu Ling’s flawless body submerged in the water. “We’ve been married a good while now. How come there’s still no news for us?”
Hearing this, Lu Ling lowered his eyes to look at the fair-skinned ge’er nestled in his arms, his hand drifting to Shu Rui’s waist. “Maybe we’ve been too busy lately and haven’t done it often enough.”
Shu Rui’s face flushed slightly. These days they had both been busy with business affairs, and it was true they hadn’t done that much. But before—when had they ever lacked for it?
Lu Ling had such a cold face, yet he liked that sort of thing a great deal, completely at odds with his looks and bearing.
Naturally, Shu Rui always half-pushed, half-gave in and let him have his way. Early in their marriage, Lu Ling had been rough and clumsy. Aside from showing him a side no one else ever saw and saying things one only read in trashy storybooks—which did stir him a little—it hadn’t been all that pleasurable.
But over time, Lu Ling gradually found the knack and grew skilled at it, and then… then there really was some enjoyment to be had.
Seven or eight times out of ten it was Lu Ling pestering him, but two or three times it was Shu Rui himself who deliberately drew him in.
Thinking of this made Shu Rui’s face grow hot. He had never watched or inquired into other couples’ affairs and didn’t know whether other husbands and wives were the same as him, or whether he himself was overly lustful and shameless.
He brushed away the arm wrapped around his waist. “I’m talking about something serious. Not long ago Mother even mentioned it to me once. She said that at the household registrar’s clerk’s youngest son’s full-month banquet, she had some wine and saw how well-behaved their child was.”
Lu Ling frowned. “She said something to you?”
“No. She didn’t push or urge either of us. But if I were her, I’d want grandchildren too.”
Shu Rui said, “She’s always liked children, and among official families, when they visit each other, it’s unavoidable that they talk about grandchildren and children. Hearing and seeing it so much—how could she not feel envious?”
He leaned softly against Lu Ling. “Besides, I also want a child with you.”
His own family was so small. Just imagining having a child with Lu Ling—how much he would love and cherish that child.
After speaking, he looked up at Lu Ling. “Don’t you want one?”
Lu Ling pinched Shu Rui’s ear lightly. “How could I not? If the child looks like you, they’d be unbearably cute.”
“Just don’t rush it. Ge’ers are always harder to conceive. Didn’t Doctor Yu say the same when we went to have your pulse checked last time?”
Shu Rui said, “Then how did Qing-ge’er get pregnant before even a year had passed after marriage?”
“Even among ge’ers, constitutions aren’t all the same.”
Shu Rui gave a soft snort.
Seeing him puff up his little face, Lu Ling’s mouth curved slightly and he immediately changed his tune. “Come to think of it carefully, it must be my fault.”
“In that case, I’ll have to put in more effort.”
With a splash of water, Shu Rui was scooped up. Seeing that Lu Ling was heading toward the bed, Shu Rui hurriedly grabbed his arm. “Don’t get the bedding wet!”
Lu Ling didn’t listen. He set him straight onto the bed and pressed down before Shu Rui could escape. “Either way, it’s going to get wet…”
They hadn’t had their fill for many days, so this time they tried all sorts of ways and went at it for a long while.
When the bed wasn’t enough, they tried again on the couch, then twice more on the table…
In the tenth month, Lu Ling and Zhong Dayang’s branch storage shop opened. With the old shop’s reputation and the bustle of autumn, business was quite good.
Later that month, the entire Lu family went to check the examination results outside the Examination Hall. To great joy and celebration, overnight the Lu family gained two newly minted juren degree holders.
The whole family was beside themselves with happiness and set up three days of banquets to celebrate, the house lively beyond measure.
As for Shu Rui, by the time his new inn was fully renovated and opened, it was already the eleventh lunar month. That winter, Tidal Prefecture welcomed its first snowfall of the year…