With Lu Ling proposing the new business, Shu Rui offered to help run errands, but Lu Ling refused, saying Shu Rui should focus on the inn and not divide his attention.
He was concerned that overexertion would make Shu Rui sick.
Thinking it over, Shu Rui realized that as a man, he needed responsibilities of his own. Running errands and planning were experience in preparation for managing business. Eventually, he would transition from being supervised to supervising others.
Listening to Lu Ling’s plan, Shu Rui was impressed with how thorough it was. He knew Lu Ling was capable, though he had worried before because Lu Ling often appeared naïve in his presence.
They decided to set aside one hundred strings of silver for Lu Ling to freely invest in the new venture.
In the twelfth lunar month, Lu Ling got to work, first renting the shop at the street corner. It was large and prime; the rent was twelve strings a month. Shu Rui accompanied him for negotiations. After some bargaining, the landlord agreed to ten strings. Half a year’s rent was paid upfront, with an additional month’s deposit, costing seventy strings in total.
Shu Rui had thought renting a shop wouldn’t be as costly as running his old inn, but now he realized otherwise.
Fortunately, Lu Ling had foresight: he planned to bring in Zhong Dayang, who contributed sixty strings. Together, their funds were sufficient for the venture; otherwise, even one hundred strings would barely cover costs.
After securing the shop, they hired a carpenter to build locks and shelves for storing goods. Their familiar carpenter, Tong, was available and agreed to his usual rates.
Since the shop was purely for storage, these were the main expenses. Subsequent steps involved hiring workers; there were no other large costs.
Shu Rui only participated in renting the shop; afterward, he left the management to Lu Ling but remained aware of the progress. Lu Ling would report to him daily.
After a few days, Shu Rui saw how meticulous Lu Ling was with Zhong Dayang and felt reassured.
The storage shop leaned toward the more adventurous, “martial world” style of business. As a scholarly young man, Shu Rui didn’t always grasp all its nuances. He was naturally more adept at managing inns and accommodations.
Shu Rui occasionally offered suggestions but largely let the new shop run independently.
He was busy with other matters. For instance, that day, Liu Qing’er came to invite Shu Rui to host a small gathering: the wife of a ceremonial office official and the husband of an administrative clerk were coming, and Shu Rui needed to prepare a meal in hospitality.
Since Lu’s father had established his position in the government, social visits had become frequent. Liu Qing’er had accompanied him to a few banquets before; frequent exposure inevitably led to connections with officials’ families.
Shu Rui was glad for her. In Chaoxi Prefecture, she had no close relatives or friends. Before, she spent time at his inn, but as an official’s family, appearing publicly was tricky. Now, she could meet others in her social circle, keeping herself occupied and offering small advantages to Lu’s father’s official dealings.
The family agreed with this approach, reminding her to stay cautious, listen more than speak, and act prudently when interacting with officials.
Liu Qing’er understood and went out quietly, listening rather than speaking—a demeanor that endeared her to officials’ families, who would invite her to gatherings.
“Guests coming is a good thing. No need to worry, Aunt. I’ll prepare some dishes to host them,” Shu Rui said.
He also thought ahead: “Official families are pampered. Besides providing food, hosts should offer entertainment for their visit.”
Liu Shi said, “Exactly so. I’ve gone out a few times and seen families playing touhu, hammer balls, or playing the ‘flying flower’ poetry game. But at our house, there’s no space to play hammer balls, and even composing poetry over wine is difficult. I only know a bit about writing, not the literary flair needed. So the wives and husbands who come over don’t have many skills for these games. Last time, I only managed to gather a few people to play when we sat in the cold benches at the Prefect of Education’s residence.”
“Touhu is easy enough,” Shu Rui reassured her. “We’ve already set up the equipment. Even if you haven’t practiced much at home, just a little patience and focus will get you proficient. If you’re not fond of these pastimes, and it’s mostly for entertaining officials’ families, then you just need to learn one trick well. When guests come—or if you go out—you’ll have a skill to show. If you don’t practice often, eyesight is the only concern.”
Liu Shi responded, “That’s a good idea. I’ll just say I love embroidery work.”
“Exactly. The pattern books you used to look through with me are also suitable for official families to admire. You don’t have to cater to them specifically; it’s respectable leisure.”
Shu Rui added, “If that doesn’t suffice, there’s Zhang the fortune-teller in our alley. She talks remarkably well, knows many curious stories, and can read palms and physiognomy. I can ask her to come entertain our guests.”
Liu Shi asked, “Would officials’ wives and husbands enjoy that?”
Shu Rui laughed, “They’re human too; they enjoy leisure just like anyone else. Back when I was at the Bai household, respected families’ wives and husbands played such games. They liked it even more and believed in it—there were even card games.”
“Then we’ll invite the fortune-teller. I wonder if she’ll agree,” Liu Shi said.
“Not to worry. I have some rapport with her. She’ll be glad to come entertain officials’ families, and she can boast to others afterward. There’s no reason she would refuse.”
Liu Shi felt reassured with Shu Rui helping plan everything. She no longer felt so flustered. No wonder her late husband always emphasized finding a spouse with good family and education. She had once complained about his official position being so ‘unsettled,’ but now she understood the benefits.
Lu’s father was busy with his official duties, and though he had managed to clean up some workshop issues, many old, messy accounts remained. Wei Rongming supervised the investigations, leaving Lu’s father to handle the aftermath. By the end of the year, official duties alone kept him exhausted, on top of social obligations. Each day, he would come home, eat, and fall asleep immediately.
Er Lang was also busy. His teachers valued him, and the Prefect of Education paid attention too. Besides studies, he had to accompany works for poetry gatherings and academies.
The household was stretched thin. Without some personal skills, anyone could easily burden the family further.
Liu Shi fretted over hosting guests. She wasn’t worried about importance, but as officials’ families, she didn’t want to appear ignorant or make a fool of herself, which could embarrass Lu’s father. Only Shu Rui could speak to her honestly and ease her mind.
Shu Rui said, “Beginnings are always difficult. You’ll gradually become familiar with handling official families. You are smart; soon you’ll manage easily.”
“The house doesn’t currently have anyone to serve us. When other officials’ wives come, it doesn’t look proper. I thought we could hire two people from the Yahang guild to serve and give some presence,” Liu Shi suggested.
She had observed that other households always had servants. She wasn’t greedy for attendants but felt the house looked bare without them.
“I think hiring two people for appearance is enough; the rest isn’t needed,” Shu Rui said.
There’s hardly anything unnecessary; anyone capable would want a few extra maids or servants.
Shu Rui understood the Lu family’s finances were tight. Early in official life, social obligations cost real money, and the family couldn’t rely solely on the salaries of Lu’s father and Lu Yu. From his time at the Bai household, Shu Rui had seen how his aunt would complain about household expenses and servants. Though he had foolishly supplemented funds, he also learned household management. He understood well how costly it was to maintain a respectable home.
Shu Rui continued earnestly, “Temporary hires are fine, but you and the official families aren’t just visiting once. Next time guests come, having consistent servants will look better than having none.”
“Maintaining three or so household servants allows better care and smoother service. Tomorrow morning, we’ll go to the Yahang guild together and pick people; you see who looks suitable, and I’ll make the final decision,” Shu Rui said.
“How can I allow that?” Liu Shi protested. “Two months ago you already arranged a carriage so my husband wouldn’t suffer in official duties. How could I let you buy servants for the house again?”
“You and Aling make business money faster than my uncle, but running a business isn’t easy. In autumn, I saw you exhausted from the cold and wind while working outside with Aling. Thinking of it pains me,” Liu Shi said firmly, refusing Shu Rui’s suggestion.
Shu Rui held her hand and persuaded her, “The money we earn is for the family. If it isn’t used at home, then what’s the point? Money left idle is dead; it must be put to use.”
“If you truly consider me family, you’ll follow my advice. When the shop opens, you and uncle may be short of funds, yet you still gave me red envelopes. Now that the shop earns money, hiring two people for the household should be fine.”
Liu Shi felt moved by Shu Rui’s words and held his hand tightly. “You are so considerate.”
Shu Rui smiled, “It’s because you’ve treated me well. Even when my eyes troubled me, you still made a few fine outfits for me.”
“Wear them often if you like. Don’t just keep them in the wardrobe. With your good looks and uncle’s support, you can dress freely without fear,” Liu Shi said, affectionately.
Shu Rui nodded. “I know. I’ve already spoken to Aling about this. We’ll go slowly; changing the household all at once will seem strange and cause gossip.”
Liu Shi often marveled that despite Lu’s eldest son enduring so many hardships, he had met Shu Rui—a fine young man—and felt it was fortune’s compensation for the past.
After a long conversation, Liu Shi returned home.
The next day, as instructed, Shu Rui went with her to the Yahang guild, spending fifty strings to hire an eleven- or twelve-year-old girl and a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old boy. They also rented a capable adult servant under a three-year contract. Shu Rui considered this the family’s New Year gift, so no additional gifts were needed later. It was, after all, a considerable expense.
Lu Ling was busy with his new business, so Shu Rui didn’t dare spend too much. This was a necessary household expense and would happen sooner or later.