Before long, autumn gave way to winter, and winter ended as spring returned. The name of Tang Han Textiles had spread far and wide across the four southern prefectures.
Lady Fei of the prefectural city sat in the small pavilion of her own mansion. She had long shed her bulky lined jacket and now wore a thin down vest under her sapphire - blue robe embroidered with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums. Oh, how nice and warm it was!
Lady Fei deftly moved her fingers on the abacus. There were about five or six accountants working under her. They all worked in unison, not daring to be the least bit careless.
After a long while, the accounts were finally balanced.
Lady Fei personally transcribed the ledger and sent it to Jiaoniang in Lingle County by her trusted servant. This was the financial record of Tang Han Textiles in the prefectural city for the past half - year, and the profits were quite substantial.
Before long, Jiaoniang received the business situation and accounts from the prefectural city, along with a large amount of real gold and silver.
This was only the income from the store in the prefectural city, not including the profits from the store in Lingle County and other export earnings.
Jiaoniang was overjoyed. She felt that she had seized the opportunity, and the future of Tang Han Textiles was promising.
She quickly distributed the dividends for this quarter to all the major shareholders. Of course, the most important thing was to reward her two mothers.
After generously rewarding the embroiderers and workers, Jiaoniang recruited many skillful women from Zhuozhou for training.
Any sensible person could see that Tang Han Textiles was developing at a rapid pace.
Pei Jin was getting married next month. The whole family was busy preparing her dowry.
Just at this moment, Qi Jiao transferred the ownership of Tang Han Textiles on Fengsheng Alley to Pei Jin, along with a 50% share of the dividends from Zhuoxiang Pavilion.
When Pei Jin received the deed, her eyes immediately turned red.
"Sister - in - law, you're so kind to me... A Jin doesn't know how to repay you..."
Qi Jiao took out a handkerchief to wipe her face. "Silly girl. We're the closest family. Whether you're married or not, you'll always be a good sister to your brother and me."
She then said softly, "Money gives people courage and confidence. Although our family is not as wealthy as the Fu family, our businesses are all profitable. Giving you these is not too much.
Also, this is a mansion I asked Lady Fei to find for you in the prefectural city. It has three courtyards with a front hall and a back bedroom, and there's a large garden on the west side. Go and take a look when you're free in a couple of days.
Women in this world always have a hard time. I hope you can live a smooth and carefree life."
Pei Jin cried even more.
She thought that she must have done countless good deeds in her previous life to meet such a good sister - in - law in this life.
At the end of their conversation, Pei Jin said that she only wanted the mansion, and all the family businesses should be left to her nephews and nieces.
But Qi Jiao said, "When Xiaojiao and Ahu grow up, let them earn their own fortune with their skills."
Just as she finished speaking, Nurse Chunniang came over from the window with Xiaojiao in her arms.
Xiaojiao had just woken up. Her big purple - grape - like eyes were still sleepy. Her head was covered with thick, shiny black hair. Her porcelain - like face was so adorable that anyone who saw her would want to kiss her.
Chunniang said with a smile, "The young miss wanted to find her mother as soon as she woke up. I couldn't hold her back no matter what."
Qi Jiao thanked Chunniang and quickly stuffed the things in her hands to Pei Jin. Then she reached out to hold Xiaojiao. "Did our baby sleep well?"
Xiaojiao happily threw herself into Qi Jiao's arms and said something vaguely like "liang... qin...", which was both funny and cute.
Qi Jiao adored her so much, and Pei Jin loved her just as much. She gently stroked Xiaojiao's little hand. The two sisters - in - law started to play with the child.
**
As much as the family was reluctant to part, on the wedding day, they still sent Pei Jin, dressed in a bright red wedding dress, into the sedan chair.
Pei Jin tearfully bid farewell to everyone and then married into the Fu family in the prefectural city.
The Fu family was now headed by Fu Chengyi, and there were no elders above him. As soon as Pei Jin entered the family, she became the mistress of the household, which comforted Tang Guiniang a lot.
Moreover, the betrothal gift from the Fu family was as much as eight thousand taels of silver, not to mention countless other gifts.
Qi Jiao and the others had prepared a dowry worth three thousand taels for Pei Jin, as well as some businesses and stores. It was considered top - notch in Lingle County.
The maids and nurses who specifically served Pei Jin also accompanied her back to the Fu family.
In short, both families were satisfied. The sadness and reluctance were soon replaced by joy.
On the third day after the wedding, Pei Jin returned to her natal home.
Seeing that Pei Jin and Fu Chengyi were deeply in love, and Pei Jin's complexion was rosy and radiant, it was obvious that she hadn't been wronged.
The women in the house carefully instructed her. Aunt Zheng even specifically reminded Pei Jin not to indulge men too much and not to over - exhaust herself.
Pei Jin blushed slightly and repeatedly said that she knew.
In fact, she didn't find that kind of thing very comfortable. The only impression of her wedding night was pain, pain, and more pain.
In the end, her mind went blank.
However, she was happy when she was with Fu Chengyi. It was pleasant for the two of them to just sit together and talk without doing anything.
If Fu Chengyi knew what was on Pei Jin's mind, he would probably vomit three liters of blood on the spot.
The home - returning banquet ended merrily.
Qi Jiao calculated the season and planned to visit the island when she was free.
Spring passed in a flash, and summer was the season for fruits.
She wanted to transplant some of the fruits on the island to the shore to facilitate production.
She decided to act immediately. Qi Jiao immediately made an appointment with the Teng Chun couple and chose a sunny day to go to sea.
Pei Xia was worried about Jiaoniang, so he specifically swapped shifts with his brother and went with them.
This time, with a task at hand, the group set sail on the treasure ship.
The treasure ship had been in use all along. Usually, when Pei Xia and Qi Jiao were not around, it was maintained by more than a dozen sailors sent by Fu Chengyi.
As long as the weather was good, they would go fishing at sea.
Most of the seafood they caught went to the kitchen of Jiaoniang's Restaurant, and the Pei family would pay them wages according to the number of people. It was convenient for both sides.
The head of the sailors was a young man named Chen Zhi. Although he was young, his sailing skills were excellent.
The treasure ship steadily headed towards the island.
Qi Jiao summoned Le Bao and Little Pearl when no one was around.
Before long, the two big treasures arrived.
Chen Zhi steered the ship behind Le Bao and Little Pearl and smoothly found the island.
After this trip, Pei Xia quickly memorized the route.
When the group arrived on the island, they saw all kinds of lush plants. The fruits were still in the budding stage. The air was fresh and humid, and the scenery was extremely pleasant.
Qi Jiao quickly started to assign tasks. She asked everyone to dig out some fruit seedlings and tree seedlings to take back.
There were enough laborers, and the Teng Chun couple, two technical experts, were there to give instructions.
As for herself, she went to the shallow water area to bathe Le Bao and Little Pearl.
Qi Jiao bathed them gently and carefully. The two big fish were so comfortable that they couldn't help singing melodious songs in chorus, their voices ethereal and far - reaching.
Under the blue sky and white clouds, one person and two whales looked extremely harmonious and beautiful.
Pei Xia looked up in their direction, and a smile involuntarily filled his eyes.
After completing the task, everyone sat under the shade of the towering trees to rest and drink water.
Qi Jiao pulled Pei Xia to stroll in the forest.
As she walked, she sighed that this island was truly a paradise. Then Qi Jiao discovered a small freshwater lake.
Looking at the large expanse of fruit - tree forests, Qi Jiao had an idea.
This was an excellent place for production. It couldn't be left unmanaged and the resources wasted.
She was going to build the island!