Chapter Seventy-Five: Snow’s Splendor

“So that’s what it is. Since it is a gift from Her Majesty the Empress, you may proceed without worry,” said Lady Su, squinting her eyes upon hearing the Empress’s name, losing any intention to stop Su Lilu from leaving.

Su Lilu performed a steady bow before saying, “Thank you, Grandmother. I knew you have always cherished me most.”

Lady Su merely smiled lightly. “Child, since the Empress herself has spoken, if I were to stand in your way, wouldn’t that be disrespectful to her decree? Enough, I’m weary today. You have matters to attend to, so go on. You needn’t fret about me.”

Su Lilu knew it was the Empress’s influence that made things so easy. Her eyes betrayed a hint of concern as she looked at Lady Su. “Grandmother, you must take care of your health. If you are tired, please rest early. I’ll take my leave now.”

Stepping out of Lady Su’s courtyard, Su Lilu could hardly contain her joy. Returning to her own rooms, she immediately sent someone out with a letter. That evening, she received the reply. Reading the words on the page, her face blossomed with delight: “At last, it’s mine.”

She was nearly jumping with happiness, grasping Liuzhu’s hand and exclaiming, “Liuzhu, I finally have my own shop. It’s finally mine!”

“Yes, yes, miss—please calm yourself, sit down and catch your breath,” Liuzhu gently helped her to a seat. Su Lilu’s joy was impossible to hide; her smile was as radiant as spring flowers. Who would have thought that just days ago, her troubles would be so easily dispelled today?

While Su Lilu reveled in her new shop, at the same time, Yao Ruoshui also received the news. Ping Mammy reported, “Madam, according to our people, the shop the young lady acquired is in a bustling area of the capital, quite spacious, and must have cost a pretty penny.”

Yao Ruoshui’s gaze was deep as she replied, “She naturally isn’t short of silver; the Empress has just gifted her ten thousand taels. That’s more than enough to buy a shop.”

Tightly gripping her teacup, Yao Ruoshui thought silently, “What right does Su Lilu have to own such a fine property? It should belong to her and her daughter. I must find a way to seize it soon.”

“Madam, with the young lady so favored, I fear the servants in the manor might play tricks,” Ping Mammy warned, bowing low.

“Hmph, do they dare? I am still mistress of this house,” Yao Ruoshui mused, plotting for a clever method to take the shop from Su Lilu.

Unaware of Yao Ruoshui’s scheming, Su Lilu pondered her next steps. Since the shop was properly purchased and hers by right, she needed another place to develop her medicines.

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Su Lilu had someone look for a suitable location outside. She eventually found a small courtyard—just two wings, not large—perfect for her plan to turn it into a laboratory for her medicines.

One day, taking the opportunity to go out, she brought Liuying along to the restaurant where she had arranged to meet Yun Yan Yi. Entering the private chamber alone, she lifted her cloak and said, “Your servant greets Your Highness.”

“Rise. What business have you summoned me for today?” Yun Yan Yi already knew Su Lilu had bought a shop. His cold eyes swept over her, making her shiver and grumble inwardly, “The weather is chilly enough, and the Prince is so stingy with warmth, he might freeze someone to death.”

“I am here to trouble Your Highness with another matter. I have purchased a small courtyard to use as a workshop for my shop’s medicines. Since this will be the shop’s most confidential area, I’d like to ask Your Highness to assign trustworthy guards.”

Yun Yan Yi nodded lightly. “That’s a small matter. I agree. Anything else, Miss Su?”

Su Lilu spoke without hesitation, “Naturally, there is more. I hope Your Highness’s pharmacy can supply medicine ingredients for my shop, and I’ll need one of your doctors to assist at the shop, so we can conveniently prepare remedies for customers.”

“Su Lilu, you’re pushing your luck. My pharmacy has countless precious medicines, some priceless, and you think I’ll let you waste them so freely?” Yun Yan Yi’s face was stern; did she really think he was so soft-hearted?

Su Lilu, seeing his stinginess, protested, “Your Highness, you’re a prince—how could you mind such trifling profits? Besides, I won’t custom-make remedies for everyone. I have an idea; would Your Highness care to hear it?”

“Oh? Speak then,” Yun Yan Yi raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her cleverness.

Su Lilu lifted her head, her excitement clear. “If someone desires the shop’s treasure, it will not be for sale. Rather, the customer must gather all the ingredients listed on the formula themselves. Xuexiu will only be responsible for mixing the medicines. What does Your Highness think of this?”

She looked expectantly at the prince, awaiting his answer.

Yun Yan Yi pondered for a moment before laughing loudly. “Su Lilu, you truly are resourceful. The ingredients on those formulas are exceptionally rare. You need not spend a penny—simply mix them and earn silver. Your means are indeed clever. But what does ‘Xuexiu’ mean?”

“Your Highness, Xuexiu is the name I’ve chosen for the shop. How does it sound?” Su Lilu was pleased by his praise, her smile unwavering.

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“Xuexiu… Not bad, a good name. Since the shop is yours to manage, such matters are yours to decide,” Yun Yan Yi waved dismissively, unconcerned.

Only then did Su Lilu nod, thinking the prince truly a man of his word. She had no idea his next words would be less than complimentary. “Miss Su, you certainly are a shrewd merchant. Earning silver is important, but do not offend the nobility. Otherwise, I won’t clean up after your mess.”

Su Lilu’s smile faded. She turned away to sit by herself, refusing to speak to Yun Yan Yi further. She was furious, but could not vent her anger at him, so she kept it bottled up.

Twisting her hands, Su Lilu recalled that during the New Year she would not be allowed to leave freely. After the holiday, the shop would have to open, and she needed to finalize its decorations soon. Thinking of this, she felt invigorated, her whole body charged with energy.

Yun Yan Yi had not expected Su Lilu to become upset so easily. He coughed lightly, and seeing her unresponsive, awkwardly said, “Su Lilu, I was praising you. Are you sulking with me?”

“I wouldn’t dare,” she replied, not turning to look at him, her eyes fixed on the window. Hearing the lively sounds outside, she walked over and leaned against the sill, gazing at the bustling scene below.

Yun Yan Yi, seeing her so stubborn, realized his words had been ill-chosen. He softened his tone, “Miss Su, I meant only to praise your remarkable business sense. You come up with solutions others would never imagine. I had no other intention—please don’t misunderstand.”

“Truly?” Su Lilu raised an eyebrow, skepticism in her eyes.

“Of course. I am a prince—would I deceive you?”

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