frightfiction Chapter 516: True and False, No Way to Distinguish
Chapter 516: True and False, No Way to Distinguish
Xiao Jincheng discovered these two days that Xiao Yan'an always held a box and looked like he was worried about something. Sometimes he muttered to himself and picked up an abacus and fiddled with it from time to time.
This behavior is very abnormal.
He did not ask Xiao Yan'an directly, but instead turned his attention to the shopkeeper.
Nowadays, there are three shopkeepers in the shop, and the one on duty today is Shopkeeper Meng.
"Manager Meng, has my brother encountered any difficulties? He seems absent-minded these past two days." Xiao Jincheng looked worried.
"Second Young Master, I have also noticed the situation you described. It shouldn't be a big deal, but..." Shopkeeper Meng hesitated.
"What is it?" Xiao Jincheng asked immediately.
"Second Young Master, have you seen the box that the prince is holding in his arms?"
"I saw."
"It contained 20,000 taels of silver notes, which were supposed to be entered into the account. But the prince said that the 20,000 taels of silver should not be entered into the account for the time being. However, the prince is not short of money. I really can't figure out what he is going to do with the 20,000 taels."
"Could it be that there are some problems in business?" Xiao Jincheng guessed tentatively.
"No, the business in the shop is going smoothly. If there are any problems, I will let you know immediately."
Xiao Jincheng felt a pang of bitterness in his heart.
Twenty thousand taels of silver!
This was unthinkable for him.
However, it is not an exaggeration to measure the assets of Ji Chuhe and Xiao Yan'an in terms of making a fortune every day!
He knew that the shop was opened by Ji Chuhe alone, and Xiao Yanan just benefited from it. If he relied solely on Xiao Yanan's ability, let alone making money, he might even lose everything!
Therefore, Xiao Yan'an was just lucky. He did not marry Ji Qingyuan, but instead married Ji Chuhe by accident.
How could Xiao Yanan be worthy of Ji Chuhe!
"Second Master, I seem to have heard that the Crown Prince asked someone to pay attention to the situation of the courtesan competition this month. Could it be that the Crown Prince wants to book a pleasure boat?"
"Book a pleasure boat? No! Impossible! My brother would never be that kind of dandy. Moreover, my sister-in-law has given so much to the Prince's Mansion, how could my brother do anything to let her down!"
Although Xiao Jincheng said this, in his heart he was hoping that Xiao Yanan would keep a courtesan.
"Second Young Master, you should know that the prince has only two concubines in his backyard now, right? Moreover, these two concubines are both pregnant, and the prince is at the age of full vigor..." Shopkeeper Meng stopped there and did not say anything else.
Xiao Jincheng seemed to be thinking about something.
He had already sent people to inquire about the situation in the Prince's Mansion.
Xiao Yanan and Ji Chuhe did not live in the same yard.
This shows that their actual relationship is not as good as it appears, otherwise Ji Chuhe would not have registered the child born by his aunt under his own name. It is clear that he does not want to have a child with Xiao Yanan.
Xiao Jincheng immediately had an idea in his mind.
Even if Xiao Yan'an didn't plan to rent the houseboat, he would still make it happen.
"Shopkeeper Meng, I have been in the shop for a few days now, and I have discovered that you and I have the best affinity. You are the only one who is willing to talk to me patiently. I will definitely remember this kindness in my heart."
"Second Young Master, you really humble me. You are the younger brother of the Crown Prince, and half my master. How can I not be respectful to my master?" Shopkeeper Meng took the opportunity to flatter him.
Xiao Jincheng found this sentence very useful.
Especially the phrase "half master".
When he arrived at the shop, no one treated him as the master, except this man named Meng, who showed him some respect.
Although this man surnamed Meng is also the shopkeeper, he is the least powerful one. The person he wants to win over is this man surnamed Meng, so he has to use some tricks to make this man surnamed Meng obey him.
"Manager Meng, my brother loved me the most when I was little. Although we had a rift because of some trivial matters, as soon as my brother knew that I was in the capital and was not doing well, he immediately took me back to the Prince's Mansion. This shows how deep my brother's feelings for me are. Don't worry, in the future, I will definitely say good things about you in front of my brother and let you become the head manager."
"Thank you, Second Young Master! In the future, if you need my help for anything, just let me know!" Shopkeeper Meng also quickly expressed his opinion.
Xiao Jincheng felt that the two had reached a preliminary consensus.
This guy named Meng obviously came to seek refuge with him.
After Xiao Jincheng finished his conversation, he immediately went to find Xiao Yan'an.
Xiao Yan'an was fiddling with an abacus.
"Three days plus the banquet, and inviting a few good friends, the total cost is only 13,000 taels, and this is already the highest consumption. What should I do with the rest of the money?" Xiao Yan'an was worried about not being able to spend the money.
"Brother." Xiao Jincheng called out, "What are you calculating?"
"It's nothing. Do you have something to ask me?" Xiao Yan'an looked up at Xiao Jincheng.
"Brother, I heard that you have an appointment with the fourth young master of the Duke of Rong's Mansion and some friends tonight. I wonder if you can bring me along? I also want to get to know all of your friends."
"Okay, let's go together when the shop closes."
"Thank you, brother." Xiao Jincheng didn't expect that Xiao Yan'an would be so easy to talk to.
Could it be that Xiao Yan'an really let bygones be bygones?
"Jincheng, look at you, all your clothes are old. Come on, I'll take you to buy some new ones. If you need anything, just tell me and we'll buy them all today."
Xiao Jincheng was shocked, and before he could react, Xiao Yan'an put his arm around his neck and took him out.
Confusing Xiao Jincheng is also one of Xiao Yan'an's tasks.
That's why he spent the money on Xiao Jincheng.
Even though he has so much money now and has to spend it all, he doesn't want to spend it on things that shouldn't be spent.
Xiao Jincheng was greatly shocked by Xiao Yan'an's generosity.
Since Xiao Yan'an spent so much money on him, he would definitely not hold a grudge against him anymore!
If it were him, if he hated someone, let alone spending money on him, he would definitely be thinking about how to kill him every day!
Xiao Yan'an stood on the river bank, looking at the pleasure boat parked in the water, as if he had a lot on his mind.
"Brother, what are you looking at?" Xiao Jincheng asked softly.
"I wonder who will be the Oiran this month."
"I know a place where I can get some information. Brother, it's still early, do you want to go and ask around?"
"Really?" Xiao Yan'an pretended to be curious, "How did you know?"
"I also heard about it by chance."
"Take me there quickly."
Xiao Jincheng took Xiao Yan'an to a teahouse. This teahouse was not very famous and Xiao Yan'an had never heard of it. However, this teahouse was a little different.
There are many signs hanging on the first floor of the teahouse, and each sign has a name written on it. They are the women who will participate in the oiran competition.
"Brother, look at that sign. Whoever's sign is hung the highest will have the chance to become the most beautiful woman of the month."
"There actually is such a place." Xiao Yan'an looked around in amazement.
"Brother, look over there." Xiao Jincheng pointed in a direction.
Xiao Yanan saw someone come forward, pick up a sign, and move a few people up.
"What does that mean?" Xiao Yan'an couldn't help but ask.