My sister became the empress, but I'm still growing vegetables and raising chickens

Chapter 340 Whose Wedding Will He Be For?

Si Muyan asked very detailed questions and roughly understood that Yuncheng was equivalent to the southern part of modern Hubei and Henan, a place known for its damp and cold climate.

From this perspective, it seems that the people of Yuncheng are more accepting of down jackets than those in Lingnan.

Seeing that she was thinking, Princess Rou Shu said, "Er Lang grew up in Yuncheng. If there's anything you want to know, you can ask him directly."

Xie Lan nodded in agreement: "That's right, Miss Si, just ask, and I will answer to the best of my knowledge."

Si Muyan smiled and said frankly, "It's like this, I used to research a good type of warm clothing in Lingnan City, but it didn't get popular because it was expensive."

She asked Chun Tao to bring over the down jacket.

“These past few days, some of my former partners from rural workshops came to Beijing and brought me some new clothes. I think they’re quite nice, and I’m thinking of finding a suitable place to open another workshop.”

Princess Roushu took the down jacket, stroked it carefully, and said in surprise, "This garment feels nice to the touch, very soft and warm, almost like a fur cloak."

Si Muyan said, "Moreover, it can be made in different thicknesses and lengths according to the climate. It's much more convenient than a leather cloak."

"These clothes are nice." Xie Lan touched the clothes and asked thoughtfully, "How much do these clothes cost? If they are not expensive, ordinary people can wear them, and they will be convenient for going out to work."

Si Muyan explained, "If it's a farmer, I'm afraid they can't afford it. The production process is quite complicated, requiring a lot of duck and goose feathers, as well as special fabrics. In addition, the technique of filling with down is not easy, so the cost and labor must be taken into account, so it won't be cheap. My estimated price should be between one or two taels and four or five taels of silver."

“A few taels of silver apiece is not cheap.” Xie Lan pondered, “Then the slightly wealthier people in the city are willing to buy it. If the wealthy people rely on this kind of clothing to keep warm, then the price of ordinary warm clothing will definitely drop, which can also reduce the burden on farmers.”

Si Muyan understood from his words that he was thinking of the people, and thus felt a surge of appreciation for him.

Xie Lan then asked, "Where do you plan to open the workshop? And how large will it be?"

Si Muyan was surprised: "You know about business too?"

Xie Lan smiled and said, "To tell you the truth, my grandmother was a merchant when I was young. She always said that although agriculture is valued and commerce is suppressed nowadays, merchants are still important. Moreover, people need food, clothing, shelter and transportation to live, and the most indispensable thing for those who achieve great things is money."

"That's exactly right. So I don't approve of those so-called 'pure stream' factions who look down on merchants and insist on making themselves and their clansmen suffer in order to be considered 'pure stream'."

Xie Lan had no intention of discussing these matters.

Si Muyan said, "The scale of the workshop is still under consideration. We need to conduct an on-site inspection before we can make a decision."

"Are you going to drive it yourself?" Princess Roushu asked with concern.

Si Muyan shook her head: "It was the managers of the merchants when I was in Lingnan. They asked me for advice."

Xie Lan said, "In that case, write a letter of introduction and have your manager come directly to me. I will make the arrangements for you."

Si Muyan was overjoyed and stood up to bow, saying, "Thank you so much, Second Master and Princess."

Princess Roushu smiled and said, "We've known each other since childhood, why are you being so polite?"

After a brief private conversation, Princess Roushu said in a low voice, "If you ask me, you have the skills to do business, so you can do it yourself and just have your subordinates manage it for you."

"I have the same plan."

Princess Roushu continued, “When you returned to the capital, although you were restored to your marquis titles and given a house, all your former wealth was gone, and your family has no one to help you. In addition, your father has no official position, and your mother is in poor health. Now that you are of marriageable age, your dowry cannot be neglected.”

Si Muyan knew that she was thinking of her and that she was speaking from a close, intimate perspective, so she nodded in agreement.

Princess Roushu hesitated for a moment, then said, "Speaking of which, there's something I'd like to trouble you with..."

"Between you and me, what trouble is there? Princess, please just say what you need to say." Si Muyan held Princess Roushu's hand.

Princess Roushu said, "Since that's the case, I'll be shameless and tell you. Originally, I shouldn't have told an unmarried woman like you about this, but there's really no one in the Si family to discuss this with, so I'll still bring it up with you."

"You know my uncle's family, Yu family. He has two cousins. My eldest cousin works at the Dali Temple, and my second cousin is just over twenty years old and is currently the deputy commander of the Xicheng Military Command."

Si Muyan knew something about the Yu family, the maternal clan of Princess He. The Yu family wasn't particularly wealthy, but their children and nephews were all ambitious, especially Princess Roushu's two cousins, who had passed the imperial examinations early on and brought honor to the family.

As for the two Yu brothers, the elder brother is already married, while the younger brother is not yet married.

Si Muyan knew only so much about the Yu family, and she was somewhat puzzled as to why Princess Roushu was telling her this.

Could it be that they want to arrange a marriage?

Si Muyan pondered, judging from Princess Roushu's words, the Yu family probably didn't have their eye on her, could it be her younger sister?

She instinctively looked at her younger sister.

The younger sister understood, and her cheeks unconsciously flushed.

Although she had no interest in ordinary people and only wanted to enter the palace, she still retained some girlish pride and vanity. She was quite pleased when she heard that someone had taken a liking to her.

Princess Roushu then smiled and said, "I have heard that the second young lady of the Si family is courageous, resourceful, dignified, and generous. My aunt likes her very much, but she is afraid that if she comes to visit casually, she will disturb the second young lady. Just yesterday, she heard that I was invited today, so she asked me to give you a heads-up and also to find out your opinion."

The little sister's smile, which had been upturned, completely vanished upon hearing this.

what happened?

Isn't she better than my second sister? The Yu family's social standing isn't high, but it's not bad either. Why did she choose my second sister over her?

Even Si Muyan was surprised and hesitated before asking, "My second sister is of course the best, but her situation is special. Do the Princess and Madam Yu perhaps not know this?"

"Of course not. My aunt knows that the second young lady was married before, but her husband passed away, leaving behind only her posthumous child."

Si Muyan nodded: "Yes, this... shouldn't it be your second young master Yu who asked this? Is there something you find difficult to say to others?"

"No, no," Princess Roushu quickly said. "Muyan, do you know that my eldest cousin has been married for over five years and still has no children?"

"This..." Si Muyan was indeed not quite sure.

Princess Rou Shu continued, "My eldest cousin and his wife were betrothed since childhood and have a deep bond. They have been married for over five years but have not yet had any children. Later, my cousin's wife took two concubines for my cousin, but neither of them bore him any children. Moreover, my cousin's wife has four sisters, and the other three sisters already have at least one child each. Her eldest sister has already had four children."

Si Muyan asked in confusion, "What does all this have to do with my second sister?"

Princess Roushu said, "My aunt felt that the problem must lie with my eldest cousin. Now that my second cousin is getting married, she's worried that he might be in the same situation, so she's thinking of finding someone she can be sure will have children..."