Chapter 28: Expanding Horizons

While Shen Shaoguang steeled herself for further challenges, she remained unaware that Cloud Come Wine House had already lost its nerve.

Manager Feng jabbed his finger repeatedly at Wei San. "You just keep creating problems for me!"

Wei San felt aggrieved. When he'd initially arranged for those two Hu ruffians to trouble the Shen establishment, he'd informed Manager Feng, who had smiled approvingly and said, "Don't let them go too far—just teach her a lesson. She's only a young lady trying to run a business. Don't make it impossible for her to continue."

Now that connections to the Junior Governor's mansion had surfaced, suddenly it was Wei San's fault.

Though grumbling internally, Wei San maintained a placating expression. "It's merely a minor attendant from the Junior Governor's household, Manager. No need for excessive concern."

"Attendant? Can a mere attendant command the household steward to purchase pastries?" Manager Feng raged.

It had taken this fool days to report that those ruffians had been taken to the Legal Assistant's office and sentenced to rod punishment. Finding the situation suspicious, Manager Feng had made inquiries and learned that before the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Lin household steward had personally visited Shen's shop to buy considerable quantities of pastries. This didn't seem like something a mere attendant could arrange.

"You mean... Junior Governor Lin himself?" Wei San's eyes widened. "That's impossible!"

"Why impossible? That young woman is exceptionally beautiful."

"Beautiful women? Chang'an is full of them. Besides, Junior Governor Lin comes from an aristocratic family—would he truly interest himself in a street pancake seller?" Wei San disagreed, suggesting the Junior Governor would more likely favor courtesans from Pingkang Ward. They possessed grace and accomplishment in music and song; some could even compose poetry.

Manager Feng wavered.

Having worked with Manager Feng for some time, Wei San knew precisely how to phrase things. "I advise against excessive worry. Even if it is Junior Governor Lin, so what? He may appear impressive now, but who knows when he might offend someone and get posted to some coastal or mountain backwater? Officials in the Capital Prefecture change rapidly."

Seeing Manager Feng's silence, Wei San pressed on. "Consider how many Prefects and Junior Governors we've seen come and go. They change more frequently than cups and plates in our wine house!"

Manager Feng kicked Wei San while laughing and scolding, "You can't handle business properly, but you excel at running your mouth." His expression had already relaxed, though.

He considered Wei San's point, but also Junior Governor Lin wasn't the type of wastrel who'd make trouble over a woman, and those ruffians hadn't caused any major incident. His earlier anxiety stemmed mainly from potentially causing trouble for their master, who was exceptionally honest and cautious, always instructing everyone to behave properly during visits to the capital. Manager Feng had heard the Prince's mansion spent considerable sums annually on gifts for court officials...

"Fine. What's done is done. Whatever relationship that young woman has with the Lin mansion, leave her alone." He added another warning. "Everyone behaves properly from now on. Don't stir up unnecessary trouble."

Manager Feng reminded himself to exercise more caution in the future. The capital was full of intricate connections—even a rat running through the streets might be some minister's beloved pet.

Meanwhile, Shen Shaoguang was discussing shop lease transfers in the fabric shop next door.

She and the proprietress, Madam Li, had grown quite familiar, often exchanging cooking advice. When Shen Shaoguang mentioned wanting to rent a larger shop, hoping Madam Li's local connections could help with inquiries, Madam Li clapped her hands enthusiastically. "Why don't you rent our shop as well? Combining the two would be perfect!"

Madam Li's husband, Master Guo, had come to Chang'an as a teenager, apprenticing at a large silk and fabric shop in the Western Market. In his twenties, he married Madam Li, who used her dowry to rent a small shop. Together they built their own fabric business.

After more than twenty diligent years, the Guo couple had accumulated savings. With elderly parents and married children back in their hometown, they contemplated returning to enjoy family life. Many "Chang'an drifters" ended this way.

Returning home for a peaceful retirement was admirable. Shen Shaoguang, uncertain when she might achieve such financial freedom, smiled and congratulated Madam Li while inquiring about the landlord and rent terms.

Since her son's marriage, Madam Li had been eager to return and embrace grandmother-hood, but she'd already paid rent through next year. If someone took over the lease now, she could recoup those costs. She smiled at Shen Shaoguang. "Don't worry, young lady. The property owner is most accommodating. Only the steward comes to collect rent. We've rented this shop for seven or eight years without any difficulties, and they've never raised the rent."

Shen Shaoguang appreciated this location. Expanding her current shop would be ideal. Having finally built a reputation, relocating seemed unwise if avoidable. Moreover, the rent was reasonable—the front shop measured about thirty to forty square paces, with three rooms and a small courtyard in back, all for fifteen hundred cash monthly. While unaffordable during her pancake-selling days, it was easily manageable now.

Shen Shaoguang asked the Guo couple to facilitate the introduction.

As expected, the person who arrived to discuss terms appeared to be a steward. When he heard Shen Shaoguang wanted to open a wine house and connect the two shops, he frowned. Many small wine houses were quite messy, creating filth that required replastering before re-renting. Too much trouble, not to mention damaging walls.

Shen Shaoguang invited him to inspect her current establishment next door, smiling. "When we eventually end the lease, we'll hire masons to rebuild the wall. We certainly won't leave any problems behind—this can be written into the contract."

What the steward saw struck him deeply: whitewashed walls adorned with palm mats, white jars, and green bamboo; neat tables and benches; copper kettles polished to a brilliant shine. He suddenly recalled this space had previously been a butcher shop with blackened walls, uneven floors, and greasy counters. Hearing Shen Shaoguang's willingness to restore the wall upon departure, he considered briefly and agreed.

The Guo couple were eager to return home and set the handover date for one month hence. The steward raised no objections, returned their remaining rent, drew up a contract with Shen Shaoguang, and collected payment, settling all three parties' business. Shen Shaoguang simply needed to wait until next month to relocate and renovate.

A Yuan's admiration for her young mistress grew boundlessly. She meant what she said! When she declared they'd "breathe boldly," she took action immediately!

A Yuan was delighted. "Now we'll have our own place! No more living in the temple, enduring Sister Jingci's expressions. She's so polite to Second Lady Pang but so cold to us—does she think we can't tell?" By the end, she bristled with indignation.

Shen Shaoguang couldn't help laughing. They wanted you to notice!

A sudden wave of guilt toward A Yuan washed over Shen Shaoguang. Maids in noble families lived privileged lives, like the "junior misses" described in Dream of the Red Chamber, yet her own "noble family's" maid washed dishes, scrubbed floors, prepared vegetables, chopped meat, and might even need to fend off ruffians...

Glancing back at A Yuan, she found her already happily packing belongings.

"What's the rush? We still need to wait for Madam Li to move out, and we need to renovate those rooms before we can relocate."

"I'm just happy! Preparing early."

Well, happiness was good. Shen Shaoguang left A Yuan to her preparations while contemplating their next challenge. With expanded premises, two people would certainly prove insufficient. They would need to hire additional help.

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