Quick Transmigration: Leisure

Chapter 377 The Runaway Princess is Forcibly Taken Away (26)

In the study,

Chunyu Xi spoke somewhat evasively, ultimately fearing that he might upset Xia Youmi.

His situation was different, but he arrived at the same destination by different paths.

The mother favored her elder brother and often treated him coldly, while the father had too many people he doted on, but in reality he didn't love any of them.

Xia Youmi's father neglected the affairs of the household, his mother died early, and his stepmother was wicked. His maternal grandparents also had no interest in taking care of him in the capital. In fact, according to inquiries, the head of the Luo family quite disliked Xia Ji.

He declared that he would not set foot in the capital.

Given this strained relationship, it's easy to imagine that Luo Ling wouldn't feel good.

Seeing Chunyu Xi reveal his emotional side, Xia Youmi naturally seized the opportunity.

She calmly recounted matters concerning her maternal grandparents' family.

The exceptionally talented maternal grandfather seized a opportune moment and became one of the emperor's trusted advisors. Through this, he expanded the already promising family business, gradually making it the strongest in their field.

He had endured hardship and experienced great ups and downs. His maternal grandmother passed away early, leaving behind only a son and a daughter. To support the family, his maternal grandfather never considered remarrying and devoted himself entirely to the struggle.

The only daughter, Luo Ling, was naturally sensible from a young age, and she learned to share the burden with her father both inside and outside the home.

Protected by his powerful father and sister, the only son simply waits to enjoy the benefits and doesn't cause trouble.

When the children grew up, the maternal grandfather realized that only Luo Ling could manage all the businesses. At that time, Xia Ji met Luo Ling and wanted to ask her out. Luo Ling refused, hoping to wait for her father's decision.

At the same time, the eldest uncle wanted to marry a woman from the Wang family. She was also one of the leading merchants in Jiangnan; a powerful alliance would naturally bring even greater benefits if an heir was born.

The eldest uncle advised his maternal grandfather to work hard for a few more years. He knew he wasn't good enough, and that he could wait until his grandson grew up.

My maternal grandfather made the choice.

Luo Ling sadly followed Xia Ji back to the capital, because he was a rude and uncouth man, neither a scholar nor a penniless, and his maternal grandfather had never looked down on him.

Unfortunately, he had a falling out with his daughter over the issue of succession, so he had no choice but to let the marriage proceed.

She even declared that she would not go to the capital or send a dowry.

Luo Ling only managed to win over Manager Luo, who was also her all-around subordinate. The two of them managed to carve out some businesses in the treacherous capital city, which became Xia Youmi's dowry.

but,

To prevent the Xia family, the Luo family, or Xia Youmi's husband's family from swindling away these profits, Luo Ling not only granted a share of the profits but also gave Manager Luo the highest degree of autonomy. If Xia Youmi doesn't actively manage the business, she won't reap all the rewards.

Luo Ling passed away prematurely.

The maternal grandfather was heartbroken, but he remained engrossed in the family business and could not afford to relax for a moment.

But gradually,

He discovered that his son could only give birth to a granddaughter, and after years of trying, there was still no good news. He had many mistresses and concubines, and even fell out with the Wang family woman over the issue of having an heir. The Wang family woman divorced him, and less than a year later, she remarried and gave birth to a healthy son.

The maternal grandfather had no time to be disappointed; all he could do was raise this somewhat talented granddaughter.

Even in his seventies, he lost a bright and clever granddaughter because of the Wang family, the royal family, and his good-for-nothing son.

The maternal grandfather was on the verge of a breakdown, frantically reminiscing about how good Luo Ling and his granddaughter were. He even went so far as to write a letter to Xia Youmi, a woman he had never met and who had a bad reputation, who lived far away in the capital.

He apologized to his mother, wanting to give up entirely, but was afraid of implicating her. If he were to leave prematurely, he feared his daughter would blame him in the afterlife for his sinful life, even harming his innocent granddaughter on his deathbed.

Between the lines, one can feel the helplessness of a fragile old man.

Xia Youmi knew that her grandfather was desperate and trying to find a solution from his only remaining hope, his granddaughter.

......

After speaking frankly to Chunyu Xi, he fell silent, seemingly with regret and a touch of shame.

Xia Youmi was quite rational. She frankly said, "If Your Highness wants to enter Jiangnan, it would be a bit awkward to have the Luo family act as a go-between. However, it is also an opportunity. If we can seize it, we can at least take over three forces."

"Appreciate further details."

"Does Your Highness intend to go there in person?"

"Yes."

"If Your Highness is willing to take me with you, it will be much easier and more efficient," Xia Youmi stated her core request. Her eyes were fixed on Chunyu Xi, conveying her unwavering determination.

"No! Fourth Brother will not agree!" Chunyu Xi rejected the idea without even thinking.

He hadn't forgotten that Xia Youmi was of marriageable age. If she went to Jiangnan with him, not to mention the negative news that would follow if word got out, he wouldn't be able to control her at all. If he lost focus even slightly, Miss Xia could escape anywhere, and he wouldn't be able to explain it to his brother.

Chunyu Huai kept Xia Youmi's attempt to elope a secret, but Chunyu Xi happened to know about it.

He had access to information and wasn't entirely naive. If the other brothers turned their attention to the Xia residence, investigating wouldn't be difficult.

This behavior is completely out of character for the people he has met.

but,

We can't let our guard down; what if she has ulterior motives?

“Your Highness, the Fourth Prince will agree,” Xia Youmi earnestly persuaded. “Profit is more important than a woman, and more important than mere face. Besides, I just don’t want my mother’s hard work to go to waste. Ever since I learned about this dowry, I’ve had the idea of ​​managing it, and my frequent dealings with Steward Luo are all for this purpose. My maternal grandfather wrote to me, fearing that the Luo family’s assets will be ruined in his hands, and he will be letting down the entire clan. And I am another person who might be able to take on this responsibility. Only if I personally take over will my maternal grandfather feel at ease.”

“That makes sense, but how can I trust you?” Chunyu Xi said bluntly.

Xia Youmi understood that this reassurance represented both her ability to take on the responsibilities of the Luo family and whether she would be disloyal to the Fourth Prince's lineage.

“Your Highness, this is why you are traveling with me,” Xia Youmi hinted. “I can only take over before entering the prince’s harem and make achievements for my maternal grandfather. But the final ownership still belongs to the fourth prince and you. If you had cooperated with me from the beginning and jointly reaped the necessary power in Jiangnan, then the decision would not have been made by the Luo family, but by you and your brother.”

Chunyu Xi felt that there was something strange about what the other person said.

However, upon closer examination, it seems there's nothing wrong with it. She's ultimately going to enter Fourth Brother's harem, and there are still two years left in the mourning period. If they can work together to overcome the obstacles set by the Luo family head and successfully take over the management, it will indeed be twice as effective with half the effort.

He no longer had time for slow infiltration; the solution was to quickly start with established families and then annex his rivals.

Xia Youmi certainly had things she didn't tell anyone.

My maternal grandfather utterly loathed the Fourth Prince and the Fourteenth Prince.

One took away his beloved daughter's only bloodline, and the other indirectly harmed his only granddaughter. He'd probably rather fight to the death than hand over the Luo family's assets to the other.

Unless he has already ascended the throne and offered enough benefits to save face.

Therefore, Xia Youmi's intervention was naturally aimed at taking over all the family's hard work, leaving nothing for outsiders. Furthermore, the Wang family was lurking in the shadows, waiting to reap their benefits; given the urgency, she had to step in.

Chunyu Xi was gradually persuaded, and the final bargaining chip was an account book. It contained details of her expanded businesses and profits over the past year in the capital, with the methods she used listed.

When faced with truly talented individuals, the only reason for their recruitment is to cherish their talent and to attract more people.

Chunyu Xi would never refuse.