Upon hearing An Jing’s words, Wang Youbao felt like pointing at An Jing’s nose and scolding her for her lack of ambition. A water buffalo costs merely five or six taels of silver—is that all it takes to make you content?
However, seeing how composed An Jing and Xiao Changyi were, Wang Youbao realized he was getting worked up like "an eunuch more anxious than the Emperor," and he promptly deflated.
Despite having known them for only a short time, he had already come to consider An Jing and Xiao Changyi as friends. Thus, the moment he learned that Sun Beiwei intended to suppress them, he had rushed to inform them.
His original hunch had been right after all. They were selling fermented bean curd to make money, but they didn’t care about the money.
Now he understood what they wanted the money for—to buy a water buffalo...
Wang Youbao took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to call An Jing and Xiao Changyi spineless, before saying, "Selling fermented bean curd is a good business. You shouldn’t just give it up like that. It’s too regrettable. How about I, as the host, invite Sun Beiwei to my tavern for a chat? When the time comes, you could apologize to him so he can let bygones be bygones, allowing you to continue selling fermented tofu in Sixteen Town?"
An Jing knew Wang Youbao meant well for them, but—
"Apologize?" An Jing scoffed. "What have we done wrong that we need to apologize to him?"
Wang Youbao sighed, "It’s not about wrongdoing. It’s just that there are five taverns in town. You sold to four but not his, even though his is the biggest. By not selling to him, you’ve essentially slapped his face and offended him."
Initially, Wang Youbao hadn’t understood why Sun Beiwei would go out of his way to prevent them from buying fermented bean curd. But then, recalling that only Jadeite Tavern didn’t offer dishes seasoned with fermented bean curd and that its business was quiet, he understood.
An Jing scoffed again, "Our family’s fermented bean curd is ours to sell to whomever we wish."
Turning her head, she looked at her aloof husband with a beaming smile, "Right, my dear husband?"
Xiao Changyi immediately nodded, "Mhm."
Wang Youbao was stunned, having not anticipated An Jing and Xiao Changyi to conduct business so whimsically.
However, considering their previous conduct and demeanor, he felt it made sense; they had always seemed whimsical.
Until now, he had simply thought they were exceptional individuals without giving it much thought. But now that he understood, he admired them even more.
After all, how many people in this world can truly do as they please? He once thought only emperors could act so freely. But now, he had two such people right beside him.
As for himself, the only place he could do as he pleased was at home. Outside, he still had to observe others’ expressions and act accordingly.
With that realization, Wang Youbao felt not just admiration but also respect for An Jing and Xiao Changyi. After all, he couldn’t afford to live as freely as they did—the considerations he had to take into account were simply too numerous.
"You sure live a carefree life," Wang Youbao suddenly said enviously. "I, too, wish I could be like you. However, as a common son, the seventh concubine’s, and my father’s only offspring—at that, one he fathered in his old age and the youngest child in the family—he has always doted on me. I can do whatever I want at home, but hardly anyone in the family takes me seriously, let alone outside..."