"Don’t go saying that money can’t buy life, status, or affection; the truth is that it can buy them all. Without silver, when sick, one can only wait for death; with silver, one can afford to hire the best doctor and take life-saving medicines. There have been instances of people donating to obtain an official rank in every dynasty, proving that fame and fortune can indeed be bought with silver. With enough silver, friends and relatives would wear down your threshold, while without it, the threshold of the less fortunate remains cold and bare, wouldn’t it?"
"That makes sense," Jin Zijin sighed, "Silver indeed is a good thing."
He patted Gu Youyou’s back and added, "Youyou is so capable, why not also..." He thought for a moment, then said, "Nevermind. You should first get the embroidery business going."
"What are you talking about?" Gu Youyou was hung up by his suggestive words and immediately perked up. With this going on, she wouldn’t need to sleep tonight.
Jin Zijin laughed and said, "I was thinking of handing over some business in Beijing to you, but I’m afraid you’d be too busy to handle it."
Gu Youyou’s face was full of surprise: "You do business in Beijing, too?"
"What else?" Jin Zijin pinched her face gently and said, "Didn’t you just say, without silver, everything is difficult in this world? The Dao Family didn’t earn its status in the mundane world just through alms."
"Moreover... secretly raising so many dead soldiers, who undertake missions that are equivalent to suicide, they wouldn’t be loyal without silver, would they?"
Gu Youyou blinked, as if she didn’t recognize him.
For someone of his disposition to be discussing these matters with her was unexpected.
"I’ve always been investigating the swap that happened to me that year. The adversary is very powerful; many excellent dead soldiers raised have perished during missions."
Gu Youyou hugged his neck with a pained heart.
She had heard from Jin Zijin before about this matter, about how today’s Princess had taken over his identity.
Who exactly had manipulated the situation from behind the scenes, no one knew.
Even with Jin Zijin’s current power, he was unable to uncover the slightest information about the adversary.
"Alright, alright, it’s getting late, let’s sleep. As for those matters, they’ve gone on so many years, there’s no point in rushing now. Concerning silver, you have a good eye; you found a wife who can make money, so be at ease. It won’t be long before you will have plenty of silver flowing in."
"Oh? Are you complimenting me, or are you praising yourself?"
"Ha ha, both. You’ve got a good eye, and I know how to make money."
After preparing the bed, Gu Youyou remembered her concerns and said, "I’ve heard the roads aren’t very safe. I’ll take Abao to Jinxiu City, have Yue Rujing send Abao to Jisheng Hall, so I can collect him."
It was already quite hot, and Gu Youyou wore a thin silk garment while Xiang Chun supported her into the carriage.
Down by the carriage, the aunt kept nattering on with advice, "In Jinxiu City, you’ll find the homes of the wealthy, who are not like our official families. They reek of money and have an air about them that’s no less than ours, each of them lacking manners. Be sure to avoid getting into disputes with them in public, lest you lose our status and bring dishonor to the Lin Residence.
Moreover, do not stay too long. After delivering the gifts, come back. Although you are our head young lady, your actions represent the Lin Residence. You’ve grown up in the countryside, and I don’t expect you to be as cultured and literate as the other young ladies, but you must still maintain the demeanor of an official’s daughter. Your aunt may be a bit long-winded, but it’s all for your own good. I am still hoping to see you marry into a good family, and the families your aunt has considered for you are all from the official class."
Madam Lin’s earlier rambling was of little concern to Gu Youyou, but the latter words frightened her quite a bit.