Time Travel: The Noble Family

Yueyao smiled, "Very well." The Marquis Jingning’s Residence had quite a few clan members in the military, wielding considerable power. It was said the Heir of Marquis Jingning was also skilled in martial arts. Besides, the Heir of Marquis Jingning’s maternal aunt was the current Empress Dowager. Having his wife invest was akin to having the backing of the Marquis Jingning’s Residence and the Empress Dowager; if anyone coveted their business in the future, they’d have to weigh the power behind them.

With Yueyao’s approval, Ruo Lan sent out her invitations the same day. The next day, she visited the Duke Mansion first and spoke to the Wife of the Duke’s Heir about investing. Ruo Lan did not specify it was a fabric workshop; she simply mentioned preparations to open a workshop for producing cloth. The Wife of the Duke’s Heir considered it and agreed to invest only a ten percent share. That Clothes Workshop was losing money, and if not for the sake of Ruo Lan’s face, she wouldn’t have invested even that ten percent.

Madam Ping, the Wife of the Heir of Marquis Jingning, had been friends with Ruo Lan for many years. Understanding Ruo Lan well, she knew that Ruo Lan wouldn’t involve her unless the business venture was guaranteed to be profitable, so she didn’t even ask what it was specifically and immediately agreed, "How much silver is needed for the investment?"

After thinking for a moment, Ruo Lan said, "If we are to do this, let’s go big. I plan to invest fifty thousand taels of silver." It was up to the individuals to decide how much they wanted to invest—less was acceptable, but not more.

Madam Ping said with a laugh, "Such a grand gesture! In that case, I’ll put in five thousand taels. What do you think?" Having a ten percent share would limit the loss if it indeed incurred any, keeping it within an acceptable range. Naturally, Madam Ping believed that Ruo Lan wouldn’t let her lose everything.

Ruo Lan said with a smile, "The business I’m doing guarantees a profit; you won’t lose. Don’t you want to invest a bit more? If you regret it later, there won’t be another chance."

Knowing that Ruo Lan wasn’t one to speak without consideration, Madam Ping thought for a moment and then said, "Then I’ll invest a twenty percent share. That’s about all the ready silver I have on hand." Although Madam Ping’s dowry was substantial, it was all in fixed assets. The liquid silver she had amounted to just over ten thousand taels.

Ruo Lan then chatted with Madam Ping about other matters, during which she also mentioned Yueyao’s intention to sell the shop on East Street, planning to lease it out.

Madam Ping, with a chuckle, said, "I have a distant relative who’s looking for a suitable shop face in Capital City to start a business. I’ll have someone inquire about it later to see if he’s willing to rent that shop." She had heard the rumors about Yueyao, and she knew such a proud and talented lady would be unwilling to manage a business.