Chapter 274: Speaking From The Heart
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Heng Yi looked at Han Qiao.
“Build an inn?”
“Yes, I want to build an inn. It will be the kind of inn that is integrated with a restaurant. There will also be entertainment, such as musicians playing the piano and singing. However, we will only add some fun, we’re not establishing a brothel.”
“…” Heng Yi was silent for a moment.
Then, he said, “You have to wait for a while. Wait until I have a proper official position. Otherwise, after all your hard work, someone might take it away.”
They were now opening a few fast food restaurants, buying wasteland to reclaim land, and opening a tofu shop. To those rich families, they were all small businesses.
However, Han Qiao’s inn and restaurant would be mixed together. How many people’s businesses would be cut off if they were built outside the city?
Would those rich and powerful n.o.bles give up so easily?
“I was thinking of giving 20% to the Gong Prince’s consort…” Han Qiao paused for a moment, “I’m just afraid that the princess consort won’t be interested in this 20% and wants more.”
At that time, her hard work would be in vain.
Moreover, if the restaurant was in someone else’s hands, would she still be able to uphold the ideals she insisted on?
It was definitely impossible.
Most importantly, she had worked so hard and ended up with nothing. She might even bring disaster to her family. That would not be worth it.
Han Qiao sighed, “This is difficult.”
She sat down beside Heng Yi and leaned into his arms, “Truthfully, I’ve helped a lot of people while earning money, but those pirates don’t think that way. They only care about money…”
“We’re not in a hurry. For now, we’re much stronger than many people. You just gave birth not long ago, and your body hasn’t fully recovered.”
“We can’t earn all the silver, and we can’t help all the poor people in the world. Let’s not rush into things and move forward slowly.”
Heng Yi hugged Han Qiao.
He comforted her gently, hoping that she would not be troubled by these things.
Money couldn’t just be earned, it needed to be saved.
“You’re right.” Han Qiao replied.
She held Heng Yi’s hand and leaned over to tease Ah-Yao.
She didn’t need to rush to open the restaurant and inn. When Heng Yi took over the power, no one would come to rob her of the fruits of her victory.
The Feng family had replied, stating that their son would be here at any time. She had made an appointment with Madam Feng to go over after leaving the Gong Prince’s residence.
Early the next morning, Han Qiao packed up and set off for the Gong Prince’s residence.
Heng Yi sent her personally, so she only brought a book orchid.
The other carriage was filled with oranges.
When she reached the door, there was already an old woman waiting at the gates. When she saw Han Qiao, she immediately came forward and asked, “May 1 ask if this is Madam Heng?”
“That’s right.”
“Consort Fei told this servant to wait for you here.”
“Thank you.”
Han Qiao brought Shulan and followed the old woman through the corner door. They walked through the small corridor and pa.s.sed through the second door to the backyard.
The Gong Prince’s residence was very luxurious. The last time she came, Han Qiao didn’t look carefully and the old woman who led the way wasn’t so enthusiastic.
The old woman who came to pick her up today was talkative and very flattering with her words. She was especially respectful to Han Qiao.
When they arrived at the Gong Prince Consort’s courtyard, the servant girl waiting at the door bowed from afar and ran in.
Han Qiao was invited in without waiting by the door.
The Gong Prince’s consort looked at Han Qiao and smiled.
“Greetings to the princess consort,” Han Qiaofu bowed.
“Aiya, we’re all family. There’s no need to be so polite. You look pretty good after giving birth. When the child is older, bring him here so 1 can take a look.” The Gong Prince’s consort pulled Han Qiao to the side and sat down.
It was said that power and wealth supported people.
The Gong Prince’s consort was exactly that. She was elegant and dignified.
Han Qiao didn’t believe her words.
There were still rules to follow.
She couldn’t just take it seriously just because she gave her some dignity.
Some words were just superficial words for people who were nurtured by wealth and power.
“You’re too kind, Your Highness. That child is a little noisy and I’m afraid that he will disturb your peace, Your Highness. When he’s a little older, I will bring him here to visit you,” Han Qiao said, then slowly moving the topic to the oranges she grew at home.
“It’s still edible. I’ll bring some for you to taste.”
“That will be wonderful.” The Gong Prince’s consort smiled and asked the servant girls to quickly bring a plate over. She sent some over to his highness.
Then she sent some to the princes and princesses as well.
Han Qiao guessed that the princes and princesses were the legitimate sons and daughters of the Gong Prince’s first wife.
This could be considered as giving them the greatest dignity as a commoner.
As for whether they would eat it or not, who knew?
Eighty to ninety percent of the oranges were given to the servants.
With silver to pave the way, the Gong Prince’s consort was very easy to talk to.
“When do you plan to open a restaurant in Chenzhou?”
“I can do it anytime, but 1 don’t have a suitable shop.”
The Gong Prince’s consort smiled. “1 have a restaurant here with eight storefronts and it’s on a busy street. It used to be a popular restaurant, but once the fast-food restaurants opened, the business dropped. Why don’t I let you manage it and give you 20% of the profits?”
Han Qiao stared at the Gong Prince’s consort.
She knew that this was not a discussion or a question, but an order.
If the 20% bonus was managed well, she would earn quite a lot in a year.
Of course, it was also possible that she would be kicked out after only working for a short while.
However, she and Heng Yi wouldn’t stay in Chenzhou forever. They would go to the capital sooner or later.
“It is this woman’s fortune for the Princess to trust me. However, I also have a request.”
“Tell me.” The Gong Prince’s consort’s body leaned against the pillow.
She placed her hand gently on the armrest.
“The Princess trusts me. 1 will ensure that the Princess manages the restaurant well. The dishes of Qiaoyi Restaurant can also be brought to the restaurant. However, since the Princess has entrusted me to manage it, everyone in the restaurant must listen to my orders and plans. No one is allowed to come to the restaurant and eat without paying. This includes any master of the Consort Feng’s family.”
As soon as Han Qiao finished speaking, the servants in the room stared at her in shock.
The Gong Prince’s consort was stunned for a moment before laughing.
She really laughed, and she laughed exceptionally heartily.
There were some things that she couldn’t tell Han Qiao, but she had been troubled by them.
Moreover, there were always two maids in this room who were not completely loyal to her. Han Qiao did not ask them to say this. It was Han Qiao’s personal request.
She had just agreed to it without thinking.
“That’s fine. Don’t worry, 1’11 tell his highness that he has to pay for his meals in the restaurants in the future.”
Han Qiao stood up and bowed, “Thank you for supporting me.”
The Gong Prince’s consort smiled.
Not only did she support Han Qiao, but she also wanted to protect her own money bag.
Why wasn’t the restaurant profitable? It was because every cat and dog went to eat under the banner of the Imperial Palace. They ordered a large table of dishes and left after eating.
One had to know that it was her dowry shop and had nothing to do with His Highness.
Moreover, after Han Qiao took over the management, she would have to make a lot of preparations to not owe any credit.
“When do you plan to go to the shop? I’ll go with you too.”
“Let’s do it tomorrow at quarter past nine.”
After making an appointment with the Gong Prince’s consort, Han Qiao got up and prepared to leave.
“Ah-Qiao, wait.” The Gong Prince’s consort waved her hand and someone immediately came over with a brocade box.
The Gong Prince’s consort opened the brocade box and saw a few precious stone hair pins inside.
“This is a new style that was just released in the capital. 1 think it suits you quite well.” As the Gong Prince’s consort spoke, she took a stick and gave it to Han Qiao to wear. “As the saying goes, ‘clothes make the man’. These jewelry are also indispensable.”
Han Qiao wanted to say that she would not accept the reward without merit.
However, since the Gong Prince’s consort had said so, it would be unreasonable for her to refuse.
“Thank you for your reward, Princess.”
“These are all worthless things. Just wear them and play with them.”
This was naturally a polite remark.
How could the Gong Prince’s consort’s gifts be ordinary?