When Qin Yining heard this, she couldn't help but look at Duchess Ding. She didn't know what kind of place Zhao Yun Agency was, but in order to give her Zhao Yun Agency, her grandmother actually used good fields and shops to exchange with her eldest cousin. It was no wonder that when her grandmother mentioned it just now, her cousins looked a little different.
The Sun Clan was also a little surprised.
She really couldn't imagine how a girl who had just returned home and wasn't familiar with her family could be so likable. She could even make her mother spend so much money.
"Mother, we appreciate your kindness, but Zhao Yun Agency is really not suitable for a girl who doesn't know anything to run. As I said just now, there are so many officials and dignitaries in Zhao Yun Agency. If she really offends someone, it won't be a joke. Besides, she just came back and hasn't recognized all the characters yet. How can she be qualified to run any business? The Prime Minister's Manor doesn't lack food or clothes for her. When she came home, her grandmother didn't give her any money or shops. Why should our family spend so much money? "
The first half of the sentence was reasonable, but the second half made Duchess Ding frown, and the people present were slightly embarrassed.
Duke Ding didn't want to participate in these things, so he called his cousins out and left the warm room to the women.
When they saw their father leave like this, the Sun Clan realized that they might have said something that Duke Ding didn't like to hear. Since childhood, Duke Ding had this habit. Whenever his brothers and sisters made a mistake, Duke Ding would avoid them and leave the space for Duchess Ding to show off.
As soon as the men left, Duchess Ding said in a deep voice, "What you just said was inappropriate. How did he learn these tricks to compare himself to others after leaving home for a few days? As a mother, don't you know the principle of teaching by example? Aren't you afraid that your daughter will learn from you how to compete with others and not be harmonious sisters? "
The Sun Clan didn't accept it, so they lowered their heads and didn't say a word.
Qin Yining's face turned red and white. Wasn't Duchess Ding indirectly scolding the locust tree?
When Eldest Aunt and Second Aunt saw that Duchess Ding was angry, they hurriedly persuaded her, "Mother, don't be angry. Sister Han is just a child. She speaks without thinking."
"A child's temperament, outspoken? She was already in her forties! You still don't know how to make progress! "Duchess Ding rubbed her forehead and scolded," Have you forgotten what I told you that day? "
Seeing that their mother was really angry, the members of the Sun Clan felt wronged, but they didn't dare to talk back. They bowed their heads and admitted their mistakes.
Duchess Ding took two deep breaths before saying, "You don't understand. Fortunately, you're lucky enough to have Sister Yi by your side, who can see things clearly. In the future, you should also be more careful. Don't believe everything that others say. If you encounter any major matters in Qin's Mansion, you can discuss them with Sister Yi. I also believe that Sister Yi will be able to manage the Zhao Yun Agency. Even if you don't have the ability, does your daughter not have it? Don't forget whose daughter Sister Yi is! "
The members of the Sun Clan were scolded like quails. They didn't dare to breathe loudly. Although they felt indignant, they felt an inexplicable sense of honor. Perhaps Qin Yining inherited her father's intelligence?
Qin Yining saw that her grandmother was scolding her daughter and had no right to interrupt, so she could only feel anxious. Seeing that the topic had finally come to an end, she hurriedly went to persuade Duchess Ding with Eldest Aunt and Second Aunt.
Duchess Ding's anger wasn't directed at others. In order to avoid embarrassment, she went along with it.
"Sister Yi, you just came back. I don't think you know much about the Zhao Yun Agency. I'll ask Mama Bao to tell you what kind of business Zhao Yun Agency does. In addition, later, ask Mama Bao to send the shop's account books, documents, and other things to your home. "
"Yes." Qin Yining obediently answered.
Mama Bao smiled and curtsied, "Miss, please follow this servant."
"Thank you, Mama Bao." Qin Yining avoided her salute and returned half a salute.
The two of them politely left the warm room and walked out.
Duchess Ding and her two aunts looked at their figures and smiled with satisfaction.
Seeing that the members of the Sun Clan were whispering something to Qin Yining, Duchess Ding felt a headache again. She couldn't help but start scolding her daughter again, "I think Sister Yi knows when to advance and when to retreat. This granddaughter of mine is the best. In the future … "
**
Let's not talk about the Sun Clan being scolded by Duchess Ding.
Qin Yining followed Mama Bao to a quiet place in the yard to talk.
"Miss, I think you don't know the origin of Zhao Yun Agency, right?"
"Yes. Can you tell me what kind of business it is?"
Mama Bao said with a smile, "Zhao Yun Agency is somewhat similar to the Musical House of the previous dynasty, but it is different. Miss should know that some ministers who are convicted will implicate their families, right? "
"Yes, I know." Qin Yining nodded.
Mama Bao said, "Some ministers who were convicted were beheaded or exiled. The women in their families, whether they were eighty-year-old mothers or three-year-old beauties, were all treated as official prostitutes. Miss, please note that this prostitute is not the one in the word 'woman'."
"Yes."
"In the past, the imperial court ran its own musical house, so these official prostitutes were all sent to the musical house. It can be said that they each performed their own duties, depending on their ability. The older ones couldn't do the work on the table, so they were assigned to work in the kitchen, the woodshed, the cleaning, and the like. The younger girls were temporarily raised, and those of the same age were sent to the front of the musical house to entertain guests."
"Although this dynasty promotes etiquette, those high officials and nobles who visit the musical house especially like to choose the families of their former colleagues to humiliate them. Most people don't pay cash, so it is common to buy on credit, so the musical house has been losing money. "
"There's such a person!" Qin Yining was dumbfounded.
Mama Bao smiled, "There are all kinds of people in this big world. This musical house was originally the business of the emperor emeritus. How could the emperor emeritus allow his business to always lose money? Therefore, in a fit of anger, he closed the Musical House. Since he couldn't find anyone to get back the money he had invested, it was all for naught. There was no place to deal with those criminals, but he couldn't not raise them. Later, his subordinates came up with an idea, and we have the Zhao Yun Agency now. "
"The emperor emeritus reopened the musical house, but it doesn't do business with the outside world anymore. It only raises those criminals who were convicted by the big families. The Zhao Yun Agency is in charge of the business on the surface, but all the employees of the industries under the Zhao Yun Agency, except for a few shopkeepers, have to be rented from the musical house. "
Qin Yining understood immediately. He nodded and said, "This idea is really good. In this way, the emperor emeritus's musical house can raise these criminals and rent them out without losing money. The Zhao Yun Agency also needs to hire people to run the business. If they hire these criminals, not only will they have labor, but it can also be considered a big business feature. "
"Madam Zhen is right. Miss is smart and understood it immediately. To be honest, this idea was given to the emperor emeritus by the old Duke Ding. The emperor emeritus was happy, so he gave the Zhao Yun Agency to the old Duke Ding to run. It has been passed down to the present and is now in the hands of the old master. However, you know the old master's temperament. "
Speaking of this, Mama Bao sighed and said, "Originally, there were two restaurants, two inns, and two brothels under the Zhao Yun Agency's management. But the old master is stubborn and can't stand those filthy things. He closed the two brothels as soon as he took over. "
"So, the Zhao Yun Agency that is now in Miss's hands has three restaurants and two inns. The old master renovated the original brothel and opened a restaurant. The business is doing well. However, because of the war these years, the old master has no intention of running the business. Now, there is still a brothel that is idle. "
At this point, Qin Yining completely understood the origin of the Zhao Yun Agency.
It was no wonder that the Sun Clan had opposed it.
Now, the Zhao Yun Agency had three restaurants, two inns, and an immovable property. This was a large sum of money!
Not to mention that property, just the restaurants and inns that were profitable now, how much money would they make every year? So all of this suddenly became her own money?
Also, the Zhao Yun Agency's renting of convicts from the Royal Musical House was a major feature. Then, everyone in the restaurants and inns were all convicts. These criminal women might have been the Old Madam of some big family in the past, or they might have been the most beautiful young lady in a city. Perhaps the one pouring tea in the inn was even the head of a family in the inner chamber!
Although these people were punished by their families, but in Qin Yining's eyes, these odd-job workers had a big background …
"Miss, is there anything you don't understand?" Mama Bao saw Qin Yining frowning and pondering and couldn't help but ask.
Qin Yining shook her head with a smile and said, "As expected, grandmother gave me a generous gift. Although I am ashamed to accept it, I will certainly live up to grandfather and grandmother's painstaking efforts. I will manage it well and make good use of the connections. "
Mama Bao was shocked when she heard this. Her eyes flashed, and she nodded repeatedly and said, "Good."
"Miss is so smart. You really don't let down Madam's expectations. This old servant is relieved."
The two went back and chatted for a while. Seeing that it was getting late, the Sun Clan took Qin Yining and Qin Huining to leave.
Mama Bao returned the conversation to Duchess Ding word for word.
Duchess Ding asked, "Did she really say that?"
"Yes. Miss Biao has a clever mind. She understood immediately. This old servant only told her the origin of the Zhao Yun Agency. I didn't go into detail, but she already understood the important points. She is indeed the daughter of 'Wise Pan An'! "Mama Bao praised.
Duchess Ding also laughed when she heard this.
"Old Madam, the master is here." The maidservant outside lifted the warm curtain and saw Sun Yu walking in quickly. Duchess Ding bowed to him.
"Grandmother."
"Brother Ming, come and sit down. It's warm."
Sun Yu moved his chair and sat down next to Duchess Ding. He asked straightforwardly, "Grandmother, I just heard that something happened to Zhao Yun Agency these two days. Did you already know about it?"
Duchess Ding nodded with a smile, "Yes, I know."
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