Disadvantages of being a son and not daughter

"What's wrong with him?" Xuan Cheng asked, raising her eyebrows.

He was a physician at Yuchang City's second store and a member of the famous Fu family, known for their acupuncture skills.

"He assaulted another man for not paying the fee demanded by him, apparently, the man didn't have any token either," she reported.

"How many times has it been?" Xuan Cheng asked, her face getting crimson from anger.

"Third..." Duchess Wan replied, hoping that she won't let it slide, it wasn't her business before, but while she presided over the seat of General Manager, the shop owner of the second branch begged her to get rid of Young Master Fu.

She had to boost the morale of the employees and inculcate the feeling of trust and loyalty in their hearts.

"What do you think should be done?" Xuan Cheng questioned.

"The Fu Family has a strong background and rich past, however, we can't let them take advantage of patients like that. Moreover, this time it was a peasant, I am afraid, if we let him lose, he might become scary and exploit the poor," she explained.

"Hmph...I had to recruit him because his father recommended him to Li Quan, I couldn't reject it.

Then...get rid of him," she replied, piling the book in a corner and counting them.

"I? Shouldn't Li Quan, do it?" Duchess Wan asked, hesitantly.

"Yeah, obviously, Li Quan is technically the heart of Duyi, he is best at managing the network all over, however, he used to be a slave before.

No matter how good he is, it's impossible for him to deal with powerful nobles and merchants.

That's why I made you the most superior in Duyi, even if there is another duke creating the problem, you won't back down easily. It will give Li Quan the confidence to work fearlessly and it will give confidence to all the employees, to know who they really serve.

Even if I am no longer here, you must work honestly and generously, and yes...you can't slack off with the reports," Xuan Cheng reasoned.

"You should check the daily reports and weekly reports, and send me a monthly report, I don't want too much burden even after having you," she added.

"What? I thought you wanted daily reports because you didn't trust me," Duchess Wan spoke surprised.

"Nonsense! You are the only person who deserves to be the General Manager of Duyi.

First, you have no husband, so you don't have to be restricted and 'serve' him.

Second, you are the most clever and smart among all women in Yuchang City, I heard you read books like Strategies of War. You are more than qualified.

Third, you are magnanimous and benevolent, it's important, and you aren't greedy," Xuan Cheng listed, as she put the book aside.

"You forgot that I have three kids to raise alone," she muttered in low spirit.

"So? I know you have two sons of your own and a daughter from your husband's concubine, she is also under you."

"Isn't that a problem for you?"

"Is it a problem for you? You want to quit?"

"No, I mean, not only I am a woman I have three kids as well, besides they are too young..."

"So?"

"You don't mind it?"

"No, I don't, why would I? I was afraid your management talent will be a waste since you have no mother-in-law to fight with or husband to 'serve' and no concubines to guard against."

"You learned all that from those baseless illogical novels, right?"

"Hmph, I did."

"Well, I worry about my second son...he won't have a nobility title like his elder brother, I am afraid that he will have to live a life full of taunts and I am afraid that he might have a grudge against him."

"He won't if he is busy with his own work, I suggest you let both of you prepare for Imperial Examinations and let them be useful officials in court, not some young masters who inherited wealth and nobility for no reason."

"Oh? I never thought of that..."

"I know you care for your daughter too."

"Yes, I do, she is quite pitiful..."

"I want her to be mentored by our Chief Lady Physicians Mo and Li Quan."

"They are busy people, why?"

"I want her to take your seat once you retire. Raise her to be more talented than Princess Lan and more generous than Heavenly Jade Princess, my grandmother."

"You...You really see the big picture, I didn't imagine you would think so far," Duchess Wan was shaken by her words.

Xuan Cheng wanted Duyi to prosper and have perpetual existence in business, it was the same reason she divided the power into three hands and also had the next generation trained and mentored.

"Yes, however, before she can be mentored by them, I want to mentor her for a few years myself. Maybe until she is fifteen... I will find her a husband who is easy-going and open-minded.

And when she reaches the age of twenty, she can take over the business."

Princess Cheng was full of ambitions, nothing else, Duchess Wan thought she would disregard her marriage and she had no problem with it because she knew it wasn't easy to get married and have a career.

But Xuan Cheng had everything calculated with no room for mistakes and loopholes, she wanted nothing but happiness for her daughter.

'A woman can be happy when she is independent and carefree.' Duchess Wan ultimately thought.

"It is my daughter's honour to have someone like you to care for her. Now, that I think of it, my sons are at a disadvantage for not being daughters," she laughed, with teary eyes, gratefulness overflowing through her eyes.

....

-Palace of Dignity-

Staring at a map that occupied his study table, Zhao Ming noticed the head eunuch making his way in, as he had asked him to meet after dinner.

"Your Highness..." he addressed him, bowing his head.

"Did you see any man named Li Quan in Yuchang City? Did he meet Princess Cheng?" he asked in a deadly serious tone.

"Li Quan? I did see him while passing by the Duyi Pharmacy of Yuchang City, it was quite a memorable incident so I remember him well.

However, as I said, Princess Cheng hardly knows anyone from the outside, I don't think she knows him. He is a busy man, after all, I heard he is the main master of the famous Duyi," he replied calmly.

"What incident?" Zhao Ming frowned.

"A pregnant concubine of a dead master was chased out by his grown children, she was on the streets, going to labour, so Li Quan, apparently found her and brought her to the pharmacy and sent her to the Welfare House after the birth of the child.

That's what the commoners said when we asked around, it was memorable because the concubine was dressed in an expensive dress and wore gold ornaments while she was being rushed to the pharmacy on a delivery wagon.

It was sad and hilarious...." Eunuch Su could not help but slip a small laugh.

"I want to meet Li Quan, summon him to the palace," Zhao Ming demanded.

"Yes, Your Highness," he was shocked but he had no choice but to follow the orders.

'Maybe His Highness wants to reward him.'