Chapter 19 - Stockpiling Supplies

The next day, news of a major event in the capital spread—it was also considered a joyous occasion.

The daughter of the General of the Valiant Cavalry was granted marriage to the Crown Prince, with the wedding set to take place in just half a month.

Upon hearing the news, Su's mother froze in shock for a long moment before returning to her senses.

This… this was exactly what her daughter had predicted!

Her daughter hadn't stepped outside for the past two years and couldn't possibly have known about the affairs of the court. Could it really have been a prophetic dream sent by an immortal?

Su's mother quickly wrote a letter and instructed someone to send it to Manager Lin of Drunken Immortal Residence.

After several days of adjustments and testing, Su Li finally managed to concoct a medicine for curing Jun Mo's leg ailment.

Looking at the small porcelain bottle in her hand, Su Li's lips curled into a smile.

Although it still lacked two key ingredients—bailizi and qiancengshuang—this pill could at least suppress the cold poison for now.

The next step was to find an opportunity to get close to Jun Mo.

Jun Mo was a man who appeared gentle, refined, and polite on the surface but was, in fact, highly guarded.

The best way to approach him would be through her cousin.

Thinking of the matters she needed to handle today, Su Li decided to visit the Duke Wei's Manor tomorrow instead.

"Siqin."

Siqin stepped into the room from outside and responded, "Miss?"

"Follow me to the Drunken Immortal Residence."

"Yes, Miss."

Su Li, accompanied by Siqin and Zhishu, was about to leave when Yu Qi approached her.

"First Miss, are you heading out?"

Su Li glanced at the pearl hairpin on Yu Qi's head and nodded faintly.

Yu Qi quickly said, "Miss, please take me with you. Last time, you said you'd bring me along the next time you went out."

Su Li gave her a glance but didn't reply, leaving Zhishu to speak up. "Yu Qi, does the Miss need your permission to decide who she takes with her when she goes out?"

"No, no, that's not what I meant—"

"Then what do you mean?" Zhishu cut her off sharply.

Su Li interrupted the pointless argument and said, "Let's go."

Zhishu huffed and followed behind Su Li as they left the courtyard.

Yu Qi watched Su Li's retreating figure with a growing sense of unease.

Was the First Miss still angry with her? This wouldn't do. If things continued like this, she would completely lose the Miss's favor.

Upon arriving at the Drunken Immortal Residence, Su Li was greeted by a man—Wang Wei.

"Miss, I've been waiting for you," Wang Wei said, bowing respectfully.

Manager Lin also approached and added, "Miss, he arrived two days ago."

Su Li said, "Didn't we agree on today?"

Wang Wei quickly explained, "I came as soon as I had arranged everything at home."

Su Li nodded and walked ahead. "Follow me upstairs."

Inside a room on the second floor, Su Li gestured for Wang Wei to take a seat.

"Miss, there's no need. I can stand," Wang Wei insisted.

Su Li didn't push the matter and got straight to the point. "Wang Wei—"

"Please just call me by my name, Miss. I don't deserve such formalities," Wang Wei interjected.

Having learned Su Li's true identity from Manager Lin, Wang Wei was surprised to discover that the person who had saved his son was none other than the so-called "spoiled, ignorant daughter" of the Minister's family. It seemed the rumors couldn't have been more wrong.

Su Li nodded, not dwelling on formalities. "Wang Wei, I have a task for you. Can you handle it?"

Wang Wei patted his chest and promised, "Miss, just give the word. Whether it's braving fire or scaling mountains, I won't hesitate!"

Su Li smiled slightly and said, "It's not that dangerous. I just need you to be discreet and avoid drawing attention."

She glanced at Manager Lin, who nodded and handed a small wooden box to Wang Wei.

Wang Wei opened it to find it was full of silver banknotes. Stunned, he didn't understand the purpose.

"Miss, why are you giving me so much money?"

"I want you and your caravan to use this money to purchase grain from the south," Su Li explained. "Then transport it back to our granary in batches. Be sure to keep a low profile."

Wang Wei didn't ask why Su Li needed so much grain. Instead, he said resolutely, "Since Miss trusts me, I will not disappoint!"

Su Li nodded. "If the money runs out, speak to Manager Lin."

Having already done her research, Su Li knew Wang Wei had a decent reputation in the merchant trade. He was the perfect candidate for the job.

After instructing Wang Wei, Su Li turned to Manager Lin and asked, "Uncle Lin, has there been any movement from Xia Jiang?"

Manager Lin replied, "Miss, since yesterday, Xia Jiang hasn't been to the Drunken Immortal Residence. I had someone tail him—he's currently trying to raise money."

Su Li nodded. "Good. Keep someone on him."

Xia Jiang had no money and could only rely on the Western Garden, but with the Western Garden under house arrest, he couldn't go there. Su Li was curious to see what solutions Xia Jiang would come up with.

On their way out of the Drunken Immortal Residence, Zhishu asked, "Miss, should we head back to the manor?"

Su Li looked at the sky. "No rush. It's still early. Let's take a stroll."

It had been a long time since Su Li had gone out for a walk on the streets. In her past life, she had rarely left the estate, and when she did, she was covered up in a carriage, afraid of being seen.

Now, walking freely along the bustling streets filled her with a sense of lightness.

The sun shone brightly, illuminating the green-tiled roofs and red walls. Flying eaves jutted out, shop banners fluttered high in the air, carriages clattered along the streets, and pedestrians bustled about. Everywhere, carefree smiles reflected the contentment of the people living in the prosperous Tianci Dynasty.

Zhishu and Siqin walked protectively on either side of Su Li, worried she might be bumped into by others.

Su Li laughed. "No need to be so tense. If you see anything you like, I'll buy it for you—and make sure to include something for Mohua."

Zhishu smiled. "Yes, Miss."

After some time, the two maids' hands were full of little trinkets—small, inexpensive items delightful to young women.

The two were clearly overjoyed. It had been years since their Miss had gone out shopping, let alone bought them anything.

As they passed a tailor shop, Su Li said, "Let's go in and take a look."

Su Li's wardrobe was filled with plain clothing, as her mother assumed she disliked bright and colorful outfits. Every garment prepared for her was in pale tones.

But no one knew that Su Li actually loved bold, fiery reds—the color of fresh blood.

Having lived a second life, Su Li resolved not to compromise. This time, she would live according to her own preferences.

The shop, Ruyi Pavilion, was the largest tailor shop in the capital. Its owner, a woman in her thirties known as Madam Liu, greeted them warmly as they entered.

"Miss, are you looking for fabric or ready-made clothes? We just received some exquisite new materials. Would you like to take a look?"

Su Li glanced around and said, "Do you have good-quality red fabric?"

Madam Liu smiled. "What a coincidence! We just received some yesterday—Suzhou Silk Brocade. The color is absolutely stunning, and we're the only shop in the capital that has it!"

"Bring it out."

"Certainly, Miss. Please wait a moment."

Madam Liu instructed her staff to fetch the fabric, which was stored upstairs due to its value.

When the fabric was brought out, it was housed in a long wooden box, emphasizing its rarity.

Madam Liu opened the box, and Su Li's eyes lit up.

The fabric truly lived up to its reputation, comparable to Moonlight Brocade. While Moonlight Brocade was known for its moon-white hue, this Silk Brocade had a rich and vibrant red color.

Su Li nodded. "I'll take it."

"I'll take it!" a crisp voice declared, overlapping with Su Li's words.

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