There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 27 One person appears

Upon waking up in the early morning, Li Shuchen checked the accounts. The inn had made a total profit of 1,172 taels of silver in March.

Li Shuchen took out one thousand taels to return to Ziying when they met, and took another one hundred taels to Jiangnan to buy some goods.

Li Shuchen carefully put the money on his person and said to Manager Xu...

"Uncle Xu, I'll be going to Jiangnan on the 3rd of this month. If there's anything I need, please make a note of it, and I'll arrange it when I get back."

Manager Xu stroked his beard. "Going to Jiangnan? Miss must have her reasons for going at this time."

Shopkeeper Xu: "Understood. The journey is long, Miss, please be careful on your way."

Li Shuchen: "Don't worry, there are many of us, nothing will happen. While I'm away, I'll trouble Uncle Xu to take care of the inn."

Manager Xu: "It's enough that Miss understands. As for the inn, I'll take care of it."

Li Shuchen nodded, turned and went up to the third floor to retrieve his belongings from the Sanbao Hall to take home.

Li Shuchen is about to go on a long trip, and plans to stay at home for the next couple of days.

Time flew by and it was already April 2nd, but Xiao Jizi still hadn't given out any new tasks.

He didn't respond when Li Shuchen called him.

Li Shuchen ignored him and started packing her things. She didn't bring much—just two sets of clothes and a few pieces of jewelry. She was leaving for Jiangnan tomorrow.

On the morning of April 3rd, Li Shuchen said goodbye to her family.

Li Shuchen: "Father, Mother, Xiao'er, I'm leaving."

Madam Li: "I don't know how long it will take for him to return. In all these years, Chen'er has never been away from me for so long."

Madam Li was reluctant to part, tears glistening in her eyes, and she held onto Li Shuchen's hand tightly.

Li Shuchen: "Mother, I'll be back soon, I won't be gone for long."

After all, she still had the inn to manage.

Mr. Li patted Mrs. Li on the back to comfort her: "Our child is growing up and has her own ideas and opinions. We as parents should support her."

Although Mr. Li's face showed reluctance, his eyes were practically overflowing with joy.

Li Lingxiao: "Sister, please be careful. Don't worry, I'll take good care of the family."

Li Shuchen looked at Li Lingxiao, patted Li Lingxiao's head, and said, "Silly Xiao'er, you specially asked the teacher for leave to take me, right?"

Li Lingxiao assured her, "Don't worry, sister, I won't fall behind in my studies."

Hearing this, Li Shuchen was very pleased: "Sister knows, but please do what you can and don't overwork yourself."

Li Lingxiao: "I understand, sister."

Li Shuchen looked at his parents and younger brother and waved.

"I'm leaving. You can all go back inside."

Then they hurried to the dock with Grape, and on the way, Grape's lips never left her mouth.

Seeing her smile, Li Shuchen couldn't help but feel happy too.

Li Shuchen said to Grape, "You seem so happy."

Grape exclaimed excitedly, "Yes! It's my first time going to Jiangnan, my first time seeing the outside world!"

This was also Li Shuchen's first time.

Li Shuchen: "I'll take you to see other places another time."

Grape jumped up excitedly: "Really? Miss, you're so kind to me!" (????)

Grape clung to Li Shuchen and wouldn't let go.

Li Shuchen: "Oh dear, stop hugging me! We've arrived at the dock!"

A graceful figure stood on the dock, directing traffic; her white clothes were as white as snow, and her profile was stunning.

Li Shuchen waved: "Miss Bai, you've arrived so early!"

Bai Yanran replied with a smile, "Yes, I need to check the goods again to make sure everything is arranged properly."

A wisp of wind carried strands of Bai Yanran's hair to dance before her eyes. Bai Yanran brushed the stray hairs behind her ear, appearing both innocent and alluring.

Li Shuchen was stunned; she was so beautiful.

Bai Yanran: "I'll go take care of my work now. Miss Li, please wait here for a moment."

Li Shuchen snapped out of her daze and obediently said, "Okay."

Li Shuchen stood to the side, looking at the river.

There were ten large cargo ships, each flying a flag with white lettering, which should be the Bai family's caravan.

Li Shuchen saw Scarface and his brothers again, greeted them, and chatted for a while.

After finishing her work, Miss Bai walked up to Li Shuchen and said, "The goods are all loaded, now we're just waiting for Miss Gu."

A luxurious carriage arrived

Gu Ziying: "Shu Chen, Miss Bai, I'm here."

Gu Ziying, supported by An Lan's hand, gracefully stepped down from the carriage, her lotus-like steps light and delicate.

Elegant, truly elegant. No wonder everyone says she's the epitome of a well-bred lady. The way she walks is something Li Shuchen could never learn in her entire life.

Miss Bai nodded: "Everyone's here, let's go, get on the boat."

The three of them walked together toward the boat.

"Wait a minute, wait a minute~~~" A voice drifted from afar.

Li Shuchen turned around, and a carriage sped towards them, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Wow, it's flying pretty low!

With a sudden stop, "whoosh!" a woman in red jumped off the carriage and rushed towards Li Shuchen.

Oh my god, who is this?! Li Shuchen was so scared that she hid behind Gu Ziying Σ(?д?|||)??

The man let out a long sigh and said, "Luckily, I made it in time."

Li Shuchen looked closely and exclaimed in surprise, "Princess Changning?!"

Gu Ziying and Bai Yanran bowed and said, "Greetings to Princess Changning."

Seeing that the two women had bowed, Li Shuchen also bowed in return.

Princess Changning, with her head held high, said calmly, "No need for formalities."

Li Shuchen stood up and looked at Princess Changning. How did she get here? How did she know he was going to Jiangnan?

It couldn't be that she came to see her off; Li Shuchen didn't consider herself to have enough face to warrant a princess seeing her off.

So Li Shuchen asked, "Where did you get this information?"

Princess Changning waved her hand and said, "That's not important. Anyway, I'm going to play with you all."

Li Shuchen tried to explain, "We're not going there for fun; we have serious business to attend to."

Princess Changning crossed her arms and said, "I don't care, I'm going!"

Princess Changning looked at the three of them and urged them to hurry up and take her out to play. She had already explored all of the capital, and this was a rare opportunity to go out. Her mother had also agreed, so they had to seize it.

The atmosphere was somewhat awkward when Bai Yanran spoke gently, "The boat is simple; if Princess Changning doesn't mind, please come along."

Princess Changning gave a faint "hmm".

Bai Yanran: "Princess Changning, please."

Princess Changning glanced smugly at Li Shuchen, then waved her hand and said, "Let's go."

Following behind were a line of maids and servants, about twenty people in total, each carrying large and small bags. Further back, pairs of people carried mahogany chests.

I don't know what's inside, there's so much of it.

Li Shuchen glanced at Princess Changning's belongings, then at the bundle on his own back, and inwardly scoffed. "She has so much stuff," he thought. "This princess is really just going on vacation."

The group boarded the cargo ship, which had two levels; the lower level was presumably for cargo, and the upper level contained living quarters.

A table was placed near the bow of the ship, with some tea and snacks on it, offering a good view.

Bai Yanran: "Set sail!"

At a command, the ship slowly began to move.

Li Shuchen was on a boat for the first time, watching the water flow backward, creating huge splashes.

Li Shuchen stood at the bow of the boat, arms outstretched, feeling the air caressing his face; at that moment, he seemed to have forgotten all his troubles.