The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

And quite an impressive one at that.

The terms listed by Zhuang Qingning were read carefully by Cheng Ruize and he found no objections, only to add a final one at the end.

Cheng’s would bestow a manor in the county town to Zhuang Qingning.

“This courtyard was previously owned by a businessman who had dealings with Cheng’s. He encountered issues with his business and couldn’t turnover enough goods in time. However, to secure this deal, he wanted to accrue considerable debts from my herbal shop,” Cheng Ruize explained.

“As normal in business, it’s customary to pay for goods in full. For old clients, we could allow them to pay 80% upfront, while the rest could be deferred until next year. Few will conduct business based purely on credit.”

“But I trusted this man’s character, and I’m very optimistic about this deal. So, I agreed that he only pays a 20% deposit. The rest could be paid off next year once the profits came in. During the second year, the businessman prospered, making a large amount of silver. After paying off the goods, he bought two houses in the county town as a token of gratitude.”

“One was slightly larger, and that’s where I currently reside. The other, slightly smaller one, is nearby. It’s not as spacious as here, but it’s clean and elegant. I’ll have Fang Hou take you to see it.”

Zhuang Qingning looked shocked.

If the size of this house is taken as the standard, the smaller house must be no small matter either.

Property prices in the county town were much higher than in the smaller towns. Buying such a spacious house in an excellent location would no doubt cost tens, possibly hundreds of taels.

The matter of Moon Incense was just getting started, and Cheng Ruize displayed such generosity, it was truly shocking.

“Manager Cheng, I appreciate your generous offer, but we should hold off on the house matter. Let’s wait until the Moon Incense business progresses,” Zhuang Qingning refused politely.

“There’s no need to avoid this, Manager Zhuang. It’s inevitable,” Cheng Ruize was unperturbed, confident in the profitability of the Moon Incense.

“I seldom visit the county town, so I don’t have a use for it at the moment. I appreciate your kind gesture, but we should discuss the house matter later.”

She won’t accept something for nothing, even if the Moon Incense makes a fortune in the future. It’s no rush discussing it until then.

Seeing Zhuang Qingning insisting on this, Cheng Ruize had to agree, “As you wish, Manager Zhuang. I’ll instruct Fang Hou and the others to keep the house clean. If you need it, feel free to contact Fang Hou.”

“Thank you, Manager Cheng.”

The two discussed the Moon Incense business for a while longer before Zhuang Qingning took her leave as it was getting late.

Cheng Ruize personally escorted Zhuang Qingning out of the courtyard and watched until she was out of sight. He then returned and took a sip of newly brewed tea.

“Make a copy of this prescription, give one to Manager Fang. Let the incense makers try it. Once they get used to it, send it to my older brothers,” Cheng Ruize instructed. “I will write a letter to my elder brother explaining the situation.”

“Understood,” Fang Hou took the prescription and paused before speaking with some difficulty. “Young Master, don’t you think you were a bit hasty in offering Manager Zhuang the house? ”

“If you want to repay Manager Zhuang’s gratitude, it’s understandable to bestow the house, but if it’s for business…”

“Even though Manager Zhuang hinted that she has other prescriptions, still, in business, there’s a saying ‘don’t spare a falcon until you see a rabbit.’ Young Master, you shouldn’t…”

Rush in recklessly.

Fang Hou left his words hanging in the air.

Cheng Ruize chuckled but did not respond, instead he raised an eyebrow and countered, “Have your Young Master ever made such a foolish mistake?”

“Well, no…”

Fang Hou replied. To be precise, Cheng Ruize was always cautious in his decisions. Since he started working with Cheng RuiZe, he showed great talent and caution in business. He might have stumbled a few times, but compared to other businessmen, Cheng Ruize was far ahead.

However, because of this, Fang Hou was worried. Smooth sailing could lead to overconfidence, making one prone to blindness by success.

Fang Hou looked puzzled and Cheng Ruize, not wanting to keep him in suspense, explained with a smile, “It’s not because of what Manager Zhuang said, nor is it about repayment. It’s about the Moon Incense prescription itself.”

“Even though Moon Incense hasn’t been marketed yet and everything is uncertain, I can assure that it will sell exceptionally well. In other words, I would have given the manor sooner or later. So, it’s better to give it earlier to show our sincerity.”

Seeing Cheng Ruize’s certainty, even if Fang Hou didn’t understand, he trusted his judgement and did not speak further about it. Instead, he advised, “Young Master, the wind outside is strong, let’s go to the Nuan Pavilion.”

“Or perhaps, should I bring a hand warmer for you?”

“No need, I feel just fine,” Cheng Ruize smiled. “I’ve been spending too much time indoors, sitting or lying down, with the underfloor heating being too warm, it’s been making me drowsy. Catching a little wind now actually made me feel rejuvenated.”

“It seems there’s truth in the saying that overdressing makes one lethargic.”

“But if you’re underdressed and get sick again, what will we do?”

A soft voice sounded.

Cheng Ruize was surprised and looked up to see a gentle face full of smile, yet filled with anxiety and worry.

“Mother,” Cheng Ruize exclaimed in surprise, quickly stepped forward to greet her, “My respects to you, mother.”

“Get up quickly. You haven’t recovered yet, you shouldn’t be kneeling.” Mrs. Li extended her hand to help Cheng Ruize up, her eyes filled with affection. She caressed his slightly cold hand, “Look at you, you’re dressed so thinly. Your hands are even getting cold.”

“Quickly get a hand warmer and warm him up.”

“Yes, I’ll do it right away,” Fang Hou hurried away.

Just earlier he warned Cheng Ruize about dressing too lightly, advising him to return to the Nuan Pavilion or at least put on a cloak and hold a hand warmer. But Cheng Ruize was being stubborn.

Now, with the arrival of the madam, Cheng Ruize inevitably had to take care of himself.

Fang Hou was overjoyed and ordered a servant to boil some tea for Mrs. Li.