Quick Transmigration: Leisure

Chapter 374 The Runaway Princess is Forcibly Taken Away (23)

That day,

The deal between the two parties did not go through.

Steward Luo gave a wink, indicating that he had something to report to Xia Youmi first. Chunyu Xi also had concerns: did the Fourth Prince know about the Xia family's private businesses?

As far as he knew, his father relied on Xia Ji but was also wary of him. He was never allowed to touch the silver and manpower needed to accomplish anything, and the ample supply of cloth and food was another form of corruption, preventing Xia Ji from having any thoughts of rebellion.

However, the businesses run by the Luo family had never had any financial dealings with the Xia family.

However, the more secretive something is, the more it arouses people's suspicion.

Chunyu Xi needed to consult with his elder brother.

then,

That day, the tea was mostly just rambling, with the three of them going in different directions.

The topic kept veering off course, which was quite interesting.

Before parting, Chunyu Xi invited her to visit the horse farm, a great opportunity that Xia Youmi naturally wouldn't miss.

......

On the second day,

"Steward Luo, please ride back to the capital as soon as possible and send someone to finalize the date for the horse race with the Fourteenth Prince," Xia Youmi said, yawning.

She reviewed the letters and a box of account books brought by Steward Luo overnight, and suddenly realized the urgency of cooperating with the Fourteenth Prince. The horse farm business, which she had been playing hard to get, became the breakthrough point that best suited her interests at the moment.

The sooner the cooperation is finalized, the better, before the other party has a chance to find out.

"Yes!" Manager Luo hadn't seen the letter, but he had sources to ensure the wind direction was correct.

"Also, after returning to the capital, make a copy of this ledger. No one but you is allowed to see it. Return the original to me on the day we go to the horse farm." In Xia Youmi's hand were the data that she and Niannian had summarized from a box of ledgers last night.

The data is highly refined, making it incomprehensible to the average person. Even those who can see it will find it difficult to understand without a corresponding code analysis.

Moreover, with the annual records kept as archives, even if Manager Luo loses or alters the numbers, she will still be able to find out.

By the way, let's test this person again.

"I understand," Manager Luo said solemnly as he carefully put away the ledgers.

"Also, prepare some travel items, for about two or three years." Xia Youmi paused, then asked in return, "You should know very well what you need to prepare when you return to your hometown, and what items are convenient for travel."

"This...is it!" Manager Luo suddenly showed a shocked expression; this was even more impossible than he had expected.

She wanted to question Xia Youmi's decision, but inexplicably trusted her.

Filled with doubt, Steward Luo hurried back to the capital. The next day, as soon as Chunyu Xi returned to his residence, he received a visiting card.

He was a step behind Steward Luo and hadn't had time to ask the Fourth Prince Chunyu Huai. Chunyu Xi also felt a slight sense of urgency, and he quickly sent someone to invite his brother for a talk.

The messenger informed them that the Fourth Prince has been busy with the matter of traveling north to pay respects to their ancestors on behalf of the old emperor. He is unable to leave and will depart tomorrow. The messenger also relayed a message to Chunyu Xi: if the Fourteenth Prince is unsure about anything, he can try to probe with Xia Ji. If it involves money or valuables, the Fourteenth Prince can try to make the decision himself; his elder brother will only support him.

After receiving the letter, Chunyu Xi calmed down, regardless of whether his brother knew about the Xia family affair. They had long ago reached a consensus that securing the Jiangnan connection was essential.

It's no wonder the brothers went to such lengths instead of staying close by.

In reality, the two trade routes north and west of the capital are controlled by the seventh and eighth princes respectively. Although their control is not absolute, they will absolutely not allow anyone else to interfere.

Meanwhile, the few but powerful individuals in the capital had long been divided up by the older princes.

At that time, they were "forced" to marry the merchant's daughter in order to maintain the stability of the old emperor's regime. Although she was not the principal wife, the old emperor felt sorry for his son being wronged, so he did not take back the profits that had been initially distributed.

As a result, those in positions four, five, and six could only vie for power. As for profit, once a new generation of wealthy businessmen grew up, they could only be matched with those who were even younger.

Those who are neither here nor there are the ones who work the hardest.

After some thought, Chunyu Xi made an appointment with Xia Youmi for three days later.

......

The spring breeze was gentle, it was a sunny day, mild but not dry.

With the joy of a spring outing, everything around us was vibrant and lovely. Xia Youmi, dressed in a bright pink and white riding outfit, galloped through the greenery, making the spring mountain scenery even more radiant.

She arrived earlier than the other two.

Perhaps Chunyu Xi had informed them, because as soon as they arrived at the gate of the horse farm, their carriage and four horses were ushered in and allowed to rest on a specially prepared grassy area.

The two women took out an oilcloth and a food box, and carefully placed the fruits, pastries, tea, and chessboard. They even prepared special candy for the young lady's horse.

Everyone who watches Xia Youmi is just there to have fun.

However, Chunyu Xi had already cleared the area, so no one could witness the transaction. Her arrangement was purely for her own enjoyment and did not serve to deceive outsiders.

Zhu Cang wanted to ride a horse and keep up with Xia Youmi, but he was still young and had never formally studied horsemanship, except for driving a carriage. In this sport that required overcoming multiple obstacles and competing for speed, he always wobbled and couldn't maintain his balance.

There was no other way, so the two guards could only send one to patrol the entire area, while the other was directed by Xia Youmi to teach Zhu Cangjiao first.

When Chunyu Xi arrived, the group had already finished warming up.

Xia Youmi, not wanting to linger on horseback, quickly dismounted to pay her respects. After being summoned, she immediately mounted and looked down at Chunyu Xi. From this angle, the other man seemed considerably smaller, his shadow completely obscured by the horse's shadow, and he looked up with a warm smile.

Chunyu Xi's face had soft contours, which shone even brighter in the sunlight. Perhaps because he had rarely left home during the year of mourning, his skin, weathered by time, slowly regained its fair and smooth appearance. It was only then that one could tell he was no more than seventeen years old.

They should be young and innocent, waiting for their parents to make arrangements for them.

But even with smiles, the two can be incredibly cunning, so one cannot afford to be careless.

"Your Highness, let's take a lap around the arena and have a contest!" Xia Youmi challenged from his superior position.

"puff!"

Chunyu Xi remained as gentle as ever, but Steward Luo and the Fourteenth Prince's guards couldn't help but laugh out loud. Having grown acquainted through shared experiences, they were somewhat aware of Xia Youmi's unpredictable nature. They didn't think that their laughter would be met with resentment or pettiness; on the contrary, it would lighten the atmosphere.

Sure enough, Chunyu Xi's smile became even more genuine, showing no disdain for Xia Youmi. He gestured to his guards, who blew a rhythmic whistle. Upon receiving a response, a chestnut horse galloped over, nuzzling its master affectionately.

"Miss Xia, please don't hold back against me!" Chunyu Xi said jokingly, then mounted his horse with a swift and unpretentious motion.

"Hahaha!" Xia Youmi laughed heartily and took the lead towards the starting point.

Laughter echoed across the small horse racing track. Nianzhen, Nianzhu, and the others stood guard outside the boundary, their eyes fixed on Xia Youmi's figure.

It wasn't that they lacked confidence in the young lady, but the fourteenth prince had just returned from the battlefield and had rendered meritorious service.

Outsiders would only think that the young lady's challenge was just playing around.

Strangely enough, most of the people present did not believe that Xia Youmi would lose, which really didn't make sense!