Chapter Ninety-Nine: Angel Investment, Part III

When Su Yanfeng saw Tao Ming emerge from the inner chamber, he rose and said, "Come with me."

Tao Ming looked at Su Nanxing in confusion. Su Nanxing took her hand and said softly, "To the great study."

Leaving Weixiang Courtyard, they headed south all the way to the front courtyard of the Su residence. They stopped before a large building whose doors bore a black plaque with silver characters reading "Speak with Caution."

The room was bright as daylight, its doors flung wide. Tao Ming saw the Su brothers seated in rows along both sides, and not one of them spoke.

Su Yanfeng sat at the place of honor. Su Nanxing led Tao Ming to an empty chair and seated her.

Su Yanfeng swept his gaze around the room. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he instructed the man seated beside the door, "Nineteenth, close the door."

Su Fang rose and shut the doors.

Once the doors were closed, Tao Ming suddenly felt as if the inside and outside of the study had become two separate worlds. She guessed that some sort of formation had been set up here, so whatever was said inside should not be heard from outside.

Su Yanfeng was silent for a moment, then looked at Tao Ming and said, "Mingming, tell us in detail about the matter of the marketplace."

Tao Ming took out the sketch she had drawn earlier at the Qin residence and explained her vision in careful detail.

The Su family listened in complete silence, not one person interrupting with a question.

When Tao Ming fell silent, Su Nanxing took out his laptop and played a short film clip for everyone, so they could grasp the meaning of a cinema more intuitively.

Su Fang could no longer hold himself back. Leaning forward, he complained to Su Nanxing, "Seventeenth Brother, why didn't you bring out such a good thing sooner?"

Su Yanfeng coughed once, and Su Fang immediately straightened up and sat properly, not daring to make another sound.

Fingering his beard, Su Yanfeng asked after a while, "What do you all think?"

Su Luo, the fourth young master of the Su family, replied, "Father, this can certainly be done."

The others hurried to echo his words.

Su Yanfeng looked at Tao Ming. "Mingming, is the Qin family involved?"

Tao Ming nodded.

"Then tell me how the profits will be divided with the Qin family."

Tao Ming took out two boxes of glass cups and set them on the table. "First, take a look at these."

The Su brothers exchanged glances as they held the glass cups.

Seeing this, Tao Ming said directly, "Of the profits after the marketplace is built, I want half. The remaining half will be distributed according to each person's contribution."

Su Yanfeng's brow furrowed slightly. "Aside from glass cups, how much more can you contribute?"

Tao Ming took out paper and brush again and, as she wrote, said, "I have several thousand boxes of these glass cups alone, not to mention glassware in even more beautiful shapes. Beyond that, there are plenty of novel goods the Weishui region has never seen, as well as delicious foods."

Before long, Tao Ming had filled a page. She handed it to Su Yanfeng and said, "Uncle, these are the things I've thought of for now. Most importantly, no one but me can provide them."

In other words, even without you, the marketplace can still be built.

Su Yanfeng took the paper but did not look at the list. Instead, he stroked the sheet and asked, "Is this paper?"

Tao Ming nodded. "This is the most ordinary kind of writing paper, and there are many other kinds for different uses."

She then took out a roll of toilet tissue and continued, "For example, this kind is for wiping after using the latrine."

Su Yanfeng's old face reddened. He thought to himself that Tao Ming's choice of words was far too inelegant.

She then took out a pack of moist towelettes. "And this kind makes it very convenient to wipe your hands and face."

The toilet tissue and wet wipes were passed from hand to hand among the Su family members. Su Luo spoke again. "Father, this can be done."

Su Yanfeng had previously felt a twinge of unwillingness over Tao Ming taking half the profits. But now, after seeing what she had brought out, and with the full page of goods in his hands, that little reluctance vanished without a trace.

After thinking for a moment, Su Yanfeng asked, "Mingming, can the deed to the land in the northeast corner of the imperial city count as an investment?"

Tao Ming thought, Of course it can!

"Uncle, a title deed can naturally count as an investment. Beyond that, providing labor, manpower, money, or goods can all count."

At this, Su Yanfeng said to the Su brothers, "Aside from the fourth and fifth, the rest of you will follow Mingming from now on. Whatever she needs, you must never shirk."

The remaining men agreed at once. Su Fang, in particular, was extraordinarily excited and kept winking hard at Tao Ming.

Only then did Su Nanxing speak. "Father, my private property will not be counted as part of the Su family's share. It will all be counted as Mingming's contribution."

Su Yanfeng replied in exasperation, "Does the Su family lack your little bit of money?"

Su Nanxing quickly flattered him. "Father has always been a master strategist. The Su family is overflowing with gold and jade, so of course it does not lack my petty fortune."

Su Yanfeng was pleased into a broad smile. "Then the land in the northeast corner of the imperial city will be yours to handle."

Su Nanxing's eyes lit up. He had originally thought this matter would fall to Su Luo, but now that it had landed in his hands, it would be far too convenient.

Seeing the gleam in his eyes, Su Yanfeng warned him, "Report every detail to me. Don't let your favoritism run wild."

Su Nanxing naturally agreed without hesitation.

Seeing that the broad direction had already been settled, Tao Ming said, "Uncle, please have everyone tally their investments first. I'll also make a list of what I need on my side, and then I'll go ask the Qin family about their situation."

"When the time comes, I'll draft a written agreement setting down every matter on paper, and the three parties will all sign and seal it."

Su Yanfeng understood some of the terms and not others, but it was not convenient to ask at that moment. He said, "There's no rush these next few days. We can discuss it after the consecration rite and your wedding are completed."

Tao Ming had nearly forgotten about the consecration rite. Clearly it had only been yesterday that she left the imperial palace.

The Heavenly Emperor had said three days later, which meant the day after tomorrow?

Tao Ming pouted. Su Nanxing reached out and pinched her cheek, saying, "Don't worry."

Tao Ming tilted her head weakly and said, "The consecration rite is the day after tomorrow? What time?"

Su Nanxing patted her hand. "Not the day after tomorrow, the one after that. At nine in the morning, in the imperial clan shrine. So you must get up by seven at the latest."

"The Heavenly Emperor said three days from now! How can it be the day after tomorrow?"

Su Nanxing explained, "Here in Weishui, when we say 'in a few days,' we count the current day as well. So starting from yesterday, three days from then is the day after tomorrow."

"Fine. I can only leave it to fate."

Su Nanxing laughed softly. "Stop worrying blindly. My father and your grandfather will both attend the consecration rite. Nothing will happen to you."

Su Yanfeng also offered comfort. "Mingming, the consecration rite is only a small matter. There's no need to fret so much."

Tao Ming forced out a smile and nodded.

What else could she do?

Su Yanfeng looked around the room and said, "You may all disperse. Go back and think things over. Seventeenth, wait a moment. Your father has something important to say."

The Su brothers left the study one by one. Tao Ming remained seated. Su Yanfeng glanced at her and said, "Mingming, please wait outside the door for a moment."

Tao Ming agreed and stepped out, still wondering what on earth Su Yanfeng had kept Su Nanxing behind to discuss.

Su Nanxing was equally bewildered. "Father, what is the urgent matter?"

Su Yanfeng motioned for him to be quiet, then walked to a nearby bookshelf, took down a thin cloth-bound book, and handed it to him. "You are already a father, so giving this to you now is a little late. I can see that Mingming's strength is rather low; this book will be of great benefit to her."

Su Nanxing took the book and saw the cover titled Spirit-Gathering Formation. He looked up and said, "Father, I mastered the spirit-gathering formation long ago!"

Su Yanfeng's face reddened slightly. "Open it and take a look. Memorize it, then return it."

Su Nanxing puzzled over the matter as he opened to the first page. There, it read: Husband and wife who cultivate together within the spirit-gathering formation can greatly enhance their progress.