Li Shuchen did not answer.
The struggle for imperial power was no child's play; one misstep could lead to losing one's head. He plotted and planned meticulously, yet feared bringing even the slightest danger to her.
He silently embraced Qi Huan's waist, kissed her cheek, and changed the subject: "Do you want to know why the Emperor agreed to redress your grandfather's case?"
Qi Huan was indeed intrigued and immediately said, "Yes!"
Li Shuchen chuckled softly and explained in detail: "I sent evidence of Director Wu's embezzlement through medicine procurement to a royal physician who coveted his position. Then I leaked information about his considerable wealth to the Emperor's ears. The Emperor, being greedy, naturally knew what to do."
"The Vice Minister of Justice in charge of the investigation is my man. Director Wu had no choice but to reveal the truth about that year, and then we passed the news to the Marquis of Xuanping, who had once benefited from your grandfather's kindness."
"The Marquis of Xuanping is Imperial Consort Yao's father. With him intervening, plus Imperial Consort Yao's pillow talk, the Emperor finally agreed to reopen the old case and redress your grandfather..."
After hearing this convoluted explanation, Qi Huan mumbled in confusion, "I feel like I need to eat some walnuts."
"Does Ah Huan like eating walnuts?"
"No, I just need to nourish my brain."
Her serious tone made Li Shuchen's chest rumble with suppressed laughter.
Seeing her glare at him angrily after he finished laughing, Li Shuchen immediately pressed his lips together and coaxed in a low voice, "Don't be angry, Ah Huan."
"I'll buy you a cartload of walnuts."
"I don't want that." Qi Huan pinched his waist, and seeing him wince in pain, she felt sorry and rubbed it for him, not noticing the triumphant smile in his eyes.
The heat pack on his trouser leg was gradually cooling down, and Qi Huan felt her bottom getting cold, so she moved back to the round stool.
"Stretch out your leg, I'll massage it for you."
She put Li Shuchen's leg on her lap and said while massaging, "I came today because I have something to discuss with Xiu Yuan. After the massage, you go out, and let him come in."
As she spoke, downstairs, Xiu Yuan's back suddenly felt cold for no reason. He sneezed twice and thought to himself: Who's talking about me?
Li Shuchen's gaze fell on her small hands working hard, narrowing his phoenix eyes, his voice as clear and cold as an icy mountain spring: "Am I not as capable as Xiu Yuan?"
The familiar scent of jealousy spread, and Qi Huan couldn't help but smile.
"Ah Shu is the most, most, most capable, okay?"
Li Shuchen's lips curved up in satisfaction: "What do you want Xiu Yuan to do? I'll relay the message."
Getting down to business, Qi Huan sat up straight and pulled out a plan she had stayed up late to prepare from her sleeve.
"First, I want to buy a quiet house as a warehouse to distribute goods. I plan to purchase another batch of greenhouse films to put in there, and buy a remote farm in the suburbs to grow off-season vegetables. A small portion will be used to supply food shops, and the rest will be sold directly."
"The prices in the capital are dozens of times higher than in Mo County, and these rare items will definitely fetch better prices."
"Second, besides the bookstore, I also want to partner with the Song family to open a food shop selling spicy hot pot and spicy stir-fry."
Qi Huan counted on her fingers as she spoke, "I need a storefront, as well as manpower and an ice cellar."
"Additionally, I want to discuss with Xiu Yuan about providing student loans at the bookstore in addition to selling books."
"This is a policy from our Heavenly Court, allowing many poor students to complete their studies. Now that I have the ability, I want to promote it in this world and help those in need."
"But I'm not a pushover; I don't want to be swindled out of money. This matter needs more thought to select outstanding poor students of good character and establish contracts before lending them money."
"Perhaps this won't yield returns in the short term, but in five or ten years, if these students pass the imperial exams or have other opportunities and can repay the loans, the repaid money can be invested in the next batch of aid funds."
"This cycle can continue, passing down through generations."
Qi Huan's eyes curved into crescents as she spoke with a radiant smile.
Now, money in her hands was just a number; she didn't lack funds.
What she lacked were points.
With the end of the year approaching, she wanted to earn more points to give the system a New Year's gift.
She also wanted to keep leveling up to gain access to the internet.
If she could surf the web, she could search for all kinds of knowledge - medical, agricultural, metallurgical, and so on. While earning money and points, she could also help enhance Li Country's soft power.
So she was eager to do more good deeds.
Helping others while benefiting herself, a win-win situation.
After listening carefully to her words, Li Shuchen pondered for a moment and offered some suggestions for improvement.
Qi Huan looked at him with pleasant surprise: "Ah Shu, you really think it's feasible?"
"Mm."
"With me behind you, Ah Huan, you can do anything you set your mind to."
His tone was calm, yet there was an underlying confidence and dominance that made Qi Huan instinctively trust him.
She smiled mischievously: "Ah Shu, actually I have many reasons for helping them; I'm not purely altruistic."
"Firstly, I sincerely want to help poor students."
"Secondly, the bookstore is registered under your name, so they'll owe you a favor to some extent. Your reputation among scholars will improve."
"Thirdly, by helping others, I can increase my 'immortal power'."
"Lastly, governing a country requires talent urgently. They might become pillars of Li Country. Only when the country prospers can families thrive. The stronger Li Country becomes, the happier and more secure I can live as its citizen."
Looking at her animated expression, Li Shuchen's eyes were filled with warmth: "Whatever the purpose, as long as it helps others, it's a good deed."
"Ah Huan is the best Ah Huan."
"Having you is my good fortune."
They looked at each other and smiled, their affection flowing between them.
Even when a knock on the door announced Xiu Yuan's request to enter, the tenderness in Li Shuchen's eyes had not yet dissipated.
Xiu Yuan secretly peeked at his master's expression and was secretly amazed.
The former master had been like an immortal in exile, his indifferent eyes rarely revealing emotions.
Now, the master had gained a touch of mortal air, and the way he looked at Miss Qi was like the spring breeze in March or the warm sun in winter.
The way he looked at Xiu Yuan, however, was like looking at a stray dog that had suddenly invaded his territory.
Xiu Yuan clearly felt that he was being despised, so he hurriedly handed over the book in his hand, saying as if presenting a treasure:
"Your Highness, look, this is the first book printed by the printing factory."
Li Shuchen took it and held the book in front of Qi Huan, his long fingers turning the pages, trying his best to accommodate her view.
Qi Huan's gaze first fell on his well-defined hands, which truly satisfied all the aesthetic standards of a hand fetishist.
How was this person formed? Every part of his body was as beautiful as fine jade.
It took great self-control for her to move her blatant gaze away and turn to the pale yellow pages, commenting, "The format is neat, the writing is clear, it's very good."
Hearing her praise, Li Shuchen instantly felt that the book was printed well. He briefly complimented Xiu Yuan, then meticulously pointed out some issues and ordered him to improve them.
Afterward, he concisely informed Xiu Yuan of Qi Huan's "student loan" plan and instructed him to start working on it.
Time ticked away, and soon it was noon.
After she got into the carriage, the driver asked, "Miss, shall we return to the manor?"
"No, let's go to the pastry shop first."
