"Secondly, produce the cloth ourselves. Cloth is an extremely sensitive item. Even the colors from the same dye vat can vary. This way, we can completely prevent counterfeiting and reap huge profits."
Seeing that Su Mingyu was seriously analyzing his suggestion, he paused for a moment and continued, "I sent someone to investigate your whereabouts. You didn't seem to have the intention of importing cloth, so I guess you're going for the second option."
As he spoke, Gu Ruobai gave Su Mingyu a questioning look.
Although Su Mingyu didn't want to admit that she had been so easily seen through, she still honestly admitted, "You're right. However, this would require a high initial time - cost on my part, and cloth - dyeing is a different industry altogether."
Gu Ruobai nodded. "So..."
"Accepting my help now is the best choice for you. In the capital, although my cloth store is not as famous as Wang Manwen's, it has branches all over Yannan."
"I have all the cloth you need, and I can offer you the prices you want. It'll save time and effort, and I'll never betray you. You have no reason to turn down such a great opportunity, do you?"
It had to be said that every word Gu Ruobai said hit the nail on the head for Su Mingyu.
However, Su Mingyu narrowed her eyes and gave a sly smile. "Have you ever thought that I actually have a third option?"
A third option?
Gu Ruobai looked up at Su Mingyu's fox - like smile and then let out a chuckle. "I forgot that you always take the road less traveled."
Su Mingyu licked her dry lips. "No, you just underestimated me."
She wasn't the naive Su Mingyu from before. Now, she had experienced countless hardships and trials in the 21st century.
So, allowing Wang Manwen to step on her and bully her was not her style.
"There are no laws or regulations against counterfeiting and plagiarism in this country, so I can only defeat her from another angle."
Su Mingyu took out a ledger from her bosom. "This is the ledger of Wang Manwen's tax payments. Since the Prince of Ruixian wants to cooperate with me, let me see your sincerity."
Gu Ruobai took the ledger, flipped through it briefly, and then put it aside. "So, have you forgiven me?"
Su Mingyu stood up and slightly curled her lips. "I'd like to stay at your mansion for a few days. I wonder if the prince would be willing?"
"Of course, you're welcome." As he spoke, Gu Ruobai clapped his hands, and Mu Yi walked in from outside.
"My lord."
"Go and prepare a top - grade wing - room for Miss Su. Miss Su will be staying at our mansion for a few days."
Mu Yi was stunned. Why did the prince want to keep Miss Su?
He looked at Su Mingyu with a complicated look in his eyes, pursed his lips, and seemed to have something to say.
Su Mingyu gave him a faint smile. "I've only learned enough light - body skill to climb over walls. I'll have to trouble you to give me more guidance in the future."
Oh no, if it's a blessing, it won't be a disaster; if it's a disaster, it can't be avoided.
Mu Yi considered himself to have a great talent for light - body skill. Even his master had praised his aptitude. But since he started teaching this Su Mingyu, Mu Yi always had the illusion of being crushed.
You know, Su Mingyu had only studied for a few months and reached the level of "climbing over walls", while it had taken him half a year to achieve the same level back then.
Just thinking about it, Mu Yi felt unwilling. "Miss Su has such excellent learning ability. You don't need my teaching at all."
Su Mingyu naturally knew what he was upset about, but she didn't expose it. "Please also help me pick up my maid, Zhizhu."
That naive girl Zhizhu.
Leaving her in the Su Mansion alone, Su Mingyu was a bit worried.
Watching Mu Yi's awkward back as he left, Gu Ruobai's lips curled up in a faint smile.
In terms of kung - fu, except for himself, he had never seen Mu Yi suffer such a silent loss.
When the person had left, Gu Ruobai tugged at Su Mingyu's sleeve. "Let me show you around my mansion?"
Su Mingyu slapped his hand away. "Your mansion is so small. What's there to see?"
"That's not necessarily true." Gu Ruobai wasn't angry even after his hand was slapped. "There's a field of camellias in my backyard. They're in full bloom now. Don't you want to go and take a look?"
Su Mingyu wasn't a little girl. How could she be interested in flowers?
But unfortunately, when she turned around, she met a pair of deep eyes and saw Gu Ruobai's hand that still hadn't been retracted.
The refusal on the tip of her tongue was swallowed back by Su Mingyu. "Well... just take a glance."
Gu Ruobai curled his thin lips. "Okay."
But as soon as she stepped into the backyard of the Prince of Ruixian's Mansion, Su Mingyu was stunned the next second.
The whole yard was filled with camellias, with various colors complementing each other. Although the yard wasn't very big, it was decorated to look like a paradise.
It didn't have the grandeur and elegance of the Yu Prince's Mansion. Instead, there was only a faint fragrance of flowers and a pleasing flower view, just like Gu Ruobai. He seemed plain, but in fact, he was unfathomable and full of charm.
Seeing Su Mingyu's expression gradually soften, Gu Ruobai softly said, "These flowers were my mother - concubine's favorite. She had them planted when this mansion was built..."
Su Mingyu looked back at Gu Ruobai in the sea of flowers, and a complex look flashed in her eyes.
When Gu Ruobai was young, he enjoyed all kinds of glory and favor. Not only was it because of his natural intelligence, but also because of his mother - concubine, the Noble Consort Xian.
At that time, the Noble Consort Xian was highly favored in the harem. But when Gu Ruobai had just come of age, she died due to difficult childbirth.
Since then, Gu Ruobai had become like a lone boat.
She understood that feeling of falling from heaven to hell in an instant.
"Like cinnabar dots on carved stamens, it buds alone for months.
It has grace in the wind and charm in the snow."
Su Mingyu turned around and looked at Gu Ruobai. "They're truly wonderful flowers."
Gu Ruobai was slightly stunned.
Almost everyone who mentioned something about his mother - concubine showed a look of pity.
Only Su Mingyu didn't want to touch his wound and just praised the flowers.
Unconsciously, the frost in Gu Ruobai's eyes melted, and a ripple appeared. "I used to doubt your reputation as a talented woman. But now I see that you're truly extraordinary."
Su Mingyu walked deeper along the path, her tone calm. "Actually, these aren't originally mine. I just borrowed them."
"Just like the muskets you made and other ingenious weapons?" Gu Ruobai closed his eyes and enjoyed the rare spring breeze. "Actually, I sent someone to investigate you. You're completely different from before."
Su Mingyu wasn't surprised at all by Gu Ruobai's investigation.
After all, it was in his nature. He wouldn't easily cooperate with others.