Three Generations of a Noble Family

"Xiao Mei, go get a 1,200 tael silver note from Steward He," Chang Haowen said, raising his eyebrows slightly.

"Yes, Young Master."

The maid beside him immediately left the room and returned a moment later.

The transaction was complete.

Xu Mingwei also breathed a sigh of relief, having witnessed his younger brother's skills once again.

Just by opening his mouth, he managed to sell it for an extra 200 taels.

This wasn't a small sum for the Xu Family.

"Young Master Chang," Xu Mingyuan said, cupping his fists. "Our family will be opening a fruit and vegetable shop on Changle Street in the West Market in a few days. If you have free time, you're welcome to attend the opening."

"We'll have Green Jade Pears for sale then. Young Master Chang, you can buy some to try."

"If I haven't left Qingjiang by then, I'll definitely come by."

Xu Mingyuan nodded, and then the two took their leave.

After they left.

The maid named Xiao Mei glanced at the tiger skin rug and suddenly spoke, "Young Master, our estate isn't lacking these things. Why give them so much face?"

"As for the Green Jade Pears, we even have an orchard."

"They might be precious in Qingjiang County Town, but in our Prefecture City, Green Jade Pears aren't considered a rare treasure."

Chang Haowen chuckled, "Different places, different levels, naturally, you can't generalize."

"The Xu Family has managed to develop from ordinary common folk to their current scale in just over a decade. Their methods are extraordinary."

"Aren't they just nouveau riche?"

Xiao Mei was somewhat dismissive, continuing to gently fan herself.

"Whether they are nouveau riche or not depends on their descendants. If all three generations of inheritors are shrewd, they can lay the foundation for a noble family in one lifetime."

Chang Haowen suddenly turned to look at her, a slight smile on his lips, and asked, "What do you think of these two today?"

Xiao Mei tilted her head and thought for a moment, then smiled, "They're both good-looking, but not as handsome as you, Young Master."

Chang Haowen smiled and chided her, "You superficial little girl, what can I say about you?"

"Hehe."

Xiao Mei stuck out her tongue and giggled. "If I really have to say, Xu Mingyuan is very eloquent, with a clever air about him. His elder brother is a bit dull, like a block of wood sitting here, very boring."

"Xu Mingyuan is the second son. His elder brother is the legitimate eldest son of the family, so his responsibilities are naturally different. Look at my eldest brother, isn't he also a reserved personality? When he meets me, he only exchanges simple pleasantries and rarely opens his heart to chat."

"That's true." Xiao Mei pondered and nodded in surprise. "Every time Xiao Mei sees the eldest young master, I feel scared from the bottom of my heart."

"With such a legitimate eldest son, the Xu Family is assured of passing down their legacy. At least in their generation, they will continue to prosper."

"And…"

"And what, Young Master?"

"I actually envy them a little. Although they don't have riches and honor, they receive sincere treatment. Unlike the direct descendants of some large families, who are born into luxury but don't realize that the threads of calculation are already sewn into their silk swaddling clothes."

"Even if you don't want to guard against it, you have to."

"Is that so? How come I didn't notice?"

"Silly girl, if you could notice, you would be the young lady, not a maid."

"I like being the Young Master's maid, serving you for a lifetime." Xiao Mei giggled twice, her hand sliding from the back of her neck to her chest.

Chang Haowen grasped her soft hand and gently pulled.

Xiao Mei let out a startled cry. Half-resisting, half-yielding, she fell between his thighs.

"This Young Master Chang is quite extraordinary. He probably isn't from Qingjiang. With such demeanor, he might be from the Prefecture City," Xu Mingwei said softly as they walked down the street.

"I thought the same as you, Big Brother, which is why I've maintained contact, hoping this connection can benefit our Xu Family in the future," Xu Mingyuan replied.

"In this regard, I'm not as good as you, Big Brother."

"Haha, Big Brother, you were taught by Father yourself. How could you be worse than me? Just look at how Father handles his relationships with those around him."

"I can't even compare to two-tenths or three-tenths of Father's shrewdness."

"It's just that your energy is mainly focused on Martial Arts."

Xu Mingyuan's eyes lit up with a sharp glint, becoming bright and spirited. "For the Xu Family to advance further, we ultimately need a powerful martial artist to anchor us. Look at the Xu Family; after producing one first-rate martial artist, they were able to dominate Dongxi Village for over twenty years."

"With Father's wisdom and talent, he could only humble himself and be submissive."

"However, such days are coming to an end."

Hearing this, Xu Mingwei smiled knowingly and responded, "Yes."

Xu Mingyuan offered to take him around again, but Xu Mingwei shook his head and refused, saying there was no rush.

After that, they left the city gates, mounted their horses, and returned to Dongxi Village.

Xu Mingyuan and his group had managed to win over quite a few independent fruit and vegetable vendors in the West Market, but these vendors only agreed to sell their produce to them. No one agreed to pay rent or lease stalls.

He knew that this matter needed to be handled step by step, so he didn't push it.

The purchased shop occupied a considerable area, but more than half of it was used for stall displays.

Since no one had agreed yet, it could only be temporarily sealed off.

The remaining space was enough to display the Xu Family's various fruits and vegetables.

Soon, the opening date for the Xu Family's shop was set.

Xu Mingyuan sent invitations to everyone he knew.

Everything else was manageable, except for the Green Jade Pear.

Xu Mingyuan feared that if the Xu Family knew they would no longer be selling them Green Jade Pears in the future, they would humiliate them, even resort to force, or cause trouble on the opening day.

For this matter, he even returned home to discuss it with Xu Chuan.

But Xu Chuan said he didn't need to worry about it and should return to the county town to prepare for the opening.

Xu Mingyuan naturally trusted him and obediently returned to the county town.

He purchased a two-courtyard residence in the North City, near the West Market, as the Xu Family's dwelling in the county town.

In the blink of an eye, it was the day for harvesting the Green Jade Pear.

Only one day remained until the opening of the Xu Family's shop.

The Xu Family naturally knew nothing about the Xu Family's endeavors in the county town. As expected, Xu Mao arrived at the Xu Family's home with seven or eight household servants.

Xu Mao was the eldest son of the Xu Family's Third Master.

As the Xu Family's Third Master was getting older, the acquisition of Green Jade Pears had been handed over to him a few years prior.

He arrived at the entrance of the Xu Family's home.

Xu Mao observed for a while, a look of disdain in his eyes.

A middle-aged steward beside him leaned forward and whispered, "Eldest Young Master, the Xu Family is not what it used to be. In Dongxi Village, their reputation is no less than our Xu Family's."

"Don't forget what Third Master instructed before leaving."

"I know. I'll be polite to that Xu Chuan."

Xu Mao responded impatiently, but in his heart, he added, if he's sensible.

The middle-aged steward glanced around and sighed inwardly.

They were both nearing forty, but he and Xu Chuan were like heaven and earth.

Xu Chuan spoke and acted like a teenage boy, completely disregarding the consequences.

"Is the Xu Family Head here?" the middle-aged steward asked loudly, putting on a smile.

As soon as he finished speaking.

A boy and a girl walked out. The girl was holding a white cat, its golden-red eyes gazing at the people in the courtyard.

The two were the siblings Xu Mingxian and Xu Mingshu.

"Who are you?" Xu Mingxian asked cautiously.

Hearing the voices, Bai Jing quickly walked out from the inner room. Upon seeing the visitors, she smiled and said, "So it's Young Master Xu and the Xu Family steward."

"My husband and the others have gone to pick Green Jade Pears. They'll probably be back in a while."

"I see. Then we'll wait in the courtyard."

"Alright."

Bai Jing nodded, then brought out two chairs for Xu Mao and the middle-aged steward.

Xu Mao stared at the docile white cat in Xu Mingshu's arms. Seeing its golden-red eyes, he was surprised. "Where did this exotic white cat come from? If I take it to the county town to present to County Lieutenant Yang, he'll surely be pleased."

"Little girl, let me see the white cat in your arms."

Xu Mingshu turned her head away and ignored him, continuing to pet her pet.

"Hey, so ill-mannered. As expected from the offspring of wildlings."

Hearing this, Bai Jing's face immediately turned angry, and she sternly said, "Young Master Xu, please watch your words!"