The Lucky Farmgirl

Although the New City in Yongzhou City occupies a part of Liyang County, it’s still a bit far from Manbao’s fief.

At least spatially, it can’t be reached.

But the county magistrate of Liyang County is very pleased, because with the completion of the New City, the area that he manages will still be under his jurisdiction, instead of being assigned to Guo County in Yongzhou City.

That’s a street full of shops, and they’re owned by a princess. Aside from those, some residences also fall within Liyang County’s jurisdiction.

As long as there are more people, their future commercial tax revenue will increase, which means extra income effortlessly, making the county magistrate of Liyang County naturally pleased.

After Mingda returned from the palace thrice, she discussed with Bai Erlang, "The princess mansion is very large. Why not move father, mother, elder brother, and sister-in-law all to the princess mansion?"

Bai Erlang shook his head and refused, "No need, just leave them a couple of yards on this side for guest visitors."

He said, "Father, mother, and elder brother are used to living at Zhou Man’s, and they also have places outside, so they can live anywhere they want."

In fact, Old Master Bai doesn’t want to be too restricted. After all, the princess mansion belongs to the son-in-law, and the servants inside come from the palace. Mingda thinks she has already been quite indulgent after leaving the palace, but in Old Master Bai’s eyes, there are still strict rules.

It’s more comfortable to live at Zhou Residence, and even freer than living over in Changqing Alley.

He has a house outside, and he can basically live in Changqing Alley when he wants to, or live at Zhou Residence when he wishes, but living here at the princess mansion means a lot more formalities in coming and going.

Bai Erlang himself doesn’t feel much because the palace attendants around the princess are very gentle, and he doesn’t like close-servant service, so he behaves as he wishes indoors.

He just feels that the princess mansion is much quieter than Zhou Residence.

Because it’s quiet in daily life, when the day of rest arrives, he feels more inclined for some excitement, so he goes to Mingda to discuss, "How about we go to the New City on our day off?"

Mingda’s eyes immediately light up, and she nods repeatedly, "Great, let’s invite Sister and Manbao and the others."

Bai Erlang goes to invite Bai Shan and Zhou Man, while Mingda speaks to Changyu next door.

So on the day off, everyone sets off together to the New City.

The steward of the imperial estate and the local chief personally come to greet them.

The New City has just been built, the ground is paved with blue bricks like the interior of the capital city, with designated lanes for vehicles and people.

Because it’s a new city, the ground is very clean and the houses are tidy, extending from the west side of Yongzhou City and forming a square shape, with only this westernmost section occupying the imperial estate.

This section was mostly ordered by the emperor to be developed into shops, which are now all under Mingda’s name.

Given it’s newly built, there aren’t any established businesses yet, but quite a number of vendors have come to take their spots on the roadside.

The chief who leads them sees the princesses curiously watching those vendors, and he bows and says, "The New City is just built, and there are still many laborers here; these vendors are villagers and tenants from nearby, selling things during their free time to supplement their household income."

Mingda nods slightly, "Not bad."

Seeing her amiability, and not disdainful upon seeing these vendors, the chief smiles more warmly and enthusiastically introduces, "Princess, take a look, these shops right here are all two stories, with front and back courtyards. The back courtyard can be used for residence or storage of goods; there’s a sky courtyard in the middle, and the front are spacious double-sided large shops, suitable for any kind of business and very good for renting."

Manbao looks around and asks, "Is there a well in the courtyard?"

The chief glances at Zhou Man upon hearing this and then smiles, "My lord, forgive my presumption, we have little water in Yongzhou, so it’s difficult to achieve one well per yard, but the officials from the Ministry of Public Works have drilled one well at the front, back, and middle of two streets, and the water output seems to be sufficient."

Manbao asks, "What if these shops want to open a restaurant or tavern?"

The chief is taken aback but then laughs, "That would be quite costly, but they can drill their own well or pay to transport water from the mountain. There are also several wells on the imperial estate, from which water can be bought and transported."

Manbao nods slightly and says to Mingda, "With this, any kind of business can be done in this row of shops."

The latter half of the shops is even more spacious, with three-story buildings and larger back courtyards, and the front shops are also three-door wide.

It looks quite grand.

Manbao can’t help but marvel, this dowry is very generous, no wonder that recently the ministers in the great court look at the emperor with unpleasant expressions.

It’s said the emperor not only depleted the inner treasury for this row of shops but also had the Ministry of Public Works draw some funds from the national treasury.

Manbao whispers to Mingda, "It’s fair for His Majesty to have been criticized for this."

Mingda deeply agrees, so she whispers, "After the shops are rented out, I’ll make up for the portion drawn from the national treasury."

Manbao nods in agreement, this way, the ministers’ complaints will diminish.

After having looked around, Mingda generously asks Changyu and Manbao, "If you have a shop you like, let me know, I’ll prioritize it for you."

Changyu immediately points to the first three-story shop in the center, "I want that one."

Mingda looks at Manbao.

Manbao thinks for a moment and says, "Then I’ll want the adjacent two-story shop next door."

Both say together, "But you’ll have to give us a discount on the rent."

Mingda laughs and nods.

She curiously asks Manbao, "I know Sister Changyu intends to open Treasure Pavilion, but what are you planning to do?"

Manbao says, "I’ll leave it to my second niece, she wants to specialize in selling ointments and similar items."

"I know, your shop in the Eastern Market is doing very well. I went there myself a few days ago, the cheapest item inside costs two hundred coins per bottle."

Manbao says, "My family’s workshop is on my fief, not too far from the imperial estate. I’m thinking, since we’ve opened a shop in the capital, why not establish one in Yongzhou City too, to save people here from having to travel to the capital to buy."

The Zhou family’s thought is that renting shops is better than buying since it feels more self-owned, and future unused shops can be sold off, so it’s never a loss.

But clearly, the princess’s row of shops is not for sale, and Manbao thinks renting is actually good, much more cost-effective than buying.

Especially under the condition that the landlord won’t evict tenants.

Changyu is very happy and persuades Mingda to keep a shop to manage herself as well.

"You won’t lose much, and the shop is yours; you have attendants to handle things. I just think it’s fun, putting anything you fancy in the shop for sale, so delightful."

Mingda thinks it makes sense, so she chooses a shop next to Manbao’s.

Changyu is dissatisfied, "Why didn’t you choose the one next to mine?"

"Too large," Mingda says, "I’m just playing, why choose such a large shop? Two floors are enough, and the back courtyard can house the attendants."

Changyu raises her chin and says, "Not me, I want the third floor to be tidied up. In the future, when I’m leisurely, I’ll come and rest on the third floor, and you can also come and have a rest; I’ll reserve two rooms for you."

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