Stick With The Cold Female lead

Chapter 53- Breakthrough

Ji Qingchi carefully filtered through the suspicious figures in the court and realized that several individuals might be involved, including the Prime Minister, the Marquis of Zhenwei, various ministers from the Six Ministries, and even the Fifth Princess.

These people had significant influence, numerous allies within the court, and vast connections. If they were indeed involved, it would be nearly impossible to act against them immediately.

Dealing with them would be like pulling teeth from a tiger—slowly, meticulously, removing their sharp teeth and claws bit by bit.

Having thought it through, Ji Qingchi said, "We can't alert the enemy now. We have to take it slow."

Su Yi nodded.

"I agree, Your Highness. However, I believe that stabilizing the farmers before the spring planting season is of utmost importance."

It is now the middle of winter, and there are still more than three months before the beginning of spring. Ji Qingchi frowned, "Will there be enough time?"

Su Yi smiled confidently.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I have an idea in mind, but I need your help."

Though Su Yi is frail and had little strength to speak, as if she hadn't eaten in days, when she spoke, there was an unmistakable air of confidence and determination.

Ji Qingchi was momentarily captivated by her smile. She then recalled how the Second Princess had been promoting Su Yi's clothing shop everywhere recently and tentatively asked, "Miss Su, are you asking me to promote your shop like my sister did?"

"That's not the case."

Su Yi coughed lightly, "I...actually I was hoping to borrow 8,000 taels of silver from Your Highness."

The Second Princess had received custom-made clothes and visits of gratitude. But now, Su Yi wasn't even offering anything in return—not even a preamble—just straight-up asking for money.

Ji Qingchi's smile stiffened, and she felt a pang in her heart.

"Miss Su, what do you mean by this?"

"To be honest, I want to open a restaurant to compete with Yiyun Tower. This would not only drive up the price of grain but also reduce the number of people dining at Yiyun Tower. It might even help prevent human trafficking. However, I currently don't have enough money, so I was hoping to partner with Your Highness. You would provide the funds to purchase and maintain the restaurant, and I would contribute the manpower and strategy. We would split the profits fifty-fifty. What do you think?"

Ji Qingchi didn't believe for a second that Su Yi was broke.

As far as she knew, Su Yi's clothing shop brought in at least 3,000 taels a month. After several months of operation, it was hard to believe she didn't have tens of thousands of taels on hand.

In truth, Su Yi was aiming to achieve something for nothing.

She had already paid for the restaurant and would have to spend more on hiring staff and maintaining the business. Having shared critical information with the heroine, she expected to gain something in return.

On her way to meet Ji Qingchi, Su Yi had already planned how to make money.

She would let the heroine provide the capital. After all, she had already paid the money for the restaurant, and now it was time for Ji Qingchi to reimburse her. Not only that, but the ongoing maintenance costs and staff wages would also be covered by Ji Qingchi. Su Yi would simply offer ideas, and when the profits rolled in, they would split them equally. This would show that their cooperation was based on mutual benefit.