Reflections

•What Could Have Been Lifelong Allies•

"Concubine Heng, it's too strange." Mo Ling worriedly said once she, Mo Lan, and Heng Miao were in the privacy of the carriage. "This Yatou knows things get harder in winter, but how will Concubine Heng's restaurant and tea shop continue if all the markets are empty and all the hunters are busy?"

"Calm down, something like this is nothing to fret over." Heng Miao appeased, appearing unbothered by the lack of resources. There was no doubt that if this continued, she'd be forced to close down her restaurant and tea house for the entire winter. Heng Miao had a lot of money as it is, along with her other businesses, so she wasn't too worried. However, the situation was perplexing.

Almost every supplier had been visited by an old woman who bought up everything they had, and reserved whatever they would have in the future, be it vegetables or spices. Hunters and fishermen had also been commissioned by an old woman to hunt and sell her their catch.

Heng Miao asked about the old lady, but she only learned the woman's name is Aunty Lu. They said she was dressed in servant robes, but seeing how she was throwing around cash, the suppliers knew she was in the service of someone powerful and didn't bother to pry if Aunty Lu didn't bother to tell.

Even more impressive was that all these food stuffs were being delivered to the middle of the capital. After having someone scope out the regular places this Aunty Lu visited, Heng Miao found where the food stuffs were being delivered to.

From inside her carriage, Heng Miao and her two maids watched the wagon full of packaged meat and spices disappear into the gates of an old residence.

Having known and received many good things while serving by Heng Miao's side, Mo Lan did not hesitate to turn her nose up at the old residence. "It's big, but not well kept. If Concubine Heng owned it, this Yatou does not doubt it will become another popular place in the capital!"

Mo Lan was alluding that Heng Miao should purchase the property, and the transmigrator wasn't against the thought. She'd been hoping to co-own an apothecary with Dong Mingyu, but was unable to find any suitable land.

Ah, but how can she talk about buying when she doesn't even know the owner? "Who is this person anyway?" She huffed. "Buying out all the shops like that, are they not afraid businessmen will come pick a fight?"

"It is almost winter, just look how cold it's gotten, Miss." Mo Ling answered. "Most restaurants have already prepared to shut their doors and store up for the cold."

"So that's it..." Heng Miao mused. No one will come pick a fight because most restaurants don't need these produces for the time being. As for the suppliers, they might even be wondering how to get some of their goods off their hands, so Aunty Lu might even be buying them at lower prices. "No wonder they could buy so much." This will be Heng Miao's first winter in this world. She was yet to get used to the fact that ancient people have no preservatives or freezers, making it so what they are able to eat depends on the changing seasons.

They waited, and after a while, the gates parted and the wagon pulled out. Before the beautiful girl could shut it again, Heng Miao quickly climbed off her carriage. "You there!" She called, "This miss has some matters to discuss with you!"

Shockingly, the young girl's indifferent expression twisted into annoyance and disgust. Paying no mind to Heng Miao's regal robes, she pulled the gate shut and audibly slammed the locks down.

The three stood outside the gate, faces frozen and mouths agape. The better half of a minute passed before Heng Miao let out a chilling, laugh. "Very good, very good! The master of this place must be a Buddha to have servants this arrogant!"

Heng Miao already established herself as a fierce person amongst the nobility, so fierce she was able to chase the Qinwangfei into isolation and secure Qinwang's dotage. Not many people dared mess with her, and the few who did could only say a few provocative words.