The Yuan Family is quite famous in Jiangnan and is one of the four major silk merchants there.
Jiangnan is abundant in mulberry cultivation, and the silk weaving industry has always been extremely developed.
The Yuan Family too started from humble beginnings as sericulturists, and now they own their own mulberry garden, embroidery store, dyeing store, and so on. They even have cotton fields. Though cotton has not yet become mainstream, it is slowly developing. In Beijing and some other big cities, textiles are no longer just classified by the coarseness of the cotton fabric; many varieties have sprung up, such as the brocade-cotton that the Dai Family previously sent, which had the patterns and luster of silk brocade.
Yang Ruxin was not very clear about what the Yuan Family wanted to cooperate with her on, after all, she knew nothing about weaving.
"You know there are many mulberry gardens in the south, but there are also many tea plantations," Cai Wenjuan said with a smile. "Our Cai Family is a tea merchant. When I got married, my dowry included a tea mountain..."
Yang Ruxin nodded.
"Your medicinal tea is really effective. I mentioned it to the head of the household, and he’s interested too," Cai Wenjuan looked at Yang Ruxin. "So we want to cooperate with you on that medicinal tea business. What do you think?" The medicinal tea did contain tea leaves but was enhanced with some herbs. It could be consumed with water on a regular basis and the effects were quite good. Anyhow, she’d been sleeping particularly well, and her sister-in-law’s migraines also hadn’t been acting up as much. Moreover, the other madams in the vicinity who had drunk the medicinal tea had all responded very positively.
Yang Ruxin nodded slightly: "That’s a good idea." The medicinal tea was actually quite simple to make. Dry tea mixed with medicinal herbs was all it took, and those herbs were extremely common. It was merely a matter of proportion. If it could really be produced on a large scale, it would likely be popular.
"You agree?" Cai Wenjuan had not expected the other party to agree so easily.
"Great Aunt, it’s a good business, I naturally won’t refuse," Yang Ruxin nodded. "But as for how to cooperate, that is something that needs further discussion." Even with close brothers, accounts must be clear, and she didn’t wish to end up with no family ties left in the end.
"Of course, I’ll have your great uncle talk to you later..."
After lunch and watching the opera, one tends to feel a bit drowsy in the afternoon.
Xun Hui took some of the children away to rest in the Xinyuan.
This Xinyuan was arranged by Fang Tianze; it was very close to his Xiyue Residence, practically next door. Since Yang Ruxin was now also considered a young lady of the Fang Family, it was necessary for her to have a courtyard for her future residence, and two maids were even assigned to take care of cleaning and guarding the place.
The name Xinyuan was personally written by Fang Tianze. Although it could not yet be spoken of as having any particular grace or vigor, it was still quite free-spirited and pretty.
This was Zeze’s thoughtful gesture, and Yang Ruxin did not refuse. Besides, she would be spending more time with the Fang Family in the future, so having a courtyard was a good thing.
Inside the side hall of the Fang Family.
After the guests had left, only the members of the Fang Family and the Yuan Family remained.
"The medicinal tea business is doable," Yang Ruxin smiled. "But I hope to have Zeze take charge, which means you, Yuan Mengqing, will be dealing with Tianze..."
Yuan Mengqing was stunned, so were Fang Dehua and his wife.
Yet Fang Tianze looked at Yuan Mengqing with glee: "Great Uncle, from now on, I’ll be my sister’s fully authorized representative." He then quickly turned to look at Yang Ruxin, "That’s the right term, right?"
Yang Ruxin nodded, smiling. Correct.
"Zeze, you..." Yuan Mengzhu lost her cool. "Aren’t you going to continue studying?" She had silver; why would her son need to go into business?