Starting in Exile: Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Lucky Little Wife

Chapter 106 Part 2: Best Friends Join Forces, Liuli Persuades Jia Dafu

Upon learning that his younger sister, Gu Liuli, was pregnant in the Nanzhao Kingdom, Jiang Liushen was filled with joy and concern.

He immediately summoned the people of the Imperial Household Department to carefully select gifts. Ginseng, deer antler and other precious tonics were all good for nourishing the body; there were also exquisite baby swaddling clothes made of the finest silk, soft and comfortable.

He personally supervised the careful packing of these gifts, and attached a letter full of care and advice. He then dispatched his most capable and reliable confidant to deliver the gifts to the Nanzhao Kingdom by fast horse. The confidant set off on his mission, enduring wind and rain along the way, daring not to slacken in the slightest, hoping only to deliver this brotherly concern to Gu Liuli safely as soon as possible.

"Guards!" Jiang Liushen's voice was deep and carried an undeniable air of authority. "Quickly send these gifts to the Nanzhao Kingdom and make sure they reach ***."

Boxes of rare and nourishing medicinal herbs, exquisite baby swaddling clothes, and the princess's favorite pastries were being loaded onto the carriage in an orderly fashion. These gifts carried the deep care of her elder brother.

"Your Majesty, the journey is long and there may be inconveniences..." the eunuch beside him cautiously reminded him.

"No matter what, we must deliver her safely." Jiang Liushen's gaze was firm. "My sister is far away from home and is now pregnant. As her elder brother, this is all I can do."

The carriage slowly drove out of the palace, its wheels rolling as it headed towards the distant Nanzhao Kingdom.

Jiang Liushen stood atop the palace wall, watching the departing convoy, silently praying that his younger sister and the child in her womb would be well.

When Gu Liuli received the gift sent by her elder brother, Emperor Jiang Liushen, the afternoon sun was lazily shining on the palace courtyard of the Nanzhao Kingdom.

She gently stroked the letter, her fingertips caressing the paper, her eyes instantly welling up with tears. The lady-in-waiting beside her quietly opened the gift box; the fine silk shimmered softly in the sunlight, and the delicate patterns embroidered on the baby's swaddling clothes seemed to tell of her brother's deep affection with every stitch.

Gu Liuli picked up the family letter and read it word by word. Her elder brother, Jiang Liushen's, instructions and care were vividly conveyed on the page.

"Sister, I was overjoyed to hear you are pregnant. I hope you can rest and take care of yourself. Don't overwork yourself. I'll take care of everything for you." These few words warmed her heart. Having been away from home for so long, this concern from her homeland was incredibly precious.

"Go, prepare a generous gift for the visitor, and then convey my message: thank you for your concern, Your Majesty." Gu Liuli instructed softly, a smile unconsciously playing on her lips, her eyes filled with gratitude.

She gently stroked her slightly protruding belly, "My child, you are already carrying so much love even before you are born."

Gu Liuli gently stroked the exquisite gift box with both hands, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.

In the distant Nanzhao Kingdom, this gift from her royal brother was like a warm ray of light, shining directly into the softest part of her heart. "Royal brother..." she murmured, her voice filled with longing and emotion.

Just as she was basking in this warmth, a maid hurried in to report, "Your Highness, Miss Jia Xiaoyan from the Crown Prince's residence requests an audience." Gu Liuli was slightly taken aback, then softly replied, "Quickly, invite her in."

Jia Xiaoyan rushed in, her gaze falling on the gift in Gu Liuli's hands. She examined it curiously for a moment, then eagerly asked, "Sister Liuli, I rushed over as soon as I heard there was some commotion here. But I've had a question on my mind for a long time. How did you become the Emperor's sister of Xijing Kingdom?"

Gu Liuli's lips curled up slightly, a hint of reminiscence flashing in her eyes, and she slowly said, "It's a long story. I was originally a princess of Xijing Kingdom. Because my mother had an accident when she gave birth to me, she entrusted me to Gu Hang. Gu Hang told everyone that my mother was the daughter of a wealthy merchant and that he was marrying into the family. Later, my mother disappeared. Later, Gu Hang and Yu Shi got together and bought an official position. However, the emperor did not expect that the current crown prince would have a calamity and that he would need to find a girl born in the Gregorian calendar. Gu Hang and the others put my birth date and time on Gu Yue's head. Unfortunately, Xiao Jingchuan was suddenly poisoned and would not live long. Gu Yue did not want to marry the deposed crown prince, so she forced me to marry in his place!"

She patiently recounted her background, her past in the palace, and the reasons and consequences of her marriage to a distant place.

Jia Xiaoyan listened intently, sometimes opening her mouth wide in surprise, and sometimes nodding in sudden understanding.

After Gu Liuli finished speaking, she exclaimed, "I see. Liuli, your experience of time travel is truly extraordinary."

The two women exchanged a smile. "Xiaoyan, how about joining the hot pot restaurant and the beauty salon?"

Just as Jia Xiaoyan was struggling with her decision, her system announced: "Beep beep beep... Please add shares in the hot pot restaurant and beauty salon. The amount you earn each month will correspond to a certain number of points!"

Jia Xiaoyan's once clear and bright eyes now seemed shrouded in a mist, appearing somewhat hazy and dazed. A fierce storm was raging within her, and she was engaged in a difficult internal struggle.

On one hand, if she can successfully acquire shares in the hot pot restaurant and beauty salon, she will receive invaluable points according to the system rules. These points might unlock the layers of seals within the mysterious system, granting her even more amazing and magical abilities. Undoubtedly, this will be a powerful boost to her thrilling adventures in this world full of unknowns and challenges.

However, another pressing issue cannot be ignored – these two shops were first established and operated by Gu Liuli! Jia Xiaoyan couldn't help but fall into deep thought, secretly weighing whether this was the right thing to do.

Just then, Gu Liuli, who had been silently observing Jia Xiaoyan, seemed to see through her inner struggle and entanglement. A gentle, warm smile appeared on her lips as she softly comforted her, "Xiaoyan, don't be so troubled anymore! You know, our judgment has always been spot-on. I firmly believe that both this steaming, fragrant hot pot restaurant and that beauty salon that makes people radiate a captivating glow will surely shine brightly and achieve extraordinary success in the future!"

Hearing Gu Liuli's encouraging words, Jia Xiaoyan bit her slightly pale lips tightly. After a fierce internal struggle, she finally stomped her foot, as if she had made a do-or-die decision, and shouted, "Alright, Liuli! Since you've said so, what reason do I have not to believe you? I've decided, I'll work with you!"

Almost the instant Jia Xiaoyan finished speaking, a crisp and pleasant system notification rang out: "Congratulations, host, on successfully joining the shares. The points system is now officially activated!"

Jia Xiaoyan bit her lip, stamped her foot, as if she had made a great decision: "Okay, Liuli, I believe you, so I'll join!" As soon as she finished speaking.

The system notification sounded again: "Congratulations, host, on successfully joining the shareholding system! The points system is now officially open!" The two exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with anticipation for the future.

After deciding to invest, Jia Xiaoyan returned home overjoyed. As soon as she entered the door, she couldn't wait to tell Jia Dafu and his wife, "Father, Mother, I'm planning to join the restaurant and beauty salon opened by the Crown Princess!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Dafu and his wife were somewhat taken aback. Jia Dafu frowned and asked in confusion, "Daughter, what do you mean? Why do you suddenly want to get involved in business matters?"

Jia Xiaoyan quickly sat down next to her parents, took their hands, and excitedly explained, "Dad, Mom, you don't know, Crown Princess Gu Liuli is amazing. Her restaurant and beauty salon are bound to be incredibly successful." And what's more, I can earn points by joining, and those points are incredibly useful! These were the words Jia Xiaoyan thought to herself.

Madam Jia still looked worried: "Daughter, doing business is not so easy. What if we lose money? Although our family is not very rich, we can't afford to take any risks."

Jia Xiaoyan patted her chest confidently and said, "Mom, don't worry. Sister Liuli has a keen eye, I trust her. Besides, this is a rare opportunity, maybe our family will become rich in the future!"

After Jia Xiaoyan's persistent pleading and reassurances, Jia Dafu and his wife finally reluctantly agreed, but still reminded her to be cautious.

Looking at her carefree daughter, Madam Jia looked at Jia Dafu with some concern: "Master, the Crown Princess's restaurant is very profitable, but why does she want our daughter to join?"

With a serious expression, Jia Dafu pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Madam, the reason behind this is probably not simple."

With her noble status and the backing of the royal family, the Crown Princess must have no shortage of money and connections in her business.

Now they've come to our daughter, either because they've taken a liking to some of Xiaoyan's qualities, or..." Jia Dafu paused, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes, "...there's something hidden behind this that we don't know about."

Upon hearing this, Madam Jia's face paled slightly: "Then... what should we do? Our daughter is innocent; we mustn't let her be schemed against."

Jia Dafu patted Madam Jia's hand and comforted her, "Don't panic. Since we've already agreed, we can only be more careful. Have Xiaoyan keep an eye on business developments and let us know immediately if anything happens."

So, the next morning, sunlight filtered through the dappled leaves and dappled the courtyard of the Jia family mansion. Jia Dafu got up early, and after washing up, he summoned the servants and instructed them to make sure the gifts for his visit were prepared properly. Once everything was ready, filled with a mix of trepidation and anticipation, he boarded his carriage and sped towards the Crown Prince's residence.

Before long, the carriage came to a smooth stop in front of the Crown Prince's residence. Jia Dafu took a deep breath, straightened his robes, and stepped into the magnificent and solemn mansion with steady steps. Passing through winding corridors and around exquisite rockeries and ponds, he finally arrived at the main hall.

Gu Liuli was already waiting there. She was dressed in a light purple gown, with a graceful figure, a beautiful face, and a faint smile on her lips, as charming and beautiful as a peach blossom in spring.

Jia Dafu quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Princess!"

Gu Liuli nodded slightly and said softly, "Master Jia, there's no need for such formalities. Please have a seat."

After the guests and hosts were seated, Jia Dafu got straight to the point and asked his question: "Your Highness, my daughter Xiaoyan is really dull and talentless. I don't know why Your Highness insisted on inviting her to join this business."

Gu Liuli smiled slightly, a smile as gentle as a spring breeze, making people feel very warm and friendly.

Her gaze was clear and sincere as she slowly spoke, “Master Jia, please don’t worry too much. Your daughter, Xiaoyan, is lively and intelligent, with a spirit of courage and determination. I admired her quite a bit when I first met her. This hot pot restaurant and beauty salon need more than just connections and money; they need partners like Xiaoyan who are genuinely passionate and willing to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly.” With that, Gu Liuli clapped her hands lightly, and a maid beside her immediately presented two thick ledgers and a detailed business plan.

Gu Liuli continued, “Mr. Jia, please take a look. This is my overall plan for these two businesses. After in-depth market research and analysis, we have found that their market prospects are extremely broad. As long as they are managed properly, profits will naturally follow. Of course, any investment carries certain risks, but through my series of arrangements, these risks have been controlled within an acceptable range. Moreover, I can solemnly promise you that Xiaoyan’s participation will not only bring her substantial financial returns, but also allow her to learn many practical business and management skills, which will undoubtedly provide her with a solid guarantee for her future career.”

As Jia Dafu listened to Gu Liuli's explanation, his brows furrowed. He took the ledger and planning document with both hands and began to carefully review each page. Although many doubts remained, the clear and detailed plan before him, coupled with Gu Liuli's sincere attitude and professionalism, caused his initially firm resolve to waver slightly.

Gu Liuli then said sincerely, "Master Jia, I am also a daughter, and I understand your love for Xiaoyan. I will definitely treat her like my own sister, protect her, and not let her suffer any grievances."

After their conversation, Jia Dafu's worries gradually dissipated. He sighed and said, "Your Highness, based on your sincerity, I trust you this time. I hope you will take good care of Xiaoyan." Gu Liuli smiled and nodded. Thus, the doubts about the cooperation were finally resolved.