Chapter 51: Shopping with the Little Wealthy Heiress

The sun hung warmly in the sky, casting a gentle and comforting glow.

Reflecting on it, Jiang Han had been in this world for less than a month, yet he had already made his first pot of gold. The Dark Fragrance Dew business was now on track, and with the signing of this lease agreement today, he would soon possess a vast expanse of land to build workshops and an estate.

In the morning, Qin Yunmian arrived at the courtyard in a carriage.

The ethereal and pure young woman was dressed in a white silk gown. Combined with her cool and distant temperament, she looked somewhat like an immortal maiden descended from the heavens.

Compared to the beauties in historical television dramas, the young women of this era dressed rather conservatively—with the exception of courtesans in pleasure houses.

Jiang Han could not help but recall certain illustrations of beauties from his past life, where they wore traditional upper garments paired with black silk stockings. If only Qin Yunmian could wear black silk stockings and suspender straps...

As his thoughts wandered, his gaze naturally drifted downward.

All he could see was the white hem of her dress and a pair of delicate deerskin boots.

After signing the lease, Jiang Han was in high spirits. With the land secured, once the workshops were completed, the production of Dark Fragrance Dew and distilled liquor could be scaled up significantly!

This little wealthy heiress had casually tossed out eight thousand silver taels to invest in him, and even that massive plot of land was practically given away for free. While one might say she had a sharp eye, she also seemed surprisingly indifferent to money...

Besides, her background clearly extended far beyond mere wealth.

At that moment, Qin Yunmian looked at Jiang Han with her clear, limpid eyes and said, "Jiang Han."

Jiang Han looked up, meeting the young woman's pristine gaze. "What is it?"

Qin Yunmian said with her characteristic coolness, "You mentioned last time that you were going to treat me to a meal."

"..."

Dining out naturally required going to a restaurant. Jiang Han did not know how to cook elaborate dishes; he could only make noodles. Surely, he couldn't just feed her a bowl of noodles?

Practice makes perfect. Once they boarded Qin Yunmian’s carriage, they headed straight for the East Market.

Upon arriving at the East Market, Jiang Han suggested, "It's still quite early for noon. Would you like me to show you around?"

He figured that a young lady from a scholarly and prestigious family—much like a maiden hidden deep within a boudoir, rarely seen by the outside world—would seldom have the chance to stroll through the streets.

"Alright."

Qin Yunmian nodded. She glanced back at the coachman, who then drove the carriage away.

The bustling main avenue was filled with an endless stream of pedestrians, carriages, and horses. On both sides stood rows upon rows of closely packed shops, with wine banners fluttering in the wind... It felt as though one had stepped right into a classical painting of city life.

Qin Yunmian walked gracefully along the bluestone-paved road, her bright, autumn-water-like eyes glancing left and right, full of curiosity about everything on the street.

Jiang Han followed closely behind her. While his mind was initially occupied with his business ventures, his gaze was gradually drawn to the tall, slender figure of the young heiress.

She really had a wonderful figure!

Before long, Qin Yunmian stopped beneath a brightly decorated multi-story pavilion. Looking up at the gorgeously dressed women on the upper balcony who were waving handkerchiefs, she wore a puzzled expression. "Jiang Han, what are they doing?"

Jiang Han looked up and replied, "They're inviting guests inside to eat seafood."

Hearing this, Qin Yunmian began to walk inside. Jiang Han panicked and hastily grabbed her, looking utterly alarmed. "What are you doing?"

Qin Yunmian looked earnest. "You're treating me to dinner."

Jiang Han gasped, "My dear young lady, while they do sell seafood in there, it's definitely not something you should be eating."

"Why can't I eat it?" Qin Yunmian asked, her face a mask of utter confusion.

"You just can't! Let's go, let's go!"

After pondering for a moment, though she still could not figure it out, Qin Yunmian obediently followed Jiang Han away.

Leaving that pleasure house far behind, Jiang Han let out a sigh of relief. He had been terrified that Qin Yunmian would press the matter and demand to the very bottom of it.

Still, could it be that this young miss didn't even know what that place was?

Well, upon reflection, nobody would have ever told her that such a place was a brothel.

As they passed by a bookstore, Qin Yunmian paused, fixing her clear gaze upon the shop.

She turned to look at Jiang Han, anticipation shining in her eyes.

Jiang Han chuckled, "Uh, let's go in and take a look."

Qin Yunmian plunged straight into the sea of books, picked up a collection of poetry, and began flipping through the pages with a tranquil expression.

Jiang Han surveyed Qin Yunmian's figure, thinking that this young lady truly loved reading after all.

He strolled around the shop and discovered that they also sold vernacular fiction. After flipping through a few volumes, however, he frowned.

They were all bizarre and vulgar folk tales, and terribly written at that...

"Hoh, if I were to write down the Four Great Classical Novels or Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, wouldn't I make an absolute fortune?"

At that moment, the storekeeper approached Jiang Han and whispered, "Young master, those kinds of books aren't kept out here."

"Huh?"

"Young master, they're over here." The storekeeper mysteriously led Jiang Han to a corner and pointed at a row of books on the shelf.

Jiang Han took a look.

*The Amorous History of Zhulin*, *The Unofficial History of Imperial Consort Yang*, *One Hundred Appreciations of Jade Feet*...

What? What on earth were these?

Jiang Han casually picked one up and opened it. His eyes instantly lit up. Goodness gracious, it really was *that* kind of book, and it even came with illustrations!

Not bad, not bad at all. Perfectly suited to his tastes.

As Jiang Han was reading intently and preparing to turn to the next page, he abruptly heard a voice beside him. "Jiang Han, what are you looking at?"

Startled, Jiang Han hurriedly slammed the book shut. He looked at the cool and aloof Qin Yunmian beside him and stammered, "Yunmian, why are you here?"

He shoved the book back onto the shelf and blocked it with his body.

Qin Yunmian stared at him with her clear eyes and said, "I saw the title of the book. It seemed to be called something like 'Amorous History'?"

"Nonsense!" Jiang Han put on a stern and righteous expression, declaring solemnly, "I, Jiang Han, am a man of upright character. How could I possibly read such books? You must have seen it wrong."

"Then let me see the book."

"No."

"Let me see it."

"You suspect that I, Jiang Han, would read that kind of book? Ha! The thing I despise most in this life is such filth. Just looking at it makes me want to vomit. How could I possibly read it?"

Jiang Han stared right at Qin Yunmian with righteous indignation. *I am merely employing a critical perspective to examine these literary works!*

Under Jiang Han's persistent persuasion, Qin Yunmian finally agreed to leave the bookstore.

Fearing that she might stubbornly change her mind and want to turn back, Jiang Han led her directly to a restaurant two streets away.

By the standards of Yunyang County, this restaurant was already considered quite upscale, but the food still failed to suit Qin Yunmian's palate. After eating barely half a bowl, she put down her chopsticks.

In truth, Jiang Han found the food to be as tasteless as chewing wax as well. Perhaps he had simply grown too accustomed to the heavy seasonings and flavor enhancers of his past life.

Jiang Han looked at Qin Yunmian and said, "Once I manage to extract MSG, I'll... well, I'll cook a meal for you myself."

A flicker of joy crossed Qin Yunmian's autumn-water eyes. "When?"

Jiang Han pondered for a moment. "In a little while. I have quite a few things to handle first..." He glanced around and lowered his voice. "Miss Meng is the Sect Master of the Manifest Sect. I've recently become her disciple and will be studying swordsmanship under her... Did you know about this?"

"I had no idea!" Qin Yunmian replied with an innocent expression.

After the meal, Jiang Han excused himself to visit the latrine and left the restaurant, hurrying straight back to the bookstore.

"Storekeeper, that book, and that one too, and that *Jade Feet Appreciations* as well. Wrap them up for me. How much is the total?"

"Three hundred wen in total... Oh, honored guest, we also have a deluxe collector's edition for four silver taels. Would you like that one?"

"Hah, you want to charge me four silver taels for a few books? Do you take me for a fool?"

"It comes with hand-colored illustrations."

"...Give me the full set."

Clutching the books to his chest, Jiang Han happily returned to the restaurant.

Qin Yunmian looked at him and asked, "Why were you gone for so long?"

Jiang Han casually replied, "I've been a bit constipated lately."

"Oh."