Page 48 of The Scholar's Improper Wife
Yun-si’s attention was half-caught now, snagged on the word shops like silk on a thorn. She thought of Autumn Leaf Literary Treasures, the little bookshop that held her dreams in ink-scented shelves, all those afternoons spent lingering among the huaben volumes. Three weeks. Old Wang had three weeks before he closed forever.
“I will also be giving you two shops from my own dowry. A paper store and a stationery shop on Scholar’s Lane.”
Yun-si sat up straight.
“Scholar’s Lane?”
Lady Shen looked at her, mildly surprised by the sudden attention. “Yes. Your grandmother’s property, passed to me, now to you as part of the marriage settlement. As a married lady you will manage these directly—”
“Can I buy a bookshop too? Can I have a bookshop instead of the cloth or grain shop?”
“Why a bookshop?”
Yun-si tried to keep her voice steady. “Autumn Leaf Literary Treasures is well-respected. The owner’s health is failing, and he is closing...” She continued anxiously, “the location is prime, Mother. If we don’t purchase it, someone else will.”
“Yun-si,” Lady Shen said finally, “listen carefully. Your dowry represents the financial support of your maiden family. A cloth shop and provisions store are lucrative. Predictable. A bookshop...” She shook her head. “Books don’t sell like fabric or rice. Scholar’s Lane is expensive compared—”
“I’ll make it succeed.”
The words came out firmer than Yun-si had intended. Lady Shen’s eyebrows rose.
“You’re certain?”
“Yes.” Yun-si’s fingers tightened in the folds of her skirt as she nodded, trying to sound more confident than she felt.
Yun-jia bounced on her chair. “If Yun-si gets a bookshop, I want a jewelry shop! And a toy shop! And—”
“You’ll get a husband first,” Lady Shen said dryly.
YUN-SI STOOD IN FRONTof the shop where she had spent so much time in and rehearsed thebusiness proposalin her mind again. Then she pushed open the door to go inside.
Old Wang looked up from behind the counter. His expression flickered with surprise, then softened.
“Mistress Recluse. Back so soon?”
“I have a business proposal for you.”
Old Wang set down the book he’d been holding. “A proposal.”
“Yes.” Yun-si folded her hands, willing them not to tremble. She’d rehearsed this on the walk over, but now that she was here, the words felt heavier than she’d expected. “I’d like to purchase Autumn Leaf. As part of my dowry.”
Old Wang snorted. “You’re the Chancellor’s daughter. Why waste your dowry on a failing bookshop?”
“You knew?” Yun-si asked in surprise.
Old Wang just raised one eyebrow at her.
Yun-si sighed inwardly. Of course he knew.
“Because it’s my dream,” she continued quietly. “To have a bookshop. To publish books. To help more people sell their stories or find their stories.”
Old Wang studied her for a long moment. Then he sighed, long and slow, and gestured to the stool beside the counter. “Sit. Tell me your proposal.”
Yun-si settled onto the worn wooden stool, her pale pink skirts arranging themselves quietly around her. Hands folded neatly in her lap, she met Old Wang’s gaze without flinching.
“I will buy this shop from you,” she began, her voice steady despite the way her pulse hummed beneath her sleeves. “And you will stay on as the manager. You know the business best—the authors, the regular customers, the printers and the suppliers.” She exhaled, just slightly. “But I am a reader, and an author. I know what they want.”
Old Wang’s fingers stilled where they’d been absently tracing the grain of the counter. He didn’t interrupt, so she continued.
