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Doted By The Regent King-Chapter 483: Making an Elderly Friend
Chapter 483: Chapter 483: Making an Elderly Friend
Haiyun Tower was entirely booked for the merchants’ association, the scent of wine filled the hall, and cups and plates crisscrossed in celebration.
Wufu hardly had an opportunity to sample the meat dishes before she was continually toasted by guests; some feeling extremely close to her after a short while, even introducing her to the businesses they knew.
Wufu was not intimidated by the crowd, displaying her social skills effortlessly as she engaged in lively conversations with many.
Moreover, having experienced two lifetimes, she knew that things from here would be passed on to future generations, but modern matters or new technologies from there could not be transmitted back. Her eloquence beguiled the listeners as if they entered another world, intriguing them further, making their gazes towards her even warmer.
"It’s rare to meet such an interesting young lady. You haven’t reached the age of marriage, have you? I’m truly curious how your parents raised you to be so forthcoming," a lady with the surname Wang asked with a smile.
"I was born in the countryside and grew up dependent on my mother," Wufu answered gracefully. "My mother is gentle by nature. She taught me what I needed to know, but for the most part, I was left to grow freely." ƒrēenovelkiss.com
Some listeners discerned the implicit message in her words: living dependent on her mother meant no father was in the picture, right?
"Did your mother come with you?" Lady Wang asked, seemingly considering something, as she looked at her with even greater sympathy, "Your mother, she is truly a woman who does not concede to men."
"She’s back in Huayang County, and with the end of the year upon us, there are New Year’s preparations to attend to; she didn’t come along with me. Speaking of ’women who do not concede to men,’ Lady Wang, you are truly deserving of such praise. As a woman, managing such a large business requires great skill and ability, how else could you make the business flourish this way?" Wufu praised with a smile.
She had learned that the Lady Wang before her was the head of the Wang family that conducted the jade business in Suzhou of Jiangnan. Having lost her husband early, she forged ahead through thorny challenges to sit in the position of the head of the family. Without delving into detail, the hardship and struggles she endured could fill a book.
Wufu admired such a person, knowing full well that women were naturally at a disadvantage compared to men. Even in the future, where it was said that everyone was equal, women still suffered from various inequalities, not to mention in this era dominated by patriarchal views.
Lady Wang, as a woman, had protected her young child and earned a vast family fortune, taking the seat of the head of the family. Her courage was extraordinary.
It was said that in addition to jade, the Wang family was also in the silk business. The silk from Suzhou-Hangzhou was famously exquisite.
Recalling her own hardships, Lady Wang sighed, "It was so difficult, those past days. A woman, enduring doubts from all sides, ousting opponents, it was extremely tough."
"That’s why I said you’re a woman who does not concede to men. Lady, no matter how difficult the obstacles you’ve encountered, I believe there is nothing you cannot overcome. The blessings are all ahead of us. And don’t you find," Wufu said with a mischievous smile, "that looking back on the journey you’ve made, the hardships you’ve faced, doesn’t it make you feel utterly triumphant? In the future, there will be plenty of exploits to boast about to descendants, and plenty of areas where men don’t hold a candle to you. Doesn’t that sensation feel exhilarating?"
Lady Wang, coming from a family of merchants, was naturally forthright. Hearing this, she laughed heartily and patted Wufu’s shoulder firmly: "Exactly, that feeling is exhilarating indeed."
Wufu laughed as well.
"You, girl, are truly to my liking. I’m of an age to have grandchildren, so it’s appropriate for us to form a friendship that disregards age," Lady Wang said with a laugh, "What do you think?"
She was old enough to surpass Wufu by a couple of generations; she could readily be her grandmother, so the idea of a friendship that disregards age wasn’t improper.
"In that case, I am deeply honored by your high regard, Lady," Wufu bowed respectfully.