The Jin family estate covered a vast area. After being led around to view the gardens for a while, Su Ning obligingly followed her hosts and got into a sedan chair. Just as she sat firm, she heard a voice: "Guest, please hold steady."
Following a brief sensation of being suspended in the air, she began moving forward smoothly. Su Ning felt that it was much more comfortable than riding in a car or a horse-drawn carriage—the roads in the Republican era were truly full of potholes everywhere. If one's body couldn't adapt, even an overnight meal could be jolted right out.
In less than a moment, the sedan chair stopped.
Jin Feng had arrived a step ahead. Accompanying him was his eldest son, Jin Man, and aside from him, the rest were all servants and maids.
As for the other members of the Jin family, they were all confined to their rooms without exception.
They were not qualified.
Or rather, as a member of the former dynasty's imperial clan, even though Jin Feng had no noble title left to pass down, he still valued his eldest son the most and did not want to give the others too much hope. When hosting a distinguished guest like Su Ning for the first time, only Jin Man could be introduced as the heir.
Because of this, a minor conflict had even broken out in the Jin mansion.
...
Of course, none of this had anything to do with Su Ning.
Someone lifted the curtain of the sedan chair. She raised her foot, and before it even touched the ground, a pair of soft hands naturally reached over to support her. A maid's voice rang out, crisp and gentle:
"Miss Su, please watch your step."
After speaking, seeing that she stood firmly, the maid automatically stepped aside. The entire process was smooth and natural, without the slightest bit of awkwardness, making one feel like a breath of fresh spring air.
Su Ning could not help but sigh in admiration. No wonder it was said that it takes three generations to know how to dress and eat properly. The luxury of such an old aristocratic family lay not in the extravagance of their food, clothing, and daily expenses, but precisely in these inconspicuous little details.
Even a maid receiving a sedan chair was so outstanding; she must have been cultivated through constant exposure since childhood.
This showed the profound heritage of the Jin mansion.
"Niece of the Su family, come over quickly," Jin Feng beckoned enthusiastically, then turned his head to scold his son beside him. "You lack the eyes to see! Your Sister Su is here, don't you know how to greet her?"
Hearing this, the eldest son immediately came over and cupped his hands in greeting.
He called out, "Sister Su."
Su Ning nodded in response and said with a smile, "I am of the younger generation, and I am also a guest. I should have greeted you first. Your doing so instead makes me feel ashamed."
"He is a useless one, wandering around every day without any proper business to do. He may be older than you, but in truth, he is far inferior to you, my niece. Perhaps he will even need your care and guidance in the future."
Although Jin Feng verbally belittled his eldest son Jin Man, Su Ning would not take it seriously, and she offered a few words of persuasion and praise.
After all, mutual flattery makes the world go round.
Sure enough, not only did Jin Feng's eyes hold a smile, but Jin Man's expression also showed a bit of embarrassed delight, and his gaze toward Su Ning became less distant.
This kind of social pleasantry might seem meaningless, but it was actually very significant.
Back and forth, their relationship grew closer.
After just these few words, Su Ning clearly felt the atmosphere lighten up. Striking while the iron was hot, she presented her visiting gifts with a very modest tone:
"I am young and do not understand the customs here in Peiping. If there is anything inappropriate, please forgive me, Uncle."
If this was considered inappropriate, then what wasn't?
The servants of the Jin family looked at the various gifts wrapped in lacquer boxes, red carrying boxes, and patterned paper. Those with sharp eyes had already recognized several fine items sold only by time-honored brands.
A rough calculation was enough to tell that this gift was highly valuable.
Some senior servants, immersed in the old days, and knowing about the former Secondary Consort Su, were even surprised that their masters valued Su Ning so highly.
After all, she was not considered a proper relative.
The old background of the Su family, which had made its fortune relying on a great eunuch in the past, could not be erased either.
But now, coming back to their senses and thinking about those proper relatives of the family—take the eldest young madam of the main branch, for example, whose maiden family was also a prominent household in the previous dynasty.
Let alone giving such generous meeting gifts, every time they came over, it was to ask for financial help.
There was no comparison, absolutely no comparison.
...
Su Ning, however, knew nothing of the comparisons made by the Jin family servants.
On this side, Jin Feng and Jin Man were also somewhat surprised to see such generous gifts. However, it wasn't as if they couldn't afford such things, so naturally, they wouldn't lose their composure.
"You've spent too much, niece," Jin Feng said politely.
Unlike Western customs, according to old etiquette, gifts given by guests could not be opened on the spot. Fearing that Su Ning might misunderstand, Jin Man even specifically explained this.
Su Ning wasn't truly a returnee from overseas anyway.
At most, she had scrolled through a few videos of international students online, so of course, she wouldn't mind this.
However, she still felt very comfortable inside.
Being treated so carefully and cautiously, with people speaking and acting in constant fear of angering her, was a first-time experience for Su Ning. She could only say, it felt really great.
Both hosts and guest were happy.
After entering the flower hall, the two sides began to discuss the main topic in a harmonious atmosphere. Su Ning did not beat around the bush either. She took a small sip of tea and directly stated that she was very interested in the mansion.
This actually took the Jin father and son by surprise.
So straightforward?
"Well, Niece Su, there is no need to be in such a hurry. Buying a mansion is a lifelong matter, and it's best to consider it carefully," Jin Feng advised instead.
Hearing this, Su Ning's eyes flickered slightly, and she sighed:
"Although the Grand Hotel de Peiping is good, it is ultimately not a home. To tell you the truth, I have too many businesses abroad, and most of my subordinates are foreigners."
"They do not want me to return to my home country."
"In order to make my stance clear, I need to completely settle down in Peiping, so as to make them give up."
This explanation sounded perfectly reasonable.
Hearing this, Jin Feng also felt reassured and couldn't help but probe out of curiosity:
"Well, what exactly did Brother Huaishan do abroad to build such a massive fortune, to the point where even foreign governments can't help but step in to stop you from returning, my niece?"
Here it comes, it's finally here.
Su Ning thought to herself. When she fabricated Su Huaishan, she knew that one day someone would ask this question, and the slightest carelessness in her answer would reveal a flaw.
For this reason, she and the system had long rehearsed her answers multiple times based on different occasions and different people...
To onlookers, after Jin Feng finished asking.
Miss Su's expression darkened. Perhaps she thought of her father who passed away early, but she still answered:
"My father was involved in too many diverse fields, yet he managed to reach the top position in all of them. Furthermore, he absolutely refused to take up foreign citizenship. He was already targeted quite a bit, and he exhausted his mind and body. This was also one of the reasons for his early passing."
She closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, there seemed to be a glimmer of tears, but her gaze was extremely firm:
"After my father died, I saw through the hypocrisy of those foreigners, so I am determined to return to my country."
"Not only that, but I will also transfer everything from abroad back here one by one. I will absolutely not let foreigners benefit."
Upon hearing Su Ning's earlier words, Jin Feng was still shocked by the fact that her father had dabbled in all walks of life.
Good heavens, how much money must that be?
It wasn't just money; it also represented advanced technology and numerous connections.
Upon hearing the latter part, he was left with nothing but deep sighs of emotion.
"Those who are not of our kin are sure to have different hearts," Jin Feng comforted. "Foreign devils have nothing good about them. Although the country is a bit chaotic right now, it will get better in the future. After all, it is our own place."
He was still quite optimistic about the situation.
Su Ning chuckled inwardly. True, the domestic situation would get better, and it would even become stronger and stronger.
But at this current time, that phrase could not be said.
For some unspeakable reason, the original novel did not have much explicit description of the political situation, but unfortunately for them, she had studied history very well—
Next year, there would be a massive war.
Unceasing turmoil would break out everywhere, and the fates of tens of millions of people would be affected as a result.
At this thought, a strong sense of urgency surged within Su Ning. For the sake of her one and only life, she absolutely could not afford to slack off. She needed to tread more steadily and move faster...
She blinked, concealing her inner thoughts.
Her tone was light and relieved. "It is all in the past, yet I still caused you to worry, Uncle. Anyway, once the house is purchased and remodeled, I will finally be completely settled down."
Offering Jin Feng a subtle smile, she added, "A person cannot just sit idly and eat away their fortune. I would like to invest in some businesses as well. When the time comes, I hope I can count on your help, Uncle Jin."
She casually tossed out the sweet bait.
Just as she expected, a wave of excitement surged in Jin Feng's heart.
It was a common consensus of the era that foreign technology was far more advanced and powerful than anything domestic. With the technology and capital Su Ning had at her disposal, it was bound to be a guaranteed profit.
How was this asking for his help?
This was clearly the good-hearted niece of the Su family wanting to take him along on the road to wealth!
Consequently, Su Ning listened with satisfaction as Jin Feng repeatedly insisted that she should come to him, her uncle, for anything she needed, and to never worry about being a burden.
