Chapter 33: Developing a New Ally (2)
“The Little County Princess truly resembles a celestial fairy from the heavens, this lowly commoner almost thought they were in a fairyland. How else could I witness two such stunning immortals?”
Shopkeeper Qin was full of praise, pouring out flattering words like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.
Yu Lingzhao had experienced being showered with extravagant praise by salespeople before, but He Xuan had not. Faced with Shopkeeper Qin’s enthusiastic and blunt show of sincere appreciation, she laughed so hard she could barely stand up straight.
“Look at that, Shopkeeper Qin truly has a clever tongue. Both my sister and I are delighted. Feiyu, double the reward for Shopkeeper Qin.”
With a wave of her hand, He Xuan granted Shopkeeper Qin even more reward money.
Seeing this, Shopkeeper Qin thought to herself that the timing was right. She stepped forward, curtsied, and spoke with deep respect, “My thanks to the Heir's Consort, and my thanks to the Little County Princess. However, this lowly citizen has a small request. I wonder if the Little County Princess would be willing to part with her treasure? If such a pattern could be given to the Xiuluo Manor, it would surely take the capital by storm. Naturally, I would not take your Highness's pattern for nothing, there will certainly be a heavy gold reward.”
Yu Lingzhao looked at Shopkeeper Qin, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly. She was right, Shopkeeper Qin indeed had a favor to ask.
He Xuan was stunned for a moment and subconsciously looked at her younger sister. This pattern was her sister's idea, so naturally, she would leave the decision to her.
Only... Zhaozhao didn't seem surprised at all? Yu Lingzhao glanced at Shopkeeper Qin, then walked to the bronze mirror to look at herself. She was indeed very satisfied with this new outfit.
However...
“This County Princess was born into a Prince’s Mansion, your ‘heavy gold reward’ might not necessarily move me.” Yu Lingzhao turned slowly.
Her voice was still soft and gentle, yet she struck right at Shopkeeper Qin’s greatest worry.
It was true. A County Princess born into a Prince’s Mansiob—what kind of wealth and status had she not seen?
Even if it were a heavy gold reward, the other party might not think much of it. Or perhaps, she simply didn't like others wearing the same clothes as her?
Shopkeeper Qin’s heart instantly leaped into her throat. He Xuan, on the other hand, walked to the side and sat down. As Huayue served tea, she merely sipped it quietly, offering no words.
Seeing this, Shopkeeper Qin’s heart began to sink bit by bit. She had thought that since the Heir's Consort was so enthusiastic just now, she might say a word or two.
She hadn't expected her to sit down for tea, appearing as though she had no intention of intervening.
Then the success or failure of this matter rested entirely on the Little County Princess.
If it were a year ago, Shopkeeper Qin might not have insisted on this opportunity. She knew that a person of character does not take what others love.
But right now was the critical period of the triennial competition for the Imperial Merchant title. If the Xiuluo Manor could not bolster its reputation, its position as the Imperial Silk Merchant would likely change hands.
Ultimately, Shopkeeper Qin was a clever person. Having calmed down, she heard the underlying meaning in the Little County Princess’s words. It wasn't that they couldn't talk, it was just that the stakes needed to be renegotiated.
Yu Lingzhao was in no hurry. She turned back toward the mirror and spun around. The layered yet unfussy hem of the skirt fanned out, as beautiful as an epiphyllum flower.
She liked it very much, and she believed the noble ladies of the capital would like it too.
She was also certain that Shopkeeper Qin would speak again.
For a woman to become a manager in these feudal ancient times, her skills went far beyond just being able to say nice things.
Shopkeeper Qin steeled her heart and spoke through gritted teeth: “This lowly commoner is willing to pay one thousand taels to buy your Highness’s drawing.”
Yu Lingzhao smiled. Hadn't the fish just taken the bait?
“One thousand taels? Is Shopkeeper Qin trying to swindle me? When such novel clothing patterns are sold in the capital, the customers will certainly not be commoners.”
“If the price is too low, noble ladies of high status would likely be displeased, not wanting everyone to wear the same clothes as them.”
“Therefore, your price per piece would likely be nearly a hundred taels. One thousand taels, are you trying to deceive me?”
With every sentence Yu Lingzhao spoke, Shopkeeper Qin’s heart sank a little further. She hadn't expected the Little County Princess to see through the situation even more clearly than she did.
The Little County Princess was not wrong, Shopkeeper Qin didn't intend to set a price that everyone could afford. She only wanted to open up sales within the upper circles of the capital, not for anything else, but for the sake of reputation.
However, one thousand taels was already the limit of her authority.
The Little County Princess rejecting one thousand taels didn't mean she would settle for two thousand. Rather, she had other designs.
For the sake of her employer’s business and her own future well-being, Shopkeeper Qin decided to risk it all and give it a try.
"Please forgive me, your Highness. This lowly commoner has no such intentions, it is simply that one thousand taels is the maximum I can offer. May I ask, what would it take for your Highness to part with the treasure?"
Shopkeeper Qin knew how to read the situation, and Yu Lingzhao didn't waste words with her.
"Since you cannot make the decision, find someone who can. Tomorrow at the same time, at the Jifang Garden Teahouse, look for Shopkeeper Xun to discuss further."
Manager Qin’s heart leaped at the Little County Princess’s words.
With such a certain tone, had she caused trouble for her employer?
Yu Lingzhao did not give Shopkeeper Qin another chance to speak. She waved her hand, and Feiyu said to the manager, "Please follow me to the accounting office, Shopkeeper Qin."
At this point, Shopkeeper Qin knew her only option was to go back and deliver the news to the eldest young lady of the household and let her decide. She curtsied to He Xuan and Yu Lingzhao in thanks before following Feiyu out of Zhaoyang Residence.
Once Shopkeeper Qin had left, He Xuan put on an expression that said, "Go on, I'm waiting for your explanation."
Yu Lingzhao no longer possessed the calm and composed air she had shown toward Shopkeeper Qin.
Putting on a smiling face, she clung to He Xuan, hugging her arm and acting spoiled in an attempt to act cute and breeze through the interrogation.
He Xuan glanced at her, but ultimately couldn't bring herself to be harsh. After all, it was a good thing; the little girl had grown up and now knew how to handle people.
"The Feng Shui of the capital truly nurtures people, hm? My well-behaved sister has now learned how to manipulate others. I was almost intimidated by you just now."
He Xuan stroked her sister’s hair, her heart tight with both sympathy and pride for her progress, still assuming she must have suffered many losses in the capital to become this way.
Yu Lingzhao saw her sister-in-law’s contemplative expression and knew her thoughts had strayed, but she didn't correct her, simply continuing to snuggle in her arms.
He Xuan doted on her for a while longer. "Zhao-
zhao truly has the bearing of a County Princess of the Mansion now. If Father knew, he would be very happy."
Hearing her sister-in-law mention the Prince of Zhennan, Yu Lingzhao thought of the father in her memories who loved her beyond measure.
She became even more determined in her resolve to seek cooperation with the Qin family.
If Xiao Ning'an could do it, why couldn't she?
Xiao Ning'an's methods were despicable and shameless, hers were not!
She was negotiating with the Qin family openly and honorably.
Naturally, it would be best if it succeeded; if not, she wouldn't destroy the Qin family like Xiao Ning'an did. If the cooperation succeeded, from another perspective, she would be saving Qin Baiwan's entire family.
As soon as Shopkeeper Qin left the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion, she headed straight for the Qin residence. Such a major matter had to be discussed thoroughly with her employer.
Shopkeeper Qin had the sharp intuition of a merchant, if they could cooperate with the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion, it would bring nothing but benefits to the Xiuluo Manor and the entire Qin family.
_
Author's Little Scene:
Zhaozhao: Hello, Old Fifth. Just a heads-up: I'm getting ready to snatch away your money bag.
Xiao Ning'an: ??? 0.0
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