Chapter 3: Doing the opposite

It is rainy and foggy in the south of the Yangtze River.

Pu Qiongzhi is going to discuss reforms with the restaurants in Lin'an today.

She told everyone what she had seen and heard in the capital and summed up many new experiences.

For example, high-quality services can be used to replace various customer dissatisfactions, thereby ensuring word of mouth.

"The restaurant business in Lin'an is quite competitive. You can go down and think more about what subtle aspects of the restaurant business can impress people. From now on, it will depend on your skills."

After dealing with things here, Pu Qiongzhi immediately set off for the next place.

The Pu family's business scope seems to be very broad, but there are always traces to follow, and it is generally concentrated in food and clothing.

Most of these shops are concentrated in one area and are not far from each other.

Pu Qiongzhi walked in front, and Zhai Lou followed beside her, holding an umbrella for her. He was quite reliable at critical moments and was Pu Qiongzhi's right-hand man.

Because they had been instructed in advance, they had already sorted out the account books and were waiting for Pu Qiongzhi to come and check them.

Pu Qiongzhi went to the side room in the backyard as soon as she entered the door, and Chunjing and Zhai Lou followed her.

"Young Master, the rouge shop asked this year whether we should lower the price?" Zhai Lou asked.

Pu Qiongzhi flipped through the account book and looked up in confusion, "Why are you trying to lower the price?"

"Wanning Prefecture suffered a disaster this year, and the harvests in various places have also fluctuated. Perhaps... no one has the heart to dress up." Zhai Lou also asked the shopkeepers the reason for the report.

Pu Qiongzhi shook her head, her face stern. "No need. Just raise the price by 30%. In times like this, people need something to fill their inner anxiety."

Zhai Lou was a little surprised. Not only did she not lower the price, she even raised it by 30% at this juncture.

But then he thought, "That's true. In years of famine, aren't there many people who sell their children? They might be able to use it..."

As if he had thought of something, Zhai Lou's eyes revealed sadness and a hint of mockery.

He hesitated, "But, if I raise the price at this time, will I be criticized?"

"What are you accusing us of? That we made ill-gotten gains?" Pu Qiongzhi sneered.

"The rich feast on wine and meat, while the poor freeze to death on the streets. Those who can afford rouge and powder are never these poor people."

"Forget it. Remember to donate some of the profits from your rouge and powder shop to build a golden statue for the Buddha at Lingyin Temple. It's times like these when everyone places their hopes on praying to the gods, so this can be a relief."

"Okay." Zhai Lou nodded and responded.

As expected, there is nothing that the young master cannot solve, so there is nothing wrong with it.

Pu Qiongzhi paused, then looked at him, as if she had just come to her senses, "You just said the famine years..."

"Yeah, is there any problem?" Zhai Lou looked confused.

Pu Qiongzhi's eyes were dark and gloomy.

She frowned, collected herself, and then said, "I remember reading something about this when I was young."

"Forget it. This is a serious matter. I'll go back and check it out tonight before I tell you."

Pu Qiongzhi checked the accounts surprisingly quickly, and Chunjing, who was standing by, was mainly responsible for the verification.

This girl has a very good memory. She can remember the accounts clearly even after a long time after checking them once.

Originally, Zhai Lou had checked these account books. He only came here to explain to Pu Qiongzhi any unclear fluctuations in the accounts when necessary.

The three of them have been cooperating with each other, so the process was handled extremely quickly.

In just one hour, all the account books for half a month were checked.

Originally, things had been almost dealt with by this point.

But unexpectedly, Cheng Yaojin appeared halfway.

"Wen Shuyi, long time no see."

Pu Qiongzhi turned around and saw Gongsun Huaili, wearing a light-colored robe and holding an umbrella, standing behind her.

"Nine..." She was a little surprised at first, and then just as she was about to salute, she was helped up by the other party.

He leaned a little closer and whispered in a low voice, "Don't be polite. I'm traveling incognito and cannot let anyone know my identity."

"Okay, Your Highness..." Pu Qiongzhi took a step back and showed her usual smile.

Gongsun Huaili said, "If my lady doesn't mind, why don't you call me by my name, Huaili? I'll also call you Qiongzhi, how about that?"

"I'm afraid this is not in accordance with etiquette. I'd better call you Master." Pu Qiongzhi declined.

Hearing her self-proclaimed name, Gongsun Huaili's smile faded a little, "Never mind, as you say."

"When did you come to Jiangnan, sir? Is there something you need to do?" Pu Qiongzhi said this cleverly, as if the other party said he had something to do, and she would just say goodbye and not disturb him.

Gongsun Huaili was not so easily fooled. He changed the subject and asked, "Why are you here?"

"Young Master, who is this?" Zhai Lou took a few steps forward and looked at Gongsun Huaili with some caution.

His intuition told him that this rich young man seemed to have bad intentions towards their young master.

However, judging from this man's demeanor, I'm afraid he is not an ordinary person.

"Young Master?" Gongsun Huaili raised his eyebrows and squinted at Pu Qiongzhi. "Why don't you introduce this young man to me?"

"This is Zhai Lou, my right-hand man." Pu Qiongzhi introduced Zhai Lou's identity generously.

Zhai Lou added, "I grew up with the young master and we were good playmates. Now I'm helping the Pu family with their business."

Hearing what he said, a dangerous look flashed across Gongsun Huaili's eyes, and he looked at Zhai Lou without hesitation.

It turns out they were childhood sweethearts, no wonder... But, now Qiongzhi is married to Earl Gong Ning after all, what is his status? He puts on such an attitude and doesn't hide his ulterior motives at all.

Since Zhai Lou had already let the cat out of the bag, Pu Qiongzhi had no intention of hiding her identity as the young master from Gongsun Huaili any longer.

Gongsun Huaili's trip to the south of the Yangtze River this time probably has a big agenda.

Pu Qiongzhi's identity was not actually deliberately publicized, but it was well known to everyone in the Lin'an business circle.

Such a thing could not be hidden from the prince Gongsun Huaili.

"Are you free now, my lady?" Gongsun Huaili invited.

His purpose in traveling south this time was to win over wealthy merchants from Jiangnan, and the Pu family was the first to bear the brunt of his efforts.

Originally, he was obsessed with it, thinking that a wealthy family like the Pu family must have a far-sighted young master, and also raised a daughter as beautiful and intelligent as Qiongzhi, which was really remarkable.

But he never thought that after searching everywhere, Qiongzhi was actually the person he was looking for!

Sure enough, even in a dream, his vision is still as good as ever!

However, this made Gongsun Huaili even more certain that the situation in his dream was not just his imagination.

If Qiongzhi is the young master of the Pu family, then there is nothing wrong with him asking to marry her!

It’s just a pity that Earl Gong Ning got there first!

Not long ago, he was troubled by this matter, feeling that it was wrong for him to covet the wife of a minister.

Looking back now, whether it was for a great cause or for love...

He must get her!