Chapter 268 Retrieving Materials
Looking at Dang Wei's rather sincere eyes, Lin Changning asked curiously, "Brother Dang, don't you think merchants are of low social status?"
Dang Wei looked back at Lin Changning with an even stranger gaze: "Why would you think that? What does it matter whether you're a merchant or not? Isn't it good to have money to spend? I dream of having a lot of money to spend. Everyone says studying is good, studying is good. I'm considered talented, and I've been studying for more than ten years. Now I'm just a poor scholar. My family sold several acres of good land to pay for my education. Now that I think about it, it would have been better if I had just gone out and done some small business back then. At least then my family wouldn't have had to worry about food and clothing."
Lin Changning suddenly laughed: "I don't know how to refute you. My family owns a trading company. If Brother Dang is willing, I can invest in you."
Dang Wei didn't understand and stared straight at Lin Changning, repeating, "Investment?"
Lin Changning glanced at Mr. Gao Huan and explained, "Now that you've embarked on the path of becoming a scholar, there's no turning back. You're only two hurdles away from becoming an official. The investment I'm talking about is that I'll give you a certain amount of money to support your studies, meals, and the imperial examinations. If you're fortunate enough to pass the palace examination, you'll then be under the protection of my Lin Family Business. What do you think, Brother Dang?"
Lin Changning had barely uttered these words when Dang Wei agreed without hesitation: "Brother, you are very righteous. I am willing, but this would be too much of a loss for you. I am not very talented, but I am quite good at arithmetic. During my spare time from the imperial examinations, I can work as an accountant at Lin's Trading Company. I am quite familiar with clearing up the accounts and checking the records."
Lin Changning glanced at Mr. Gao Huan, who chuckled, stroked his beard, and nodded slightly.
Lin's Trading Company was not her business after all, so she still needed to ask Mr. Gao Huan. Seeing that Mr. Gao Huan had no objections, Lin Changning looked at Dang Wei, who was slightly agitated, across from her.
"When we arrive at Lin's Clothing Store, I will have someone take you into our business. We will arrange accommodations for you, so please rest assured, Brother Dang, focus on your studies."
Overwhelmed with excitement, Dang Wei suddenly stood up, shaking the roof of the carriage. He cried out in pain, clutching his head, and then bowed to Mr. Gao Huan of the forest farm, saying, "Thank you very much, Brother Lin."
Dang Wei's silly behavior amused Lin Changning and Mr. Gao Huan. Amidst their laughter and conversation, they managed to find out the latest news from the capital.
Upon arrival, Lin Changning alighted from the carriage first and summoned a waiter from the clothing store to deliver the party emblem directly to the merchant's restaurant. He then waited with Mr. Gao Hua outside Princess Chaoyun's carriage.
Princess Chaoyun paused for a moment after getting off the carriage and seeing Lin Changning. Only after hearing Lin Changning speak did she realize that this young-looking Mr. Lin was the same young man who had been talking so eloquently at the banquet.
Calling him a youth might not be quite right; he looks like he hasn't even reached adulthood yet. He should be called a teenager.
After bowing to the princess, Lin Changning led the group toward the main room of the Lin Family Clothing Store.
"Princess, please go up to the second floor. The clothes have been prepared on the second floor. In addition to the few sets you have chosen, the latest styles have been prepared in the room. If you like them, they will be sent to the Princess's residence later."
Chao Yun couldn't help but nod inwardly. The person was indeed capable, but since they had already taken the most precious set of clothes, the other clothes should naturally be given according to market price.
Lin Changning stood outside the upper room on the second floor, watching the princess lead several maids inside.
Besides the most precious outfit, there were six other sets: one lake blue, one pale yellow, one emerald green, and the last few pure white.
Two of the outfits are sweet, while the others are more elegant. The princess must have seen many fine things since she was young in the palace, and these dresses were all custom-made for her.
Whether pure, elegant, or sweet, the fabrics and styles of these outfits are novel and beautiful, not to mention the designs.
No girl could resist the temptation of beautiful clothes.
As expected, the princess stayed in the room for two hours, and the exclamations of praise from the maids could be heard from time to time from inside the main room.
The longer the princess stayed, the deeper Lin Changning's smile became, indicating that the matter was probably already more than halfway done.
Two hours later, the princess came out with four maids. Her bright face was filled with excitement, and there were two blushes on her cheeks, as if she had enjoyed trying on the clothes.
Upon seeing Lin Changning, she was overjoyed: "Young Master, please buy all the clothes inside for me. Send any new styles to the Princess's residence as well. Also, send the mother-daughter outfit to the Princess's residence today."
Lin Changning cupped his hands in agreement. Just as the princess was about to go downstairs, she suddenly remembered that there was still a set of clothes that hadn't been decided on. She glanced at Lin Changning and said, "Let's go to the Marquis's residence now. I can get that piece of lake-blue fabric for you today. Can the mother-daughter outfit be made within two days?"
Lin Changning nodded: "Of course, but there is one thing I need the princess's help with."
The princess, who had just tried on several beautiful dresses, was in a good mood: "Young Master Lin, please speak freely."
Lin Changning pretended to be somewhat troubled and looked at the princess: "The matter of misusing the fabric is ultimately due to my subordinates' negligence. After all, that is the Marquis's residence. I am willing to pay a thousand taels of silver to buy the fabric back, but I hope the group leader will not mention the name of my Lin Family Trading Company."
Lin Changning lowered her eyes and smiled bitterly: "It's not easy for a merchant to do business, let alone a Marquis's mansion. Princess, could you please not mention my Lin family and just say that you want that piece of blue brocade?"
After thinking about it carefully for a while, Chao Yun realized that it wasn't difficult. Seeing Lin Changning's troubled expression, Princess Chao Yun knew that this young master Lin was probably worried about the Marquis's revenge.
She understood the principle that "the common people don't fight with officials, and merchants don't fight with officials."
Young Master Lin generously gifted her a set of clothes worth a fortune. Just looking at it, the pearl pendants on that golden mother-daughter outfit alone were probably worth no less than a thousand taels of silver, not to mention the brocade.
The Lin family gave them, mother and daughter, such a great deal of face, only asking for a batch of brocade. The clothes would eventually be given to them anyway, so it was naturally acceptable.
Princess Chaoyun nodded to Lin Changning: "Young Master Lin has generously gifted me two sets of valuable dresses, which is certainly acceptable. I will not mention the name of the trading company; I will only say that I need the Yun Brocade to celebrate my mother's birthday, is that alright?"
Lin Changning bowed deeply to the princess: "Thank you, Your Highness. If there are any new styles of dresses in the future, I will definitely send them to the princess's residence first, and the price will be reduced by half."
Princess Chaoyun curled the corners of her lips. This young master of the Lin family business was quite capable, despite his young age.
"Then let's go."
Lin Changning responded and then followed the princess downstairs, preparing to go to the Marquis's residence.
Mr. Gao Huan stood by the carriage downstairs. When Lin Changning came down, he nodded slightly to him, knowing that the matter was mostly settled.
A hint of excitement couldn't help but show in his eyes.
"Uncle Zhang, go to the Marquis of Jing'an's residence."
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