Yuan Family Trading Company No. 258
Mr. Gao Huan chuckled and glanced at Yuan Qingqing: "Miss, don't worry, I'm fine, I was just trying to scare him."
Yuan Qingqing finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as no one was hurt, that was all that mattered. It was all Chen Zhao's fault for being such a rascal, which caused her to lose her temper and almost hurt someone.
Yuan Qingqing looked up at Mr. Gao Huan, and then at Lin Changning, who had just helped her out of a tight spot, before glancing at the convoy following behind and suddenly laughing: "Are you two from the Lin family's merchant caravan? Are you also here for a bushel of sea pearls?"
Lin Changning's attire perfectly matched that of a Confucian businessman, and given his handsome appearance and the presence of a gentleman beside him, he was presumably an elder in the family instructing the younger generation.
The carriages behind were also clearly part of a caravan, and judging from the ruts on the road, they must have been carrying a lot of goods.
Most importantly, the jade pendants hanging beside Lin Changning and Mr. Gao Huai were something that the Yuan family business had been doing business in this place for over a decade, so they had some discernment.
The bright green jade pendant was engraved with the Lin family crest, suggesting that this group of people had come for the pearl to be auctioned by the brokerage firm.
Lin Changning nodded: "Indeed, I came here for Haizhu."
Yuan Qingqing bowed to the two of them again: "Since you two were frightened because of me today, why don't you stay at my residence? I thank you both for speaking up earlier, which prevented that rogue from ruining my reputation. Haizhu has a bushel at home, and you two may come to my home to conduct the transaction directly."
Lin Changning and Mr. Gao Huan exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.
If that's the case, then they can save a day and go directly to Beijing.
Mr. Gao Huan nodded slightly to Lin Changning, indicating that he could agree.
Lin Changning bowed to Yuan Qingqing with an air of refined politeness: "Thank you, Miss. I will gladly accept your offer. I have indeed come for that bushel of high-quality sea pearls."
Yuan Qingqing glanced at Lin Changning's handsome face, her cheeks flushed slightly, and after returning the greeting, she said, "Young Master Lin may follow my carriage."
After saying that, he walked to his own carriage, and after getting in, he walked to Lin Changning's carriage and lifted the curtain: "Young master, just follow us."
Lin Changning helped Mr. Gao Huan into the carriage. The two exchanged a few words with the coachman and then followed Yuan Qingqing's carriage toward the street.
After about the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, Yuan Qingqing's carriage stopped abruptly. Yuan Qingqing, accompanied by a maid, got out of the carriage and knocked on the door of Lin Changning's carriage.
Lin Changning helped Mr. Gao Huan down from the carriage and gave Yuan Qingqing a shy smile. Yuan Qingqing then led the group toward the main gate.
The gatekeeper, seeing his young mistress return with her entourage, looked at Yuan Qingqing tentatively and asked, "Miss, who are these two?"
Yuan Qingqing straightened her expression and said, "I just ran into Chen Zhao on the street. Thanks to the two of them for helping me out of that predicament. They are honored guests of my Yuan family. Please go and inform my father and mother, and also bring out a bushel of the pearls that we acquired this year."
After Yuan Qingqing finished speaking, she turned to look at Lin Changning and Mr. Gao Huan: "Please move to the main hall, both of you."
Lin Changning walked ahead with his hands clasped in front, while Mr. Gao Huan followed behind. The two of them followed Yuan Qingqing and soon arrived at the main hall of the Yuan family.
The Yuan family's residence was very large, with exquisitely carved beams and painted rafters. However, being a merchant, it was quite different from the royal palace and the mansion he now lived in. Even the flowers, birds, insects, and fish carved on the doors were very different.
However, it's clear that the Yuan family is quite wealthy. Many of the flowers and plants they've brought along are rare varieties, and taking care of them every day would be time-consuming and expensive.
After following Yuan Qingqing to the main hall, a middle-aged man over 40 years old was already sitting at the head of the table, with a woman in her 30s sitting to the side.
As soon as Lin Changning and Mr. Gao Huan followed Yuan Qingqing into the main hall, their eyes involuntarily swept over them, especially their gazes towards him, which held a more scrutinizing quality.
As soon as Yuan Qingqing entered the door, she bowed to her parents and gestured to introduce Lin Changning and Mr. Gao Huan behind them.
"Father, Mother, this is the young master of the Lin family business, and the one behind him is his master. I was just slandered by Chen Zhaopan on the street, and it was thanks to you two that I was able to get out of that predicament."
Upon hearing their daughter's words, Yuan's parents suddenly stood up and bowed to Lin Changning, saying, "Thank you both for your righteous help."
Upon seeing Lin Changning, Mr. Yuan nodded in satisfaction and strode forward, reaching out to grasp Lin Changning's hand: "As expected of the young master of the Lin's Trading Company, he is indeed a handsome and talented man."
Lin Changning awkwardly withdrew his hand and bowed to Yuan's father, saying, "Junior Lin Changning greets Master and Madam."
Mr. Yuan waved his hand: "No need for formalities, no need for formalities."
Before she could ask anything more, Yuan Qingqing suddenly tugged at her father's sleeve: "Father, Young Master Lin and his master came here for the pearl to be auctioned at the auction house tomorrow. We still have a bushel at home, don't we? They helped me out of this predicament, so you should at least give them something in return."
Mr. Yuan gave his daughter a disgruntled look: "I brought it, I brought it, what's the rush?"
After being urged by his daughter, Mr. Yuan glanced at his wife beside him, and she immediately handed him a wooden box from the table.
After handing it to Mr. Yuan, he tapped his daughter's head: "Look how anxious you are."
Mr. Yuan handed a box of pearls to Lin Changning, saying, "Young Master Lin, you can inspect the goods. Consider this box your reward for helping my daughter out of this predicament."
Lin Changning turned to look at Mr. Gao Huan and handed the box to him. Mr. Gao Huan opened the box, picked up a pearl, and looked at it. He nodded. The quality of the pearls in this box was excellent. Each pearl was perfectly round and large. They were all top-grade.
After confirming that everything was correct, Mr. Gao Huan nodded slightly to Lin Changning.
Lin Changning bowed to Master Yuan and thanked him, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Master Yuan. Today's matter was nothing more than a small favor. I don't deserve such a valuable item as a box of pearls. You can just sell it to me at the market price."
Looking at Lin Changning, Master Yuan was even more delighted: "It's just a bushel of pearls, Young Master Lin, please accept it. If you feel unworthy of it, then the Lin Family Trading Company and the Yuan Family Trading Company can do more business together in the future. I have long heard that the brocade, clothing and jewelry sold by the Lin Family Trading Company are very popular among people in the capital. I have long wanted to get to know them, but unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity."
Lin Changning turned to look at Mr. Gao Huan, only to see Mr. Gao Hua take out a stack of silver notes from his pocket and cup his hands towards Master Yuan: "Business is business. We appreciate Master Yuan's kindness. Here are two thousand silver notes. Please accept them, sir."
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