After seeing Shen Yu off, Shen Ning got busy. She was in debt and couldn't afford to relax.
The goods left behind by the Zhu family caravan were a great help to her; this batch of goods, which had been paid for long ago but had not yet been counted and put on the shelves, became an unexpected fortune.
Shen Ning only wanted high-quality items, and in large quantities.
After listing the product, she set the price relatively low. How could customers not be tempted? If they didn't buy it now, when would they?
Everyone knew she was short of money, and customers knew she wanted to exchange money at low prices, so they were happy to get a bargain. Although other competitors would still criticize Shen Ning for disrupting the market, the prices she set were subtle, lower than inflated prices, but not without profit.
Since the damage to their interests is minimal, there's no need to take action against her. Besides, the market in the capital is so large that the Shen family's limited stock can't supply many people. Once Shen Ning sells out, won't they be in charge?
Seeing the situation where the price was 10% higher than usual but people were snapping it up as a bargain, Shen Ning couldn't help but think...
There are no tricks to doing business; I'm just grateful to my competitors for making me look good.
The shop seems to be operating smoothly for now, and it will surely be able to make up for the deficit in time. Shen Ning went to inspect a few more estates to check on the grain harvest and figure out how to supply the goods.
Although she was extremely busy, Shen Ning still made a point of setting aside two days because it was time for Princess Chang Le to get married.
Fearing she might be too busy to remember Princess Chang Le, they specially sent someone to pick her up.
After dressing up, Shen Ning said a few words to Liu Ying, and then went out with Yu Zhu.
Yu Zhu was carrying a cloth bag containing things that Shen Ning might need, as they would be spending the night at the Prince Qi's residence.
Shen Ning held a cloth-wrapped box in her hand; it was a dowry she had prepared for Princess Chang Le.
The person who picked up Shen Ning was an aunt in her forties named Qian Wen, whom Shen Ning called Aunt Qian.
Aunt Qian is the head maidservant of Princess Chang Le. She has served the princess since birth and Princess Chang Le trusts her very much. The fact that Princess Chang Le sent her to pick up Shen Ning shows how much she values Shen Ning.
Shen Ning asked her about the things she needed to know and the rules, and Aunt Qian told her everything.
Shen Ning carefully remembered the instructions and gave Yu Zhu a few more words of advice.
The Qi Prince's Mansion was no ordinary household, and she didn't want to bring unnecessary trouble upon herself because of her ignorance.
Upon entering the Qi Prince's residence, Aunt Qian led Shen Ning to see the Grand Princess first.
The Grand Princess was still as tolerant and loving as ever. Knowing that Shen Ning had come to accompany her granddaughter, she naturally greeted her with a smile.
After exchanging a few polite words, Aunt Qian led her to pay her respects to Princess Qi.
Princess Qi clearly knew the difficulties she was facing: "You are a good girl who values loyalty and righteousness. It's amazing, my son seems to be blind and can't stand such a good girl like you, but Chang Le gets along well with you."
Shen Ning smiled and said, "The princess has a cheerful and straightforward personality. It is my good fortune to be able to associate with her."
Princess Qi was naturally happy to hear compliments, and nodded, saying, "I've heard that your shop's goods are quite good. It just so happens that the Prince's residence also needs to make purchases. I'll have someone send the order to you in the future, and you can make the arrangements as you see fit."
This is a big deal. Shen Ning can see money beckoning to him, and of course, there's also the powerful banner of the Prince Qi's mansion.
If word gets out that the Qi Prince's mansion's procurement is handled by the Shen family, won't other competitors be jealous and envious? And even if they are jealous, they'll have to give the Shen family a wide berth.
Unfortunately, Shen Ning had to turn down such a good opportunity.
"I appreciate Your Highness's kindness, but I would like to decline this offer."
Princess Qi was genuinely trying to help Shen Ning's business. Shen Ning emptied her family's wealth to save her brother, which is commendable. She is also a person of good character, which Princess Qi greatly admires.
Since the Prince's mansion is going to make purchases anyway, it doesn't matter who she asks. Why not let Shen Ning earn the money? That way, she can help her without hurting her pride. It's a win-win situation. She couldn't understand why Shen Ning would refuse.
Seeing the Princess Consort of Qi frown, Shen Ning calmly explained.
“Chen Ning is here today as a close friend of the princess, not to discuss business at the palace.”
“As a businessman, Shen Ning is very happy to have a big client like Your Highness. Not only can I make a profit, but I can also share in the glory of the royal family. This is something Shen Ning never dared to dream of before. But if I agree, then I will just be a businessman.”
Shen Ning feigned seriousness, his expression mischievous: "Your Highness may not know, but I am an ambitious person. I don't want to be a supplier for the Prince's mansion. I would much rather be a lifelong friend of Princess Chang Le. Friendships are based on reciprocity, not business."
Princess Qi was taken aback by her 'ambition' for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "You little rascal... you really are ambitious. I underestimated you."
Shen Ning smiled apologetically: "I can't do business with Your Highness, but my shop cooperates with merchant caravans and can always get some rare and exotic goods. I'll make a catalog and send it to you first, and you can choose whatever you like."
Princess Qi was truly amused by her and looked at Aunt Fen beside her: "Look at her, no wonder she's in business, her little brain works so fast and her little mouth is so good at talking."
Knowing that her mistress was in a good mood, Aunt Fen went along with the praise: "No wonder you and the princess like Miss Chen. Your ability to coax people is truly admirable."
Princess Qi was pleased with the gift, and Shen Ning presented her with a present, which was not a rare treasure, but some dried seafood.
Even if the goods in Shen Ning's possession are of the highest quality, they can't compare to the top-grade imperial gifts from the palace. But Shen Ning is quick-witted. Since the goods are definitely inferior, we can use other means to add the finishing touch.
Shen Ning asked Zhu Feng for the cooking methods used by the people in their area for these goods.
The Yue region is located along the coast with a hot and humid climate, and its people are skilled at medicinal cuisine and seafood cooking.
Shen Ning had the Zhu family find various dietary recipes, compiled them, showed them to the doctor, and then tested them herself. She selected the most palatable and best-natured recipes and compiled them into a book.
This first one was given to Princess Qi.
Sure enough, Princess Qi had simply accepted the gifts and had them moved aside, but when she saw Shen Ning's medicinal diet recipe, she was immediately drawn to it.
"Oh my god, is this...is what's written here true? Drinking soup can remove dampness, reduce swelling, and even treat gout? It has so many benefits?"
When Princess Qi learned of this for the first time, she was astonished.
Shen Ning patiently explained, "The people of Yue believe in the concept of medicine and food sharing the same origin. Due to the climate there, they often experience physical discomfort, but people cannot stay in a medicine pot all the time, so they incorporate medicinal herbs into their diet."
"These medicinal diet recipes were collected for me by a merchant caravan from Yue. I also had a doctor study them carefully, and they are indeed without any problems. Your Highness can have the imperial physician take a look."
"However, medicinal cuisine is not a prescription; it can only be used to regulate the body and reduce the risk of disease, but it cannot truly replace herbal decoctions."
Even so, Princess Qi regarded it as a treasure.
"Okay, okay, you're so thoughtful."
Shen Ning smiled, picked up his teacup, and took a sip, thinking to himself: It's just a matter of making the client happy; it's a piece of cake.
Moreover, she had hidden a little trick in this booklet: the last three dishes were specially prepared to nourish a man's body. Princess Qi and Prince Qi had a very good relationship, and they would definitely like it after seeing it.
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