Although both are prominent families, the Liao family is significantly smaller than the Jiang family.
Jiang Sheng stepped over the knee-high threshold and stopped in front of the mahogany and bronze door.
"Miss, are you really going?" Jiang San was still trying to persuade her from behind. "Even if you do go, you should at least ask the young master to come along."
In fact, the siblings always face challenges together and gather together in times of trouble.
The advantage is that it allows you to ride the waves and be invincible.
The downside is...
There is no harm in it.
Jiang Sheng also enjoys working with her brothers to solve problems and overcome obstacles.
But as they grow up, there will always be times when they have to face the storms of life alone.
Her eldest brother had to solve his own problems when he encountered difficulties at the Imperial Academy, her second brother had to solve his own problems when he encountered trouble while traveling, and her third brother was fighting alone in the northern frontier. So she could naturally face the Liao family alone as well.
Most importantly, everyone else was nothing but ants to the Liao family, while she was protected by the Jiang family.
"Don't worry," Jiang Sheng said calmly. "The Liao family wouldn't dare to touch me."
As he spoke, Jiang Si had already struck the copper ring.
The Liao family's gate was quickly opened, and the gatekeeper poked his head out to look. "Who is it?"
"The lychees were delivered by Jiuzhenfang." Jiang Sheng mimicked her elder brother's refined and dignified tone.
The doorman hesitated for a moment, then quickly opened the door, his posture cautious, "Please come in."
The three of them followed at a steady pace, passing through pavilions and corridors, crossing garden arches, and finally stopping in front of the spacious and bright main courtyard.
A plump maid came to greet them, led them into the reception room, and even brewed them a cup of tea.
So far, the Liao family has been quite polite.
Jiang Sheng placed the lychee ice in a conspicuous place without making a sound, waiting for someone to come and make contact.
However, after waiting for a long time, even though the outer layer of ice used for protection had melted a bit, no one came.
Jiang San, who had a short temper, said, "Miss, since we've already delivered it, let's go."
Even if they are merchants and not from prestigious families, they shouldn't be treated so coldly.
However, lychee ice always requires inventory checks to ensure there are no problems when both parties hand over the goods.
Jiang Sheng thought for a moment, "Let's wait a while longer."
She picked up the teacup, and mimicking her grandmother, used the lid to lightly skim off the foam, then leaned in to smell it.
The tea has a rich aroma and the leaves are emerald green and unfurled. Even a layman who doesn't know much about tea can tell that the tea is definitely worth a lot.
The Liao family was indeed generous, serving her, a small merchant, with fine tea.
Even with the Liao family's immense wealth, the tea served to their guests was of this caliber.
Jiang Sheng didn't know.
Then a deep voice came from inside the room asking, "Is it good? This is the best Longjing tea from West Lake, three thousand taels of silver per catty."
One jin is equal to sixteen liang, and each liang would require nearly two hundred yin.
One liang is equal to ten qian, and half a qian of tea is needed for each brew.
So the teacup in my hand is worth at least...
"Ten taels, this cup of tea will cost ten taels of silver." The middle-aged man sauntered out. He had a slightly round belly, a face like a silver plate, and round eyes. He was a kind of slightly round and robust man.
At first glance, he looks a bit like Jiang Chengyuan, but upon closer inspection, he resembles Jiang Sheng even more.
The nephew-uncle analogy is indeed quite accurate.
Jiang Sheng calmly put down her teacup. "Master Liao has finally arrived. The forty taels of lychee ice have been delivered. Please check it. Once everything is in order, we will return to Jiuzhenfang."
Old Master Liao paused, seemingly surprised that this plump young girl resembled him so much, and his expression became much more complicated. "You are Jiang Sheng? The eldest daughter of the Jiang family? I am your uncle, you should greet me."
uncle?
There is no mother, so where is the uncle in line?
Jiang Sheng stood up with a smile. "I'm here on behalf of Jiuzhenfang today. If we happen to meet at the Jiang family someday, we can reminisce about our uncle-nephew relationship."
This means they don't want to call out anymore.
Master Liao's face darkened, and he said reproachfully, "I am your uncle. I asked you to pay your respects, but you refused. You even went against me in the lychee business. It seems your mother did not raise you well."
Jiang Sheng frowned.
"The Great Yu Dynasty governs the country with filial piety. As a junior, you are disrespectful to your elders and do not even acknowledge your own maternal uncle. Who else do you want to acknowledge?" Master Liao continued to scold. "And the lychees in Jiuzhenfang, are they even from the Liao family? They actually freeze lychees into ice and sell them. What a cunning and vicious scheme!"
Jiang Sheng's brows furrowed even more deeply.
She had long known that the Liao family wasn't entirely innocent, but hearing them all accusing her at once still made her want to laugh a little.
Isn't that how business warfare works? Whoever has more ideas can turn the tide, and whoever has the best opportunities will have a chance.
The Liao family could desperately suppress the price of lychees, and Jiuzhenfang could freeze lychee ice while waiting for the right opportunity.
It's understandable that the Liao family is resentful now that they've lost, but to point fingers at Jiuzhenfang would just make them seem petty.
Jiang San and Jiang Si were so angry that they were about to fight.
Jiang Sheng stopped them. Thinking about the tricks her fifth brother might use, she was not angry at all. Instead, she put on a sweet smile and said, "Master Liao guessed right. The lychees we are selling now were bought from the Liao family. We have to thank you all for making us where we are today."
Both were involved in transporting lychees and engaging in commercial warfare, but the Liao family forwent huge profits to benefit Jiuzhenfang.
Mr. Liao couldn't catch his breath and almost passed out.
But Jiang Sheng's smile was so innocent, her big eyes filled with gratitude.
He was both ashamed and angry, and raised his hand with trembling hands.
Jiang San and Jiang Si were about to draw their swords in an instant, not caring if blood splattered everywhere.
In fact, both sides knew that with the Jiang family around and Old Madam Jiang keeping things in check, Master Liao wouldn't dare to lower his hand no matter how high he raised it.
He can only pretend to be an uncle, using his seniority to intimidate others and vent his resentment.
But Jiang Chengyuan, who rushed over, was unaware of this.
When the Liao family's gate was kicked open, the sight of Master Liao's raised hand came into view. The young man burst forth with rage, his strong and powerful body spinning in the air before he pounced on the young man with lightning speed, delivering a back kick.
"Crack!" That was the sound of Mr. Liao slamming his fist on the table.
"Ptooey, ptooey," was the sound of Master Liao spitting out broken teeth.
The middle-aged man, who had been furious just moments before, now lay weakly on the ground, bloodstains at the corners of his mouth, his two yellowed teeth stark and piercing in front of him.
"Master!" The Liao family's maid rushed over, crying.
"Little sister." Jiang Chengyuan rushed to Jiang Sheng's side, but when he saw the girl's face full of confusion, he silently took a few steps back.
Jiang Chengfeng and his sister, who were following closely behind, watched this scene and tiptoed into a corner, not daring to make a sound.
This is insane! This is insane!
As Master Liao said, the Dayu Dynasty governed the country with filial piety. Parents could be domineering and unreasonable, but children had to obey and be filial. Once they were found to be unfilial, they would be despised by others at best, and stripped of their official titles and banned from holding office for life at worst.
After all, Master Liao was Jiang Chengyuan's maternal uncle. He could target the Liao family's shops, but he couldn't disrespect Master Liao.
Now that two of Mr. Liao's teeth have been kicked out in front of so many people, it's unlikely things will end well.
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