Yunling was overjoyed when she saw the six banknotes and nine copper coins on the plate. She quickly collected them and kept them as her precious treasures.
"Get out of here after you've taken the coins, don't block my way to do business."
"Alright, Mom, I'll get out of here right now, and get as far away as possible so I won't block your business."
Yunling pulled Yun Ruoxia away and headed straight for the handicraft street. The orders for cotton pads had increased, and she couldn't make them all by herself. She had to ask her father-in-law to make the cotton slingshots for her first, and then she would ask Zhang Shi and Yun's mother for help. That would probably make things easier.
But her father-in-law had anticipated her prediction. He had already made the cotton slingshot and placed it on the table. When Yunling saw it, she was so excited that she wanted to jump up.
"Grandpa, you...you...you actually did it first."
Seeing Yunling happy made the father-in-law happy too, but his expression remained stern.
“There’s been so much commotion in the city lately, I suspect it’s partly your doing, you dog bone. I figured you’d need this kapok slingshot, so I made it early to avoid you coming over and nagging me, giving this old man a headache.”
Yunling really wanted to hug her father-in-law tightly, "Grandpa, you're amazing."
Yun Ruoxia immediately turned her head to look at Yun Ling. It turned out that she said this to everyone she met and praised it to everyone she met. It's a wonder that she actually took it seriously.
"No matter how good you are, you still have to leave a penny before you go. Don't think that you can avoid spending money just because you've said a few words of praise."
"Of course not~ I would never take advantage of my grandfather."
Yunling put down the copper coins, and she and Yun Ruoxia each picked up a handful and headed towards the Fu family's trading company. Even the wind blowing on their way home today seemed to carry a fragrance; the feeling of everything going smoothly was truly wonderful!
The next day, Yunling took Zhang and her mother to fluff cotton. At first, the two of them, like Yunling at first, couldn't find the right technique and broke several bow strings. But after playing for half a day, they mastered some skills and gradually became able to fluff cotton pads.
With the help of Zhang and Granny Yun, the three of them were able to complete the orders placed by the wealthy people in the city in five days.
On the appointed day with Wen Siqing, Yunling and Yun Ruoxia, dressed in men's clothing, took mushrooms and cotton pads and followed Yun Shenghua to the city.
Because Yun Ruoxia had a bad impression of Wen Siqing, she went to deliver the cotton pads herself, leaving Yun Ling to go to the appointment alone.
Yunling, now familiar with the place, quickly found Wen Siqing when she returned to the exchange shop. However, there was another person standing next to him, none other than Lu Yinghuai, whom she hadn't seen for a long time.
Lu Yinghuai recognized Yun Ling at a glance and was about to greet her, but Yun Ling quickly stopped him as soon as he uttered the word "Ling".
"Young Master Lu, greetings."
Lu Yinghuai understood. He figured she had gone to Qingcheng to do business under a male identity, which was good, as it would be more convenient and less dangerous.
Wen Siqing smiled as he saw Yunling, "Second Brother, you've arrived just in time, Master He..."
Yunling's gaze followed his to Lu Yinghuai beside her, and she smiled and said, "Don't hold back, just say it."
Yunling thought she could use Lu Yinghuai's influence to make the people in front of her more cautious, and also to reduce the He family's desire to inquire further.
But Lu Yinghuai didn't think that way. When he heard the words "no need to worry," he immediately declared himself "Yunling's man." He felt that the air around him was filled with pink bubbles, and everything became brighter. He couldn't help but move closer to Yunling.
Wen Siqing nodded, and then said:
"Master He said that the lowest price for each of the two hundred bolts of cotton cloth is four hundred and eighty cash, and it can be transported by water along with the raw cotton. I wonder if you, young master, would like a thousand catties of raw cotton?"
"Yes, that's 171 copper coins. How's it going with Shopkeeper Yu?"
While fiddling with the small abacus around his neck, Wen Siqing replied, "Shopkeeper Yu replied that it would take ten days to prepare seventy pieces of beef tendon. Beef tendon costs sixteen strings and five hundred and eighty coins. Adding the goods from Shopkeeper He, the total is one hundred and eighty-seven strings and five hundred and eighty coins."
Yunling pulled out two banknotes from her pocket and gave them to Wen Siqing as change. "So that means the goods will depart from Qingcheng in ten days, right?"
“Yes, we should arrive at the next two towns when the weather gets warmer. I’ll collect two coins from Second Brother. Wait for me a moment while I go in to get the receipts and collect the coins.”
"Go."
As soon as Wen Siqing left, Lu Yinghuai started acting "frivolously".
"Second brother, be well."
Yunling felt instantly uncomfortable at his address and, unsure how to respond, simply avoided his gaze and said:
“I met Madam Lu during the Lantern Festival. She said that the young master had gone on a long trip. I didn’t expect to see him here.”
"Second Brother, you've been thinking of me. I've just returned and haven't had a meal yet. Would you be so kind as to invite me to dine with you this time?"
"I,"
"Although the osmanthus season is over, peach blossoms are blooming one after another at this time, and peach blossom cake is also a good choice."
These words struck a chord with Yunling. She had never dined alone with a man before, and besides, she could get peach blossom cakes at brothels; she didn't need to indulge in such a treat. But before she could speak, Lu Yinghuai continued:
"Does Second Brother think it would be more appropriate for us to have a meal at my house?"
Yunling's head was buzzing, and she immediately replied, "I also think peach blossom cake is good."
Lu Yinghuai's lips immediately curled up high, almost reaching his ears. Heaven knows how happy he was to have met the person he admired; he completely forgot all the fatigue from his journey.
Wen Siqing just happened to come out from the other end, carrying two receipts and thirteen strings of copper coins. One string of copper coins was only half the value of the others. Yunling didn't need to look closely to estimate that it was four hundred and twenty coins.
"Second Brother, these are the receipts for cotton, cotton cloth, yarn, and cowhide. The remaining amount is 12 strings and 420 coins. Count the coins."
Yunling took them with one hand and stuffed them all into her pocket, saying, "No need, I trust you."
Wen Siqing's eyes lit up with a smile. "Thank you for your trust, Second Brother. Master He also has something to say to you. He also thinks that the cotton cloth in Pingcheng is too cheap and will adjust the price. If you have some free time, Second Brother, you should visit Qingcheng more often."
Yunling nodded, "I know that."
Having said all he could say, Wen Siqing reached out to greet Yunling as she left, but Lu Yinghuai stopped him, saying, "Brother Qing, I'll see Second Brother off."
"Alright, then I'll have to trouble you, Young Master Lu."
Yunling nodded to Wen Siqing and then left with Lu Yinghuai.
Wen Siqing's gaze followed the two departing figures, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
