When Lu Zhao'an saw Gu Yaoniang and Lu Jing'an standing opposite each other in the private room, his usually cold and stern eyebrows lifted slightly as he looked at Lu Jing'an inquiringly.
When Lu Jing'an saw Lu Zhao'an enter, he immediately dropped his playful expression and stood up straight.
He was already quite handsome, and his clothes were luxurious. When he straightened his face, he looked completely different from the dissolute men he usually saw.
Lu Jing'an held Lu Zhao'an in great awe. Seeing him looking over, he immediately said, "I just came in to take a look! I didn't do anything!"
Lu Zhaoan merely glanced at him and paid him no further attention.
He turned to Yao Niang, and the two greeted each other.
Gu Yaoniang assumed that he had come to the private room because he saw Lu Jing'an there, and guessed that given his personality, he wouldn't stay long.
So they didn't invite him to sit down, but waited for the two Lu brothers to take their leave before politely seeing them off.
Unexpectedly, Lu Zhaoan sat down on his own.
Lu Zhaoan said, "I heard from the princess that Lady Gu and I have a business deal to discuss?"
Princess Ruining had not previously revealed who this person was, and Yaoniang assumed they were not acquainted. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be Lu Zhaoan.
Yao Niang was somewhat surprised and didn't know how to start the conversation.
The batch of porcelain I wanted to have made was intended for Jin Yu Lou. Lu Zhao'an was the owner of Zui Yue Lou, and discussing this business with him was indeed... difficult to bring up.
Whether Lu Zhaoan would also learn her ingenuity was secondary; Yao Niang didn't care much about it.
No matter how unique the design of cups, plates, bowls, and dishes is, they are all things that are out in the open. If someone really wants to learn from them, it will be difficult to stop them.
But all these carefully planned arrangements were for the sake of making Jin Yu Lou's business even better. There are only so many people in Shuojing City. If more customers go to Jin Yu Lou, fewer customers will go to Zui Yue Lou.
Princess Ruining had previously stated that the porcelain made by the highly skilled artisans employed by Lu Zhaoan was solely for their own enjoyment and never made it to be sold on the market.
If this batch of porcelain is made well, it might affect Zuiyuelou's business; if it is not made well... it will damage Lu Zhaoan's good reputation in business.
Lu Zhaoan doesn't do porcelain business, so why would he be willing to do this thankless task?
Seeing that Yao Niang seemed hesitant, Lu Zhao'an cut to the chase and said, "Madam Gu, there's no need to worry. Since I've already agreed, I won't go back on my word."
Lu Jing'an, unaware of the nature of their relationship, kept glancing back and forth between Lu Zhao'an and Gu Yaoniang, scratching his head in frustration.
Gu Yaoniang hesitated for a moment, then, seeing the glint in Lu Jing'an's eyes, she said, "I have something to discuss with Second Young Master Lu. Could you please excuse us for the time being?"
Lu Jing'an was displeased upon hearing this. He closed his fan, strode forward, and looked at Gu Yaoniang with a mischievous smile, saying, "I'm not leaving. Zuiyue Tower is a property of my Lu family. You and my second brother are discussing business, and I'm not an outsider. What is there to avoid? Is there something that I can't hear, Miss Gu?"
He slumped into a chair and said, "I'm not leaving."
He even turned and glanced at Lu Zhaoan: "Right, Second Brother?"
But he saw Lu Zhaoan looking at him disapprovingly, so he quickly sat up straight.
Lu Zhaoan said, "Go out."
Lu Jing'an had no choice but to stand up and walk out, turning back every few steps.
Yao Niang chuckled, "The second young master and the young master have such a good relationship."
Lu Zhaoan's lips curved almost imperceptibly, which could be considered a smile. He said, "Jing'an is just a child, please don't be offended, Madam Gu."
Yao Niang smiled and shook her head, then gestured for Lu Zhao'an to sit down.
After the two were seated, Yao Niang finally spoke: "Second Young Master is frank, so I won't hide anything from you. I wonder if the Princess has told me that I intend to have a batch of porcelain made for Jin Yu Lou this time."
Lu Zhaoan nodded: "I know."
"Did the princess mention that I wanted to have a new batch of porcelain made in order to upgrade the Golden Jade Pavilion? I wanted a lot, and I drew most of the blueprints myself, and I had many requirements."
Lu Zhaoan raised an eyebrow: "Is Madam Gu worried that I'll steal her skills?"
Yao Niang quickly denied it: "We will have to entertain guests in the future. If we can really gain people's approval, it is fine to use it in the tavern. In any case, it is my idea that I put in the effort. Even if others learn the form, they may not understand my intention."
"Is it because you're afraid my craftsmen aren't skilled enough to make the style that Lady Gu wants?"
Yao Niang denied it again: "How could that be! A craftsman who can win Boss Lu's favor would not be a person with mediocre skills!"
"So you're worried that I deliberately made defective porcelain and sent it to Jin Yulou?"
Gu Yaoniang had not yet noticed the hidden smile in Lu Zhaoan's eyes. She quickly shook her head, causing the hair ornament on her temple to sway as well: "Of course I believe in the Second Young Master's character! Who in Shuojing City does not know that Boss Lu is of noble character and open-minded? He has always valued integrity in business. How could he possibly make things difficult for me like this?"
Bitao was dumbfounded by her wife's sycophantic flattery.
Lu Zhaoan said "Oh," leaned forward slightly, and asked, "Since Madam Gu trusts my character and the craftsmanship of the artisans in my household, and isn't afraid of having her skills stolen, why are you so wary of me? It seems you're unwilling to do business with me?"
Gu Yaoniang hurriedly explained, "No, no! I was afraid that the second young master wouldn't want to do this business with me!"
Her voice was trembling with fear: "The princess said that you don't actually do porcelain business, and you only employ craftsmen to make decorative pieces for your own enjoyment. You're only helping me out of the princess's favor. But I'm doing all this to compete with your Drunken Moon Pavilion for business..."
Lu Zhaoan, however, laughed, a rare occurrence for him. He said, "Just for this?"
His eyes were clear and bright, with a hint of disdain: "Where does Madam Gu get her confidence? Just because she made a new batch of plates and bowls, does that mean Jin Yu Lou can steal away Zui Yue Lou's customers?"
Gu Yaoniang felt slighted, but couldn't find the words to refute it.
Seeing that she seemed displeased, Lu Zhaoan said again, "Madam Gu, please don't be angry. It's just that business is unpredictable. Why should I lose such a big business right in front of me just because I'm afraid that Jin Yu Lou will surpass Zui Yue Lou in the future?"
I make porcelain for you, earning my money; you use the porcelain, and I earn your money.
He seemed unconcerned about whether Jin Yu Lou would affect Zui Yue Lou.
"Besides, even if Jin Yu Lou becomes even better in the future, so what? Zui Yue Lou won't be squeezed out of business by Madam Gu."
"Spring is when all flowers bloom; it wouldn't be a good thing if my Drunken Moon Pavilion were to dominate the taverns of this capital city."
Gu Yaoniang pondered his words and found them rather novel.
Nowadays, business people all hope that their business will dominate and that other competing businesses will have to go out of business.
"Boss Lu's business acumen is quite unique."
Yao Niang found it quite novel and spoke with both praise and inquiry.
Seeing her curiosity, Lu Zhaoan, looking completely at ease, said, "You can't earn all the money in the world. In business, you need to know when to stop. If you drive out all your competitors, your business will be left to fend for itself and become difficult to run!"
There was one more point he didn't mention: if one entity becomes too powerful, it will likely become a target for others. Not only would it be hated in the business world, but the imperial court would probably also disapprove of such a coveted prize being held by a businessman.
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