Wang Xiuxiu was waiting for someone to come to the shop, but unexpectedly, Madam Gu didn't come. Instead, Miss Liao came to visit first.
The first thing he did was ask to buy the embroidered fan.
Wang Xiuxiu guessed that she was trying to compete with Madam Gu, and fearing that she might displease Madam Gu, she certainly wouldn't dare to sell her easily.
"Miss Liao is too kind. This is not for sale." Wang Xiuxiu smiled as she poured tea, white steam rising between them. "If you like kesi (silk tapestry), we have a new double-sided embroidered screen in the shop..."
Miss Liao was quite clever; she immediately guessed Wang Xiuxiu's thoughts.
“I know you made this fan for that Gu guy. What Gu has, I also have. Don’t be so quick to refuse, why don’t you tell me?”
"Miss Liao, I don't quite understand what you're saying," Wang Xiuxiu said, feigning ignorance.
"You gave the fan to Madam Zhu just to win over Gu Yue's heart. What was your purpose? It just so happens that the Gu family's pearl factory is looking for a new partner. That's all you're after."
Having her intentions guessed, Wang Xiuxiu suppressed her embarrassment and poured Miss Liao a cup of tea.
“Miss Liao is straightforward. Since you guessed my purpose, you should know that I have a great use for this fan and I cannot easily sell it to you.”
Miss Liao smiled and said, "That's not necessarily true!"
"Although the Liao family does not have its own pearl pond, the best pearl miners in the South China Sea are all surnamed Liao. Their deep-sea pearls are large and of superior quality, far surpassing those of the Gu family's pearl pond. They are harvested in the open sea, and have regular buyers in Sri Lanka and Mandalay. If you have any needs, you will eventually have to come to our Liao family."
Liao Qingwu's fingertip traced a hidden compartment in the box, revealing a yellowed nautical chart. "Thirty miles east of Silan Port, there's a reef called Mermaid's Tears, where silver-lipped clams migrate every March."
She suddenly lowered her voice: "The pearls produced by this type of shell will have a bluish-purple hue under candlelight."
Wang Xiuxiu's breath hitched.
This is the legendary "Night-Shining Pearl," for which a reward of ten thousand taels of gold was once offered in the capital for its purchase.
Wang Xiuxiu was quite surprised to hear her say that.
"Miss Liao's frankness makes me seem petty," Wang Xiuxiu said, pushing the nautical chart aside.
This Miss Gu is far more intelligent than I thought.
Gu's Pearl Factory mainly supplies the mid-to-high-end market.
Liao's Pearl Farm produces high-quality sea pearls.
Both of these are what Wang Xiuxiu needs.
However, the two families were enemies, and Wang Xiuxiu had to choose between them. In the end, she had no choice but to choose the Gu family, which required the largest quantity and was more beneficial to her.
The original plan was to deal with the major issues first, and then purchase high-quality sea pearls at a high price, which is why they abandoned the Liao family.
Miss Liao's words today have rekindled Wang Xiuxiu's hopes of giving up.
“Miss Liao is intelligent and can guess my thoughts based on just a few details. But Miss Liao should also know that this time, I have abandoned Liao’s Pearl Farm and focused all my attention on Gu’s.”
Miss Liao seemed surprised by her directness and was momentarily stunned.
"You...you..."
Upon seeing this, Zisu stood up, intending to shield Wang Xiuxiu behind her.
Wang Xiuxiu patted her hand reassuringly.
"I imagine Miss Liao came here for more than just to buy a fan, didn't she?"
"You're right, I do have ulterior motives."
"Please go ahead, Miss Liao."
"The Liao family has agreed to cooperate with you, on the condition that you must secure the cooperation with the Gu family's pearl farm."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuxiu's face instantly turned cold. "Miss Liao, what do you mean by this? Are you trying to use me as a weapon?"
Given the discord between the Gu and Liao families, anyone with common sense would assume that Miss Liao's words were an attempt to use Wang Xiuxiu to control the Gu family.
Miss Liao shook her head.
"You're overthinking it. What happens between you and the Gu family in the future is none of my business. My Liao family will not get involved, much less use cooperation as leverage to force you to do anything to the Gu family."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuxiu raised an eyebrow.
"Then why did Miss Liao do this?"
"You don't need to worry about that. You just need to know that once you successfully join the Gu family, the Liao family will offer you cooperation on their own initiative."
"Okay, then it's a deal!"
Wang Xiuxiu personally saw the person out, and when she returned, she was immediately restrained by three people and six pairs of eyes.
What are you three doing?
"Sir!" "Sister!"
"Don't all speak at once, the three of you should nominate one to be a representative."
The three chattered on and on, and finally Wu Lin said, "Sir, we don't understand what Miss Liao is after."
Wang Xiuxiu shook her head.
The three looked at each other, their faces full of questions.
"Sir, what...what does this mean?"
"I don't know either."
"What?"
"What I mean is, I don't know what Miss Liao is planning."
"Oh? Then why did you agree so readily?"
"Anyway, our original plan was to cooperate with the Gu family. Now that the Liao family has come up to us, their intentions are not really our concern."
The three of them suddenly realized what was going on.
“But this Miss Liao is quite interesting,” Wang Xiuxiu said.
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