The carriage moved slowly along the bluestone road, its wheels splashing up tiny droplets of water as it rolled over puddles after the rain.
Miss Liao leaned against the window, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the lotus scroll pattern embroidered on her cuffs.
The carriage was filled with a faint scent of agarwood, but it couldn't mask the deep worry etched on her brow.
"Miss, why did you make such a condition?" Xiaoqin poured a cup of cloud and mist tea and handed it to her. The tea was clear and bright, reflecting Miss Liao's slightly pale face.
Miss Liao took the teacup but didn't drink it, letting the steam obscure her eyes and brows.
"This Wang Xiuxiu is no ordinary person." She lightly tapped the window frame with her fingertips. "The Shu brocades in her shop, seemingly casually arranged, are actually all patterned in accordance with the fashionable styles of the southern city, not to mention those round fans—"
"The embroidery on the fan looks like a white crane carrying a lingzhi mushroom," Xiaoqin suddenly realized.
"Old Master Gu's favorite motif was the white crane," Miss Liao sneered, slamming her teacup down on the small rosewood table. "But Gu Yue is so filial. This Wang Xiuxiu is clearly after the Gu family, yet she's done it so subtly. With such cunning and scheming, if she were to become our adversary..."
Xiaoqin had been by Miss Liao's side since childhood and had witnessed the unpredictable nature of the business world.
"Are you afraid she'll hurt Madam Gu?"
"The South City Pearl Market hasn't changed much in decades. Gu Linxiao has controlled the Gu family for nearly ten years, and now no one in the South City Pearl Market recognizes the eldest daughter of the Gu family. Once the Gu family Pearl Market changes its partners, Gu Yue, that big fool, will probably be sold out and still counting money with her!
"You mean, Gu Linxiao intends to sabotage the partnerships and completely take over the Gu family's control?"
"Gu Linxiao is a cunning man. The Gu family's unique pearl farm is a huge pie in the sky. In recent years, under his management, the Gu family's pearl farm has suffered losses year after year, until now it has to find partners to keep operating. If it weren't for his deliberate actions, how could it have come to this point?"
Miss Liao pulled a secret letter from her sleeve, the sealing wax stamp clearly bearing the personal seal of the old steward of the Gu family.
"The Gu family's pearl farm actually made a profit of 30,000 taels last year, but the books showed a loss. All those top-quality South Sea pearls were secretly transported to Siam for sale." Her fingertips trembled. "That big fool Gu! He thinks everyone has their eyes on her good husband who's a wolf in sheep's clothing! He can't see the situation at all!"
Xiaoqin, upon hearing her daughter's words, knew that she was disappointed in her daughter and, fearing that she might upset her, quickly changed the subject.
"Then, Miss, by luring Wang Xiuxiu into this trap, you can resolve the Gu family's predicament?"
“Only an outsider can stir up this stagnant water. Wang Xiuxiu’s caravan is powerful and new to the South. I’ve observed that she has a knack for dealing with people. If she gets involved in the Gu family’s pearl farm, there is still hope that she can help preserve the Gu family’s century-old foundation.”
——
Three days later, having somehow learned that Miss Liao had come to visit, Madam Gu immediately sent someone to deliver an invitation to Wang Xiuxiu.
Wang Xiuxiu accepted the invitation, which was unexpected.
I was thinking about how to go door-to-door to sell something, but Miss Liao's visit saved me a lot of trouble.
The mansions of the wealthy families in the southern part of the city were even more luxurious.
Each one is tall and magnificent, with carved beams and painted rafters, making them look exceptionally grand.
The Gu family, who have been entrenched here for many years, are a prime example.
The mansion's walls, built of blue bricks, are tall and sturdy, covered with green vines, adding a touch of antiquity and elegance to its imposing presence.
Zisu stepped forward and presented her visiting card.
"Please wait a moment, Madam Wang. I will go and inform her immediately," the gatekeeper said, bowing.
Standing under the eaves, Wang Xiuxiu looked at the peonies in full bloom in the courtyard and couldn't help but recall the news she had heard a few days ago.
"Madam Wang, the lady requests your presence," the maid's voice interrupted Wang Xiuxiu's thoughts.
She held the brocade box and followed the maid through the corridor.
In the courtyard, there are artificial hills and flowing water, lush flowers and plants, and pavilions and towers arranged in a well-organized manner.
The ground is paved with exquisite square bricks, which have been cut and polished to have perfect edges and corners, and the gaps between the bricks are so fine that the seams are almost invisible.
In a corner of the main hall, Wang Xiuxiu also saw some areas paved with gold bricks.
These gold bricks are not made of gold, but are named for their extremely hard texture, their luster like black jade, and the metallic sound they produce when struck.
The production process of gold bricks is extremely complex and expensive. They are high-end building materials specially made for royal palaces and noble residences.
Under the sunlight, the surface of the gold brick gleamed with a faint luster, making it appear exceptionally precious.
The screen is inlaid with pearls to create exquisite and lifelike patterns.
This main hall is where the male head of the Gu family receives guests and discusses matters.
From this perspective, it doesn't seem like the entrance hall is in dire need of supplies at all.
Wang Xiuxiu stepped across the gold-brick floor and felt that the hall was strange in every way—there were Siamese ivory carvings on the antique shelves on the east side, while wolf skins from beyond the Great Wall hung on the west wall. She heard that Gu Linxiao had renovated and remodeled the hall after the passing of her great-grandfather.
In Wang Xiuxiu's view, this kind of decoration is like Gu Linxiao himself, a hodgepodge of accents from all over the country that sounds out of place.
When Wang Xiuxiu arrived, Madam Gu was already waiting in the main hall.
Before Wang Xiuxiu could even sit down and have a cup of tea, a young maidservant rushed in.
A moment later, Madam Gu stood up and gave a slight apologetic curtsy.
"I'm truly sorry, but my husband needs to receive guests in the main hall. I'll trouble you, Madam Wang, to come with me to the backyard for a more detailed discussion."
"Okay, I'll do as you say."
Madam Gu led the way, and Wang Xiuxiu followed her to the backyard.
"Madam Wang has excellent taste; could you please help me put together a few outfits this time?"
"It's alright."
Upon entering Madam Gu's bedroom, Wang Xiuxiu couldn't help but frown.
Upon seeing this, Madam Gu hurriedly ordered her servants to open the windows in the room.
"The room is filled with incense; I'm afraid Madam Wang won't like the smell."
Wang Xiuxiu smiled, glanced back at Nan Wei, and then asked casually, "Does Madam like fragrances?"
"At first, I couldn't stand the smell, but my husband liked it, and over the years, I've gradually gotten used to it."
"The couple's love is truly enviable."
"I'm sorry to have troubled you, Madam Wang. I have a bad temper, but after so many years of marriage, it's all thanks to my husband's tolerance."
Madam Gu smiled sweetly.
"Look at me, I've been talking for so long, I almost forgot the important matter. I'll have the servants bring the clothes over right away."
In one afternoon, Wang Xiuxiu not only helped her put together four or five outfits, but also took out the hairpins and rings from her makeup box to match.
Madam Gu was delighted to see this.
Several old clothes, after her styling, were miraculously restored to their former glory.
He immediately ordered someone to fetch a red envelope and give it to Wang Xiuxiu.
"How could I accept this? It was just a small favor; how could I possibly take something from you, Madam?"
"Of course, of course. My wife has been tired all afternoon. If I don't repay her, I would be being unreasonable."
After the two women declined several times, Wang Xiuxiu finally accepted the red envelope.
Madam Gu saw the person all the way to the door before reluctantly saying goodbye to Wang Xiuxiu.
"I'll send out another invitation in a few days. Madam Wang, please remember to bring that round fan when you visit!"
"Don't worry, Madam."
Once she was seated in the carriage, Wang Xiuxiu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing this, Zisu quickly rubbed Wang Xiuxiu's head.
"I never expected this Madam Gu to be so troublesome, insisting that you stay here with her for the entire afternoon."
"That's fine, but the incense in her room is too strong and it's giving me a headache."
Nanwei, who had been lost in thought, snapped out of her reverie upon hearing this. "Sister, that's not ordinary incense!"
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