Chapter 196 Fang Shijie's Olive Branch
The group was just about to move forward.
At this moment, a mounted guard rushed up to Cheng Fang and whispered a few words to him.
Cheng Fang looked rather unwell.
Jiang Ling asked, "Has something happened?"
Cheng Fang hesitated for a moment, "There are some disaster victims causing trouble outside the city, and Jing Xing can't handle it alone."
"Then hurry over and help; important business comes first."
Cheng Fang hesitated, looking troubled. "Then this way..."
Cheng Jiaojiao said, "It's okay. I'll stay with Sister Jiang. We'll buy two more bolts of cloth and then go back."
Cheng Fang hesitated for a moment and looked at Jiang Ling.
Jiang Ling said softly, "Don't worry, we'll be fine."
The matter of the disaster victims' disturbances was of great importance, and Cheng Fang finally nodded.
He left two guards behind and departed with the guard who had delivered the message.
After Cheng Fang left, Cheng Jiaojiao's enthusiasm was not affected at all.
"Sister Jiang, the fabric here looks pretty good, let's go in and take a look."
The shopkeeper noticed that the group was well-dressed and had guards and maids carrying large and small bags behind them. He immediately recognized them as important customers and greeted them warmly.
"Esteemed guests, our shop has just received a new batch of Suzhou embroidery from Jiangnan and Yun brocade from Sichuan. Would you like to take a look?"
Jiang Ling pointed at Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi: "Shopkeeper, do you have any fabric suitable for these two young masters? Bring it out so we can take a look."
The shopkeeper glanced at the two young masters, immediately nodded, and pointed to one of the walls:
"Yes, yes, of course. Both of you gentlemen have extraordinary bearing, and this batch of fabrics is of the finest color and softest texture, perfectly suited to your temperaments."
Jiang Ling looked in the direction he pointed. The wall was neatly arranged with fabrics in shades of gray, blue, and cyan, from light to dark, which looked very soothing.
These are all colors suitable for boys.
Jiang Ling said gently, "You two take a look and see which color you like, and ask the shopkeeper to bring it down for you."
Just as they finished speaking, a group of elegant women dressed in crimson brocade dresses and jackets came down from the second floor and looked in their direction.
Upon recognizing that the person was indeed Jiang Ling, she immediately broke into a smile and greeted her.
"Sister Jiang, it really is you! I heard your voice from upstairs just now, and I thought I was mistaken."
A familiar voice came from the stairwell. Jiang Ling turned around and saw that it was Madam Song, whom she hadn't seen for many days!
"Mrs. Song? What a coincidence, you're also buying fabric at this store?" Jiang Ling was also somewhat surprised.
Madam Song warmly took Jiang Ling's hand, her face full of smiles.
"Sister Jiang, you're joking. This is my family's shop!"
The shopkeeper immediately bowed to Madam Song. After bowing, he stepped back and stood respectfully behind her.
Jiang Ling suddenly realized that they hadn't paid attention to the shop sign when they came in, and didn't know that this was Song Family Cloth Shop.
She smiled and said, "It was my rudeness. I was taking Xiaoran and Xiaoyi to buy some fabric to make clothes, and I didn't expect to run into the Song family's shop by such a coincidence."
Madam Song held Jiang Ling's hand tightly, her tone warm:
"Xiao Ran came to deliver goods a few days ago, saying that you were going to Beijing for sightseeing these days. I didn't expect to actually run into you! Sister Jiang, if you need fabric to make clothes, just tell me and I will personally deliver it to your door. I guarantee you will be satisfied."
Jiang Ling introduced Cheng Jiaojiao to Madam Song: "This is my friend's younger sister, Cheng Jiaojiao."
"This is the lady of the Song Family Cloth Shop. The Song Family Cloth Shop has some business dealings with my shop."
Madam Song quickly bowed to Cheng Jiaojiao, who was standing to the side, and said, "Greetings, Miss Cheng."
When Cheng Jiaojiao realized that it was Sister Jiang's friend, she smiled and returned the greeting.
Madam Song instructed the shopkeeper behind her, "Whatever Miss Jiang and the others take a fancy to today, wrap it up and put it on my tab."
Jiang Ling quickly declined, saying, "Madam Song, please don't say that. I feel embarrassed by your words."
“We’re so familiar with each other, what’s there to be embarrassed about? It’s just that I have guests upstairs, otherwise I would definitely show you around the capital and do my best to be a good host.” Madam Song’s eyes held a hint of apology.
"If Madam Song has something to attend to, please go ahead and do your own thing. We'll just stroll around on our own."
Since they're all running shops, making money is naturally the most important thing.
She didn't want to take advantage of Madam Song, so she left after browsing for a while and decided to buy fabric from another store.
Just as Jiang Ling finished speaking, another voice came from upstairs, accompanied by the sound of footsteps descending the steps.
"Miss Jiang? It's true what they say, you never expect to meet someone like me here."
Jiang Ling looked up and was completely surprised!
It's amazing that I ran into two acquaintances in such a big city like Beijing.
The guest that Madam Song mentioned was actually Fang Shijie!
Jiang Ling's heart skipped a beat, but she remained expressionless and rose to return the greeting:
"Young Master Fang? What a coincidence!"
Fang Shijie walked up to the two of them and, noticing the wariness in Jiang Ling's eyes, immediately explained:
"I came here today to discuss the next batch of goods from the Western Regions with Madam Song. It is a pleasant surprise to meet Miss Jiang."
Jiang Ling glanced at Madam Song, somewhat surprised: "Oh, so Young Master Fang also has business dealings with Madam Song?"
Madam Song nodded, her smile somewhat stiff. "It's the Western Regions caravan I mentioned to you before. It used to belong to the Fang family."
Fang Shijie smiled gently: "I only recently learned that Madam Song and Miss Jiang also have business dealings."
Jiang Ling looked at them and thought that perhaps she was overthinking things, and that things might really be just a coincidence.
Fang Shijie was a businessman who traveled all over the country. His business was large, so it was normal for him to have a relationship with the Song family.
She smiled slightly: "I never imagined that our three families would have such a wonderful connection."
"Miss Jiang, are you settling in well in the capital? I have also traveled to many places in the capital. If you need me, I am willing to be your guide and show you around."
Fang Shijie asked casually,
Before Jiang Ling could speak, Cheng Jiaojiao interjected, "Sister Jiang, you have me, so there's no need for this young master to trouble himself."
When Cheng Jiaojiao saw Fang Shijie, she felt that he had ill intentions.
Jiang Ling smiled faintly: "Jiang Ling thanks you. I have good friends in the capital, so I won't bother Young Master Fang any longer."
"Since we've met, Miss Jiang, there's no need for you to be so polite." Fang Shijie's smile remained unchanged as he changed the subject.
"I've recently been thinking about starting a small business in the capital. Since the three of us have this connection, why not continue it? Miss Jiang's shop sells high-quality, unique goods. Would you be willing to discuss a collaboration with me?"
Jiang Ling paused, not expecting Fang Shijie to suddenly bring this up.
Seeing that Madam Song showed no surprise upon hearing this, it was clear that they had already discussed this topic upstairs.
The items in her shop have only ever been supplied to the Song family, making this business unique in the capital.
Now that she's willing to share this piece of the pie with others, it's clear that Fang Shijie has already negotiated terms with her.
Jiang Ling is really eager to make money lately; she has a lot of things she wants to buy.
There is famine outside the city, and the border troops are fighting.
She needs food, cloth, and weapons.
After the fireworks factory case was solved, the factory returned to her control. She's recently been thinking about reopening it.
So she needed money, and this trip to the capital also served as a kind of inspection.
Even if she hadn't met Madam Song today, she would have found an opportunity to visit her tomorrow and take the opportunity to check on the sales of her shop's goods in the capital.
But now that Fang Shijie has taken the initiative to extend an olive branch, should she accept it or not?
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