In the end, Old Mrs. Li still didn't dare to go to Yan Qingqing, and Old Master Li's attempt to take a concubine also failed.
After Mrs. Li's crying and fussing, Mr. Li finally agreed to temporarily refrain from taking a concubine. However, the condition was that Mrs. Li could not cause any more trouble.
After arranging everything, Yan Qingqing planned to take a long trip because she wanted to find more sales channels for her family's processing workshop and embroidery workshop.
While helping Yan Qingqing pack her things, Yuan Huiniang said worriedly, "Mother, are you really going? Can't you not go? You've never traveled far before, how can I not feel at ease? Why don't you ask your husband to go with you?"
Yan Qingqing shook her head and replied, "Don't worry, I can have A'da come with me. He's the eldest son, and we can't do without him at home and in the fields. Besides, there are so many flowers that need to be planted at home. What will we do if he leaves?"
Yuan Huiniang hesitated and said, "Why don't you let my second brother go with you?"
After saying that, Yuan Huiniang felt it was even more impossible. Putting aside whether Li Xiang'an could leave the shop or not, even if he could, there was still the processing workshop. Yan Qingqing usually managed it, and Li Xiang'an would learn from her when he had time. If both of them left, who would manage it?
Yuan Huiniang also wanted to accompany her mother-in-law, but what about the family? She hadn't yet trained someone to manage the household for her. Although she was gradually training Du Ruxiu, she still couldn't completely trust her.
Yuan Huiniang was pacing anxiously, and Yan Qingqing looked at her and laughed, "Mother is just going on a long trip and will be back in a few days. Why are you so upset?"
Yuan Huiniang sighed and replied, "Mother, you don't know how empty I feel when you're not home. I feel so lost."
Yan Qingqing replied, "If you say that, then I'll have to go out even more. You need to learn to be independent. You can't rely on me for the rest of your lives."
Yuan Huiniang understood this principle perfectly well, but her mother-in-law's departure was so sudden that she couldn't accept it for a while.
As the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were talking about Yan Qingqing's upcoming trip, Ah Da came in and reported, "Madam, Manager Wu from Jinsheng Pavilion has arrived. He said he's brought his young master to pay a visit."
Yan Qingqing was somewhat surprised to hear this. Although Manager Wu had mentioned before that their young master was coming, Yan Qingqing had always thought it was just Manager Wu being polite.
Yan Qingqing had also asked around and found out that although the Wu family were merchants, they had some influence in the capital. Although their family owned several workshops, they were worlds apart from the Wu family.
However, since the young master had come in person, Yan Qingqing was determined to give him a warm welcome. So she instructed Ada, "Go and fetch the eldest and second young masters. Tell them we have guests at home."
He turned to Yan Qingqing and said, "Hui Niang, pack your things and come with me to meet the young master of the Wu family."
Although it's considered inconvenient for women to meet with men outside the family, there aren't so many such formalities in the countryside. Yuan Huiniang is now a major shareholder in the embroidery workshop, so it's appropriate for her to represent them.
When Yan Qingqing arrived at the front hall, the young master of the Wu family was already sitting there drinking tea. Manager Wu stood aside, looking apprehensive. From a distance, Yan Qingqing could tell that the young master of the Wu family was about eighteen or nineteen years old, with handsome features, wearing a mutton-fat jade hairpin in his hair, dressed in fine Shu brocade, with a mutton-fat jade pendant matching the hairpin at his waist, and black high-soled shoes on his feet.
Yan Qingqing thought to herself, "What a handsome young master!"
When Manager Wu saw Yan Qingqing and Yuan Huiniang enter, he quickly came over to greet Yan Qingqing. The young master of the Wu family also stood up from his stool after glancing at Yan Qingqing.
Manager Wu quickly introduced the two parties, and after they exchanged greetings, Yan Qingqing invited Young Master Wu and Manager Wu to sit down.
Yan Qingqing and Yuan Huiniang sat on the other side. Yan Qingqing looked at Wu Shaodong and said, "Young Master Wu has come all this way to our small place. We are truly sorry for not being able to entertain you properly. Please forgive us."
Wu Shaodong replied politely, "I apologize for disturbing you today, Madam. If you don't mind, you can call me Jingzhi. I've come to apologize for the fright and losses you suffered at Chenji last time."
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Since that's the case, then I won't stand on ceremony. I'll call you Jingzhi, and you don't need to call me Madam anymore. We country folk don't have so many formalities. If you don't mind, just call me Auntie."
"But you're being too polite. Manager Wu has already come twice to apologize. Besides, this matter has absolutely nothing to do with Jinsheng Pavilion. How could I, your aunt, be such a petty person?"
Upon hearing this, Wu Jingzhi quickly added, "Actually, besides coming to apologize to you, Auntie, I also wanted to ask you for a favor."
Yan Qingqing thought that this was more in line with the characteristics of a businessman. No one gets up early for nothing. Who would bother to come to this remote corner to apologize for something so trivial?
However, since Wu Jingzhi asked her for a favor, Yan Qingqing didn't think she could be of any help to him, so she didn't agree immediately. Instead, she said, "Jingzhi, you're joking. I'm just a country woman. How can I help you?"
Wu Jingzhi continued, "Auntie, please don't rush to refuse. Let me finish. There's a chamber of commerce meeting in Xuancheng Prefecture in the middle of this month, which is also my main purpose for coming out of the capital this time."
We need to showcase our products at the Chamber of Commerce, so we require a professional presentation. Although Manager Wu has been cooperating with you for quite some time, he is not clear about your future plans. Therefore, I would like to ask you, Auntie, to make the trip with me to Xuancheng Prefecture.
Yan Qingqing was overjoyed, thinking it was like a perfect opportunity to boost her career. This chamber of commerce was a great chance for her to build connections and promote her family's products.
Yuan Huiniang seemed to have thought of this as well. She and Yan Qingqing exchanged a glance, both unable to suppress a smile.
Still worried that Yan Qingqing might disagree, Wu Jingzhi spoke up again, saying, "Don't worry, Auntie. Jinsheng Pavilion will cover all the food and drink expenses along the way. I will also give you a generous reward after the Chamber of Commerce meeting."
Yan Qingqing said righteously, "What are you saying, Jingzhi? Since we are partners, we benefit from your successes as well. There is no reason for you to spend any more money."
Upon hearing Yan Qingqing's words, Wu Jingzhi immediately asked happily, "So Auntie has agreed?"
It's no wonder Wu Jingzhi was so happy; the headdresses designed by Yan Qingqing were becoming increasingly popular in the capital. Some wealthy young ladies said that gold, silver, and jade ornaments were too tacky and expensive, and that these hairpins were prettier and cheaper. Now, even the nobles in the palace liked them.
Wu Jingzhi has a natural talent for business and saw this as a golden opportunity. If he could use this trade fair to open up the entire market of the Great Yan Dynasty, he would definitely make a fortune. His position in the Wu family would also be more secure.
Thinking of the scheming and backstabbing people in his family, Wu Jingzhi felt a wave of annoyance.
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