Days passed by like this, and before you knew it, half a month had gone by.
Yuan Huiniang and the others have made a whole bunch of bows.
Yan Qingqing decided to go to the city to find a market for these products.
After breakfast that day, Yan Qingqing tidied herself up and changed into the new clothes that Yuan Huiniang had made for her. Then she said to Li Xiangping and the others, "I'm going to the city with you today."
Li Xiangping assumed that Yan Qingqing wanted to do business with them, so he said, "Mother, the three of us can manage, so you should rest at home."
Yan Qingqing glanced at him and said, "While the three of you are in the food business, Hui Niang and the other two haven't been idle either."
I used my spare time to research some hair accessories; now I need to find a market for them.
If things go well later on, it won't be any worse than selling pig offal.
Li Xiangping was surprised to hear this. They were earning more than one or two taels of silver every day. If Yuan Huiniang earned even more than them, their family would be able to build a house soon.
Li Xiangping was the eldest son in the family, so he naturally had a lot to worry about. Seeing that his younger siblings were all grown up, yet they didn't even have a place to live, how could he not be anxious?
Li Xiangping quickly smiled and said, "Mother, then I'll have my second brother go with you. He's more clever, so he can look after you."
Yan Qingqing shook her head and said, "No need, I'll take Xinniang with me. She's grown up and should broaden her horizons."
Yuan Huiniang had to manage the household chores, and Li Yueniang was too young, so it was most appropriate for Yan Qingqing to bring Li Xinniang with her when she went to the city this time.
Li Xin's mother also wore the same brand-new clothes as Yan Qingqing; the mother and daughter wore clothes made from the same piece of fabric. However, just for aesthetic purposes, Li Xin's mother's clothes were embroidered with a few small flowers, making her look even younger.
Yuan Huiniang looked at the graceful Li Xinniang and said, "I always knew that my sister was beautiful, but I didn't expect her to look so good after dressing up a little."
She'll definitely find a good husband in the future, maybe even marry into a family in town.
Li Xinniang was so embarrassed by Yuan Huiniang's words that she blushed and said, "Sister-in-law, please don't tease me."
Seeing this, Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Alright, it's getting late. If we stay any longer, we'll delay Dalang and the others from doing their business."
Once they arrived in the city, they naturally split up. Li Xiangping went to run their food business, while Yan Qingqing took Li Xinniang shopping.
Seeing Yan Qingqing strolling around aimlessly, Li Xinniang couldn't help but ask, "Mother, aren't we going to set up a stall? We brought a lot of ribbons; if we sell some, we can at least make some money."
Yan Qingqing shook her head and replied, "That would be too slow and tiring, and we wouldn't make much money from it."
Knowing that Yan Qingqing was a woman of her own mind, Li Xinniang stopped asking questions and stayed by Yan Qingqing's side with peace of mind.
After observing for a long time, Yan Qingqing finally entered a shop called Jinsheng Pavilion.
The young shop assistant had just warmly seen off the guests when he saw Yan Qingqing and her companions. He immediately came over and asked, "What would you like to buy, ma'am? Clothes or jewelry? Our shop has everything. We're sure to meet all your needs."
This young man is not only enthusiastic, but also eloquent; he's clearly been professionally trained.
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "I'm not here to buy anything, I'm here to discuss cooperation. I wonder if your manager is here?"
The young waiter exclaimed in surprise. He had seen their manager discuss business before, but he had never seen anyone come to him so directly.
Seeing that the young shop assistant was somewhat embarrassed, Yan Qingqing said, "Young man, you don't need to be embarrassed. Just tell your manager that there is a lady outside who has brought new products and wants to cooperate with your Jinsheng Pavilion."
I'll only stay here for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. If your manager doesn't have time, I'll go ask Chen's across the street.
Yan Qingqing said this deliberately to elevate her status and increase her chances of meeting the shopkeeper.
Yan Qingqing had been observing all morning. Jinshengge and Chenji were competitors, but Jinshengge focused more on clothing and fabrics, while Chenji focused more on headwear.
However, both shops sell both clothes and jewelry, so they will naturally sell whichever one can make money.
Upon hearing this, the young waiter quickly went inside and relayed Yan Qingqing's words to the shopkeeper verbatim.
Before half a cup of tea had been brewed, the shopkeeper came out. He was a slightly overweight middle-aged man with an honest-looking face, but his eyes gleamed with shrewdness.
Upon seeing Yan Qingqing, he cupped his hands in greeting and said, "I heard that Madam wants to discuss business with me and has some new products. Why don't you show them to me?"
Yan Qingqing glanced at him and then smiled, "If Manager Wu isn't sincere, then forget it."
After saying that, he took Li Xinniang and was about to leave without even the slightest hesitation.
Seeing this, Manager Wu quickly called out to Yan Qingqing, "Madam, I apologize for my rudeness. Please come in!"
Yan Qingqing had her back to Manager Wu, a slight smile playing on her lips, but when she turned around, her expression returned to its usual indifference.
Manager Wu invited Yan Qingqing into the inner room and then ordered someone to serve tea.
Yan Qingqing sat on the stool with an air of composure, took a sip of tea, and said, "This is top-quality Biluochun tea; Manager Wu has really gone to great lengths."
Manager Wu was somewhat surprised. Yan Qingqing looked at her without any adornments and the fabric of her clothes wasn't particularly good, yet she could still recognize that it was Biluochun tea.
Yan Qingqing glanced at Manager Wu and said with a smile, "Biluochun tea is curled like a snail, grown on the shores of Dongting Lake, covered with downy hairs, silvery-green and emerald green, with a clear and cool soup and a light and elegant fragrance."
Manager Wu knew from just a few words that Yan Qingqing was knowledgeable about tea.
Actually, Manager Wu didn't have much Biluochun tea. It was a reward he received from the young master at the beginning of the year when he came to inspect the business and was recognized for his efficient handling of the affairs.
Manager Wu wouldn't normally bring this out so easily, but he made an exception today and had someone brew a pot mainly to test Yan Qingqing's skill level.
Manager Wu spoke a few more words about Biluochun tea, and Yan Qingqing changed the subject after a few more words.
The main problem is that she doesn't know much about tea ceremony. In her previous life, she liked to drink some Kung Fu tea when discussing business, and if she talked too much, she would reveal her secrets.
Finally, Manager Wu asked Yan Qingqing where she was from, and Yan Qingqing honestly replied that she was from Canghe Village.
This couldn't be hidden at all, and Yan Qingqing didn't intend to hide it anyway, because Manager Wu would find out as soon as he inquired a little.
A hero's origins are irrelevant, and Manager Wu clearly understood this principle.
After rambling on about various things, the conversation eventually returned to business, and Yan Qingqing asked Li Xin's mother to bring out the bows she had made.
Shopkeeper Wu's eyes lit up immediately. Nowadays, wealthy people mostly wear gold, silver and jade ornaments, while those without money wear wooden hairpins. He had never seen a headdress like this before.
And it goes perfectly with their clothes.
Shopkeeper Wu looked at Yan Qingqing with a smile and asked, "Sister-in-law, what price would you like to sell these items for?"
Yan Qingqing: ……
This Manager Wu is indeed pragmatic. Now that he has his eye on her things, he's changed his address from "Madam" to "Sister-in-law".
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