After returning home, Li Xiang'an told Yan Qingqing about the visit of the businessmen. Yan Qingqing nodded, thinking that Li Xiang'an had handled it very well.
Li Xiang'an looked at Yan Qingqing and asked, "Mother, do you want to meet those merchants?"
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Of course we should see them. Let them rest today, and you can invite them to your home tomorrow. It'll be a good opportunity for us to show them hospitality."
Li Xiang'an quickly nodded in agreement. Although Yan Qingqing's status was different now, it wouldn't matter if she didn't meet with those merchants. However, the benefits of meeting them were self-evident.
The merchants slept well that night, and Li Xiang'an arrived at the inn the next day after breakfast. The two sides naturally exchanged pleasantries.
Li Xiang'an said with a smile, "I hope you all had a good rest yesterday. Please forgive us if our small town has not been hospitable enough. Since you have come from afar, my mother said she would host a banquet for you at home today."
The merchants were overjoyed. They had all heard that the Emperor had recently appointed a new official, Mingzhao Ren, and that this official had announced to the world that he had cultivated high-yield crops that had solved the people's food problem.
Therefore, Yan Qingqing still enjoys a high reputation among the people, but she just doesn't know this because she hasn't traveled far recently.
They followed Li Xiang'an to the Li family home. These merchants had no shortage of money and had seen all kinds of mansions.
However, the Li family's house was different from any they had seen before, possessing a unique charm.
Seeing everyone's curiosity about their courtyard, Li Xiang'an smiled and explained, "This courtyard was designed by my mother, who said it's called the 'New Chinese Style'."
I don't really understand it either, but it looks quite unique.
Upon hearing that it was Yan Qingqing who designed it, everyone quickly praised her, saying, "Mingzhao is truly exceptionally talented. Not only is she good at business and farming, but she also has such a deep understanding of architecture. She is far beyond our reach."
Although their words sounded like flattery, Li Xiang'an believed them to be true, and that his mother knew far more than just that.
As soon as they arrived at the front hall, servants served them tea. Li Xiang'an instructed Ah Er, who was standing to the side, "Go and tell Madam that all the guests have arrived and ask her to come over."
Upon hearing this, Ah Er quickly agreed and went to invite Yan Qingqing.
Yan Qingqing knew that Li Xiang'an had invited these businessmen to his home, so she quickly tidied herself up.
Ruyi looked at Yan Qingqing and asked, "Madam, why didn't you dress more formally today? Let those merchants see your impressive bearing."
Yan Qingqing laughed and said, "Silly girl, we're doing business here. We're trying to make money off them. If we put on airs, even if they reluctantly accept this time, will there be a next time?"
Conversely, if I continue to treat myself as an equal with them, they will find me easy to get along with.
They might even introduce more customers to cooperate with us.
Our products are good, but our network isn't strong enough yet. We can't let our current gains negate all our previous efforts.
Ruyi never imagined that there was so much to learn about something as simple as dressing up.
Yan Qingqing arrived at the front hall quickly.
Yan Qingqing had met all these merchants before; they were all people who had signed contracts with her in the prefectural city.
Yan Qingqing cupped her hands in greeting to everyone and said, "Boss Zhang, Boss Wang, Boss Chen, Boss Li, thank you all for coming from afar.
Seeing that Yan Qingqing was so polite to them, they breathed a sigh of relief and then bowed to her in unison, saying, "Greetings, Your Excellency Mingzhao."
Yan Qingqing quickly raised her hand to indicate that there was no need for formalities. We are just discussing business, nothing else.
After Yan Qingqing invited them to sit down, she asked them about their journey, and the guests chatted happily.
After finishing their business, Yan Qingqing said with a smile, "You can stay in our Canghe Village for a few more days. Although it's a small place, I think the scenery is quite nice."
In addition, my family has built two gardens, a peony garden and a rose garden, which are quite well-known in Chengyang County. If you are interested, you are welcome to visit them.
This is my small way of showing hospitality as the host.
These merchants were naturally delighted. Although they traveled around all year round and would relax in different places, they rarely had such leisurely moments.
So they all thanked Yan Qingqing.
One of the merchants remarked, "Mingzhao treats people with such kindness that we are flattered. I have a few business friends, and I wonder if I could introduce them to him later."
Rest assured, their strength is definitely no less than mine.
Seeing that one person had spoken up, the others were not to be outdone, and they all said that they also had business associates they wanted to introduce to Yan Qingqing.
Yan Qingqing welcomed all comers and said with a smile, "Don't worry, everyone. Although we may not be able to successfully cooperate with all of your friends, we will definitely treat them well if they come."
One of the merchants cupped his hands in greeting to Yan Qingqing and said, "With Mingzhao's words, what do we have to worry about?"
Just then, Ah Da came over and reported, "Madam, the kitchen has prepared the meal. Shall we go and eat now?"
Yan Qingqing glanced at the time and said with a smile, "We don't have much to offer in this remote and impoverished place, but we have a few of our own specialties. If you don't mind, let's go and try them together."
Li Xiang'an quickly gestured to the merchants, indicating that Yan Qingqing had already given them enough face by chatting with them all morning and couldn't possibly have lunch with them as well.
So they all tacitly followed Li Xiang'an.
Next up is Li Xiang'an's matter.
Yan Qingqing took some free time and specially sent A'da to Zuishenglou so she could see Lin Ning'er.
That evening, Lin Ning'er arrived at Canghe Village, accompanied by Chen Liu.
Yan Qingqing teased the two of them, "Oh, I didn't expect Sister Lin to have a bodyguard by her side when she goes out."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ning'er's face flushed red, and she glared at Chen Liu, saying, "I told you not to come along, and look what happened, she's talking nonsense again."
Chen Liu said nonchalantly, "My older sister isn't an outsider. Besides, she'll find out about us sooner or later."
Lin Ning'er blushed even more upon hearing this, but her face also showed a hint of shyness.
Yan Qingqing suddenly felt like she had been force-fed dog food again.
Are these two deliberately trying to provoke her because she's a widow?
So he said irritably, "Alright, you two stop showing off your love in front of me. I have important business with Sister Lin."
After saying that, Yan Qingqing went into the house first, and the two of them exchanged a glance and quickly followed.
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