Chapter 82 Shopfront Turmoil Meng Lingyao knew perfectly well what was going on; it was the first time she had ever seen it...
When Meng Lingyao first arrived in Jinling, the Xie family warmly welcomed her. On the day she formally paid her respects to the Xie elders, Xie Chengyu led her through a winding garden to a small pavilion built by the water in the backyard. From afar, they could hear hearty laughter coming from the pavilion.
“Grandfather has never been particular about details,” Xie Chengyu whispered, “Please don’t take offense, Lingyao.”
Upon approaching, one sees an elderly man with white hair and wooden clogs sitting cross-legged on a cool mat in the pavilion, with several snacks and a pot of fine wine in front of him. The old man's hair and beard are all white, but he is full of energy, and his brows are full of a carefree and unrestrained spirit, truly a descendant of Xie Chengyu.
This is the patriarch of the Xie family. Meng Lingyao bowed gracefully, "Junior Meng Lingyao greets Old Master Xie."
"Meng Lingyao?" The old man's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then he slapped his thigh and laughed, "Good, good, good! That old fellow Pei Jun wrote a letter a few days ago, saying that he had gained a new young friend who was clever and insightful. After meeting him today, I can see that he truly lives up to his reputation!"
He pointed to the several well-sealed wine jars beside him and sighed, “Even the gifts you gave me are very thoughtful. This aged wine from Zuixianlou is not easy to come by. You are very kind, young friend.”
Meng Lingyao was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.
Pei Jun—that was the name of Old Master Pei. A few days before his departure, the Pei family did send several jars of wine, but the old master only casually said, "It's too strong, I don't want to drink it. You can take it to Jinling as a favor." Only then did I realize the deeper meaning behind it.
"I am unworthy of such praise," Meng Lingyao said respectfully, "I am merely conveying a message from Old Master Pei. He said that although he has not seen Mr. Xie for a long time, he has always kept him in his heart, so he sent me with these few jars of wine to express his respect."
Old Master Xie stroked his beard and laughed, "That Pei Jun fellow knows how to do favors."
His expression became even more amiable as he casually inquired about the recent situation in the capital with Meng Lingyao, his words devoid of any formalities, like a carefree hermit in the mountains.
After paying their respects to the old master, Xie Chengyu led Meng Lingyao to meet several of Xie family uncles, elders, and peers. The Xie family members gathered together, each with their own distinct manners. Not all of them were as impulsive as Xie Chengyu; among them were quite a few young gentlemen who were dignified, composed, and cautious in their speech.
"Tch," Xie Chengyu whispered in Meng Lingyao's ear, sounding quite dismissive, "They're all just imitating my uncle, a complete failure."
Meng Lingyao smiled without saying a word. General Xie had served in the military for many years, and his posture was as upright as a pine tree, with a profound and majestic demeanor. Most of these young gentlemen neglected physical exercise, and each one was thin and weak. They had only learned the superficial skill of straightening their backs, which made them seem deliberate and affected.
Xie Chengyu was in high spirits, wanting to take Meng Lingyao on a tour of the Xie family's back garden, which embodies the essence of Jiangnan garden design. However, a servant rushed over to report that the old master had important matters to discuss and urgently needed to see her.
“Go ahead and do your thing,” Meng Lingyao waved her hand. “Don’t worry about me.”
Xie Chengyu had no choice but to call over a clever little maid, "Xiao He, accompany Miss Meng to look around carefully, and don't neglect our distinguished guest."
"Yes, Miss!" Xiao He replied crisply.
The Xie family garden was quite different from the style of the northern regions. It lacked grandeur and order, instead opting for a winding, subtle approach, with each step revealing a new scene. Slender, wrinkled, translucent, and porous Taihu stones were piled up to create mountain streams and waterfalls, and strange peaks and valleys. Exquisite pavilions and terraces were nestled among ancient trees and blooming flowers, with winding corridors offering ever-changing views. Xiao He, quick-witted and articulate, pointed everything out to Meng Lingyao.
As they approached a winding bridge, a commotion suddenly erupted. Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw a middle-aged man who appeared to be a steward loudly reprimanding a servant. He was speaking in fluent Nanjing dialect at a rapid pace, and Meng Lingyao couldn't understand the specifics. However, judging from the steward's livid face and the servant's constant wiping of tears, the scolding must have been extremely fierce.
Xiaohe muttered to herself, "Oh dear, Manager Li is throwing a tantrum again... Miss, let me take you another way."
Meng Lingyao frowned slightly, but did not move. However, as an outsider staying in the Xie family, it was not appropriate for her to interfere in the family affairs.
Just then, a tall, dark figure suddenly appeared from around the corner of the rockery path. The newcomer was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with a handsome face and striking features.
He noticed the argument, paused slightly, then walked forward unhurriedly and stopped the steward.
"...Even if he is wrong, it is acceptable to point out his mistakes, but to humiliate him in public like this is going too far. As the person in charge, you should set an example and be lenient with strictness. Why lose your temper like this and damage the harmony?"
Seeing him step forward, Steward Li dared not act rashly any longer and retreated dejectedly. The servant also stopped crying and thanked him profusely.
With the matter settled, the young man in black was about to leave when he caught a glimpse of Meng Lingyao not far away. Seeing that she was an unfamiliar woman, he quickly lowered his eyes, bowed respectfully from a few steps away, and then turned and hurried away.
"Oh dear, the young master is still so kind!" Xiaohe breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the black-clad figure with a soft sigh of admiration. "No wonder everyone in the manor likes him."
"Young Master?" Meng Lingyao withdrew her gaze and followed up on the conversation, "Wasn't that the young master from the Xie family just now?"
“No, Miss,” Xiaohe shook her head. “That’s the young master of the Wang family, whose given name is ‘Li’. His mother is my old lady’s own niece, and she married into the Wang family next door. The young master has been coming to the mansion with his mother since he was a child, and he is no different from the legitimate son of the Wang family.”
Meng Lingyao nodded slowly, without saying a word.
After staying at the Xie residence for two days, Meng Lingyao took her leave, eager to begin preparations for the opening of the Juxianglou branch. The atmosphere in the South was indeed much more open-minded. In the capital, she would occasionally hear whispers and criticisms, mostly about how a young lady from a prominent family was indulging in worldly possessions and lacking refinement. But in Jinling, few people showed any disapproval; several shrewd businesswomen even offered her some advice.
A slightly younger young lady from the Xie family, named Xie Jingqiu, took an instant liking to Meng Lingyao. Though only fifteen or sixteen years old, she was a clever girl with bright eyes and shallow dimples when she smiled, making her quite adorable. Meng Lingyao knew perfectly well that the way Xie Jingqiu looked at her when they first met was exactly the same as how Xie Chengyu had looked at her.
Xie Jingqiu followed her around all day, and even when she was about to leave, she couldn't bear to let go. She declared, "Sister, don't think I'm too young and ignorant. Although I'm young, I grew up in Jinling City and know the current situation better than Sister Chengyu, who has been gone for several years. I'll be your guide!"
Xie Chengyu couldn't be happier. She rarely returned home, and she wanted to see many close friends and acquaintances in Jinling City, leaving her with no time to spare. Meng Lingyao, well aware of her feelings, readily agreed to Xie Jingqiu's request.
Xie Jingqiu was not lying. She knew the situation in Jinling City like the back of her hand, not only knowing which shops were in the best locations, but also the ins and outs behind them.
Manager Qian had originally considered a suitable location, but Xie Jingqiu immediately shook his head upon seeing it, declaring it absolutely unacceptable! There was an old legal dispute behind the shop; the previous owner was involved in a murder case, and the victim still occasionally caused trouble. Opening the shop would likely mean a difficult time. Even if it could be resolved, it would require considerable money and effort.
Meng Lingyao was secretly alarmed. The brokers, in order to close the deal, naturally wouldn't have revealed such details. After all, they were newcomers; if Xie Jingqiu hadn't reminded them, they would likely have suffered a great loss.
To express her gratitude, she carefully inquired about Xie Jingqiu's favorite scents and personally blended a sweet and natural fruity fragrance for her. Xie Jingqiu was overjoyed to receive the gift, holding the small porcelain bottle with obvious delight, repeatedly praising her sister's exquisite craftsmanship.
After several rounds of searching, they finally selected a shop in the latter half of Shifang Street. The size was suitable, the layout square, and although not facing the main street, it was quiet amidst the hustle and bustle, adjacent to several well-known embroidery shops and antique stores, ensuring a stable customer base. After some haggling with the broker, they finally agreed on a price.
Unexpectedly, the next morning, the broker came to her door, bowing and apologizing, "Miss Meng, I'm so sorry, the landlord has suddenly changed his mind and says he doesn't plan to sell anymore."
Meng Lingyao frowned slightly upon hearing this. She had been looking at that shop for several days and was very satisfied with its location, layout, and price, and was really unwilling to give it up easily. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "Please do me the trouble to arrange for me to discuss this with the landlord in person? Perhaps there is still room for negotiation."
The broker rubbed his hands awkwardly. "Miss, you don't know this, but there are rules in this business... We brokers can't just reveal information about the landlord... This, this is really..."
"It's all up to human effort." Meng Lingyao looked calmly at the broker. "If you can make this happen, not only will your bank's commission be paid in full, but I will also personally reward you. It all depends on whether you are willing to do your best."
As she spoke, Cang Dian stepped forward without making a sound, and the heavy purse slipped into the broker's hand.
The broker weighed the purse, struggled for a moment, and finally gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! Miss Meng is such a straightforward person, I'll risk my pride and give it a try! Allow me to try to mediate again. If the landlord agrees, I will do my best to arrange it! But... if he insists on not seeing me, Miss Meng, please don't blame me."
"Of course, thank you for your trouble." Meng Lingyao nodded.
Fortunately, the broker had some connections. Two days later, he returned beaming with joy, saying that the landlord had relented and agreed to meet at the famous Painted Boat Pavilion on the Qinhuai River. Xie Jingqiu, upon hearing this, volunteered to accompany him, saying that more people meant more effort and perhaps they could persuade the landlord to change his mind.
At the appointed time, footsteps sounded outside the private room. The waiter lifted the beaded curtain, and Xie Jingqiu froze upon seeing who it was, exclaiming in surprise, "Cousin?"
Wang Li was also taken aback when he saw her, then smiled gently and said, "Jingqiu? What are you doing here?"
Xie Jingqiu quickly stepped forward, grabbed his sleeve, and warmly introduced, "Cousin, this is Sister Meng, she's from the capital. It's much easier if it's you. Sister Meng and I are like sisters. You have to sell this shop whether you like it or not!"
Wang Li was even more surprised upon hearing this, his gaze shifting between the two before he finally understood. He bowed respectfully to Meng Lingyao, his face showing apology, "So it's Miss Meng, I'm so sorry. It's just that this shop... I already promised a cousin that I would open a cloth shop for him, so..."
"Cousin!" Xie Jingqiu persisted, "Your cousin changes his mind every few days. Didn't he say he wanted to go to Yangzhou to try his luck? How come he wants to open a shop in Jinling now? You're too easygoing, cousin, that's why he keeps nagging you!"
Meng Lingyao's gaze swept over Wang Li's bewildered face, then she calmly raised her hand to stop Xie Jingqiu. "Jingqiu, it's alright. Business is about keeping promises. If Young Master Wang is in trouble, then don't force yourself." Her words were crisp and decisive, without the slightest hint of lingering or entanglement, rendering any further explanations Wang Li had prepared futile.
His fingers twitched almost imperceptibly beneath his sleeve, his gaze lingered on Meng Lingyao's face for a moment, then he lowered his eyes and said, "Miss Meng is understanding and reasonable. I... am ashamed."
The homeowner was unwilling to sell, and Meng Lingyao couldn't force the issue. Having found one place she liked, she felt none of the others were satisfactory, and Manager Qian and the others were getting anxious—without a shop location settled, subsequent tasks such as renovations, sourcing goods, and hiring staff would be difficult to carry out.
Two more days passed, and an atmosphere of anxiety filled the residence. Just as Mr. Zhang stood up to say something, the doorman rushed over.
"Miss, a young master surnamed Wang has come to visit."
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Author's Note: The Xie family has a long-standing tradition of being obsessed with good-looking people [doge emoji]
Sorry everyone, I forgot to set the time for the draft, so it hasn't been published yet. I just realized it.
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