Chapter 92 The Lu Family's Eldest Son
"Okay, stop talking nonsense. Someone, go call the housekeeper." Mu Xingci ordered seriously.
Upon hearing this, the maid waiting in the room went out to call for help.
Yun Wansheng didn't know when she had a younger brother, and was still sleeping soundly.
I slept until dawn, and after washing and dressing, I went to the neighbor's house next door.
The person who opened the door was a middle-aged woman. Yun Wansheng smiled very friendly: "Aunt Liu!"
"It's Madam Yun, come in quickly." Aunt Liu warmly invited her into the house.
"Aunt Liu, I heard Uncle Liu is a painter at Lu's, right?"
"Yeah! What's wrong?"
"Aunt Liu, I know a little about painting, and I'm thinking of finding a job before the New Year. I wonder how much I can earn a month working at Lu Ji? I'm afraid if they pay me too much, I won't be able to do the job, so I came to you to ask first."
"Madam Yun, painters at Lu's are divided into different ranks. An average painter earns only one or two taels of silver a month. Those with some skill earn five taels, and the most skilled painters earn over ten!"
"So many? Looks like I can't go. I'd better find another job."
Yun Wansheng smiled faintly, but she felt disappointed in her heart. Although more than ten taels was not a small amount, it was just a drop in the bucket for her who wanted to do big things.
After returning home, Yun Wansheng lay on the kang and thought about ways to make money quickly.
She thought of selling the music, but then she thought, in this prosperous Qizhou City, there are so many rich and powerful people. She is a woman, and an outsider. If she is discovered and gets into trouble, it will be difficult to deal with.
She planned to settle here permanently, so she had to consider everything. It was better to avoid potential dangers if possible. Although she had the ability to protect herself, she couldn't stay here if she had offended the powerful.
After thinking about it, it is safer to sell patterns, but what if those merchants don’t accept them?
Nearing the afternoon, Yun Wansheng went out to the street again with the blueprint in her pocket, hoping to try her luck again.
When she was about to reach the door of Lu's shop, she suddenly saw the carriage that had just come from the front also stopped at his door. When she glanced at it casually, she saw a handsome man in gorgeous clothes walking out of the carriage.
The man got out of the car without looking around and went straight into the store. Yun Wansheng didn't pay much attention to him, thinking that he was just an ordinary visitor. Everyone knew each other, so why was he looking at him?
Then she also entered the shop. It was almost evening at this time, so there were not many customers in the shop.
Yun Wansheng came here at this time when there were fewer people around, thinking of finding the shopkeeper to have a good talk with him, hoping to reach an agreement.
But before she could go forward, she saw the shopkeeper Zhang approaching the man in front of her with a flattering look on his face.
"Young Master, you're here?"
"Well! Shopkeeper Zhang, I came here just to ask, which lanterns are selling the best these days?" Lu Ke, the eldest son of the Lu family, glanced at the merchandise in the store and asked calmly.
"My Lord, the newly released Fuwa Spring Lanterns are the best seller these days, and several other auspicious lanterns are also selling well. It's not the New Year anymore! Customers are all looking for good luck."
"As long as the sales are good, please keep the accounts clearly and don't mess them up."
"Don't worry, Master. I will remember every account clearly and there won't be a single mistake."
"I feel relieved when you say that." Lu Ke raised the corner of his mouth slightly, seeming to be really relieved.
Yun Wansheng was listening to their conversation not far away, and concluded in her heart that this eldest son must be the one who had the final say in the Lu family.
Seeing the man turn around to check the lanterns on the shelf, Yun Wansheng took a few steps forward and stood in front of him.
"May I ask if you, the eldest young master, are the head of the Lu family?"
Lu Ke raised his eyes and looked at the pretty young woman in front of him, frowning slightly: "The head of the family is my father. If you want to find him, go to the Lu residence."
"Uh! Sorry, young master, I just need to find someone who can make the decision, and I'll find you." Yun Wansheng smiled awkwardly.
"What do you want from me?" Lu Ke put his hands behind his back, his handsome face showing a hint of arrogance.
"Young Master, I have several patterns here that can be used for lanterns. Please take a look first. Don't worry, if you like my patterns, I will never sell them to another company." Yun Wansheng smiled sincerely.
Lu Ke didn't want to pay attention to it, but when he met the woman's bright smiling eyes, he couldn't help but lower his eyes to look at the set of patterns she handed over.
I thought they were just some unremarkable drawings, but after just one glance, I was attracted by the patterns on them.
Put aside the ones you don’t need and see if they are still okay.
He then took them in his hands and looked at them carefully one by one. He found that each picture was very innovative and beautiful, with standard colors and harmonious proportions. He couldn't help but praise them.
“Nice painting!”
Upon hearing this, Yun Wansheng's nervousness dissipated a little: "Master, do you think we can work together?"
Lu Ke raised his head and looked at her: "Did you draw this?"
"Yeah! I drew them all."
"The style of painting is very unique, but I can't cooperate with you."
"Why? I promised not to sell it to a second family."
"A few years ago, that man also said he would only sell to one company, but what happened in the end? He sold all over Qizhou City without telling anyone. All the workshops, big and small, were making the same goods, which eventually led to a shortage of goods and a huge loss of money.
The most hateful thing is that he actually asked us merchants to keep the products secret without each other's knowledge, and then put them on the market on the same day during the peak winter season. He said that whoever has the most novel and good-looking products will make a lot of money.
After we realized we'd been scammed, we went looking for the guy, but he had already disappeared, and we still haven't caught him." Lu Ke said with a slightly dark expression.
"Sir, I will never be like that person. As long as you agree to cooperate, you can make the goods today and sell them tomorrow. That way, others will know that only your Lu Ji has the goods on the market, and no other store has them. Then, even if they want to, they won't dare to copy you."
Upon hearing this, Lu Ke frowned and thought for a moment: "Young lady, please excuse me for a moment and talk." As he said that, he walked towards the back hall. Yun Wansheng saw that something was going to happen and hurriedly followed him.
When they arrived at the back hall, which was simple, elegant and grand, Manager Zhang personally served them tea.
"What's your name, young lady?" Lu Ke asked formally.
"Your surname is Yun, and your given name is Wansheng."
"Where are you from?"
"The geographical capital of the southwest."
"So far? Who is at home?" Lu Ke was a little worried.
"I am the only one at home now. My family suffered a sudden change not long ago. My husband is gone. The relatives there bullied me, a woman with no one to rely on, and robbed my family's business and property.
"In the end, I was forced into a corner, so I left my hometown and came here, hoping to settle down here." Yun Wansheng said with a guilty conscience.
"Why is your husband gone?"
"A few months ago, he was out collecting debts when he ran into bandits and was killed."
"Do you have a pass?" He wanted to confirm whether this woman was a local citizen.
"Yes!" Yun Wansheng responded and took out the pass proving her identity from her bag and gave it to him.
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