Qin Yuan was surprised that Gu Shiliu had returned so quickly. She smiled and said, "Yes, I was discussing this matter. You came back quickly. Look how hot you are, sweating all over. Hongye, quickly pour Shiliu a cup of tea."
Gu Shiliu smiled shyly, put down the pastry bag, took the tea, his Adam's apple bobbed, and gulped down a few mouthfuls.
Qin Yuan then asked, "Is there hardly anyone queuing at Meixiangzhai at this time?"
Gu Shiliu put down his teacup and said with a smile, "The manager of Meixiangzhai knows me, so there's no need to wait in line."
Qin Yuan asked, "How many kinds of pastries did you buy?"
"Hibiscus cake, jujube cake, lotus leaf cake, and pea flour cake..."
The topic was diverted, so Gu Shiliu stopped asking about pepper.
Qin Yuan exchanged a few more pleasantries before saying, "It's getting late, I should head back. Manager Lin has found out the news, he'll come to the Marquis's residence to find me in three days..."
Manager Wu and the others hurriedly replied, "We will definitely redo the ledgers and dare not make any more mistakes."
Qin Yuan nodded and said, "That would be best." Then she walked out surrounded by the crowd.
Seeing the shopkeepers' attitude change from arrogant to obsequious, Gu Shiliu knew that Qin Yuan had won over these slick old shopkeepers. He thought to himself, "Madam looks young, but she is quite capable. I'm afraid the Marquis doesn't know that yet."
Just as Qin Yuan was about to board the carriage, Gu Shiliu quickly stepped forward and said, "Madam, the Marquis's spice shop is not far from here. If you want to buy pepper, why don't you go and take a look?"
Qin Yuan stamped her foot: "..."
So that's where they were waiting.
She thought for a moment, then changed her mind, feigning sudden realization, and said, "The Marquis once mentioned that the Marquis's residence has a spice shop, and told me to come and get whatever incense I wanted to make, but I had completely forgotten."
Gu Shiliu smiled brightly, as if she was very proud of herself for being able to help her solve her problems.
Qin Yuan boarded the carriage and, led by Gu Shiliu, went to the Marquis's residence's shop, called Ranxiangju.
Gu Shiliu, riding on horseback, spoke through the carriage window in a low but clear voice: "Ranxiangju is an old brand. The shopkeeper Leng has been in business for many years and sells only the best spices."
The implication was that Qin Yuan could rest assured.
Qin Yuan said, "This Manager Leng must be well-informed. If you want to find a major pepper seller, he should know about it."
Gu Shiliu was very curious, but ultimately did not ask. He simply said, "Manager Leng has extensive connections, so he should know this."
This pleased Qin Yuan greatly.
She is knowledgeable, sensible, and quick-witted.
When the carriage reached the alley where Ranxiangju was located, it could not go in. Gu Shiliu also needed to tie up his horse and followed the coachman to the parking area.
Qin Yuan then led her maids and servants to wander around the alley and look around.
The women coming and going here are mostly servants, dressed smartly, and have an elegant demeanor.
The shops on both sides were decorated in a grand and elegant style, but there were only a few customers inside. The waiters and shopkeepers, dressed in fine silks and satins, were quite numerous and treated the customers with humility and politeness.
Qin Yuan was about to choose a shop to go inside and take a look.
"Isn't this my sister?" Qin Wan's affected voice suddenly rang out from not far away.
Qin Yuan frowned.
How come we run into each other here? Could it be that Qin Wan is also here to buy pepper?
In its previous life, pepper was driven up to exorbitant prices due to the imperial court's sudden ban on maritime trade and scholars' promotion of immortality recipes from the sea.
Qin Wan has also been reborn, so it's inevitable that she would think of this.
Qin Yuan turned her head and saw Qin Wan wearing a pale yellow dress, her hair styled in a droopy bun, holding Lin Ziqi's arm and looking at her with a smile.
"Little sister, are you out for a stroll too?"
Qin Wan glanced at her smugly and asked, "Why didn't the Marquis accompany you?"
Qin Yuan smiled.
Qin Wan said, "Lin Lang and I are wandering around. We left my mother-in-law to look after the house. My cousin from our hometown wants to come and stay with us, so we came to see what girls like in the market and buy some as a gift for her."
Lin's mother hinted that she wanted Qin Wan to bring out a pair of bracelets from her dowry, but Qin Wan was reluctant and planned to buy a few more in the West Market to make do.
Upon hearing that her cousin from her hometown was coming, Qin Yuan gave Lin Ziqi a meaningful look.
In her previous life, this cousin didn't arrive this early.
Perhaps it was because Lin Ziqi married Qin Wan, who had a generous dowry, that my cousin arrived so early in this life.
A hint of amazement flickered in Lin Ziqi's eyes as he said familiarly, "Why did you come alone, sister? Why don't you come with us?"
Qin Yuan shook her head, her two pearl earrings swaying slightly: "I came here today to check out the dowry shop and buy some spices. I've been out for a while, so I need to go back soon."
Lin Ziqi then said, "Then let's do it next time. Next time, my sister and brother-in-law can get together. Last time, my brother-in-law arrived late and we didn't say much."
Before Qin Yuan could speak, Qin Wan leaned against Lin Ziqi's side and sighed happily, "Sister, there's no war now, why doesn't the Marquis keep you company when he has nothing to do, leaving you to manage the accounts and the shop all by yourself? He really has no heart."
“I left my dowry shop to my nanny to manage; I can’t handle those slick old shopkeepers.”
"If Lin Lang hadn't been worried about me going out alone and insisted on coming along, I would have asked my sister to come with me to look at jewelry."
Qin Yuan: "..."
It seems I was overthinking things.
Qin Wan is still just as brainless even if she gets a second chance.
She probably didn't even notice when pepper prices skyrocketed in her past life.
"My sister and brother-in-law are so considerate to that cousin. They even went out of their way to buy her jewelry in this sweltering heat," Qin Yuan sighed. "Back in the day, you..."
"Let's catch up another time, we're leaving now," Qin Wan immediately pulled Lin Ziqi away.
Hongye couldn't help but chuckle, "Is Second Miss afraid that Miss will bring up the past in front of Young Master Lin?"
Cui Ming said, "They run really fast."
Qin Yuan said innocently, "I just said 'back in the day,' and who knew she wouldn't want to talk to me anymore."
Qin Wan values Lin Ziqi and doesn't want her to mention their past in the bedroom, lest it ruin her gentle and kind image in Lin Ziqi's mind.
But this fool doesn't even consider that Lin Ziqi has been visiting the Qin residence for many years, surely he can tell what kind of person she is?
One is willing to pretend, and the other is willing to act.
I'm speechless.
Amidst laughter and conversation, Gu Shiliu had already entered Ranxiangju, and soon the manager hurriedly came out to greet him.
He was a shrewd and capable middle-aged man with a fair complexion and a light beard, and a smile that was always on his face that was hard to dislike.
His eyes held a smile, yet concealed a sharp edge.
Qin Yuan could tell that this cold-hearted shopkeeper had been experienced for many years, was adept at social maneuvering, and was skilled at winning people's hearts; he was a useful person.
Manager Leng bowed first and said with a smile, "I didn't expect that Madam Hou would take the time to come and grace our humble abode with her presence. It has brought great honor to Ranxiangju."
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Manager Leng, there's no need to be so polite. The Marquis once mentioned to me that the spices from Ranxiangju are very good. I just happened to be passing by today, so I came to take a look."
"Please, please, please," Manager Leng hurriedly ushered her into the shop, saying, "Madam, please have a seat in the private room. We have a distinguished guest coming today who is looking for a unique fragrance. The guest will be here soon."
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