Chapter 148 You're afraid of my brother, aren't you!
"So...did you agree on fifty jin?" Fang Shengde asked after hearing their conversation.
Yan Jue nodded and said, "It's settled then. We'll do as my wife says. If we run out of salt again, we'll come back again."
When business comes knocking on your door, there's no reason not to make money. Fang Shengde's eyes lit up at the thought of all that gold and silver.
"I just wonder how much the salt Boss Fang sells to us per pound?"
Since this was a big deal, and the other party didn't seem short of money, Fang Shengde tentatively asked, "Fifty coins a pound, what do you think?"
Fang Shengde was a little uneasy. After all, he usually sold this kind of inferior salt for ten coins a pound. Would it be too expensive to ask for fifty coins right away?
Yan Jue looked surprised. "Boss Fang, are you sure you only want fifty coins per catty?"
"I'm sure I'm a businessman, I wouldn't lie."
Seeing Yan Jue's expression, Fang Shengde still didn't change his mind and stubbornly continued to insist.
To everyone's surprise, the two customers in front of them looked puzzled. "Really only fifty coins? The government sells salt for one tael per pound, and you're only selling it for fifty coins? That's too cheap!"
Yan Jue looked at Shen Pingjin with a joyful expression. "My wife, it seems we made the right decision to come to Jiangnan. When we return to the Southwest, we must thank the Shangguan family properly!"
"The Shangguan family?" Fang Shengde breathed a sigh of relief when he learned that the two did not think it was expensive and even felt that the price they offered was very cheap.
However, Fang Shengde became somewhat nervous upon hearing the name of the Shangguan family.
Does anyone in the Southwest know that I'm selling smuggled salt here?
“Yes, yes, it’s the Shangguan family.” Yan Jue nodded, his expression puzzled. “Boss Fang, what’s wrong with the Shangguan family? You looked a little pale when you heard this. Are you feeling unwell, or…”
"No, no, no, I'm perfectly healthy, and I don't know this Shangguan family!" Fang Shengde quickly denied it. Anyway, he was just working for others, and as long as he wasn't blamed for anything that happened, it would be a minor problem.
"It's good that Mr. Fang is alright." Yan Jue nodded, seemingly lost in thought, and continued, "Mr. Fang, when do you plan to prepare these fifty catties of salt, and when will you deliver them?"
Making salt takes time, Yan Jue asked with a smile. He planned to use the time given by Fang Shengde to conduct a protracted struggle and a covert investigation.
Fang Shengde thought for a moment and said, "It should only take about ten days. So, Young Master Xi can come here again in ten days. I will make sure to prepare all fifty catties of salt and leave it here. You can just call a carriage and people to come over then."
"Only ten days?" Yan Jue was slightly surprised.
This made Fang Shengde somewhat proud. "Of course, we can produce salt very quickly!"
"That's good. I'll definitely be there on time!"
Fang Shengde laughed heartily, raised his hand in a gesture of respect, and said, "I will respectfully welcome Young Master Xi here!"
"Now that we've reached an agreement, my wife and I will head back. We've long heard that Yangzhou in Jiangnan has beautiful scenery, and today we plan to visit the local market!"
Fang Shengde, a native of Yangzhou in Jiangnan, was naturally very proud to hear someone praise his hometown in such a way. He immediately raised his hand in a gesture of respect and said, "Young Master Xi, please take care. We'll meet again in ten days!"
Yan Jue smiled and said, "Alright, thank you for your hospitality, Boss Fang. Everyone says that Southerners are hospitable, and it seems that this is indeed true."
"..." Fang Shengde felt a little guilty upon hearing this, after all, he had been quite wary of the two people's identities at first.
He tucked the knife hidden in his sleeve further in, and Fang Shengde responded with a smile.
Shen Pingjin didn't say a word the whole time. When the two of them walked out of the first courtyard, Shen Pingjin felt that the air was fresher.
She frowned and glanced at Yan Jue. "I didn't expect you to be such a good actor."
Yan Jue saw the complexity in her expression and raised an eyebrow, saying, "There's a lot you don't know."
Chen Pingjin: "For example?"
"Ahem." This was something that could be said, so Yan Jue decided to shut up.
"We will come back in ten days."
"Are you really going to buy fifty catties of salt?" Shen Pingjin said again, "You know, we're not from the Southwest, we're from the capital, and we don't have any second aunts, third aunts, or eldest aunts in our family. However, I do have an older brother, but I've heard that someone seems to be quite afraid of him!"
Hearing Shen Pingjin speak sarcastically to him, Yan Jue was not angry. He simply said, "After we get married, Shen Ling will not only be your brother, but also my brother. Since he is my brother, I will naturally respect him. This is also a way of giving you face."
Shen Pingjin chuckled and exposed him without hesitation: "You're afraid of my brother, aren't you?!"
Yan Jue: "..."
Doesn't he have any pride?
It would have been better if Shen Ling hadn't been mentioned. But once Shen Ling was brought up, Shen Pingjin became a little worried. After all, her brother had been in the military camp for more than half a year, and she didn't know how he was doing or whether he was eating properly.
When she returned to her parents' home for the last time, her brother didn't come. Even when the Emperor issued an edict announcing their marriage, he wasn't there. If she hadn't known her brother's special status, she probably would have thought he was living in seclusion in a secluded paradise, abandoning their family!
Seeing that Shen Pingjin remained silent, Yan Jue noticed the deep thoughts hidden in her eyes and decisively changed the subject.
"Chen Pingjin, why didn't you say anything while you were in the room?"
If he hadn't been constantly negotiating with Fang Shengde, he might have been exposed this time.
Shen Pingjin looked up at him: "I'm not silent, it's just... for some reason, there's an unpleasant feeling in that room."
As if remembering something, Chen Pingjin looked at Yan Jue: "Yan Jue, did you bring the brocade with you?"
Yan Jue shook his head: "Chu Jin isn't on me. I left it at the inn. Have you forgotten?"
"Look at my memory..." Shen Pingjin touched her head, wondering what was wrong with her and why she had been so absent-minded.
Yan Jue also noticed that something was wrong with Shen Pingjin and frowned slightly, saying, "Are you feeling unwell? If you are, we should go back as soon as possible."
After hearing what Yan Jue said, Shen Pingjin also felt a little uncomfortable. Her abdomen ached slightly, and she felt hot and restless from time to time. Moreover, after staying in the closed and dark room for a long time, she also felt itchy all over.
"Then let's hurry up."
"good."
Yan Jue and Shen Pingjin quickened their pace. As they passed the last courtyard, Shen Pingjin saw the dark-skinned man again.
He lay on the ground with a blank stare, and when he noticed Shen Pingjin and Yan Jue approaching, a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.
Shen Pingjin was somewhat surprised. Had she and Yan Jue offended him in any way? It wasn't like this when she walked over just now.
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