Zhu Wanqing paced around a few times, and after repeated requests from the branch leader, she had no choice but to temporarily agree.
As the branch leader was leaving, Zhu Wanqing suddenly called out to her. The branch leader turned and bowed, and Zhu Wanqing stepped forward to help her up, saying solemnly, "Be sure to be careful. If there is any danger, retreat immediately..."
The branch leader nodded gratefully, smiled at Zhu Wanqing, and left to carry out his orders.
Seventeenth Prince had been waiting for Thirteenth Prince at the encampment. As the appointed time was about to pass and Thirteenth Prince still hadn't appeared, the guards were worried and volunteered to go look for him, but Seventeenth Prince pulled them back.
“No, Thirteenth Brother said before he left that we must wait for him to come back…” Seventeen had just finished speaking when a person wearing a straw hat and looking hurried pushed open the door and entered.
Seventeenth Master was startled and rushed over to punch him, angrily saying, "You're finally back! We were so worried about you!"
The Thirteenth Prince smiled, took off his straw hat, patted the dust off his clothes, and waved to the guard, saying, "Quickly, go and pour me a glass of water..." The guard snapped out of his surprise and quickly left.
Thirteenth Master sat down to rest for a while before laughing and saying, "The White Lotus Sect is indeed extraordinary. I should have returned immediately, but I only realized halfway there that someone was following me. It seems they were worried, so I deliberately led them around all the major shops in Songjiang Prefecture until it got dark and they were certain of my identity before we went back..."
Thirteenth Prince rubbed his legs and back, sighing, "My legs are about to break..."
Seventeenth Master excitedly stepped forward to peek, but Thirteenth Master pushed him away, and he covered his thighs with his hands, feigning horror, and said, "What are you doing..."
Seventeenth Master scoffed, "Who cares..." Suddenly remembering Thirteenth Master's mission, he immediately leaned over curiously and asked, "How's it going? Thirteenth Brother? Have they taken the bait?"
At this moment, a guard brought in tea, and the Thirteenth Prince took the teapot and gulped it down. After catching his breath, he said, "What do you think? When your Thirteenth Brother takes action, how can he fail?"
Seventeenth Master immediately jumped up excitedly, shouting, "That's great..." His eyes gleamed as he asked excitedly, "How did you discuss it with them?"
Thirteenth Master chuckled dismissively, crossing his legs leisurely, and said, "I told you I had a large inventory that I could sell to them cheaply..."
The Seventeenth Prince asked, "Cheap? How much per shi (a unit of dry measure)?"
Thirteenth Master frowned and thought for a moment, then gestured with his hand and said, "Three taels!"
Seventeenth Master was shocked and stared incredulously, saying, "Three taels? Thirteenth Brother, are you alright? The minimum price for grain in the market is five taels per dan (a unit of weight), you're talking complete nonsense..."
Thirteenth Master, however, gave a disdainful look and rolled his eyes, saying, "You don't understand. You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub!"
Seventeenth Master pouted and waved his hand, saying, "Fine, fine, but did they say how much grain they want?"
Thirteenth Master fell silent for a moment, then gave an awkward smile, winked at Seventeenth Master, and changed the subject, saying, "Seventeenth Brother, I think we should be considering where to rent a larger warehouse now... They said they'd be back in three days to discuss the transaction with me..."
Ignoring him, the Seventeenth Prince, sensing something was wrong, approached the Thirteenth Prince and glared at him, saying, "Tell me quickly, how many bushels of grain did you promise them?"
Thirteenth Master shrank back, feeling slightly ashamed as he recalled how he had impulsively blurted out a number without thinking. He lowered his head and whispered, "Ten...ten..."
Seventeenth Master impatiently urged, "Ten what?"
Thirteenth Master had no choice but to look up apologetically and say, "One hundred thousand dan!"
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