MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 35

Glossary

· Qin Yuan: The female protagonist, Marquise of the household.

· Gu Shiliu: Gu Jinghui's personal attendant.

· Hongye: Qin Yuan's loyal maidservant.

· Cuiming: Qin Yuan's other maidservant.

· Wu Manager: Manager of one of Qin Yuan's shops.

· Lin Manager: Manager of one of Qin Yuan's shops.

· Qin Wan: Qin Yuan's sister.

· Lin Ziqi: Qin Wan's husband.

· Cold Manager: Manager of the Gu family's spice shop, Ranxiang Ju.

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Chapter 35: Brother Lin Was Worried About Me Going Out Alone

Qin Yuan hadn't expected Gu Shiliu to return so quickly. She said with a smile, "Yes, I was just discussing this matter. You returned quite fast, look at you, sweating from the heat. Hongye, quickly pour Sixteen a cup of tea."

Gu Shiliu smiled sheepishly, put down the pastry packages, took the tea, his Adam's apple bobbing as he gulped down several mouthfuls.

Qin Yuan asked again, "Is Meixiang Zhai not very crowded at this time?"

Gu Shiliu put down the teacup and smiled. "The manager of Meixiang Zhai knows me, so no need to queue."

Qin Yuan asked, "How many types of pastries did you buy?"

"Hibiscus cakes, jujube cakes, lotus leaf bowl cakes, and pea flour cakes..."

The topic was diverted, and Gu Shiliu didn't ask about the pepper again.

After a few more casual remarks, Qin Yuan said, "It's getting late, I should head back. Manager Lin, once you have news, come to the Marquis' household to find me. Three days later…"

Manager Wu and the others quickly said, "We will definitely redo the account books, we wouldn't dare have the slightest oversight again."

Qin Yuan nodded. "It would be best if so." Then she walked out, surrounded by her entourage.

Seeing the managers' attitude change from arrogance to respect, Gu Shiliu knew Qin Yuan had successfully handled these slick old managers. He thought to himself, "The Madame looks young and tender, but she's quite capable. I'm afraid the Marquis doesn't know this yet."

Just as Qin Yuan was about to board the carriage, Gu Shiliu quickly stepped forward and said, "Madame, the Marquis' household spice shop isn't far from here. If you wish to buy pepper, why not go and take a look?"

Qin Yuan stopped in her tracks: "..."

So this was waiting here.

She thought for a moment and changed her mind, feigning sudden realization. "The Marquis did mention before that the Marquis' household has a spice shop, telling me to just come and get whatever incense materials I need to make. I actually forgot."

Gu Shiliu beamed, seeming quite proud of himself for being able to solve her problem.

Qin Yuan boarded the carriage and, led by Gu Shiliu, went to the Marquis' household shop, named Ranxiang Ju.

Gu Shiliu, riding on his horse, spoke through the carriage window. His voice wasn't loud, but his words were clear: "Ranxiang Ju is an old-established shop. Manager Leng has been there for many years, and the spices they buy and sell are all good quality."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The implication was that Qin Yuan could rest assured.

Qin Yuan said, "This Manager Leng must be well-informed. If we want to find a large-scale seller of pepper, he should know."

Gu Shiliu was very curious but ultimately didn't ask, only saying, "Manager Leng has extensive connections; he should know."

This pleased Qin Yuan greatly.

He was perceptive, tactful, and clever.

When the carriage reached the lane where Ranxiang Ju was located, it couldn't enter. Gu Shiliu also needed to tether his horse and went with the coachman to the parking area.

Qin Yuan then took her maids and matrons for a casual stroll down the lane to look around.

Most of the women coming and going here had servants in tow, were dressed brightly, and looked graceful and respectable.

The shops on both sides were decorated grandly and tastefully. There were only a few customers inside, but quite a number of clerks and managers attended to them, dressed in silks and satins, their attitudes humble and polite.

Just as Qin Yuan was about to choose a shop to enter.

"Sister, is that you?" Qin Wan's affected voice suddenly rang out not far away.

Qin Yuan frowned.

How could they run into her here? Could Qin Wan also be here to buy pepper?

In her previous life, pepper skyrocketed in price due to the court suddenly banning maritime trade and scholars promoting immortality recipes coming from overseas.

If Qin Wan had also been reborn, she might have thought of this.

Qin Yuan turned her head and saw Qin Wan wearing a goose-yellow dress, her hair in a 'falling horse' chignon, holding onto Lin Ziqi's arm, smiling at her.

"Little Sister, you're out for a stroll too?"

Qin Wan glanced at her triumphantly and asked, "Why isn't the Marquis accompanying you?"

Qin Yuan smiled.

Qin Wan said, "Brother Lin and I are strolling around. We left Mother-in-law to watch the house. A cousin from our hometown wants to come and stay, so we're looking to see what girls like on the market to buy as a welcome gift."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Mother Lin had hinted and stated outright that she wanted Qin Wan to contribute a pair of bracelets from her dowry. Qin Wan was reluctant and planned to buy a few things in the West Market to manage the situation.

Hearing that the cousin from the hometown was coming, Qin Yuan looked meaningfully at Lin Ziqi.

In her previous life, this cousin hadn't come so early.

Perhaps in this life, because Lin Ziqi married the well-dowried Qin Wan, the cousin had arrived earlier.

A trace of hidden admiration flickered in Lin Ziqi's eyes. His tone was familiar as he said, "Sister, why are you here alone? Why not join us?"

Qin Yuan shook her head, the two pearl earrings at her ears swaying slightly with the motion. "I came today to check on my dowry shops and incidently buy some spices. I've been out for a while and need to return early."

Lin Ziqi then said, "Then next time. Next time, you and your husband can join us for a gathering. Last time, your husband arrived late, and we didn't get to speak much."

Before Qin Yuan could reply, Qin Wan coquettishly leaned against Lin Ziqi's side, sighing happily. "Sister, there's no war now. Why isn't the Marquis accompanying you if he has nothing to do, letting you manage accounts and check shops alone? He really is heartless."

"I've left my dowry shops entirely for the matron to manage. I simply can't handle those slick old managers."

"If Brother Lin wasn't worried about me going out alone and insisted on coming with me, I would have asked you to come browse shops and look at jewelry together."

Qin Yuan: "..."

It seemed she had overthought it earlier.

Qin Wan, even with a second chance, was still so brainless.

She probably hadn't noticed at all when pepper prices soared to astronomical heights in their previous life.

"You and your husband are truly considerate towards that cousin, braving such hot weather specifically to buy her jewelry," Qin Yuan sighed. "Thinking back to the old days, you…"

"Let's catch up another time, we have to go now," Qin Wan immediately pulled Lin Ziqi away.

Hongye couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Is the Second Young Lady afraid you'll bring up old matters in front of Young Master Lin?"

Cuiming said, "They ran away really fast."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan said innocently, "I only said 'thinking back to the old days'. Who knew she wouldn't want to talk to me anymore."

Qin Wan valued Lin Ziqi and didn't want her to mention their past interactions before marriage, ruining her gentle and kind image in Lin Ziqi's heart.

But this fool didn't stop to think: Lin Ziqi had frequented the Qin household for years; couldn't he see what her temperament was like?

One was willing to pretend, the other was willing to perform.

Absolutely unbelievable.

While chatting and laughing, Gu Shiliu had already entered Ranxiang Ju. Shortly after, the manager hurried out to greet them.

He was a shrewd and capable middle-aged man, with a pale complexion and a slight beard, his face always wearing a smile that was hard to dislike.

His eyes smiled, but held a sharpness within.

Qin Yuan could tell that this Manager Leng had years of experience, was suave, and skilled at reading people—a useful person.

Manager Leng first bowed and said with a smile, "I didn't expect the Marquise to grace us with your presence personally. Your esteemed feet stepping on this humble ground brings glory to Ranxiang Ju."

Qin Yuan also smiled and said, "Manager Leng, there's no need for such courtesy. The Marquis previously mentioned to me that the spices at Ranxiang Ju are excellent. I happened to be passing by today, so I came to take a look."

"Please, please, please," Manager Leng hurriedly ushered them into the shop, saying, "Madame, please have a seat in the private room first. The shop is expecting an esteemed guest today who is seeking a rare incense. He should be arriving shortly."

(End of Chapter)

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