MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 94

 Glossary

· Qin Yuan (秦鸢): The female protagonist, the Marquise of Dingbei.

·Shen Changle (沈长乐): A clever servant from Qin Yuan's dowry entourage.

·Hongye (红叶): Qin Yuan's loyal maidservant.

·Lin Zhanggui (林掌柜): Manager of one of Qin Yuan's dowry shops.

·Wu Zhanggui (吴掌柜): Manager of one of Qin Yuan's dowry shops.

·Qi Wang (齐王): A royal prince.

·Qin Siyuan (秦思远): Qin Yuan's cousin.

·Sun Zhanggui (孙掌柜): A shop manager for Qin Yuan.

·Yao Zhanggui (姚掌柜): A shop manager for Qin Yuan.

·Dai Zhanggui (代掌柜): A shop manager for Qin Yuan.

·Qian Zhanggui (钱掌柜): A shop manager for Qin Yuan.

·Cuiming (翠茗): Qin Yuan's other maidservant.

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Chapter 94: I Don't Feel Like Praising You Today

"Prince Qi's people drove the price up just by inquiring?"

Upon hearing the news Shen Changle brought back from Manager Lin, Qin Yuan was greatly astonished.

In her past life, Prince Qi was a man of such refined elegance, rumored to be aloof from worldly dust and mundane affairs. How could he get involved in the pepper trade?

"Did you find out what Prince Qi's people want the pepper for?"

Shen Changle's round face was also full of confusion. He shook his head. "No. The Chief Steward of Prince Qi's mansion just sent people to inquire about the price. He didn't say when he would place an order, nor what it would be used for. He only said he wanted a significant amount and was willing to pay a good price, advising those anxious to sell to hold off for now."

Qin Yuan was speechless.

With that, how could the price of pepper not rise?

Moreover, it would become a seller's market with no goods available.

Even if she accepted the price of fifty-five taels per catty, she might not be able to procure any.

In her past life, she had only heard that the Crown Princess demanded all the sleeping chambers of the Eastern Palace be plastered with pepper paste, consuming a vast amount of pepper and sparking the beginning of the price surge in the capital.

Later, pepper became increasingly hard to find because a "magical recipe from overseas" that also required pepper circulated among the capital's noble circles.

The price of pepper rose many times over and became impossible to buy. Even officials began using pepper instead of silver for bribes.

When Chancellor Niu's household was raided, hundreds of hu of pepper were confiscated from his family warehouse—more than the imperial treasury held.

The Emperor was furious and ordered the historians to record this incident prominently, ensuring Chancellor Niu's infamy would be preserved in history.

But now, the Crown Prince hadn't even chosen his consort yet. At this time in her past life, pepper prices were stable or even falling. If it weren't for needing to buy in bulk, she wouldn't be making her move now.

Qin Yuan truly couldn't fathom why Prince Qi was so conspicuously driving up the price of pepper.

After pondering for a long while, she finally addressed Shen Changle, who was still standing respectfully to the side. "You delivered the account books. What did you observe?"

Shen Changle clearly and methodically recounted each manager's reaction.

Qin Yuan's dowry shops were all small and located in less prominent areas. Of the recently submitted account books, those from Manager Wu, Manager Lin, and Manager Sun showed no issues.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The other books all had some problems, though they were smaller and fewer compared to the last time.

This was likely due to holding onto hope or probing her limits.

The relationship between an owner and their managers was inherently like a game of chess.

Having witnessed plenty in her past life, she found this unsurprising.

Shen Changle said, "Manager Yao and Manager Dai claimed there were errors in transcribing the vouchers during the rush to rectify the books, leading to some carelessness. They promised to check again and resubmit immediately, begging for your understanding. Manager Qian said the books couldn't be adjusted any further. Manager Wu said he didn't expect there would still be flaws in the submitted books despite the deadline. He had checked diligently but failed to catch them. He said if you blamed him, he deserved punishment for his incompetence."

Hongye listened intently.

Qin Yuan acknowledged with a sound.

The fact that these two managers were willing to offer explanations meant they didn't dare cause further trouble.

Shen Changle continued, "This humble one observed that Manager Qian seemed unwilling to continue. Goods in the corners of his shop were covered in a thick layer of dust, many being old stock for years. The shop's location is at the end of a bend in the street, remote with little foot traffic. It sells sundry goods that can be bought elsewhere. After asking around, I learned that location was once decent, but after the West Market officials adjusted the stall access points, it became out-of-the-way. Even if we tried to sell the shop now, we probably wouldn't get much for it."

Hongye shot Shen Changle a look of admiration.

This man had a keen eye for detail.

Qin Yuan said, "It seems he doesn't want to do it anymore. He wants to drop the burden and leave."

Shen Changle said, "This humble one thinks so."

Qin Yuan then asked, "What do you think? Is it better to sell the shop, or is there another way?"

Shen Changle smiled and said, "Selling it now, few would likely want to take it over. If sold to adjacent shops, the price would certainly be low-balled. If left as is, given the current state, I fear the old stock won't move. Over time, the shop's earnings might not even cover the manager and clerks' monthly wages."

In short, it was a losing proposition.

Qin Yuan asked, "Is there truly no way to salvage it?"

Shen Changle said, "This humble one has an idea. Why not sell the old stock at a discount to attract people, making it easier to sell new goods."

Qin Yuan nodded.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Shen Changle added, "The shop's location isn't great, but it's still inside the West Market, which has high traffic. Why not change to a different business, one that people would seek out even at the end of an alley? The sundry goods it sells now can be bought elsewhere, so naturally, no one is willing to trek to the street's end for them."

Qin Yuan glanced at Hongye.

Hongye nodded repeatedly, her face full of agreement.

Qin Yuan already had an idea in mind but wanted to see how far Shen Changle could go. She said, "Since this Manager Qian is unwilling to continue, why don't you go see if you can take over and try something. My dowry shops are limited. Now that I've just arrived at the Marquis's household, I don't have major affairs to manage yet. I can't leave you without a proper assignment. You can start with this task. How does that sound?"

Shen Changle was overjoyed. "This humble one thanks the Madame for her consideration. I will definitely do this job well."

He was the first among the dowry servants to get a proper assignment outside. The duties arranged within Wutong Yuan were nothing compared to working outside, which held real prospects.

Qin Yuan said, "Spend more time running around the West Market. Help me investigate the movements of Prince Qi's Chief Steward regarding the pepper purchases. Also, see what kind of business my shop could do best. If you do well, you won't lack for a year-end bonus."

Shen Changle said, "This humble one will get busy right away. I will not disappoint you, Madame."

After he left, Qin Yuan asked Hongye, "Well? What do you think?"

Hongye wore a look of admiration. "The Young Lady is right. One shouldn't judge by appearances. He is very capable and knows how to handle matters."

Qin Yuan said, "You are also quite good."

Hongye immediately perked up and pressed, "Can the Young Lady tell me in what ways I'm good?"

Qin Yuan smiled slightly. "I don't feel like praising you today. Go pester Cuiming instead. In the next few days, inquire more about the affairs within the household. Take a good look at the women in the tea-water room. Who do you find satisfactory?"

Hongye pouted. "Then I'll go attend to my duties."

Qin Yuan acknowledged, then added, "Also, talk more with Xiao Hong."

Hongye said, "You don't need to tell me such things. I'm keeping an eye on places like Fengxuan Pavilion and Songtao Pavilion. Don't worry, Young Lady. At the slightest sign of movement, I'll know for sure."

Qin Yuan said, "See, isn't that one of your strengths? Alright, off you go. I still need to write something for my cousin."

Only then did Hongye leave, satisfied.

Qin Yuan had a young maid fetch water. She washed her hands meticulously, applied cream carefully, then lit some incense, spread out a sheet of paper, picked up her brush, and began writing down years of insights and techniques on poetry composition. She casually composed two poems for Qin Siyuan's reference.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Siyuan's nature differed from Lin Ziqi's; he was rather upright and principled. She absolutely couldn't directly polish his drafts for him, but she could provide a foundation to help him draw inferences about other cases.

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(End of Chapter)

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