Qin Yuan didn’t expect Gu Shiliu to return so quickly, and with a smile said, "Yes, I’m just discussing this matter. You’ve come back fast, see, sweating so much. Hong Ye, quickly pour Shiliu a cup of tea."
Gu Shiliu smiled bashfully, put down the snack package, took the tea, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he gulped a few sips.
Qin Yuan asked again, "At this time, are there not many people lining up at Meixiang House?"
Gu Shiliu put down the teacup and laughed, saying, "The shopkeeper at Meixiang House knows me, so there’s no need to line up."
Qin Yuan asked, "How many kinds of pastries did you buy?"
"Furong Cake, Sugar Jujube Cake, Lotus Leaf Bowl Cake, and pea yellow..."
The topic was diverted, so Gu Shiliu no longer talked about the pepper.
Qin Yuan chatted a bit more before saying, "It’s getting late, I should be heading back. If Manager Lin finds any news, come to the Marquis Mansion to find me, in three days..."
Manager Wu and others hurriedly said, "We will definitely redo the account books, not dare to have even a slight error."
Qin Yuan nodded, saying, "It’s best if you do so." Then, surrounded by the crowd, she walked out.
Seeing the shopkeepers’ attitudes transform from arrogance to flattery, Gu Shiliu knew Qin Yuan had taken control of these slick old shopkeepers, and thought to himself, "The madam looks young, but she is quite capable, the Marquis might not realize yet."
Qin Yuan was about to get into her carriage, when Gu Shiliu hurriedly stepped forward, saying, "Madam, this place is not far from the Marquis Mansion’s spice shop. If Madam wants to buy pepper, why not go and have a look?"
Qin Yuan paused: "..."
So this is what you were waiting for.
She thought for a moment, then changed her mind, acting as if she had just realized something, saying, "The Marquis once mentioned that the Marquis Mansion has a spice shop, and told me to take whatever I need to make incense. I completely forgot."
Gu Shiliu beamed a bright smile, seeming quite pleased at having been able to relieve her of worries.
Qin Yuan got into the carriage, led by Gu Shiliu to the Marquis Mansion’s shop, named Ranxiang Inn.
Gu Shiliu rode on horseback, his voice not loud but enunciating clearly through the carriage window: "Ranxiang Inn is an established brand, Manager Leng has been there for many years, and the spices sold are all good goods."
The implication was to let Qin Yuan be at ease.
Qin Yuan said, "This Manager Leng must be well-informed. If I want to find large pepper dealers, he should be aware."
Gu Shiliu was very curious, but ultimately didn’t ask, just saying, "Manager Leng is well-connected, he should know."
This made Qin Yuan very satisfied.
Informed, discerning, and clever.
The carriage reached the alley where Ranxiang Inn was located but couldn’t go inside, so Gu Shiliu also had to tether his horse and went with the coachman to the parking area.
Qin Yuan took her maidservants and nanny walking casually within the alley, observing things.
The women coming and going here mostly ordered servants around, well-dressed, resplendent and dignified.
The shops on both sides were grandly decorated, inside there were just a few scattered guests surrounded by serving staff and shopkeepers, all wearing silk, courteous and polite.
Qin Yuan was about to select a shop to enter and have a look.
"Isn’t that sister?" Qin Wan’s affected voice suddenly rang out not far away.
Qin Yuan frowned.
Even here they meet, could it be Qin Wan also came to buy pepper?
In the previous life, pepper was skyrocketed to sky-high prices due to the court suddenly banning maritime trade and scholars advocating immortality prescriptions from overseas.
Qin Wan also reincarnated, inevitably thought of this place.
Qin Yuan turned her head, just in time to see Qin Wan wearing a goose-yellow skirt, with a falling horse bun, holding Lin Ziqi’s arm and smiling brightly at her.
"Sister, you’re also out shopping?"
Qin Wan glanced at her proudly, asked, "Why isn’t the Marquis accompanying you?"
Qin Yuan smiled.
Qin Wan said, "Lin Lang and I are taking a stroll, leaving my mother-in-law to watch the house, my cousin from the old home is coming to stay, we’re here to see what the girls like on the market, buy something as a meeting gift."
Mrs. Lin implicitly suggested she wanted Qin Wan to bring out a pair of bracelets for dowry, which Qin Wan was reluctant to give up, planning to buy some things in West Market to make it up.
Upon hearing the cousin from the old home would come, Qin Yuan cast a meaningful glance at Lin Ziqi.
In the previous life, this cousin did not come so early.
Perhaps in this life it’s because Lin Ziqi married Qin Wan, who had an affluent dowry, the cousin came earlier.
Lin Ziqi’s eyes hid a hint of surprise, speaking familiarly, "Sister, why are you here alone? Why not join us?"
Qin Yuan shook her head, the pearl earrings on her ears gently swaying: "I came here today to look at dowry shops, and buy some spices, I’ve been out for too long, need to return early."
Lin Ziqi said, "Then next time, next time we’ll gather with your husband, last time he came late, didn’t say much."
Qin Yuan hadn’t spoken yet, Qin Wan adorably leaned against Lin Ziqi’s side, happily sighed, "Sister, now that there’s no war, why doesn’t the Marquis accompany you, leaving you alone to manage accounts and look after the shop, he indeed is heartless."