Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 97 Trading
"What?! She really said that?!"

Wang Mengyi grabbed her personal maid's arm in shock: "You didn't hear me wrong, did you!"

The maidservant said with absolute certainty, "My ears are very sharp, how could I have misheard? Miss Pei said it herself."

"Miss, you've hurt me."

Wang Mengyi was in a state of confusion and subconsciously let go of his hand.

The maid continued to nag in her ear: "Miss, you can rest assured. The Shi family only has the young master as their sole heir, and continuing the family line is of paramount importance. If Miss Pei wants to find a husband, Old Master Shi will never agree. Even the young master himself would never become a live-in son-in-law."

Another maid chimed in, "What respectable young man would want to be a live-in son-in-law? The Pei family are the relatives of exiled criminals; does Sixth Miss Pei think she's made of gold and jade?"

"Shut up!" Wang Mengyi's face suddenly darkened: "Sixth Miss Pei led her people to survive, annihilating Black Bear Village, Wolf Fang Village, and White Tiger Village in succession. She is a peerless archer. Our Wang family should do our best to befriend such a heroine. How dare you interfere?"

"Go and slap yourself twenty times."

The talkative maid trembled, lowered her head, and retreated outside the door, slapping herself twenty times.

Then, with a swollen face, he knelt before his master to beg for forgiveness.

Wang Mengyi coldly said, "This concerns Miss Pei's reputation, and no one is allowed to gossip about it. If even half a word of what we said tonight gets out, I will kick her out of the Wang family."

Wang Mengyi took over the embroidery shop at the age of thirteen, and managed it very well over the past three years. Therefore, she was qualified to come to the Shi family home with her father to celebrate his birthday.

She has a delicate and charming appearance, but is actually shrewd and capable.

The old master Shi took a liking to Wang Mengyi not only because of the Wang family behind her, but also because he valued her as a person.

The maids around her all knew their master's temper, and they all remained silent, not daring to utter a sound.

Wang Mengyi remained silent for a long time before getting up to see her father, Wang Xun.

"...Father, I can't see through this Miss Pei." Wang Mengyi frowned and whispered, "Cousin Shi is intelligent and worldly-wise, and his appearance, character, and family background are all top-notch. Doesn't she feel anything at all?"

The moment the words "marry into the family" were uttered, it was as if a chasm had been drawn, making any possibility of marriage impossible.

Wang Xun, his belly protruding, glanced at his daughter: "The Beiping army has joined forces with the Bohai army and is charging towards the capital. Rebellions have broken out in Jiangnan, and the world is about to descend into chaos. Miss Pei is ambitious and only cares about money, grain, cloth, salt, and medicine; she has no room for romance."

"Don't worry about these things. After the old master's birthday banquet, we'll go back and prepare the cotton cloth and cotton. This order from Miss Pei is a big deal, we can't delay it."

Wang Mengyi composed herself and said, "Father, let me handle this deal! The Pei family is led by the sixth young lady, and the people who take the lead are all women. I'm more suited to deal with them."

Wang Xun thought for a moment and then agreed: "Remember, Miss Pei is a major buyer, and we may need her protection in the future. We must treat Miss Pei with respect and courtesy, and not be negligent."

"Yes."

"Furthermore, marriage requires mutual consent. Since the Shi family hasn't made an offer yet, our Wang family can't rush into it. If Old Master Shi is interested, he'll make the offer to me within the next three days. If there's no word from him within three days, then you should give up on this idea. Our Wang family's daughter has no trouble finding a husband."

Wang Mengyi wanted to say something, but when she looked up and saw her father's stern face, she could only whisper in agreement.

……

The following day, Pei Qinghe and Wang Mengyi met. Wang Mengyi took the initiative to be friendly and inquired about the quantity of cloth and cotton the Pei family needed.

Pei Qinghe said, "The more the better."

Having just robbed White Tiger Stronghold, they are wealthy and have no shortage of silver.

Wang Mengyi smiled and said, "Then I'll prepare four thousand sets of cotton-padded clothes and one thousand cotton-padded quilts. As for the price, Miss Pei, you can rest assured, I'll only charge the cost price." Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Miss Wang is so straightforward, I, Pei Qinghe, will be your friend."

Compared to the Wang family's proactive friendliness, the Zhan family, the salt merchants, were much more arrogant. They only sent a steward.

Mao Hongling volunteered, "Leave the salt-buying to me."

Pei Qinghe nodded.

Pei Yan will handle the handover and response to the Lu family's side.

Shi Yan then introduced Pei Qinghe to several other people, all of whom were wealthy merchants from Youzhou. Pei Family Village lacked all kinds of supplies, except for a pile of gold and silver seized from a mountain stronghold.

Miss Pei bought everything, and she wasn't stingy with prices. She was immediately surrounded by big merchants, who all offered to do business with her and build good relationships.

Shi Yan couldn't bear to watch any longer, so he coughed and took over the responsibility of negotiating the deal. He was adept at haggling and negotiating prices. They even agreed on a deposit and that the balance would be paid after the goods were delivered and inspected.

After a busy day, I finally had some free time in the evening.

Shi Yan rarely put on a stern face: "Sixth Miss is not short of money, but she can't be taken advantage of. The merchants are all cunning and slippery. If you don't bargain, they will dare to raise the price on the spot and double it. They also dare to sell inferior goods and delay delivery."

Pei Qinghe was scolded, but he wasn't annoyed: "What I'm good at is leading troops into battle, I really don't know much about doing business."

Not only did he not quite understand, but the three characters "Da Yang Hu" were clearly written on his forehead.

Shi Yan took a deep breath: "No matter how much silver we have, we can't spend it like this. If we risk our lives to destroy a mountain stronghold and steal gold and silver, wouldn't that just be letting others take it for nothing?"

Pei Qinghe readily accepted the advice: "Young Master Shi is right. I am so grateful for your help today, Young Master Shi, in closing several deals for me. Are you free tomorrow, Young Master Shi?"

Shi Yan pulled out a gold abacus from his sleeve, his slender fingers deftly manipulating it with unparalleled elegance: "Don't worry, I guarantee I'll carefully calculate and negotiate a suitable price for Miss Liu."

After negotiating a large quantity of goods, on the third day, Pei Qinghe met with several smaller merchants. The goods she purchased were also much more varied and detailed.

At times like these, you can see how capable Young Master Shi is. No matter what kind of business or goods, he is familiar with the ins and outs, and merchants simply cannot pull any tricks in front of the shrewd Young Master Shi.

Pei Qinghe thought to herself, no wonder she always went hungry even after robbing bandits and wealthy people in her past life. She was missing such a shrewd and capable person by her side.

It's a pity that Young Master Shi couldn't possibly abandon his family business to become the head steward of Pei Family Village.

Three days later, Pei Qinghe led everyone away.

Young Master Shi escorted him for ten miles.

"Young Master, please return!" Pei Qinghe bowed and said goodbye, "If you need anything in the future, just send someone to deliver a message to me."

Shi Yan didn't stand on ceremony and nodded in agreement, adding a special instruction: "This time we bought a large amount of supplies, enough to last for half a year. Next time you buy, let me know first. With me here, I won't let Sixth Miss waste a single penny."

Pei Qinghe smiled brightly, waved goodbye, and spurred his horse forward.

Shi Yan stood there for a long time without moving.

Another day passed, and the Wang father and daughter took their leave.

Looking at Shi Yan's gentle smile, Wang Mengyi felt a pang of sadness. A thousand words were on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them back.

Only after the carriage had gone far away did the tears she had been holding back quietly slip down her cheeks.

(End of this chapter)