The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 704 - 703: Ninth Young Master

Chapter 704: Chapter 703: Ninth Young Master

Wang Yongzhu looked at the way Song Chongjin tried to please her own mother and really wanted to laugh, but she forced herself to resist: "Let’s think about this. Although ink, paper, inkstones, and ink slabs are elegant, the investment is too large, and the price of high-quality supplies is not cheap. We only have so much money. If it’s all tied up, what will we do if we need more silver for something in the future?"

"You make sense, daughter; I’ll listen to you—," Old Granny Zhang agreed immediately. After all, she certainly didn’t have her daughter’s knack for business, so she would follow her daughter’s lead in everything.

Wang Yongzhu took a sip of soup: "There’s no rush; we’ve just arrived, so let’s observe more. I had once promised Shopkeeper Wu that I would lease the shop to him for the fabric store, but back then, I didn’t expect that we’d be coming to Jing County ourselves to open a shop. We still need to discuss it with Shopkeeper Wu, and if he doesn’t need our shop, then we can make plans. The issue with the dye workshop as well, just that we don’t know when Shopkeeper Wu will be back. If it’s delayed any further, it’ll inconvenience things."

The Shopkeeper Wu who was being mentioned by Wang Yongzhu was standing respectfully at that moment beside a very handsome young man wearing a Group Purple Brocade Robe.

The young man had thick, slanting eyebrows extending into his temples, deep-set eyes, a straight nose above thin lips, and an air of casual opulence about him—especially resplendent in his Group Purple attire, a color so extravagant and flamboyant yet subdued by his looks.

"Ninth Young Master, would you care to rest for a while?" Shopkeeper Wu suggested cautiously.

"No need; tell me about the dye workshop instead, and in particular, about the Wang Family Young Lady. Don’t leave anything out; make everything clear," said the young man known as Ninth Young Master, stretching out his hand with slender, powerful fingers like white jade, and rubbed his temple.

His snow-white hand against his black hair was like a piece of jade carving.

The young man leaned back leisurely on the couch with an air of nonchalance that seemed to come naturally, without losing any elegance in his movements.

Shopkeeper Wu swallowed hard, not daring to neglect: "Yes."

Thus, he went on to explain how he met Wang Yongzhu, then got to know her, how he received the first batch of fabrics dyed by her, how they signed the contract, and when others coveted Yongzhu’s dye workshop, what her response was, without hiding anything, clearly explaining everything.

Especially when he reached the part about how Wang Yongzhu tricked Boss Tian, not only snapping up the spoiled fabrics cheaply but also obtaining the dye workshop, fabric store, and yard as if she was picking them up for free.

It was then that the man called Ninth Young Master raised his eyebrows, showing a hint of interest: "Interesting! Are you saying that the Wang Family Young Lady claimed that the spoiled fabric only needs to go through one more process to become the same as our Auspicious Dye Workshop’s fabric?"

Shopkeeper Wu nodded: "That’s what the Wang Family Young Lady said."

Ninth Young Master nodded, closed his eyes: "Alright, when we go back, let’s negotiate with that Wang Family Young Lady, and I’ll come along."

Having said that, he waved Shopkeeper Wu away with a gesture.

Shopkeeper Wu hesitated, wanting to say more but found it difficult and retreated.

As he exited, Shopkeeper Wu’s expression became grave; after the New Year, had it not been reported that this year the boss was celebrating in Qingzhou Prefecture? As his subordinate, wasn’t it imperative to visit and give New Year’s greetings?

But to his fortune, upon arriving in Qingzhou Prefecture, he found out that this year the boss had only brought along the Ninth Young Master, his tone suggesting he intended to let the Ninth Young Master manage the Qingzhou Prefecture business.

Who was this Ninth Young Master? He was the son mentioned by the boss before—the one he wanted to attract Wang Yongzhu into the family as a concubine.

This Son by Concubine was quite a notorious figure among their subordinates.

Rumored to be idle since childhood, poor at academics, unable to endure the rigors of martial training, and a lover of pleasure, reputed to have a particular fondness for beauties.

Of all the boss’s sons, it was the Ninth Young Master’s residence that hosted the most beauties, and his reputation wasn’t exactly stellar.

How had the Ninth Young Master managed to persuade the boss to hand over the Qingzhou Prefecture business to him?

Shopkeeper Wu, considering Wang Yongzhu’s current state, began to worry. If the Ninth Young Master said anything out of turn, with Wang Yongzhu’s temperament, and with that young man Song Chongjin, he feared the sky might fall.

Shopkeeper Wu’s face betrayed his concerns, and though he tried to hide them, the Ninth Young Master’s piercing eyes seemed to understand everything, asking with a profound meaning, "Shopkeeper Wu, what are you so worried about? Are you afraid that I will spoil your plans?"

Shopkeeper Wu’s back was drenched with sweat as he repeatedly denied, "Ninth Young Master misunderstood, I am not nervous, just eager to return, worrying over the dye workshop’s business."

Only then did Ninth Young Master slowly reveal a smile, "Shopkeeper Wu is truly devoted to his work——"

Shopkeeper Wu didn’t dare to say more, just accompanying with a smile.

But inwardly he was lamenting, how did I manage to provoke this deity? With Ninth Young Master acting like this, if he really followed me to discuss business, wouldn’t many matters be ruined?

It had been a great struggle to arrive at Jing County, and if Shopkeeper Wu were alone, he would definitely have traveled through the night to return to Shiqiao Town.

But now with a great Buddha by his side, Shopkeeper Wu had no choice but to book the best courtyard in the town’s finest inn, ensuring Ninth Young Master was well settled.

Only then did he hurry out of the inn, hoping to inquire about the situation at Auspicious Fabric Store in the county town; after so many days, who knew how the Wang Family was faring?

No sooner had he left the inn and walked a few paces, he unexpectedly saw Wang Yongzhu?

Shopkeeper Wu could hardly believe his eyes and took several more glances to confirm it was indeed her.

He hurried to catch up.

Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang were out shopping when they heard someone calling from behind.

Turning around, to their surprise, it was Shopkeeper Wu?

Both parties were somewhat astonished to encounter each other.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shopkeeper Wu immediately noticed from Wang Yongzhu’s clothes that there might have been trouble at the Wang Family.

With the street busy and noisy, Shopkeeper Wu saw a teahouse nearby and promptly invited them in. He booked a private room upstairs, ordered fine tea and refreshments.

Sitting in the private room, chatting over tea, it wasn’t long before Shopkeeper Wu learned that indeed, many things had happened to the Wang Family.

Wang Yongzhu also mentioned, "Just a day or two ago, I visited the dye workshop and the warehouse to check on things. I was wondering when you would return, Shopkeeper Wu, with the peak season upon us, it won’t do without you at the helm."

Shopkeeper Wu, knowing what she meant, would have normally readily agreed to visit the fabric and dye workshop with Wang Yongzhu, then discuss the prices.

But this time, he appeared quite conflicted.

Wang Yongzhu felt a twinge in her heart, but quickly regained her composure, "Shopkeeper Wu, is there something inconvenient for you? With our relationship, you can speak freely."

Shopkeeper Wu sighed, "This year, our master celebrated the New Year in Qingzhou Prefecture. After the New Year, I went to pay respects, and then our Ninth Young Master, having heard of your achievements, was very interested and wanted to come and see for himself. This Ninth Young Master of ours..."

Shopkeeper Wu paused here, feeling somewhat indescribable reluctance to continue.

Wang Yongzhu instantly understood. Such young masters are usually a bit difficult, with unpredictable temperaments, special quirks, or maybe a tendency to meddle without real knowledge.

"Our Ninth Young Master has a bit of a temper, he might say things that are not pleasant to hear. Niece, please forgive him... His age..." Originally, Shopkeeper Wu wanted to say that Ninth Young Master was still young, suggesting Wang Yongzhu to not take his words to heart, but then he remembered that Wang Yongzhu was even younger than Ninth Young Master.

The words just wouldn’t come out right, so he only offered an awkward smile.

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