Chapter 266: You’re Back
Sister-in-law Yin held her breath, her heart pounding, and ushered the two stewards from Gui Jin Workshop into the room.
“This is our Head Shopkeeper, Madam Li.” Sister-in-law Yin first introduced Li Jinzhu, then quickly added with a smile, “These two are the head stewards from Gui Jin Workshop. They said they came to see our fine cloth, and they know about the Young Lord and A Nan’s fine cloth clothes!”
By the last sentence, Sister-in-law Yin could no longer contain herself, and her excitement and joy spilled out.
Li Jinzhu quickly curtsied. She thought she had heard the name Gui Jin Workshop once before.
The two stewards from Gui Jin Workshop returned the courtesy and politely introduced themselves again.
“Greetings, Head Shopkeeper Li. My surname is Wang, and hers is Zou. I manage the children’s clothing section at Gui Jin Workshop, while Steward Zou handles the inner linings. We were instructed by our Head Shopkeeper to come and discuss the purchase of fine cloth with Head Shopkeeper Li and Steward Yin.”
“Greetings, Steward Wang, Steward Zou. Please have a seat.” Li Jinzhu busied herself with a smile, inviting them to sit, and subconsciously glanced at Sister-in-law Yin.
“Gui Jin Workshop is not only the best ready-made clothing shop in our Liangzhe Circuit, but in all of Jiangnan!” Sister-in-law Yin understood Li Jinzhu’s glance and offered the introduction.
Li Jinzhu let out an “oh,” and she remembered. Yinzhu had mentioned it once, saying that Hong Er’s sister had a cloak from Gui Jin Workshop, and that Gui Jin Workshop’s clothes were the most expensive in the world.
“Steward Yin is too kind,” Steward Wang replied with a smile.
“Yu Ting! Quickly bring over a few bolts of our fine cloth! Bring plenty!” Sister-in-law Yin called out loudly, then gestured for Li Jinzhu to sit. She brought over clean cups and took a teapot from the warm pavilion to pour tea.
“Your Gui Jin Workshop’s discernment is truly impeccable! You must have seen how beautiful the fine cloth clothes on the Young Lord and our A Nan are! They’re even more beautiful than silk!” Sister-in-law Yin spoke with animation and laughter.
“The fine cloth clothes worn by the Young Lord and Teacher Li must have come from the needlework room of the Prince’s Estate. If you factor in the wages for the needlework, they might even be worth the price of Kesi silk,” Steward Zou said with a gentle smile.
Sister-in-law Yin’s laughter caught in her throat.
“Besides, with the character of the Young Lord and Teacher Li, anything they wear would look good, wouldn’t it? They are not ordinary people,” Steward Wang added with a smile.
Sister-in-law Yin looked at Li Jinzhu.
“We say this not to devalue the goods for negotiation,” Steward Wang said, looking at Li Jinzhu and continuing with a smile, “At Gui Jin Workshop, whether we buy or sell, we only deal with the best.
“If Head Shopkeeper Li wants your fine cloth business to thrive long-term, relying on the Young Lord and Teacher Li’s two outfits won’t be enough,” Steward Zou also said, looking at Li Jinzhu.
“Please enlighten us.” Li Jinzhu stood up and curtsied.
“We wouldn’t dare.” Steward Wang quickly stopped Li Jinzhu.
“We at Gui Jin Workshop have been looking at Head Shopkeeper Li’s fine cloth for nearly half a year,” Steward Zou said, watching Li Jinzhu sit back down. He bowed slightly and smiled, “This fine cloth is still a bit too coarse. It’s fine for diapers…”
“Diapers!” Li Jinzhu couldn’t help herself.
Sister-in-law Yin’s eyes widened too. She wasn’t ignorant, but using their fine cloth for diapers seemed excessively extravagant.
“Before using it, it needs to be washed seven or eight times, and then embroidered with flowers and characters,” Steward Wang added with a smile, looking at the two of them.
Li Jinzhu pursed her lips tightly, and Sister-in-law Yin let out a soft hiss.
“The fine cloth produced by the Meng Family Weaving Workshop in Yangzhou previously was much finer. There was also one type that had a silk thread woven into it, which was very comfortable as a lining for silk. If Head Shopkeeper Li could weave such fine cloth, we at Gui Jin Workshop would have fabric to use,” Steward Zou said in a gentle tone.
“Does Steward Zou know anyone who can weave such fine cloth?” Li Jinzhu asked.
“I truly don’t know. The few old pieces of fabric we have in our workshop are from fifty or sixty years ago,” Steward Zou sighed.
“I can use it here. This kind of fine cloth, after being washed carefully ten times or so, is perfect for making little ones’ clothes,” Steward Wang said with a smile.
Li Jinzhu breathed a sigh of relief, and Sister-in-law Yin quickly said with a smile, “How much does Steward Wang want? And the price?”
“Your fine cloth is different with each bolt, so I’ll have to pick and choose. Let’s first see how much we can select, and then we can discuss the price. Please rest assured, Head Shopkeepers, Gui Jin Workshop always seeks the best goods and offers the best prices for our purchases,” Steward Wang said with a smile.
“Then please, Steward Wang, pick what you like.” Sister-in-law Yin agreed with a smile.
…
Li Xiaonan walked slowly among the clusters of scholars, her hands behind her back, observing and listening intently.
Wan Jing followed closely behind Li Xiaonan, feeling utterly bored.
Gu Yan stood outside the window, watching Li Xiaonan with a furrowed brow. After a moment, he turned his head to look at his uncle, Wei Educational Commissioner.
“What did you teach today? The same as yesterday?” Gu Yan asked.
“Where did the lesson reach?” Wei Educational Commissioner immediately turned to ask Professor Gao, who was in charge of Investigation of Things.
“It’s still the same as yesterday,” Professor Gao replied, his voice faltering as he braced himself.
“Yesterday was the same as the day before, and the day before that was the same as the day before that,” Gu Yan said, glancing at Wei Educational Commissioner.
“Well, tell me, didn’t you say there was a slight difference? What was different?” Wei Educational Commissioner nudged Professor Gao.
“The homework from the day before yesterday was mostly understood yesterday, but Teacher Li asked another question, and then, and then…” Sweat broke out on Professor Gao’s forehead.
In the past few days of Investigation of Things class, he, the professor of Investigation of Things, was the slowest and worst learner. The first day or two, he worried about not understanding, but now he was worried that he might not be able to keep his position as professor of Investigation of Things.
Inside the room, Wan Jing, who was looking around boredly, saw Gu Yan and quickly nudged Li Xiaonan.
Gu Yan met Li Xiaonan’s gaze and smiled. He tapped his folding fan, signaling her to stay put, and then quickly entered the classroom.
All the scholars in the room hurriedly stood up and bowed deeply.
“How is it? Did you all understand?” Gu Yan asked kindly.
“We have gained some insight,” the scholar at the front said, looking a bit embarrassed.
“That’s very good. The question I asked yesterday was quite difficult,” Li Xiaonan added with a smile.
All the scholars in the room secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Gu Yan glanced sideways at the scholars beside him who were secretly relieved. He unfolded his folding fan and looked at Wei Educational Commissioner, saying with a smile, “They say Jiangnan is full of talented scholars, but I didn’t expect them to be no more than that.”
Li Xiaonan was about to speak when Gu Yan cut her off, “Teacher Li, you’ve worked hard. I’ll escort you back.”
Li Xiaonan swallowed the words that were about to come out and stepped forward. Gu Yan again got ahead of Li Xiaonan and exited the classroom.
After walking seven or eight steps away from the classroom, Gu Yan paused slightly, tilted his head, and said in a low voice, “Even if you are a teacher at the prefectural school, I must go before you. This is propriety.”
“You just said Jiangnan is no more than that, but I am from Jiangnan too!” Li Xiaonan did not respond to Gu Yan’s words.
The day before yesterday, she had walked in front of him. Wan Qing had already reminded her about this.
“You are a talented woman, and there is a distinction between men and women.” Meeting Li Xiaonan’s wide eyes, Gu Yan immediately added, “What I said had another meaning. Let’s talk at my uncle’s house.”
After dinner, Li Xiaonan and Gu Yan sat in a warm pavilion with open sides. Mrs. Fu and Fourth Mistress Wei were opposite them, far enough away not to hear their conversation but close enough to see clearly. The mother and daughter were diligently sorting through a pile of fabric with several steward nannies to choose spring clothing.
“What happened?” Li Xiaonan glanced at the group engrossed in selecting fabric.
“Something has happened, but it’s not a major incident,” Gu Yan said, following Li Xiaonan’s gaze. “There’s a Mr. Dongxi, have you heard of him?”
Li Xiaonan nodded.
“Who told you? Your brother? What did you hear?” Gu Yan asked, looking at Li Xiaonan.
“They say he was a famous prodigy at seven or eight years old, with great learning, noble character, and extraordinary insight. What about him?”
“He wants to take you as his disciple, to be his last disciple, and to pass on his legacy to you,” Gu Yan said directly.
“Does he know you’re marrying me? Who told him? Did he guess? How do you know he wants to take me as a disciple? Who told you? Did he approach you?”
Li Xiaonan’s barrage of questions made Gu Yan lean back and laugh. “Perhaps it’s because he values your mastery of Investigation of Things.”
“That’s impossible. He can’t teach me anything in Investigation of Things,” Li Xiaonan said with absolute certainty.
“Taking you as a disciple isn’t about teaching you,” Gu Yan poured a cup of tea and pushed it towards Li Xiaonan.
“Is it related to the Maritime Tax Bureau?” Li Xiaonan frowned.
“Yes and no,” Gu Yan said, looking at Li Xiaonan, but didn’t elaborate.
“Do you know why he wants to take me as a disciple?” Li Xiaonan rested her arms on the table, staring intently at Gu Yan’s expression.
“Don’t stare at me like that, it’s not good if others see,” Gu Yan tapped his finger next to the cup, signaling Li Xiaonan to drink her tea.
Li Xiaonan picked up her cup.
“Mr. Dongxi’s intention to take you as a disciple was told to me by Zhou Shennian. A few days after Zhou Shennian became my adviser, Mr. Dongxi invited him for tea and a talk.”
Li Xiaonan put down her cup and hummed.
“Mr. Dongxi is the leader of the scholars in Liangzhe Circuit, and even in all of Jiangnan, he is considered a leader among the young lords. Mr. Dongxi has great ambitions,” Gu Yan continued.
“I heard he celebrated his fiftieth birthday last year. He came first in the Autumn Imperial Examination, but never passed the Spring Imperial Examination. What ambitions does he have?” Li Xiaonan was beginning to understand, and the thought made her want to sigh.
“Perhaps he wants to influence court politics. As for in which direction he wants to influence it, I’m not entirely clear yet,” Gu Yan said, looking at Li Xiaonan’s troubled expression.
He truly loved her intelligence.
“Could it be in the same direction you want to go? Or similar? Or a part of it?” Li Xiaonan looked at Gu Yan’s smile.
“Unlikely,” Gu Yan said, looking at Li Xiaonan.
“Then what should we do?”
“If he takes you as his last disciple and passes on his legacy, it will be very difficult for you to influence the scholars of Jiangnan as he can. Instead, he can use you, and use me, to gather more people,” Gu Yan said somewhat vaguely.
“Then let’s ignore him!” Li Xiaonan said decisively.
For nearly a year, she had thought for a long time but still didn’t know how to say it most appropriately. It had been truly agonizing.
In the future, after she had fully recovered, she would talk about it.
This book was originally intended to be written in one go, but, alas, for nearly a year, all inquiries and requests for updates have been ignored. She truly had no extra energy.
It is said that those who can write good novels have some talent. If I have any talent, it is probably being overly empathetic, which is an extremely painful talent.
That’s all for now. I will not mention it again.
From today onwards, I will return to A Nan’s story to warm myself.
Thank you.
Thank you, dear Dou Dou.
