Chapter 240: Talking Business
By the time the mother and daughter woke up from a good sleep, it was already dark outside.
Shang Wan listened to the movement in the inn and found that everyone had gathered in the lobby, so she also carried Yuan Yuan downstairs.
The little baby girl had just woken up and was a bit clingy, rubbing against Shang Wan’s neck nonstop.
Shang Wan gently patted her back to comfort her.
“Perfect timing, come over and sit quickly.” Hua Niangzi turned and saw Shang Wan at the staircase entrance, beckoning her over.
Shang Wan sat down beside her with Yuan Yuan in her arms. Hua Niangzi reached out to take the little baby girl who was clinging to her mother and fed her goat milk.
“Gathering information didn’t go smoothly?”
The several niangzi had somewhat serious expressions. Hearing Shang Wan’s question, Niangzi Shu nodded and sighed softly: “That merchant caravan in Boss Zhan’s hands is probably truly a trouble.”
Shang Wan lifted the teapot and poured herself a cup of tea: “How so?”
“Another person died in the merchant caravan. The one who died was a guard. The prefectural yamen’s people took Boss Zhan back for questioning. The news that the merchant caravan is cursed has already spread. Many folks in the city are discussing the matter, wanting the government to drive out the merchant caravan’s people so as not to implicate everyone.”
Niangzi Shu frowned, appearing deeply worried.
Shang Wan took a sip of tea and said: “Isn’t this good news?”
“Ah?” The other niangzi all looked over, seeking an explanation.
Shang Wan: “Now that the news has spread, can’t we take the opportunity to press the price?”
The news was something she had asked Lord An to publicize. Who would want to be the sucker paying extra silver?
“But…” Niangzi Shu pursed her red lips, “People keep dying in the merchant caravan, and the killer hasn’t been caught yet. What if we buy it and end up bringing the killer along with it?”
She just wasn’t afraid of the curse, not unafraid of the killer.
Niangzi Lou asked: “Can’t we wait until the killer is caught before buying?”
“No.” Shang Wan and Niangzi Shu said in unison. The two exchanged a glance and saw the same meaning in each other’s eyes.
Once the killer was caught, where would they find such a bargain?
Once this village passed, there would be no more such shop.
“Then let’s buy it.” Hua Niangzi thought more simply, “This matter won’t be settled in a day or two. We can slowly negotiate with him. As long as we buy it before the killer is caught, won’t that do?”
This was indeed a method, but the timing wasn’t so easy to grasp, and Boss Zhan wasn’t a fool either.
“I think we should buy it as soon as possible.” Shang Wan set down her tea cup and said to everyone, “The news has already spread. There are surely others besides us who want to pick up a bargain. The longer things drag on, the more likely changes will occur.”
She didn’t want to make the trip in vain.
“As for the killer, I’ll be waiting for him.” A smile hooked at the corner of Shang Wan’s lips, chilling the other niangzi to the core.
Niangzi Shu also didn’t want to miss this great opportunity to pick up a bargain. She steadied her mind, coughed once, and said: “Then it’s settled?”
Niangzi Lou and Hua Niangzi both looked at Shang Wan. Seeing the casual expression on Shang Wan’s face, they inexplicably gained some confidence and courage.
It was just a killer—they still had Shang Wan!
The two nodded together, “Settled!”
·
The next day, Zhan manor.
In the bedroom, the servant presented the calling card, “Master, someone has sent a calling card.”
A large hand reached out from behind the curtain and took the calling card.
After a rustling sound, the figure behind the curtain sat up, “Invite the guest into the manor.”
“Yes.” The servant withdrew from the bedroom.
“Dress.”
The maids filed in carrying things, serving the person who emerged from behind the curtain to dress and wash up.
At the same time, Shang Wan’s group was led by the steward of the Zhan manor to the front hall to wait.
A maid served tea, glancing a few extra times at the doll Shang Wan was holding.
This doll was truly adorable.
Yuan Yuan tilted her little head and smiled at her. The maid clutched her heart, so cute!
The group waited for about half an hour. Just as Shang Wan was growing impatient, Boss Zhan finally arrived unhurriedly.
Shang Wan glanced sideways at the newcomer. As Niangzi Shu had said, this Boss Zhan was indeed rather plain-looking.
But it wouldn’t be entirely accurate to say there was nothing noteworthy about his appearance—at least his eyes were striking.
A pair of hawk-like eyes, carrying an innate two parts ferocity. Meeting his gaze felt like he could see through to the secrets deep in one’s heart at a single glance.
While Shang Wan was sizing up Boss Zhan, Boss Zhan was also sizing up the four people present.
He had heard of the Lancang Association; all its members were women. Seeing them now confirmed it.
Among them, the most outstanding in appearance was the niangzi sitting to his right below him, holding the child. Her face was very young, probably not yet twenty, but her temperament differed from the other three. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but instinctively paid her a bit more attention.
Before coming, the four of them had already discussed it: mainly Niangzi Shu would handle the talking, with the other three providing support.
When doing business, one always had to exchange pleasantries first to warm up the atmosphere.
Niangzi Shu and Boss Zhan went back and forth, only getting to the main topic after a full half cup of tea.
After another round of mutual probing, Shang Wan felt tired just listening. While pinching Yuan Yuan’s little meat hand, she secretly observed the person seated above.
She always felt there was something off about this person, but for the moment, she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.
Half a hour later, they finally entered the price negotiation phase. Niangzi Shu proposed seeing the merchant caravan leader.
This request was reasonable, and Boss Zhan immediately sent someone to fetch him.
The merchant caravan leader was a middle-aged man with a full beard, looking somewhat unkempt. His surname was Yang, and the merchant caravan’s people called him Boss Yang or leader.
Boss Yang first paid respects to Boss Zhan upon entering. When he raised his head, the dark circles under his eyes were particularly obvious, as if he’d been punched.
It seemed the pressure from the curse on the merchant caravan and the successive deaths had weighed heavily on him, perhaps keeping him up all night.
Boss Zhan said to Boss Yang: “Explain the merchant caravan’s situation carefully to these niangzi.”
“Yes.” Boss Yang seemed prepared, detailing the merchant caravan’s personnel composition, cargo configuration, vehicle setup, places they had been, and what business they specialized in.
Clear and logical, with precise wording. Just listening to him gave a good seven or eight parts understanding of the merchant caravan’s situation.
Clearly, this Boss Yang was not living up to empty reputation.
Niangzi Shu’s gaze swept over Boss Yang once, then quietly shot Shang Wan a look.
Shang Wan understood and coughed lightly.
Boss Yang immediately stopped talking and turned to look.
Shang Wan smiled, “I’ve heard the merchant caravan is cursed. Explain the matter of the curse in detail.”
At these words, Boss Yang’s face immediately darkened, his eyes mixing regret and fear. He subconsciously glanced toward Boss Zhan at the head seat.
His gaze skimmed over Shang Wan, and Boss Zhan chuckled: “The curse is pure rumor. Boss Shang, don’t listen to the nonsense from outsiders. There’s no such thing.”
“The news came from the government itself. With people dying one after another in the merchant caravan, does Boss Zhan really think it can be hidden?”
Shang Wan raised her eyes to the man seated in the main position, her gaze deep: “Or does Boss Zhan think our sisters are ignorant of the inside story and wants to trick us into spending a fortune on a hot potato?”
“Boss Shang is joking. I do business with the utmost credibility—how could I deceive you?”
Boss Zhan restrained his smile, his expression carrying some anger, as if Shang Wan had truly wronged him. “If you don’t trust me, Zhan, then this deal is off.”
