Chapter 38

Mu Wanqing inclined her head with composed grace. “From the Guo family of Jiangnan? You can call me Mu San.”
Polite yet distant, she carried an air of lofty superiority that made people involuntarily feel a chill of respect.
Guo Er was taken aback, his expression complicated. “You know our Guo family of Jiangnan?”
Mu Wanqing nodded slightly. “My elders mentioned them, saying the Guo family has traded for generations and is fabulously wealthy. Every disciple in the clan does well. The current patriarch is remarkable; he doubled the family's scale under his leadership, and all five sons have turned out well, but…”
She delivered the assessment like a superior, substantive, every word landing with weight, not idle gossip.
Hearing the confidence in her tone and recognizing she came from more than an ordinary official household, Guo Er couldn't help but press, “What is it?”
It concerned his family, so naturally he wanted to know how they were viewed by the high officials in the capital.
Yes, he had pegged Mu Wanqing as a pampered young master from a high-ranking capital household: a bit willful, a bit mischievous.
That was exactly the persona Mu Wanqing had carefully crafted.
Shen Yong, standing to the side, watched in disbelief. How did she know so much?
He'd been in the capital for so long and knew of the Guo family, yet he'd never heard they had five sons.
She instinctively glanced at Second Master Mu and his son, looking for an answer.
But Second Master Mu and his son were equally stunned, utterly perplexed.
So they didn't know either. Shen Yong felt a small relief, he wasn't the only one clueless.
It could only be said that the Third Miss was no ordinary person.
By then Guo Er's attention was completely captured by Mu Wanqing. She adopted a rueful, adult manner, shaking her head with a sigh. “They're all too accomplished, there'll inevitably be fierce competition.”
It landed on Guo Er like a heavy stone, stirring up a thousand waves. Of course he knew his own family's affairs: the five brothers were shrewd merchants and very capable.
And the Guo family's succession wasn't primogeniture, it was meritocratic: the capable take the position.
To stand out and become the next family head, one had to fight through intense rivalry.
“What else?”
Mu Wanqing opened her mouth but swallowed her words, then laughed lightly. “I can't say more, it's another family's private affair.”
She hesitated to speak, and that very hesitation made Guo Er’s curiosity sprout like wild grass, he ached to know what pearl of wisdom she might offer.
He wasn’t the eldest legitimate son, nor the most capable in the family; his standing was middling, but he couldn’t help wanting to win.
By the family rules, each person was given a sum of capital to venture out on their own, and whoever made the most money within three years would become the next head of the clan.
Over the past year, the third brother, the one with the sharpest business mind, had left everyone in the dust, and Guo Er felt the pressure keenly.
Mu Wanqing smiled and beckoned, “Come, try my handiwork.”
Guo Er drew a deep breath; a fresh, savory aroma rose to his nose. The fish slices were cut to a uniform size, paper-thin, their grain attractive, perfect in both color and scent.
He first sipped the fish broth, his expression momentarily stunned, then picked up a delicate slice and put it in his mouth.
He couldn’t help but rave, “The broth is a clear golden hue, with a faint numbing at first and then a quick, clean sweetness. The freshness, aroma, and spice blend seamlessly; the soup is rich. The fish is tender and delicate yet has substance and spring, not falling apart, absolutely delicious.”
The sour and spicy flavors were so appetizing that his chopsticks wouldn’t stop.
Mu Wanqing hadn’t had pickled-vegetable and pepper fish in a long time either; she ate bite after bite, her face full of delight.
Those standing by swallowed their saliva but forced themselves to hold back.
Guo Er ate with relish; looking up and seeing Mu Wanqing’s graceful, composed manners at the table, good dining etiquette, he believed her words all the more.
He ordered a bowl of rice, ladled some broth over it, and when the rice soaked up the soup and he took a bite, he felt utterly satisfied.
Having eaten his fill, he smiled and said, “You come from a good family, how does someone so young have such masterful culinary skill?”
He was still testing the waters, showing himself to be a careful, cautious man.
Unfortunately for him, he’d met Mu Wanqing, the queen of putting on airs.
Mu Wanqing wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and took a sip of tea. “Well, there’s a food-loving elder in my family, so I’ve worked extra hard to win favor. Of course I’m gifted, anything I learn, I pick up quickly.”
Guo Er: …
He’d never seen anyone talk about currying favor in such a fresh, unpretentious way, what a talent.
In families like the Guos, no matter how fierce the rivalry or how much they competed in private, you wouldn’t dare say it out loud.
That’s youth for you, being young and favored is its own capital.
“So what brings you here?”
Mu Wanqing toyed with her teacup, her brows and eyes bold, full of that characteristic youthful edge.
“I want to prove to the elders that, though I’m young, I’m exceptionally gifted and capable, I can be a real ace at business.”
She gave an embarrassed smile. “To be honest, I already bragged to the elders that I’d earn a hundred thousand taels on this trip. It’s not much, but for a first venture, consider it tuition.”
Guo Er’s mouth twitched, earn a hundred thousand and call it tuition? What about those who lost money, what are they supposed to say? Why don’t you just fly to the heavens?
But looking at the bold young person, he swallowed his words and offered a half-hearted compliment, “You’re very hardworking.”
Mu Wanqing deadpanned a bit of nonsense, “No choice, these hardships now are for future days of lying drunk on a beauty’s lap and waking to seize power over the realm.”
Shen Yong’s face cracked inch by inch, this was absurd! Outrageous!
Had she forgotten she was a woman? Lying drunk on a beauty’s lap, really.
He finally understood why Mu Wanqing had everyone eating out of her hand: no one had thicker skin, no one was a bolder braggart, and no one spun a tale better than she did!
How on earth had the Mu family raised such a daughter?
He glanced again at Second Master Mu, wanting to ask, “Did you teach her to be like this?”
Instead, he saw pride on Second Master Mu’s face?!
My child is wonderful, so capable, so extraordinary. I’m delighted, I’m proud, I’m positively bursting with pride.
Shen Yong: …Fine, everyone in this branch of the Mu family is not normal!
Mu Wanqing and Guo Er grew increasingly congenial; Guo Er fully believed her now and treated her with politeness and warmth.
No matter how wealthy a clan, they were nothing in the face of officials.
Money, power, power comes first. If there’s a chance to cling to a high official, how could he not throw himself into it?
When the timing felt right, Mu Wanqing casually spoke up.
“Brother Guo, let’s go in together on an order.”
“What?” Guo Er didn’t understand.
Mu Wanqing opened her big, innocent eyes. “Buy stock together. Generally, the more you take, the cheaper it is. It’s mutually beneficial.”
Guo Er fell silent. This kid wasn’t ordinarily naive, who else would dare make such a request? He probably didn’t even have an invitation ticket, let alone priority choice.
Still, honestly, it wouldn’t hurt him.
He meant to curry favor with Mu Wanqing to get in with her family. “What’s your budget?”
Mu Wanqing slapped a stack of silver notes down on the table. “A hundred thousand taels. You?”
Throwing out a large sum like a toy, treating money like dirt only bolstered her story.
She truly was a naïve little master, money wasn’t the issue; it was all about winning favor.
Yes, this was good for him, easy to dupe… no, easy to placate!
A smile flashed in Guo Er’s eyes as he patted his chest and promised he’d handle everything.
Mu Wanqing smiled slightly as well, and Shen Yong’s party looked on with admiration. If anyone could be called the master of bluffing and showing off, Third Miss Mu would be unrivaled, no one could even claim second place!
In this way she smoothly secured the entrance ticket and gained a well-connected guide.
So Guo Er led Mu Wanqing and her party into the tea market. The market was lively, packed with merchants of every stripe.
These were only small traders; the real big merchants had been invited into private upstairs rooms, one room per customer, with the owner providing one-on-one premium service.
The attendants were attentive, serving the finest tea and pastries.
With time to spare, Guo Er enthusiastically launched into a primer on tea.
Which teas sold best, which tasted best, which were popular in Jiangnan, how to choose tea, what counts as good tea, how to market it, he explained all manner of things clearly.
Furthermore, he realized that Mu Wanqing was exceptionally bright, she caught on at once and could draw inferences from a single example.
Her capacity for learning was incredible.
After some time, a retainer reported, "Master, Boss Pan has arrived."
"Do come in." Guo Er stood to welcome him, while Mu Wanqing stayed seated.
The man who entered was the tea-market proprietor, Boss Pan, plump, with a smile like the Maitreya Buddha, warm and affable in appearance.
But if you took that at face value, you'd be wrong; he was famously shrewd.
Boss Pan and Guo Er were old acquaintances; he spoke casually and familiarly. After some small talk, he finally looked toward Mu Wanqing sitting to one side.
"And who is this?"
Guo Er introduced warmly, "Mu, the third young master from the capital. I brought him along to see a bit of the world."
There was a friendly tone, laced with an unspoken respect, and Boss Pan couldn't help sneaking a few extra glances at Mu Wanqing.
What sort of background is this? She doesn't even rise to greet him, must come from a lofty family.
Mu Wanqing sat composed as he surveyed her, gave the customary bow of a young gentleman, and said, "Mu, the third young master, greets Boss Pan. How has the Prefect been lately?"
It was said Boss Pan was the elder brother of the Prefect's favored concubine, effectively the Prefect's brother-in-law.
Boss Pan froze for a moment, instinctively looking at Guo Er, did he say that?
Guo Er shook his head. It wasn't his doing; he hadn't said a word, people had their own sources.
Good birth really makes a difference, there's a distinct depth to it.
Some information that takes great effort to dig up in one place is simply table-talk in another; it's within easy reach.
Comparing yourself to others makes you sick with envy.
Mu Wanqing saw it all and smiled faintly, her gamble had paid off. Never underestimate the common folk.
Their news circulated more swiftly than one might imagine; many things were hidden from those above but no secret among the people below.
Boss Pan couldn't quite fathom Mu Wanqing's background, but her showiness and the particular pride of an official's child in her manner made him treat her with special courtesy.
While they discussed business, Mu Wanqing, taking advantage of her youth, sat openly listening, who would dare ask her to leave?
Guo Er placed a big order: 10,000 jin of top-grade tea and 50,000 jin of mid-grade tea.
"Little brother, what about you? Want the same?"
Mu Wanqing tilted her head and asked innocently, "May I try them all?"
"Sure." Boss Pan was generous and agreed at once.
Soon the servants brought several pots of brewed tea. Mu Wanqing lifted her cup and took delicate sips, tasting each one in turn.
The top-grade teas came in several varieties with differing flavors, but they all shared an excellent mouthfeel.
As for the mid-grade tea, after tasting the top-grade, one could only say it was passable.
The low-grade tea had imperfect leaves and tasted somewhat bitter.
She asked specifically about the price. Boss Pan glanced at Guo Er and said, "Out of respect for Guo Er, the price is the same."
He quoted several prices, all the most favorable on the market.
Mu Wanqing considered for a moment. "I'll take 1,000 jin of top-grade, 50,000 jin of mid-grade, and 100,000 jin of low-grade. Boss Pan, can you make it any cheaper?"
Low-grade tea was dirt cheap, practically a steal.
Hearing this, Guo Er couldn't help but advise, "Little brother, you don't understand. Low-grade tea is hard to sell. Think about it: people who can afford to drink tea usually aren't poor; most will buy mid-grade, some for taste, some for appearances. Demand for low-grade tea is small."
He truly meant well for Mu Wanqing. "Although it's cheap, it really won't sell."
Mu Wanqing understood all of that, but he had missed one point: his market was in the capital, whereas hers would be toward the border, selling to pastoral communities.
The tea didn't need to be exceptional; it only had to cut grease and aid digestion.
But that wasn't something she wanted to spell out. "I have it under control."
Seeing her stubbornness, Guo Er's head throbbed, kids these days were really hard to please.
If he took a loss, there probably wouldn't be future business between them.
He tried to salvage things. "How will you transport it? This road has wind and rain; tea quickly gets damp, and once it does it's ruined."
He wasn't trying to scare her, this was fact. Tea could bring good profits, but the losses on the road were huge.
Mu Wanqing looked puzzled. "What's so hard about it? Make tea bricks."
Guo Er and Boss Pan exchanged a glance and asked in unison, "Tea bricks? What's that?"
"You don't know? Really?" Mu Wanqing widened her eyes in surprise, then seemed to remember. "It's probably a secret recipe passed down through generations in our family, outsiders wouldn't know."
Guo Er: ...That's noble pedigree for you, I'm jealous.
Boss Pan: ...A secret recipe? I want it!