Chapter 119: My God! Such a Big Piece of News!

Chapter 119: My God! Such a Big Piece of News!

Birds of a feather flock together, indeed. Their ways of thinking were all the same.

Tang Shuyi picked up her teacup and took a sip, asking, "Where will your supply of goods come from?"

"There are many tea merchants in the capital. We can buy from them," Yan Wu responded.

Tang Shuyi hummed in acknowledgment, noting that they had considered this aspect. She continued, "Can you distinguish between good and bad tea?"

Yan Wu and Qi Er both shook their heads, but Qi Er said, "Those people wouldn't dare to cheat us."

Tang Shuyi smiled and looked at Qi Er, "Your father has political rivals, doesn't he?"

Qi Er nodded, as having political rivals was inevitable for an official in the court.

"If I were one of your father's political rivals, knowing you intend to supply tea to the palace, I would bribe the tea merchant you're dealing with to provide you with stale tea or even... poison the tea or something..."

"Impossible!" Qi Er interrupted Tang Shuyi.

Tang Shuyi: "How can it not be possible? Your father is the Minister of Revenue, his political adversaries are at least of equal rank to him. They fear neither you nor your father."

Silence enveloped the room. Qi Er, Yan Wu, and Xiao Yuming drooped like frostbitten eggplants, their heads hanging low and shoulders slumped.

"Each industry has its own rules," Tang Shuyi's voice softened, "Wanting to do business isn't wrong, but you need to understand the ins and outs of the trade you're entering. Otherwise, even if you were a prince or princess, you could still be swindled to your downfall."

A chill ran down Xiao Yuming's spine upon hearing this. The one he had actually swindled last time was, in reality, the Second Prince.

"Alright, you all should go back and think this over," Tang Shuyi suggested.

With drooping heads, Qi Er and Yan Wu respectfully took their leave, then departed. Upon exiting, they saw Housekeeper Zhao standing in the courtyard, smiling at them, "Young masters, on such a cold day, I have prepared a carriage to take you home."

Both Qi Er and Yan Wu declined, having arrived in their own carriages. However, Housekeeper Zhao insisted, adding, "It's best to have guards accompany you, as you are carrying valuable items."

Qi Er and Yan Wu then realized that Housekeeper Zhao intended to escort them home, and it was certain that their families would be informed of their actions upon their arrival.

Both turned their eyes to Xiao Yuming, their expressions betraying a sense of betrayal, as if to say, "We trusted you, but it turns out your mother isn't easy to deal with either."

Xiao Yuming was speechless again. When had he ever said his mother was easy to talk to? That was their own assumption.

Their resistance was futile, and Qi Er and Yan Wu were "escorted" home by the guards of the Marquis of Yongning's residence.

First, let's talk about Qi Er:

When the carriage from the Marquis of Yongning's residence arrived at the Qi family's gate, the gatekeeper immediately recognized it. But they were puzzled; the second young master of the Marquis of Yongning's residence didn't usually bring so many guards when he went out.

As they were wondering, they saw their own second young master step down from the carriage, followed by a smiling steward from the Marquis of Yongning's residence. Their second young master wore a look of helpless resignation.

The gatekeeper didn't dare to stop them. The steward from the Marquis of Yongning's residence approached and said, "Please inform Master Qi that I have something to report."

The gatekeeper understood then; their second young master had caused trouble again and had been brought back by the people from the Marquis of Yongning's residence. They didn't dare delay and immediately went to report to the house steward, who soon came hurrying over.

The steward from the Marquis of Yongning's residence didn't insist on seeing Qi Liangsheng in person. He leaned in close to the Qi family's house steward and recounted the grand affair of the three young masters. He concluded with, "Our madam was concerned about any mishap befalling Young Master Qi Er, so she had me bring him back."

The Qi family's house steward thanked him with a smile. Watching the Marquis of Yongning's people leave, he turned back to Qi Er and said, "Young Master, your father is with the old madam. Let this servant accompany you."

Qi Er didn't say a word and strode inside. He was truly shaken this time. Ever since he learned of the opportunity to become a royal merchant, he had had several sleepless nights, buzzing with excitement. He had even fantasized about earning money, having boxes of gold ingots placed before his father, dazzling him so much he couldn't open his eyes.

But before he could even start, the plan was nixed, and he had come to acknowledge it himself.

Hanging his head, he entered the courtyard of Old Madam Qi, parted the curtain, and entered the hall, only to hear his grandmother nagging his father: "...others keep bringing concubines into their homes, one after another, but look at you, with only two, and both of them are no longer young. I won't say more about that, but for a large family like ours, it's not proper to lack a mistress. How can it be so difficult for you to take a wife?"

"Mother, none of the people you’ve selected are suitable," said Qi Liangsheng.

"Then who do you think is appropriate?" the old Madame Qi inquired.

Just at that moment, Qi Er sneaked in, intending to hide unobtrusively in a corner, only to be spotted by his father who asked, "Where are you coming from?"

Qi Er stood there, head bowed in silence. The butler approached Qi Liangsheng and whispered something in his ear, prompting an angry scowl to appear on Qi Liangsheng's face.

After the butler had left, he pointed at Qi Er and exclaimed, "You're becoming quite the character, aren’t you? Aspiring to be an imperial merchant, why don't you just ascend to heaven?"

Qi Er hurriedly sidled up to old Madame Qi. Seeing this, she glared at Qi Liangsheng and scolded, "Can't you speak kindly?"

"What imperial merchant?" she turned and asked Qi Er.

Qi Er mumbled with his head still low, "Supplying tea to the palace."

His voice was faint and muddled, yet old Madame Qi caught every word and clapped her hands, "Good! Supplying tea to the palace is excellent! I always knew my grandson was capable."

Qi Liangsheng: "......"

"Grandmother, it might not be possible to become imperial merchants," Qi Er said.

Old Madame Qi asked, "Why's that?"

"Well… because I don’t understand tea leaves, I could be easily duped, and someone could leverage that to harm my father," explained Qi Er.

Old Madame Qi was taken aback, "It's just selling tea leaves, isn't it? How could that be? We’ll have your father pull some strings; it'll be fine!"

Qi Liangsheng had nothing more to say, truly at a loss for words.

Qi Er, equally embarrassed, had no choice but to relay the hypothetical scenario Tang Shuyi had described to him, then he added, "I think Aunt Xiahou is right."

Old Madame Qi's face lit up with understanding, "Yes, yes, let’s listen to the Marquise of Yongning. We won’t bother with this imperial merchant business."

She then sighed, "Originally, the Duke of Tang was quite fond of you. Who would have thought that Xiahou Huai had such thick skin, making daily trips to the Duke's estate, one day bringing flowers, the next day jade. You lacked initiative; when Xiahou Huai brought gifts, you should have too! If you had married Tang Shuyi back then and managed the household well, I wouldn’t have to worry now."

Qi Liangsheng wore a look of helplessness, "Mother, it's been so many years, why bring this up again?"

Lady Qi snorted, while Qi Er looked astonished, astounded by the revelation. His father had once competed with Xiao Er's father for Xiao Er's mother and ended up losing.

Heavens! Such juicy gossip!