My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Chapter 94: Chapter 94: I’m Not in the Mood to Praise You Today

”Prince Qi’s people raised the price by inquiring?”

Listening to the news Manager Lin asked Shen Changle to bring back, Qin Yuan was greatly shocked.

In her past life, Prince Qi was such a dignified and aloof character, rumored to never touch dust or concern himself with common affairs. How could he intervene in the pepper business?

”Did you find out what Prince Qi’s people want to buy pepper for?”

Shen Changle’s round face was also full of confusion, and he shook his head, saying, ”I don’t know. The Prince Mansion’s Chief Historian only sent someone to inquire about the price. They didn’t say when they would place an order or what they would use it for, only that they wanted a lot and were willing to pay a good price, asking those eager to sell to hold off for now.”

Qin Yuan: ”...”

With this, how could the price of pepper not rise?

Moreover, there would be price but no market.

Even if she accepted a price of fifty-five taels of silver per jin, she couldn’t gather the goods.

In her past life, she only heard that the Crown Princess Consort requested to have the Eastern Palace’s sleeping quarters smeared with pepper mud, consuming a considerable amount of pepper, which started the soaring price of pepper in the Capital City.

Later, pepper became increasingly rare because a celestial prescription from overseas circulated among the nobles in the Capital City, also requiring pepper.

The price of pepper surged several times, yet couldn’t be bought; even officials stopped using silver for bribery and switched to pepper.

When Prime Minister Niu’s home was raided, several hundred hu of pepper were seized from his storeroom, even more than what was stored in the Royal Family’s inner treasury.

The Emperor was furious about this and ordered historians to record the incident elaborately, ensuring Prime Minister Niu’s disgrace is remembered in history.

But now, the Crown Prince has yet to decide on a Crown Princess Consort. In her past life, at this time, pepper prices steadily declined. If not because of needing to buy a lot, she wouldn’t have acted now.

Qin Yuan really couldn’t fathom why Prince Qi would make such a stir to raise the pepper prices.

She pondered for a while before asking Shen Changle, who was still standing with hands by his side, ”What did you see when you delivered the ledger?”

Shen Changle methodically recounted the reactions of each manager.

Qin Yuan’s dowry shops were small and located in narrow areas. The ledgers handed in had no issues from Manager Wu, Manager Lin, and Manager Sun.

However, the other ledgers had some problems, though much smaller than before.

This may be due to some having a chance mentality or testing her limits.

The relationship between owner and manager is akin to playing chess.

She had witnessed much in her past life, so it was not surprising.

Shen Changle said, ”Manager Yao and Manager Dai said their certificates were not carefully checked when copied. Because they were hastening to revise the ledgers, mistakes were inevitable, and they will verify and resend soon, asking for madam’s forgiveness. Manager Qian said the ledger can’t be adjusted anymore. Manager Wu said he didn’t expect that even when given a deadline, the submitted ledger still had flaws. He examined it thoroughly but didn’t find the mistakes, and if madam blames anyone, he should be punished for his incompetence.”

Hong Ye listened carefully.

Qin Yuan responded.

These managers were willing to explain, which meant they no longer dared to make trouble.

Shen Changle continued, ”It seems Manager Qian doesn’t want to continue. The goods in the shop, even those piled in the corner, had gathered a layer of thick dust. Many were old stock, and the shop is located at the street’s corner, a remote place with few visitors, selling miscellaneous goods available elsewhere. I inquired once to find out that the location was good; later, the market official adjusted the stall entrances and exits, making it remote, and even if sold, it wouldn’t fetch much money.”

Hong Ye admired Shen Changle with a glance.

This person is observant.

Qin Yuan said, ”It seems he doesn’t want to continue and intends to abandon the position.”

Shen Changle said, ”I think so.”

Qin Yuan then asked, ”Do you think selling the shop is better, or is there a better way?”

Shen Changle smiled and said, ”Selling it now, I guess no one would want to take over. If sold to neighboring shops, they’ll definitely lower the price. If left there, looks like the stock can’t be cleared and eventually even pay monthly silver for the manager and assistants.”

This is truly a chicken rib situation.

Qin Yuan asked, ”Is there really no way then?”

Shen Changle said, ”I have an idea, maybe we can discount the old stock, attract some people, and better sell new goods.”

Qin Yuan nodded.

Shen Changle added, ”The location isn’t great, but it’s within West Market, which is crowded. Maybe switching to different business even at the alley’s end would draw people. Selling those miscellaneous goods that can be bought elsewhere naturally attracts no one to the alley’s end.”

Qin Yuan glanced at Hong Ye.

Hong Ye nodded repeatedly with a face full of agreement.

Qin Yuan already had an idea in mind but decided to see how Shen Changle would handle it, hence she said, ”Since Manager Qian doesn’t want to continue, why don’t you see if you can take over doing something? My dowry shops are limited; I’m just newly arrived at the Marquis Mansion, nothing major is happening, can’t not assign you tasks. For now, you manage this task, alright?”

Shen Changle was delighted and said, ”Thank you, madam, for taking care. I will definitely handle this task well.”

He was the first in the attendants’ rooms to get a decent task. Arrangements in Wutong Garden don’t count much; working outside brings prospects.

Qin Yuan said, ”Visit West Market more; help me keep an eye on the movements regarding Prince Qi Mansion’s Chief Historian’s pepper buying, and see what business my shop can do. If you do well, you won’t lack a bonus at year’s end.”

Shen Changle said, ”I’ll get busy right away and won’t let madam down.”

After he left, Qin Yuan asked Hong Ye, ”What do you think?”

Hong Ye was full of admiration and said, ”Miss is right; people can’t be judged by appearance. He’s very capable in handling matters.”

Qin Yuan said, ”You are also quite good.”

Hong Ye immediately became spirited and pursued, ”Could Miss tell me where I excel?”

Qin Yuan chuckled and said, ”I’m too lazy to praise you today, go and bother Cui Ming. These days, with many mansion matters, make inquiries, keep an eye on the tea room nannies, see whom you are satisfied with?”

Hong Ye puckered her lips, saying, ”Then I’ll go busy.”

Qin Yuan responded, then added, ”Talk more with Xiao Hong too.”

Hong Ye replied, ”Miss doesn’t even need to say. Fengxuan Pavilion, Songtao Pavilion, these places I’m mindful of, and you won’t worry. As soon as there’s any minor disturbance, I’ll surely know.”

Qin Yuan said, ”See, this is your virtue. Okay, you go, and I need to write something for cousin.”

Hong Ye left contentedly.

Qin Yuan asked the young maid to bring water, washed her hands, applied balm carefully, then lit incense, spread the paper, picked up the brush, and wrote down her long-acquired poetic skill tips, along with two poems for Qin Siyuan’s reference.

Qin Siyuan’s disposition differs from Lin Ziqi, being quite upright. She couldn’t directly polish for him but could draft a base for him to derive insight.