Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1287: Chapter 1289: Old Acquaintance_1

Bai Ruozhu’s taste had always been impeccable, and now that she was leading the fashion trends in Danliang Country, these things came to her with ease.

”The closer to the capital city, the higher the price might be, so the prices should be most appropriate here,” Jiang Yichun reminded.

Bai Ruozhu nodded. Of course, the prices in that first village were the lowest, but it was backward, lacking good wares, offering only some special local food products.

With ample time on her hands, Bai Ruozhu simply started a major shopping spree. It’s said that women are crazy when shopping, but also happy, so she went along haggling and felt extremely pleased, her face blossoming with more smiles.

And since these things could be turned into a good amount of silver, she was even happier.

”Come take a look, the latest clothes and jewelry of Danliang Country are here, guaranteed to be one of a kind, a bargain not to miss!” A man’s hawking voice came over. Bai Ruozhu, busy picking items, didn’t turn around but murmured, ”Why does this voice sound so familiar?”

However, the hawking man suddenly looked their way, and upon seeing Bai Ruozhu, he was shocked, his voice cutting off abruptly, yet his gaze seemed to say, ”What are you doing here?”

Bai Ruozhu looked over and was startled herself. Wasn’t that man the vendor who had tried to scam Dengdeng last time in the Xiva Alley with a gilt bronze vase inlaid with rubies?

She quickly realized that since the vendor was from the Western Regions, his presence here was not surprising, and what he was selling was indeed the bags produced by Hua Xiangrong.

Last time she had Jianqi give the vendor a minor lesson without taking his life, but from his fearful eyes, it was evident that the vendor knew who she was and why he had been disciplined last time. Of course, what astonished him even more was her presence here.

Jianqi recognized the vendor, and his expression darkened. No one in the Western Regions knew them, but this man might very well reveal their identities.

Bai Ruozhu whispered to Jiang Yichun to have someone keep an eye on the vendor. Their group continued down the street as if they had seen nothing.

”Wouldn’t it be better to sell the vendor’s goods in Gaochang? Why is he peddling them here?” Bai Ruozhu asked, puzzled.

”It’s very possible he doesn’t want to continue forward, fearing danger, or perhaps he’s run out of funds,” Jiang Yichun theorized.

In fact, without making large transactions, just by entering and exiting Qinghao City one could make a profit with less risk.

Soon, a dark guard reported that the vendor was about to pack up and flee, and they had intercepted him in an alley, waiting for Jiang Yihong to decide his fate.

”Let’s go and ask,” Bai Ruozhu said, losing the mood to continue shopping.

The group wound their way among the pedestrians and headed into the back alley, where they saw the vendor immobilized by a dark guard via acupuncture points, standing motionless. Seeing Bai Ruozhu, he blinked vigorously, a plea in his eyes, hoping she would release him.

”Speak, how did you end up here?” Bai Ruozhu asked after freeing his mute point.

The man, seeing that Bai Ruozhu also knew martial arts, had an even deeper fear in his eyes, and his voice took on a crying tone, ”I’m just a small-time merchant. On the road, the boss of the merchant team wanted more money, which I really couldn’t produce, so I had no choice but to sell my goods in Qinghao City.”

He probably heard about Sangta’s news and hired more people for his merchant team, I guessed.

”Do you know who I am?” Bai Ruozhu asked.

Fear flashed in the man’s eyes, ”I don’t know, I really don’t know anything.”

He clearly did know something. Bai Ruozhu sneered, ”You should be aware that we’re on an imperial mission to manage the epidemic area. Now, if you go around saying we came to the Western Regions to do business, do you think we would be punished?”

He shrank his neck and said, ”No, no, it won’t happen. I will definitely keep my mouth shut.” Realizing quickly, he continued, ”I’ll even give you my goods. I was blind before, consider it a small compensation to the young master.”

Jiang Yichun sneered beside her, ”After all, if you’re dead, your goods will be without an owner.”

The young boss was so scared, he turned ashen. If he could move, he would no doubt kneel and kowtow for mercy.

”I—I have connections that can help you make more money. Please give me a chance to atone for my crimes with merit,” he stammered out. ”My name is Nilu, and I am very familiar with Gaochang City. I know where to get the best spices and jewelry, and where to access authentic Western Regions merchandise. If you and madam are willing to give me a chance, I am willing to become a servant to both of you, obeying only your commands.”

Bai Ruozhu did want to kill this Nilu; after all, he wasn’t a good person. But given how the Holy Hall of the Western Regions viewed human life rather seriously, killing him might expose some clues if investigated. Releasing him to gossip was out of the question, so it was better to keep him under close watch, which might prove to be useful.

Jiang Yichun shared her thoughts, and nodded slightly towards her. Having Nilu, who was accustomed to running a business, in their team would make them appear more like a genuine merchant team.

”Alright, I’ll give you one chance. But if you have any other ideas, prepare to meet the King of Hell,” Bai Ruozhu said.

Nilu opened his mouth to swear an oath but as soon as he did, Bai Ruozhu threw a pill into his mouth. He coughed and retched desperately, but the pill had already slid into his stomach. He wasn’t sure if it was psychological or a real reaction, but he faintly felt a slight twisting pain in his belly.

”You must have heard of my medical skills. That pill is my unique poison, and no one can cure it. If you harbor any devious thoughts, I assure you that you will experience the pain of your heart being carved out. Of course, if you remain loyal to us, we naturally won’t mistreat you. You’ll find it much more profitable than running your own trade, with far less risk,” Bai Ruozhu reassured him with a carrot after the stick. Though Nilu was frightened, he immediately vowed his undying loyalty.

No one believed his promises, but Bai Ruozhu was confident she could keep him from double-crossing them.

She had the dark guard release Nilu’s acupuncture points. Nilu quickly knelt and kowtowed to her and Jiang Yichun, again pledging his loyalty.

”My lord, madam, I know of a merchant in the city who wants to sell off a batch of goods at a very fair price. Originally, he was planning to transport them to sell in Danliang, but hearing that the Sangta Prince of the Barbarian Clan went to Gaochang City to form an alliance with a Western Regions marriage, he was called back by his family to plan and so he’s in a rush to liquidate his merchandise,” Nilu said.

”What is he planning back at home?” Jiang Yichun asked.

”He is just a secondary member of his family, so he handles these business dealings. His family has always sought an opportunity to elevate their status but unfortunately, the Western Regions royal families look down on them. However, if their daughter could become the queen of the Sangta Prince of the Barbarian Clan, their status in Gaochang would change entirely. While the people of the Western Regions may not like the Barbarian Tribe, they do fear the Sangta Prince quite a bit,” Nilu answered.