Chapter 958 - 952: Secret Recipe
After taking the medicine, I had a bit of an appetite in the evening and ate half a bowl of rice.
Slept through the night till morning.
Sitting on the bed stretching, I felt invigorated.
Xingxing saw and said, "Miss, we should grab a few more doses of medicine to take on the road. They seemed to work well for you."
"Medicine isn’t something good; it’s not ideal to consume too much," Su Jin replied.
"But you can’t eat much, I’m afraid the young master might go hungry," Xingxing said.
She looked at Su Jin’s belly, feeling a bit worried for the young master.
Su Jin didn’t know how to explain to Xingxing.
She was only a few months into pregnancy; no matter how much she ate, the baby couldn’t absorb it, all just turned into flesh on her body.
After getting out of bed, washing up, and dressing anew, a servant knocked on the door to deliver breakfast.
The food was delivered by the servant, but not made by the inn.
Xingxing had breakfast early; it was quite ordinary.
She specially paid the servant to bring the best breakfast options from Yuzhou Prefecture, choosing three to five dishes.
As long as you paid, the servant was happy to run errands.
Su Jin had a decent appetite, ate well, and then went out shopping with Xingxing.
They looked for something to alleviate pregnancy nausea. She knew many fruits could help, but they were not available.
As they walked forward, they saw many stalls selling flower lanterns. Xingxing was curious, "Why are there so many lanterns for sale?"
She asked the lantern seller.
The lantern seller smiled and said, "Are you new to Yu State?"
"Yes," Xingxing nodded.
The lantern seller smiled and said, "Today is the birthday of Mrs. Governor of Yu State, and Lord Prefect has especially organized a lantern festival to celebrate her birthday."
"It’ll be lively come evening."
Xingxing looked at Su Jin and said, "We’re really lucky to happen upon such a festival. I wonder if it’ll be as lively as the Capital City lantern festival?"
Su Jin smiled and said, "We can come out and have some fun in the evening."
As the lantern was too large, they didn’t buy it.
Xingxing looked at sachets, jewelry, and Rouge cosmetics.
The young man selling Rouge eagerly promoted, "This Rouge is great, gift it to your loved one at the lantern festival, guaranteed to win their favor."
Xingxing originally intended to buy one, but hearing the vendor, she put it down.
She glanced at Su Jin, whispering, "In the evening, the master should be careful not to catch someone’s eye again."
Su Jin, "...."
Unable to hold back, Su Jin raised her hand and tapped Xingxing’s head.
Does she like being noticed?
Even with a mask, her charm was undeniable, so what could she do?
Not far off, a gentleman emerged from the tavern.
His servant’s glance quickly spotted Su Jin, given that masked men on the street were quite rare.
The servant said, "Young master, that’s the Second Steward of Beauty Pavilion."
The man’s corner of his mouth curved slightly.
Su Jin was admiring a wood carving, vividly lifelike and awe-inspiring.
Although not worth much, she found it pleasing.
The vendor was an old man, and Su Jin picked out six or seven pieces.
Xingxing was just getting money from the purse when a servant approached, pulling out a silver ingot and placing it on the stall.
Su Jin looked at him, and the servant said, "My master invites the Second Steward of Beauty Pavilion upstairs for a brief chat."
The servant looked towards the tavern behind him.
Su Jin raised an eyebrow, "Who is your master?"
"My master is the eldest young master of the Wei Family from Qi State," the servant said.
"I don’t know him," Su Jin replied.
"...."
The servant’s face stiffened, "He’s also the Fourth Son-in-law of the Zhou Family."
Fourth Son-in-law of the Zhou Family?
The one who snagged business from his father-in-law?
She wondered why they invited her.
Su Jin decided to check it out.
Inside the tavern, the servant led the way straight to a private room on the second floor.
Upon entering, she saw the Fourth Son-in-law of the Zhou Family.
He seemed about twenty or twenty-one years old, reasonably good-looking, but his eyes were sharp.
Seeing Su Jin enter, he didn’t get up, but smiled, "I was just about to head to Lord Prefect’s residence to celebrate but spotted the Second Steward. I invited you up for a chat; I hope I didn’t disturb your shopping enjoyment?"
Indeed shrewd.
He invited her for a chat instead of celebrating Mrs. Governor of Yu State’s birthday, quite a gesture.
Su Jin sat down and said, "No matter."
Cool and indifferent, seemingly ungrateful.
The Fourth Son-in-law of the Zhou Family raised a brow, pouring wine for Su Jin.
Su Jin said, "No need, I don’t drink."
The Fourth Son-in-law smiled, "The Second Steward doesn’t drink?"
Su Jin smiled lightly, "Drinking can cause mistakes. Just casual chatting, tea is fine."
Su Jin lifted her teacup and gently stirred it.
The Fourth Son-in-law then put the wine down, offering tea as a substitute.
The Wei Family is a merchant family.
The Second Steward of Beauty Pavilion may seem just a servant but she’s under the Princess Consort Zhenbei.
Even a seventh-ranking official in front of the Prime Minister’s gate—the Second Steward of Beauty Pavilion goes out, who dares to underestimate?
The Fourth Son-in-law’s tea—surely the Second Steward of Beauty Pavilion could accept it.
After sipping tea, Su Jin said, "I suspect meeting me isn’t just a simple chat over tea?"
The Fourth Son-in-law set the cup down, beginning to praise Beauty Pavilion.
A businessman’s praise was relentless, leaving Su Jin barely able to endure it.
Xingxing felt a bit giddy listening.
Her lady’s Beauty Pavilion was indeed impressive.
Then, the Fourth Son-in-law abruptly shifted his focus, nearly causing Xingxing to kick him down the stairs.
His intention for meeting Su Jin was none other than coveting Beauty Pavilion’s profits.
Of course, saying he coveted details was a bit much; he didn’t quite have that audacity.
He wanted to inquire whether the Second Steward of Beauty Pavilion knew any secrets, which he would pay handsomely for, or perhaps split profits.
Su Jin didn’t expect someone would dare try to poach her business, unwittingly doing so right before her.
Starting at five thousand taels, the temptation wasn’t something ordinary people could resist.
Su Jin eyed him and said, "Do you know who runs Beauty Pavilion? Coveting its secrets, competing for business—you’ve got a death wish?"
The Fourth Son-in-law smiled lightly, "Beauty Pavilion is run by Princess Consort Zhenbei; everyone knows that, don’t they?"
"But once secrets leave Beauty Pavilion, who knows after they pass through hands?"
"I wouldn’t dare oppose Princess Consort Zhenbei outright. I see the Second Steward as someone with entrepreneurial spirit, rather than being a lifelong steward, right?"
Xingxing wanted to hit him.
Su Jin held back Xingxing’s impulse.
A fat sheep at the door, might as well fleece some wool first.
Su Jin lifted her teacup and smiled.
The Fourth Son-in-law observed her expression, sensing possibility; who wouldn’t long for a better life than just a servant?
Even as a lifetime Second Steward, one couldn’t earn five thousand taels.
Buying land, surrounded by beauties—was that not more enjoyable than servitude?
Su Jin felt she was already persuaded.
She looked at the Fourth Son-in-law and shook her head, "This matter is too risky; a careless mistake could cost a head. Five thousand taels is a lot, but not worth the risk to life."
The Fourth Son-in-law smiled, "Money is negotiable; I trust the Second Steward isn’t short-sighted."
Su Jin chuckled and said, "For such dangerous deals, naturally, it’s a once-off transaction. Take the money and flee. Would anyone stay in the Capital, waiting to be caught?"
The Fourth Son-in-law was momentarily stunned, but then laughed, "That’s entirely up to you."
"Name your price."
"Twenty thousand taels."
"...."
The Fourth Son-in-law gasped, "That’s too much."
Su Jin eyed him, "Don’t you think Beauty Pavilion’s secret recipe is worth it?"
"Of course it is, but I too need some profit margin, don’t I?"
After bargaining, Su Jin and he settled at fifteen thousand taels.
Su Jin extended her hand, "Pay up."
"Right now?" The Fourth Son-in-law frowned.
"I have a recipe ready, bound for the border, to be prepared and sold to Beimo," Su Jin calmly remarked.
The Fourth Son-in-law hadn’t anticipated such luck.
"Where’s the recipe?" The Fourth Son-in-law asked.
"The recipe is at the inn."
"Soon you must send the silver for exchange with me. Ensure confidentiality; the days ahead are long."
The Fourth Son-in-law raised his cup, "Hearing your voice, the Second Steward is young yet decisive in actions, no wonder becoming a steward so young—bound for a limitless future."
Su Jin smiled and said, "Then I’ll count on your good wishes."