Chapter 329 - 198: Disobeying Superiors_3
First, they decided to bring more silver. Qian Hua hadn’t returned for the New Year, and he had sent several letters to Qian Yixiu through the Liang Mansion. Although he had left with more than five thousand taels of silver and many unique products from Ji’an to sell, they were still strapped for cash.
The goods in the Capital City were too expensive, and land was worth its weight in gold. Even though they hadn’t bought a storefront, they still rented a three-story building as per Yixiu’s request and renovated it according to her specifications. Added to the daily operating expenses and the bribes for the government officials, there wasn’t much silver left.
Qian Sangui gave Yixiu two thousand taels in silver notes, and Yixiu also brought twenty-five small pearls just in case. These small pearls could be sold individually for one hundred taels of silver each, but when strung together into a necklace, they were worth much more. Each pearl was white, full, and uniform in size, which was quite rare. Yixiu estimated that at the very least, they could sell for more than four thousand taels of silver.
She didn’t want to use the remaining pearls, as trips to the Cave Sky Pool were few and far between, and the small Jade Pool wouldn’t produce many pearls, which were even rarer than South Sea pearls.
Time flew by in a flurry of busyness. On the twenty-sixth day of February, the Nameless Monk sent a letter. Liang Jinzhao had officially finished his apprenticeship the day before, and he had headed to the provincial capital early this morning. He advised them to get prepared, as they would probably set off around the sixth day of March. When the time came, he would send someone to notify them in advance.
The Nameless Monk also mentioned that Master Beikong and Little Monk Hongji would be traveling to the North.
The younger siblings were thrilled at the news; with the adorable Little Monk joining them, the journey would surely be more joyful.
On the second day of March, Liang Gao, Liang Jinzhao’s boy servant, arrived. The Liang Family had chartered a large boat, which was set to sail from Wen County Port on the sixth of March, and Liang Gao would accompany the Qian siblings on their trip.
Upon learning that Sister Embroidery was going to take a boat to the Capital City, Duo Duo cried until her eyes were red and swollen. In the end, Qian Manchuan, who was going to the provincial capital on business, had to promise to take her there to play, which finally calmed her down.
Regrettably, two days before their departure, Qian Yijin suddenly developed a fever and broke out in a rash. Wu Shi and Cheng Yue were terrified and immediately sent him to the County Baohe Hall. After examining him, Old Master Zhang said, fortunately, it wasn’t smallpox but just hives, which would heal with a few days of medication, but he needed to stay out of the wind.
It seemed that the Capital City trip was out of the question for the little lad. He cried inconsolably, but there was nothing to be done. Yixiu reassured him through the window to watch out for safety on the road, not to talk to strangers, and to beware of bad people who might try to abduct such a pretty girl.