During the day of rest at the inn, Hua Zhi was not idle. She had Xu Ying go out to get a general sense of the local trading house prices, and she also made inquiries about the Donglai Trading House that Shopkeeper Zhang had recommended, satisfying herself that Zhang had not misled her before presenting herself at the door the following morning.

Donglai Trading House occupied the most prominent position at the eastern gate. As soon as one arrived, the tall eaves above its entrance made it impossible to miss.

The hour was still early, and the trading house was quiet within. The moment Hua Zhi’s party appeared, they were spotted by the clerks inside. Those clerks had long since trained their eyes to size up a visitor at a glance, and seeing the group’s manner of dress, a manager of sufficient standing immediately came forward with a welcoming smile. “Honored guests gracing us so early — truly, you illuminate our humble establishment.”

The manager was not tall, but his face was round and full, and his smile when he greeted people conveyed warmth that seemed to come naturally. A born man of business. Having assessed him, Hua Zhi gave him a polite nod. “If the deal comes through, I will indeed be a valued guest. Please bring someone with authority to speak.”

Bao Xia stepped forward and handed over the letter of introduction from Shopkeeper Zhang. The manager received it with both hands, and despite himself, he looked at Bao Xia a second time. If even the maidservant was this lovely, he wondered what manner of people this party truly was.

The letter was not his to open. He led the group to seats and signaled a clerk to attend to them, then hurried inside with the letter, quietly relieved that the young master had arrived early today — otherwise they really might have let this opportunity slip.

The owner of Donglai Trading House was surnamed Xia, and the house had been named after him. In earlier years, the Xia family had been one of Jingzhou City’s prominent households, though midway they fell into decline and did not prosper again until Xia Donglai took the helm. He had four sons; the one now managing the trading house was the eldest, Xia Yin, who was expected to inherit the business in due course.

Xia Yin had done much to justify his father’s expectations. His conduct was measured and principled, his approach to business orderly and well-structured, and like his father he was known for his integrity. The trading house staff spoke of him with universal praise — yet of late he had not been finding things entirely smooth.

Although Donglai Trading House was not the sole dominant player among Jingzhou’s many trading houses, it had been in operation longer than any other. In both connections and experience, none could rival it, and with their conciliatory way of doing business, they had thrived in Jingzhou with ease.

But not long ago, the Zheng Family had opened a new trading house at the eastern gate, dealing in the same goods. Under other circumstances this would not have troubled him, but the Zheng Family was different — they were the family of Jingzhou Administrator Mu Yunyang’s wife. However solid the Xia family’s own connections in Jingzhou, they could not outrank the administrator. Though neither side could easily move against the other, in purely commercial terms they had not managed to gain a single advantage, and a fair amount of business had already been taken from them in recent weeks.

The manager knocked and entered just as Xia Yin was frowning over the account ledgers. He was long accustomed to presenting a gentle face to his staff, however, and on seeing the manager he immediately relaxed his expression and smiled. “What is it?”

“A valued guest has arrived, my lord. I was unable to gauge their background, but they brought this letter of introduction.”

Xia Yin took the letter, verified the seal was intact, and opened it. Zhang’s handwriting was passable at best — hardly elegant — yet Xia Yin read it through from beginning to end three times. Young as he was, the corners of his eyes and brows could not entirely suppress his pleased surprise.

Jingzhou, for all its merits, was still a corner of the south. How could it compare to the capital? And the visitors who had just arrived were gentry from the capital. Perhaps, he thought, his current predicament might be on the verge of resolving itself.

“Have someone prepare tea in the small flower hall.”

“Yes.”

Xia Yin rose, straightened his clothing, and walked out at a brisk pace. When the figure seated inside came into view, his footsteps faltered. Manager Chen had not told him the valued guest was a woman!

And such a remarkably lovely woman, at that.

But he was a man of business. He recovered himself at once and continued forward warmly, clasping his hands in greeting with a full smile. “I have kept you waiting. I am Xia Yin, young master of Donglai Trading House.”

Young master — that would be someone who could speak with authority. Hua Zhi rose and inclined slightly forward. “My surname is Hua. You may call me First Young Lady, Young Master Xia.”

“First Young Lady.” Xia Yin went along without hesitation. “There are many ears in the outer hall. Perhaps we might speak inside?”

“Please lead the way.”

The flower hall was lavishly decorated. Hua Zhi took one look and brought her gaze back without lingering — all that glittering gold was rather hard on the eyes.

Yet her expression, falling under Xia Yin’s observation, registered as self-possession. Once they had taken their seats, he said, “I trust the First Young Lady had a smooth journey?”

“Fair winds and smooth waters — perhaps a good omen for things to go equally well on this visit.” Hua Zhi adjusted her sleeve and looked across the table at the young man, who appeared no older than his early twenties. Most men in Jingzhou were short in stature and dark in complexion; this Xia Yin, though not particularly fair, was well-built, and his appearance was decent enough — at least one would not find him unpleasant to negotiate with.

Xia Yin, not wishing to appear too eager, was about to make a little more conversation to ease into the matter, when he heard her say: “I have come regarding a business proposal. I only wonder whether Donglai Trading House has the capacity to take it on.”

Xia Yin’s attention sharpened. “Without meaning to flatter myself — if this trading house cannot handle it, I doubt any house in Jingzhou could. First Young Lady, please speak. I am all ears.”

Hua Zhi glanced at Bao Xia, who understood immediately and passed over the same diagrams she had once shown Shopkeeper Zhang.

Xia Yin looked through them from start to finish, then looked up. “None of these are particularly difficult to procure. The First Young Lady requires all of these?”

“In large quantities. I intend to establish a seafood business in the capital, and the volume I will need is considerable. If Donglai Trading House takes on this order, a ship will need to be dispatched to the capital every seven to eight days. Should business prove brisk, it may need to run every four to five days or even more frequently.”

A major order.

Xia Yin swallowed to contain the excitement rising from within. “We have the ships. But as for the goods — will our trading house be the ones to source them, or how do you envision the arrangement?”

“I would not dare to put all my eggs in one basket — what if the basket were dropped?” Hua Zhi smiled lightly. “Nor can I very well source directly from the fishermen myself. For the benefit of all parties, I would ask the Young Master to recommend several suppliers of good repute who offer quality goods.”

“The First Young Lady thinks very carefully. I admire it. And First Young Lady, you may rest assured — Xia Yin would not risk thirty years of Donglai’s reputation.”

Hua Zhi gave a slight nod. “I prefer to work with people who take care of their good name.”

A partnership is not agreed upon in a single sitting. Hua Zhi was in no hurry. On the first day they established only a general framework, each leaving room for the other, and then parted.

Xia Yin walked them to the door and watched until they were out of sight, then lowered his voice and instructed, “Send someone after them. See which other trading houses she calls upon.”

The manager understood that the young master was wary of the Zheng Family, and agreed at once, immediately dispatching the most quick-witted clerk to follow them.

In the carriage, Bao Xia poured two cups of water from a flask and handed them to her mistress one after the other. Those who were close to the mistress all knew: when out, she never actually drank the tea that was served — no matter how thirsty she was, she would never truly take more than a sip.

The guard’s voice came from outside. “First Young Lady, there is someone following behind.”

Hua Zhi was unsurprised. “Do not mind them. Let them follow.”

“Yes.”

Shao Yao, who had been holding back and not saying a word until now, came alive like a bird released from a cage. “Hua Hua, where do we go next?”

“Is there somewhere you want to go?”

“Not really. I just do not want to go back to the inn.”

“Then we will not go back. We will take a turn around some of the smaller docks.”

Author’s note: Every time I post one chapter I feel a terrible urgency, always feeling as though I have not written enough. I absolutely will post two chapters tomorrow.