About the time it takes to burn a stick of incense later, the real Steward Yang arrived, with the robust man who had impersonated him following behind—he was actually his household slave.

The real Yang Dong was not so tall, just of medium build, about forty-something years old, and looked quite refined, like a scholar. Upon arrival, he amiably apologized to Shen Xiling, and after taking his seat, he even praised her, saying, “For Miss to be so young yet have such keen eyesight truly earns my admiration.”

Shen Xiling exchanged a few courteous words with him, then heard him say, “To be honest, I haven’t been in good health in recent years and rarely come out to discuss business with people anymore. Mostly this household slave handles things for me. He’s been doing this job for some years and is rarely seen through. I wonder how Miss figured it out?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Xiling smiled inwardly.

From her observation, this Steward Yang had a ruddy complexion and excellent spirits, appearing very well-maintained. She really couldn’t see what was ailing him—this was probably just an excuse after being exposed. He also said he rarely met people in recent years, implying that today he was giving great face to a junior like her and hoping she would know how to appreciate it.

Though Shen Xiling was young, she was not inexperienced. Although Yang Dong had put on quite an air in front of her and given her a neither soft nor hard warning, it didn’t intimidate her at all. After all, when it came to the dignity of those in authority, ten Yang Dongs together couldn’t compare to one Qi Ying. She spent every day by his side, and though sometimes she inevitably felt some fear of him, aside from him, few others could cause ripples in her heart anymore.

Therefore, she was very composed now. She first politely said, “Thank you, Steward, for meeting me in person today,” then glanced at the jade thumb ring on his finger and smiled, saying, “The steward’s thumb ring is quite beautiful.”

Once she said this, her meaning became very clear.

Rumor had it that Yang Dong loved jade, and the thumb ring he wore had been on his finger for many years. Folk wisdom held that people nourish jade and jade nourishes people—jade worn for a long time always had a more lustrous and gentle color. The household slave who had impersonated Yang Dong earlier had also worn a jade thumb ring to make do, but the jade’s quality wasn’t superior, and it showed no signs of being worn for years, so Shen Xiling spotted the discrepancy at once.

Yang Dong also understood her words. He was startled for a moment, then returned to normal and smiled, asking, “Miss also understands jade?”

Shen Xiling certainly couldn’t claim to be very knowledgeable, but having seen various rare treasures over the years, she had developed some discernment.

She smiled and replied, “I wouldn’t say I understand it well. It’s just that I’m preparing to take over a jewelry shop recently, so I did some homework in advance. Please forgive my presumption.”

Yang Dong nodded, then looked up and down at Yilou, which was full of customers, with considerable appreciation in his eyes, saying, “Miss conducts business well. No matter what trade, you can make it flourish. You truly have a talent for commerce.”

Of course, Shen Xiling had to be modest upon hearing this, and she indeed felt that her own qualifications were mediocre. It was only through relying on Qi Ying’s guidance and care that she had been smooth sailing all along. If speaking of herself alone, at most she could boast of being diligent.

But Yang Dong said, “Miss need not be overly modest. I have walked the path of commerce for many years and have seen all kinds of people. Miss certainly has talent—do you have elders in your family who are in business?”

This question startled Shen Xiling.

She didn’t know if she truly had talent, but the Shen family… was indeed skilled in monetary management and business.

Although she had no actual connection with that legendary family, due to her father, she ultimately carried their bloodline. She had heard that at the height of the Shen clan’s prosperity, their family wealth reached hundreds of millions. In terms of riches, they even surpassed the Qi family. Her father had once held the position of Chief Financial Minister in the current dynasty, overseeing all of Jiangzuo’s monetary income and expenditure, taxes, and the salt and iron monopoly.

A single surname, yet wealthy enough to rival a nation.

But what use was it? Overnight, the grand edifice collapsed, not even leaving a speck of dust behind. It was nothing more than flowers in a mirror, moon in water—an illusory dream. Yet how many people had lost their lives for this dream?

Thinking of this, Shen Xiling couldn’t help but become somewhat lost in thought. When she came back to her senses, she found Yang Dong looking at her with somewhat inquisitive eyes.

Her heart suddenly became alert, and she suddenly understood: this Steward Yang was probing her background.

He probably wasn’t interested in her family or elders at all. What he really wanted to know was whether she had backing behind her. As someone from the guild, he couldn’t possibly be unaware of Qi Ying’s previous protection of her, but perhaps he couldn’t be certain about the relationship between her and Qi Ying, nor how reliable such a relationship was.

The reason he was willing to sit here today was not because he was giving her face, but because he feared the person behind her.

Now that Shen Xiling understood this clearly, she felt vaguely uncomfortable.

It wasn’t that she disliked being cared for by Qi Ying, it was just that… she didn’t want to rely on him for everything. Not for any other reason—she simply wanted him to know that she had grown up and could handle everything well by herself.

She hoped he would no longer treat her as a child.

These complex thoughts were not worth sharing with outsiders. It was enough that she knew them herself. Facing Yang Dong’s inquiry now, she simply said a few polite words to gloss over it, then steered the conversation toward the main business with Yang Dong.

This main business should involve two matters: first, there needed to be an explanation for the incident of Shopkeeper Feng’s fabric shop being smashed; second, the guild’s forced demand for Shen Xiling to raise prices also needed a resolution. Both sides had to reach an understanding to conduct business harmoniously.

However, since Shopkeeper Feng’s shop had been smashed by thugs, although any discerning person could see this was the guild’s dirty work, if she brought this up openly at the negotiating table now, it would mean tearing off all pretense, and there would be no point discussing the second matter.

Shen Xiling was not someone who insisted on being confrontational, nor was she unwilling to suffer losses quietly. She could refrain from demanding justice for Shopkeeper Feng with drums and gongs right now, but she could make other arrangements to compensate him afterward. What was important now was the pricing matter.

While sipping Yilou’s fragrant tea, Yang Dong spoke earnestly to Shen Xiling, “Miss, regarding the price increase, the guild truly has its difficulties.”

He set down his teacup, gently stroking the jade thumb ring on his right thumb with his left hand, and continued slowly, “The guild exists to maintain balance among all parties. Miss has been earning abundantly here, while other shopkeepers have been squeezed to the point of not being able to eat. Naturally, they come to the guild for help. This price increase is not the guild’s unilateral decision, but truly the collective wish of all those doing weaving business in Jiankang City.”

He sighed, looking at Shen Xiling with quite gentle eyes, and continued, “This matter naturally seems unfair to Miss, but as they say, possessing a treasure is itself a crime—sometimes it’s just a helpless situation. I would also like to help, but I’m afraid I’m powerless.”

He paused, then lifted his eyelids to glance at Shen Xiling, showing a yielding expression, and said, “Naturally, if Miss wishes to ask that person for help, for him, these would all be just a matter of one sentence. I believe that then not only the guild, but even any fabric shop owner wouldn’t dare say another word, and everything would be at Miss’s disposal.”

Sentence by sentence, layer by layer, seemingly refined and elegant, but actually pressing step by step.

First, he used the name of public opinion to clear the guild of responsibility, then brought up the so-called crime of possessing treasure, and the final sentence subtly pointed to Qi Ying, implying that if Shen Xiling didn’t agree to raise prices, she would be relying on connections and bullying others with power.

Clearly, it was the guild that had smashed Shopkeeper Feng’s fabric shop first, but now in this steward’s mouth, it had become Shen Xiling bullying others with power first. Such reversal of right and wrong, calling black white, made even the usually good-tempered Song Haotang somewhat angry. For a moment, he couldn’t restrain himself and was about to retort, but Shen Xiling secretly held him back.

The young master had taught her long ago that the more unfair she felt inside, the more she needed to appear calm and unruffled. Showing emotions would only increase the opponent’s chances of winning. Maintaining composure at all times was the only way to find an opportunity to turn the tables.

His words would never be wrong.

Shen Xiling took a light sip of tea, her eyelids slightly lowered. When she raised those beautiful eyes again, they were already calm and unruffled.

She smiled faintly, her tone very gentle, saying, “Being convenient to others is being convenient to oneself—I still understand this principle. The other shopkeepers and I are all in the same trade, and I have no intention of destroying anyone’s livelihood. However, even a common person possessing treasure cannot simply offer their neck to be slaughtered. Everything should be discussed and negotiated—that would make everyone happy.”

Seeing that despite her young age she remained unperturbed in the face of change, Yang Dong also showed considerable admiration in his eyes. Upon hearing her words, he asked, “I wonder how Miss wishes to discuss and negotiate?”

Shen Xiling gently placed her teacup on the table and replied, “For the other shopkeepers to match my prices, it’s not necessary that only I raise my prices. As long as everyone reduces their prices, the result would be the same.”

Yang Dong frowned and asked, “What do you mean by this?”

Shen Xiling remained calm and continued, “The reason other fabric shops have high prices is simply because they can’t temporarily find farms with suitable prices to obtain white ramie. It happens that I still have quite a surplus on hand, which I can sell cheaply to the various shopkeepers. Shopkeeper Feng and others do business with me, requiring me to give them a two-percent profit margin. But for initial cooperation, one always needs to show some sincerity. If the other shopkeepers are willing to reduce their prices, I’m willing to give up another one percent profit. Wouldn’t this be perfect for everyone?”

Upon hearing this, Yang Dong’s expression darkened slightly.

This young lady was quite the shrewd calculator. Perfect for everyone, giving up another one percent profit—she spoke nicely. Although doing things as she suggested could indeed resolve the current stalemate, ultimately she would still benefit the most. Though she gave up profits, she simultaneously borrowed the sales channels of other fabric shops. How many fabric shops were there in Jiankang? Hundreds upon thousands? Little by little, it would amount to substantial profit for anyone.

Her calculations were precise.

While Yang Dong was pondering this in his mind, he heard Shen Xiling say gently and softly, “I intend to handle this matter through the guild, but if the steward is busy and it’s inconvenient, it’s not impossible for me to approach the various shopkeepers myself—in business matters, we’re all just merchants after all.”

These words sounded soft, but were actually quite firm.

Shen Xiling’s offer to give up one percent profit would certainly be very attractive to other small fabric shops, but the guild would likely interfere, either concealing this information from them or using the same old tricks to obstruct their cooperation with her.

Shen Xiling’s phrase “in business matters” was hinting that Yang Dong shouldn’t resort to methods outside the realm of commerce, and Yang Dong couldn’t possibly ignore this hint: after all, if Shen Xiling really decided to bring out her powerful backer, he wouldn’t even have room for explanation or rebuttal, and even the old master Fu behind him might not be able to handle it.

Yang Dong remained silent for a long time, then showed Shen Xiling that refined smile again, as if quite interested in her proposal, and then said, “I have understood Miss’s meaning, but this matter involves many complexities and requires long-term consideration. I wonder if Miss could give me some time before I respond?”

This matter naturally still needed adjustment and couldn’t be rushed. Upon hearing this, Shen Xiling nodded and replied, “Thank you for your trouble, Steward.”

Author’s Note: Boss Shen’s official rhetoric is quite impressive—I wonder who she learned it from. (Next update will have confrontational scenes~)