Jiang Changyang was curious. In this situation, what could she do? Did she have a better plan than the one he had in mind?
Unaware of his thoughts, Mudan smiled with a hint of self-satisfaction, boasting slightly, “Actually, I’m not so foolish. This solution is probably something only I could think of.”
Mudan only showed this side of herself to him. Jiang Changyang couldn’t help but laugh, “Who praises themselves like this?” But his curiosity got the better of him. “Tell me quickly, let me judge just how clever you are.”
Mudan had only thought of this solution after meeting Lü Fang. Lü Chun’s strategy was indeed vicious and effective. In his calculations, a newly established garden like Fang Yuan couldn’t possibly produce 200 rootstocks over two feet tall at once. Most people would assume that with so many flowers already pre-ordered, she could at most produce a few dozen more, leaving a significant shortage.
This would force her to buy, and purchasing high-priced rootstocks from Beijing and Luoyang would surely result in a loss. Even if she managed to buy from elsewhere, by the time they arrived, the best grafting season would be over. She would end up losing everything and be left with a reputation for greed and overreaching, becoming a laughingstock in the industry.
But they hadn’t considered that Mudan had bought many cheap rootstocks last year and only needed a small portion now. Moreover, she had thought of a method commonly used in modern marketing: trade-ins.
People in the capital loved admiring peonies, but few truly knew how to care for them. Some households had neglected their plants, leading to degeneration, or lost interest after the initial excitement, leaving the peonies to fend for themselves.
Liu Chang’s household was a typical example. Otherwise, Gardener Zheng wouldn’t have easily left an official’s household for her unknown Fang Yuan due to lack of work. Usually, such people were wealthy nobles who viewed money as dirt, caring little for flowers or money, seeking only momentary novelty and the prestige it brought.
She only needed to find a suitable channel to spread the word and she could acquire these peonies for repurposing. Everyone loved novelty, so next spring she would cultivate a batch of peonies grafted onto herbaceous peony roots, potted with lake stones, quartz, and bamboo stones to create bonsai peonies. She could offer two old plants for one new one, and still come out ahead. After all, using the discarded shoots that others considered useless, she would never lack for scions.
No matter how powerful the guild was, or how ill-intentioned Lü Chun and Cao Wanrong were, could they extend their reach into the homes of these nobles? Could they dictate who these people did business with? Of course not. Since she had married Jiang Changyang, had a mother-in-law like Madam Wang, relatives like Li Manniang, friends like Madam Bai, and acquaintances like the Princess of Fen, why shouldn’t she use these ready resources to achieve her goals?
Bowing her head now would only invite humiliation. This world only respected the strong. She wouldn’t apologize to the guild or admit defeat to Lü Chun and Cao Wanrong. She would make them come to her! Actively acknowledge her! She could do it. Mudan asked herself, how many entrepreneurs in history had smooth sailing? With the accumulated experience and knowledge of her predecessors, she could succeed!
The most crucial thing now was to find a suitable channel to spread the news. For these people, you couldn’t simply post a notice or, as in modern society, have a group of people shout in the streets—”Two old, out-of-fashion peonies can be exchanged for one novel bonsai peony, first come first served!” Such methods might work for ordinary people, but for the image-conscious, cultured nobles, it would be over before it began.
These people valued a certain ambiance. They would only come if they found the bonsai peonies interesting, not to take advantage of a deal (of course, loving a bargain is human nature, but even if these people did, they preferred to do so under a pleasant pretext, secretly and elegantly). She should cater to their preferences, helping them save face.
But how to find this channel? Mudan’s brow furrowed deeper: “What do you think I should do?” Host a polo match? Organize a flower-viewing party? She couldn’t even play polo—she couldn’t even ride a donkey or walk properly. It would be strange for such a novice to invite people to play. Plus, she had no venue. A flower-viewing party would be ideal; she excelled at discussing fragrances and flowers. But it wasn’t the right season, and she wasn’t the Princess of Fen who could summon all the noble ladies of Beijing with a single invitation.
The first part was indeed a good idea, but the follow-through was lacking. Seeing Mudan suddenly look worried again, Jiang Changyang couldn’t help but gently flick her forehead. “Didn’t you say the wise have their methods? You were so smug just now, and in the blink of an eye, you’re out of ideas?”
Mudan tugged at his sleeve, coaxing, “I don’t care, you have to come up with a good solution for me. I know you’re busy, so you think of the plan, and I’ll execute it, okay?”
Her voice was soft, her warm breath carrying a sweet fragrance. Her beautiful phoenix eyes looked at him pleadingly and coquettishly, brimming with charm. Jiang Changyang stared at her for a moment, then affectionately pinched her cheek. “Do you know who you look like right now?”
Mudan swatted his hand away. “Who?”
Jiang Changyang said softly, “Shanshan! When it wants to please someone and beg for treats, it has that same look. If you just paced back and forth a few times, you’d be its spitting image.”
Mudan pinched the soft flesh at his waist, baring her teeth at him. “Well, I think you look just like those white rabbits you raise.”
Jiang Changyang yelped softly, pleading, “Quick, let go. It’s not good if someone sees.”
“You weren’t worried about people seeing when you pinched me,” Mudan released her grip, playfully poking Jiang Changyang’s broad back twice. Jiang Changyang caught her hand and pulled her along quickly, saying seriously, “Don’t delay, the guest is waiting. It would be rude.”
Hmph, now he’s all proper. Mudan followed Jiang Changyang, thinking she might discuss it with Madam Wang tomorrow. After all, Madam Wang had experience with these people and a playful nature. She would surely have more and better ideas than Mudan. Cheered by this thought, she decided that’s what she’d do!
Lü Fang saw Jiang Changyang and Mudan enter side by side, both wearing sweet, satisfied smiles. He felt a mix of envy and sighs. Soon, food and wine were served, and Yuan Nineteen was invited to join. The group chatted happily about various topics from far and wide. Yuan Nineteen discussed stones, Lü Fang talked about flowers, and Jiang Changyang, being a jack of all trades, could chime in on any subject. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. As the evening progressed, Jiang Changyang dismissed all the serving staff, and they began to pour their drinks.
Mudan busied herself nearby, pleased to see Jiang Changyang more relaxed than he had been in days. As the men became more animated, drinking large cups of wine, Lü Fang began to show signs of intoxication, giggling. Realizing Lü Fang wouldn’t be able to leave tonight, Mudan went to arrange a guest room for him. Just as she reached the door, she heard Yuan Nineteen suddenly ask, “Tenth Young Master, when did you first meet Jin Buyan?”
Lü Fang, slurring his words, replied, “I met him last year when he didn’t have a beard yet. When I saw him this spring, I barely recognized him. He seemed like a completely different person.”
“You saw him this spring? When and where?” Jiang Changyang asked slowly. “I feel like he looks familiar. Do you get that feeling too?”
Mudan paused and looked back. In the candlelight, she saw a completely different Jiang Changyang. His expression was as gentle as ever, but his eyes were dark and bottomless, flashing with cold determination as he looked seriously at Lü Fang.
Jiang Changyang noticed Mudan’s gaze and looked up at her, his expression changing to one of apology and tenderness. He was sorry he had to use this opportunity to get Lü Fang drunk and extract information from her friend.
Mudan hesitated for a moment, then turned and left. She heard Lü Fang laugh, “I’ve been in Beijing since last winter, so of course I met him here. Before the peony festival, I ran into him on the street. If he hadn’t called out to me, I definitely wouldn’t have recognized him. Familiar? I can’t quite place it.”
Yuan Nineteen asked something else in a low voice that Mudan couldn’t catch. She only heard Lü Fang burst into increasingly foolish laughter. She shook her head slightly, thinking that if she were like Lü Fang, getting so drunk and losing control so easily, she would never drink casually.
Outside, there were no extra servants, only Wu standing steadily in the corridor, guarding the door. In the twilight, he looked like a silent, steady pillar, his usual playful expression replaced by seriousness and focus. Seeing Mudan approach, his face broke into a genuine smile. “My lady.”
Mudan glanced back at the light spilling from the room and said, “Manager Wu, thank you for your hard work. I’ve asked the kitchen to keep some hot food and good wine for you. Remember to have some later.”
Wu smiled, “You’re always so thoughtful,” gratefully accepting Mudan’s care and consideration.
Mudan pressed her lips together and said softly, “Please keep an eye on him for me.” She only knew the general situation, not the specifics of what Jiang Changyang was doing, but she knew it must be difficult. Otherwise, why would he even target Lü Fang?
Wu nodded solemnly, “Rest assured, my lady.”