Chapter 90
“When selling Western Region goods, you know how to conceal things on your end. However, you don’t need to worry too much about this problem now.”
Wen Zhi had mentioned this before.
Liu Zheng understood Shen You’s meaning. Whether through water routes or land routes, cargo transportation always left traces.
As long as someone with intentions investigated, problems could still be discovered. Besides, he couldn’t manage to do everything flawlessly.
Manager Shen was now telling him to feel at ease.
Liu Zheng didn’t know why he could feel at ease, but he definitely trusted Shen You’s words.
Who was Manager Shen? She was the Liu family’s god of wealth!
“By the way, if someone delivers fabric to the general store in front, bring it over to me when you come.” Shen You added.
“No problem.” Liu Zheng smiled.
Shen You said, “Next time when you come to collect goods, I’ll also bring you some food.”
Hearing about food, Liu Zheng and Zhong Jing’s dignified and composed demeanor vanished completely. The expectant smiles on their faces couldn’t be suppressed.
The things at Manager Shen’s place tasted so good!
Thinking of the food they had eaten before, it was simply heavenly delicacy!
However, Manager Shen’s shop seemed unable to accommodate so many people. His Highness would definitely need to come, and Liu Zheng would work with Manager Shen on business.
The people left outside would be himself again. Zhong Jing sighed softly.
“Manager Shen, could I buy some of those pomegranates from last time?”
Since he couldn’t enter, buying something would be good too.
“Yes, let’s exchange them for paintings again.” The studio also needed hanging paintings.
A box of pomegranates for a master-level traditional painting – what a profit!
Liu Zheng couldn’t sit still anymore. Before he could speak, Shen You met his gaze and understood.
“Don’t worry, I’ll also give you and Li Heng a share when I need to trouble the people at the general store later.”
At the same time, she spoke frankly, “However, I’m asking Mr. Zhong for paintings, so his portion will definitely be more.”
“Since we’ve known each other for so long, my shop can now accommodate more people. Next time, Mr. Zhong can just come in directly.”
Hearing Shen You’s words, no one was happier than Zhong Jing. When His Highness and Liu Zheng came over, he could follow them in too!
Zhong Jing almost raised his hand to swear that he would definitely use his best skills to paint.
Liu Zheng regretted once again that when he was in school, he spent time climbing trees and drinking instead of studying. His knowledge of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting was a complete mess.
The two still needed to return to report their mission, so they didn’t stay long in the shop. After finishing their discussion, they bowed their hands in farewell and left.
Passing by the general store, Liu Zheng deliberately went in to inform the manager about what Shen You had instructed.
This shop was actually given by His Highness the Crown Prince. Since His Highness couldn’t appear in person, he just needed to arrange for an old servant from the mansion to come over.
Without paying rent and opening here, they wouldn’t lose much.
They rushed back to the Crown Prince’s mansion without stopping.
Li Heng was playing chess with another trusted aide. Just as the winner was about to be determined, he left.
The aide looked bewildered at the empty seat across from him. He had just noticed that His Highness seemed somewhat absent-minded, as if waiting for something.
Had something major happened in the capital again?
But he hadn’t heard any rumors!
In the study, Li Heng heard the news that Liu Zheng and the others brought back. His mood improved greatly, and much of the gloom from being suppressed by that person in the palace and his good brother dissipated.
He could still go to the shop today!
Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but smile.
“It’s getting late today. You may go back.” Li Heng waved his hand. When Liu Zheng turned around, he called him back.
“Regarding Miss Shen’s business, put more thought into it on your end. Make sure to handle things properly.”
This time was different from the previous small ventures. Liu Zheng’s ability to conceal the source of goods wasn’t something he could accomplish alone.
Behind it was Li Heng’s maneuvering.
Li Heng didn’t value cosmetics and skincare products with small quantities, those went to Liu Zheng.
For the winter clothing trade, the Liu mansion took a small share while the Crown Prince’s mansion took the large share.
Purchasing supplies for the army and cultivating generals were both significant expenses.
This business was too large. Liu Zheng didn’t dare take it all himself. Being able to free the mansion from its previous predicament was enough to satisfy him.
“Understood.” Liu Zheng answered respectfully. “I’ll clean up the shop in the next couple of days.”
As soon as Liu Zheng and the others left, Li Heng immediately had someone bring out the items he had prepared earlier.
He would go to Miss Shen’s shop shortly!
The Crown Prince’s mansion wasn’t close to Bluestone Alley. A round trip would take considerable time. Although he could bring things over when taking people to transport goods later, it wouldn’t be too late.
But he still wanted to make an extra trip to the shop, and he had a good reason too.
Inside the store, after the customers left, Shen You closed up shop and leisurely browsed online stores.
Recently, new fragrant balms, body lotions, and beautiful new blush colors had been released.
Before she knew it, her shopping cart was filled with many items.
She bought multiple copies of products she had purchased before and fewer quantities of new products to try first before stocking up.
Moisturizing water for 79 yuan, body lotion for 99 yuan, still in Chinese-style frosted glass packaging.
When checking out, a whole pile of items cost just over five thousand yuan. Compared to the income from selling to Great Qi, it was almost like having no cost.
This was more suitable than buying luxury skincare products for resale. It wasn’t about being stingy or reluctant to spend on the price difference.
The heritage and fragrance of century-old traditional shops better suited ancient people’s aesthetics. There was no need to change packaging, which saved so much time, and it also supported traditional shops!
As for cosmetics, luxury brands had more lipstick shades, so she could purchase those appropriately.
Switching to WeChat, she was handling coordination information with the foreign trade company when someone entered the store.
Li Heng, wearing a dark robe with gold-threaded cloud patterns embroidered on the hem, and a cloak in matching colors, personally carried in a box containing treasures.
Seeing that the big customer had come to pay the remaining balance, Shen You immediately stood up with a kind smile.
“Would you like tea, coffee, or milk tea?”
“Milk tea, is that possible?” Li Heng’s expression when wanting milk tea was completely different from the gentle and upright heir apparent who had entered earlier.
Only here could he relax, not constantly thinking about the outside struggles and calculations, and not having to guard against anyone.
“Of course!” Shen You took out her phone, opened a delivery app, and found her usual milk tea shop. “Tell me which one you want to drink. We can order two cups.”
The big customer only requested milk tea – how simple!
Li Heng looked at the bright grape bubble tea and matcha cheese pictures, hesitated for a while, then chose two cups.
From childhood, his upbringing in the palace taught him that even favorite foods shouldn’t be eaten too much. He needed restraint, couldn’t be greedy, and couldn’t easily let people see his preferences and emotions.
Choosing two cups of milk tea was already transgressive for him.
However, Miss Shen told him, “That’s not much. When there are discounts for buying two cups, I drink two cups by myself too.”
The expression on the person in front of him was too vivid.
What was her world really like?
It had to be wonderful.
For a moment, Li Heng wanted to say that if he could do everything in his power to make Great Qi approach her world, would she be willing to accept his feelings?
But soon, he calmed down again.
Last time, Miss Shen had said she couldn’t bring tablets and phones to Great Qi either.
Not to mention how unlikely this was to achieve, his current situation and the power struggles among various forces in the capital still had no outcome.
Shen You didn’t know Li Heng’s thoughts.
She took her phone to place the order, paid, and quickly replied to two messages before looking up.
“The milk tea you ordered will take some time to arrive. Please wait in the shop first.”
Li Heng naturally nodded with joy, wishing the milk tea would be delivered slowly.