Opening an antique shop and getting rich through all the worlds

Chapter 114

It was just that the food in his hands was a bit awkward. Should he take it out, or not?

While Liu Zheng was struggling with this dilemma, he saw Li Heng walk straight into the shop, his steps looking quite urgent.

He breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to the cargo convoy with confusion. Nothing had gone wrong, had it?

Inside the shop, Shen You looked questioningly at the visitor.

Li Heng gazed at the familiar courtyard, his thoughts immediately surging. Remembering his actual business, he steadied his mind again.

“Miss Shen, I had people examine the cotton products you brought here, and they all said the manufacturing technique was exquisite. So I’ve come today to ask, do you have better cotton textile technology here?”

She did have some, but adapting it to ancient looms and production levels would take some effort.

She herself didn’t understand weaving and manufacturing.

“I can try to help you find some, but I can’t guarantee it. As for what to exchange for it, we’ll discuss that after I find it.”

“Okay.” Li Heng nodded with a smile.

Cotton cloth was precious in Great Qi, not only because cotton cultivation was limited, but also because cotton textile technology was inadequate. This was what made it unaffordable for common people.

If this problem could be solved, perhaps the current situation could be changed.

After all, Great Qi couldn’t rely solely on Western Region clothing for warmth in the future. Even if cotton products couldn’t compare, they would still be a viable option.

“Since you’re already here, why don’t you try this sweet treat?” Shen You pointed to the remaining pieces of cake on the table.

Li Heng happily opened a box of soy milk cake.

“Miss, the food here is really so much better than what we have in Great Qi.”

His sigh carried a hint of melancholy.

“Your people can make simple cakes too, just not as refined as these.” Shen You took out her tablet and found a home-style tutorial.

With milk, you could make butter; with butter, you could make whipped cream.

Cake layers could also be steamed, though they wouldn’t taste as good as oven-baked ones. Without an electric mixer, it would be more labor-intensive.

Li Heng was surprised that something so complex it seemed daunting actually required such simple ingredients.

“If Miss were to open a pastry shop in Great Qi selling these cakes, the business would surely be excellent.”

“I don’t know how to make cakes.” Shen You shook her head. “These are store-bought.”

There was indeed an oven in the kitchen, but since buying it, she had only used it once to bake yams.

“If you manage to make them, Liu Zheng could open another shop.” Shen You suddenly had an idea.

Competing for the throne required money for bribes at all levels. The better her Great Qi partners developed, the more treasures they could bring to trade with her.

Li Heng nodded, thinking it feasible.

As he looked at the expression on Shen You’s face, he pondered for a moment, choosing his words carefully.

“Miss Shen, do you happen to know our Great Qi’s National Preceptor?”

Shen You paused briefly, then smiled and said two words: “I know him.”

Those two light words made Li Heng’s expression freeze for an instant. He almost blurted out asking what their relationship was.

But calming down, he realized he had no standing to ask such a question.

Miss Shen had already rejected him before.

When the special envoy went to Yunzhou, Li Heng had been able to force him to conceal the shop’s existence.

The current Western Region goods weren’t entirely without preparation either.

But he had to admit that things had gone so smoothly only because that person had intervened to handle it.

If the current National Preceptor was really the one who had repelled foreign tribes years ago, his current appearance… probably wasn’t that of an ordinary person.

Did Miss Shen know about this?

Or was the National Preceptor just another ordinary customer of this shop?

If so, that would be best.

When Li Heng walked out of the shop, his brow was still slightly furrowed.

Liu Zheng stood to one side with cupped hands, calling out softly and saying cautiously, “Your Highness, all the goods have been transported out.”

Li Heng acknowledged with a sound and turned to get into the carriage.

Liu Zheng watched from behind, scratching his head. What was wrong? His Highness looked even more troubled than when he’d brought the Crown Princess’s seal to the shop that time.

He sighed and turned to leave.

Returning home, he agonized over the two sweet rice cakes for a long time before reluctantly giving one to Liu Yunyan.

His heart was bleeding. He couldn’t bear to eat them himself.

His face showed deep anguish when he gave it away.

“Brother, I admit I used to speak too loudly to you.” Liu Yunyan said solemnly.

“This cake is really delicious! Where exactly did you buy it? And that fried chicken from last time. Our household cooks just can’t make it taste as good.

Can you take me to buy some tomorrow?”

Liu Yunyan calculated how much money she had and how much she could buy. This cake must be very expensive.

“…” Liu Zheng looked at her eager eyes, breaking out in a cold sweat.

“Well, this is a Western Region pastry. The shops outside don’t sell it. Tomorrow I can get some more from them.”

“Is it from the Western Region merchant you’re partnering with?”

Liu Yunyan wasn’t someone who could be fooled with just a few words. Guessing it was from a Western Region merchant made her even more interested.

“Take me to have a look, won’t you? I spent so many years at the border and saw foreign merchants, but I’ve never seen anything like what you brought back.

That lamp of yours that doesn’t need candles is pretty good too. If you brought it to the military camp, it would definitely be bright enough for nighttime use.”

Liu Zheng said seriously, “I can’t make that decision, and you shouldn’t pry into it either.”

“And don’t even think about my lamp!” He slapped the table again. “Your abacus beads are even hitting my face. I only have that one!”

Usually he cleaned it himself, not letting any servants touch it, afraid they’d break it.

A lamp that could shine just from sunlight. How precious!

Liu Yunyan knew the matter was serious and didn’t mention taking her along again.

“Then just tell me about the Western Region goods.”

She was genuinely interested, especially in that lamp she’d coveted for so long. She still couldn’t figure out how glass could light up.

Liu Zheng thought for a while, considering that only the two of them were left in this generation of the Liu family, and his sister was trustworthy.

In the future, the Western Region goods trade might need more hands, so he picked out some things he could tell her.

Liu Yunyan was a smart person and immediately grasped the key point: “The Western Region merchant is a young lady?!”

“Yes, and a young, beautiful lady at that.” Liu Zheng lowered his voice. “You absolutely mustn’t tell anyone, or it will bring trouble to our family.”

“I understand.” Liu Yunyan said with a light sigh, her gaze carrying some longing.

She wondered what kind of place the ‘Western Region’ was.

That lady could do business by herself and wear her hair loose. There didn’t seem to be so many rules restricting women there.

She herself could go to battlefields, yet was still constrained by her identity as a woman.

Now the royal family was considering her marriage, but she was unwilling and didn’t like the capital.

Liu Zheng knew what she was worried about. “Don’t worry. Grandmother and I will do our best to mediate for you. We absolutely won’t let you marry Prince Cheng as a concubine.”

The next day, ‘That Shop’ launched new products.

As before, some were first presented to the palace, then sold in the shop.

The officials and nobles who bought the fleece-lined socks first immediately declared they’d bought treasure.

Western Region foot-wear that didn’t need ties to secure it, wasn’t bulky, and was incredibly comfortable!

In just half a day, hundreds of pairs of inventory were sold out.

Seeing the “sold out” sign hanging outside the shop, those who came later could only sigh and stamp their feet in frustration.

If only they’d come earlier to buy!