Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 046

Chapter 46: Two

In the afternoon, as the weather warmed, the streets were largely deserted, and the shop was sparsely populated. Zhang Lan went upstairs to discuss the day’s revenue with An Zhi.

“We’ve had a lot of inquiries today, but only three families have actually placed orders.” Zhang Lan, having worked in the business for years, knew that just three orders wouldn’t be a good start. She asked with a worried look, “Do we really not allow bargaining?”

An Zhi shook her head and analyzed, “Three orders may not sound like much, but our profits are high, enough to cover our daily expenses. We won’t lose money. Our business primarily relies on reputation. Those ladies don’t lack money, but they’ve never bought something so expensive before, so they’re hesitant to make a decision. Later, when others have it and they don’t, they’ll naturally come and buy.”

“But after a while, other businesses might see that our business is doing well and follow suit and sell Shu brocade.” This was what worried Zhang Lan.

“Sister Zhang, let me ask you, you have been in this business for more than 20 years. Do you know a lot about Shu brocade?” In her previous life, An Zhi only realized that Shu brocade was complicated to make after it became popular. The annual output was only a little more than what she had in her warehouse. She didn’t know how Pei Que got so much Shu brocade.

Zhang Lan shook her head. She had only seen Shu brocade once when she was learning from her master, who took out a Shu brocade skirt with great care.

“This Shu brocade is rare, and the mulberry harvest season is over this year. Even if they wanted to follow suit, they couldn’t. Our business is unique in terms of raw materials, so Sister Zhang, don’t worry about that.” An Zhi smiled. “However, please pay more attention to the tailoring of the clothes. After this month, I’ll expand into more affordable business, and then I’ll rely on Sister Zhang’s skills.”

Neither the Shu brocade nor Zhang Lan’s craftsmanship could be learned by others, so An Zhi had no fear of others trying to steal her business.

Zhang Lan felt relieved after hearing An Zhi’s words. When she heard the steward say someone wanted to order clothes, she hurriedly excused herself and went downstairs to greet the customer.

After comforting Zhang Lan, An Zhi prepared to go home.

Before leaving, she planned to ignore the lotus cake brought by Shunzi, but when she got home, Fusheng took out the lotus cake.

“Why did you bring it back?” An Zhi asked?

“Can’t I bring it with me?” Fusheng looked innocent.

“Forget it. Since you brought it back, divide it among the other courtyards. I won’t keep any here, but send two portions to Madam.” Seeing that Fusheng didn’t understand her meaning, An Zhi asked Binglu to go and assist Fusheng.

An Zhi then returned to her courtyard.

She quietly went back to her room to change her clothes. As she emerged, she noticed a pot of high-quality orchids beside the rockery and called Cuisi to ask what was going on.

“It was sent by Fourth Master Pei.” Cuisi was young and didn’t think too much. “His servant didn’t say much. If you think it’s inappropriate, should I ask someone to return it?”

“No need.” If An Zhi asked someone to send the orchid back, Pei Que would definitely send it again. Going back and forth would attract countless eyes and ears.

She sighed, looked up and saw that it was getting late, so she asked Cuisi to go to the kitchen and tell them that she was very tired today and wanted to eat something light.

Cuisi, always quick to act, left immediately after receiving the order.

An Zhi stood in the corridor, a gentle breeze caressing her face, slightly alleviating her restlessness.

“Miss, why are you standing outside?” Binglu returned with Fusheng. She had already instructed him not to bring anything back without the young lady’s permission. “When I just delivered the lotus cake to Concubine Zhang, the master was there. He asked you to come over, saying he had something to tell you.”

“Did he say what it was about?” An Zhi asked.

“No, but I noticed the master looked unwell,” Binglu reminded her.

An Zhi thought about the things that could make An Chengye unhappy, and why did he have to call her specifically? Could it be that An Rong arrived in the capital so soon?

This was not impossible.

But now that Meng Jie was already at home, even if An Rong had returned, she could just blame it on Meng Jie.

After walking for a little over a quarter of an hour, she arrived at Concubine Zhang’s courtyard.

Concubine Zhang was now clearly pregnant. She was talking to An Chengye. When she saw An Zhi arrive, she called out to An Chengye.

When An Chengye looked up, he heard An Zhi calling him, “Come in, I have something to tell you.” After saying that, he glanced at Concubine Zhang, but Concubine Zhang did not follow him into the inner room.

“Father doesn’t look well. Are you feeling unwell?” An Zhi asked perfunctorily.

“I’m fine.” An Chengye frowned. “Today, Pei Que specifically called me over and asked me all sorts of questions. You don’t know, he used to just smile politely when he saw me, but today he suddenly said so much, it nearly scared me to death. He even pulled out an official document and said he blocked it for me out of consideration for our past friendship, and told me to be more careful in the future. Zhi’er, do you think he’s holding a grudge against you for letting Pei Yu sell himself to our family? Can’t you just let Pei Yu go?”

An Zhi’s brows furrowed even more after hearing this. An Chengye thought Pei Que was trying to scare him, but she knew Pei Que was helping him. However, she didn’t need Pei Que to help him. Moreover, if An Chengye understood the meaning of this, he would immediately let Pei Que propose marriage.

It had been so long since she came back, and if it weren’t for An Chengye’s words just now, she would have forgotten that An Chengye worked under Pei Que.

What bad luck!

“Pei Yu came here on his own initiative. Even if I let him go now, he won’t leave.” An Zhi knew Pei Yu well. He was always supported by his pride wherever he went. “Since Father feels that Pei Que is threatening you, why don’t you spend some money and get a job elsewhere?”

“It’s easy for you to say. There must be a vacancy to change the position. Who would be willing to give you an easy job for no reason?” An Chengye was used to doing the work of clerk, and he didn’t want to change unless it was absolutely necessary.

But An Zhi didn’t want An Chengye to continue working under Pei Que. However, what An Chengye said made sense. It was not easy to change jobs.

An Chengye saw that his daughter was silent. He had long been unable to control An Zhi. Apart from matters related to her marriage, he did not want to interfere, otherwise he would suffer if An Zhi made a fuss.

Sighing, An Chengye waved his hand. “Forget it, there’s no point telling you all this. You should avoid the Pei family in the future. Who knows how much they might resent us. For the next bit of time, just stay home and prepare your dowry. I’ve asked my wife to help you find two families. She will talk to you tomorrow.”

“When did you find them?” An Zhi was surprised.

“We’ve discussed this over the past two days. My wife will tell you the details. Pei Que has given me a headache today, so you can go back first.” An Chengye waved his hand again, but his expression looked better. After all, he was satisfied with both families.

But seeing An Chengye’s hint of joy, An Zhi’s heart skipped a beat. She felt like there were two pitfalls waiting for her.