Chapter Eighty-Six: Collaboration

The woman couldn’t help but laugh when she heard Liu Qin call her “Beautiful Sister,” especially after seeing the exquisitely lovely young master standing before her. Her laughter was enchanting, her slender jade-white hand covering lips tinted like peach blossoms. Her eyes curved into delicate crescents, shimmering like a slender new moon, and she even winked at Liu Qin, her long lashes fluttering like tiny wings that left Liu Qin’s heart tingling with a sweet ache.

“Does the young master recognize me?” Her voice was as melodious as a songbird, soft and dulcet, like an oriole’s call.

Liu Qin was truly enchanted.

Behind her, Jiang Li tugged at her sleeve in embarrassment, his face darkening. What sort of situation was this? Who exactly was the young man here? He, the genuine young master, hadn’t reacted at all, not even Brother Lei, a grown man, showed any sign of disturbance—yet his “younger brother,” a fake young master, was losing composure like this? Had she played the part so long that her act had become reality and her preferences had shifted?

At that moment, Jiang Li was filled with unspeakable worry, wondering if he should persuade his sister to return to her true identity and stay in the women’s quarters.

Pulled back to herself by Jiang Li’s tug, Liu Qin finally snapped out of her daze and replied with a silly grin, “Sister, don’t you remember? Last year, around March or April, we met on the street. We were both in our carriages, and you smiled at me.”

As she finished, she ran forward, familiarly grabbed the woman’s arm, and shook it, her face full of hopeful expectation, as if urging her to remember—surely she must recall. It wasn’t that Liu Qin had a remarkable memory, but rather that this woman’s beauty was unforgettable. She had left such a deep impression that Liu Qin had privately ranked her among the legendary beauties, fit to compete in Miss Universe. She never imagined she’d meet her again, so her excitement had gotten the better of her—though she’d never admit how embarrassing her behavior was.

Standing nearby, Hong Jing laughed and said, “Wan Yue, I didn’t expect you and the young master really knew each other.”

Wan Yue? The leading courtesan of Misty Rain Pavilion? It was only fitting—she certainly deserved her title.

Wan Yue blinked, as if recalling something—a fleeting moment when their carriages had passed and a beautiful child had gazed at her in awe.

Her smile grew even brighter. “Of course, the young master hasn’t changed a bit.”

Was she teasing her? Liu Qin felt a little embarrassed, touching her nose. Who could she blame? It was her own fault she’d been conditioned by years of Korean dramas to be a hopeless admirer of beauty; anyone would be excited to meet such a stunning woman.

This little interlude made the negotiations between Misty Rain Pavilion and Qiongjang exceptionally smooth. To show her sincerity, Liu Qin promised that Qiongjang’s wine would be supplied exclusively to Misty Rain Pavilion—no matter how high an offer came from elsewhere, no other establishment would receive it. This, of course, referred to large, ongoing orders documented by contract, not the casual customers buying a jug or two each day.

Liu Qin’s decision was not merely about integrity—it was also to create a sense of rarity. People are always most drawn to what is hard to obtain, what is exclusive and memorable. If the wine were available everywhere, it would lose its allure.

Both parties agreed on the quantities, prices, and delivery dates. The contracts were signed and sealed on the spot. Hong Jing then presented an exquisitely embroidered purse as a deposit and handed it to Liu Qin.

Liu Qin tossed it straight to Changxing, leaving the counting to him.

With the negotiations wrapped up and the group preparing to take their leave, the curtain lifted to admit another beauty, this one dressed in a lilac gown embroidered with flowers. Unlike Hong Jing’s spirited air or Wan Yue’s delicate frailty, this woman was alluring and seductive; she merely leaned languidly against the door, exuding a charm that could easily lead one astray.

Tsk tsk, Misty Rain Pavilion truly lived up to its reputation—so many beauties!

Liu Qin’s eyes once again gleamed mischievously as she stared toward the door.

“My, how old is the young master? With such looks, you’ll surely be a heartbreaker when you grow up.”

Liu Qin grinned shamelessly at the beauty, “Thank you, sister, for your praise. I won’t let you down in the future.”

Jiang Li’s face grew even darker. How much further was this going to go?

“Ai Wei, don’t tease. They’re guests I invited for business,” Hong Jing interjected, diplomatically smoothing things over—much to Jiang Li’s relief, sparing him from losing face.

Ai Wei, unfazed by Jiang Li’s scowl, continued to tease Liu Qin, “Oh, so the young master knows how to do business? Why not come to my room and discuss it in private?”

“I…” Liu Qin was about to reply when she felt a chilly gaze bore into the back of her head. She turned and belatedly realized Jiang Li was angry. His lips pressed together, his face serious—she could already anticipate the scolding she’d get later. She shrank her neck and gave a sheepish smile, “Next time, next time.”

Though usually fearless, not even Little Five’s cold face could intimidate her, Jiang Li’s anger was another matter. If someone is stern every day, it hardly matters; but if someone is always kind and suddenly loses their temper, it makes people wary.

Leaving Misty Rain Pavilion, Jiang Li remained silent all the way to the carriage. Liu Qin sidled up to him, whispering in his ear to plead for forgiveness, “Brother A’Li, don’t be angry. Qin’er knows she was wrong. She won’t do it again.”

The warmth of her breath brushed his ear like a mischievous little hand, tickling and tingling. Jiang Li couldn’t help but blush, turning his head away.

Liu Qin thought he was still angry and ignoring her. Determined, she wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder, calling “Brother A’Li” in a pitiful, cajoling tone.

After all, she was still young—others would just see it as childish mischief and think nothing of it.

Jiang Li’s face turned even redder. He didn’t know what to do. True, they were often this close in private, but there were two others right across from them! Couldn’t his sister see that?

On the return trip, Lei Hu and Changsheng had switched seats. Squeezed into the same carriage, Changxing and Changsheng felt like the most awkward people in the world. They held back their laughter so hard their faces twitched, heads bowed low, not daring to laugh in front of their young mistress. After all, she was cunning—she might hold a grudge and get back at them later.

This was a classic case of “one thing overcomes another”—no matter how clever the young mistress was, she couldn’t outmatch her young master. The two could only laugh inwardly. They didn’t mean anything improper by it; the young mistress and master were just children, used to playing together. Who would read more into it?

But Jiang Li misunderstood. His face felt like it was on fire. In the end, he had to pry Liu Qin’s hands from around his neck, scowling, “Sit properly. If you keep this up, I’ll really get angry.”

At those words, Liu Qin finally behaved, sitting up straight.

With two major business deals signed back-to-back, Qiongjang’s income soared—but so did the depletion of their stock. Liu Qin had no choice but to ask Master Jiang to work harder and brew more. She also renegotiated his wages, promising him a share of the profits based on sales volume.

With this new incentive, Master Jiang became much more enthusiastic. At Liu Qin’s suggestion, he even took on two talented apprentices. Though his craft had been passed down in his family, for it to endure, he couldn’t keep it to himself forever. Recruiting worthy disciples was one way to ensure its survival.