Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 379 - 358: Second Update

Chapter 379: Chapter 358: Second Update

"Of course it is true." Shangguan Sima was not making baseless claims; that wealthy merchant had mentioned he could introduce clients to him and that he still had several Gong Fans, even reserving a Green Mountain Pine and Moon painting fan for him as a priority.

"Prince Duan, I personally witnessed that the patterns on the Yantai were truly exceptional." Shangguan Sima was not exaggerating. Although he did not have a hobby of collecting inkstones, it did not mean he was ignorant. The other party, knowing his understanding, specifically made these fine inkstones available for him to see.

Prince Duan and Shangguan Sima were merely nodding acquaintances because of their shared interest in inkstone research. Hearing Shangguan Sima speak in such a manner immediately captivated him, and he trusted Shangguan Sima’s taste.

"Lord Shangguan, is that merchant still in Zheng Capital?" Prince Duan asked eagerly, his expression excited. He had been searching for the Duan inkstone for more than a day or two, and upon hearing this news, even if it were false, he was determined to try his luck.

Moreover, what came from Shangguan Sima’s mouth was very likely to be true.

"Yes, why wouldn’t he be here? If Prince Duan wishes to go, let’s go together. I received a message from that merchant the day before yesterday, saying he had some fine fans and inviting me to come and enjoy them. Shall we go together?" Shangguan Sima could hardly refuse and immediately responded.

"Good, rather than choosing a date, why not leave now?" Prince Duan’s fascination with inkstones had almost reached a frenzied level; he could not wait any longer.

Elder Can’s men noticed Prince Duan arriving at the busiest street in Zheng Capital with Shangguan Sima. This newly acquired shop was also conveniently ready to start business; it had originally been an antique store. The size of the store didn’t matter; the key was whether it had good merchandise.

Upon arriving, Prince Duan looked up at the shop sign, immediately feeling puzzled.

He had visited this store just last month, and it did not have much of value, though it was an established business despite not doing very well.

"I was just here recently," Prince Duan said, disappointed. He thought it was unlikely there would be an antique shop on this street he didn’t know about, and he was not unfamiliar with this one.

"Hey, hey, hey, Prince Duan, don’t leave just yet. The place has changed hands, it’s now owned by the Nanyu merchant I told you about." Shangguan Sima quickly grabbed hold of Prince Duan, who was already at the door, naturally not letting him leave.

"Everyone listen well, when the people come in, if anyone drops the ball, go straight to Young Master and face your fate; no one can save you, do you hear?" Elder Can still felt uneasy. Even with the people already at the shop front, he continued to instruct.

"Yes—" Although the shop was crowded, almost all were from Ghoul Ravine. While Elder Su had tried to choose the most normal individuals possible in selecting staff...

Prince Duan still felt something odd about the shop as soon as he entered.

"Gentlemen, please come in—" The waiter at the door was extremely enthusiastic, bending over so much his face could almost trap flies in the wrinkles of his smile, but his fervor was unbearable, excessively so.

Prince Duan frowned, still feeling something was off...

Shangguan Sima also found it strange; when he had visited the day before, he had not noticed such enthusiasm from the waiter.

"Gentlemen, please come inside. Lord Shangguan, what would you like to see today?" The waiter said while leading them to the inner chamber.

Though Prince Duan found it odd, he could not suppress his love for inkstones. Perhaps the appearance of Nanyu people was just different from theirs; no matter how he looked at them, they seemed sly, not only short in stature but also peculiar in their movements.

"Lord Shangguan told me you have some fine inkstones?" Prince Duan asked.

"Yes, yes, please, gentlemen, follow me." The waiter dared not talk much for fear that extra talk might reveal too much.

As soon as Prince Duan and Shangguan Sima were seated in the inner chamber, which had been freshly arranged, someone immediately brought in tea. The sight of the complete tea set immediately astonished Prince Duan.

Such fine tea ware being used to serve guests? This made Shangguan Sima’s words even more credible.

The arrival of the Blue Sky Jade Leaf tea surprised Prince Duan even more, as its extravagant generosity seemed like a freehanded splurge of gold.

"Waiter, this tea?" Lord Shangguan naturally knew its ugliness and rarity; it was expensive and very rare, precious as gold.

The waiter who served the tea panicked, not knowing how to respond, fearing any misstep might spell his doom. Clutching the teapot, his hands began to tremble. Indeed, with the finest teaware and tea leaves, how could he be disrespectful?

They would rather kneel upon entry if it could save their lives; they didn’t mind at all.

"Two esteemed guests, two esteemed guests, Lord Shangguan—" Just then, a hearty voice from the doorway broke the room’s awkward silence.

"It’s Manager Su." Shangguan Sima, on seeing the newcomer, dismissed other concerns.

"Lord Shangguan, thanks to your blessing, this gentleman is—" Elder Su hesitated to overstep, his words draped in respect. Although not as slick as a businessman, his smooth manner made his actions more proper.

"This is Prince Duan—" Shangguan Sima said.

"Honored guest, honored guest, this humble official greets the Prince." Elder Su knelt sincerely.

Prince Duan slightly nodded, acknowledging him.

"Manager Su, spare us the excessive formalities. Bring out your best items, especially those Duanxi Inkstones." Shangguan Sima immediately said.

Manager Su swiftly rose, hurrying out as his assistants were already standing by the doorway with inkstones.

On seeing this, Elder Su immediately felt frustrated at their lack of discretion, which might seem as if they had ulterior motives.

Elder Su personally carried in two inkstones and casually brought along two fans as gifts.

"Esteemed guests, today our master has just arrived and this tea was just opened today by him. Would the esteemed guests like to taste?" Elder Su remembered Prince Duan’s earlier confusion over the teaware and tea leaves and quickly explained.

"Oh, is that so? No wonder I didn’t see these items the last time I visited." Shangguan Sima immediately laughed, taking the tea, "Indeed, it is excellent tea."

Prince Duan had already been captivated by the two inkstones on the table; he didn’t care about the tea anymore, focusing solely on examining the inkstones in his hands, unwilling to part with them.

"Fine items, indeed fine items," Prince Duan praised generously as he observed them.

"Prince, please drink your tea." Elder Su personally offered the tea which was specially prepared for him; it wouldn’t be worthwhile if others got it cheaply.

Prince Duan took the tea, his earlier suspicions and mistrust entirely vanished. With such items in hand, one could tell their quality. Furthermore, observing the businessman’s meticulous style, yes, only someone so meticulous could procure such fine items.

"Manager Su, these inkstones are splendid." The Prince wasn’t in a hurry, pondering how much wealth they still had and what could be liquidated.

"Indeed, Your Highness has an eye as sharp as a torch. Our master also greatly cherishes these items, and if not for wanting to establish his reputation in Zheng Capital, he would loathe even to let others glance at them." Elder Su immediately replied.

Prince Duan nodded, understanding the ploy—it was all just a scheme to ask for more money.

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