The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 853 - 831: Flowers and Money

Chapter 853: Chapter 831: Flowers and Money

Bai Shan curiously asked, "What have you got packed in here?"

"Flowers," Manbao replied. "Be careful when you carry them down, most of the flowers have bloomed halfway, don’t knock or bump them."

Daji and Zhou Silang carefully carried the crate back to the courtyard, while Bai Shan and Bai Erlang fetched tools to open it. As soon as the crate was opened, a rich floral fragrance wafted out, drawing even Mr. Zhuang from his study.

All three crates were opened, and everyone in the courtyard was stunned with their mouths agape; even Mr. Zhuang was momentarily dazzled before he turned to Manbao with a surprised look—it was the first time he realized his disciple had such energy.

Manbao nonchalantly paid the coachman with some copper coins, saying, "Alright, thank you for bringing me back."

The coachman didn’t understand flowers, and he thought these weren’t much better than the two pots of red peonies he had bought. Thus, he too nonchalantly took the money and left, leaving a courtyard full of experts exchanging puzzled glances.

Ever since Zhou Silang learned that Manbao had sold two pots of orchids for two hundred taels and had brought back a peony said to be worth eight hundred taels, he had quietly asked Mr. Zhuang about it. Although it was just the basics, he comprehensively understood which flowers in the market were valuable.

Zhou Silang summarized it. Basically, the valuable flowers were just a few types—plum blossoms, orchids, chrysanthemum, and peony, yet not every type of these flowers was valuable.

For instance, with chrysanthemum, the common wild chrysanthemums often seen by the roadside could be picked by the handful—who would pay much for them?

He took a small notebook and wrote down the most valuable species and colors among these flowers. Of the three crates of peonies Manbao brought, the two crates of pure white peonies didn’t need to be mentioned; he already knew their price. However, the smaller crate containing three pots corresponded to several of the most valuable colors Mr. Zhuang mentioned.

He couldn’t discern the species, but he could see the colors!

Zhou Silang crouched down and moved closer to inspect those three pots of flowers, reaching out to touch the peony petals but then hesitating. He looked up at Mr. Zhuang and asked, "Mr. Zhuang, are these the yaohuang and moutan peony you mentioned?"

"Yaohuang, moutan peony!" Zhou Lijun had memorized their names and also came over to look; then he confirmed, "Yes, the colors are exactly as the teacher described."

Mr. Zhuang also bent down to take a closer look, nodded, and then shook his head, "It looks very similar, but it seems not quite right; at least the leaves are somewhat different from the description in the texts."

"But even if it’s not, with petals blooming like this and such true colors, it is still very costly. If it’s a rare variant of yaohuang, then it’s even more valuable."

Manbao was astonished, "Variants are valuable?"

Mr. Zhuang nodded and smiled, "Of course, initially, peonies didn’t have so many colors. It was only through artisans’ continuous cultivation and selection that these colors emerged. All these colors are considered variants. The emergence of each variant is significant because even if its color isn’t very attractive, it can crossbreed with other variants, potentially producing more appealing colors."

Then why are variants so undervalued in that world?

Manbao pondered.

"Manbao, where did you get so many peonies from?"

Manbao replied, "I bought them."

She looked between the three beautiful pots of flowers and finally picked up the Er Qiao that had caught the teacher’s attention the most, "Teacher, this pot is for you."

Mr. Zhuang looked down at her, saw her clear and sincere eyes, and smiled slightly. He said to Bai Erlang, "Take it to my study."

Bai Erlang cheerfully ran to move the pot of Er Qiao, while Mr. Zhuang watched Manbao for a while longer before also heading to his study without any further inquiries.

Zhou Silang gave Manbao a thumbs-up, "Manbao, you’re really impressive, even managing to win over the teacher."

Manbao replied, "...I’m not trying to win over the teacher. I just wanted to give it to the teacher."

Zhou Silang was skeptical, but Bai Shan believed her. He looked at the other two wooden crates containing white peonies and then at the two unique pots of yaohuang and moutan peony on the other side, vaguely understanding what Manbao intended to do.

Zhou Silang was completely immersed in the ocean of floral revenues, beaming with joy as he asked, "Manbao, I’ll go sell the flowers first thing tomorrow morning. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely be able to sell them. How much for the moutan peony, still quoting six hundred taels?"

"No, the moutan peony sells for sixteen taels."

Zhou Silang exclaimed, "Ah?"

Bai Shan explained, "Scarcity adds value. When there was only one pot of moutan peony in Yizhou City, we could quote eight hundred taels. When Manbao sells another pot outside, the price could only be six hundred taels. Fourth Brother Zhou, now that Manbao has brought back twenty pots at once, how much do you think these flowers can go for?"

Zhou Silang remarked, "... But, it shouldn’t be as low as sixteen taels, right? That’s too far from six hundred taels."

Bai Shan explained, "Because this morning, the manager from the Prince of Yizhou’s residence only gave you sixteen taels and three maces of silver."

Manbao nodded, "Exactly!"

Zhou Silang was shocked, "So, are you picking a fight with the Prince of Yizhou’s residence?"

"No!" Manbao gritted her teeth, "I’m just a commoner now, I can’t afford to challenge a prince’s residence, but picking a fight with one of their servants is still doable."

She huffed, "The pain of today will be repaid tomorrow; even more so next year."

Zhou Silang seriously advised, "Manbao, we should be generous. Why bother with a servant? Treat his words like the breeze and don’t take them to heart."

Zhou Lijun said, "I support my cousin."

Zhou Silang shook his head, "You guys, you’re just too young and hot-headed."

"Fourth Uncle, you just don’t want to lose money, right?" Zhou Lijun pointed out.

Zhou Silang coughed lightly, "Not exactly. If you really can’t get over it, I’ll have San watch him and wait till he’s alone to catch him in a sack and beat him up. How does that sound?"

He whispered, "Using flowers for revenge, isn’t that damaging our own finances?"

Manbao said, "The flowers have been bought; can you even care for them at home?"

She added, "A fine sword suits a hero, a great horse suits a general, and fine flowers need someone who appreciates them to take care. Fourth Brother, don’t worry. I’ve already found the buyers. Tomorrow, you just wait for the money to roll in."

Zhou Silang asked, "Who are they?"

Manbao hummed, "Naturally, they are all people who can afford it."

She went to the study room to fetch painting supplies and said to Bai Shan, "You’re the best at painting. I need your help to paint these two pots of flowers."

Bai Shan rolled up his sleeves, "No problem."

After the paintings were done, Manbao promptly claimed them, then moved the flowers from the chest according to the care instructions provided by the buyer.

The next day, Manbao went to the apothecary, followed Doctor Ji to see two patients, inquired about the herbal farmer, and finding no news, she went back home for lessons.

Zhou Silang, who had stayed home, immediately greeted her and asked, "Why did you go to the apothecary? Aren’t you going out to sell flowers?"

"Fourth Brother, I made a mistake last time. I think this time we shouldn’t go looking for buyers ourselves, but let them come to us."

Zhou Silang was taken aback and asked, "And then, how will they find us?"

Manbao waved her hand, "Don’t worry, I’ll handle it after my classes. You just go about your work."