Suddenly, someone was eager to try, rolling up their sleeves and advancing.
Yingying, who had lost all her previous arrogance, her small face turned pale, and she hurriedly hid behind the two maids.
"You've misunderstood. Our young lady is the adopted daughter of General Shen, so she is naturally a young lady of the General's Mansion. We have already paid the deposit, and we are not taking the goods with us. When the time comes, Linlang Pavilion will know the authenticity when the goods are delivered to the mansion. Even if it's fake, Linlang Pavilion will not lose money, as the deposit is earned for free." The little maid said calmly, "Everyone, am I right?"
The young shop assistant pondered for a moment. It seemed reasonable. Even if this young lady was not from the General's Mansion, Linlang Pavilion had received a deposit and would not lose anything.
Although an adopted daughter was not as good as a legitimate young lady, her status was not too bad. Those who had originally intended to escort Yingying to Shuntian Prefecture immediately fell silent.
Yingying was supported out of Linlang Pavilion by the two maids, her legs weak and her complexion unpleasant.
"Now that the annoying person is gone, let's continue shopping," Qi Zhenzhen said, pulling Li Nuan and Li Rou along.
After finishing the first floor, they moved to the second. Because Yingying had repeatedly snatched the items they liked, the young shop assistant felt guilty and provided more attentive service and explanations.
The second floor was filled with various spices. Qi Zhenzhen and Li Rou immediately became supporting characters, honestly listening to Li Nuan's detailed knowledge of the various spices.
There were animal-based fragrances and plant-based fragrances. Within each major category, there were many sub-categories, and Qi Zhenzhen's head was spinning. Indeed, making incense was not a casual matter. Identifying various spices was very difficult. For example, Qi Zhenzhen thought that those wood-based spices all looked the same. How did Li Nuan distinguish between them and their ages?
"Jiu Mi Xiang (fictional)?!" Li Nuan exclaimed, her eyes intensely fixed on the dark wood, which was over a foot long.
"Does Miss recognize this item?" the young shop assistant asked.
Li Nuan nodded, "This is also a type of spice, but it has no fragrance on its own and needs to be used in conjunction with other spices. Because it has no fragrance, many people do not consider it a spice, hence it is rarely seen."
"Miss is very knowledgeable," the young shop assistant praised. "Our proprietor said that if anyone recognizes this spice, they can take it. Speaking of which, this Jiu Mi Xiang has been here since we opened the second floor. Every day, Linlang Pavilion sells many spices, but this piece has been ignored."
Li Nuan's face lit up with joy, "Is what you say true, little brother? This Jiu Mi Xiang is given for free?"
The young shop assistant nodded, "This is what our proprietor said."
Li Nuan thanked him cheerfully and instructed her maid to hold the piece of spice carefully.
Besides this, Li Nuan selected quite a few other spices, looking very satisfied.
Li Rou, on the other hand, chose a set of colored inks, saying that different colors carried different floral fragrances, making them unique and interesting for painting and poetry.
Qi Zhenzhen chose a pocket watch inlaid with gems. She had originally considered the floor-standing clock that was half her height, but its price of three thousand taels made her retreat. Qi Zhenzhen also bought various small gems and beads, planning to string them into unique accessories when she had free time.
Overall, they all bought what they desired, and this trip to Linlang Pavilion was not in vain.
It was almost noon, and since they had come out, they had to eat outside.
The group headed straight for Qian Ji Restaurant, the best restaurant in the capital.
As they were all unmarried young ladies, they naturally could not sit in the main hall casually. Madam Fang asked the waiter for a private room, and the group followed them to the second floor.
As soon as they were seated and about to order, a waiter brought dishes into the room.
"Esteemed guests, these are all our restaurant's signature dishes. Are there any other dishes you require? Also, here is a jar of fruit wine, which is sweet and sour, perfect for all of you to drink."
Everyone looked at each other, a little bewildered. They hadn't ordered yet, and the dishes were already being served. What was going on?
"Little brother, are these dishes mandatory for private rooms?" Qi Zhenzhen asked. "We can't possibly eat all of this."
The waiter smiled profusely and gestured to his mouth, "Look at me, I was so focused on serving the guests that I forgot to tell you the reason! Our Qian Ji's private rooms, apart from the one tael silver room fee, do not have mandatory consumption. As for these, they were sent by our proprietor. Our proprietor is dining with friends in the adjacent private room!"
Qi Zhenzhen knew who the proprietor of Qian Ji was.
"Please ask your proprietor if it would be convenient for me to go over and express my thanks?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
"Please wait a moment, guest. I will be right back."
Madam Fang, Li Nuan, and Li Rou were still a bit confused. Qi Zhenzhen explained, "This Qian Ji is an industry of the Qian family. Perhaps the young master of the Qian family saw us when we came in. He, out of consideration for the relationship between our grandmother and the old madam of the Qian family, invited us to dine."
Madam Fang suddenly understood. So that was the reason.
"Would it be impolite for me to presume to go over and thank him?" Qi Zhenzhen asked again.
Madam Fang looked at Qi Zhenzhen with approval, "Second Miss has done the right thing."
The waiter quickly returned, smiling, "Our proprietor invites the guests to come over."
Qi Zhenzhen called Erxi to accompany her and followed the waiter to Qian Yuanbao's private room.
As Qi Zhenzhen had expected, Qian Yuanbao's friend was none other than Gu Sinian.
"Oh, the second young lady of the Qi family is here. It's just a meal, there's no need to personally come over to thank us. I don't need to introduce this person, do I? Speaking of which, you two are the ones with a close relationship," Qian Yuanbao said flirtatiously, with a sideways glance and a peach-blossom eye.
Tsk, these two sitting together really looked like a good match. And with Qian Yuanbao's tone, was he jealous because Gu Sinian was going to marry her? It must be. Qi Zhenzhen suddenly regretted coming over to thank him. It was too inconsiderate to come forward and cause trouble. If she were Qian Yuanbao, she wouldn't want anyone to disturb her precious time together.
"Did I interrupt you? Then I'll make it short. Thank you for your generosity, Young Master Qian. My two sisters and I are very grateful." Qi Zhenzhen curtsied, smiling.
"You're all grateful, so why did only you come?" Qian Yuanbao raised an eyebrow.
"My two younger sisters are not yet married and have not been betrothed. It is always inconvenient to meet unrelated men. I am already engaged to the Crown Prince, and he is present, so there is no need to be too concerned," Qi Zhenzhen said.
"You didn't know Ah Nian was here before you came. Could it be that you think because you are engaged, you can casually meet unrelated men? Ah Nian, I'm not wrong, am I? I am also an unrelated man to the second young lady of the Qi family, right?" Qian Yuanbao turned his gaze to Gu Sinian.
Gu Sinian's lips were tightly pressed together, but his gaze was fixed on Qi Zhenzhen. Although he did not speak, Qi Zhenzhen understood his meaning. He wanted her to answer Qian Yuanbao's question.