Chapter 1209: Chapter 1031: Acquaintance
Under Ma Teng’s guidance, Xiao Yeyang and Daohua stepped into Bamu Town. As soon as they entered, they saw rchants from the Western Regions trading a few carts of spices for a large quantity of silk and porcelain from Daxia rchants.
“The volu of this trade is quite significant,” Daohua remarked.
Ma Teng explained with a smile, “Our Daxia’s silk and porcelain are very popular in the countries of the Western Regions. Previously, rchants could only trade privately. In such cases, the goods they brought back were in short supply.”
“Now that Hu City is open, as ti goes by, there will definitely be more and more rchants joining in, and the goods will not be as rare.”
“So while the Hu City has just opened, rchants with so capital all want to transport more goods back to earn more.”
Daohua nodded, watching with great interest the dazzling array of Western Regions’ goods on both sides of the street. Xiao Yeyang walked beside her, constantly keeping an eye on her to avoid her being bumped into.
“The items from the countries of the Western Regions are quite good.”
Daohua strolled and shopped along the way, and before long, she had acquired quite a few things in her hands.
Xiao Yeyang showed agreent: “Judging from the traded goods, one can also roughly estimate the strength of each country.”
Opening Hu City is not only about exchanging goods but also subtly probing the national strength of the countries of the Western Regions. This aspect is what the Emperor and the Imperial Court value the most.
Of course, when rchants from the countries of the Western Regions co to Daxia to do business, they surely have to pay a certain amount of tax.
Looking at the situation over the past few months, the amount is quite gratifying.
The town’s security is not bad, with governnt officials patrolling every street and a Governor’s Office dedicated to dealing with disputes in the town center.
Xiao Yeyang went to the Governor’s Office to see the recent rchant registration situation. Daohua didn’t follow him and instead entered a nearby shop.
The goods sold in the shop were sowhat mixed, featuring both Western Regions specialties and Daxia products. As soon as Daohua walked in, she was attracted to a tapestry hanging on the wall.
Daohua stood in front of the tapestry, carefully examining the pattern reminiscent of the past life’s Dunhuang fresco style, looking slightly dazed.
Just then, a lavishly dressed lady ca over, not minding Daohua standing on one side. The lady’s maid even pushed Guyu and Bi Shi back a bit: “Shopkeeper, I’ll take this tapestry. Wrap it up for .”
Daohua was jolted back to reality by this voice and turned to see who was speaking, only to find the person sohow familiar, as if she had seen them sowhere before.
“Madam Feng is here.”
The shop’s butler approached the lavishly dressed lady with a beaming smile: “Madam Feng has a remarkable eye. This tapestry is exclusively used by the Imperial Family of Dashi Country and is the most valuable Western Regions product in my shop. I didn’t expect you to recognize it at a glance.”
The lady laughed generously and said, “Wrap it up for . I want to take it back as a gift for my in-laws.”
The butler kept complinting the lady while instructing the shop workers to fetch the tapestry, not paying attention to Daohua standing aside.
Seeing Daohua fond of the tapestry, Guyu imdiately expressed displeasure: “Shopkeeper, there should be an order to the sale of goods. My madam was looking at this tapestry.”
The butler’s expression paused, as he had been preoccupied with attending to Madam Feng and had not paid much attention to the other custors in the shop. Hearing Guyu’s displeased voice, he finally took a good look at Daohua and her servants.
Upon this closer inspection, his heart skipped a beat.
This ti, because Xiao Yeyang was accompanying her, Daohua brought only Guyu and Bi Shi with her.
With so many maids and matrons in the Prince Residence, and Guyu and Bi Shi being Daohua’s senior maids managing them, their manner and authority had long surpassed that of ordinary people.
Now, with Guyu looking sternly displeased at the butler, the butler found it difficult to et her gaze.
Daohua wore a veil, and to get a clear view of the tapestry, she had lifted the thin fabric to the sides. At this mont, she was thoughtfully sizing up Madam Feng in front of her.
Familiar, and she bears the sa family na Feng…
Daohua couldn’t help but think of Feng Liangji, who had co to Xiliang not long ago. What relation did this person have with Feng Liangji?
Sun Jiayue was also sizing up Daohua, finding her sowhat familiar, but couldn’t rember where she had seen her before.
Only those of wealth or nobility could leave an impression on her. Noticing Daohua and her company’s extraordinary status, Sun Jiayue reluctantly took one last look at the tapestry.
Her father-in-law just adored such exotic items, and buying it would certainly please him.
Yet, in the end, she chose to let go.
Over the years, her constant favor and the ability to accompany her husband everywhere were not due to her being superficial. With a smile, Sun Jiayue said to the butler, who seed unsure of what to do:
“Since this Madam was interested in it first, I shall co back next ti.” Her husband cherished past affection and was willing to dote on her, but she was also aware that she must not cause trouble for the Feng Family when outside.
The butler imdiately looked at her with grateful eyes: “Madam Feng, rest assured, next ti I see the Dashi Country rchants, I will make sure they bring another tapestry like this one.”
Sun Jiayue smiled and nodded, then left with her maid.
It was only then that the butler turned to Daohua and her servants, with a pleasing smile on his face: “Madam, would you like this tapestry to be wrapped up?”
Daohua nodded and then asked the butler, “This shop of yours, as I see it, ranks among the top on the main street. What is the background of that Madam Feng, to receive such earnest attention from the butler?”
The butler chuckled sheepishly, recalling how Sun Jiayue had just gotten him out of a tight spot, and he said nothing.
Daohua didn’t press him and simply said to Bi Shi, “Have soone outside check into it.”
As Bi Shi was bowing, ready to leave, Xiao Yeyang walked in with a man nad De Fu.
“What’s up, have you taken a fancy to sothing?”
Daohua smiled and said, “I’ve taken a liking to a tapestry and also spotted soone familiar.”
Xiao Yeyang raised an eyebrow: “Who is it?”
Daohua shook her head: “I can’t rember, I’ve sent soone to find out, we should know very soon.”
Observing the formidable and majestic deanor of Xiao Yeyang, the butler who intuitively sensed trouble started to speak: “That Madam is the wife of the owner of Fangji Silk and Satin Shop.”
After saying this, he quickly glanced at Xiao Yeyang and Daohua.
“The owner, they say, is related to the prestigious Prince Residence.”
At these words, Daohua’s face darkened instantly. Who else but Feng Liangji would dare to boast such a connection with the Prince Residence in public?
“He appeared so honest and upright when he ca to my residence, but who would’ve thought he’d be audacious enough to use the Prince Residence na outside? Who gave him the authority?”
What angered Daohua the most was the Madam Feng ntioned by the butler!
If that woman was Madam Feng, then what was Sister Zixuan, who served the parents-in-law and took care of the children in the Feng household?
A re concubine dared to parade around in red outside, claiming herself as Madam Feng. Does Feng Liangji no longer regard his legitimate wife?
Daohua lost interest in shopping and left the store right away.
It wasn’t until everyone had left that the butler finally leaned weakly against the counter, wiping the big drops of sweat off his forehead.
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