Not long after, Wu Caiwei discovered two unexpected people in her shop. After a moment's thought, she understood. Liu Baishi had likely gleaned something from her words and name, and feared she was the daughter Li Shiyun he had sold. He sent these two to identify her.
It was laughable. The original owner had grown up in the Liu family for fifteen years, yet he didn't even know what his daughter looked like, sending two servants to identify her. However, they would likely be disappointed. Her current appearance was vastly different from the original owner's. Though he might have his suspicions, he had no proof, and such matters couldn't be discussed openly. He could only keep it to himself.
So, she walked boldly to the side of the noblewoman and said enthusiastically, "What does this lady wish to purchase?"
"Who are you? I wish to see your proprietor." Chun Lan looked at her with some disdain. The master had promoted her to concubine Chun as a reward for completing a highly confidential task for him. Although she hadn't borne him any children over the years, her position in the household was stable due to her knowledge of his unspeakable secrets.
Even the madam usually avoided her sharp edge, which had cultivated her spoiled and arrogant nature. If she were facing a family wealthier than the Liu family, she might have restrained herself. But she had heard that although these shops belonged to her, they were recently acquired, and she likely had little money left. Regardless, they were poorer than the Liu family. Furthermore, not knowing the other party's identity, she spoke with a hint of arrogance.
To Wu Caiwei, the woman before her was like a child, and she wouldn't bother arguing with her. Her expression remained unchanged. However, since the other party was so impolite, she wouldn't be polite either. She said with a smile, "I am the proprietor. Judging by your attire, madam, you must come from a wealthy family. I truly envy you. Unlike me, I brave the wind and rain daily, exposing myself to do business. Since madam has sought me out specifically, you must have a big deal waiting."
As she spoke, ignoring the woman's disgusted gaze, she grabbed her hand and, as if not feeling her struggle, pulled her into the inner room, introducing her to the dazzling array of items.
Seeing the other party's lack of interest, Wu Caiwei's expression immediately darkened. She looked at her with contempt and said disdainfully, "After all that, madam, you can't afford it? If you can't afford it, why did you seek me out? You made me happy for nothing, and I've been busy for so long."
Chun Lan's face immediately changed. Before she could retort, Wu Caiwei continued, "Looking at your attire, I thought a madam from some distinguished family had arrived. Perhaps you are just an insignificant concubine."
Chun Lan appeared calm on the surface, but she was somewhat moved by the sight of the various fabrics. What woman doesn't love beauty? It was just that lately, the master had been visiting her chambers less, let alone giving her extra money. She had heard that the manor had been burgled and a lot of money lost, so she hadn't dared to push her luck.
Although she was of servant origin, she was ambitious. Don't think she didn't know that although the madam appeared glorious in the manor, she was actually a distant cousin of the Li family. Old Master Li had casually sent her off to a neighboring county with a dowry. It was said that the family she married into was not good, mainly because she had made a mistake while at the Li family and didn't get along with Li Jinyu.
She didn't know when the two met, and even the madam was kept completely in the dark. She had a daughter there. Later, her husband died, and not long after, Li Jinyu also died of illness. Then the two of them got together.
She didn't believe there were so many coincidences in the world, all favoring that woman Ren Jiajia. Therefore, she always looked at her with disdain. Regardless, she hadn't been married before she followed the master. She felt that compared to that ruthless woman, she could also be a madam.
However, the master protected her a lot. She didn't know what methods she had used, so she didn't dare to voice her suspicions, nor did she dare to fall out with her in front of the master.
Every time she had a conflict with Ren Jiajia, the most frequent thing Ren Jiajia said was that she was merely a concubine and could be sold by the master if he wished. Although Chun Lan felt resentful, she knew it was the truth.
If Wu Caiwei had said something else, perhaps she wouldn't have fallen for it. But when she called her an insignificant concubine, it struck a nerve. She thought, it's just a few bolts of fabric. With no children, how could she not afford it?
So, she said grumpily, "You look down on people too much and speak rudely. You have no manners. If you weren't the proprietor here, I would definitely find your boss and have you fired. Since you are the proprietor, I must say, with your attitude towards business, this shop will eventually go out of business. Remember this: I am Madam Liu. From now on, you will address me as Madam Liu."
Hearing this, Wu Caiwei immediately put on a smile and, playing along, said, "Yes, Madam Liu. I will remember you from now on. Since you are here to buy fabric, please have a good look."
Chun Lan let out a cold snort and picked out several bolts of fabric she liked. When it came time to pay, she was stunned. She hadn't expected these ordinary bolts of fabric to cost twenty taels of silver.
"Are you robbing me? These few bolts of fabric cost twenty taels of silver? I'm not afraid to tell you, our Liu family is also in the fabric business. In our shop, these fabrics wouldn't be worth two taels." Chun Lan stared at her in shock, thinking the price was exorbitant.
"Madam Liu, that is where you are mistaken. Generally, when a well-dressed and noble lady enters, we lead her to the inner room. The fabrics in the inner room are better than those outside. The fabrics outside are sold to commoners. For a lady of your great wealth and nobility, you naturally cannot wear the same grade as commoners.
Touch these fabrics, feel the material, and look at the patterns. This is Shu brocade imported from the south. Besides, your family sells fabrics, but you specifically chose my shop. What does that mean? It means you know in your heart that our fabrics are a notch above yours, more befitting your status."
It was just trickery. Wu Caiwei found it effortless. In the past, she didn't want to swindle anyone, so she couldn't be bothered to say much. But today, she was determined to fleece the person in front of her.
Chun Lan really wanted to say that she hadn't come specifically to buy fabric, but her mind went blank, and she couldn't think of a plausible excuse.
She also noticed that their earlier exchange had attracted some customers. Others were looking at her with disdain, likely thinking she couldn't afford it and was deliberately choosing the most expensive items. She could only grit her teeth and accept it, instructing Wu Caiwei to have a servant accompany her to the Liu family to collect the money.
Walking on the road, Chun Lan became increasingly angry. She had come to complete the master's task, and unexpectedly, she had spent so much. She had saved for many years and only accumulated two hundred taels of silver. To have spent so much at once made her heart ache. No, she had to report to the master today and ask for some compensation.