Chapter 145: Good Things Can ‘t Be Cheap
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Qiao Mai suddenly thought of something and said to her, “Wait a moment. I’ll get you some good stuff. You’ll probably like them.”
Seeing they had something to discuss, Mayor Qian went to see Old Mister Wang.
It had been long since he had eaten at her house, and he missed it.
Qiao Mai returned to her room, locked the door, and went into her space.
She bought ten sets of Horse-face skirts in one go on the online shopping platform. They were all thin and suitable for the current weather.
Each one was packed in an exquisite box. She carried a stack of boxes back to the front hall.
Shopkeeper Lu quickly took them and asked, “What are these?”
“Horse-face skirts. We don’t have them here.’
Shopkeeper Lu opened a box, and Qiao Mai took one out, trying it on the spot. When she saw how exquisite the skirt was, Shopkeeper Lu was overjoyed.
She carefully touched the skirt with her hand. “The craftsmanship, the stitching, the embroidery… My goodness! How much should I sell these for?”
Coincidentally, Wang Jiaru came over from Old Mistress Wang’s courtyard and was surprised when she saw the Horse-face skirts. “Sister, where did you get these?”
“Never mind where I got them. Do you like them?”
“They’re amazing, not to mention the embroidery and stitching. Just finding this fabric is difficult.
Shopkeeper Lu asked Wang Jiaru, “Sister Ru, how much do you think we can sell them for?”
“At least two thousand taels for one.’
“Isn’t that too expensive?”
“Scarce items are valuable. Who in the world can make such skirts? Embroider such patterns? Find such fabric?”
“Then I’ll sell them for three thousand taels and see if anyone buys them.” “That’s more like it. Good things should not be sold too cheaply.”
“Then I’ll take them for now. I’ll give you the silver later when I sell them.” “Stay for dinner?”
“No, I just had a bowl of dumplings at your place earlier. I’m full now, so I’m leaving.”
Shopkeeper Lu left. Mayor Qian was currently drinking with Old Mister Wang.
When Qiao Mai arrived, they both had red faces from drinking.
“Sanniang has left?”
“Yes, it’s almost dark. Why are you staying here by yourself instead of leaving with her?”
“She might find me annoying. She has everything she needs, especially men who keep bothering her. So, over the years, I only helped her when she asked for it. I rarely took the initiative, fearing she’d find me annoying.”
“You’re quite sentimental!”
“Haha, but I like her this way. Can’t help it.”
Qiao Mai sat down, and Yuan Jiaqi quickly brought a plate of dumplings to her.
“Have some. They’re still warm.”
Wang Jiaru stared at her with shining eyes as she watched Qiao Mai eat dumplings. Afraid she might be thirsty, Wang Jiaru quickly poured a glass of fruit juice for her.
“Here, sister, have some of this.”
Seeing her like this, Qiao Mai knew she wanted something from her.
“If you have something to say, spit it out.”
“Those skirts… give me a few? Oh, can you sell me a few?”
Qiao Mai rolled her eyes. “Sell?”
“Or do you want to give it for free?”
They exchanged glances several times before bursting into laughter.
“After dinner, I’ll see if there are any left. What color do you like?”
“I used to like lighter colors, but now that I’m getting married, I should wear something more elegant.” “How about purple?”
“Sure, whatever you think suits me.”
Mayor Qian took a sip of his wine. “This wine is really strong. Where did you get it? Can I buy two jars?”
“Two jars? In your dreams. Madam Qiao made this wine for me. It’s unavailable outside. It’s great for me, so she gave me ten jars all at once, sealed and stored to enjoy slowly in the future.”
“Can I buy two jars?”
“No, I don’t have enough for myself.”
With a pitiful expression, Mayor Qian turned and said, “Madam Qiao, I’ll buy two jars of your wine.”
“It’s one thousand taels per jar, so two jars will be two thousand.”
“So expensive? Is your wine made of gold?”
“If you think it’s too expensive, don’t buy it!”
One asked her for skirts, and the other asked her for wine. Skirts were easy to deal with since the embroidery was done by machines, and the cost was low. The skirt wasn’t expensive. However, the wine was a different story. It was a globally renowned premium wine, and it took fifteen bottles to fill one jar. The price for a single bottle was equivalent to one hundred taels of silver, so fifteen bottles added up to one thousand five hundred taels. Selling it to him for one thousand taels meant she was still at a loss.
“No, it’s not expensive! I’ll buy it, I’ll buy it! Is that not enough?”
“My products are rare, and you still find them expensive? I almost don’t want to sell them to you. I can’t even cover the cost price.”
Mayor Qian immediately took two silver tickets from his pocket. “Here, will you please move them here for me when you’re done?”
Qiao Mai accepted the silver tickets without hesitation. She ate several dumplings in one go, finished the bowl of fruit juice, and was about to leave. Yuan Jiaqi quickly got up. “I’ll go with you. You can’t carry two jars by yourself.”
The married couple rarely had the opportunity to walk together. Yuan Jiaqi tried to start a conversation with Qiao Mai to chat with her.
But Qiao Mai was eager to get the items, so she walked fast. When they arrived in the main courtyard, Yuan Jiaqi stopped.
“I’ll wait for you here?”
Qiao Mai nodded and entered the room. She went into her space and bought a hundred bottles of wine on the platform.
She found two clean jars, opened the bottle caps, and poured the liquor into them.
One jar held fifteen bottles. She also bought two more Horse-face skirts and two white long-sleeved tops.
Then she left the space and carried the jars outside. Yuan Jiaqi took one jar in his arms.
“Wife…
He called her “wife” in a voice so soft that he had no confidence. In the past, he had called her “Madam Qiao.”
Qiao Mai didn’t pay attention. She picked up the other jar with a few boxes underneath her arm.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Yuan Jiaqi was secretly pleased. She didn’t refute him when he called her “wife.” That was great! He will call her that from now on.
He will take it slow. One day, she would accept him.
Yuan Jiaqi hid his thoughts, and they returned to Old Mistress Wang’s courtyard. Mayor Qian saw the liquor jar and immediately got up.
He signaled to the two guards, “Go and get it.”
Once he got the good wine, he didn’t continue drinking. “Old Master Wang, I’m leaving. I’ll drink with you another day?”
“Go ahead!”
Old Master Wang saw him act like he had never seen the world before, clutching the wine in his arms, afraid the guards would drop it.
As soon as Mayor Qian left, he burst into laughter.
Only now did he realize this jar of good wine cost more than a thousand taels. This girl was generous to him.
“Girl, thank you!”
“Don’t mention it. When you’re in my house, it’s like being at your home. You will get anything good first. You’re the hero of my house.”
“Look at you. You know how to talk!”
Qiao Mai smiled and handed several boxes to Wang Jiaru. “Take these. They’re different from those ten dresses. The fabric, patterns, and colors are all different.”
“Thank you, sister!”
She took them and was nearly blinded.
“Oh my, these skirts are so beautiful! I can’t bear to wear them now. I’ll wear them when I go back to the Capital, okay?”
“These are summer skirts. When I go to the Capital for your wedding, I’ll bring you two sets of winter clothes.”
“Sister, you’re the best. Come, let’s return to my room and try them on?”
The two held hands and entered the room. Qiao Mai taught her how to wear the skirts and pair them with the tops.
Then she helped Wang Jiaru change and gave her a new hairstyle, adding the most fashionable hair accessories and earrings on Earth.
When they came out, Old Master and Mistress Wang almost couldn’t recognize her.
“These clothes are beautiful. How should I put it? They make you look noble and elegant, greatly enhancing your temperament. It’s just too good!”
Wang Jiaru happily hugged Qiao Mai. “Sister, thank you so much. The clothes are so beautiful. I love them!”
Qiao Mai rolled her eyes. “Remember to treat me well when I go to the Capital.
That’s all.”
“Of course!”
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