Lan Jin did not respond to this remark. If Yu Zhi Yue possessed such underlying qualities, she could indeed become that kind of person. But if she lacked those inherent traits, no matter how long one stayed by her side, all one would learn from her would be schemes and calculations.
"Since we are all in the capital, there will be opportunities to meet. You can judge for yourselves then." Lan Jin’s purpose in meeting them today was to reassure them, discuss these matters, and clarify her stance. With that, the goal of this meeting was achieved.
Lan Jin set down her teacup. "Wanyin, Biyue, you have managed the shops well, and the information you’ve gathered has been very useful. Now that 'Feng Deng' has opened, if any nobles face troubles in this regard, you may guide them to 'Feng Deng.' However, be careful to maintain discretion—do not reveal that you and 'Feng Deng' are connected."
Wanyin and Biyue rose and bowed. "Thank you for your trust, Miss."
"You have earned it through your efforts. If you had performed poorly, you know my temperament—past sentiments hold little weight with me. I would not keep potential risks close."
"We will not disappoint you, Miss."
Lan Jin nodded. "You may leave first. Wen Xi, stay and discuss the merchant convoy with me. Wen Qing, you stay as well."
"Yes."
Once the two had left, Wen Qing also stood up. "I’ll go rest in your room, Miss."
Lan Jin saw through her. "No need to be so tactful. There is nothing you cannot hear."
"I can already guess what Wen Xi is going to discuss. Some of the information even came through me, and I’d rather not listen." Wen Qing continued walking without pause, calling for Aunt Chang as soon as she stepped out.
Seeing that Miss Lan Jin did not stop her, Aunt Chang smiled and replied, "All the others came to discuss matters, but only Miss Wen Qing comes to sleep in your bed."
"What can I do? The matters they discuss are all serious business, while mine are… dirty affairs." Wen Qing linked arms with Aunt Chang. "Auntie, the steamed egg custard you make is the best I’ve ever tasted. I’ve been craving it."
"If Miss Wen Qing asks not for gold or silver but only for a bowl of egg custard, even if I had to fetch eggs straight from a chicken’s belly right now, I would make it to satisfy this little craving of yours."
"I just love hearing you talk, Auntie."
"I’ll go have a cup of water to moisten my throat first. Later, Miss Wen Qing, don’t find me too talkative."
Inside the room, the two listened to their conversation. Wen Xi picked up the teapot to refill Miss Lan Jin’s cup, saying as she poured, "Chen Wei has been frequenting Jiaofang Si to see Miss Wen Qing lately. She must be having a difficult time these days."
Chen Wei—Wen Qing’s former fiancé.
Lan Jin frowned slightly. "If you receive any urgent news regarding Wen Qing, prioritize her without needing to inform me first."
Wen Xi acknowledged the instruction and slid a letter across the table to Miss Lan Jin. "Although your whereabouts have been uncertain lately, it was generally known that you would arrive in the capital around this time. That’s why Zhang Linxiao sent the letter here."
Zhang Linxiao led the merchant convoy north and south, traveling farther each year. It was precisely because of him and the unique goods he brought back that the general store 'Yue Ban Wan' became the only one of its kind in the capital.
Lan Jin opened the letter and skimmed through it quickly, then smiled. "He rescued a ship of people at sea and bartered for some excellent goods. They are already on their way to the capital, and the quantity is substantial. Be prepared."
Wen Xi immediately considered the implications. "Should we sell them as a limited batch, or will we have a steady supply in the future?"
"From Lin Xiao's meaning, it seems a long-term partnership can be established. According to Da Yu law, foreigners coming to Da Yu can only move within the few open coastal cities and cannot reach the capital. That foreigner daring to bring a whole ship of goods here is likely not their first time. Willing to sell to Lin Xiao—just a life-saving favor isn't enough. Lin Xiao is flexible in business but also honest; that's probably what the other party values. Finding a partner who can deliver immediately upon arrival is much more reliable than having to negotiate anxiously with someone every time."
"Indeed, there's no deal Lin Xiao can't secure." Wen Xi understood this partner well and was already planning in his mind which spot to reserve for this batch of goods.
"Worried the letter might fall into others' hands, Lin Xiao didn't explain clearly, but for him to value it so highly and even send a special letter, this batch of goods must be somewhat special. Secretly spread the word on a very small scale: next month on the fifteenth, 'Yue Ban Wan' general store will have unique new goods available. Then see if anyone from the deposed Crown Prince's residence shows up. Remember, keep it extremely limited."
"Yes."
Lan Jin refolded the letter along its creases and placed it back into the envelope. "I want to see just how well-informed the deposed Crown Prince is."
She needed these matters to verify how much control the deposed Crown Prince currently held over the capital, which would indirectly indicate his capabilities. This would determine whether she should choose to ally with him.
It would be best if the deposed Crown Prince was merely removed by the emperor, not truly incompetent himself. She would not choose a useless person.
If the deposed Crown Prince proved unsuitable, she was not without other options—the Seventh Prince was also a possibility, young and easier to control.
Of course, the deposed Crown Prince was her best choice. After all, even in death, her grandfather had not implicated him. If not for her grandfather using his own death, along with her father and brother's sacrifices, to block that chain of poison plots nine years ago, the Crown Prince would have been overthrown back then.
With these six years, the deposed Crown Prince had the opportunity to grow.
Although he was deposed three years ago, he had already built a foundation, leaving room for a comeback.
Understanding the young lady's intent, Wen Xi already knew how to manage the scope of this information.
Taking a sip of tea, Lan Jin brought up another person. "Yesterday at Chengenhou Manor, I saw Lin Xihe."
"Lin Xihe went to Chengenhou Manor?" Wen Xi's attitude immediately shifted. "Lord Lin usually doesn't even give face to the Duke, so why would he go to congratulate Marquis Chengen?"
"When I first saw him, he was disguised, so he likely didn't enter through normal means. Later, when I needed an intermediary but no one responded, he appeared in his true identity and served as that intermediary. With him keeping Marquis Chengen in check, he indirectly helped quite a bit. Have there been any recent news about him?"
Wen Xi thought for a moment and shook his head. "His whereabouts are easy to track, yet also difficult. If there's no sign of him in the capital for a while, he must have left on official business for the emperor. But the timing of his departures and returns is impossible for others to determine unless he reveals himself."
Such a person operating outside the usual order was the most intimidating.
Wen Xi clearly also felt uneasy about what the young lady mentioned. "You said Lord Lin actively served as the intermediary you needed?"
"Yes, he acted as the intermediary for Madam Qi's Divorce Agreement and Zhi Yue's Severance of Kinship Document." Lan Jin noticed his furrowed brow. "Is his behavior unusual?"
"Not exactly. It's just that I can't see through this person and dare not make a hasty judgment. If you call him a good man, you'll soon find out he wiped out an entire family. He dares to accept any bribe, no matter how large, but taking it doesn't necessarily mean he'll get things done. He'll take any beautiful woman offered to him, but no one outside can get any information from his residence. So far, no one has heard of anyone gaining a formal status there, nor has he been known to have any children. But if you call him a villain, he has indeed been diligently handling his duties these years, busier than anyone else."
"Then let's wait and see. I have plenty of time."