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Chapter 534: Chapter 537 Troublesome Citizens _1
After a couple of relaxing days, Qiao Duo’er and Tan Zhenghong went to Ruyi Tea House as agreed. Big Sis had already reserved a room in advance, and the waiter led them straight there.
"Dear guests, Miss Yin has been waiting inside," said the waiter.
He looked at both of them with sympathy.
They appeared to be ordinary folks, and being summoned here by Miss Yin surely meant no good.
Alas, pity, they both seemed like decent people.
Qiao Duo’er curiously asked, "Young man, is there anything else you want to say?"
"No...no, I have things to do, I must go now," the waiter quickly excused himself and walked away.
Qiao Duo’er pursed her lips in annoyance; this sort of hesitation was most irritating. Could it be that the person sitting inside the room was a tiger?
Soon the door opened from the inside, and Qiao Duo’er finally understood what the waiter meant, but by then it was too late.
The person inside wasn’t just a tiger, but a tigress as well.
"Since we already know each other, this will make our talk easier," said Autumn Water respectfully. "Fourth Master Tan, Mrs. Tan, please come in."
Qiao Duo’er and Tan Zhenghong exchanged a glance, then walked in with their heads held high.
Once again they were facing Yin Yinyue; it had to be fate that the Yin Family had done so many evil deeds, and now another chance had presented itself.
Qiao Duo’er’s lips curled into a smirk; this time she was determined to catch the Yin Family’s tail!
Autumn Water pulled out chairs for both of them, and at just the right moment Yin Yinyue said, "Please take a seat."
"Thank you," they responded.
Tan Zhenghong exchanged pleasantries, then he and Qiao Duo’er sat down side by side.
"Miss Yin, let’s not beat around the bush. Are you looking to buy the formula for the face mask powder with twenty taels of silver?" asked Qiao Duo’er, taking the initiative. She couldn’t think of any other reason.
Yin Yinyue spoke slowly, "The face mask powder is indeed precious and certainly worth more than twenty taels. Please name your price, Mrs. Tan, and I will agree if it’s within my means."
"One hundred thousand taels," Qiao Duo’er paused for effect, then added, "Oh, and by the way, I mean in gold."
If Yin Yinyue could cough up that amount of silver coin all at once, she and Tan Zhenghong wouldn’t have to worry for the rest of their lives.
So why bother running Duo Meifang?
"Why don’t you just rob someone?" Autumn Water couldn’t help but snide.
One hundred thousand taels of gold amounted to a million taels of silver—such an audacious asking price!
True, the face mask powder was effective, especially the whitening variety which was greatly favored by ladies and madams.
But no matter how well it sold, it was still just face mask powder!
It was nowhere near worth a million taels of silver!
Qiao Duo’er spread her hands: "Isn’t what you’re doing practically robbery? You allow yourselves to set a fire but won’t let others light a lamp?"
"My mistress is a legitimate businesswoman; she really wants to buy the recipe," Autumn Water reiterated.
The Yin Family’s business was vast, but every brick and tile was purchased by Miss Yin herself.
It was just that Miss Yin’s bargaining skills were exceptional—what others bought for one, she could buy for ten with the same amount of silver.
That couldn’t be wrong, could it?
"What your mistress is best at is forcing deals. Haven’t we had our dealings before? Don’t you find it tiring to beat around the bush now?" Qiao Duo’er said with contempt.
"You’re talking nonsense! How can you slander people like that?" Autumn Water was incensed.
"I never slander anyone. Anyone who doesn’t know might think your mistress is some Camp Lady from who knows where."
The term "Camp Lady" struck a sensitive nerve in Yin Yinyue; she secretly signaled Autumn Water with her eyes.
Her affair with Xuan Qing must remain a secret!
Autumn Water caught on immediately: "I’ll tear your mouth apart for that! How dare you defame my mistress like this, you disreputable people?"
