Kang Yun didn’t know what to say.
Chen Xi laughed heartily. “Master Qiu is a man of passion and will surely succeed.”
But inside, he sighed. One prefecture of Sizhou had already been taken, and outside the city walls, refugees were dying from starvation. Yet many of the nobles within the city remained idle, amusing themselves with games and merriment.
They weren’t exactly wicked—they simply had no true understanding of the people’s suffering, much like the two before him.
Qiu Tai chuckled, accepting Chen Xi’s praise, and turned his gaze to the glassware on the shelf. “Brother Chen, do you have any new stock? I’ll pick a few pieces to take home.”
“Coming, coming—the new shipment has arrived.” Mei Sheng carried in a large glass bottle.
Behind him followed several shop assistants, carefully holding various glass vessels of different shapes.
Qiu Tai joked, “Brother Chen, Shopkeeper Mei, you’re not playing fair—holding out on the new goods till now.”
Mei Sheng set the bottle on the shelf and explained with a smile, “This shipment only arrived two days ago. You know how fragile glass is—unloading was no easy task. It’s only now that I’ve rushed it over for your inspection, since I heard you were here.”
Qiu Tai was satisfied and examined the new glass bottle. “Remarkable—this bottle has color?”
Kang Yun leaned in. “Indeed, it’s colored. I like this. Are there more?”
Mei Sheng shook his head. “This craft demands extremely high skill. For now, we only have this one large piece, though there are a few smaller ones.”
He pointed to the glassware the assistants had just set on the shelves. “Why don’t you two have a look and appreciate them?”
Qiu Tai was a bit disappointed. “Only one large one? If I buy it, I can’t even use it—my father will surely present it to the First Prince.”
When he first visited Fengge Pavilion, he had been stunned by the transparent glass. Despite the steep price, he bought over a dozen pieces.
That very day, his father had offered them all to the First Prince. He could tell his father had also been deeply taken with those glass vessels.
Along with them, his father had presented the thick paper he’d discovered at Fengge Pavilion.
Thus, Fengge Pavilion caught the First Prince’s attention, and soon became his exclusive supplier of paper.
Though it lacked the title of “royal merchant,” in practice, it was no different.
As for whether the First Prince had ever considered taking control of the craft—Qiu Tai didn’t know. But it was said that the First Prince deeply respected his Princess Consort.
A daughter of the Lin family had been given as a concubine to a nephew of the Princess Consort’s maternal relatives, and Fengge Pavilion allegedly had some ties with the Lin family through shared profits.
If Chen Xi had known Qiu Tai’s thoughts, he would have spat in contempt—only someone as lovesick as Qiu Tai would believe the First Prince refrained from seizing the craft purely out of respect for his wife’s relatives.
Such connections might fool commoners, but among true nobles, they meant nothing, let alone to the First Prince.
Whatever Chen Xi truly thought, his face remained warm and pleasant as a spring breeze. “No need to worry. I’ve already set aside an even larger one for the First Prince. These are yours to choose from freely.”
Qiu Tai’s eyes lit up. “Brother Chen is most thoughtful. I’ll accept without further ceremony.”
Kang Yun chuckled in agreement. “Then I’ll pick a few as well. These glass bottles with begonias—truly beautiful.”
Inwardly, he mused that Chen Xi was indeed a shrewd merchant, meticulous in his dealings. No wonder he had established Fengge Pavilion in Sizhou in just over a month.
Mei Sheng respectfully packaged their selections one by one, then quoted an exorbitant price.
Neither Qiu Tai nor Kang Yun lacked money; they waved their hands and had their servants settle the bill.
Watching Mei Sheng bustle off with the customers, Chen Xi reflected with emotion—his master was right: each person has their own expertise.
He could chat idly with these noble sons about everything under the sun, but to quote a price so outrageous without flinching was beyond him.
Once the “appreciation” session ended, the three soon entered a private room.
Chen Xi personally poured them tea. “Come, try my new ‘Moonlight Beauty.’”
“Moonlight Beauty” was simply steamed green tea, given an elegant name.
Qiu Tai took a sip and let out a long breath after a while. “Brother Chen, even your tea is extraordinary—fresh, invigorating, and soothing to the spirit.”
Chen Xi smiled and shook his head. Then, recalling something, he sighed. “You know I’m new to Sizhou, still finding my footing. I was considering setting up a porridge station for the refugees outside the city. Would that be inappropriate?”
Many wealthy merchants and nobles in Sizhou had often distributed porridge outside the city to build their reputations.
But “philanthropy” wasn’t freely done—especially for outside merchants. One must never outshine the local elite.
Above all, one must not overshadow the First Prince. Any charitable act required approval from him or the authorities.
Qiu Tai shook his head. “Inappropriate, Brother Chen. Do you know what’s happening out there?”
He glanced around and lowered his voice. “A plague is rampant. They say the refugees at the North Gate are all infected.”
The authorities had banned discussion to prevent panic, and Jiuan City had long barred commoners from entering or leaving.
Though officially unspoken, most in the city knew—why else had it become so desolate?
Chen Xi’s heart leaped—this was exactly the opening he’d waited for. Yet on his face, he feigned ignorance. “Is that true?”
Qiu Tai said with slight pride, “Naturally. My father is racking his brains over it.”
No matter how capable Chen Xi was, he was just an outsider merchant, unlikely to be as well-informed.
Thinking of the refugees’ misery, Qiu Tai’s face showed a trace of pity. “Ah, the people are suffering, but we are powerless.”
Chen Xi hesitated. “Do you know what kind of plague it is?”
Qiu Tai shook his head. “No. Why, Brother Chen, can you diagnose and treat it based on the outbreak?” He scrutinized Chen Xi.
Chen Xi was silent for a moment. “I do have a prescription. But it would have to be tested to confirm its effectiveness.”
Qiu Tai was startled—he’d only joked. “Are you serious?”
Chen Xi nodded firmly. “I wouldn’t dare be flippant about such matters. This prescription has been used before and proven quite effective against plagues.”
Qiu Tai sat up straight. “Do you mean to offer this prescription to save the people outside?”
Chen Xi sighed. “The people are suffering. If I can help, I will give my all.”
“However,” he added, “this prescription was gifted to me by a friend. I cannot reveal it lightly. But I can prepare the medicine myself and personally administer it to the refugees.”
Qiu Tai nodded in understanding. “Then let me first ask my father. If it’s possible, I’ll come find you.”
His pity for the people was genuine, but more than that, if this succeeded, his father would solve a major problem for the First Prince—and rise even higher.
And he, Qiu Tai, would prove to his father that he wasn’t just a wastrel; his acquaintances weren’t all idle fools.
Kang Yun smiled and stood, cupping his hands in a bow. “Brother Chen, your virtue is great. If you need anything, come to me. I may not have much else, but I do have some grain.”
There were currently tens of thousands of refugees stranded outside the city of Jiu'an. Their porridge distribution only provided one meal a day, and it was so watery that each person received just a few grains of rice at best.
All told, it amounted to only a few dan of grain a day, but it earned them a good reputation and curried favor with the First Prince.
Chen Xi escorted the two to the door. When he returned to the inner chamber, he saw that Mu Ning, Mei Sheng, and Mei Ren were already waiting for him.
