Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 13

13: Buying People

If the plot hadn’t derailed, Jiang Ci would have believed that the current Black Lotus was still a simple-minded young girl, and it would be normal for her to visit a place like Ningxiang Pavilion. But after witnessing her methods, Jiang Ci felt that Xi Lingxue must have some purpose for coming here.

Madam Wang followed behind them, personally attending to their needs. Seeing that Xi Lingxue wasn’t browsing the jewelry but heading straight to the second floor, she said, “Marquis, Princess, if you’re interested, you can take a look over here. These are the best fragrances our shop has to offer.”

“Hey, Madam.” Jiang Ci caught her and asked, “Who usually buys these fragrances?”

Isn’t this an ABO world? Except for Zhongjuns, doesn’t everyone have their own pheromones?

Madam Wang replied, “Oh, you might not know this, but Zhongjuns don’t really need them. Most of our customers are those who aren’t satisfied with their own pheromones. Both Qianjuns and Kunjuns come here to choose.”

Not satisfied? So they just cover it up with another scent?

Jiang Ci: “…Isn’t that fraud?”

She knew that modern people rely on makeup and beauty filters, and once they remove their makeup during an offline meeting, their true appearance is revealed.

But this fragrance is really something else…

It can mask the original pheromones, but when it comes to marking, wouldn’t the truth still come out?

Madam Wang laughed it off, “Oh, it’s just embellishment. Marquis, you really know how to joke.”

Jiang Ci was genuinely amazed, “So if I put on this sweet orange scent, could I pass as an Kunjun?”

“Ah???” Madam Wang seemed startled by the idea, forcing a smile, “If the Marquis wants to, it’s possible… With your grace, as long as you dress up a bit, you would definitely… definitely be the most beautiful Kunjun in Yu Country!”

“Pfft—” Jiang Ci burst out laughing, thinking of Gao Yi’s weathered face. She was truly impressed; this saleswoman was something else. “I think you’re the one who really knows how to joke. It’s not easy earning money like this, is it?”

Madam Wang felt uneasy, “Not at all, not at all… I’m telling the truth.”

Jiang Ci said, “Look at you, getting so scared just from chatting. I’m seriously discussing this with you. So, do you think this sweet orange scent suits me?”

Jin Yu couldn’t take it anymore and whispered to Xi Lingxue, “Your Highness, can you control her? She’s acting up again!”

Dragging the shop owner into such a weird discussion, talking about pretending to be an Kunjun, it’s just strange!

Xi Lingxue had been wandering around the shop for a while but hadn’t seen Wang Shichang or the other person she was looking for. She asked, “Why isn’t Master Wang here today?”

Hearing the princess’s question, Madam Wang finally found an opportunity to escape from Jiang Ci and quickly moved to Xi Lingxue’s side, “My husband left early in the morning and didn’t say where he was going. Does the princess need him for something? Should I send someone to ask?”

“No need, it’s nothing urgent.” Xi Lingxue asked casually, “Has Master Wang been very busy recently?”

Madam Wang smiled, “In business, he’s always busy, meeting many people every day. He rarely stays in the shop, leaving me to manage things here.”

Xi Lingxue guessed that she wouldn’t get much information from her and moved on to another matter, “Since he’s not here, does that mean you’re in charge of the shop?”

“Of course.” Madam Wang said, “Does the princess have any orders? I will definitely fulfill them for you!”

Xi Lingxue said, “I want one of your shop assistants. How much is the redemption price?”

Last time, Gao Yi allowed her to choose someone she trusted to enter the mansion, and Xi Lingxue thought of Wu Wei—the perfumer at Ningxiang Pavilion.

This visit was partly to probe Wang Shichang and partly for her.

Jiang Ci raised an eyebrow, thinking, why come to Ningxiang Pavilion not to buy cosmetics or fragrances but to buy people?

The Black Lotus definitely has another agenda!

Madam Wang hesitated, “Princess, forgive me, but I can’t make that decision… The shop assistants are all managed by my husband, and their contracts are with him.”

Xi Lingxue thought to herself, as expected, it wouldn’t be that easy. Before her marriage, she had met Wang Shichang once, and he had adamantly refused to let go.

Madam Wang wanted to ask which assistant she was referring to when faint sounds of gongs and drums came from outside. Some customers, hearing the commotion, even ran out to the street to see what was happening.

Jiang Ci: “What’s going on? Is there some gossip?”

Madam Wang: “Are you talking about watermelons? We don’t have those in our shop.”

Xi Lingxue pondered for a moment and walked to the second-floor window.

Although the general store had already closed, she felt that something was about to happen, especially since someone had tried to smash the store yesterday. She couldn’t help but be cautious.

The sound of gongs and drums continued, and most people on the street were heading in one direction—towards Huang Fu’s shop.

Xi Lingxue said to Jiang Ci, “Let’s go and see.”

Jiang Ci thought, are we going to the front line for some gossip? That sounds fun!

Leaving Ningxiang Pavilion, the three of them immediately got into a carriage.

Jiang Ci took the opportunity to ask, “Who were you trying to buy earlier?”

Xi Lingxue thought that it wouldn’t hurt to tell Gao Yi, as it would be easy for her to find out anyway, “A Zhongjun who has a great talent for perfumery, named Wu Wei.”

Jiang Ci was shocked, “What, Seven Miles Fragrance?!”

This was a nickname readers had given Wu Wei. In the original book, she was a remarkable person under Xi Lingxue’s command. Wu Wei had a unique skill in perfumery, capable of creating extremely potent pheromone scents, which she used to repel many Qianjuns, achieving numerous feats.

Because the scent could travel for miles, readers affectionately called her “Seven Miles Fragrance.”

Who would have thought that such a person was initially just a shop assistant!

Xi Lingxue: “…What Seven Miles Fragrance?”

Jiang Ci: “Nothing, nothing, go on.”

This person must be talking nonsense again, Xi Lingxue thought, “I rarely had the chance to leave the palace before, but I happened to meet her once at Ningxiang Pavilion.”

Xi Lingxue had actually been secretly searching for talented individuals. Seeing that Wu Wei had considerable talent, she wanted to redeem her and bring her under her command. However, Wang Shichang was very stubborn, demanding three thousand taels of gold, not a penny less.

Xi Lingxue had no choice but to give up.

Wu Wei’s monthly salary at Ningxiang Pavilion was no different from that of a maid. Calculating it this way, she would never be able to redeem herself in her lifetime. Wang Shichang had no intention of letting her go.

Xi Lingxue didn’t mention her secret plans, only saying that she valued talent and didn’t want Wu Wei to be buried.

But Jiang Ci knew immediately that she was scouting for talent. She just didn’t expect the Black Lotus to start planning so early. According to the original plot, Xi Lingxue only began building her own forces after dealing with Gao Yi!

She’s becoming aware way too early!

“Wu Wei is indeed quite pitiful.” Jiang Ci said, “Don’t worry, I’ll help you get her.”

“You?” Xi Lingxue said, “That’s three thousand taels of gold. Wang Shichang’s stance is clear—he doesn’t intend to let her go. Even if you’re the Marquis of Dingyuan, you can’t just take her by force. Someone will surely report you in court.”

Jiang Ci said, “Then we’ll steal her, or beat him up in a sack. You don’t have surveillance here, so what’s there to fear? That old bastard doesn’t sound like a good person.”

Xi Lingxue didn’t quite understand, surveillance? Old bastard? What are these words…

Jin Yu excitedly said, “I was thinking the same thing! That Wang guy is really bad!”

Jiang Ci: “Great minds think alike! Since we both know some martial arts, why not tonight?”

Jin Yu: “Yes! I’ll prepare the sack when we get back!”

Jiang Ci: “And the night clothes!”

The two of them got more and more excited, wishing they could sprout wings and fly immediately.

“Stop!” Xi Lingxue pressed her throbbing temples, “…Do you think this is easy? Wang Shichang has skilled bodyguards with him.”

“I’m skilled too!” Jiang Ci said, “This body comes with martial arts. Once I get familiar with it, I don’t believe a military marquis can’t beat a few bodyguards?”

Xi Lingxue, anxious, spoke faster than usual, “You’re injured, you’re not allowed to go!”

Jiang Ci was stunned, then stared at her.

Xi Lingxue’s ears gradually turned red, and she avoided eye contact, “…What are you looking at?”

Jiang Ci: “You seem to be worried about me, huh?”