Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

"Only twelve thousand taels? Isn't that too little? Your method of raising pearls is definitely not just one or two, and you will raise pearls continuously in the future, which is like picking up money from the ground. Twelve thousand taels is too little for you." Mrs. Shen said with a smile.

Shen Jingwan showed a delighted expression on her face, "Second Aunt, Wan'er only wanted to sell it to you because you treat me well. Logically, I shouldn't ask for money, but I just returned home and I'm a little short on money, so I can only take this little bit."

"Please don't, please don't. Second aunt can't take advantage of you."

"How can this be considered taking advantage? Wan'er voluntarily sold herself to my second aunt at a low price." Shen Jingwan said anxiously.

"Second aunt, what advantage are you taking? I heard you yelling from far away." Shen Chuning lifted the curtain and asked Mrs. Shen Er.

Madam Shen Er took two quick steps and took Shen Chuning's hand and walked into the house. "Don't stand at the door anymore. Be careful of the wind blowing. Let's talk inside."

Shen Jingwan found it particularly jarring to see their hands entwined.

After entering the house, Shen Chuning poured a cup of tea for Mrs. Shen Er and pulled her to sit down.

Madam Shen Er picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea. "Just now Jingwan said she wanted to sell me a method of cultivating pearls for twelve thousand taels."

Before Shen Jingwan could stop her, Mrs. Shen Er said it out. She originally wanted to do this business with Mrs. Shen Er secretly.

When Shen Chuning heard what Mrs. Shen Er said, she burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at, sister? Is it funny?" Shen Jingwan asked.

Madam Shen Er asked Shen Chuning, "Do you understand the key?"

Shen Chuning nodded, "I can see it."

"Then tell me if this business can be done?"

Shen Chuning said firmly: "Of course not."

"Not bad." Madam Shen Er showed a satisfied smile on her face, "As expected of someone like me, Yunshu Xuan."

"Second aunt, my sister doesn't know anything. You just said you wanted to cooperate with me. How can you just say you don't want to do it?" Shen Jingwan said anxiously.

"Huh? Did I say I want to cooperate with you?" Mrs. Shen asked back.

"You said that, you also said that twelve thousand taels of silver was too little..." Shen Jingwan suddenly paused when she said this.

Yes, Second Aunt only said that twelve thousand taels of silver was too little, but she never said that she wanted to cooperate with her.

"Why?" Shen Jingwan asked in disbelief.

Madam Shen raised her eyebrows and said, "Xiaojiu, tell me why you can't cooperate."

Shen Chuning said slowly, "Large, round, and plump pearls have always been a symbol of status. For example, the Empress Dowager in the palace loves Oriental pearls, and the ladies of the aristocratic families in the capital all consider wearing pearls to be noble and beautiful, and believe it is a symbol of status."

"Pearls are expensive now, not because they are worth so much silver, but because they are rare. Ten people compete for five or even three pearls, which makes the price so high."

"Regardless of whether this pearl-cultivation method is true or not, even if pearls can be cultivated, a large number of pearls will inevitably flood the market. By then, twenty or even thirty pearls will have to be divided among ten people, and the price will naturally drop. Something that everyone can afford will naturally no longer be a symbol of status. How can these pearls still be sold?"

"You've put so much effort into cultivating pearls, only to lower their price. Isn't that just destroying your own career?"

"I have one more thing to ask you. Are the quality of natural pearls and cultured pearls the same?" Shen Chuning asked Shen Jingwan.

Shen Jingwan hesitated and said, "This...this...I haven't...never raised one before, but I read in a book that...it should be a little different, but if you raise it well, it might be able to reach the quality of natural pearls."

Shen Chuning nodded thoughtfully. "Oh...poor quality means low prices. If new businesses can't sell at a high price, the old ones will be ruined. Why would my sister be so keen on doing such a thankless job?"

"No, you can hoard the pearls you raise first and release them little by little. The price will naturally not drop too much." Shen Jingwan tried her best to defend herself.

Shen Chuning asked, "Does it take people to raise pearls?"

"Of course it is necessary." Shen Jingwan blurted out.

"Since my sister was able to teach this method to others simply by word of mouth, it means it's very simple, but most people don't think about it that way. If someone who actually practices this method accidentally spreads it, it will be a heavy blow to the pearl collection, sales, and even jewelry manufacturing industries."

"But my method can support a group of pearl farmers." Shen Jingwan was a little anxious.

Shen Chuning said quietly, "The pearl farmer is alive, but the clam collector is dead."

Shen Jingwan was anxious and wanted to argue something, but was interrupted by Mrs. Shen Er.

"Okay, stop arguing. I can cooperate with you, but not in the way you said."

Shen Jingwan's eyes lit up when she heard this, and she raised her head towards Shen Chuning as if in protest.

"Second aunt, tell me how we can cooperate."

"As for cooperation, of course I'll raise pearls and sell them for money, then I'll give you 10% of the profits," said Mrs. Shen Er.

"We'll share the money after we sell it? No, I don't agree. What if you don't share the money with me after you sell it?" Shen Jingwan asked.

"My Yun family has always conducted business with integrity, and the situation you describe would never happen. If you don't trust me, forget it. Anyway, our pearl business is doing well now, so it doesn't matter if I don't know about your useless trick."

"Can you give me some silver first, and I will share the profits after the pearls are produced? Half is fine." Shen Jingwan asked.

"Since you are so sure that you can raise pearls, why bother with this moment?"

Shen Jingwan stammered, "This... cultivating pearls takes... it takes a long time."

"A little long? How long is a little long?"

"At least three or four years, at most seven or eight years." Shen Jingwan answered in a low voice.

Madam Shen Er sneered, "Our Miss Wan has really made a good calculation. Seven or eight years? Why didn't you say seven or eight years at the beginning? If you really take the money now and your method doesn't produce pearls, you will be married off in seven or eight years. Where can I go to cry?"

"Second aunt, I didn't mean to keep it secret, I just forgot."

"Since you're not sincere about your cooperation, there's no need for us to cooperate. And you have to keep your method a secret. If someone else uses it first, it will be worthless."

Shen Jingwan hesitated and said, "I can cooperate according to what Second Aunt said, but I need to think about this profit again."

Madam Shen Er took a sip of tea and said calmly, "You can consider it, but next time it won't be 10% profit."

When Shen Chuning heard these familiar words, she chuckled again.

Mrs. Shen looked over with a teasing look in her eyes.

Shen Chuning quickly changed the subject, "Second Aunt, what brings you to me today?"