Expelled from the Duke's mansion, the fake heiress is richer than a country.

Yu Wanran glanced at Yan Xing'an, who was smiling, and thought to herself that the other party was indeed a shrewd businessman who had blocked her path to wealth by promoting Chengni inkstones!

Of course, if the other party is willing to offer a suitable price, she could sell them all to Rongbaozhai in bulk. After all, they have been in the stationery business for many years and have a wider range of business channels than she has.

"Miss Yu, we have two options for our collaboration. Which one would you like to choose?"

Yan Xing'an smiled.

"The first option is for me to purchase all the colored inkstones produced by Guizhuang at a fixed price. The second option is a cooperation model like yours with Cheng'an. I will act as a reseller for Guizhuang's colored inkstones, and we will share the profits after each sale."

"Your company guarantees quantity, quality, and delivery time; Rongbaozhai will determine the revenue share based on investment costs, sales volume, and the number of new customers developed. Currently, we are discussing with Ms. Zhong, and your company is tentatively set to receive 70%, while Rongbaozhai will receive 30%?"

Yu Wanran hesitated for a moment.

This was Zhong Yeliu's first time negotiating such an important business deal independently, and she was quite nervous. Fortunately, Young Master Yan could tell that she lacked experience, so he didn't speak too aggressively and allowed her to stop and think from time to time.

That's how we've been able to keep talking until now.

Yu Wanran nodded and smiled politely at Yan Xing'an: "Young Master Yan, this is a matter of great importance. Let us discuss it."

Yan Xing'an readily stood up: "It's almost noon. I'll ask the kitchen to prepare some delicate dishes and fruit wine. We'll eat together later."

After he left, Yu Wanran pulled Zhong Yeliu to sit down.

"Ye Liu, I prefer the first cooperation method. But the condition of selling only to Rongbaozhai is unacceptable. We need to discuss it carefully."

"The second option is naturally the most cost-effective way to cooperate, but that would be very troublesome. I'll be too busy to take care of things, and you might need to travel long distances to Beijing frequently to check on the sales of inkstones and to reconcile accounts."

"That's so much hard work, are you sure you want to choose the second option?"

Zhong Yeliu was filled with unease. She thought she had done something wrong and had let down her master's trust and confidence, but she didn't expect that her master was just worried about her overworking. Suddenly, she felt a warm feeling in her heart.

“Master, choose the second option! I’m not afraid of the long journey, I will definitely take good care of the Chengni Inkstone trade route for you!”

This is a great opportunity for her to get some exercise.

"Ok."

Yu Wanran patted the back of her hand.

"I trust you with the management of Chengya Inkstone Manor! You can keep an eye on things yourself and choose two guards to accompany you. You can also mobilize Wangyou Yanqing."

"Yes, Master!"

Zhong Yeliu was extremely excited.

So, before lunch, Yu Wanran signed a contract with Yan Xing'an. The initial profit sharing was set at 30% for Rongbaozhai and 70% for Chengyayanzhuang, with adjustments to be made later based on actual circumstances.

Yan Xing'an paid 3,000 taels as an advance payment for the batch of Chengni inkstones that Yu Wanran brought, and the profit sharing would be discussed after a period of sales.

With her business completed and a bright future ahead, Yu Wanran was in high spirits. She took Zhong Yeliu and the others shopping.

Now that the mourning period is over, she no longer needs to wear those drab, dark-colored clothes.

I picked out several fashionable outfits from the capital for myself and bought some jewelry. I also bought two outfits for Zhong Yeliu, Wangyou, and Yanqing.

The three of them were the face of the Yu family mansion. Ye Liu, in particular, had to dress up nicely. That way, no one would think they were country bumpkins from some remote corner of the country.

After buying a bunch of gifts for family and friends, he returned to his accommodation, preparing to go home the next day.

However, before the trip could take place, Yan Cheng'an visited again.

This time, he also brought an unexpected guest. Yu Wanran stared dumbfounded at the man dressed in plain clothes, with delicate features, a graceful, effeminate hand gesture, and deep, unfathomable eyes!

Is the other person a eunuch? He must be from the palace!

Sure enough, after the others left, only three people remained in the room, and the other party introduced himself with a smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Yu! My family is Gao Huaien, the Grand Steward of Kunning Palace."

Yu Wanran glanced at Yan Chengan.

Yan Cheng'an stood behind Gao Huai'en, his face full of apology. He had simply told the Empress and the Crown Prince the information that Yu Wanran knew. He had not mentioned that Yu Wanran was capable of or willing to help search for medicine at sea.

But the Empress Dowager grasped at this straw! She immediately began to inquire about Yu Wanran's situation in great detail, and asked whether the rumors about the fire coral were true.

Even knowing the hope was slim, he still had to do everything he could to seize this glimmer of hope. The first thing he did was send his trusted chief steward to accompany him to see Yu Wanran.

Previously, since Yan Cheng'an hadn't revealed the truth, Yu Wanran could pretend not to know and avoid getting involved in this mess. Now that the Grand Eunuch of Kunning Palace has stepped forward on behalf of the Empress and the Crown Prince, Yu Wanran naturally can no longer play dumb.

After inviting the two guests to sit down and serving them tea, I explained.

“My master was a reclusive master who traveled to many places in his early years. He would tell me stories he had heard in his spare time, as if they were interesting anecdotes. If Young Master Yan hadn’t asked, I wouldn’t have remembered them.”

Gao Huaien said with a gentle smile, "I heard from Young Master Yan that Miss Yu is very talented and can even speak the Pahang language?"

Yu Wanran forced a smile and said, "I learned some fur-making skills from my master."

Gao Huaien raised an eyebrow: "Miss Yu is truly intelligent and kind! I've heard that even the interpreter stationed in Pahang at the Hui Tong Guan isn't as fluent in Pahang dialect as Miss Yu?"

Yan Cheng'an waved his fan, trying to shield his burning face.

Gao Huaien's words were as if pointing a finger at him, calling him a gossip! But in all honesty, his only intention was to boast to the Crown Prince about how talented and admirable the girl he knew was, both in literature and martial arts.

I never imagined that these words would reach the ears of the Empress!

Yu Wanran smiled slightly: "My master often praises my talent for languages."

Anyway, her master is gone, and there's no way to verify anything. Within the Duke's mansion, everyone knows she's been intelligent since childhood. Her abilities are a result of her own hard work and a combination of good fortune.

"Then Miss Yu must also know some of the customs and local languages ​​of other countries? As expected of a child raised by the Duke's mansion, Miss Yu's talent is worthy of your adoptive parents' careful upbringing!"

Gao Huaien smiled and gave a thumbs up.

Yu Wanran frowned. Noticing the other person smiling and sizing her up, she felt slightly uncomfortable, but quickly regained her calm and composed demeanor.

This head eunuch appeared kind and gentle. However, his narrow eyes were always silently watching her every expression, never missing a single detail, which made her feel incredibly pressured.

Although she had been reborn, her experience was clearly insufficient in the face of these shrewd individuals who had mastered the art of political maneuvering.

She no longer blames Yan Cheng'an for "selling" her.

If even a chief eunuch is this difficult to deal with, imagine what his master must be like! Yan Cheng'an is so simple-minded, how did he get chosen as the Crown Prince's tutor? Perhaps it's because of his naivety!

"You flatter me, Steward Gao!"

Yu Wanran answered very frankly: "I have been expelled from the Duke's mansion and am now just a commoner, an ordinary merchant's daughter, with nothing to be proud of."

Whether the Duke's affairs are meant to implicate her, or her affairs are meant to implicate the Duke's family, don't try to frame her!

She was guessing what the other party wanted, unaware that Gao Huaien was also judging her suitability through their conversation.

Even with Yan Cheng'an's connection, they dared not be careless in the slightest.

Because it concerns His Highness the Crown Prince!