A peasant girl travels through time with a hospital, rising to become an empress.

The next day, Nie Qianqian asked Jiang Wenxuan to help her find out information about Qian Yikuang, the owner of Qian's Pawnshop.

Jiang Wenxuan was thinking of doing something to make amends to Liu Yan and Nie Qianqian because of the matter with Steward Zhou, so he was happy to inquire about it and informed Nie Qianqian of Qian Yi's situation in less than a day.

Jiang Wenxuan: "The business under Qian Yikuang's name is Qian's Pawnshop. The pawnshop was inherited from his father. It was originally in the East City. After running it for several years, he opened another one in the West City. In addition, he has several other shops, but he does not run them himself. They are all rented out and he collects some rent every year."

"This man doesn't have much of a business sense. He's good at maintaining the status quo but not good at making progress. Over the years, he's just been running two pawnshops and hasn't expanded into any other businesses. I've heard that he's a complete miser. He goes to both pawnshops to take stock every day, once in the morning and once in the evening. He knows everything in the pawnshops like the back of his hand."

Hearing this, Nie Qianqian raised her eyebrows slightly. So, Qian Yikuang was very knowledgeable about the pawned items in the pawnshop and must have known about the existence of the ring-shaped jade pendant all along. But what made him suddenly interested in this jade pendant half a year ago?

Jiang Wenxuan continued, "His family is quite small. His first wife died in childbirth a few years ago without leaving any children. Later, he made his concubine his official wife. I heard she was his distant cousin, and she gave birth to a son for him, who is now four years old. Qian Yikuang dotes on his youngest son. He is very stingy, but he is only willing to spend money on his youngest son."

Jiang Wenxuan went on and on, writing down all the information he had gathered, creating a thick stack of papers, including a portrait of Qian Yikuang, which he then handed to Nie Qianqian.

Nie Qianqian was surprised that Jiang Wenxuan had handled the matter so well, and she couldn't help but look at him with new respect. "I didn't expect you to be so thorough and meticulous in gathering information."

Jiang Wenxuan chuckled, “In business, connections and information are extremely important. Sometimes it’s all about making money from information asymmetry. I’m the kind of person who likes to ask around. Sister-in-law, you’ve come to the right person for this.”

Nie Qianqian: "Since you like doing business, why don't you follow Master Jiang and do business properly? Why do you have to go to Tiande Academy to study?"

Jiang Wenxuan immediately wilted like a frostbitten eggplant. "I want to too, but my father doesn't agree. He always says that merchants have no status, and that taking the imperial examinations and pursuing an official career is the right path."

In this era, having money is not as important as having power. Even though merchants are wealthy, their status is far inferior to that of officials. The common people do not fight against officials, and even the wealthiest families have to bow their heads when they see officials.

Jiang Botao must have thought this through carefully. Jiang Botao could make money in business on his own, while Jiang Wenxuan should focus on his studies and bring honor to the family.

Nie Qianqian smiled and said, "My older brother is right, then you still need to study hard."

"I am truly grateful for today's help. Gu Xiao has been busy lately, so please don't tell him about my inquiries about the Qian family."

Jiang Wenxuan nodded. With the provincial examination approaching, Gu Xiao needed to take good care of his health to prepare for the exam, so he wouldn't say anything that would distract Gu Xiao.

Jiang Wenxuan will also participate in this year's provincial examination. That's right, he has studied at the academy for many years, but he has not yet passed the county-level examination.

"Wait a minute, Sister-in-law Qianqian, why are you calling my father 'Big Brother'? You're taking advantage of me!"

Nie Qianqian had already slipped away before Jiang Wenxuan could react; that nephew of his is still slow-witted.

Since Qian Yikuang would be checking the accounts at the Qian family pawnshop sooner or later, she had the opportunity to come into contact with him.

The next day at dusk, Nie Qianqian waited at Qian's pawnshop next to the West Market. Soon, she saw the heavily pregnant Qian Yikuang sway as he walked into the pawnshop.

A short while later, Nie Qianqian followed them into the Qian family pawnshop with the things she had prepared.

As soon as I entered, a shop assistant asked if I wanted to pawn any items.

The young man greeted Nie Qianqian with a smile, a gesture that Qian Yikuang had repeatedly emphasized and instructed him to do.

Qian Yikuang's principle in running his pawnshop was to accept as many items as possible for pawning. Whether they were wealthy merchants or ordinary people, he would have his employees treat them warmly and not treat them with disrespect. He believed that even a beggar might have something good in his possession, and he would not let any opportunity slip by.

This is why Grandma Nie and Nie Daqiang always preferred to pawn their things at Qian's Pawnshop. They didn't feel slighted when they came here, and the pawn prices were quite fair.

Nie Qianqian nodded, opened the cloth bag she had brought, and took out a jade hairpin.

The jade hairpin is exquisitely crafted and has a translucent texture; it is clearly a high-quality item.

This jade hairpin was one of many gifts that Jiang Botao sent as an apology.

The shop assistant recognized the jade hairpin as a fine piece and smiled even more broadly. "Madam, please wait a moment. I'll go find a seasoned expert to examine it for you."

The shop assistant turned and went back into the inner room. Inside, Qian Yikuang was tallying accounts when he heard the shop assistant say that someone had come in outside to pawn a jade hairpin of excellent quality, and he became interested.

Qian Yikuang: "There's no need for Master Liu to keep an eye on things; I'll go and take a look myself."

When Qian Yikuang went out and saw Nie Qianqian, his eyes lit up. What a beautiful woman! Her appearance was so stunning, it was truly a feast for the eyes.

However, he was more interested in the jade hairpin in Nie Qianqian's hand.

Qian Yikuang held the jade hairpin in his hand and examined it carefully, looking at the texture of the jade and the craftsmanship of the inlay in the sunlight.

The jade hairpin is of superior quality and craftsmanship, like something from Qilingfang, a well-known jewelry shop in the provincial capital, and shows no signs of having been worn.

Qian Yikuang, being experienced, quickly assessed the approximate value of the item. If purchased from Qilingfang, it would cost around 50 taels of silver.

Qian Yikuang's smile widened. He was already fat, and when he smiled, his cheeks puffed up with flesh, making him look honest and simple. "How much silver does this lady want to pawn?"

Nie Qianqian: "Master, please assess my work and give me a price."

Qian Yikuang held up two fingers. "How about twenty taels of silver?"

Nie Qianqian looked displeased and pretended to be a little angry. "Master must have misjudged it. This is a top-quality item. How can it only be worth 20 taels of silver?"

Qian Yikuang's smile remained unchanged. "The hairpin is nice, but upon closer inspection, the inlaid jade has some impurities, which is a minor flaw. How about 25 taels of silver?"

Nie Qianqian went all out with her act, and after some more haggling, they finally settled on a deal of thirty-five taels of silver.

For a pawnshop, the price is quite fair. No wonder many people are willing to pawn their items at Qian's Pawnshop. Qian Yikuang is very stingy, but he knows the ins and outs of the pawnshop business and offers fair prices.

Nie Qianqian took the silver money, left the jade hairpin, wandered around the city a few times, and after confirming that no one was following her, she went straight back to Qinghe Village.

When she was with Qian Yikuang just now, she had already used her family's unique medicine, Wanwu, on him.

This medicine is not considered poison; its effects are not strong. It takes about three to five days for the effects to gradually appear and the symptoms to deepen, so that no one will suspect that it was caused by poisoning.

The symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, gradual dehydration and weakness, like having an upset stomach. However, apart from Nie Qianqian's unique antidote, no other medicine will be effective.

The fishing hook has been cast; in three to five days, the fish will swim to Jishetang on their own.