Lin Zhiqing hadn't expected Miss Hua to be so direct. She quickly thought in her mind.
Actually, there were only two methods.
First, a one-time buyout, taking the silver directly.
Second, negotiating a share of the profits with Miss Hua.
Although she really wanted to choose the second method, unfortunately, her current status was too low, and she truly lacked the qualifications to negotiate terms with others.
Furthermore, no matter how beautiful the ruqun was, it was just an item of clothing, and the production method was very simple.
If negotiations with Miss Hua broke down, she believed Miss Hua could find a way to replicate it herself.
Similarly, if Lin Zhiqing's demands were too high, Miss Hua could also choose to go solo.
The main reason she was being included now was that everyone at the Spring Banquet knew the ruqun came from her.
Thinking this, Lin Zhiqing had an idea.
"Miss Hua, I won't stand on ceremony with you." Lin Zhiqing had Aunt Mu serve two cups of tea. "To be frank, I'm currently preparing to open a medical clinic and am quite short on money."
"It's a form of fate that this ruqun caught your eye. I have great faith in its prospects and in your discernment, Miss Hua."
"Of course, this is a long-term process. If possible, I would like a 10% share of the profits."
She didn't beat around the bush and directly stated her thoughts.
Miss Hua glanced at the teacup but didn't drink. "Miss Lin, although you have shown me kindness and we are fated, business cannot be discussed with sentiment."
"I'm not afraid to tell you, the reason the Hua family thrives in Bianliang is by tightly grasping its own industries."
Miss Hua didn't directly say she couldn't give her a share of the profits this time; she simply circled around the topic, and Lin Zhiqing easily understood.
As she expected, the profit-sharing route was a dead end. Who would agree to such terms without any revenue? Ultimately.
The reason she proposed it was to test the waters.
Now that the outcome of the probing was clear, Lin Zhiqing only needed to consider one question: how much silver was appropriate to ask for.
She mused for a moment, then looked up. "Miss Hua, to be frank, I haven't done much research on ready-made clothes in Shengjing City. Why don't you name a price for me?"
Lin Zhiqing was speaking the truth. These past few days, she had been preoccupied with opening the medical clinic and hadn't had a chance to understand the ready-made clothing market in Shengjing.
Asking Miss Hua to name the price directly first showed that she trusted her.
Secondly, when Miss Hua looked at her, her eyebrows arched, her body leaned forward, and the smile at the corner of her mouth grew brighter. This indicated that she currently had a very good impression of her.
Lin Zhiqing wasn't certain about Miss Hua's character, but she was absolutely confident in the micro-expressions she observed.
At least for now, Miss Hua wouldn't have any malicious intentions towards her.
After hearing Lin Zhiqing's words, Miss Hua didn't refuse. "Since you trust me, I won't take advantage of you. According to the market price in Shengjing, it's worth this much."
She held up three fingers.
This was not far off from the price Lin Zhiqing had estimated in her mind. Ready-made clothing was the most common commodity in Dasheng, and its turnover rate was very fast.
If Miss Hua were cunning and figured out how to make the clothes herself, it would be quite difficult for Lin Zhiqing to "defend her rights" as she would have in her previous world.
Thinking of this, Lin Zhiqing nodded, indicating her agreement with the price Miss Hua offered.
Miss Hua's smile grew even brighter: "You're a straightforward person. If you ever have a chance to go to Bianliang in the future, you must come find me."
Lin Zhiqing readily nodded. If she had the opportunity, she indeed wanted to travel and see different places.
"I have another matter to tell you today." Miss Hua raised her white porcelain cup and took a sip of tea. "That embroiderer who collaborated with you on the clothing at the Spring Banquet, I saw her skill was quite good, so I plan to take her to Bianliang."
"But that embroiderer isn't very willing; she wants to stay with the shop in Shengjing." Miss Hua's tone held some regret. "I can't force her, so I entrusted her to my cousin."
"The Hua family also has many shops in Shengjing City, and it just so happens my cousin is very interested in ready-made clothing. I took the liberty of assigning her a shop to try and manage, to gain some experience."
"I'll be returning to Bianliang in a few days. That embroiderer said she can't completely replicate the ruqun with just the blueprints; the specific steps still require your discerning eye."
"After I return to Bianliang, I'll be beyond reach. If you have any matters or ideas, you can go to Wanbaozhai in the city and discuss them with her."
Although the blueprints were sold, some specific details would certainly be inscrutable to the embroidery workshop in the short term, and they would have to rely on Lin Zhiqing to provide ideas and guidance.
This was considered returning a favor and also setting up a connection for Lin Zhiqing, expanding her network.
Although Miss Hua had a carefree personality, she was observant and knew what she was doing. Her previously unstable emotions due to skin hunger syndrome had also calmed down.
"Miss Hua, you don't have to worry. Since I've taken the money, I will certainly handle everything well," Lin Zhiqing smiled.
"That's good then. There's nothing else, except that my cousin has a somewhat peculiar temper, so don't let her bully you."
These words surprised Lin Zhiqing a bit: "I've long lived confined to my boudoir and haven't met many guests. May I ask which esteemed young lady your cousin is?"
"My maternal uncle is the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, and his father is my grandmother's biological brother. My cousin's surname is Bai, and she had an accident a few years ago that left her blind." Miss Hua spoke quite frankly.
"She's also a pitiable person," Lin Zhiqing remarked absently.
So, it was the maternal family of the scholar's manor's elderly matron. Now, whenever the Ministry of Works was mentioned, she thought of her medical clinic.
Miss Hua didn't notice Lin Zhiqing's distraction: "Speaking of which, my cousin also attended the last Spring Banquet. I wonder if you have any recollection."
At these words, Lin Zhiqing snapped back to attention. In her mind appeared an official's daughter with very pale skin who had almost collided with her.
She looked at Aunt Mu, and seeing Aunt Mu give an imperceptible nod, she knew her thought was correct.
The glowing pale woman who had almost collided with Lin Zhiqing at the Spring Banquet was Miss Hua's cousin.
Shengjing City truly was a small world; it always came back to the same people.
Although Miss Bai was blind, she was still interested in ready-made clothes, which showed she was a perceptive person.
"Miss Bai is exceptionally beautiful and graceful in her demeanor; I do have some impression," Lin Zhiqing began her praising routine again.
Miss Hua nodded in deep agreement: "My cousin is a pitiable person. If she hadn't lost her sight, most of the young ladies in the capital wouldn't compare to her. Even my maternal uncle has been seeking medical treatment for her eyes these past few years, hoping to cure her."
"Eyes…" Lin Zhiqing also narrowed her eyes. Speaking of this, the scene of her first encounter with Miss Bai came to mind.
As memories surfaced, the scene became clearer and clearer.
She remembered that when the sunlight shone, Miss Bai seemed to turn her head and shield her eyes.
At the time, she had found it a bit strange. Logically, if someone were completely blind, they shouldn't react to sunlight.
Ministry of Works… seeking medical treatment… eyes…
These associated words appeared one by one, and Lin Zhiqing's eyes lit up. "Miss Hua, might I invite this Miss Bai out for a cup of tea?"
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