Chapter 170: The Business of Eastern Pearls

Chi Nan Yi had just returned to the shop, and Hao the Shopkeeper said an honored guest had been waiting for her in the elegant room for a long while.

Looking at the carriage parked at the doorway, Chi Nan Yi guessed who the visitor was.

Sure enough, as soon as she entered the elegant room, she saw Li Yunxi, who was standing behind an elder.

Seeing her come in, the elder slowly rose: "Sir, are you the owner of the world's number one manor?"

"Indeed."

"I am the Li Family Patriarch, Li Chen Chong." He bowed his hands toward Chi Nan Yi: "Thank you, Young Master, for publicly rescuing my granddaughter; I have come today to pay my respects."

Li Yunxi gave Chi Nan Yi a graceful bow: "Thank you, Young Master." She pointed to the large coat on the table and said softly: "This is your coat; yesterday it was cold, and you gave the coat to me. I wonder if I have caught a chill."

"Miss Lao, take care."

The Li Patriarch surveyed Chi Nan Yi from head to toe, his eyes showing satisfaction.

If someone like her could become his grandson‑in‑law, how wonderful that would be.

Li Chen Chong was not a procrastinator; he always spoke plainly.

"I haven't asked your name, Young Master."

"I am Nan Yi."

"May I ask whether Young Master Nan has a marriage prospect?"

Chi Nan Yi was startled by the words.

She never imagined that the Li Patriarch's intention was this.

Chi Nan Yi smiled and said, "Patriarch Li, I'm afraid I will disappoint you."

"Hahaha, since you say so, I understand." The Li Patriarch glanced at Li Yunxi beside him and sighed: "Countless suitors have come to the Li Family to propose marriage, trampling the thresholds; now the Li Family has declined, and as the day of marriage approaches, the proposals are being rejected, so Yunxi's desire to marry will be difficult."

Speaking of marriage, Li Yunxi's eyes reddened slightly.

She wasn't afraid she couldn't find a husband; she was sincere toward Liu Liangzhou.

When she learned that her grandfather had arranged her marriage with the Liu Family's second young master, she was truly excited for a long time.

She went to Jiang Yuan Pavilion that day because someone told her that after the Liu Family withdrew the proposal, they had arranged a marriage with the Lin Family; Liu Liangzhou had been extremely caring toward the Lin Family lady, which she didn't believe.

They had been discussing and fixing the marriage for three years; Liu Liangzhou wasn't especially good to her, but not bad either. She thought that was his nature, and now hearing such news from others, she could not believe it at all.

After years of affection between them, how could he fall for another so quickly?

Thus, Li Yunxi appeared at Jiang Yuan Pavilion.

When she saw Liu Liangzhou and the Lin Family missus being all lovey‑dovey, a corner of her heart completely collapsed.

"At last, the marriage with that unattractive, womanless brute has been broken."

"I've already told my mother; after the New Year we will marry."

"If you delay further, your belly won't stay hidden."

These words, like needles and knives, sliced open her heart's blood.

She fled in a mess and accidentally collided with Jiang Wanyue.

If not for the person before her resolving the situation, she wouldn't know how much trouble she would have caused.

Chi Nan Yi smiled: "It's just a marriage; what's the difficulty? As long as the Li Family rises again, the husband can be chosen by Miss Li."

"Rise again?" Li Chen Chong shook his head: "Young Master Nan, your words are off; wanting to rise again is not easy at all."

"I've heard the Li Family built its fortune on Eastern Pearls; if we can cultivate top‑grade Eastern Pearls, wouldn't that be enough?"

"Young Master Li is an outsider; cultivating the supreme Eastern Pearls you speak of is far from easy. Ten years, twenty years, maybe thirty to fifty years— even if we could grow them, it would already be too late." He waved his hand, and a servant carrying a box walked over.

The box opened, revealing an Eastern Pearl; though small, it was perfectly round and lustrous, far superior to the ones retrieved from Hou Qinian in the realm.

"Young Master Nan, please look; this is the finest Eastern Pearl our Li Family can produce. In earlier years, our Eastern Pearls were not only of fine color but also huge, and when set into crowns in the Palace they were dazzling. However, in recent years the quality has declined, and now they can't even be placed on the tray." At this point, Li Chen Chong's face was full of weariness.

Chi Nan Yi smiled: "What if I say I have a method to make the Li Family rise again, even surpass its peak?"

"What?" Li Chen Chong's eyes lit up, and he suddenly stood: "Rise again, surpass the peak? How could that be possible?"

"There is nothing impossible in this world; if you dare to think and act, you can succeed."

"Young Master Nan, would you be willing to give some guidance? I am all ears; if you truly can restore the Li Family to its pinnacle, just tell me any request you have."

"I have been to the Outer Realm and happened upon an elder, from whom I learned some methods to cultivate Eastern Pearl Clams; it is said his technique can produce supreme Eastern Pearls in a very short time."

"Really?" Li Chen Chong wondered: "The methods for raising Eastern Pearl Clams are family secrets; how could he easily tell a stranger?"

"The junior, skilled in medicine, saved his life, and he gave the junior a formula."

Chi Nan Yi took a porcelain bottle from her bosom: "Just pour the contents into the water of the Eastern Pearl Clam pond."

"Is it that simple?" Li Chen Chong was startled; he had expected it to be very complicated, but it turned out to be this simple.

"Nothing else?"

"No."

Chi Nan Yi handed over the Spirit Spring Water, smiling: "Patriarch Li, if you don't believe, you may take a few Eastern Pearl Clams and raise them alone, pour this in, and after a month or so check the results."

Li Chen Chong took it with both hands, his eyes shining as he looked at the porcelain bottle.

Could this thing truly reverse the Li Family's decline?

"Young Master, if this method truly works, the Li Family will give you half of the profits."

"Very well, very well."

She originally thought only thirty percent, but didn't expect the Li Patriarch to be so generous.

Since then, she could provide them with more Spirit Spring Water.

After the Li Patriarch left, Ji Bai hurried in.

"Miss, the subordinate saw someone skulking outside the door."

"Can you find out who it is?"

"Shopkeeper Hao said it seemed to be the second servant from Tianfu."

"You came to add blessings?"

"It's a restaurant in Jingcheng. Business used to be good, but ever since our shop opened, trade has gradually cooled. I guess they're holding a grudge."

"No problem, they're just minor figures who can't stir up any trouble." Chi Nan Yi said lightly, "What about the opposite side? Any moves?"

"The opposite side is indeed very quiet."

Quiet? That doesn't seem to fit Meng Qinghe's style!

At this moment, in the Meng Family, Meng Qinghe was kneeling on the ground. Meng Hui looked at them irritably and shouted, "You, a proper lady of a great family, should be learning proper etiquette in the residence. A woman should receive a woman's training, yet you instead mingle with the merchant crowd of the Jiang Clan, frequenting the elegant Jiangyuan Pavilion. Look at yourself—where is the bearing of a distinguished lady? It's shameful enough for you alone, but you also bring disgrace to the Meng Family!"

In the main hall of the Meng Family, besides Meng Hui, the matriarch and Liu Yiniang were also seated.

Now the Jiang Clan is still under house arrest, and all matters in the residence are handled by Liu Yiniang, making her practically half the master of the Minister's Residence.

No one in the Meng Family is willing to speak up for Meng Qinghe.