Chapter 274 Miss Ma
Chapter 274 Miss Ma
Li Qiang said curiously, "Since that’s the case, there should be many people who propose Madam Ma’s daughter." Niu San nodded and said, "Of course, speaking of Miss Ma Wei, she is indeed a beautiful lady. Moreover, her family background is not bad, and the one proposing the marriage is on the verge of collapsing, but Miss Ma’s mother is a proud and arrogant person who wholeheartedly wants her daughter to marry someone, so she spent all her energy on the capital. All the people who came here to propose within a hundred miles of the Eight Rivers Town have closed their doors." Li Qiang said, "So that means Miss Ma won’t be able to get married because of this?"
Niu San said, "Yes and no. Actually, Miss Ma already had him three years ago. He was a young master of a high-ranking official in the capital. He had already left his betrothal gift." Although she was not actually married off, she was still a virgin. However, her status was naturally different, and her family was very influential, and had sent many letters hoping that she would not change her marriage, or else she would give the Ma family a good opportunity to get married. Right now, not only does no one dare to come and propose marriage, even Miss Ma did not dare to come out, and such a young and beautiful woman had already been delayed like this. "
Hearing this, Li Qiang nodded his head and said, "In that case, she is rather unlucky. Sigh, no wonder the teachers at school often say that this feudal school is the worst of all. It’s so unfair for such a beauty to stay alone in this room!" Niu Sandao said, "Isn’t that what you’re talking about? But this is the reality before us, so no one can do anything about it." Li Qiang asked curiously, "Since you know it’s impossible for the Ma family to take in a son-in-law, then why did you tell me about it?"
Seeing that there were still a lot of customers eating in the stall, he lowered his voice and said, "I’m not satisfied with Master Li’s words, I could tell from the start that you’re someone who has a good job. As long as you can accomplish what you want to do, you won’t be able to do it, although the Ma family doesn’t dare to let Ma Wei marry, but in private, they must be very dissatisfied with their family in the capital. Furthermore, I heard that the Ma family has a poor harvest and lost a lot of business this year, so as long as Master Li can enter this place, I believe that the Ma family will take the risk."
Li Qiang had a sudden flash of understanding. He nodded and said, "You’re a smart person. This idea isn’t bad. I wonder how much of this betrothal gift will be suitable for you?" Niu San thought for a moment and said, "It should be enough to have a few thousand taels of silver. Their daughter is not made of gold, so no matter how expensive she is, it would be too outrageous." Li Qiang said with a smile, "The aspect of money is easy to negotiate with. However, I have to see what kind of person she is first. Otherwise, it would be bad for me to suffer a loss."
Niu San said with a smile, "Master Li is right. In fact, I only heard that Ma Wei was as pretty as Miss Han, but I’ve never seen her with my own eyes. It’s normal for Master Li to want to see her face." Li Qiang ate a mouthful of food and said, "Then let’s go there immediately. I don’t want to delay any longer." Niu San suddenly hesitated and said, "I still have something to ask Master Li. I hope you can agree."
Li Qiang asked curiously, "What do you mean?" It’s just that I’m still missing a servant who will run errands for you. Although this little one is just a waiter of a restaurant, I can still be considered as someone with quick legs. If I could stay by your side as a errand boy, this little one would do my best to serve you! Li Qiang laughed involuntarily as he thought in his heart, "Seeing that I gave him so much money, this fellow wanted to follow me and have a taste of the sweetness. "That’s fine, under the game’s settings, there are quite a few complicated matters in the ancient times. It would save a lot of trouble for someone as tactful as you to help you get in touch." He nodded: "Alright, I need someone to help me. I’ll trouble you to stay by my side. I won’t treat you unfairly."
Niu San was abnormally excited and said cheerfully, "The money Master Li gave me was enough for my family to spend for a lifetime. I just want to repay this debt of gratitude and serve you for the rest of your life." Li Qiang laughed in his heart, but he didn’t say anything and said, "Let’s go to the Ma family. What kind of excuse should we use? You can’t possibly just directly say that you want to propose, right? " Hearing Master say that he was a wealthy merchant from Jiangnan, why not pay a visit in the name of doing business? That Ma family is currently worrying about the lack of a partner, Master will definitely succeed and then make use of this opportunity to contact them. "Niu San said.
Li Qiang’s eyes lit up as he nodded and said, "What you say makes sense. Let’s do it this way. Go post an invitation and ask for some gifts. Tell them that Jiangnan Li Qiang has business matters to discuss with Madam Ma." As he spoke, he passed Niu San a few notes. After about two hours, Niu San returned, exhausted from work and said, "Mistress, this matter has been settled. Madam Ma has already opened the door and is waiting for you to go meet with her." Li Qiang nodded. He tidied up his clothes and had Ox-Head to lead the way, walking in the direction of Ma Mansion.
Li Qiang felt slightly puzzled and asked Niu San, "Why is the Ma Clan so quiet? Don’t they value business?" Niu San said, "Master, you don’t know, this Madam Ma prefers silence. She has even set a schedule in advance for everything. She separate the guests that come here to discuss business, so the front door seems deserted."
Li Qiang nodded. He secretly admired this Madam Ma’s methodical actions. Although it was only General Ma’s side room, it was not easy to achieve such a scale in Eight River Town. While he was lost in thought, the two of them had already arrived in front of the mansion. Under the escort of the servants, a beautiful middle-aged woman slowly arrived in front of Li Qiang and said with a smile, "I heard that Young Master Li is a big guest merchant from Jiangnan. Li Qiang hurriedly returned the greeting. He thought, "The etiquette of the ancients is really troublesome. They even need to be so long-winded when meeting each other. When I return to this era, my entire body feels awkward."
Because this Ma Mansion was General Ma’s old residence, it was much more imposing than the Han Family. Li Qiang sat in the guest seat and surveyed his surroundings for a long time before drinking some tea. At this moment, Madam Ma asked from the seat of honor, "May I ask what business Young Master Li is doing here?" Li Qiang casually said, "Madam, I am very interested in doing silk business."
Madam Ma’s eyes lit up as she said, "I have a few more under my command, and they’re just trying to expand their scale. I wonder if Young Master Li is interested in buying shares?" Li Qiang laughed in his heart. "This Madam Ma is really good at following the flow. I just said a few words, but she’s already getting down to business." Therefore, he nodded and said, "Yes, I am indeed interested, and when I was in Jiangnan, I also knew a few wealthy merchants, all of them engaged in silk business. If I join, we wouldn’t have to worry about the source of our goods." Madam Ma smiled. "That’s great. Our silk-silk shop is just worrying about the origin of the goods. Previously, we had to change hands from second-hand merchants and always spent quite a bit of money. If Young Master Li can join us, our future prospects are not small."
Li Qiang said, "That’s great. I see that Madam is also a straightforward person. Then let’s make an agreement. This one is willing to join Madam in her business. I wonder how we will split the debt?" Madam Ma smiled tenderly. "There’s no rush. Since the matter is so easily settled, how about I treat Young Master to a meal first?" Li Qiang thought to himself, "Drinking again. It seems that this Eight River Town’s people really like treating people to food." He was too embarrassed to refuse the other party’s request, so he could only nod her head and say, "Then, I’ll do as you say."
Madam Ma pursed her lips into a smile, stood up, and led Li Qiang to the side room. The servants had already left, and a table had already been prepared, and the two sat down at it. Madam Ma frequently toasted during the banquet, but Li Qiang did not refuse, and he also returned the compliment one by one. Madam Ma was a straightforward person, or perhaps because she had been in the business for too long, but her alcohol tolerance was not much worse than Xu Mei’s. At this moment, Madam Ma was in a daze. She held Li Qiang’s hand and delicately asked, "Does Young Master think that I’m beautiful?"