Chapter 339: The Silver Building Is in Trouble

Stone smiled. “Of course.”

He knew the Young Master Heir wasn’t particularly concerned with profits; his main goal was to please Miss Gu, and secondarily, to outdo Young Master Zhu.

Seeing Stone agree so readily, Young Master Zhu was delighted. “There is just one more thing, and it’s something only Brother Stone can handle properly.”

Just as he was speaking, Gu Zhang entered, followed by Steward Qin and Liu Fu.

Gu Fei hurried to welcome her father. Gu Zhang knew everyone present, so he exchanged greetings and sat down to continue the talks.

Mr. Zhu continued, “Right now, we need to hurry to the Maritime Trade Office and get a sea voyage permit. Without it, the entire shipment will be confiscated when it reaches port.”

Gu Fei thought for a moment and understood. ‘Bypassing the government is smuggling,’ she mused. ‘No dynasty, regardless of the era, would allow such enormous profits to circumvent the state and fall into private hands.’

Stone nodded. “I’ll take care of it.”

Mr. Zhu was overjoyed. With them not having to procure the permit themselves, this would save them a considerable amount of silver.

‘He’d really made the right decision by partnering with Miss Gu.’

He stood up. “Since we’re all here, why don’t we head to the shipyard and take a look?”

Gu Fei also stood up, intending to go with them. Just then, a young lad entered, his eyes scanning the room. They lit up when he spotted Gu Fei, and he rushed over. “Manager Gu! There’s a difficult customer at the silver building who insists on seeing the owner. The manager had no choice but to send me to find you.”

Gu Fei frowned. “In the past, when there was trouble at the silver building, did Manager Zhang go running to Housekeeper Wu?”

The lad stammered, “This person’s status is… unusual. The manager is at his wit’s end.”

Gu Fei thought for a moment. She wouldn’t have any peace of mind if she didn’t go and see for herself. She turned to her father. “Dad, you all go on ahead. I won’t be joining you.”

She discreetly slipped the 20,000-tael silver note to her father and whispered, “Dad, if you find something suitable today, go ahead and buy two ships. Get the biggest ones they have.”

Gu Zhang’s hand trembled as he saw the amount on the silver note. He quickly tucked it securely inside his robes and nodded. “Alright. You go check on the silver building. Don’t panic, no matter what’s happening.”

Gu Fei watched the group leave, then instructed Lian’er and Yan’er to look after the shop. She then set off for the silver building with Fang Fang.

Along the way, the lad whispered, “Owner, I couldn’t speak freely just now. The customer is the daughter of the Guardian Lady. She’s throwing a fit in the shop right now, and the manager truly can’t handle her, so he had to ask you to come.”

Gu Fei gave a short “Mm” and quickened her pace.

The silver building wasn’t far, and they arrived in moments. The lad led Gu Fei up to the second floor.

They had just reached the top of the stairs when a shrill voice carried out from one of the rooms. “Do you have any idea how noble my young lady is? She needs this phoenix hairpin within the next two days! Now that you’ve made a mistake, what is she supposed to wear?”

“If you ruin my young lady’s important occasion, how could you possibly compensate for it!”

Gu Fei took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

Inside, two beauties were seated in the chairs of honor.

The woman on the left wore a bright red skirt and blouse of gold-threaded Kesi silk. A gossamer shawl, shimmering with gold dust, was draped over her arm. In her hair was a golden phoenix hairpin with seven tails, encrusted with sparkling rubies of all sizes.

The beauty’s upswept phoenix eyes, snow-white complexion, and vivid red lips made for a stunning and captivating sight.

As for the beauty on the right, Gu Fei recognized her.

It was the same young lady who had called Xiao Yu “Second Brother” on the night of the Lantern Festival.

The young lady was dressed in a pale yellow spring blouse with a jade-green gauze shawl draped over her shoulders. A few pearl and emerald-green velvet flowers were pinned in her hair. Her entire appearance was fresh and elegant, evoking the vibrant feel of spring.