The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

Chapter 494: Chapter 481: Reaching a Consensus

“This Moon Incense is not considered valuable, it can’t match many other treasured incenses, but because it’s long since ceased to exist and was made by a great scholar, it’s been sought after by many literati and cultured people. Many have attempted to imitate it, but as it’s a prescription based on guesswork, even if it is made, it is always not as refreshing and elegant as the one described in the rumors.”

“Who would have thought that Manager Zhuang actually painstakingly manufactured this Moon Incense?”

Zhuang Qingning blinked her eyes.

It seemed that for this fictional era, the Moon Incense was not as it was recorded in history, but it had an entirely new story.

However, it didn’t matter to her.

“It was a coincidence. My father, in his early years, worked outside and liked collecting prescriptions among other things. Recently while cleaning up, I inadvertently found this prescription. I had no idea who had researched and written it, so I tried it out. After making the incense, I found it smelled quite good, but I had no idea if it was similar to the Moon Incense in the rumor.”

“Manager Cheng’s family runs a business dealing in incense, I presume you have a deep understanding of incense. That’s why I wanted Manager Cheng to first have a look at this Moon Incense and to see what its texture is like.”

Zhuang Qingning explained.

“I see.” Cheng Ruize nodded slightly and instructed Fang Hou, “Bring the incense burner.”

Only by testing it would we know if it’s good or not.

Fang Hou immediately fetched the incense burner, and ignited the incense, placing it in the incense burner in the middle of the flower hall.

The incense burnt slowly, and its fragrance gradually diffused throughout the flower hall.

It was long-lasting, refreshing and elegant, elusive…

The hand that Cheng Ruize originally had on his knee unconsciously clenched into a fist, and his brow furrowed, “This… is undoubtedly the Moon Incense!”

“Manager Zhuang.” Cheng Ruize became incredibly excited, “Although I’ve never actually seen the Moon Incense that the scholar from the previous dynasty researched and made, nor can I confirm that the incense you have made is the same as that of the scholar, I can definitely say that of all the incenses I’ve come across so far, this Moon Incense is the closest to the description.”

“I imagine the prescription for this which your father accidentally got hold of was either from a master incense maker or it must have leaked from the scholar.”

Seeing Cheng Ruize highly praise the Moon Incense, Zhuang Qingning felt a bit more assured.

“Since the Moon Incense is good, is Manager Cheng willing to do business with me?” Zhuang Qingning asked with a smile.

“Does Manager Zhuang mean, you are willing to sell the Moon Incense you made at Cheng’s?” Cheng Ruize, surprised, was filled with excitement and joy.

“Not quite.” Zhuang Qingning shook her head, and noticing clearly visible disappointment on Cheng Ruize’s face, she hastily explained, “I don’t wish to sell the Moon Incense that I made at Cheng’s.”

“What I mean is, I want to completely hand over the Moon Incense prescription to Cheng’s.”

When he was rejected again, Cheng Ruize felt as if his mood had plummeted to the lowest point. Now hearing Zhuang Qingning saying she wanted to give the Moon Incense prescription to Cheng’s, he was shocked amid his joy.

“May I ask, Miss Zhuang, what is the selling price of the Moon Incense prescription?” Cheng Ruize asked tentatively, his voice trembling slightly.

Even though the Moon Incense is not as famous as the Baihe Incense, due to its popularity among literati and the fact that it ceased to exist after the scholar’s house was burnt down, it is also quite famous.

If Cheng’s could have possession of the Moon Incense prescription, their business in the County and the city would be good, and perhaps they could use it to open a gap in the incense business in Yangzhou where his brothers were operating.

However, in Cheng Ruize’s view, such a prescription should be quite expensive.

But good stuff requires investment and it’s worth it.

“There’s no need for Manager Cheng to pay yet.” Zhuang Qingning smiled in response.

“Don’t want money?” Cheng Ruize was immediately stunned.

“Not exactly. It’s not that I don’t want money, it’s just that I don’t want it from Manager Cheng at the moment. I’d like to use this prescription to negotiate a business deal with Manager Cheng.”

Zhuang Qingning spoke calmly, “This prescription can be used by Cheng’s. Your master incense maker can use this prescription to make the incense, but from the sales of the Moon Incense, I want thirty percent of the profits. What does Manager Cheng think?”

Cheng Ruize contemplated with his head down.

Entering into a partnership with the prescription and taking a thirty percent profit would align with general market conditions.

This move is beneficial for Cheng’s as they could own a long-lost and awaited prescription without spending money initially, which could be said to be a good thing.

For Zhuang Qingning, she must have seen that the Moon Incense can yield long-term profits in the future and accumulating it over the years would be more profitable than selling a prescription at a one-time price.

But if that’s the case…

Cheng Ruize raised his brows, “I understand what Manager Zhuang means. This move is beneficial for both Manager Zhuang and Cheng’s, and I wholeheartedly support this partnership. However…”

“Isn’t Manager Zhuang worried that Cheng’s, after obtaining the prescription, will falsely report the number of sales in front of Miss Zhuang and take the opportunity to pay less profit to Manager Zhuang?”

“Manager Cheng is overthinking it.” Zhuang Qingning chuckled, “Firstly, judging by my ability to read people, I believe Manager Cheng wouldn’t do this. Cheng’s, after all, has been in business for generations and should have some understanding of benevolence and righteousness.”

“Secondly…”

Zhuang Qingning’s eyes sparkled and a playful smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, “Can Manager Cheng guess what else my father left besides this Moon Incense?”

Cheng Ruize was momentarily stunned.

Surely if she could bring out the prescription of the Moon Incense, she must have other incense prescriptions in her possession.

If both parties could cooperate honestly and for mutual benefit, Zhuang Qingning would recognize his character and bring out other prescriptions in the future to continue making money together.

However, if Cheng’s attempted to deceive her and took this opportunity to exploit her, she would definitely consider cooperating with other merchants for the remaining prescriptions.

Especially those which could potentially compete with Cheng’s.

Zhuang Qingning knew that as a businessman, he would certainly calculate this account, so she brought out the prescription of the Moon Incense so calmly and confidently.

It has to be said that Zhuang Qingning could really do big business.

“Manager Zhuang is exceedingly right, it was my impudence.” Cheng Ruize saluted and apologized, “Then we shall follow Manager Zhuang’s suggestion. Manager Zhuang will provide the Moon Incense prescription, and the profits from selling Moon Incense will be split seventy-thirty, with Manager Zhuang taking thirty percent and Cheng’s taking seventy percent.”

“Talking is one thing, having it in writing is something else.” Zhuang Qingning took out the neatly folded paper from the box, “Manager Cheng, please read this. If there are no objections, copy it into two copies, and we can both sign it.”

Does that mean Zhuang Qingning had already determined that this business would definitely be successful, so she had prepared everything ahead of time?

Cheng Ruize’s probing gaze circled Zhuang Qingning’s face and finally fell on the note in his hand.