BXBX NOVEL Chapter 1296: Buying
“Of course, we’ve already reduced the price, and selling strawberries is a new venture for us. However, we do need to consider raising the price for Madame Shao,” Qiao Xuan replied.
Qiao Xuan had no objections to this decision. Offering 2 qian for 500 grams of strawberries was already a generous price, especially given the novelty of the product. She hadn’t anticipated just how popular they would become.
However, for individuals like Zhao Shu, who had mentioned the strawberries to the tea house, and Shao Yunduan, a prominent figure in the East Palace, the price of 2 qian for 500 grams seemed quite low.
Given the rising demand for strawberries, it was only logical for the manager to contemplate increasing the price.
Qiao Xuan did some calculations: 4 mu of strawberries, producing 300 kg per day. Thanks to her extraordinary abilities, the yield had significantly improved, but 300 kg still exceeded the demand.
In the end, they decided to supply 125 kg per day at a rate of 6 qian per 500 grams.
Qiao Xuan was content with offering strawberries at ten qian per 500 grams, and she was already satisfied with the 6 qian price.
This venture brought in 150 liang per day, totaling 4,000 liang each month.
It appeared they had discovered another profitable avenue!
As word of the strawberries spread, Qiao Xuan couldn’t fathom how the news had reached so many people. Various vendors and tea houses approached her, proposing higher prices for her strawberries.
Qiao Xuan turned down these offers, stating that she intended to increase production next year.
However, the rejections seemed to have the opposite effect. Different people started coming to her door the next day, and those who were initially declined returned on the following days. This frustrated Qiao Xuan to the point where she couldn’t help but vent her frustration to Shao Yunduan.
After some thought, Shao Yunduan proposed, “Tomorrow, I will visit the East Palace and offer some strawberries to the Crown Prince. I’ll also inquire if they would like to cultivate them at the Imperial Plantation next year.”
Their intention was to dissuade unscrupulous individuals. The Shao Family had a strong connection with the East Palace, and it was essential to maintain a harmonious relationship without going overboard.
And the strawberries should be prepared in case the Crown Prince expressed interest in trying them, so Shao Yunduan could present them to him.
In reality, Shao Yunduan had a position within the East Palace, which deterred anyone from attempting any mischief. Otherwise, the rarity and high value of the strawberries might have tempted some to steal them, and Qiao Xuan wouldn’t have been able to safeguard them.
Qiao Xuan looked up at him with a smile. “Is that acceptable? Are you enjoying the food?”
Shao Yunduan chuckled as he gently ran his fingers through her hair. “No more gifts, just one large and juicy strawberry, weighing between 2.5 to 3 kilograms, would be sufficient. If the Crown Prince likes it, he can reward me with it in the future.”
However, Shao Yunduan understood that the Crown Prince wouldn’t allow any more gifts, even if he liked them. Moreover, there was the possibility of censorship intervening, and the Crown Prince wouldn’t want any evidence left behind.
Qiao Xuan hadn’t anticipated this turn of events. Since her husband had given his approval, she smiled and agreed.
It seemed that she was too accommodating, and it was time to teach those people a lesson.
The following day, Qiao Xuan carefully selected a small basket of high-quality, large, and plump strawberries. Shao Yunduan personally delivered them to the Crown Prince, who had returned to the East Palace early in the morning.
The Crown Prince had never tasted strawberries before, but he had heard Shao Yunduan describe them as such. He smiled and remarked, “So these are strawberries. They look exquisite! It’s no wonder so many people are fond of them.”