Chapter 78 Heartache

"What does Miss want with them?"

Shen Yuanzhu said, "Jixia Manor took a batch of my goods, and this debt must be settled."

Although the people of Jixia Manor are abusing their power under the guise of the new Admiral of Textiles, it remains to be seen whether this position will actually be filled.

If all of this was just a case of Jixia Manor taking advantage of someone else's power, she naturally couldn't accept this loss for nothing.

If the other party is indeed in cahoots with the new Admiral of the Imperial Textile Bureau, she must make arrangements in advance and seek the right opportunity.

But in any case, she needs to prepare, and now is the best opportunity.

"The one with a good figure and beautiful face was sent to the manager of Jixia Manor, while the other one, who was of average appearance but gentle in nature, was sent to the dyer of Jixia Manor."

"Let that young master's family clear their names."

Indeed, there were many families in Yangzhou who specialized in raising "skinny horses" (young, slender girls). These girls were taught from a young age, and their manners and upbringing were no less than those of daughters of officials.

Moreover, they would usually arrange for the girls to have a clean background; it was a common practice and not a difficult task.

Luo knew what her young lady was planning just by listening to one ear.

"Is Miss doing this for the Dyeing Competition in six months? Don't you want to recommend Jixia Manor to participate?"

This dyeing competition is a grand event held every four years for weaving and dyeing merchants, and it is also of utmost importance for entering the Suzhou Chamber of Commerce.

The previous champion was none other than Chen Yuanzhu's Xiecuifang.

However, because she was still young, Luo Qing always kept a low profile and never made a fuss after joining the Suzhou Chamber of Commerce.

Besides Xiecuifang, the Suzhou Chamber of Commerce has also not had any new members for a long time.

In this episode, the manager of Xiazhuang, or rather the newly appointed textile commissioner, wants to use the dyeing competition to gain entry into the Suzhou Chamber of Commerce.

If Jixia Manor had no prior grudges with her, Shen Yuanzhu could recommend them.

Because the members of the Chamber of Commerce were divided and attacking each other, Xiecuifang also needed an ally.

But now...

Shen Yuanzhu said, "Of course, the manager of Jixia Manor is a hypocrite and a treacherous man. Even if we form an alliance temporarily, there will surely be a day when he turns against me."

"Rather than helping to nurture such a scoundrel who is fond of using underhanded tricks, it's better to suppress him now."

"For at least four years, Jixia Manor will not be able to participate in the Dyeing Competition. Even if they do get in, I will find a way to prevent them from winning and entering the Chamber of Commerce."

Madam Luo nodded: "What Miss said makes sense. I'll have Luo Bai take care of it."

After finishing their business, Ling'er noticed that Shen Yuanzhu looked tired and said with concern, "Miss had her wedding yesterday and then suddenly changed bedrooms, so she probably didn't sleep well. I just boiled some hot water for you, Miss. Why don't you take a bath to relieve your fatigue?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuanzhu said coquettishly, "Good Ling'er, you still love me the most."

Huanhuan was happily preparing to go to the bathhouse when Xiaozhi came to report that Mianhe was requesting an audience.

“Miss, this person probably has ill intentions. I’ll send him away.”

“It’s alright, she has to come to see me eventually, I can’t just send her away every time.”

Shen Yuanzhu had Xiaozhi bring in cotton lotus leaves, while she herself sat upright on the embroidered couch.

Soon, Xiaozhi led in a girl with a slender waist and long legs, who was quite charming and beautiful.

"Mianhe greets the Second Young Mistress. I have come today to pay my respects and wish the Second Young Master and Second Young Mistress a long and happy life together."

"Good girl, Ling'er, reward her."

When Shen Yuanzhu spoke, her bright eyes were watery, and because of her round face, round eyes, and young age, she was very approachable even when she had a serious expression.

Not to mention that she smiled as soon as she opened her mouth, and after Mianhe looked her over, she felt relieved.

This second young mistress is incapable of managing anything.

Mianhe took the silver ingot from Ling'er's hand and pinched it, feeling dissatisfied.

On the day of the wedding, the second young mistress brought a huge dowry, but only gave her a small piece of gold, less than the size of a fingernail. She was extremely stingy.

"Thank you, Second Young Mistress."

Mianhe's face showed a hint of displeasure as she spoke.

Shen Yuanzhu pretended not to know anything, letting Mianhe's eyes dart around the room, probing and searching.

"Oh dear, why are these snacks on the table? The second young master doesn't like snacks kept indoors, so take them out quickly."

Neither Luo nor Ling'er moved, and Shen Yuanzhu looked down at her fingernails, also unmoved.

Mianhe pouted and said impatiently, "Second Young Mistress, don't blame me for not reminding you, the Second Young Master is very particular about rules. There are rules about how things should be placed inside and outside the house, and where things should be placed."

"And the second young master doesn't want anyone else to touch his things..."

"For example, this plate of pastries cannot be brought into the house; the second young master doesn't like it."

As she spoke, Mianhe paced back and forth in the room, her gaze sweeping over the various objects, big and small, her eyes filled with envy.

If it weren't for the Shenyuan Pearl, all these things would have belonged to her.

It's all that idiot eldest young master's fault. If he and Jiang Wansu hadn't taken off their clothes and gotten together, the position of second young mistress should have been hers.

Glancing angrily at the glittering main room, Mianhe turned and walked towards the bedroom.

There are countless other wonderful things in the bedroom.

But as soon as she turned around, Xiaozhi stopped her.

"Miss Mianhe, please wait. The bedroom is full of things belonging to the second young mistress and the second young master. It's not appropriate for you to go in."

"If one or two items are lost, it will be difficult to explain later."

"What do you mean? Are you saying I'm dishonest?"

Xiaozhi shook her head: "My Shen family is wealthy, and my young lady's dowry is full of expensive items. If it gets bumped or damaged, even if we were beaten to death, we still couldn't afford to pay for it."

"To avoid future disputes, Miss Mianhe need not come into the bedroom to serve you. She can simply do some sweeping and cleaning in the courtyard."

"Second Young Mistress, aren't you going to do anything about this unruly servant?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuanzhu smiled and said, "Xiaozhi's meaning is the same as mine."

Mianhe was so angry at her spineless appearance that she choked.

Madam Luo said, "Although the Second Young Master is the master of Qianxiang Courtyard, now that the Second Young Mistress has entered the household, the rules of the courtyard must be followed."

"What the second young mistress means is what the second young master means. If you don't agree, let the second young master talk to our grandmother."

After saying that, Luo raised her hand to invite Mianhe out.

One against four is naturally a losing proposition, both in terms of words and in terms of fighting.

Mianhe felt a pang of bitterness in her heart, knowing that even if she sought out Xie Qi, he would ignore her and might even scold her.

After thinking it over, she finally stamped her foot, grumbled, and ran out.

Looking at her behavior, Madam Luo narrowed her eyes: "She's relying on the second young master's favor to spoil him and has lost all sense of propriety, unable to distinguish who is the master and who is the servant."

Ling'er was also furious: "Look at her, so bossy and with her eyes darting around, as if she's the master."

"Miss, what if he feels sorry for her if she really goes to the second young master to complain?"