After stopping their noise, we explained to each of them individually until we understood what the shopkeepers meant.

This morning, they opened their shop to do business, but a group of soldiers came and sealed off their shop. They hurriedly searched for their owner in the Song residence.

Unexpectedly, they met several other shopkeepers at the Song residence, all of whom were covered in sweat. Upon inquiry, they learned that their shops had all been shut down by government officials.

Moreover, the servants at the gate refused to let them in no matter what they said, and even offering money didn't work.

Just when they were at their wits' end, Haitang passed by. A shopkeeper recognized her as Song Tangxue's personal maid, whom he had seen by Song Tangxue's side before. He stopped Haitang, which allowed Song Tangxue to leave the mansion.

Song Tangxue was shocked and at a loss for words, wondering why someone would suddenly shut down her shop.

"Were the shops next door affected?" Song Tangxue asked in a deep voice.

Several shopkeepers thought for a moment and then shook their heads: "No, those officials came straight to my shop and didn't even glance at the surrounding shops."

It seems these soldiers are specifically targeting her. Song Tangxue needs to go and check on the situation.

The shopkeepers were in a panic; these were their livelihoods, the only things they could do to support their families. What were they to do now?

Before Song Tangxue had even left the entrance of the Song residence, Song Tangli appeared before her: "Sister, where are you rushing off to?"

Song Tangxue was in a good mood. Accompanied by her maid, she dressed up beautifully and gently touched the pearl hairpin on her head: "I'm afraid there's some problem that can't be solved? Sister, aren't you very capable? How come you would encounter trouble?"

His tone was sarcastic: "My sister offended Father before. Should I go and beg him to help her? I still have some influence with Father."

Song Tangxue's eyes darted around, and suddenly she remembered something. She had just had an accident, and Song Tangli just happened to appear here to mock her.

Song Tangli must have known about this all along, and she may have been involved in it.

Song Tangxue sneered: "My half-sister doesn't deal with her own reputation first, but instead worries about me. I don't know if you're just thick-skinned or if you've given up entirely."

"After their true colors are revealed, do they no longer care about their image?"

These words struck Song Tangli squarely in the heart. Her carefully cultivated image was almost completely ruined in a single day, and now people outside are still spreading rumors, causing Song's mother to also lose her temper.

All of this was because of Song Tangxue. Song Tangli's eyes were deep: "Then I wish you a smooth resolution today, sister."

Today is just the beginning; she will slowly help Song Tangxue peel off this layer of skin.

Song Tangxue turned away with a cold arrogance: "Thank you for your kind words."

They went to the nearest shop, a jewelry shop called "Jewelry Shop".

The huge plaque still hangs high, but the bustling scene of the past is gone. Soldiers have put up seals and are guarding the entrance with long knives.

Many young women stopped to watch and whisper among themselves.

Song Tangxue led the shopkeeper through the crowd and stood in front of the soldiers: "I wonder why you gentlemen have sealed off this shop?"

The leading officer knew she was the true owner of the shop, and said with a cold face, "This is an order from above. Asking us is useless. If you want to ask, go ask the people above."

The officers and soldiers clearly had received orders, and they remained silent and unyielding towards Song Tangxue.

Song Tangxue shifted her gaze to the seal, and as expected, it was her father's doing. The reason for sealing the shop was a matter of etiquette.

Song's father happens to be in charge of this part, so this is a desperate act.

Song Tangxue smiled and said, "Sir, could you please make an exception and open the shop first? There are quite a few customers gathered at the door. I'll personally go and ask them to remove the seal later, how about that?"

The leading officer, with his nose in the air, spoke in a booming voice: "These are the regulations from above, Miss Song, please don't make things difficult for me."

Song Tangxue smiled coldly. Who was the higher-up? It was just Song's father's instruction.

Despite her inner turmoil, Song Tangxue kept her composure and gave the soldiers a deep look, who remained unmoved by her words.

Princess Tingyu was just about to pick up the male concubines she had pre-ordered last month when she noticed the shop was surrounded by a huge crowd. Somewhat puzzled, she sent her maid to check.

Song Tangxue, with her sharp eyes, spotted Princess Tingyu through the crowd and smiled as she pushed her way through: "Greetings, Princess Tingxue."

Princess Tingyu was very pleased, feeling that Song Tangxue was a person who knew how to conduct herself and was easy to get along with. The last incident made her feel relieved on the spot.

Now that she's seen him, she doesn't put on airs and comes over to greet him. The more he looks at her, the more he appreciates her, and he warmly takes Song Tangxue's hand: "What are you doing here?"

Upon hearing this, Song Tangxue sighed softly, her shoulders slumped, and her eyes held a bitter expression: "At Emerald Manor, we hit it off immediately. After returning home, I remembered that there was a gold hairpin in this shop that was forged by Master Lin and is the prized possession of Treasure Shop."

Princess Tingyu's gaze was somewhat intense: "Is it the Master Lin who forged the phoenix crown for the Empress's wedding?"

Empress Cheng's phoenix crown was unparalleled in the world. Princess Tingyu was fortunate enough to see it once, and it was a dream that every woman longed for.

This Master Lin then disappeared without a trace, leaving only a small number of his works behind.

Most of them are just for display and few people buy and sell them. This Treasure Shop does have such a gold hairpin, which she has never seen before.

Anything produced by Master Lin is guaranteed to be a masterpiece.

“Yes, I think this gold hairpin is a perfect match for you. I heard from the shopkeeper that you were coming today, and I thought if I ran into you and we exchanged a few words, I would give you this gold hairpin as well. I hope Princess Tingyu will not find it offensive.” Song Tangxue’s words were extremely eloquent.

Princess Tingyu's heart skipped a beat: "Then I must thank you. Master Lin's works are priceless."

“But…” Song Tangxue’s eyebrows drooped as she looked at the neatly sealed door with difficulty.

Princess Tingyu followed the gaze and frowned as well: "What happened? She was fine yesterday."

"The soldiers sealed off this shop today," Song Tangxue said with a bitter smile. "They said it was because of a matter of etiquette."

Princess Tingyu led Song Tangxue to the soldiers, who were already drenched in cold sweat. Princess Tingyu glanced at them sideways and said, "I heard you're going to seal off this Treasure Pavilion? Most of my jewelry comes from here. How come I don't know anything about etiquette here?"

The leading officer wiped the sweat from his brow: "Princess Tingyu must have some misunderstanding. We have no intention of sealing off this Treasure Pavilion."

“哦？那这封条是……”

身后的官差七脚八手地将封条撕了下来：“听雨郡主您请。”