Because the quantity of this batch of garments was too large, the manager of the clothing workshop told Nan Wusi that it would take about half a month to complete all the garments, so Nan Wusi could only continue to wait.
"Why did I forget to ask Prince Yi for help to borrow the weaving workshop earlier?" Nan Wusi regretted his oversight after learning that it would take half a month.
During the two-week wait, the two guests served by Mengyifang did not encounter any further problems, which relieved Nan Wusi. Otherwise, this batch of orders would have been almost entirely wasted.
There is another thing worth noting, which Ouyang Xinxi told her.
Ouyang Xinxi accompanied Ouyang Jiangli and his mother to a banquet. The main participants were concubines and young ladies from various households. At the banquet, she saw Concubine Wang, the Minister of Rites, and Concubine Wang was wearing a dress from Mengyifang.
Ouyang Xinxi originally planned to send someone to tell Nan Wusi first, but at the banquet she heard Aunt Wang tell others that she bought this dress at Mengyifang and it cost her a lot of money. Fortunately, her master loved her and made up the money for her.
That's fine, but while showing off her love, Aunt Wang didn't forget to put down Mengyifang, saying that she had heard too much about the store's reputation and thought too highly of it, but when she actually went there, she felt that it was just so-so.
Ouyang Xinxi couldn't stand it any longer and directly exposed that the clothes worn by Aunt Wang were not sold by Mengyifang, but were simply counterfeit by her own embroiderers through improper means.
As soon as she said that, everyone's attitude towards Aunt Wang changed.
"What nonsense are you talking about? You need to provide evidence before you speak, otherwise you're just slandering me." Aunt Wang was also a little exasperated. She never expected that someone would expose her on the spot.
“If you don’t believe me, you can bring the garment with you, and we’ll confront each other at Mengyifang. Besides, I know who has the original of this garment, and I’m sure others have seen it too.” Ouyang Xinxi was naturally equally adamant; she would never allow anyone to slander Nan Wusi and Mengyifang like this.
"Then tell me, who has such clothes? I could say that Mengyifang copied my clothes." Aunt Wang retorted, not to be outdone. However, in her anger, she failed to realize that she was indirectly admitting that she did not buy the clothes from Mengyifang.
So the others looked even stranger after hearing this.
“Actually, I’ve seen another lady wear a similar dress before, and it’s about 80% similar to what Aunt Wang is wearing.” At this point, someone else stood up and spoke.
"See, I told you, someone must have seen it." Ouyang Xinxi looked at Aunt Wang triumphantly, thinking that she would have nothing to say now.
Aunt Wang was both angry and anxious, and her face was extremely ugly. She had made a complete fool of herself today, and therefore she directly hated Ouyang Xinxi and Nan Wusi.
Finally, Aunt Wang left the banquet in a fit of anger, giving Ouyang Xinxi a resentful look as she went.
"Young Miss, you've gone too far today," the second concubine scolded. She hadn't expected that Ouyang Xinxi, who was always so gentle and easily bullied, would be so sharp-tongued. She actually dared to confront someone openly—something she would never have done before.
“That’s because she has no shame,” Ouyang Xinxi retorted. She didn’t think there was anything wrong with what she did today. She even thought that the Second Aunt and Aunt Wang were birds of a feather.
The second aunt was somewhat surprised by her retort. It seemed she had to get rid of Ouyang Xinxi as soon as possible; she was no longer the timid and easily controlled little girl she once was.
"That Aunt Wang is truly more trouble than she's worth," Ouyang Jiangli said to his second concubine after returning home. What was supposed to be a well-planned scheme had gone awry because Aunt Wang had become so overconfident and had been exposed in public, ruining her entire plan.
"There's nothing we can do about it. Who knew that Ouyang Xinxi would know that Aunt Wang's clothes weren't actually bought from Mengyifang, and that she would expose it in public?" The second concubine was also troubled. When Aunt Wang came to the mansion to chat and mentioned that the clothes from Mengyifang were too expensive, but the styles were very beautiful and she really wanted them, it was they who gave her the idea.
Now things are really messed up. Not only has the original plan been ruined, but the two families might even become enemies in the future.
"This can't go on. Ever since Ouyang Xinxi met Nan Wusi, her way of doing things has become more and more like hers." This gave Ouyang Jiangli a feeling of being unable to control her, which she found very annoying.
"Yes, Mother will find a way. It's time to deal with Ouyang Xinxi." The second aunt's face revealed a ruthless expression.
"Yes, Mother, remember to be careful and don't let anyone have any leverage over you," Ouyang Jiangli said.
"Don't worry." Second Aunt was used to doing these things and naturally knew to be careful.
Nan Wusi was also somewhat surprised after hearing Ouyang Xinxi's account of the matter. She hadn't expected Ouyang Xinxi to take the initiative to stand up for her, which moved and comforted her.
Ouyang Xinxi is no longer the timid girl she was when we first met. She has changed for the better and has become stronger and braver.
However, she was worried that Aunt Wang might retaliate against Ouyang Xinxi through other means, so she cautioned, "Xinxi, you'd better be careful these days. That Aunt Wang is probably not a very magnanimous person. You made her lose face in front of so many people this time, so she will definitely retaliate in other ways."
"Yes, I will be careful." Ouyang Xinxi naturally understood this as well.
“You must take this to heart. I’m not afraid of anything else, but I’m worried that she might use some underworld methods to damage your reputation. You’re different from me. Although your reputation isn’t prominent right now, at least you don’t have any other bad reputation yet.” Nan Wusi was still worried.
"I really don't understand why someone as good as Sisi would have so many bad reputations." Ouyang Xinxi couldn't understand it. She thought that Nan Wusi was not only brave and resourceful, but also kind and friendly. Moreover, she came from a good family and was very capable. So why were the rumors circulating in the capital all about her being tyrannical, capricious, unruly, and ugly?
Furthermore, all the rumors were quite detailed and convincing. If she really didn't know Nan Wusi, she would probably think that Nan Wusi was that kind of person.
"Hehe." Nan Wusi chuckled twice. The original body was indeed as rumored. She didn't intend to clarify anything. Besides, although she had changed, she was still ugly and it was normal for her to be disliked.
Fortunately, she has now gotten to know many ladies and young women in the aristocratic circles of the capital through Mengyifang, and they do not look at her differently because of the rumors.
"Time will tell," Nan Wusi said simply, believing that this situation wouldn't last much longer.
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