Chapter Nine: Zhao Chenyu Causes Trouble, Xiao Qingyan Takes Action
Dr. Chen's treatment was effective; in just a few days, Mu Mu was able to make simple syllables.
Xu Chumian knew that Mu Mu's illness would eventually be cured, but she still couldn't help but tear up.
When Mu Mu saw her sister crying, she lay on the bed and became anxious as well.
Dr. Chen wasn't surprised at all. "This is nothing."
All Xu Chumian can do now is earn more money to treat Mu Mu's illness.
In the following days, Xu Chumian's spice shop also opened in full swing.
Dr. Chen looked thoughtfully at Xu Chumian, who was wiping away tears under the eaves.
Out of sheer curiosity, I asked, "How did you meet him?"
Xu Chumian thought that Doctor Chen was asking about Xiao Qingyan.
She paused slightly, then smiled and recounted her first meeting with Xiao Qingyan.
Doctor Chen opened his mouth, but seeing that Xu Chumian hadn't mentioned Zhao Yu at all, he silently swallowed what he wanted to say.
Dr. Chen couldn't help but think.
Does this girl know Zhao Yu?
If they didn't know each other, why would Zhao Yu help her so much and forbid her from telling the girl?
...
Xu Chumian named her shop "Kapok Fragrance Shop".
She hired four helpers from the shop, two men and two women, to make and sell incense. Xu Chumian spent more time in the backyard preparing the recipes.
In the first few days after opening, the business was more successful than Xu Chumian had expected, and the Zhenwu Pear Fragrance she personally prepared sold out every day.
As dawn approached, the bustling noise from the streets drifted into the shops.
Xu Chumian looked up and saw an old acquaintance from her previous life.
Surrounded by servants, two young girls entered hand in hand.
The girl in pink is the Princess of Xingyang of the current dynasty, and the other one... is Shen Lingyin.
In her previous life, when the late emperor and the late crown prince were still alive, Shen Lingyin was the crown princess. Xu Chumian, who was already the wife of the chief minister, accompanied Zhao Yu to the East Palace for a banquet. Before the banquet even started, Shen Lingyin and Princess Xingyang made things difficult for Xu Chumian in every way.
It wasn't until Shen Lingyin became Empress Dowager that Xu Chumian learned of Zhao Yu's affair with Shen Lingyin and finally understood where Shen Lingyin's hostility towards her came from.
Princess Xingyang was nothing more than an accomplice of her friend Shen Lingyin.
Princess Xingyang immediately asked for Zhenwu Pear Incense, but the incense had already sold out that morning. The shopkeeper hesitated, saying, "Miss, it's already sold out."
"Our young lady wants it today!"
"Your boss, come out here!"
Shen Lingyin shifted her gaze back and landed on the woman behind her.
That person had a quiet demeanor, like a delicate cloud, blooming quietly without being ostentatious.
He seems to be a remarkable person.
Princess Xingyang also noticed Xu Chumian. She felt a subtle tension in her heart and turned to exchange a glance with Shen Lingyin.
It was a secret animosity between women, one that could not be told to outsiders.
"You are the shop owner?"
Xu Chumian said gently, "Ladies, this incense is sold out for today. Why don't you leave a deposit and send someone to pick it up tomorrow?"
Xu Chumian was just an ordinary citizen, her status was worlds apart from these people, and they could crush her with a single finger.
It's best not to offend anyone.
She has no further dealings with Zhao Yu and his associates, and can simply continue doing business as usual.
Shen Lingyin, with her graceful appearance, felt strangely annoyed when she saw Xu Chumian's composed demeanor. However, she couldn't smash up the shop in broad daylight, so she could only instruct her maid to hand over the silver.
Xu Chumian made a mental note of it.
Just then, a noise came from the doorway.
Xu Chumian looked out, her expression gradually darkening.
Several burly men blocked the shop entrance, but Zhao Chenyu swaggered in, his wicked gaze sweeping over Xu Chuming.
The next moment, he noticed Princess Xingyang and Shen Lingyin inside.
All three were familiar faces.
Xu Chumian frowned.
Liu Da, who was working in the backyard, quietly came to Xu Chumian's side.
Shen Lingyin's gaze was meaningful, her displeasure lessened, and her eyes held a hint of schadenfreude. It turned out that Manager Xu had been targeted for a long time.
Princess Xingyang snorted coldly, "It's only natural for a delicate flower to be plucked."
Shen Lingyin and Princess Xingyang watched coldly, but neither of them planned to stay there for long.
If something really happens later, it's a small matter if Manager Xu's reputation is ruined, but the two of them can't be affected.
Princess Xingyang and Shen Lingyin left together in a leisurely manner.
Before leaving, Shen Lingyin said, "Manager Xu, don't forget our Zhenwu Pear Fragrance."
The shop immediately fell silent.
Zhao Chenyu is like a slimy snake.
"Miss Xu, what a coincidence."
Xu Chumian clenched her fists.
What are you doing here?
"In broad daylight, Miss Xu, are you afraid I'll bully you?"
Xu Chumian: "If Young Master Zhao has nothing else to say, please forgive me for not keeping you company any longer."
Zhao Chenyu smiled and waved his fan: "Miss Xu, don't be in a hurry, we have plenty of time."
Zhao Chenyu mouthed out four words.
Let's be a couple in the underworld.
Xu Chumian felt a chill run down her spine.
Zhao Chenyu strode toward Xu Chumian.
"Miss Xu, we have plenty of time, don't you think?"
Liu Da and two of the shop's employees stood in front of Xu Chumian.
Xu Chumian took a step back. "If Young Master Zhao doesn't leave, I won't be polite."
Zhao Chenyu looked them over and sneered, "Just these few people? Xu Chumian, you really look down on me."
Xu Chumian's voice tightened: "Don't forget, Mu Mu is also a member of the Zhao family. If you act recklessly again, I will go to see Old Madam Zhao."
Zhao Chenyu thought Xu Chumian was naive. "She's a monster. Grandmother wants to distance herself from her. What makes you think Grandmother will stand up for you two sisters?"
This is also why Xu Chumian did not rush to the Zhao residence after arriving in the capital.
Zhao Chenyu: "Xu Chumian, be a good girl. Maybe after we die, my parents will take good care of your sister. Otherwise..."
Liu Da drew his knife.
Zhao Chenyu narrowed his eyes—
Just then, the burly man's cries for mercy came from outside the door.
Several Imperial Guards stood at the door. Xiao Qingyan, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, approached with eyes that gleamed coldly.
When Xu Chumian saw the person who came, her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was slightly relieved.
Upon hearing the sound, Zhao Chenyu was kicked over by a force before he could even turn around.
Xiao Qingyan gave Xu Chumian a reassuring smile and asked gently, "Are you alright?"
Xu Chumian shook her head and said, "I'm fine."
"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is on patrol. What is Young Master Zhao doing?"
Before Zhao Chenyu could answer, Xiao Qingyan dragged him to the backyard.
The Zhao family guards standing at the door were startled when they saw this and tried to rush in, but were stopped by two Imperial Guards at the door.
"Lord Xiao is handling a case; you must not be so insolent!"
Xu Chumian gestured to Liu Da to keep an eye on the shop, worried that if things escalated, the Zhao family would have a hard time handling the situation.
A cry of pain came from the backyard.
Xiao Qingyan kept punching, and Zhao Chenyu's head swelled up like a pig's head.
"You...you stop!"
"Xiao Qingyan! I am a member of the Zhao family. I'm telling you to stop!"
Xiao Qingyan: "I told you to stay away from Xu Chumian, but you're asking for it!"
Xu Chumian stepped forward and pulled Xiao Qingyan back, saying hurriedly, "Lord Xiao, that's enough."
Enraged, the man couldn't hear Xu Chumian's voice at all.
Xu Chumian was pushed away by the force and fell to the ground.
"Lord Xiao, if this fight continues, someone will die."
Xiao Qingyan snapped out of his daze, his eyes filled with regret. "I didn't mean to... Are you alright?"
Xu Chumian shook her head and looked at Zhao Chenyu.
Zhao Chenyu glared fiercely at Xiao Qingyan, his eyes filled with a sense of certainty.
"You just wait!"
Taking advantage of Xiao Qingyan's inattention, they ran away in a flash.
Xiao Qingyan frowned. The girl's fragrance filled his arms, but he had no desire to do anything else at the moment.
He frowned: "If Zhao Chenyu dares to come again, send someone to the Embroidered Uniform Guard to find me."
Xu Chumian suppressed her unease and looked at the injury on Xiao Qingyan's knuckles.
"I'll go get you the first-aid kit."
Liu Da invited two Imperial Guards from outside to come in for tea, so they wouldn't block the doorway and scare people.
In the backyard, the two sat under the osmanthus tree.
Xu Chumian focused on treating the wound, simply applying some ointment.
Xiao Qingyan lowered his eyes and saw the woman's long eyelashes, blinking repeatedly, like a small fan brushing across his heart. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, unable to grasp the strange feeling in his heart, so he let it grow and spread to every part of his body.
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