Chapter Twenty-One: Shen Lingyin, Xingyang, and Xu Chumian's Feud
Before returning to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Xiao Qingyan needed to go back to his own residence to change clothes.
However, as soon as he arrived at the gate of the mansion, the gatekeeper had a bitter face. "Young master, you're finally back."
Xiao Qingyan frowned: "What is it?"
“Princess Xingyang came this afternoon. She said she insisted on waiting for you today. She won’t leave until you come back. She’s still waiting in the front garden now.”
Xiao Qingyan entered the mansion with a look of helplessness and anger in his eyes and a furrowed brow.
When Xiao Qingyan first arrived in the capital, he unexpectedly saved Princess Xingyang. It was a kind act, but Princess Xingyang later became attached to Xiao Qingyan and repeatedly declared that she liked him and forbade any woman to get close to him.
Xiao Qingyan was extremely annoyed and tried everything, from kind words to harsh ones, but Xingyang still wouldn't give up.
Upon entering the courtyard, Xingyang heard footsteps and immediately turned around.
"Qingyan, you're back."
Xiao Qingyan stood at a safe distance. "Princess, we are not related, please call me Young Master Xiao."
Princess Xingyang glared at him: "We've known each other for two years, why are you still being so formal?"
"If there is nothing else, Princess, please return."
"You!" Xingyang raised his eyebrows and walked up to Xiao Qingyan. "Where did you go today? Why are you so late?"
Xiao Qingyan: "Something has happened outside the city."
What a fine excuse for having business outside the city! It turns out he was going to have a tryst with that slut!
Princess Xingyang suppressed her anger, remembering Shen Lingyin's instructions, and softened her tone, "Qingyan, I really like you. Father knows that. Our families are well-matched, and we are a handsome couple—"
Xiao Qingyan raised his voice to interrupt her: "Enough! If you're here to say something, please leave. I don't like you, and I have no other feelings for you."
This was the first time Xiao Qingyan had said such a thing to her.
These words were like a slap in Xingyang's face. Her eyes instantly reddened, and she felt even more jealous and resentful towards that bitch.
"You've changed. You weren't like this before!"
It's all because of Xu Chumian.
If it weren't for her, Xiao Qingyan wouldn't have been so cruel to her.
In a fit of anger, Xingyang stormed out of the mansion. She got into the carriage, her eyes filled with hatred for Xu Chumian, her lips twisted in a grimace, wishing she could kill Xu Chumian right now!
A vixen who only knows how to seduce men!
She will never let Xu Chumian go.
After Xingyang left, Xiao Qingyan pinched the bridge of his nose and took out the wooden box given to him by Xu Chumian from his bosom.
Inside the box was a private seal, with the character '岩' (rock) engraved on the bottom.
Xiao Qingyan's expression immediately cleared, and his mood, which had been ruined by Xingyang, instantly recovered. He held the private seal in his hand; the jade was warm and smooth, and he could almost feel the warmth of the woman's hand.
After carefully placing the seal in his study, Xiao Qingyan changed his clothes and hurriedly went to the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
These past two days, following His Majesty's orders, Chen Feng, along with Xiao Qingyan and others, has been investigating corrupt officials and treacherous bureaucrats in the outskirts of the capital. He has wanted to see Xu Chumian but has no time for it.
Xu Chumian's foot only looked serious on the day of the incident. After the swelling subsided and she applied medicine for two days, she was able to walk again.
On the third day, as soon as she arrived at the shop, there was a commotion inside, as if someone had come to cause trouble. Some of the spices that were displayed outside were all scattered on the ground, and Amo and the others were cleaning up.
Xu Chumian frowned: "What's going on?"
Amo was in agony. "Manager Xu, a few thugs have been causing trouble in the shop for the past two or three days. They're shameless enough to ask for money. If we don't give them money, they'll cause trouble. There are so many shops on this street, but they're all eyeing our incense shop. Today, we were going to arrest them and report them to the authorities, but those little bastards are as slippery as eels. They just ran away in a flash."
"Do you still remember what those people looked like?"
Amo nodded and then shook his head; even if he were asked to recall it now, he couldn't remember.
"Manager Xu has been recuperating these past few days. We initially thought it was just a coincidence and that it would be over in a couple of days, so we didn't tell you."
Xu Chumian had a feeling that someone was deliberately causing trouble, as Liu Da and Liu Er had been staying in the Xu family's courtyard for the past few days.
The third branch of the Zhao family is now gone, and she doesn't recall offending anyone...
Xu Chumian frowned and instructed Liu Da to continue guarding the shop. If Liu came again, he should be arrested and reported to the authorities.
That afternoon, an uninvited guest arrived at the shop.
Princess Xingyang and Shen Lingyin came to the shop together.
Xingyang looked arrogant, and rolled his eyes at Xu Chumian.
Shen Lingyin smiled and nodded at Xu Chumian, but no matter how much she smiled, a hint of contempt still showed in her eyes.
Xu Chumian smiled calmly and continued with her work, while the waiter received her.
Xingyang instinctively felt that Xu Chumian was arrogant and was about to get angry when Shen Lingyin stopped her.
Shen Lingyin said softly, "Manager Xu is intelligent and kind-hearted, with an outstanding appearance. Judging from her accent, she doesn't seem to be from the capital, but rather from the Jiangnan region."
Xu Chumian still needed to run her shop and do business, so she couldn't just kick the two of them out.
"Miss Shen is intelligent."
Shen Lingyin smiled and said, "Oh? I wonder if Manager Xu is married? I have a younger brother who is about the same age as Manager Xu. It would be wonderful if we could arrange a marriage between us."
Xu Chumian's lips curved slightly, but there was little smile in her eyes.
"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Shen. I am but a humble merchant and would not presume to be worthy of the young master of the Shen family."
Princess Xingyang narrowed her eyes: "It's good that you're aware of this. Don't even think about befriending someone you can't reach."
After saying that, the two turned to leave.
Before leaving, Princess Xingyang casually waved the incense burner on the table, as if to vent her frustration.
Xu Chumian's porcelain-white face revealed a coldness.
However, the incense burner did not fall to the ground; instead, it was caught by a young man in blue.
Shen Lingyin clearly recognized the person who came.
"Young Master Qin, what brings you here?" Shen Lingyin looked surprised. Xu Chumian seemed well-behaved, but she didn't expect her to be so promiscuous and good at seducing men.
Xingyang, however, did not recognize this person.
Qin Zhitong: "I came to buy some spices for Ruoyu. She has been pestering me for several days, saying that the spices here smell wonderful. It seems that it is true. Even Miss Chen is here."
Shen Lingyin turned around and gave Xu Chumian a meaningful look.
"Manager Xu, we have a guest."
After saying that, Princess Xingyang burst out laughing.
"Yes, Manager Xu, please come out and greet our guests."
Xu Chumian, however, showed no anger. “Ladies, this is a legitimate incense shop. If you have any other needs, you can go to the east bank of the moat to study.”
There was a whole street lined with brothels and taverns on the east bank of the moat.
Upon hearing this, Princess Xingyang flew into a rage and was about to head towards Xu Chumian.
Shen Lingyin grabbed Xingyang and mocked Xu Chumian, "Manager Xu is indeed sharp-tongued."
In this second life, Xu Chumian still inevitably becomes enemies with Shen Lingyin.
Xu Chumian didn't want to give a nice look to people she disliked.
"Please, both of you, make yourselves at home."
Only the young man in blue remained at the shop entrance.
Standing there, Qin Zhitong crossed his arms and looked around the shop.
The arrangement was exquisite and well-organized.
With its high-quality spices, it's no wonder it has a place in the capital.
Qin Zhitong smiled and said, "I want two boxes of Zhenwu Pear Fragrance for my younger sister at home. As for other fragrances... does the shopkeeper have any recommendations?"
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