For Qiao Lian'er, the grudges and grievances in those villages were one thing, but the Shen family had done something as blasphemous as voodoo dolls, so she was determined to make them suffer the most.
Let Shenji Grain Shop remain open for a while. If it weren't for Shen Laosi making a scene in front of her, she would have forgotten about Shengji Grain Shop.
These days, every morning, Old Man Qiao and Old Woman Qiao would light incense at the shrine, praying for the safe return of the men of the Qiao family.
Judging by the time, they should be on their way back.
The closer the date gets, the more nervous everyone becomes, and people don't eat very well.
The next day, Qiao Lian'er went to the county town again. Boss Cai still had half of his goods left, but when he saw her, he bought some more and sold them for twenty taels.
During the period when Qiao Lian'er was only supplying Jiuweilou, the restaurant's business was booming, with customers coming and going and almost no empty tables.
Meanwhile, other restaurants, having lost their source of ingredients, were in a state of panic.
"Miss Qiao, the owners and managers of those restaurants are all looking for you. They come to ask me about it every now and then, and some have even threatened me. Oh dear, I'm terrified," said Boss Cai, his face beaming with an undisguised smile.
He made a fortune.
The shopkeepers all assumed that he had hidden Qiao Lian'er away, or that he had threatened her to only do business with him, otherwise she could make more money. Why didn't she do it?
Others say that he killed the girl and then connected with a foreign businessman, who was shrouded in mystery, which is why they were unable to obtain the goods.
The more it was spread, the more sensational it became.
He's not safe walking on the street now because he's been blocked and threatened to hand over his goods or they'll take action against his Jiuweilou restaurant.
Therefore, Jiuweilou took in more odd jobs and thugs.
Upon hearing what Boss Cai said, Qiao Lian'er bought a scarf to cover her face, so that she wouldn't be recognized by the other bosses and wouldn't be able to leave.
Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents.
She drove her carriage past the county government office, but there was still no movement.
However, there was more discussion about the bully from Lingjia Village in the county town than yesterday. In teahouses, taverns, and on the streets, one could hear criticisms and discussions about the matter from time to time.
Everyone felt that such a bully deserved to be killed and executed in the autumn.
After all, ordinary people abhor the act of forcibly taking women from the countryside.
Not to mention that no one would marry into the Shi family with a dowry of thirty or forty taels, even when the emperor was about to hold a grand selection of concubines, the people were in a state of panic, trying to find a good husband for their daughters as soon as possible. Some even went to the streets to arrange marriages, lest their daughters live a life of darkness and misery.
The momentum has been built up enough; now it's up to the Ling family to make their move.
Qiao Lian'er decided that she still had to make a trip to Lingjia Village.
When the carriage arrived at the city gate, it saw a passing carriage with what appeared to be a brother and sister sitting inside.
Qiao Lian'er turned his horse around and followed them all the way to West Street Market.
The two siblings got off the carriage, and Qiu Shi was also there. They carried down three jars, and also took down the wooden frame and boards of the stall, and paid the coachman for the journey fee.
Just as Lingyin was about to set up her stall, she heard a familiar voice call her name.
She turned around and saw Qiao Lian'er, who was wearing a veil. She spoke to Qiu Shi for a moment and then came over.
Qiao Lian'er observed that the expressions of the mother and her two children seemed different. It was as if they had encountered a difficult problem that was weighing on their minds, but they also seemed to have a relatively confident way to solve it.
"Lian'er, why are you wearing a mask? I almost didn't recognize you." Lingyin covered her mouth and laughed.
"Sigh, I don't have enough stock to sell to those restaurant owners. They're in a real bind right now. Aren't I afraid they'll come after me?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
