Prince Cheng was also the new emperor's brother, but a half-brother.
The seemingly kind, benevolent, and unassuming Prince Cheng has come to this godforsaken place to take control of the merchants in a small town... What is he trying to do?
Before Qi Yunxiao could figure it out, the person entered. He was an unremarkable middle-aged butler, with the arrogant Shen Qingyao walking in front of him.
Upon seeing Shen Qingyao adorned with jewels and dressed in fine clothes, Qi Yunxiao immediately began to miss Shen Qingyu, who was catching chickens in the backyard.
My wife is the best; she never makes herself look like this, all that gold and glitter is blinding!
"You've come because you need something?" Qi Yunxiao asked indifferently, not even offering him a seat.
Shen Qingyao immediately started finding fault: "Brother-in-law, I'm still your sister-in-law, you can't not even give me a cup of tea, can you?"
Qi Yunxiao glanced at her, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt: "When you poisoned my wife, you were no longer my sister-in-law. If you have something to say, say it; otherwise, leave."
"You!" Shen Qingyao was surprised that Qi Yunxiao would defend Shen Qingyu so much.
Didn't you always look down on Shen Qingyu back then?
Now that he's confirmed to be the heir of a marquis's family in the capital, why is he suddenly starting to care about and protect that stupid shrew?
Shen Qingyao couldn't understand it.
Seeing that Shen Qingyao was about to strain the relationship, the steward had no choice but to step forward and obediently bow: "Zhao Gang, steward of the Prince Cheng's residence, greets Your Highness!"
Qi Yunxiao glanced at Steward Zhao, who had finally stopped pretending to be dead: "Was your original surname Zhao? Or was it bestowed upon you by your master?"
Zhao Gang bowed again, but his expression was proud: "I am honored by the Prince's favor and the bestowal of the surname Zhao upon me."
"Oh..." Qi Yunxiao nodded in realization.
Prince Cheng was like that, putting on all sorts of empty and costless things to fool his subordinates, making them think he was a trusted confidant.
But as outsiders know, there are at least thirty to fifty stewards in the Prince Cheng's mansion who have been granted the surname.
Of course, being granted a surname also proves that Prince Cheng wanted to use him.
Qi Yunxiao remained silent, only drinking tea and water, waiting for Steward Zhao to speak.
Seeing this, Manager Zhao's eyes showed displeasure, but after glancing at the Dragon Guard standing by the door, he dared not presume to speak and had no choice but to take the initiative to speak.
"The braised meat and bean sprouts made by the Crown Prince's wife sell very well in the nearby prefectural cities. Today, I accompanied the mistress to visit and wish to inquire whether the recipes for these two items are for sale, and how much they cost?"
Qi Yunxiao glanced at Manager Zhao and said calmly, "Not for sale."
Manager Zhao wasn't surprised: "I know this secret recipe is precious, price is not a problem."
Seeing the confident look on Steward Zhao's face, Qi Yunxiao suddenly smiled mockingly: "When you say this, are you speaking on behalf of Prince Cheng? Or on behalf of Shen Qingyao? Or on behalf of yourself?"
Manager Zhao was taken aback by the question.
Of course, it represents Prince Cheng.
But you can't say that.
So Shen Qingyao became a shield: "I am currently assisting the head of the Qi family, so naturally I am representing the head of the Qi family."
"Then I won't sell it," Qi Yunxiao refused decisively.
Shen Qingyao couldn't help but say, "Brother-in-law, even if you don't sell it, I'll figure out this recipe sooner or later."
Steward Zhao then earnestly advised, "Young Master, why don't you name a price? As long as there's a price, things will be much easier to handle."
Qi Yunxiao was getting annoyed by the persistent questioning: "Then... 100,000 taels of gold?"
Manager Zhao: "!!!"
Shen Qingyao: "Are you trying to extort me?"
Qi Yunxiao scoffed: "You insist on coming here looking for trouble, and now you're blaming me for extortion? What family would easily sell their secret recipe that sustains them? Would you be willing to sell your shipping company and docks to me?"
Shen Qingyao: "!!!"
"Cluck cluck cluck..." A series of rapid clucking and flapping sounds came from the backyard and Shen Qingyu's cheerful voice all the way to the front hall.
"Qi Yunxiao, I caught the chicken!"
Shen Qingyu entered the front hall and paused for a moment when she saw Shen Qingyao and the unfamiliar steward standing there.
Shen Qingyao burst out laughing: "Big sister, you went... to catch chickens?"
"You're the Crown Prince's wife now, why are you still catching chickens yourself?"
Qi Yunxiao laughed, but reached out and pulled Shen Qingyu's arm over, plucked a chicken feather from her head, and complained, "Just let them catch her, why did you have to do it yourself?"
His tone was incredibly gentle.
Shen Qingyao: "..."
I was caught off guard and had to witness a dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection)!
Wait, when did they become so close?!
As soon as Shen Qingyu rushed in, she saw Shen Qingyao and a person who looked like a manager standing in the hall. She was surprised and became wary at the same time.
What are you doing here?
Shen Qingyao wanted to speak, but Shen Qingyu's eyes were too wary. Manager Zhao was afraid that Shen Qingyao would completely ruin the relationship, so he took the initiative to speak.
"Reporting to the Crown Prince's wife, we have come today for the secret recipe of braised meat."
Shen Qingyu shook her head: "Not for sale."
Speaking of this, Shen Qingyu couldn't help but give Shen Qingyao a sarcastic look: "Didn't my sister develop her own formula? It's fine to sell it according to that. I will never stop her, and I will never say a bad word about you."
Anyway, people who love this kind of food can naturally tell which one tastes better.
If you want something cheap and don't care about the taste, just go to Shen Qingyao to buy it.
If you want to eat well and are willing to spend money, then you can buy the expensive stuff.
With braised food being so profitable, it's only a matter of time before it's imitated.
Even if Shen Qingyao isn't here today, someone else will.
She's really not afraid of being taken advantage of!
Shen Qingyao's expression turned ugly after being rebuked by Shen Qingyu.
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