Qu Jingyun saw all this and just smiled dismissively.
This did not interrupt the two men's smugness.
The shopkeeper ignored them, his gaze fixed on the jade pendant in Qu Jingyun's hand.
It felt like it took a long time before I finally found my voice again.
"Are you the owner of this jade pendant?"
"Of course," Qu Jingyun replied directly.
The shopkeeper became increasingly excited, repeatedly saying "good" before finally speaking: "This is the answer I wanted to hear."
"How is your father's health? How is your sister doing after her marriage? These past five years have been tough for you." Qu Jingyun chatted casually with the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper replied to each question, his eyes red-rimmed, and large tears streamed down his face.
Everyone was stunned by what they saw, and for a moment they were unsure what had happened.
"Shopkeeper, what's wrong?" Princess Changning asked hurriedly, a sense of unease rising in her heart.
Do these two really know each other?
The shopkeeper finally came to his senses, and his eyes turned cold as he recalled the exchange between the two men.
He fixed his gaze on Tang Xiuqi and said coldly, "Since this lady wants you to leave, then please do so."
These words stunned everyone present.
They looked at each other, and no one spoke again.
Princess Changning finally managed to recover from her shock and asked with a puzzled look, "Why is that?"
"Is it just because you know each other? You just kicked people out like that, aren't you afraid outsiders will think you're abusing your power?"
"This is how it has always been at Tingzhixuan." The shopkeeper coughed lightly, regaining his usual coldness.
Then he continued, "Those who are invited to Tingzhixuan must not only be talented, but also have good character. If they are found to be unsuitable for Tingzhixuan's standards, they will be kicked out at any time."
"These are the rules of Tingzhixuan. If anyone has any objections, we can all leave together."
“This…” Princess Changning looked at the shopkeeper in disbelief.
She turned to look at Qu Jingyun, who was standing to the side with a relaxed expression, and pointed at her with her index finger.
"Are you saying this because she is the general's wife? But she has already divorced General Shen, and I am still Princess Changning. Isn't this a bit too hard to convince people?"
Princess Changning angrily accused them.
But the shopkeeper sneered and said, "When has Ting Zhixuan ever feared the powerful and wealthy? No matter what your status is, it's useless here, except for one thing: your identity."
"That is the owner of Tingzhixuan."
"You're saying she really is the owner of Tingzhixuan? How is that possible?" Princess Changning's eyes were full of disbelief.
This is no small matter.
"What's impossible about that?" Qu Jingyun retorted.
"Isn't the master of Tingzhixuan a man?" Princess Changning finally remembered the past.
He hurriedly spoke up, "I have met the owner of Tingzhixuan. He is clearly a man, so how could he be Qu Jingyun?"
"Could it be that you two have some shady relationship, and that's why you're cooperating with Qu Jingyun to deceive us?"
"Princess Changning really does love spouting nonsense as always," Qu Jingyun said, her tone becoming increasingly impolite.
She sneered and asked directly, "The meeting the princess is referring to is not the meeting at Lake Nagano twenty years ago, is it?"
Upon hearing this, Princess Changning's face turned pale.
Back then, only she and the owner of Tingzhixuan knew about this. Could it be that Qu Jingyun really was...?
How is that possible?
"Does Princess Changning want me to recount everything that happened that day in order to prove my identity?" Qu Jingyun sneered.
She vividly remembered how Princess Changning had used threats and inducements to coerce her into becoming her devoted subject.
Qu Jingyun was utterly shocked at the time.
After all, everyone knew at that time that Princess Changning had feelings for Shen Yunting!
"No," Princess Changning hurriedly said.
This must absolutely not be shared with outsiders.
But how could Qu Jingyun really be the owner of Tingzhixuan?
“Liang Wenbo knows my identity. If you still don’t believe me, I can have him prove my identity. You should believe him then,” Qu Jingyun said again.
And this Liang Wenbo was the Crown Prince's tutor.
Qu Jingyun had already said so much, how could anyone not believe her?
Tang Xiuqi's expression grew increasingly grim.
He stared blankly at Qu Jingyun, unable to react for a long time.
"How...how is this possible?"
"Young Master Tang, are you blind? Do you want to leave on your own, or should I have someone throw you out?" Qu Jingyun asked again.
Now Tang Xiuqi no longer had the right to be arrogant.
He looked pleadingly at Princess Changning, but she was distracted and completely oblivious to his plight.
My heart sank into despair.
He hurriedly begged Qu Jingyun for forgiveness, saying, "I know I was wrong, Miss Qu, please give me another chance. I won't say bad things about you again."
"Get out," Qu Jingyun said again.
Seeing that the other party was still stubbornly standing there, he spoke again: "It seems that Young Master Tang really wants Tingzhixuan's people to kick you out directly. If that happens, Young Master Tang's reputation will be truly ruined."
Tang Xiuqi naturally couldn't accept this. Seeing that Qu Jingyun seemed unwilling to listen to anything he said, he could only turn and leave.
As soon as he left, Princess Changning looked at Qu Jingyun with even more surprise in her eyes.
She gritted her teeth inwardly, a surge of hatred rising within her.
She was certain that Qu Jingyun had deliberately tried to embarrass her.
It's been over a decade since I last saw Qu Jingyun, and she's still as disgusting as ever.
"The annoying guy is gone, so the banquet should begin." Qu Jingyun smiled, her attitude becoming much gentler.
Everyone looked at Qu Jingyun with surprise, as if they wanted to get closer but dared not.
But some of the bolder ones still took the initiative to approach.
He cautiously asked Qu Jingyun many questions about literature, and Qu Jingyun answered them one by one.
Hearing her words, everyone felt as if they had been enlightened.
Everyone looked at Qu Jingyun with eyes full of admiration.
Now they can finally be certain that Qu Jingyun is indeed the mysterious owner of Tingzhixuan.
When Shen Cong arrived late, this was the scene he witnessed.
He was completely stunned.
On his way here, he had already imagined many scenes of his mother being looked down upon and humiliated.
He even thought about how to protect his mother once they arrived at their destination.
But to his utter surprise, he was met with admiring glances from the crowd.
Has something happened?
Upon seeing Shen Cong, Shen Yue quickly approached him and explained the whole story.
Shen Cong's eyes lit up immediately.
I never expected my mother to have this side to her.
Seeing Qu Jingyun gaining popularity, Princess Changning was filled with resentment, but she had no other choice.
But in the end, her gaze fell on Shen Cong, and a wicked smile slowly crept onto her lips.
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