The day Huaxi Pearl Shop was completed, the entire southern city was shaken.
The gate was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and red silk was hung high. The deafening sound of firecrackers attracted passersby to stop and watch.
Two majestic stone lions stand at the entrance of the pearl shop, each holding a pearl in its mouth, symbolizing "a life of wealth and prosperity."
Guests came and went in an endless stream, including wealthy merchants and ordinary people, all eager to witness the splendor of this newly opened pearl shop.
Zisu stood at the door, looking up at the bright red flower on the plaque, but a sense of melancholy inexplicably rose in her heart.
She recalled the news she had heard a few days ago—when various beadwork shops in the southern part of the city opened, their peers would send congratulatory gifts to show their industry recognition.
But today, when Huaxi Pearl Shop opened, not a single pearl shop sent anyone to offer their congratulations.
"Hey! Zisu, what are you thinking about?" Wu Lin had just returned from his work outside and saw her lost in thought. He suddenly leaned closer and called out, startling Zisu.
On any other day, Zisu would definitely chase after him and beat him up.
But today she only glanced at him briefly before lowering her head again.
Ulin, however, felt a little uncomfortable. He scratched his head and leaned closer to ask, "What's wrong? Who upset you?"
Zisu sighed and said softly, "I heard that when other jewelry stores open, each other sends congratulatory gifts to show their support, but we didn't receive a single one."
"What's the big deal? We don't need to rely on them! If you want a gift, we can fill a whole room with them ourselves!"
Zisu rolled her eyes at him: "Do you think I'm after that little gift? The fact that they sent it means they approve of us! Letting them know we have the pearl farm backing us will save us a lot of trouble in the future!"
"You're right..."
Zisu frowned and continued, "I just feel that it's one thing for the Gu family not to send us off, but why didn't Miss Liao come either? We helped her so much..."
Before he could finish speaking, a sudden burst of loud gongs and drums came from the street.
The two looked up at the same time and saw a group of people walking towards the pearl.
At the very front is a gilded plaque draped in red silk, gleaming in the sunlight.
Miss Liao and Madam Gu walked side by side, followed by more than a dozen servants carrying congratulatory gifts.
"It's Miss Liao! And Madam Gu!" Zisu was overjoyed and quickly pulled Wulin to greet them.
Upon hearing the news, Wang Xiuxiu emerged from the inner hall, a radiant smile on her face: "You two distinguished guests have arrived! I am so sorry for not welcoming you sooner!"
Miss Liao feigned anger: "Xiuxiu, what are you saying! Such politeness is making us angry!"
Wang Xiuxiu quickly smiled and apologized, "Alright, alright, don't be so polite. Please come in quickly, and while you're at it, tell me if you have any suggestions for improving this jewelry shop."
It turned out that after Wang Xiuxiu took over the Gu family's pearl farm, she colluded with Madam Gu from the inside out, and with Miss Liao's assistance from the side, the management of the Gu family's pearl farm quickly returned to Madam Gu's hands.
During the subsequent investigation, Gu Linxiao, the son-in-law, was not only found to have embezzled a huge amount of public funds, but what was even more appalling was that the government also found three skeletons in the cellar of his private residence—all of them were old stewards of the Gu family who had opposed him over the years.
Furthermore, with the testimonies of the servants in his household regarding his murder, the evidence was conclusive, and Gu Linxiao was immediately arrested by the Nancheng government.
His crimes are too numerous to count, and he has no way out.
Madam Gu was grateful for Wang Xiuxiu's help and took the initiative to sign a long-term pearl purchase contract with her.
Ms. Liao also kept her promise and agreed to exclusively provide high-quality sea pearls for Huaxi Pearl Shop in the future.
With the support of these two major beadwork markets, Huaxi Beadwork's position in the southern part of the city has become secure.
——
Huaxi Pearl Shop was completed, and in a few months, everything will be on track.
At that time, the imperial court will send a special person to manage the pearl business.
Zisu and Wulin will accompany Wang Xiuxiu back to Beijing.
Meanwhile, a huge uproar is brewing in the capital city, thousands of miles away.
Only then did the people in the court realize that the emperor had secretly sent people to trade with the northern and southern regions, and had already achieved considerable success.
The powerful families in the capital were furious that they had learned the news too late, but they had also begun to secretly make arrangements to place their own people in these two trade routes.
Lu Nancheng has been very troubled lately.
This month, countless members of the royal family and nobility have come to him, openly and secretly, wanting to interfere in trade matters.
Lu Nancheng knew very well that he had worked hard all these years to achieve this situation, and he absolutely could not agree to it.
In the years since Wang Xiuxiu left, the two brothers have not been idle. They have been selecting students from poor families and sending them to various prefectures and counties for training. Now, they have quite a few useful talents at their disposal.
After the morning court session this morning, Princess Huiyi blocked the entrance to the Imperial Study, insisting that he agree to let her grandson go to the South City for "training".
"Your Majesty, I only have this one grandson. I can't let him idle away his days away, can I?"
The eldest princess wiped away her tears, "Didn't a new jewelry store just open in the south of the city? It would be good for him to go there and learn some proper work!"
Lu Nancheng suppressed his impatience and said gently, "Aunt, Nancheng has many affairs to handle, and Jingze and the others have only been able to manage them after many years of experience. My cousin is still young, so perhaps he should stay in the capital for now..."
"Does Your Majesty look down on our Wang family?" The eldest princess's expression suddenly changed. "Or is it that only Prince Jing can get involved in this trade, and we outsiders are not allowed to?"
Lu Nancheng was secretly annoyed, but he didn't show it on his face. Just as he was about to persuade him again, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps coming from outside the hall.
A young eunuch rushed in, flustered: "Your Majesty, urgent report from the northern border!"
Seeing this, the eldest princess could no longer stay and had no choice but to reluctantly take her leave.
Lu Nancheng breathed a sigh of relief and unfolded the urgent report. It was good news that the trade route in the northern border had been expanded to include three more tribes.
Thinking that his plans over the years were finally starting to bear fruit, a slight smile crept onto his lips.
Suddenly, he remembered something, turned around and asked, "Where is Prince Jing? I haven't seen him for several days."
The young eunuch beside him bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, when Princess Huiyi came a couple of days ago, the Prince asked you for leave, saying he was going to pick up the Consort."
"Did you ask for leave from me? I don't remember doing so."
Lu Nancheng tried hard to recall, and finally remembered that when he was annoyed by the Princess that day, Lu Jingze did say something, and he seemed to have casually replied with a few words.
"That brat!" Lu Nancheng was both annoyed and amused. "How disloyal of him to leave me alone to deal with these wolves and tigers!"
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