Chapter 133 Money-grubber
Xie Sanniang said, "I know that some people in the family are unhappy and feel that I have restricted you and prevented you from participating too much in the Xie family business."
"This time, I'm giving everyone a chance."
With her gaze sweeping over the crowd, Xie Sanniang said, "If anyone can help their family win the top prize in this sample fabric competition and secure the order from the Prince's Mansion, I will give them 20% of the Xie family's weaving workshop shares."
"In addition, another five thousand taels of silver will be given as a reward."
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Chengzhi jumped out: "My goodness, are you telling the truth?"
"Absolutely true."
Xie Sanniang waved her hand: "Bring me pen and ink, write it down in black and white on white paper, and then stamp it with my personal seal. No one in the world will dare to say a single word is false."
After saying that, Xie San Niang quickly wrote down a share contract on the paper and then took out ten silver notes and placed them on it.
“I’ve said it before, the Xie family must secure this contract with the Prince’s Mansion.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wansu felt anxious and timidly asked, "Grandmother, can we accept the reward no matter who can make the sample cloth win?"
Xie San Niang said, "Of course, as long as they are members of the Xie family, even if they are newly married women, it is fine."
After saying that, she glanced at Xie Qi again: "Last time, Xie Qi made the reputation of the faded red silk resound throughout the entire Suzhou Prefecture, and his own reputation also soared. If you can come up with another way to help the Xie family win the championship this time, you can naturally take the shares and money of the Xie family's weaving workshop."
After Xie San Niang finished speaking, she said wearily, "I only have these two things to say today. Now that I've finished, everyone can disperse."
Xie Chengzhi and his wife were overjoyed, Xie Boyu looked worried, Jiang Wansu had a happy expression, while Xie Xuchuan seemed lost in thought, his expression blank.
Hua Nanzhi smiled faintly and helped Xie Sanniang leave.
When Xie Jingyuan walked out of Yujintang, he gave Xie Qi a meaningful look.
Xie Qi, on the other hand, looked disdainful, his eyes revealing a hint of coldness.
Upon hearing Xie San Niang's words, Shen Yuanzhu secretly praised her.
She truly lives up to her reputation as the female merchant who fought alone back then; her skill in killing without shedding blood is far more refined than hers.
Shen Yuanzhu couldn't stop praising herself, wondering when she would ever have such skill.
As the crowd dispersed, Xie Qi, with his arm around Shen Yuanzhu, returned to Qianxiang Courtyard, his fierce aura barely concealed.
Why are you shaking?
Shen Yuanzhu looked up at Xie Qi, who was holding a fan to shield her from the sun, and asked in confusion.
Xie Qi's eyes were cold: "You...did you understand what Xie San Niang meant just now?"
Shen Yuanzhu blinked, her face innocent: "Using profit as an incentive will motivate everyone to work harder for the Xie family. It's an excellent method."
"you……"
Xie Qi looked at her and gently touched Shen Yuanzhu's hair: "You think too highly of people. What she said was clearly aimed at you."
Shen Yuanzhu gave a perfunctory "Ah," and said, "Why do you say that?"
Xie Qi said, "The Xie family's brocade weaving skills haven't improved in over a decade, and it's unlikely they will improve any further."
"Although Xie San Niang gave the Xie family an advantage in embroidery patterns, the 20% share of the weaving workshop, the five thousand taels of silver, and the temptation of being able to participate in the Xie family's business later were not enough to make the Xie family members stop at simply changing the weaving and embroidery patterns."
"Therefore, if we want to surpass the peony brocade of Jixia Manor and all the Xie family members, we must use the dyeing manual and find a new way in dyeing."
After briefly recounting the secrets of the peach-colored inner workings that Xie San Niang had mentioned to Shen Yuan Zhu, Xie Qi continued, "The shares in the weaving workshop are the lure, the thousand taels of silver are the lure, but in the end, what you're catching is this big fish."
“Anyone who has designs on the Xie family’s business will, starting today, do everything in their power to take the dyeing manual from you.”
After Xie Qi finished speaking, he became increasingly agitated due to his anger.
He subconsciously reached out to bite his index finger, but Shen Yuanzhu gently brushed it away.
"Anything else? Go on, I'm listening."
Her tone was gentle and tender, like a soft spring breeze, without a trace of anger or turmoil.
With his frustration subsided, Xie Qi snorted, "The most vicious thing is that she stirred up trouble between my husband and me."
"Huh?"
Shen Yuanzhu tilted her head back and asked obediently, "Why do you say that?"
Seeing her looking up at him, Xie Qi felt a warmth spread through his ears. His previous anger seemed to have been soaked in warm water called shyness, and suddenly became soft and weak.
"She knew that I longed for recognition, wanted to be seen by the Xie family, and hoped to join the Xie family and take over their business."
"So she came up with such a vicious plan to make my husband and me fall out because of the dyeing manual, so that I, who was the easiest to obtain the Shen family's dyeing manual and the easiest to be lured into, would hurt you and deceive you for my own benefit."
Xie Qi thought for a moment, then added, "Like Xie Xuchuan, he tricked you out of your dyeing manual..."
He even specifically mentioned Xie Xuchuan, and what was on his mind...
Shen Yuanzhu almost laughed in anger, but she suppressed it.
She frowned, tugging at Xie Qi's sleeve with a look of panic and worry: "My husband, would you lie to me? Would you lie about my dyeing manual for the sake of the Xie family's business?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Qi immediately raised an eyebrow: "If a real man needs to cheat his wife out of her dowry to gain a foothold at home, he might as well cut off his wickedness and go to the palace with Yuan Xu to become a eunuch."
"If you disregard dignity and self-respect, wouldn't you be able to easily carve out a wider path in the palace?"
"..."
Shen Yuanzhu pursed her lips, unsure of what to say in response.
Xie Qi seemed to suddenly realize what crude words she had said, and her pretty face turned cold and stiff.
He stammered, trying to say something to ease the tension, but Shen Yuanzhu didn't want to listen. She simply said that her husband was upright and honest, which calmed Xie Qi down.
Xie Qi's eyes shone brightly as he took Shen Yuanzhu's arm and led her back to Qianxiang Courtyard.
Shen Yuanzhu returned to her room, while Xie Qi found Wei Hu.
After briefly explaining the situation, Xie Qi said, "If I'm not by Yuanzhu's side these next few days, you should secretly protect her and make sure no one gets close to her."
"The situation at Qianxiang Courtyard is improving, and I'm getting more informed about letters and other correspondence from outside..."
After saying that, Xie Qi thought for a moment and said, "Especially the Tiqi Courtyard. If Xie Xuchuan or Jiang Wansu come looking for us, we must keep a close eye on them."
While Xie Qi kept a close watch, Shen Yuanzhu went back to her room and started eating heartily.
After she had eaten and drunk her fill, she slowly said, holding a small teacup, "These next few days, keep the gates of Qianxiang Courtyard open and invite anyone in."
After saying that, she glanced again at the wooden box containing the "dyeing manual" that had always been placed on the dressing table.
She stepped forward and patted him gently. Then she said to Luo Shi, Xiao Zhi, and Ling'er, "These past few days, the house must have been quite lively. I guess some people will come looking for you."
"If they give you anything good or promise you any benefits, just accept it and take it. If they agree to do something, just do it..."
After speaking, Shen Yuanzhu paused for a moment, her face serious: "However, you have to give me 20% of what you receive."
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