The matter was resolved quickly. The emperor, probably annoyed by the trouble, ordered that it be discussed again after the New Year, and that anyone who dared to bring it up again would be dragged out and beaten.
They don't mention it openly, but behind the scenes, those people have been plotting all sorts of things.
However, with the Lunar New Year approaching, no one wants to have a bad year, so the discussion about this issue has gradually subsided.
Even Xie Linzhou has been free lately.
This is the first time the Song family has spent the Lunar New Year in the capital, and they are busy preparing for the holiday.
Song Ning and Xiao Cui, along with two shop assistants, strolled through several streets.
The streets have been bustling lately. As expected of the capital, the city has a wider selection of New Year's goods than other places, with everything imaginable available.
The group ate their fill as they walked along the road.
There are many people on the street, and it's inevitable that you'll run into someone you don't want to run into.
Xu Jiaojiao probably planned to stay at the Xu family home for the New Year, so she and several of the female members of the Xu family went out to buy New Year's goods.
As soon as I walked up to a stall, I turned around and saw Song Ning.
After Xu Jiaojiao was scolded by Song Ning last time, the two became enemies. They met again because of Magistrate Xu, but never saw each other again.
Xu Jiaojiao froze instantly, as if she couldn't believe it: "Song Ning?"
Song Ning looks even better now than she did in Tianxiang County.
Song Ning turned her head and saw Xu Jiaojiao staring at her blankly.
He nodded slightly, which was his way of saying hello.
Xu Jiaojiao wanted to say something, but Song Ning turned and left, leaving her speechless and feeling a little embarrassed.
Xu Minghui, standing behind him, asked, "Do you know her?"
Xu Jiaojiao nodded: "I've seen you before in my hometown."
Not only had she met him, but Song Ning had also saved her life, and she had even plotted against him.
Madam Xu had just seen Song Ning. When Xu Jiaojiao greeted her, Song Ning didn't say anything. Madam Xu immediately stood up for Xu Jiaojiao, saying, "People from the countryside have no manners. Our Jiaojiao greeted her, but she didn't even acknowledge her."
Xu Jiaojiao laughed: "It's okay, I guess she doesn't remember me."
Song Ning didn't want to get herself into trouble. If she really started talking to Xu Jiaojiao, the Xu family would get anxious again.
After buying New Year's goods, she returned to the restaurant and asked Xiao Cui and the waiter to go upstairs to eat something and rest for a while.
With the Lunar New Year approaching, the restaurant is short-staffed. Yesterday it snowed, and no one was clearing the snow outside, so Song Ning took it upon himself to do it.
While I was shoveling snow, I heard a disdainful voice behind me: "What kind of skill do you think you have? You're just a sweeper?"
Song Ning turned around, and there was the Xu family again, carrying large and small bags, standing behind her.
Xu Jiaojiao followed behind and looked at Xiangyun Tower on the side. Thinking of Xiangyun Tower in Tianxiang County, she knew that this restaurant was opened by Song Ning.
The look in his eyes when he looked at Song Ning immediately became one of envy.
Song Ning is truly remarkable. He has only been in the capital for a short time, yet he has already opened a restaurant. In the capital, unlike in other places, this is no easy feat.
"What? You look down on people who sweep the floor?" Song Ning stopped what she was doing and looked at the group.
Xu Jiaojiao tugged at Madam Xu's sleeve and whispered, "Auntie, we still have things to buy, we should go."
Madam Xu was determined to stand up for Xu Jiaojiao, and she also disliked Song Ning, so this matter was not over today.
"Jiaojiao greeted you just now, but you didn't respond at all. Jiaojiao is kind and gentle, and she won't stoop to your level, but I can't stand it."
Song Ning raised an eyebrow slightly. "A kind and gentle person?"
Xu Jiaojiao felt a little embarrassed and quickly tried to pull Madam Xu away: "Auntie, let's go quickly."
"Don't be afraid, Jiaojiao. Today, your aunt will avenge you."
"Who says I have to respond just because she greeted me? I didn't ask her to greet me."
"Do you know who Jiaojiao's father is? He's the future prefect."
Song Ning looked at Xu Jiaojiao and asked with a smile, "Really? Then congratulations, Lady Xu."
Xu Jiaojiao just wanted to leave as soon as possible, but Madam Xu couldn't pull her away no matter what she tried.
Xu Minghui was also there to cheer her on.
"Don't be afraid, little sister Jiaojiao, my mother will definitely help you get revenge."
Xu Jiaojiao said, "Thank you so much."
"You're so sharp-tongued at such a young age. I wonder which family would dare to hire you? You're just a janitor. Don't think we're afraid of you."
Song Ning wasn't angry at all, and laughed, "Although I'm just a floor sweeper, I'm a floor sweeper at Xiangyun Tower. You should have heard of this place, right? It's a famous restaurant in the capital now. Even if I'm just a floor sweeper, I can come in freely. Do you... have the money to get in?"
Madam Xu couldn't stand hearing others say she was poor; no matter how poor she was, she had to maintain the proper decorum.
Song Ning's words immediately aroused Madam Xu's competitive spirit: "Who said we have no money? We can not only get in, but we can also afford to spend money, unlike you, who can only sweep the floor for others."
Song Ning curled her lips: "Really? Then you may go in. These days, only prominent figures can enter Xiangyun Tower. They are all high-ranking officials and nobles. You must be careful not to offend the guests."
Upon hearing that the room was filled with high-ranking officials and nobles, Madam Xu became even more excited. She glared at Song Ning from head to toe and said to the women of the Xu family behind her, "Let's go, we're determined to go in today."
The Xu family entered the restaurant. Xu Jiaojiao walked at the very back, glanced at Song Ning, but ultimately said nothing, and followed them into the restaurant.
Song Ning couldn't help but burst out laughing.
She's a real genius; she's inadvertently brought in extra business for the restaurant.
Although the dishes in her restaurant weren't particularly expensive, you couldn't leave without spending at least three taels of silver. Madam Xu was unwilling to spend that money, so she had to let Xu Jiaojiao, the sucker, foot the bill.
After shoveling the snow outside, Song Ning went into the restaurant and asked Manager Du, "Where are the two women and three girls who came in earlier?"
"Are you a friend of the owner, going up to the second floor?"
"We're not friends, so you can go about your business. I was just asking."
Song Ning also went up to the second floor, where Madam Xu, Madam Liu, and Liu Yuelan were all present.
She had reserved a room for herself on the second floor so that her family could eat there in peace and quiet.
As soon as she entered, Liu Yuelan smiled and said, "You're finally back! We've been waiting for you."
Where is my father?
"Your dad is still busy downstairs, he'll be up in a bit."
It's cold, so my family came to the restaurant for hot pot today.
Glancing at the old nanny standing behind Madam Xu, Song Ning smiled and said, "Nanny, please sit down and eat too. We don't have these rules in our family; we're all one family."
The old woman quickly waved her hand: "This old servant will just stand."
Liu Yuelan smiled and said, "Please sit down. We're all family, so please make yourselves at home. It's no trouble at all."
Madam Xu glanced at the nanny and said, "Sit down if I tell you to."
The old woman then stepped forward and sat down with trepidation, but once she sat down, she didn't know where to put her hands and feet.
Once all the dishes were served, Xiao Cui arrived, but Song Dahai hadn't come up yet, so Song Ning stood up and said, "I'll go out and take a look."
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