Ever since rumors of misconduct spread about the eldest daughter of the Shu family, the Shu family's reputation in the capital plummeted. Originally, due to its policy of low profit margins and high sales volume, many people from outside the capital were willing to travel several miles to buy things from the Shu family.
However, the Shu family business has recently become a source of fear and disdain, simply because the eldest daughter of the owner, Shu Hua, has a history of misconduct, yet she is still treated as the apple of her husband's eye.
Many people became jealous and spread rumors. In addition, many writers wrote lengthy articles to condemn Shu Hua, their words filled with righteous indignation as if they had witnessed the events firsthand. Other businesses that had been suppressed also retaliated, even sending many people to tarnish Shu's reputation.
Many of Shu Ji's shops were vandalized, forcing them to report the incident to the authorities. However, even the officials and soldiers who had always been quite supportive of them only dealt with the matter hastily, leaving Shu Ji with no choice but to close its doors to customers.
People then realized that this long-established business in Beijing, which had stood for many years, seemed to be showing signs of decline.
The Shu family must have been desperate to resort to this drastic measure, inviting him and Shangguan Jingci to their restaurant so that Shangguan Jingci could clarify that he and Shu Hua were merely friends. This would not only salvage Shu Hua's reputation but also restore Shu Ji to its former glory.
Therefore, the number of people attending the banquet must be substantial, and they will make every effort to invite anyone who is well-known in the capital.
He and Shangguan Jingci are now considered prominent figures in the capital. As long as the two of them step into Shuji, regardless of whether Shangguan Jingci agrees to clarify their relationship, they can provide excellent publicity for Shuji.
Prince Ye smiled; this was exactly what he wanted.
"Nothing special, just wanting to curry favor with His Highness, who is in such a prominent position." He picked up the wine pot and poured wine for himself and Shangguan Jingci.
Shangguan Jingci was still puzzled, "Is that so?"
Seeing that Prince Ye nodded affirmatively, he showed some curiosity.
"The longer I stay in your country, the more I realize how profound the cultural heritage of Dayu is. I have witnessed the local customs and traditions, but I wonder what your country's banquets are like."
Prince Ye curled his lips into a smile and slowly sipped his wine.
A small border country is just a small border country. So what if it has fertile land but a sparse population? It is still not even one-tenth the size of Dayu. If even the Crown Prince is so ignorant, I wonder what others are like.
However, Shangguan Jingci's move pleased him, as it saved him a lot of trouble.
He slowly put down his wine cup. "Since Your Highness is curious, then the two of us will go and take a look in three days."
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Jingci smiled and said, "That's excellent."
...
...
Shu Hua sat in her room, letting her maid dress and do her hair. She just stared blankly at the green leaves outside the window, lost in thought.
Today is the day the Shu family is hosting a banquet, and she is unsure whether Shangguan Jingci will come.
Everyone assumed that this idea came from Mr. or Mrs. Shu, but it was actually her own suggestion.
Since the rumors started, business has become increasingly difficult for all the shops under Shu's name. Some shopkeepers were even accidentally injured by the people who caused the disturbances and came to Master Shu to ask for medical expenses. In the end, they left indignantly with indentures.
Therefore, most of Shu Ji's shops in Beijing have closed down.
However, neither her father nor mother mentioned any of these things to her, and her brother also kept it from her, saying that something had happened outside and he couldn't go out recently.
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