“Say your name.” Zhao Shu felt that saying even one more word was a waste of breath.
Madam Zhong's face turned pale. She dared not feel insulted, but felt that this princess was really unruly and did not match the virtuous and chaste image that was rumored to exist. Based on her understanding of Zhao Shu's character, she should not have acted this way.
Could it be that some information was missed?
Five years later, if they investigated Zhao Shu again, they wouldn't find anything, unless Zhao Shu told her on her own initiative.
Ever since they saw the hydrangea mask at Tianjin Port, Zhao Shu and Wei Tingsi immediately sent people to monitor Jin Zaifang's every move. How could they not know that Jin Zaifang was investigating her?
Of course, Jinzaofang is far more than just its surface identity; it also has another identity: the money bag of Jiecao Jushi!
Although there is no direct evidence, Zhao Shu generally does not need too much direct evidence to do things; too much evidence would only make her suspicious.
Moreover, given the crucial clue of that mask from last time, it would be incredibly foolish for Zhao Shu and Wei Tingsi not to be certain about it.
Therefore, the information Jinzaofang has recently provided about Zhao Shu has all been falsified.
Although we still have the old intelligence, people change, and it's easy to influence someone's judgment.
"Eight people vote, and five votes are needed to pass a resolution. Who are these eight people?"
"Alright, Xiao Guozi, take her down and find all these people for me. If even one is missing, don't blame me for being impolite. It just so happens that the floods are rampant right now, and the court can't come up with any more disaster relief funds. Jin Zaofang should be worth a few taels of silver." Zhao Shu spoke as if it were a casual conversation, which made Zhong Shi sweat profusely.
For some reason, Zhao Shu felt a strange sense of exhilaration at this moment.
Xiao Guozi was on high alert. The princess was behaving very strangely today. She rarely disliked someone for no reason. This woman actually had a kind face and looked harmless, but she just didn't catch the princess's eye.
He took a few steps and arrogantly said to the woman, "Let's go." The princess wasn't going to give him any face, and he didn't need to either. Sometimes, as a servant in the Prince's mansion, one had to act like a fifth-rank official.
Zhong felt insulted this time. Her body trembled and a hint of hostility flashed in her eyes. But as the head of the household, she quickly lowered her head and bowed. Even Xiao Guozi did not notice the fleeting hostility in her eyes.
Watching her leave from the corner of her eye, Zhao Shu finally understood why Huo Baichuan always acted so unrestrained and carefree. It was because he could crush those with poor mental fortitude into the mud without saying anything harsh.
“Princess, this person has practiced martial arts,” Su Xiu suddenly said.
Zhao Shu had never practiced martial arts and couldn't tell, but she trusted Su Xiu and frowned, "Is she your match?"
"I am no match for her." Su Xiu was somewhat embarrassed, but she still told the truth.
"That means he's practiced martial arts since childhood." It couldn't be a military family, so there's only one explanation: a henchman of some powerful force?
After thinking for a long time, and with Xiao Guozi having already sent someone to invite Jin to visit the major shareholders, Zhao Shu finally asked, "Can you tell a person's origin from their martial arts moves?"
Su Xiu paused, wondering where the princess got the inspiration to ask such a question. "Some things are possible, some things are not."
"There's no need to try anymore. Lock her up and tell Xiao Guozi to send someone to buy Jinxiufang. Lower the price as much as possible. I want to see what kind of power is backing her." If the price is too low, the real owner will definitely not be happy, and if they are not happy, they will have to come out and negotiate.
Even better if they can't come out and meet people; they've made money for nothing.
Su Xiu accepted the order and left.
About two hours later, all the shareholders of Jinzaofang had arrived. Zhao Shu did not appear in person, but instead asked Xiao Guozi to handle it.
She didn't go far, hiding in the shadows, sitting face to face with Wei Tingsi, playing Go. She thought that this negotiation would take some time to end.
As soon as the piece was placed, someone outside said, "Want to buy the Brocade House?"
"Yes, the princess thinks highly of your visit and appreciates the hard work you've put in over the years. She's willing to offer a reasonable price." Xiao Guozi made up lies and twisted the truth with a straight face, without batting an eye or feeling guilty. He had long since mastered this art of flattering the powerful and belittling the weak.
None of the eight shareholders of Jinzhao Real Estate who came had official backgrounds, nor were they even from respectable families; they were all businessmen.
Clearly, the Zhong family wasn't telling the truth. Such a large workshop couldn't possibly be without a powerful force backing it up.
After saying that, he stood up the paper with the price written on it so that the shareholders could see it.
Upon seeing the price, the group's expressions changed drastically, their faces turning ashen. They exchanged glances and whispered amongst themselves before someone finally asked a question.
"Eunuch Guo, it's our good fortune that the princess thinks highly of us, but could you raise the price a bit more?" They knew that Zhao Shu was so forceful in trying to sell to them that resistance was futile.
“Yes, Eunuch Guo, this price is really not high. Jinzaofang has dyeing workshops, weaving workshops, embroidery workshops and clothing shops, and they are all located throughout Jiangnan. Although it is not a royal workshop, it is the largest clothing and fabric workshop in Jiangnan. Fifty thousand taels is really... really too low.”
Xiao Guozi snorted coldly. He had been arrogant just now, but now he had a cold face and was very unhappy. "I am just conveying the princess's message. The princess is not asking for your opinions. If you do not want to accept this money, the princess will not force you."
This doesn't mean I won't sell if you don't want to; it means you can forgo the money, but the workshop will belong to the Yongwang Mansion.
"Eunuch," someone said, handing five hundred taels of silver to Xiao Guozi, "please ask the princess to add a little more." He then gave a wink, implying, 'You'll certainly get your share.'
Xiao Guozi could tell that Zhao Shu was coming to visit Zhengjin, so he was unwilling to help. However, he was going to accept the money anyway, so why not?
Whether or not someone will help is another matter entirely.
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