Chapter 389 Kicked Out
Huo Ran coldly said, "I have no feelings for you, and you don't need to mention the word 'feelings.' There's no need for that word between us."
Liu Zijun sneered. She had nothing left now, no expectations left. Her only thought was that she wanted Jiang Mi and Huo Ran to be like her. She couldn't bear to see Jiang Mi and Huo Ran unhappy, and she couldn't let them be happy either.
"So what if you are the heir? This shop belongs to the Liu family. You still have to return it to us. It's just a few months' rent; we'll refund it to you."
Mo Hua said angrily, "There's also the penalty for breach of contract. We rented it for a year, and you took the house away so early, which is a breach of contract, and we have to pay money."
Liu Zijun sneered, "Just take it. It's just a little money, what's the big deal? Money is the last thing my Liu family lacks."
Jiang Mi then said, "It seems that the Prime Minister's monthly allowance must be quite high, otherwise he wouldn't be so extravagant. I've heard that the Prime Minister's residence is also magnificent and splendid. I wonder where all this money comes from."
Realizing she had misspoke, Liu Zijun quickly glanced at Madam Liu, who replied, "Of course it's my family's money; you don't need to worry about that."
Mo Hua shouted loudly, "Everyone has seen it! This is how the Liu family behaves. Don't rent any more of their shops in the future. What if they see your business is doing well and take your shop back? That would be terrible!"
The local people had long harbored resentment towards the Liu family, and now, seeing this scene, they felt even more contempt for them.
Huo Ran also advised Jiang Mi not to continue using this shop. In any case, he had plenty of shops, and Jiang Mi could use them as she pleased. Moreover, since they got married, he had handed over all his money and all his shops and land to Jiang Mi to manage, so she could use them however she wanted.
"Forget it, it's just a shop. Liu Zijun, let me tell you, those people who make soap only know a little bit. Don't think you can buy everything with money. There are some things you can't get no matter how much money you spend."
Jiang Mi left with her people. These employees all liked Jiang Mi as their manager. She was always kind and generous to them, so none of them betrayed her. Moreover, now that they knew her identity, they were even more willing to continue following her.
Looking at the soap shop left to her, Liu Zijun took over it and started operating it. Unfortunately, even though she used the name "Moonlight on the Tip of the Branch" (月上梢), not many people were willing to buy anything from her.
"What's going on? Aren't all the products the same?" Although those people only make simple soaps, she sells them at low prices, so she shouldn't have no customers at all.
Madam Liu advised her, "Daughter, you are too impatient. You should have hidden that snow lotus even deeper. If you use it so early, you may not have another chance later."
Liu Zijun was filled with resentment. Before, when she walked down the street, people would look at her with envy, but now they would look at her with contempt and ridicule.
"Mother, why am I living such a miserable life while Jiang Mi is living such a happy life? This is not fair."
Madam Liu sighed. Ever since she and her daughter disobeyed Consort Jing's advice and went their own way to frame Jiang Mi, only to end up harming Liu Zijun, she dared not make any big moves now, for fear of bringing disaster upon herself.
"Alright, let's listen to your aunt and let her deal with Jiang Mi."
Liu Zijun was dissatisfied but there was nothing she could do. When she returned to the Prime Minister's residence, she saw Jiang Zhihai standing outside waiting. She was so frightened that she quickly hid behind Madam Liu.
Madam Liu was furious when she saw this person: "What are you doing here?"
Jiang Zhihai chuckled, "My wife has been home for several days now. I've come to take her home. It's not good to keep her at her parents' house and bother my mother-in-law."
Madam Liu snorted coldly: "Don't think I don't know what you're up to. Don't even think about bullying my daughter again. Ziju can't go back with you. You can go back and wait for the divorce papers."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhihai's expression changed: "What do you mean by that, mother-in-law? My wife has already married me, why would she want a divorce? I don't agree to it."
Madam Liu was both angry and heartbroken when she mentioned this: "How dare you say that? My Zijun is covered in so much skin, all because of your torment. She's not even human anymore. I haven't even settled accounts with you for this yet. There's not a single good person in your Jiang family. Get out of here, I don't want to see you."
Jiang Zhihai had no choice; he couldn't confront the Prime Minister's residence directly. He could tolerate bullying Liu Zijun in private, but this was the Prime Minister's residence, so he could only slink back home.
Liu Zijun breathed a sigh of relief, finally free from this terrifying man.
Jiang Mi didn't take Liu Zijun seriously at all. After returning, she opened several more Yue Shang Shao shops. The small shop was already too crowded, so she could replace it with a bigger one and open several more shops.
After everyone learned that the shopkeeper was Jiang Mi, business became even better than before.
When the Emperor heard about Huo Ran and Jiang Mi being ostracized by Liu Zijun, he specifically sought out Consort Jing to speak with her about the matter.
“Consort Jing, your niece seems quite arrogant. She used to have a bad temper, and I thought she was just a spoiled little girl. But now it seems that it’s not a personality problem, but a problem with her character. Your Excellency has failed to educate your daughter properly.”
The fact that the Emperor summoned Huo Ran specifically to discuss this matter shows how much the Emperor values Huo Ran, and also indicates that the Liu family's actions have indeed gone too far and they need to restrain themselves, otherwise the Liu family will be finished.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will tell my brother when I get back, and ask him to discipline Jun properly. It's just children bickering. I will also teach her a lesson when I get back and make her apologize to the Crown Princess."
The Emperor took a sip of tea and said casually, "An apology is fine. I don't think the Crown Princess will want to see your Liu family. It's best if we don't interfere with each other in the future."
Consort Jing sighed. This niece was such a burden. Then she asked ingratiatingly, "Would Your Majesty like to have dinner at my place tonight?"
The Emperor rose to leave, saying, "No need. I have already promised the Empress that I will visit her tonight."
Consort Jing was stunned for a moment, looking at the Emperor's back with some sadness. Since the last banquet, it seemed that the Emperor's relationship with the Empress had improved, and he had become somewhat cold towards her.
[Host's mission complete. Received a modified shampoo and shower gel formula.]
"Is the mission really complete?" Jiang Mi looked at the recipe happily. Actually, it only involved adding two ingredients, but if the Emperor and the Empress could improve their relationship, that would be a good thing.
News of Liu Zijun and Jiang Zhihai's divorce spread, but soon news also reached the Liu family that Liu Zijun was pregnant. In order to reclaim their bloodline, the Jiang family went back on their word and insisted on taking Liu Zijun back. Fortunately, Prime Minister Liu held a high position and great power, so the Jiang family did not dare to act rashly.
"I never expected the Jiang family to be so terrifying. Liu Zijun has probably learned her lesson." Jiang Mi felt no pity for this person; it was all her own fault.
Mo Hua also said gloatingly, "I've also heard that the Emperor is very disappointed with the Prime Minister's family. The current Prime Minister is just a figurehead, and his real power is being gradually stripped away."
Jiang Mi looked at her amusedly: "Really? These are matters of the imperial court, how do you know about them?"
Mo Hua replied matter-of-factly, "Of course I heard it from Liu Min. I overheard him talking to the young master, it's nothing secret."
It seems the Liu family is gradually declining, but that's normal. After all, with their consistent behavior, they're bound to bring about their own downfall sooner or later.
"I wonder how they will deal with that innocent child. After this story, I'm afraid no one in the entire capital will dare to marry Liu Zijun."
Siqin then brought someone over, and Jiang Mi took a closer look and realized it was Xue Lian.
“Miss, I’ve caught this person. She was indeed informing the Liu family. She also played a part in what happened at the shop.”
Xue Lian knelt on the ground, crying aggrievedly: "Miss, I didn't do it. It was Sister Siqin who deliberately framed me. No, she must have misunderstood something. It was Zhu Qing who framed me."
Jiang Mi chuckled and said, "Really? Then tell me, why did Zhu Qing frame you?"
Qinglian swallowed hard: "Because Zhuqing has always liked the Second Young Master, but I accidentally found out, so she wants to find a way to drive me out of the manor. Miss, I am innocent."
"Second brother?" Jiang Mi frowned. What did this have to do with Jiang Xuan?
Siqin sneered, "You're still spouting nonsense here. It's clearly you who has feelings for the Second Young Master, yet you're framing Zhuqing. I thought I had evidence that you informed the Liu family. This note is yours, isn't it?"
Xue Lian was startled and quickly denied it: "It's not mine. What evidence does Sister Siqin have to prove that this is mine? I can't read many characters, so please don't misunderstand me."
Siqin sneered, about to say something, when Huo Ran walked in. Seeing the scene in the room, she looked at Jiang Mi in confusion: "What happened?"
Xue Lian had never met Huo Ran, but she had always heard how handsome and dashing he was. She never expected that after seeing his true face, he would be even more handsome than she had imagined.
"Young Master...Young Master, I'm innocent!" Xue Lian stepped forward and hugged Huo Ran's legs, crying aggrievedly, "I didn't betray Miss, I've always been loyal, Young Master, you must do justice for me."
Huo Ran disliked being touched and instinctively kicked Xue Lian away, saying, "What are you, daring to touch me?"
Mo Hua angrily told Huo Ran what Xue Lian had done, but Huo Ran was dismissive: "Just beat her up and kick her out, why bother interrogating her?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
