Over the next few days, Qingyan received a constant stream of messages from Linglong Pavilion. Many of the court ladies received the news that Lady Tong Guowei's headdress could be made ahead of schedule, and they all asked Linglong Pavilion to speed up the order process.
After dinner, Yin held Xiao Guai's little hand and strolled along the corridor. Su Lan quickly came in from outside and told her about the news from Linglong Pavilion. The concubine requested that all the custom-made items be completed before the Golden Festival. She couldn't help but smile, knowing that someone would deliberately spread this news.
To produce ten sets of unique, top-tier headwear in just two months is simply a pipe dream.
"Impossible. Have someone refuse them. If anyone dares to cause trouble behind our backs, I don't mind paying compensation. Have someone investigate who is spreading rumors." Qingyan vaguely felt something was amiss; she understood the risks in business.
This made it clear to all the officials and their wives that this was not the work of an ordinary person.
“Little Darling…” Yin listened from the side, feeling somewhat troubled. He had been paying close attention to Qingyan’s actions, and his sticky rod had already found the person behind the scenes.
"You know?!" From Yin's hesitant expression, she understood.
"Who is it?!"
“The Ma Jia clan, the Tong Jia clan, and the Jue Luo clan!” Yin uttered three surnames, and Qing Yan gave a bitter smile.
Of the two surnames, two are related to her, especially the Gioro clan...
"Mother got involved?" Qingyan could only think of this possibility; otherwise, Yin wouldn't have kept quiet about it.
Yin shook his head. Jue Luo Shi had no further dealings with these people; they had become accustomed to lording it over everyone at Linglong Pavilion.
Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief. With Jue Luo Shi involved, she would be in an even more passive position.
That night was too agonizing for her. Yin lay beside her, holding her tightly and gently patting her back to make her completely relax.
"Go to sleep quickly, there's a tough battle tomorrow." Yin patted her back, her little face scrunched up.
*************************
Early in the morning, Qingyan took a carriage to Linglong Pavilion. When the manager saw her coming, he breathed a sigh of relief. The wives of officials who came to cause trouble were all wives of high-ranking officials.
"Master, these are orders that we hope will be completed as soon as possible." The shopkeeper respectfully handed over several orders, which were mostly from people with whom Madam Tong had a very good relationship.
"Stop accepting orders from these mansions. Send back double the amount of silver and say that Linglong Pavilion couldn't finish on time!" Qingyan had no intention of bothering with these people's bad habits.
Throughout the morning, Linglong Pavilion received many servants sent by noblewomen. Qingyan generally stopped them, but some of them, who had a good relationship with Fei Yanggu, said that the reception could be postponed.
"Master, the people from the Tong family have arrived!" Su Lan hurriedly came in to report.
Qingyan frowned. Couldn't Madam Tong just behave herself?
"Let them in!" Qingyan looked at the woman kneeling on the ground to pay her respects. She was the nanny who served Madam Tong, and behind her was Liu, the nanny who had been sent back to her maiden home by Madam Jue Luo. The two of them were actually together.
"This servant greets Fourth Princess Consort!" The two matrons noticed that Qingyan didn't tell them to get up as quickly as before, so they couldn't help but remind Qingyan that they were still kneeling.
Qingyan gave a cold laugh. Now everyone wants to manipulate her?
She took a sip of tea, and realized how quickly time had passed. The compensation had just been sent back, and someone had arrived immediately, which surprised her greatly.
The atmosphere instantly became awkward. Su Lan and the others stood behind her, not saying a word.
"The compensation is not to your liking?" Qingyan looked down at the two maids. Consort Tong had said that she should resolve the matter according to her mood and not worry too much about it.
Both nannies shook their heads. The face was the most prestigious in Linglong Pavilion in the capital. Now that Qingyan had canceled several orders, these two families couldn't hold back.
"No, we wouldn't dare," Granny Liu quickly said. "The master hopes to continue ordering cleaning supplies from Linglong Pavilion."
Qingyan smiled, now she remembered how good her was.
"Leave, all of you." Qingyan waved her hand impatiently. "No need to order jewelry here!"
The guards of the mansion threw the two men out the door. She leaned against the window, looking at the bustling street outside. There were many customers coming in at the door. She thought that the servants of the two families would probably complain when they returned.
She sat at her desk and began designing the manuscript.
"Little darling, did you see the person?" After court, Yin came over in his court robes.
She snapped out of her daze and nestled into Yin's arms, inhaling his comforting scent. She genuinely felt her agitated mood instantly calm down.
Nestled in his arms, free from the need to think about anything, she nodded. Both families, however, maintained the airs of elders, merely sending two capable matrons to inform her.
These people didn't treat her like an outsider. Did they expect her to do something just because they gave her a command?
"Fourth Sister, I chased them all out!" Yin hugged Xiao Guai tightly around the waist, pulling her into his embrace.
"Well, from now on, you don't need to do business with those two households." Yin's face turned ugly. Xiao Guai must have been bullied a lot this morning. Even if the two nannies didn't say anything, their tone and eyes were not kind.
Xiao Guai is someone who cares about what others think. Both families hold considerable positions in the government, and if they make a statement within the social circle of wealthy women, some people might listen to them.
At that time, Xiao Guai's situation would be even more difficult, and Yin was very worried about her safety.
"Yes, that's what I said. I even paid double the penalty for breach of contract. They brought over Granny Liu and Granny Guo Luoma's maids, and they spoke to me in a accusing tone," Qingyan pouted and complained from the side.
Yin patted her back, listening to her constant complaints.
"Su Peisheng, spread the word that Linglong Pavilion and Yuelai Inn are not accepting business from these two mansions!" Yin was preparing to strike first, otherwise, if those two noble ladies spread the rumors, they would definitely not be able to turn the tables.
Su Peisheng quickly went out. He had heard Su Lan mention the actions of the two nannies at Qingyan.
"Little darling, those two old women are just servants. I'll have someone get revenge for you!" Yin felt sorry for Little darling, because of his status, he could only endure the servants' provocations.
"No need. I didn't let them get away with it. I only said a few words and then sent them away!" Qingyan smiled. These were just acquaintances from both families. What about the families of the court officials under his command?
"Soon, all those people who come to request expedited service will have to change their dates!" Yin smiled coldly. He glanced at the connections of those who followed the two families, and none of them were of any use.
Consort Tong's life changed many things. The connections that once belonged to Consort Tong did not return to Tong Guowei's hands, creating a stark contrast with the Tong family of the past.
Emperor Kangxi continued to suppress Tong Guowei, hoping to prevent further chaos in the court. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
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