Chapter 43 The Aftermath of the Incense Shop: It Was Actually Gong Hu…
After sending Zong Suyi back, Zhang Ting went out for a walk but didn't see the bully he had mentioned chasing him.
I had no choice but to go check out the shop first.
A huge mess happened today, and we had no time to attend to many other matters. Now that the problem is resolved, everyone in the shop is incredibly busy. Even Zheng Er has been pulled in to help the shopkeeper take inventory.
As she was comparing the goods one by one, she looked up and saw Zhang Ting standing outside the door. She immediately put down the accounts in her hand and went up to him with a big smile: "Boss!"
This shout startled the surrounding shop assistants and employees, who stared curiously at the never-before-seen owner of the incense shop, and greeted him one after another: "Greetings, Boss."
Since the incense shop opened, the daily affairs have been managed by the astute and meticulous Steward Zheng. When trouble arises, the knowledgeable young master Xiao Yi handles it. The owner is elusive, but everyone who has met her speaks highly of her. Just who is she? How could she command the respect and service of so many talented individuals?
Looking straight ahead, they saw a tall, beautiful young woman being led in by Steward Zheng. She had a gentle smile on her lips, and she nodded slightly to them. Although she was just an ordinary person of flesh and blood like them, their eyes were involuntarily drawn to her, and they felt a sense of goodwill towards her.
Upon seeing this, the shopkeeper put down her chores and stepped forward to greet Zhang Ting respectfully. This was also the first time she had met Zhang Ting.
"Master, I have long admired your name. It is an honor to meet you today."
Zhang Ting's expression softened, and she quickly helped her up, saying, "Manager Niu, there's no need for such formalities."
Even though the other party seemed mild-mannered, Manager Niu dared not underestimate him in the slightest. This was the person who could tame that male tiger; his methods must be extraordinary!
Zhang Ting inspected the shelves, with Manager Niu carefully accompanying her. Suddenly, she asked about the trouble that had happened that day.
"The troublemaker is the son of the prefect, we need to find out more about him."
"Today's disaster is completely undeserved. It was clearly that young master who, with his limited knowledge of spices, arrogantly came out and spoke nonsense."
Zhang Ting nodded upon hearing this; she had heard Zong Suyi mention all of this before. "Is there anything else?"
Manager Niu lowered his head and pondered for a moment before speaking one by one.
"This young master is quite vicious and arrogant. When he couldn't argue with them, he allowed his servants and maids to bully him."
"Fortunately, young master was quick-witted and managed to escape disaster."
Zhang Ting raised her eyebrows slightly. Why hadn't Zong Suyi mentioned this matter before?
However, there was one thing she couldn't understand: "With so many young women in the shop, how could they just stand by and watch him get surrounded?"
Manager Niu's eyes darted around, "This..."
Zhang Ting bent down, picked up a piece of sandalwood, sniffed it, and said lightly, "Hiding behind a man like this today is really unbecoming of a woman."
"Manager Niu, what do you say?"
Manager Niu wiped his sweat with his sleeve and nodded in agreement, saying, "You're absolutely right. I'll talk to the staff and employees later and make sure they don't cower in the back in the future."
Zhang Ting placed the spices aside and instructed her, "Our incense shop needs to unite and work together to face the crisis. Next time something like this happens, we won't be ridiculed like this."
With a serious expression, he sternly warned her: "Manager Niu, it was your dereliction of duty today. Not only were you unable to salvage the situation, but you almost made it worse."
"And the perfumer, who can't distinguish between top-grade and inferior agarwood, will be replaced after the money is settled. All the employees and staff present today, including you, Manager Niu, will have fifty coins deducted as a warning."
When Manager Niu heard the first sentence, his legs went weak with fear, thinking he was going to be thrown out. After listening to the rest of the sentence, he felt relieved and dared not have any complaints.
"Yes, yes, I will take this as a warning and go down to supervise immediately."
Zhang Ting nodded in satisfaction, then took Manager Niu's hand and praised her for her steady progress and composure, saying that she had high hopes for her and hoped that she would continue to work hard, as she would surely have plenty of money in the future.
In short, he finally managed to win over Manager Niu, making him believe that he had a bright future ahead of him.
She smiled broadly as she helped Zhang Ting onto the carriage. Her joyful expression made the shop assistants, who were secretly watching, think that she had suddenly struck it rich and wondered if they would get a share.
The next moment, Manager Niu gathered everyone together and told them that everyone would have their pay deducted.
ah?
No, then what are you so happy about!
......
The woman in the brocade robe didn't get any information from the innkeeper. She hurriedly put down her luggage at the inn and then dragged her disheveled body around to inquire. However, she knew better than to ask around openly on the street.
She inquired about the location of the brokerage firm and headed straight for the north of the city. As night fell, she grew anxious. If there was no progress today, she would have to pay for another day's room!
In her haste, she bumped into a plump man. He cried out and fell to the ground, then got up, clutching his back, and scolded her with a delicate gesture: "Where did this devil come from? Didn't you have eyes and bumped into your old man Cui!"
She was terrified and kept saying, "Are you alright? I'm so sorry, so very sorry."
"I'm on my way to the official brokerage firm in the north of the city, and I'm in a bit of a hurry. Please forgive me, sir." With that, he tried to walk past him and leave.
Go to the north of the city to find Granny Liu?
Who knows what kind of business deal it is? How could Cui Yagong allow his mortal enemy to take such a good opportunity?
He quickly stepped forward and stood in front of her.
"Young man! You bumped into your father and didn't even give him any money to apologize, and you're just going to let it go like this?"
She suddenly felt around and counted out ten coins, handing them to Cui Yagong, saying, "I'm really sorry."
Cui Yagong accepted the money; it was only ten coins, too meager. But he glanced at the other man's shoes and saw that they were covered in red mud and were filthy.
After looking the man up and down, he frowned. Could this brocade robe have been stolen?
He pursed his lips and cursed inwardly that bad luck had befallen him today!
Cui Yagong lowered his head and put the ten copper coins into his money bag one by one, then casually asked, "Young man, what are you doing at the official brokerage firm in the north of the city?"
This will cause a delay; the brokerage firms might even close down.
She decided to throw caution to the wind and asked Cui Yagong, "I am looking for a sixteen-year-old boy named Zong Suyi. He is exceptionally handsome, unforgettable once seen, and was only made a slave two months ago. Have you seen him, sir?"
Cui Yagong paused in his hand as he counted the coins. A strikingly handsome face flashed through his mind. Wasn't this the little slut he had sold two months ago?
He looked up, puzzled: "What do you want with him?"
Upon hearing this, the other party knew there was hope and excitedly asked, "Uncle, do you know where he is?" After saying this, he realized it was inappropriate and explained to Cui Yagong, "I am his cousin. I heard about his misfortune and came here to find him!"
Cui Yagong scrutinized her face and could only be described as having a decent appearance. It was nothing like the pitiful face of that little slut. He was suspicious, but who would claim kinship with a slave?
He simply said, "They were bought by Master Zhang for a large sum of money and are living a life of luxury. What are you doing looking for them? Be careful not to ruin their wealth."
Cui Yagong lost interest in her and gave a rather unpleasant snort, preparing to go home. However, the man had learned Zong Suyi's whereabouts from him and refused to give up, insisting that he lead the way.
Cui Yagong was annoyed by her nagging and was also curious about Zong Suyi's recent situation. Having nothing else to do, he led her to the Zhang residence in the west of the city.
Meanwhile, Zong Suyi was sitting on the couch, staring blankly at a sachet.
Suddenly, Lin Xiuzhen came to report that someone was looking for him.
Zong Suyi stood up abruptly. Who else but Zhang Ting would want to see him?
His face lit up with joy, his eyes lit up, and he ran toward the door, his heart pounding.
As soon as he reached the door and caught his breath, he was met with a somewhat unfamiliar face. He was extremely disappointed, and his smile immediately vanished.
The other person was incredibly excited, almost to the point of tears, and tried to rush over and hug him, exclaiming, "Xiaoyi! I've finally found you!"
This action startled Zong Suyi, who immediately backed away, asking, "Who are you?"
Lin Xiuzhen stood to the side and, seeing that things were not going well, quickly stopped the person.
Seeing the fear and wariness on Zong Suyi's face, she felt dejected, but in a moment, she straightened her back. Now, only she could save him from his suffering!
"Xiaoyi, have you forgotten me? I'm Cousin Xin. We used to play together in the mansion when we were young."
Zong Suyi pondered carefully and finally pulled the person out from the corner. The person's name was Lin Xin, the daughter of the younger brother of his mother's half-sister's husband. However, at that time, this person was too tactless and kept running around in front of him, which made him very unhappy.
Separated from Lin Xiuzhen, he asked, "What brings you here?"
Lin Xin cleared her throat: "Hearing of the misfortune that befell the Zong family, I was deeply saddened and came here to rescue you from your suffering!"
Zong Suyi was surprised and touched by her intentions, but he didn't need them right now. "Thank you for your kindness, Cousin Xin, but I'm fine here now. You should go back."
Lin Xin licked her lips, thinking that he must have refused because he didn't want to be a burden to her. Seeing Lin Xiuzhen standing there, she thought that Xiaoyi must be embarrassed in front of outsiders.
"Could this brave man step aside for a moment? My cousin and I have a few private words to discuss."
Lin Xiuzhen saw that she was indeed a relative of Zong Suyi, and saw Zong Suyi nod, before returning to her duty room.
With no outsiders present, Lin Xin immediately stepped forward and said emotionally, "Xiao Yi, I know you don't want to be a burden to me, but do you know my feelings?"
Zong Suyi frowned, bewildered, looking at her with a mixture of surprise and curiosity: "When did I...?"
The other person looked at him with deep affection and continued, "Xiaoyi, you don't need to worry. When the time comes, I will inform my mother to take you as a concubine, and you will no longer have to live in fear." She lowered her head and suddenly grasped his hand.
Zong Suyi felt offended and became angry. She pulled her hand away abruptly, her face full of disgust. "What a madwoman! You think you're worthy of coveting me?" She wanted to slap Lin Xin, but then put her hand down because she thought it was dirty.
Seeing a broom nearby, he immediately picked it up and started hitting Lin Xin with it, yelling, "Get out of here!"
Lin Xin was beaten so badly that she couldn't defend herself and ran around the yard screaming in pain. Her noble and dignified cousin was clearly not like this before!
Hearing the commotion, Lin Xiuzhen ran out to see what was happening. Upon seeing this scene, she couldn't help but swallow hard, wipe the sweat from her forehead, and sighed inwardly: "My goodness, I never imagined that the usually quiet and dignified Young Master Yi would actually be such a tigress!"
Lin Xin was in so much pain that she couldn't bear it. With abrasions on her face, she was forced to the doorway. When she saw Zong Suyi approaching with a broom, she was so frightened that she quickly took a few steps back and kept a distance. She weakly said, "Cousin, I will not give up!"
"roll!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
