Chapter 240 Unlucky Things
The Meng family grain store chose an auspicious day to open.
There were no firecrackers, no guests filling the house; everything was kept simple.
However, this grain store, located on Zhuque Street, the most bustling street in the capital, still attracted a lot of attention.
Zhou Wanqing, dressed in casual clothes, personally visited the door with a congratulatory gift.
Holding Meng Shilan's hand, she looked at the bright and clean shop in front of her, filled with the aroma of rice, her eyes filled with emotion.
The once taciturn Lady Jiang is now in such a state.
"I really didn't expect this shop to open so quickly."
Meng Shilan smiled faintly, her expression calm and composed.
"Life is short, so we should dare to think and act."
"Besides, I not only want to give Fu'er a stable life, but I also want her to live a more comfortable life in the future."
Zhou Wanqing nodded, about to say something more, when Shuang'er walked in from outside with an angry look on her face.
"elder sister!"
She walked up to Meng Shilan and lowered her voice, but she couldn't suppress the anger in her tone.
"That Fengde Grain Store next door is a real scoundrel!"
Meng Shilan looked up. "What's wrong?"
"They lowered the price!"
Shuang'er stomped her foot in anger, "Our rice price is already lower than the market price, but they're going to price it even lower than ours!"
"Many customers who were originally going to come into our shop ran over there as soon as they heard the prices!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Wanqing also frowned.
"How can you rob someone like this when you're running a business?"
Meng Shilan showed no sign of anxiety. She picked up her teacup and gently blew away the foam.
"Let them be."
Shuang'er panicked, "Sister, this is our first day of business! It's so unlucky that someone else has already stolen our prize!"
Meng Shilan put down her teacup, making a crisp, light sound.
Her eyes were calm and serene, yet held a wisdom that seemed to see through everything.
"Shuang'er, remember this: food is the foundation of people's livelihood. Profits are as thin as paper, and we rely on a steady, long-term approach."
"Every coin he lowers the price is a coin he loses. How long do you think he can sustain this self-destructive business?"
"We just need to wait and watch the show."
Shuang'er was stunned for a moment, and the anger in her heart was immediately extinguished by this bucket of cold water.
As soon as she finished speaking, a small commotion suddenly arose at the doorway.
An exquisite sedan chair stopped in front of the shop. A maid lifted the curtain and helped out a woman dressed in a light purple dress.
She had a pretty face, but her eyes always carried a faint hint of melancholy.
Upon seeing her, Shuang'er's face instantly darkened.
Song Jiyun seemed oblivious to the hostility in her eyes, and walked straight up to Meng Shilan with a polite smile on her face.
"Sister Meng, I heard that your grain store has opened, so I've come to congratulate you and show my support."
As she spoke, her gaze swept around the shop, her tone carrying a hint of disdain.
"Sister, you are really capable. You can even run this kind of business that deals with people's livelihoods so well."
Meng Shilan responded with a smile, seemingly unperturbed.
"Unlike Sister Song, who has the leisure to wander around."
Song Jiyun's smile froze for a moment.
She quickly recovered and pointed to the best bag of rice in the shop.
"I've long heard that the glutinous rice here is of tribute quality, so I must buy some to take back and try today."
Shuang'er immediately stepped forward, blocking the rice bag, and spoke in a harsh tone.
"Unfortunately, this rice is sold out."
Song Jiyun's gaze turned cold and shot straight at Meng Shilan.
"Oh? So this is how Sister Meng does business?"
"How can you open the door to welcome guests and then turn them away?"
Meng Shilan raised her hand and gently patted Shuang'er's shoulder, signaling her to step back.
She looked at Song Jiyun, a meaningful smile curving her lips.
"Shuang'er is being immature, please don't be offended, Sister Song."
"Since Miss Song has graced us with her presence, this rice is naturally for sale."
"Someone, wrap up the best glutinous rice for Miss Song."
She knew perfectly well that Song Jiyun hated her to the bone, so why would he really come to congratulate her out of kindness?
This is nothing more than a weasel paying respects to a chicken.
But how could she possibly miss such an opportunity that came knocking on her door?
Luring the snake out of its hole, but it wasn't just one snake that was lured out.
Although Shuang'er was unwilling, she still obediently went to fill the rice container.
Song Jiyun glanced at them smugly, paid the money, and left with Mi.
Shuang'er stomped her foot in anger; not only had her business been maliciously stolen from her when she opened for business.
And then this unlucky thing comes knocking!
"Sister, when has Song Jiyun ever been so kind?"
Meng Shilan calmly adjusted the abacus.
"People are coming to our door with money to support us, why shouldn't we sell?"
As she spoke, she looked up at Shuang'er, who was still sulking.
"You can stay at the jewelry store tomorrow; I can handle things here."
The little girl has a bad temper. If Song Jiyun comes to make a scene tomorrow, she'll probably explode with anger.
The next morning.
As soon as the grain store opened, a sharp sound shattered the morning's tranquility.
"You heartless shopkeepers! The rice you sold is defective! It made my young lady sick!"
A maid stood with her hands on her hips at the entrance of the grain store, her face full of anger.
Behind her followed several servants, who looked menacing.
The surrounding people were instantly drawn over, gathering at the entrance of the grain store and pointing and whispering.
Manager Sun of the grain store was recently promoted from the jewelry store.
He's become quite adept at handling these kinds of situations.
"What does this young lady want to say? Come in and speak."
As he spoke, he turned and asked the waiter to prepare tea.
The maid glanced at Manager Sun. "Go in? What for? Trying to shut us up?"
Seeing that she wouldn't listen to reason or threats, Manager Sun realized that she had come specifically to cause trouble.
His face turned cold. "You're saying there's something wrong with the rice in my house?"
"Young lady, people eat grains and cereals. Did your young lady only eat our rice yesterday and not any vegetables?"
"My young lady was perfectly fine during the day yesterday."
"The fish porridge I had for dinner was made with your family's glutinous rice, and that night I had excruciating abdominal pain and tossed and turned all night!"
The maidservant stiffened her neck and shouted loudly.
"Your rice must have been mixed with something unclean!"
Manager Sun slowly raised his chin. "Since you're so sure, young lady, then let's report it to the authorities."
The maid said, "I know your grain store has the backing of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, so you're not afraid of the officials."
The surrounding crowd of onlookers grew louder.
The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is a first-rank official, and not only ordinary people, but even ordinary officials would not dare to offend it.
A horse-drawn carriage slowly came to a stop behind the crowd.
"What do you want, as you say?"
A cool, clear voice rang out, and the crowd automatically dispersed.
Meng Shilan slowly walked up to the maid, her voice steady yet carrying an undeniable sense of pressure.
"If we see an official, we'll be protected by the officials; if we don't see an official, we'll be accused of disregarding human life. You've said all the right things, good and bad."
“From now on, none of the shops on this street will need to open. They can just say whatever they want, and if you say there’s something wrong with the rice in my shop, then there’s something wrong with the rice in my shop.”
The maid's eyes darted away for a moment. "My young lady has suffered for no reason, and your shop is definitely responsible."
She smiled to herself, calm and unhurried.
His gaze suddenly turned cold, as if it had been covered with a thin layer of ice.
"Without evidence, the victims are afraid to go to the authorities."
"Is it because your young lady knows the laws of our dynasty, that those who make false accusations will be exiled for thousands of miles!"
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