Just as Xin He expected, the news of the Hu Ren causing a scene had quickly spread throughout the capital. After all, grape wine was a novel and popular product in the capital city. The Hu Ren had intentionally caused a scene, accusing Xin He of stealing their technique. They were seizing on this popularity.
Even without concrete evidence, the spread of rumors was enough to stir up endless discussion and suspicion which could severely damage Qinghe’s store reputation, and this was their intention.
However, what they didn’t expect was that Xin He, sharp-tongued as she was, introduced a new product in public. The moment Xin He unveiled her series of fruit wine, grape wine became just a small part of this series. It was a brewing technique that even the Hu Ren couldn’t replicate, who would dare to question her?
Not to mention, the capital city was so eagerly discussing the matter that it had started to anticipate the forthcoming launch of her series of fruit wine. People began to question if Qinghe had stolen the technique or was self-taught, even exceeding the Hu Ren!
The entire capital city remained in heated discussion, making the series of fruit wine a hit before it came out, which indeed saved a large chunk of promotion expenses.
Xin He had been busy with the winery during these days, providing guidance for the production of the apple wine, waxberry wine, and other fruit wines. She planned to launch three new types of wine, so things were really hectic.
To ensure secrecy and safety, they still followed the old method of isolation and division for production.
"Fuquan, be vigilant in the winery these days. No workers are allowed in or out of the winery until this batch of fruit wine is brewed, outsiders are absolutely not allowed. The Hu Ren is a crafty one, don’t let him take advantage of any loophole," Xin He instructed.
"Don’t worry miss, I will be extremely attentive and won’t mess up any of your business!"
"We need this batch of fruit wine within half a month. Everybody must hurry. If everything goes smoothly, it will benefit everyone," Xin He said.
Fuquan laughed happily: "Thank you miss!"
After Xin He had finished giving instructions, she observed that it was getting late and decided to return home.
Shulan was already anxiously waiting at the entrance of the mansion. Seeing Xin He return, she hurriedly rushed to greet her: "Miss, you’re finally back. I was worried sick! It’s almost dark and you haven’t returned. When Lord Marquis and the old lady ask about it, I won’t know how to respond."
Xin He got off the horse carriage: "Did my father ask about it?"
Shulan shook her head: "No, Lord Marquis has been busy at the Dali Temple today. I believe he’s dealing with your case."
Xin He nodded: "From now on, let’s be more cautious. If I am out, don’t talk about it unless necessary. If it becomes too well-known and is heard by the wrong people, it might bring trouble."
"Yes," Shulan nodded obediently, and continued to lead the way with the lantern in her hand.
Suddenly, Xin He stopped: "Where’s Jinxiu?"
"Ah?" Shulan was taken aback. Generally, the eldest daughter didn’t like being followed by many people, so she normally only had one attendant. This was the first time she asked about the other girls.
"Jinxiu is probably waiting for the miss in the ’Glazed Tower’. It’s late and she’s probably worried that you haven’t had dinner yet. Earlier, she told me that she had gone to the kitchen to tell them to keep the meal warm and ready for your return," Shulan explained.
Xin He casually nodded: "Hmm."
As they crossed the front yard and went down the corridor towards the inner courtyard, they suddenly saw a familiar figure wearing a goose-yellow water skirt. Naturally, it was not something a servant could wear. However, the figure didn’t carry the air of a mistress, instead, she looked timid.
Xin He hadn’t really paid much attention to the people of Le Yuanhou’s Mansion, so she couldn’t immediately recognize who it was.
As she was questioning, she saw that the young lady immediately bowed to her: "Eldest sister."
Xin He was startled, and Shulan explained: "Eldest Miss, this is the Second Miss."
"Oh~" Xin He nodded slightly and managed a smile: "Why are you bowing to me?"
The young lady lowered her head, staying silent.
Xin He then said: "I am going back to the Glazed Tower now. If you don’t have anything else, I will be leaving."
"Hmm."
Xin He then walked past her.
Only after they had left the winding corridor did Xin He speak: "Isn’t that Second Miss a daughter of Lady Sun? She’s a legitimate daughter, why does she behave like this?"
If it was a Concubine’s daughter showing respect to a legitimate daughter, it would be nothing out of the ordinary. But they were both legitimate daughters, so why was she demeaning her status?
Shulan sighed: "Miss doesn’t know, when Li Junyao was alive, she was very domineering. She wouldn’t just bully the daughters of the Concubines but even the Second Miss, who was a legitimate daughter, dared not provoke her because she has a soft nature. She has become so submissive simply because she was used to being oppressed. Seeing the Eldest Miss now, she must still be scared."
Xin He raised her eyebrows, finding it strange: "Isn’t Lady Sun her biological mother and the legitimate wife of Le Yuanhou? How come she lets her daughter be bullied?"
"How could she protect her? The old lady was extremely biased towards Li Junyao in the past and the lord felt guilty and always tried to accommodate her. Otherwise, how could Li Junyao develop such a domineering personality? So, the Second Miss is also a pitiful person."
Hearing Shulan’s explanation, Xin He was filled with doubt. Could Lady Sun be so incapable that she couldn’t even protect her own daughter and had to rely on someone else’s favor?
——
Prime Minister’s Mansion.
Ling Feng hurriedly entered, saluting, "Master, the Dali Temple is investigating the case at a rapid pace. They have searched the mansions of nearly half of the nobles in the capital, including Old Man Chen’s mansion, and they claimed to have found nothing. At this pace, they will finish searching all the nobles in the capital within three days at most."
Mu Houchu’s expression was indifferent, showing no interest in the news: "Unless they were sure they couldn’t find anything, how could Old Man Chen allow them to search? Until now, who knows about the undercover group that Chen had raised? We don’t need to worry about the Dali Temple’s side, just wait and see the results."
Linger was perplexed: "Does the master truly believe that the Dali Temple will give us a result?"
"They dare not not give it," Mu Houchu’s face darkened: "Let’s just see who they are going to make the scapegoat in the end."
Depending on who was used as the scapegoat, he would naturally know who the people behind the scenes considered the least important and he might be able to glean some clues from it.
A thought flashed through Ling Feng’s mind – the master had even predicted the opponent’s move.
"You can leave for now and continue investigating the medicines in Old Man Chen’s possession."
"Yes." Only then did Ling Feng leave.
Just as Ling Feng left the room, there was a quiet knock on the door.
"Who is it?"
An old and somewhat heavy voice replied: "Your Highness, it’s your old servant."
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