Fu Changfeng and Zhao Yuping were extremely busy, and Xi Chun was not idle either. After figuring out the business situation in Shaoming County, Xi Chun wrote a letter home, asking Master Fu and his elder brother to hurry up and prepare the goods to be sold, and to take the lead in challenging the Long family's economic monopoly in Shaoming County by using a price war.
With this move in mind, Xi Chun was determined to severely damage the Long family, otherwise, if they retaliated, it would be quite troublesome.
Fu Changfeng waited for half a month, but the person Xichun had mentioned did not come to the county government to file a complaint. So he sent someone to investigate in secret. To his surprise, the person had already disappeared. After much investigation, he learned that the person had drowned in the river in front of his house a few days after meeting Xichun. Everyone only found out that he was gone when his body floated to the surface.
"This is outrageous! How could they commit such a heinous act? Do they even respect the law?" Upon learning of this, Fu Changfeng slammed his fist on the table, furious at the Long family's blatant disregard for human life.
"Yes, it seems that the Long family has been the boss in Shaoming County for too long and they don't care about human life anymore. I heard that someone in the village saw Yang Da being killed, but because of the Long family's power, they dare not speak out. The village only said that he accidentally fell into the river and drowned."
"The Long family really should be eliminated."
"Sir, the Long family has sent an invitation, saying that they have welcomed a new baby and would like to invite you and your wife to come over." At this moment, County Magistrate Li Cheng walked in and handed over an invitation.
"Oh, an invitation from the Long family. Let me see." Fu Changfeng was surprised to learn that the Long family had sent an invitation at this time. They must already know that he had sent someone to inquire about Yangzhou University. This was a provocation.
"My lord," Li Cheng said, "in my humble opinion, he is trying to show you his power. No county magistrate in the past has ever failed to give him face. This is also a test. He has a son born out of wedlock, yet he still wants to invite you. I'm afraid this is a trap."
"Yes, the Long family is probably trying to test your attitude, sir. This matter needs to be carefully considered."
"Hmph, even if it's a trap, I'll still go and see what he's planning." Fu Changfeng knew Zhao Yuping's worries, but at this moment he wanted to personally meet this audacious head of the Long family.
When Xi Chun learned of the man's murder, she was shocked. A perfectly healthy person had been killed in the blink of an eye, and no one dared to tell the truth. This was a show of force against them.
“I’m going to this banquet too. I want to see how the Long family turns their bullying into immense wealth. Maybe I can even get some inside information from others.” When Xichun heard that he was going, she also decided to go and see what was going on.
"Alright, be careful. Take the two maids who know martial arts that Father sent earlier with you as well. I'm worried they might do you a harm."
"Don't worry, but you should be careful yourself. Don't drink with them, or they might set a trap for you with their honey, and you might fall into their trap," Xi Chun teased him with a smile.
"Hehe, I'll be gone in a bit. I'll have someone let you know when I'm done. As for the honey trap, I think it's more like a vicious scheme. If I don't even have that kind of self-control, I might as well not be an official."
Soon it was time for the Long family banquet. Xi Chun originally thought there would be many people, but when she entered the backyard with the county magistrate's wife, she found that apart from her and the county magistrate's wife, only a few other ladies from other families had come to the banquet. When they saw Xi Chun and Madam Li, they naturally guessed Xi Chun's identity.
"Greetings, Madam Fu. Hehe, it is truly an honor for our Long family that the county magistrate's wife has graced our family with her presence. Please sit down, Madam, and please serve her tea." A young woman stood up and bowed to Xichun. Only then did Xichun realize that she was the eldest daughter-in-law of the Long family patriarch, and that this young mistress of the Long family was now in charge of all the family's internal affairs.
As for Madam Long, she passed away more than a decade ago. Long Shijin, the head of the Long family, was a ruthless man who took in many concubines over the years. Some were offered by other families to curry favor with him and get a larger share of the profits, while others were daughters of poor families who had been cheated out of money by the Long family and had no choice but to sell their daughters to him as concubines.
The concubine who gave birth today is Long Shijin's seventeenth concubine. She is only sixteen years old this year, a few years younger than Long's eldest daughter-in-law.
"Young Madam Long, you are too kind. I am new to this place and do not know much about Shaoming County. However, I have heard of the Long family's reputation. I am here today to see what it is like and to get to know the ladies of Shaoming County. In the future, when we have time, we can chat with each other."
Xi Chun held up her teacup, pretended to take a sip, and then addressed the people present.
"Hehe, thank you for your concern, Madam. We were originally supposed to be the ones visiting you, but since it's the right time today, we can introduce ourselves and get acquainted with you."
Upon hearing Xichun's words, the woman at the head of the group chuckled and took the opportunity to introduce herself. It turned out that she was the wife of the head of the Yang family, the largest family in Shaoming County besides the Long family.
"Madam, this is Mrs. Li, who is also from my husband's family." The county magistrate's wife also introduced another smiling young lady to Xichun.
"Hehe, I've been so busy talking that our main character hasn't even made his appearance yet. Come, come, this is our youngest brother-in-law. He has received blessings from all the ladies today, and we hope that he can become an official at a young age, just like the county magistrate."
Seeing that everyone's attention was focused on Xichun, Young Madam Long's expression naturally turned sour. Over the years, she had always been the one being flattered at all the banquets. Today, with everyone surrounding Xichun, the proud young lady was naturally unhappy, which is why she used the child to smooth things over.
"Hehe, Mrs. Long is right. The children are the hope. Mrs. Long looks like a kind person. She will definitely treat the children better in the future."
Xi Chun knew, of course, that the head of the Long family had lost many children, and that this young mistress might have been responsible for some of them. However, people like to hear polite words, and after hearing this, everyone secretly laughed in their hearts, wondering if the child would be able to grow up smoothly, but on the surface they all praised her.
"Young Madam, I heard that your family has just received a new batch of fabric. I wonder when it will be available for sale. Let's go and see the trendy styles." Someone heard this news and used it as an opportunity to start the next topic.
“Our Long family’s fabrics are naturally fashionable. Go back and wait for news. If they are ready, just bring your money to buy them.” Hearing this, Young Madam Long felt proud. These fabrics were purchased by her from Juzhou, and the materials were all beautiful. She was determined to show these people that she was different from these women who only struggled in the backyard.
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