Boss Qian had many "best friends," and these people also had their own "best friends." As a result, the story spread like wildfire, and eventually, seven or eight out of ten people in Shengjing knew about it, which finally calmed down some of the restless people.
At the same time, Shang Yunlan also prepared a secret recipe with better and more expensive ingredients. The floral soaps and perfumes made by the new method looked no different from those made by the old method, except that the cost was about ten taels of silver more.
In this way, the fact that Shang Yunlan and Boss Qian had amassed a huge fortune could be somewhat concealed.
Mr. Qian now inspects his shop every day, and seeing the bustling crowds of shoppers is like seeing piles of gleaming silver.
As he finished his routine inspection of the shop and was about to go home, he unexpectedly saw his God of Wealth... no, the Duke. Standing beside him was a woman who looked eight parts like him and was exceptionally beautiful. He immediately realized that this must be the Duke's most beloved younger sister, Princess Heyang.
Boss Qian straightened his clothes, then smiled like a Maitreya Buddha, walked over and greeted the two men: "Greetings, Your Excellency. Greetings, County Princess."
While subtly observing Boss Qian, Shang Shaoyan smiled and nodded, "Boss Qian, you're too polite. I often hear my brother mention you, saying you're an extremely intelligent person."
Shang Shaoyan exuded a powerful aura, while Boss Qian, being a timid man, immediately replied, "No, no, I dare not. What merit do I possess to deserve your praise, sir? I am ashamed."
Shang Shaoyan immediately understood. This Mr. Qian was rather cautious, which was a good thing for her and Shang Yunlan. Currently, apart from Emperor Chen, the Crown Prince, and Consort Zhao, no one dared to offend the increasingly powerful Duke's Mansion, nor did they dare to touch Shang Yunlan's subordinates. However, it was hard to guarantee that others might be eyeing this business. The more low-key Mr. Qian was, the less trouble he would cause.
Shang Shaoyan chuckled softly, "Why be so modest, Mr. Qian? My brother and I still have to go eat, so we won't bother you any longer."
Mr. Qian hurriedly said, "Please wait, Your Highness. I have a gift to present to you. Would you do me the honor of accepting it?"
Shang Shaoyan raised an eyebrow, finding Boss Qian an even more interesting person: "What gift is it? Boss Qian, you should know that I lack nothing."
Mr. Qian scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed: "I know the county magistrate doesn't lack anything, but it's still a small token of my appreciation..."
As he spoke, he pulled out two pieces of paper from his sleeve: "These are the most successful shops under my management. One is a jewelry store, and the other is a restaurant."
Shang Shaoyan looked at Boss Qian with some surprise. This man was quite clever. After all, generally speaking, a young lady would not refuse a hobby like jewelry, and restaurants are always profitable. If it were an ordinary young lady, she would definitely like this gift.
It seems he is truly grateful to Shang Yunlan.
Shang Shaoyan didn't intend to be too polite with him, so he gave Shang Yunlan a wink, and Shang Yunlan quickly took the two property deeds from Boss Qian's hands.
Shang Shaoyan smiled and shook the fan in his hand: "Thank you for the gift, Mr. Qian. I like it very much."
After Boss Qian left, Shang Shaoyan praised Shang Yunlan: "Brother, the Boss Qian you found is quite good."
Shang Yunlan said smugly, "That's right, look who picked it out personally."
...
Northern Zhou Dynasty, imperial palace.
Qiao Yu's health deteriorated, but he kept the imperial physicians silent, and Empress Cheng's attention was not on him. Therefore, apart from a few close attendants and Qiao Xiuyu, very few people knew the truth about his condition.
After coughing up blood again, Qiao Yu stared blankly at the gloomy sky outside the window, a mocking smile involuntarily appearing on her face.
He was truly fed up with the oppressive, dark, cannibalistic palace.
Qiao Yu's biggest wish is to find a beautiful place to live in seclusion—Jiangnan would be perfect. He would buy a house, raise a few cats and dogs, and fish by the water in his spare time... He would also meet a lovely girl. She might not come from a good background, and might not even be so gentle and quiet, let alone virtuous and gentle, but he would just like her and think of ways to marry her every day...
"ah--"
Birds flew past the window, interrupting Qiao Yu's thoughts. He came back to his senses and found that the scene before him was nothing like the Jiangnan water town he had just imagined.
Qiao Yu lowered his eyes and smiled bitterly. He had now seized the position of Crown Prince. Apart from Qiao Xiuyu, his brothers were either dead, imprisoned, or exiled. The Zhou Emperor was also getting old, and it seemed that he would soon have to sit on that throne.
The higher you climb, the colder it gets.
However, at least the Empress Dowager and her younger brother can have someone to rely on, which is the best thing.
He thought for a moment, then picked up his pen again and wrote to Qiao Xiuyu: "Azhuo, it's as if we're meeting in person..."
...
The Southern Chen Dynasty, the Prince of Nan'an's residence.
With a face as beautiful as a thousand charms and hands as soft as bones, Su Yan clung to Zhao Ming, her eyes filled with seductive allure: "Your Highness has not visited me in a long time."
Zhao Ming curled his lips into a smile and pinched Su Yan's chin: "You really miss me?"
Su Yan said coquettishly, "What are you saying, Your Highness? I love Your Highness the most, Your Highness is my everything."
Zhao Ming leaned down and nibbled on Su Yan's earlobe, his deep voice reaching her ears: "Do you truly love me the most? No matter what I do?"
To Su Yan, that last sentence was a blatant hint. She snuggled closer to Zhao Ming and then raised her pitiful face, saying, "Your Highness... I'll do anything you want."
Zhao Ming smiled and grabbed Su Yan's restless hand: "What if... I want your life?"
Su Yan was stunned, her heart churning with turmoil, but she remained innocent and pure on the surface, pretending to be flirtatious: "Your Highness wants my life, you must give me a reason, otherwise I will not allow it."
Zhao Ming glanced at her with an inscrutable expression. Just as Su Yan was about to lose her composure, he laughed, stood up, and hovered above her: "Silly Yan'er, I just want to take your life in bed..."
Su Yan breathed a sigh of relief and then became engrossed in the moment.
When she wasn't looking, a genuine killing intent flashed in Zhao Ming's eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
"Silly Yan'er" - Su Yan is silly, but he is even sillier, actually keeping the real enemy who killed his wife by his side.
If he hadn't heard a few days ago that Shang Shaoyan, who was supposed to die in Shuzhou, had returned to Shengjing, and in a fit of anger he sent his secret guards to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and the guards hadn't overheard the conversation between the brother and sister in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, he really wouldn't have known that Su Yan was a spy from Northern Zhou.
While the merchants deserve to die, Su Yan... deserves to die even more.
...
Inside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Shang Shaoyan sat by the artificial lake, idly casting his fishing rod. Shang Yunlan walked over, raised an eyebrow, and smiled, "The fish has taken the bait."
Shang Shaoyan calmly put away her fishing rod. There were no fish on it, but she nodded with satisfaction: "I imagine that the Southern Chen royal family will soon be in even greater chaos."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
