"The Zheng family colluded with the Crown Prince of Western Chu, attempting to exchange me for the five continents of Nanyang, Youji, and Ji."
Consort Zheng was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting such a thing to happen.
She then sneered: "My maternal clan, for the sake of money, actually abandoned me, leaving me alone in the palace, not caring whether I live or die."
If Yun Beiye really exchanged Youji Wuzhou for Yun Duoduo, and Zheng Duohai successfully escaped to Xichu with his concubines and illegitimate children, then the one who would be furious would surely be Consort Zheng.
"The Crown Prince of Western Chu is also a muddle-headed man," Consort Zheng sneered.
Yun Duoduo looked at Consort Zheng, who was slumped on the ground.
[A very intelligent person, but he didn't use his skills in the right way.]
Consort Zheng was not young in ancient times, but she was extremely beautiful. It's just a pity.
"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"
Hearing the voice behind her, Yun Duoduo got up and left.
She has finished her business and asked all the questions she wanted to ask. Now, she can leave the rest to Empress Zhaoyuan.
...
The following morning, Empress Zhaoyuan presented the confession to Yunbei Ye.
After reading the offering paper, Yun Beiye was furious. "I never expected the Zheng family to be so audacious!"
"If I had known this would happen, Consort Zheng, I should have executed her long ago!"
"What a vicious heart."
"Zhao Zhongquan, convey my decree: Zheng Duohai and Consort Zheng shall be executed in three days, and the rest of the Zheng family shall be exiled to the northern frontier to do hard labor!"
"Furthermore, Yu Meiren from the Cold Palace has been sent to the Laundry Department! How dare she instigate a prince to harm someone! She truly doesn't respect me at all!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Zhao Zhongquan was sweating profusely; it had been the last time he had seen Yun Beiye so angry.
It was the same as last time.
The situation in the northern border region has basically stabilized, and Yun Beiye has allowed Jin Jinzhi to remain in the capital.
Jin Jinzhi and Xue Deyi investigated the black powder workshop on Zisu Mountain near the Crown Prince of Western Chu and Cuixiang Tower.
...
On this day, Yun Duoduo had nothing to do, so she and the Third Prince Yun Yishu took A Xiang and Shi Tou to the Brocade Silk Shop.
When they arrived near the silk shop, Yun Duoduo saw that the maple trees in front of the shop were already ablaze with red.
"Sister Ziwan, how come I never noticed before that there's such a tall maple tree at the entrance of our silk shop?!"
As she reached the door, Yun Duoduo spoke to Zi Wan, who was standing there after seeing off a guest.
"Yes, when we first opened, this tree was quite inconspicuous."
"Now the trees are full of red maple leaves, which are particularly eye-catching. Some people will even pick a few maple leaves to take home."
Ziwan looked at the tree and said with a smile.
"By the way, we've come here today to discuss something with you. Let's go inside and talk."
The group walked towards a side room inside the silk shop, bypassing the lake and small bridge in the courtyard.
The layout and decorations inside Jinxiu Silk Shop have a strong Jiangnan water town feel, which is why it attracts many young ladies and wives to experience it.
“Ziwan, I’ve been thinking lately that we’ve been too isolated in the capital, too much of a loner. Do you understand what I mean?”
Yun Yishu said after drinking a cup of tea.
"You mean we should befriend some officials and seek asylum?" Ziwan asked.
"Yes, that's roughly the idea. It's also important to make connections with officials, but there's no rush."
"Don't be fooled by how smoothly things are going right now. As our business grows, it will only get bigger and bigger."
"It's inevitable that this will affect other people's interests," Yun Duoduo added.
Liao Ziwan nodded in agreement.
"We need to find some allies."
Yun Yishu continued, "Look, Brother Chu's painting studio, we established a chamber of commerce back then."
"We have signed contracts with the owners of Feilong Painting Studio in the east of the city, Ruyi Painting Studio in the suburbs, Shengjing Painting Studio, Qifu Painting Studio, and Xiangrui Painting Studio in the south of the city to help each other and prevent unfair and malicious competition."
"Yes, this is quite good." Liao Ziwan nodded.
"Yes, so I'm thinking that our silk business could also establish relationships with cloth shops, weaving workshops, and so on in the capital. What do you think?"
"Yes, that's wonderful! How come I didn't think of that?"
Liao Ziwan clapped her hands, her face beaming with joy.
"Well, we are both competitors and partners. If one of us runs out of stock, we can help each other out, because each cloth shop has its own regular customers in terms of region and distance."
"good."
"Do you know any of the managers or owners of these cloth or silk shops?"
"Yes, I do know some of the shopkeepers, but I really didn't expect that we could cooperate before."
"Wen Yanli, the owner of Wen Family Cloth Shop in the East Market, is from the same hometown as me. I also know Pei Xiuer, the manager of the Weaving Shop in the West of the City."
"Um."
"How about we arrange to have a meal together with these shopkeepers and owners soon, so we can exchange ideas and catch up?"
"Great! I'll ask around this afternoon. How about we meet at Manjianghong Restaurant tomorrow at noon?"
"Okay, no problem, then thank you for your hard work, Ziwan!"
"Oh right, let's invite Chaos Stone along too."
Ziwan took a sip of tea and said to Yun Yishu, "He knows a lot of people."
"Alright, I'll go to the painting shop later and ask Brother Chu. If he knows any shopkeepers, I'll invite them too."
"good."
After leaving Jinxiu Silk Shop, Yun Duoduo and Yun Yishu arrived at Yuexiayuan Painting Workshop. They saw Chu Dunshi busy mounting new paintings, so they went to the inner room to drink tea and eat snacks while waiting for him.
After he finished his work, Yun Yishu told him about his conversation with Ziwan at the Brocade Silk Shop.
“Okay! I’ll explain things to Zheng Xiang in a bit, and then I’ll go ask the shopkeepers I know.”
"Oh dear, boss, you have no idea how many shopkeepers from cloth shops and clothing stores come to our painting studio to buy paintings!"
"Let's take this opportunity to have a good meal together and catch up with each other!"
Chu Dunshi continued talking non-stop, "By the way, the Manjianghong Restaurant recently launched steamed pork ribs with maple leaves and fish-fragrant fried rice. I heard it's extremely delicious."
"Okay, okay,"
Yun Yishu laughed heartily, as the food was exactly what he liked: "Then let's meet at Manjianghong Restaurant tomorrow at noon!"
"Okay!"
After explaining a series of matters and chatting for a while, Yun Duoduo and Yun Yishu returned to the palace. On the way, they bought some rare jewelry, small gourds, and other antiques and carved artworks to give to the shopkeepers when they met the next day. The gifts were not large or very valuable, so they were easy to carry and the recipients would not feel burdened by accepting them.
...
In the evening, Yun Duoduo lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling with her big eyes.
The silk trade and painting workshops are gradually getting back on track.
only……
[Sigh, the truth about Mother's situation is still unclear. I initially thought Zheng Yi'er was the mastermind, but it turns out it wasn't her.]
[Linhua Palace...]
It seems I should inquire more about Linhua Palace these days.
[And also, Sumire's older brother...]
Is Sumire's brother still arranging marriages?
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