27 Wedding Attire
◎“A single stitch in embroidery symbolizes the unity of husband and wife.”◎
Xiao Pingchuan caused quite a stir this time, and the news spread like wildfire throughout the capital. Shen Suqin naturally heard about it as well.
She didn't know what he was planning to do, but she knew very well that provoking the powerful families like this would definitely not do him any good.
She initially thought she should go to the general's mansion to ask, but then she realized she didn't seem to have any standing.
Besides, Xiao Pingchuan isn't a child; he definitely has his own considerations when doing things, so she probably doesn't need to worry about him.
With their wedding date approaching, the two parties involved are arguing so much that they don't even speak to each other, but the wedding preparations haven't been reduced at all.
Princess Changtai was naturally unwilling to help her arrange the marriage, so Jiang Yao handled all the big and small matters, and Shen Suqin herself didn't care.
"This wedding dress was made in a hurry, I don't know if you'll like it," Jiang Yao asked Shen Suqin, holding up the wedding dress.
Shen Suqin touched the twin blossoms pattern on her bright red brocade wedding dress and said, "It's very well made, I like it very much."
"If you like it, that's good. I learned this twin-flower pattern from Sister Yang on North Street. She said that each stitch represents a couple's unity, and that you two will live happily ever after. I know that you didn't choose this husband yourself, and he may not be to your liking. But General Xiao is a great hero, and I'm sure he's a good person and good-looking. Just get along well after marriage and develop feelings for each other."
"It's okay if you don't get better. Come back to me and I'll take care of you."
Shen Suqin put down the wedding dress in her hand, leaned over and hugged Jiang Yao in her arms, "Okay."
"Zhaozhao, your mother hopes you will live a carefree and happy life, unlike me." Jiang Yao gently patted her back.
Shen Suqin felt a pang of tenderness in her heart. "I know."
As the two were talking, a sound suddenly came from the courtyard.
"Shen Suqin, come out." It was Shen Suqiu's voice.
Shen Suqin calculated the days and realized it was time to go to Jinyunfang to purchase goods, which probably made her realize something was wrong.
"Don't come out of the house. I'm going out to say a few words to her."
"good."
In the courtyard, Shen Suqiu stood with a livid face, her eyes practically spitting fire when she saw her come out.
Shen Suqin walked over with a smile and said casually, "This is the first time I've seen you so out of control."
Shen Suqiu grabbed her wrist. "How did you convince the Su family?"
"Don't you know that I grew up with Master Su as my childhood sweetheart?"
Shen Suqiu was speechless. "Do you know who's behind Jinyunfang?"
"Know."
"Then you still dare?"
Did you go to see him?
"Who should I look for?"
Shen Suqin leaned closer to her, "Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Shen Suqiu remained silent. She did not go to look for her. If she could not resolve this matter, then the Crown Prince would have no need to continue using her.
"His Highness the Crown Prince is on my side this time."
Shen Suqiu instinctively grabbed her wrist and pulled her over, questioning, "How is this possible!"
The two were so close they were almost touching. Shen Suqin pulled away with disdain: "Is that all you've got? All you do is ask why."
Shen Suqiu was furious.
She had only heard the news yesterday that the Shen family had refused to supply goods, citing that the head of the Shen family was ill and had no time to handle business.
She then sent people to inquire with other suppliers, who gave all sorts of strange reasons, but all refused to supply her.
Unfortunately, Jin Yun Fang has been doing very well lately, and has received many pre-orders.
If Jin Yun Fang cannot fulfill its pre-orders, it will be burdened with huge penalties for breach of contract. Crucially, if its integrity is destroyed, its business will be ruined as well.
"Are you so sure I won't be able to restock?" Shen Suqiu asked.
Shen Suqin shook her head. "How could that be? There are so many people in the fabric business in the world, you're sure you can find one."
Just kidding, she still has a large amount of fabric she bought from Jinyunfang in her hands. If we don't sell it to her, how will we recoup our costs?
"Then what exactly is your purpose in doing this?"
If all she's doing is forcing her to switch suppliers, what's the point of all this?
Shen Suqin didn't answer her directly, but asked, "I'm curious, how did you find out about me so quickly?"
"Fast? I think it's too slow."
I don't know when she started planning this.
It's also my own fault for thinking I was safe and sound because I had the Crown Prince backing me up, and for not taking things seriously at all.
“You haven’t answered my question yet,” Shen Suqin reminded him.
"Is it that difficult? I have never had any conflicts with anyone other than you and me."
"oh."
"So what do you want?"
Shen Suqin laughed: "I've noticed that your memory isn't very good."
Shen Suqiu frowned, the words Shen Suqin had said that night flashing through her mind, "You want me to lose everything?"
"You got it right."
"Do you know that once I have to import goods from the south at high prices, the price of cloth sold will inevitably rise as well? At that time, the cloth shops in the capital will also see their prices rise, and it will be the common people who suffer. With the cold winter approaching, I wonder how many people will be unable to afford cloth and winter clothes."
"I know."
"To deal with just one person, you're dragging the entire city down with you? How can you bear that?"
Shen Suqin looked at her with a strange expression. "I've discovered you've misunderstood something. I'm the most heartless person you can be. But you, if you're going to feel bad about it, then pay out of your own pocket and don't raise the price."
"Why should I...?"
"Aren't we the same kind of people? Equally ruthless."
Shen Suqiu was speechless again.
“I told you, I would leave you with nothing, no power, no fame,” Shen Suqin whispered.
"You think I'm a vegetarian?" Shen Suqiu gritted her teeth.
Shen Suqin tilted her head and slowly said, "Then let's rely on our own abilities."
"Each relies on their own abilities!"
After leaving home, Shen Suqiu went straight to the Imperial Academy. First, she asked her teacher for leave, and then she sent someone to summon all the managers of the Jinyunfang branch stores to the Shen residence.
They took the account books and handed them all over to Shen Suqiu.
The older managers, all over fifty, respected this person in charge, after all, she had studied at the Imperial Academy and had a good reputation. Moreover, after she took over Jinyunfang, the business flourished, and many branches were opened within two years.
“I see that your accounts show a considerable surplus,” Shen Suqiu said.
"Yes, business was very good a while ago."
"How much inventory do you have left?" she asked again.
"Not much, five days is the limit."
"I can last for half a month here."
"We've run out of stock on East Street; we're waiting for delivery."
......
The shopkeepers spoke one by one.
Shen Suqiu nodded, "We'll suspend sales for the next few days and prioritize fulfilling pre-orders. Also, everyone should redistribute their inventory and try to hold out for a few more days. I've already sent people south to find new sources of goods; I don't believe that no one besides the Shen family wants to do business with me."
After she finished speaking, none of the shopkeepers said a word.
Those with excess inventory are unwilling to share it, while those without inventory are too embarrassed to ask.
After all, shopkeepers are paid on commission. If they share the goods with others, they earn less themselves. Everyone knows this.
Seeing this, Shen Suqiu understood the key point after a moment's thought, and said unhappily, "Everyone is selling the Jinyunfang brand. If Jinyunfang collapses, you will all have to step down as well. You should have some foresight and think long-term."
Unfortunately, even after she made those remarks, no shopkeeper was willing to step forward.
Shen Suqiu looked around and saw that everyone was avoiding her gaze, so she slammed the account book on the table and said fiercely, "Since none of you are willing, then I will send someone to move it myself."
Still furious, she continued, "With your attitude, you think you can fight that bitch? Listen carefully, I am speaking to you now as the legitimate daughter of Princess Changtai. If you continue to ignore me, don't blame me for replacing you immediately."
The shopkeepers panicked and apologized profusely, saying they were willing to work together to overcome the difficulties.
Shen Suqiu snorted coldly, "You can also find your own sources of goods. Whoever resolves the shop's crisis first will receive a reward."
"yes."
"It's the person in charge."
After finishing her business here, Shen Suqiu dismissed everyone and then went to the Pei residence.
When the steward of the Pei household heard that she had come to visit, he came out with a smile and said, "Is Miss Pei here to see the eldest young lady?"
"I'm looking for my uncle-in-law; is he at home?"
Seeing her serious expression, the steward also suppressed his smile and said in a low voice, "The master is in the study. I'll take you there."
"Thank you for your trouble."
Upon arriving at the study, Guan knocked on the door first to announce his arrival. Only after receiving a reply from inside did he open the door to let Shen Suqiu in.
"Why are you here?" Pei Ruhai asked her, sitting behind his desk. He was writing something in his hand, and his brush did not stop as he spoke.
"Shen Suqiu has gotten involved with the Crown Prince." Shen Suqiu found a chair and sat down.
"who?"
"The one from the countryside was betrothed to Xiao Pingchuan."
“Her,” Pei Ruhai put down his brush and carefully examined the words on the table, “said that the officialdom of the Great Liang was rotten to the core, and even trampled on Zhan Boyan’s face.”
It's her.
"What did she do now?"
"She tried to win over the Crown Prince and cut off Jinyunfang's supply of goods, probably in an attempt to bring down Jinyunfang."
"Huh? She has that ability?"
“It’s absolutely true, I just confronted her.”
"I see."
Seeing that he spoke so casually, Shen Suqiu worried that he hadn't taken it to heart, so she leaned forward and continued, "She blatantly denigrated the aristocratic families at the Yinshan Residence Discussion Meeting, and the Crown Prince has always had a problem with the aristocratic families. Do you think their cooperation might pose a threat to us?"
Pei Ruhai shifted his gaze to Shen Suqiu's face, "I remember that you have been supporting the Crown Prince and the Northern Border for the past two years."
"yes."
"Then why did you help the Crown Prince when you knew he had designs on the aristocratic families? You should know that we had a hard time getting him to the western suburbs two years ago."
Why didn't my uncle stop me?
Pei Ruhai smiled but remained silent.
You can't just bet on one thing. Besides, he knows every penny that Jin Yun Fang has spent. Shi Ye can't make a fortune out of that little bit of money. He still has to remember the kindness of the Shen family and even the Pei family.
Shen Suqiu's worries eased somewhat. "What does Uncle think about Shen Suqin's matter?"
"Let her be. I'm just telling you that Xiao Pingchuan is finished. She has no one to rely on. What are you afraid of her for?"
"Xiao Pingchuan?"
Pei Ruhai nodded. "There's no need to mention this to outsiders."
Shen Suqiu nodded solemnly.
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