After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 148 The Scandal Spreads
He was immediately drawn in by the rich aroma as soon as he entered the door. After settling the donkey cart, he rushed into the kitchen, exclaiming, "What delicious food are you making? It smells so good!"

Su Tai turned around and smiled at him, "Boiled fish, I'm breastfeeding now, so I can't eat much. This is perfect for you to eat your fill!"

Shen Yi then noticed the fish in the tank, his eyes widening in surprise. "You went to catch fish again?"

Their family was still busy this winter, and they hadn't done any fish business.

Su Tai nodded. "There are plenty of fish in there now, and they're especially plump. You'll know once you try them. When you have time, go to Dongmen Village and ask my dad if anyone in the village is selling fish this year. Ask him to come and pick up the fish from our house."

“Okay, I can’t handle it all by myself anyway, let’s earn a little less.” Shen Yi grinned and carried a large pot of fish to the main room.

Su Tai followed behind, carrying a bowl of flatbread.

As soon as the two sat down, she eagerly filled a bowl for Shen Yi, looking at him expectantly, "Try it and see how it tastes."

Shen Yi followed her suggestion and took a bite. He was suddenly hit by the spiciness, but then found it incredibly delicious. He ate it again carefully, nodding vigorously as he ate, "Delicious! So delicious! This is the first time in my life I've ever thought fish tasted so good! Honey, you're amazing!"

Su Tai was flattered by the praise and started eating as well.

After the meal, Shen Yi washed the pots and pans on his own initiative before handing the money bag to Su Tai. "Two thousand catties of brown sugar have all been sold. One tael is twelve coins, and one catty is one hundred and twenty coins. A total of two hundred and forty taels were sold."

“I thought it could sell for three hundred taels.” Su Tai was a little surprised.

Shen Yi chuckled and curled the corners of his mouth. "I originally wanted to set the price higher, but that would slow down the sales and might cause us to run into Young Master Bai, which would be inappropriate. It's better to take a loss and sell the brown sugar as soon as possible. In any case, we'll still make money."

Last time I heard my aunt say that she had a lot of resentment towards the Bai family, so I wanted to take this opportunity to help her out. I sold it at a lower price, because it would be impossible for the young master Bai to sell it to the merchants in these four towns at a higher price.

Zhaohua County only has eight towns in total, and we've ruined half of their business. He must have suffered huge losses.”

Upon hearing this, Su Tai breathed a sigh of relief and happily began to play with her daughter.

Just as Shen Yi had said, Bai Feng was venting his anger on the steward in Qiufeng Courtyard, saying, "I've already visited the towns and discussed things with the merchants there, so why are half of them now rejecting our goods?"

The steward was trembling with fear, cold sweat beading on his forehead even in the dead of winter. "Young Master, I did deliver the goods as you instructed, but they thought our price was too high. They insisted that they wouldn't accept goods if the price was over twelve coins per ounce, and told us to find out the price before releasing the goods."

"Outrageous!" Bai Feng swept the teacups off the table, roaring furiously, "One tael and eighteen coins, that price was agreed upon long ago, and now they've gone back on their word, and they still think they're right?"

The steward hesitated, unsure how to offer advice, when Madam Bai arrived.

"Okay, step back!"

Bai Feng frowned in dissatisfaction. "Mother, he didn't do a good job, and you just let him go like that?"

Madam Bai glanced at her son and ordered all the servants around her to leave.

"He is one of your father's confidants, and there is no doubt about his ability to handle things. What good will it do you to take your anger out on him now, except to undermine people's morale?" Madam Bai said earnestly. "At this point, you should be thinking about sending someone to investigate. There must be a reason why so many merchants have suddenly turned against you."

Either they got the goods at a lower price, or someone is deliberately targeting you and trying to trip you up. "Impossible!" Bai Feng denied without hesitation, making a great commotion as he sat down next to Madam Bai. "In the entire Zhaohua County, only our Bai, Zhu, and Cui families have any influence with the county magistrate. Even the county lieutenant has to fawn over us. Who would dare to trip me up?"

This batch of goods was originally given to me by the Zhu family. Their business is in the county seat, and they don't care about the towns below. As far as I know, the Cui family didn't manage to get any goods.

Madam Bai's brows furrowed deeper, her expression turning sinister. "If that's the case, what are you afraid of! Send someone to investigate! I want to see who's pulling these tricks behind my back!"

"Madam, Madam, something terrible has happened!" Suddenly, Granny Li rushed into the room.

Madam Bai was already furious, so she slammed her hand on the table, her voice now laced with a hint of ruthlessness, "Granny Li! What are you trying to do, acting so rashly?"

Seeing that her two masters' expressions were not right, Granny Li quickly knelt down and apologized, pitifully explaining, "Something has happened to Madam! This old servant was so anxious that I lost my composure. Please forgive me, Masters!"

"What is it?" Bai Feng asked in an unfriendly tone.

Granny Li immediately and urgently told her what had happened.

"Rumors are spreading throughout the city today, saying that the eldest young master is having an affair with Cuilan behind the eldest young mistress's back. Even Cuilan's past has been dug up. Everyone knows that she was the eldest young mistress's dowry maid and that she is married."

"Everyone outside is saying, everyone is saying..." Seeing that her mistress's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, Granny Li dared not utter a word.

Bai Feng clenched his fists tightly, forcing out each word through gritted teeth, "What did you say?"

Granny Li shrank back slightly, then forced herself to say, "Everyone says the young master is indiscriminate in his desires, even going after the servants' women. They also say the Bai family's upbringing is worrisome, lacking any manners or ethics."

"Enough!" Madam Bai was so angry that she almost collapsed.

Bai Feng was startled and quickly shouted, "Find a doctor! Find a doctor!"

At the same time, Madam Zhu also heard the rumors outside. Thinking about how she had endured humiliation during this period, she became furious and ordered her maids and servants to bring Cuilan over.

"Cuilan, I believe I have treated you well. You have been by my side since you were little, and I have always protected you. Is this how you repay me?" Madam Zhu stared at Cuilan with bloodshot eyes, her old and new grudges erupting completely at this moment.

Cuilan was so frightened that her face turned pale, and she knelt down repeatedly, begging for mercy, "Young Madam, those are all rumors, I am innocent, I am innocent!"

"Cuilan! There's no smoke without fire. Whether it's true or just a rumor, the master will naturally investigate thoroughly. But your behavior these past few days has been so improper. Are you really being wronged?" Rulan protested loudly, filled with righteous indignation.

Cuilan was scolded like a quail, but she kept her head down and insisted that she was innocent.

Seeing her defiant attitude, Madam Zhu was furious. She stood up abruptly and said, "Fine! You want to prove your innocence? Now go to the courtyard and swear to heaven that you, Cuilan, have never betrayed your master and have never had an affair with the young master. If this is false, may you be struck by lightning and die a horrible death, and may you never have a good end in this life!"

Cuilan looked up at Madam Zhu in disbelief, tears streaming down her face. "Young Madam..."

Zhu, with an overbearing air, stared intently at her and said, word by word, "Do you dare?"