The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Chapter 729 The Princess Makes Her Appearance

"I think you're jealous of your sister-in-law?"

If we were to say who understood Liu Yue'e best, it would have to be her mother, Zhao.

Liu Yue'e said, "Who wouldn't be jealous? She was originally the most honest one in the family, yet she has such great fortune. If I had known, I would have adopted Xiaolong back then. Isn't it more believable that he's Dashu's illegitimate child than the eldest son's illegitimate child?"

Zhao scoffed and said, "Why didn't you step forward back then? Wasn't it because you thought the risk was too high? Do you think I don't know what you were thinking? You only regret it now because you saw your sister-in-law profiting from this. You want to climb up when there's something good, but you shrink back when there's risk. You think you can get all the benefits?"

"Who wouldn't want to benefit? At the time, I thought he was some rich young master being chased. If I had known he was the crown prince, I would have stood up too. That's how the saying 'fortune favors the bold' comes about."

Zhao rolled her eyes and said, "Give me a break."

Fortune favors the bold, but Chen Sufeng had no such idea.

"It's no use knowing. Don't you know what happened when Xiaolong came to your house? So many people surrounded the village searching for the son of a traitor. If you had known he was the Crown Prince back then, you would have been terrified. If it weren't for your mother-in-law being so powerful, you might have been able to hand over the Crown Prince and claim the reward. Don't think your sister-in-law is a lady now; she earned that with her life. Think about it: if the Emperor were to investigate the crime of hiding Xiaolong back then, would your sister-in-law have escaped? Whether she gets a reward or is convicted, isn't it all up to the Emperor? So don't think about anything else. What's not yours isn't yours. You can wait for Dashu and Yaozu to earn it for you."

Liu Yue'e was merely jealous of Chen Sufeng's good fortune; she had no intention of taking Chen Sufeng's wife away from her.

Zhao's words instantly filled him with hope.

That's right, she also has Yaozu.

Given the "cousin" relationship between Yaozu and Taisun, wouldn't she be able to become a wife in the future?

"Mother, you're right. My Yaozu isn't good at studying, but he's lucky to be a cousin of the Crown Prince. When Yaozu comes home, I'll have him beg the Crown Prince to let him be his personal bodyguard or something. I heard the Emperor isn't satisfied with any of his sons, which is why he brought the Crown Prince back. Rumors in Shengjing are saying that the Crown Prince might ascend the throne directly, and my Yaozu will have done a great service to the Emperor. So..."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Zhao scolded.

Looking around to make sure no one was watching, he ran to the doorway and swept the area, then pointed at Liu Yue'e's forehead and scolded, "Are you a pig-brain? You've been showing off for a few days in Shengjing, haven't you? You think you can discuss the next emperor? If someone with ulterior motives finds out, they'll accuse you of treason. Can't you just shut your mouth up when you're eating? If your mother-in-law hears this, she'll send you to Qinghewan sooner or later."

Liu Yue'e was so frightened that she stuck out her tongue.

Oh no, I misspoke.

"Mother, I know what I'm doing. I won't say anything once I leave this room."

She doesn't want to go back to Qinghe Bay.

I feel so comfortable in Shengjing.

While Zhao was disciplining Liu Yue'e at home, Tong Huaqiong had already walked across two streets in Shengjing.

Shengjing truly deserves to be called the most prosperous city of this era.

Shops lined both sides of the street, offering a wide variety of businesses: restaurants, teahouses, pharmacies, gold and silver shops, bookstores, and entertainment venues.
The whole city was enveloped in noise.

Tong Huaqiong learned from Manager He that there was no curfew in Shengjing, and many shops would stay open all night.

Jufulai is located on the most bustling Dongshi Street.

Tong Huaqiong inspected Jufulai and was extremely satisfied.

That's why Shengjing is said to be prosperous; Jufulai was packed with people.

Based on the business plan that Tong Huaqiong gave to Lu Zhaozhao in the prefectural city for the rouge and face powder shop, Gu Taohua set up the second floor of Jufulai as a VIP area.

VIP users only need to register their purchases, and the staff will deliver the items throughout the city.

Tong Huaqiong thought to herself, "Isn't this just like some ancient troupe?"
In order to promote cotton cloth and expand their own textile business.

Jufulai set aside four whole rows of shelves specifically for displaying various cotton fabrics. Many people from Shengjing gathered around to select the fabrics.

On her way from home to the shop, Tong Huaqiong paid special attention to the clothing of the people on the street. She could tell at a glance that the cotton cloth worn by many people was produced by her own weaving workshop.

Besides Jufulai, there's also Taohua Dessert, which has opened four branches in just a few months.

Shengjing was, after all, the capital city, and the people there had tasted and seen many different kinds of pastries, so they were more discerning about them.

Peach Blossom Desserts has put in a lot of effort to win over the palates of the people of Shengjing. Before Peach Blossom came to Shengjing, Tong Huaqiong gave Gu Taohua her most treasured recipes, and even the pastry chefs were brought from Peach Blossom Desserts in the prefectural city.

"It's just a pastry chef, right? Our Prince Yu's Mansion will take him. Why are you making such a fuss? Our princess has taken a liking to your Peach Blossom Desserts' pastry chef, which is already a huge favor. Today, I must take him away."

Tong Huaqiong was very satisfied after inspecting Peach Blossom Dessert Shop. As she was about to leave after checking the accounts on the second floor, she heard an arrogant voice coming from downstairs.

Prince Yu's Mansion.

Tong Huaqiong's heart stirred. In Tong Dajiao's memories of her previous life, the one who captured Gu Jingzhe after the imperial examination was Princess Mingyue of the Yuwang Mansion.

She was saying this morning that she wanted to meet this princess, and now she's run into her?

Tong Huaqiong stood on the steps and looked down.

A beautifully dressed maidservant is standing with her hands on her hips, cursing.

"Alas, we cannot afford to offend the Prince Yu's residence."

Manager Tang, who was reporting the business situation to Tong Huaqiong, shook his head, then hurriedly went downstairs, giving the maid a fawning smile.

“Miss, it is an honor for Peach Blossom Desserts that the princess appreciates Chef Liu’s skills. Chef Liu is a bit clumsy and might not be able to serve the princess well. So let her stay at Peach Blossom Desserts. Whenever the princess wants pastries, just send someone to let us know, and we will send someone to deliver them to the princess when they are ready.”

The maidservant glared at Manager Tang and said, "Since you know it's an honor, why won't you release him? Ask around the whole of Shengjing, who doesn't want to work at Prince Yu's mansion? Yet your Peach Blossom Dessert Shop puts on airs and acts all high and mighty. He's just a pastry chef, why do you expect our princess to visit him three times? Don't you even know if you're worthy?" The maidservant became increasingly arrogant.

The maid waved to the outside, and a group of guards appeared at the entrance of Peach Blossom Dessert Shop.

The customers were so frightened that they scattered in all directions.

Tong Huaqiong squinted as she looked downstairs.

From the maid's cursing, I roughly understood why Peach Blossom Desserts had clashed with Prince Yu's Mansion.

Peach Blossom Dessert Shop has a chef named Liu, who was Master Qiao's first female apprentice in Fucheng. She makes excellent desserts, especially cream-filled snails.

This year, Shengjing Peach Blossom Dessert Shop needed a pastry chef, so Ningcheng Peach Blossom Dessert Shop sent Chef Liu.

Princess Mingyue has a particular fondness for creamy snails.

She was so amazed by the creamy conch shell dessert made with peach blossoms that she wanted to kidnap Master Liu and bring him to the Prince Yu's mansion to make desserts just for her.

Master Liu refused, which angered Princess Mingyue, who then brought her maids to snatch him away.

“Since even the princess herself couldn’t persuade Master Liu to come, then don’t blame the princess for being impolite. It seems Master Liu doesn’t like scholars, but prefers martial arts.” The maid raised her chin and looked at Manager Tang.

She was furious. Despite making such a big scene, Mr. Liu just stayed inside and wouldn't come out.

Isn't she just a country girl who knows how to bake?

What's there to be proud of? They even dared to defy the princess.

Then don't blame her for being rude.