After the favored concubine remarried, the aloof and powerful minister forcibly took her away.

Chapter 184 Cooperation Business
The woman was clearly taken aback by Xiang Ning's audacity and stood frozen in place, her face turning pale and then flushed.

The man standing behind her also looked embarrassed, stammering as if he wanted to explain but didn't know where to begin.

"You...you dare to treat me like this? Do you know who I am?"

The woman came to her senses and shouted in a fierce but cowardly tone.

Xiang Ning sneered: "I don't care who you are. If you cause trouble in my embroidery workshop, you will have to pay the price."

At this moment, the embroiderer had already rushed out to report to the authorities.

Seeing this, the woman panicked a little, but still stubbornly said, "Hmph, go ahead and report me to the authorities. I want to see what the government can do to me. You're just a small embroidery shop owner, what can you do to me?"

Shang Yan sat to the side, watching the scene with great interest, and his appreciation for Xiang Ning grew even more.

He never expected to encounter such a courageous woman in Ling'an City.

Before long, the government officials arrived.

The head constable entered the embroidery shop, looked at everyone, and asked, "What happened?"

Xiang Ning stepped forward and clearly recounted the whole story.

Upon hearing this, the constable turned to look at the couple, his face darkening: "Is this true?"

The woman tried to argue, but the man tugged at her clothes and whispered, "Stop making a scene, let's go."

He knew in his heart that they were in the wrong today, and if they really took it to the authorities, they probably wouldn't get away with it.

Furthermore, this is a shop owned by the Lu Family Trading Company. If we offend the Lu Family Trading Company, will they still be able to operate in Ling'an in the future?

The woman was unwilling to give up and shouted, "Why should I leave? She dared to splash water on me and even sent someone to report her to the authorities. I will make her pay today!"

The constable frowned and said, "Madam, if what this young lady says is true, you have caused trouble without cause and insulted someone's reputation. According to the law, you should indeed be punished."

Upon hearing this, the woman immediately burst into tears: "Sir, you must do justice for me! She seduced my husband, that's why I came to confront her."

Xiang Ning looked at the man and said coldly, "You say I seduced your husband? Then I'd like to ask you, brother, when did I seduce you?"

The man looked embarrassed and stammered, "I... my wife misunderstood, I'm really sorry, young lady."

Seeing this, the head constable understood the situation and said to the woman, "Now that you know it's a misunderstanding, why don't you leave quickly and stop causing trouble here?"

Seeing that the officials were biased towards Xiang Ning, the woman was indignant but dared not cause any more trouble. She could only stomp her feet, glare at Xiang Ning resentfully, and then leave with the man.

The constable turned to Xiang Ning and said, "Miss, let's leave it at that. If they cause trouble again, just report it to the authorities."

Xiang Ning thanked the constable and saw him off.

Shang Yan stood up, walked to Xiang Ning, and said with a smile, "Second Miss, today has truly broadened my horizons. I never expected that you not only make excellent embroidery, but you are also very capable of dealing with such a shrew."

Xiang Ning smiled slightly: "Young Master Shang, you flatter me. I was just trying to protect my legitimate rights and interests, not wanting to be humiliated for no reason."

Shang Yan looked at her, a peculiar glint in his eyes: "Second Miss is so intelligent and decisive, I wonder if you would be interested in cooperating with me?"

Xiang Ning was slightly taken aback: "Cooperation? I wonder what kind of cooperation Young Master Shang is referring to?"

Shang Yan wasn't in a hurry and said slowly, "My family does business with Westerners and barbarians, and we often need some exquisite embroidery as gifts or items for sale."

"Having seen the craftsmanship of your embroidery workshop today, I think it's a perfect fit. If you're willing, we can make a fortune together." Xiang Ning's heart stirred. She was thinking about how to expand the embroidery workshop's business, and Shang Yan's suggestion seemed like a good opportunity.

But she also knew that the business world was like a battlefield, and she couldn't agree rashly.

Xiang Ning said cautiously, "I'll consider Young Master Shang's suggestion."

Shang Yan nodded: "It's alright, Miss. Please consider it. I'll wait for good news."

After saying this, he took his leave. Xiang Ning watched Shang Yan's departing figure and fell into deep thought.

After returning to the Lu residence that evening, Xiang Ning told Lu Jiang and Lu Weimin about the incident.

Lu Weimin had no objections. He knew about the merchants, not to mention that Xiang Ning had previously made business with them.

There's no harm in the two companies collaborating.

However, Lu Jiang felt that something was amiss.

"Although Shang Yan is young, he is very arrogant. I have never heard of him taking the initiative to invite others to do business."

Ever since his younger sister was born, Lu Jiang has become overly concerned about anything involving Xiang Ning.

Lu Jiang frowned and paced back and forth in the hall, continuing, "Moreover, the merchants' businesses are large, and the embroidery workshops they usually cooperate with are all renowned in the industry. Although our embroidery workshop is managed by A Ning and has recently gained some fame, it still lags behind those established brands. Shang Yan's sudden proposal for cooperation is probably a trap."

Upon hearing Lu Jiang's words, Xiang Ning couldn't help but feel doubtful. Her initial interest in cooperation was now somewhat diminished by her suspicions.

She pondered for a moment and said, "What my elder brother said makes sense. I was tempted at the time, after all, it was a good opportunity to expand the embroidery workshop's business, so I didn't refuse on the spot."

Lu Weimin stroked his beard and slowly said, "Jiang'er, your concerns are valid, but we can't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Merchants hold a very important position in the business world. If we can really reach a cooperation agreement with them, it will be a rare opportunity for our Lu Family Business and Embroidery Workshop."

"A-Ning, keep a close eye on Shang Yan's movements these next few days, and find out about the recent business situation of the Shang family to see if they have ulterior motives for proposing cooperation."

Xiang Ning nodded in agreement: "Okay, Uncle."

Over the next few days, Xiang Ning arranged the daily affairs of the embroidery workshop while sending Manager Liu and several clever embroiderers to inquire about information from various places.

Manager Liu had a wide network of connections and quickly brought back some information.

“Master, I heard that the merchant has recently encountered some trouble in his business in the West. It seems that he had a conflict with a local chamber of commerce, which has led to a backlog of goods and some difficulties in cash flow.”

Manager Liu said with a serious expression.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning wondered to herself, "Could it be that Shang Yan proposed the cooperation in order to alleviate his financial pressure through the embroidery business?"
But if that's the case, why did he specifically choose his own embroidery workshop?
Just as Xiang Ning was pondering, Shang Yan sent another invitation, inviting Xiang Ning to a business gathering to be held at Zui Xian Lou in three days.

It is said that many business celebrities will be present, and they hope that Xiang Ning can grace them with her presence and take the opportunity to discuss cooperation in detail.

Shang Yan did not look down on Xiang Ning because she was a woman; on the contrary, he was very respectful.

Xiang Ning held the invitation, caught in a dilemma.

Going there might be a trap; not going might mean missing an opportunity.

After much thought, she decided to discuss it with Lu Jiang and Lu Weimin.

Xiang Ning now trusts her uncle and elder brother very much.

In the next chapter, Pei Yanzhi arrives! Rivals meeting are bound to be furious!
(End of this chapter)