Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

In my previous life, these hidden dangers went unaddressed, probably because these customers came knocking on my door demanding repayment.

"Uncle Shen," she looked up at Shen Huaide, "how much stock do we have left in our shop?"

Shen Huaide was taken aback, his face showing a distressed expression, and he reluctantly led the way.

"Then we'll have to go check the wine cellar. When the Wen family came, Xiao Song was quick-witted and sealed up the wine in the backyard cellar beforehand."

"Otherwise, the losses would be much greater than these."

The two walked through the backyard and arrived at the wine cellar.

The door was locked. Shen Huaide took out his key and opened it. The keychain jingled as he moved slowly.

The wine cellar was pitch black, with only a sliver of light filtering in through the high window.

"Xiao Song!" Shen Huaide called out, his voice tinged with impatience.

The haystack in the corner stirred, and a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old peeked out, his eyes still sleepy.

"Uncle Shen?"

The boy rubbed his eyes and sat up. When he saw Shen Qiongju, he immediately woke up and hurriedly stood up.

"Sister Qiongju!"

Shen Qiongju recognized him.

Shen Song was rescued from human traffickers by Shen Huaifeng when he was seven years old and adopted at home. Over the years, he has been working as a waiter in the shop with Shen Huaide.

In his previous life, Shen Song had his leg broken by debt collectors while trying to protect his wine shop. Later, the shop was sold, and he disappeared without a trace.

When they met again, the boy still had that same honest and simple look, but there was a hint of fear in his eyes.

"Xiao Song, go open the wine cellar and let Miss see how much wine we have left," Shen Huaide ordered, a hint of barely perceptible complaint in his tone. "After seeing it, you'll know our family really doesn't have much money left."

"Why!"

Shen Song responded and went deep into the wine cellar. He returned shortly after and reported, "Sister Qiongju, our signature Jingbian Spring wine still has twenty large jars of wine less than five years old, and the remaining fifteen large jars are fine vintages over ten years old! They're all stored very well!"

The aroma of wine wafted gently from the cellar.

It is strong, mellow, and carries an intoxicating medicinal aroma.

Shen Qiongju closed her eyes, and memories flooded back like a tide.

In her previous life, Wen Xiujie took her family's Jingbianchun recipe to the border and presented it to General Weibei.

A military doctor in the Weibei army said that this wine was very strong and could be used to clean wounds to prevent them from festering.

With constant warfare on the border and countless wounded soldiers, Jingbianchun (a type of spring tea) suddenly became a military supply.

As a result, Wen Xiujie gained the favor of General Weibei and rose rapidly through the ranks.

"Qiongju, what are you going to do?" Shen Huaide's voice interrupted her thoughts, his tone full of doubt. "These liquors... don't get your hopes up too high that you can make the same money as before. In this day and age, people can't even afford to eat, who would buy such strong liquor?"

She opened her eyes and looked at Shen Huaide: "Uncle Shen, not a single jar of these wines may be sold."

Shen Huaide's eyes widened. "But we're short of money right now! We can't supply the goods we ordered, the shop and signboard were smashed, and your father is still in bed... If we sell these wines at a low price, we can at least recoup some of our costs!"

He grew increasingly anxious as he spoke, "Qiongju, you're just a young girl, you don't understand these kinds of businesses. Take Uncle Shen's advice, sell these bottles of wine while the old customers still remember the Shen family's name, and figure out what to do with the rest later..."

"I know," Shen Qiongju interrupted him, her tone still somewhat excited, "but these aged wines will be worth more than silver in the future."

She turned around, her gaze sweeping over the wine jars in the storeroom.

"Uncle Shen, let me ask you, besides my father, who else knows the recipe for Jingbianchun wine from our distillery?"

Shen Huaide was taken aback by her sudden question. After thinking for a moment, he said, "It's just me, Xiaosong, and Old Li, who brews wine. But Old Li passed away last year. His son refused to take over and went back to the countryside to farm."

After he finished speaking, he couldn't help but mutter, "What's the use of a good recipe? Now that the Shen family has offended Commander Wen, who would dare to buy our wine? This recipe... is probably going to rot in our hands."

"That's good." Shen Qiongju breathed a sigh of relief, ignoring his complaints.

She walked up to Shen Huaide and lowered her voice: "Uncle Shen, I need you to do something for me."

Shen Huaide looked at her, his eyes full of doubt.

The girl Qiongju used to be very delicate, never lifting a finger and never even knowing how to read an account book.

Look at it now...

It's as if he's become a completely different person.

But the more this happened, the more uneasy he became—could this girl have been too traumatized and gone mad?

"You...you can give me any orders." He said this, but his hands were rubbing behind his back.

"From today onwards, the distillery will be closed." Shen Qiongju said, enunciating each word clearly. "Tell the outside world that the Shen family is closing down for reorganization."

Shen Huaide gasped, "This...how can this be?"

He was sweating profusely with anxiety. "The shop already has no business. If it closes down, what will we eat and drink?"

He lowered his voice and earnestly advised, "I know you're upset, but this business isn't something a young girl can play around with. When your father was alive, this shop could manage, but now..."

"Sigh, take Uncle Shen's advice, let's clear out this inventory, and I'll ask those old customers for more time. We'll surely find a way."

"Uncle Shen," Shen Qiongju raised her hand to stop him, "The closure is a pretense; the real purpose is to brew wine. Begging our old customers won't help; we need to make up for the wine we owe them first."

"But even brewing wine requires capital, and we can't afford to make up for it right now..."

"I'll figure out how to get the capital."

Shen Qiongju spoke with absolute certainty.

She turned to Shen Song: "Song, go to the pawnshop and pawn this bracelet of mine."

She took off the jade bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Shen Song.

That was Shen Huaifeng's dowry for her; it was of excellent quality and gleamed with a warm luster in the sunlight.

Shen Song took the bracelet but didn't touch it. "Sister Qiongju, this is your dowry..."

"The dowry is just sitting there anyway, might as well use it for an emergency," Shen Qiongju smiled. "Besides, once the winery is up and running, I'll have as many bracelets as I want."

She spoke casually, but her eyes betrayed her determination.

Her father's situation reminded her that life is unpredictable, and she couldn't guarantee that she would gain Pei Zhihui's forgiveness. There are times when things are beyond her control.

If it really comes down to a fight to the death with Pei Zhihui, she must have the ability to protect herself.

Jingbian Chun could earn a lot of money. If all else failed, she would take the money to Du Hengniang, and the two of them would go to the Western Regions to trade.

It's better than always having to be subservient to others and compromise your principles.

Shen Huaide, watching from the side, was horrified and couldn't help but ask, "Qiongju, this is your dowry your father left you! What will you do after you pawn it?"

"Besides, even if we pawn the bracelet, it would probably only be enough to pay off the wine we owe. Why not brew half of the wine we owe first, and then brew the other half when the funds come through? Some understanding old customers will understand."

He dared not continue, but the meaning was crystal clear.

If the wine doesn't sell, then we'll have nothing left.

Shen Qiongju looked at him with disapproval. How could he bully his old customers like this? His good reputation was ruined.

Shen Song bit her lip, gripped the bracelet tightly, and decided to listen to her mistress. "I'll go right now!"

He turned and ran out, but turned back at the door, saying, "Sister Qiongju, don't worry, I'll definitely get a good price!"

As Shen Qiongju watched the boy's figure disappear into the morning light, a slight warmth touched her heart.

Seeing that he couldn't persuade him otherwise, Shen Huaide took a deep breath and continued tidying up the shop.

When Shen Song returned after pawning the bracelet, it was already afternoon.

He entered the house carrying a bag of money, his face beaming with joy.

"Sister Qiongju! She pawned it for 120 taels!"

Shen Qiongju took the money pouch, weighed it in her hand, and said, "That's enough."

She turned to Shen Huaide.

"Uncle Shen, take this money and use it to buy grain and yeast to start brewing. Remember, the recipe must not be revealed, and everyone who brews the wine must sign a contract that will last forever."

Shen Huaide agreed and took the money bag. "I'll take care of it right away."

Just as she was about to leave, someone knocked on the courtyard gate.

"Knock knock knock—"

The knock was very soft, with a hint of probing and hesitation.

Shen Song went to open the door.

A man in his fifties stood outside the door, wearing patched coarse cloth clothes, his trouser legs covered in mud, and carrying a tattered cloth bag on his back.

He was thin, with high cheekbones and deep-set eyes, looking like a dried-up piece of firewood.

When he saw the door open, he was startled at first, then hurriedly took off his tattered felt hat and clutched it in his hand.

"Excuse me... is this Shen's Distillery?" His voice was hoarse, with a strong local accent.

Shen Song sized him up. "Who are you looking for?"

"I...I'm looking for Manager Shen."

As the man spoke, his gaze passed over Shen Song and landed on the courtyard.

Shen Qiongju was standing in the courtyard, talking to Shen Huaide.

The man's eyes lit up when he saw her.

"Qiongju?"

Shen Qiongju turned around, stared at the person outside the door, and paused for a moment.

"Third Uncle?"

A smile spread across the man's face, a smile that was both joyful and anxious.

"Hey! It's me! I'm your third great-uncle!"

As he spoke, he started to walk into the yard, but after taking two steps, he stopped, looked down at himself covered in mud, and sheepishly retreated back outside.

"I...I'm all dirty, I'm not going in."

Shen Qiongju walked quickly to the door. "Third Uncle, what brings you here? Come in quickly!"

As she spoke, she stepped aside.

The man then cautiously stepped into the courtyard.

Shen Huaide recognized the person who had come, and his face immediately darkened.