Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

"Yes." Cui Ya pushed the door open and came in.

"Take Young Master Gao to get two sets of work clothes, and arrange a place for him to rest. Let him share a room with Shen Lin, and let him work shifts with Shen Lin."

Shen Lin is a simple-minded and obedient boy, which is perfect for keeping an eye on this troublemaker.

Gao Hong, his face dark, followed Cui Ya out.

Before leaving, he turned back and glared fiercely at Shen Qiongju.

Shen Qiongju didn't care at all, picked up her wine glass, and toasted Gao Yisheng.

"Boss Gao, it's a pleasure doing business with you."

Looking at his younger brother's humiliated figure, Boss Gao felt no pity, but instead smiled like a cunning old fox.

"Mr. Shen, this kid is in your hands from now on. Give him a beating or a scolding if he needs it, don't hold back!"

Two cartloads of glass lamps and a century-old ginseng root were exchanged for a younger brother's "remodeling".

The two exchanged a smile; both felt the deal was worthwhile.

.

On the third day of the third lunar month in early spring, East Street in Wuxian County was bustling with activity.

The sound of firecrackers was deafening, and the ground was covered with red paper scraps like a thick carpet.

Two majestic lion dance troupes leaped and tumbled to the sound of gongs and drums, drawing cheers from the onlookers.

Next to Qionghua Pavilion, the newly renovated small building has finally been unveiled.

Above the vermilion gate hangs a brand-new plaque—"Qionghua Inn".

Shen Qiongju stood at the door, dressed in a neat scarf shopkeeper's uniform, which made her face look radiant and her spirits high.

Gao Yisheng stood at the front of the crowd with his hands behind his back, looking at the lively scene with a smile on his face.

"Mr. Shen, congratulations!"

He cupped his hands in congratulations, and the servant behind him handed over the prepared gifts.

"Boss Gao is delighted."

Shen Qiongju returned the greeting with a smile, and casually took out two gold-embossed invitation cards from her sleeve and handed them over.

"This is our inn's VIP card. With this card, you can stay in the top-tier room for three days for free, and all drinks are free."

Gao Yisheng took the cardboard card, looked at it over and over, and found it intriguing.

The card was exquisitely made, with a serial number printed on it, exuding an indescribable air of prestige.

"Three days of free accommodation?"

Gao Yisheng pointed to the Qionghua Pavilion next door, which was filled with the aroma of wine, and then to the inn on this side, and suddenly realized what he meant.

"Mr. Shen, you've got a very shrewd plan."

He pointed at Shen Qiongju and smiled meaningfully.

"Get them drunk, send them straight to the next shop, no need to even call a carriage. This all-inclusive business, you won't stop until you've squeezed every last drop of money out of your customers."

Shen Qiongju wasn't annoyed; instead, she nodded seriously.

"Boss Gao is indeed an expert; he saw through my scheme at a glance."

She turned to the side and made a "please" gesture.

"This is the real way to keep guests. Offering those fancy discounts is a waste of money and effort. It's better to make them never want to leave. They can eat, drink, use the restroom, and sleep all at our Qionghua Pavilion."

Gao Yisheng laughed heartily and stepped over the threshold.

"Interesting. I'd like to see what kind of inn you have that can keep people here."

Upon entering the lobby, the noise was instantly shut out.

Unlike the hustle and bustle outside, the inn is quiet and elegant, with a faint scent of mugwort in the air.

Contrary to expectations of opulent decorations, the place featured a large amount of raw wood and bamboo curtains, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere.

"Boss Gao, this way please."

Shen Qiongju led him up to the second floor and pushed open the door to a room with a sign that read "Yunxi".

Gao Yisheng walked in with his hands behind his back, his eyes sweeping around critically.

The room was small, but its layout was extremely ingenious.

There's a shelf near the entrance for shoes and small items, and a coat rack hangs next to it.

A soft couch sits by the window, with a small table and tea set on it.

Although there are no valuable antique ornaments and the mahogany furniture looks simple, it is convenient in every way.

If you want a drink of water, there's a warm teapot right at hand; if you want to read, there's an adjusted lampstand next to the soft couch.

"That's quite clever of you."

Gao Yisheng nodded, which was taken as approval.

But when his gaze shifted and landed on the carved bed, his brows furrowed sharply.

"Mr. Shen, aren't you being a little too frugal?"

He pointed to the bedding on the bed.

It wasn't the usual silk quilt, nor was it a colorful quilt embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water.

Instead, it was a plain, solid-colored fabric that couldn't be more plain.

In this elegant room, this solid color stands out starkly, even appearing somewhat shabby.

Gao Yisheng turned around, looked at Shen Qiongju, and said in a teasing tone.

"Our Qionghua Pavilion is making a fortune these days, how come we can't even afford a decent bedsheet?"

He patted his chest, exuding an air of heroic pride.

"If you're short on funds, Mr. Shen, please feel free to ask. I have a few bolts of fine Suzhou brocade in my storeroom; I'll have them delivered to you right away—consider it my investment!"

Shen Qiongju couldn't help but chuckle at his arrogant and wealthy demeanor.

"Boss Gao wants to invest? He's dreaming."

She walked to the bedside and gently stroked the plain-colored quilt.

"This isn't about saving money."

"This is called a quilt cover."

"quilt cover?"

Gao Yisheng was taken aback; he clearly hadn't heard of the term before.

Shen Qiongju grabbed the corner of the blanket and showed it to him.

It was a layer of fine cotton cloth, warm to the touch, and the cotton wasn't sewn directly inside, but rather it was like a bag covering the outside.

"The bedding in ordinary inns is mostly made of brocade, which looks luxurious, but is actually very difficult to clean."

Shen Qiongju's voice was clear and articulate.

"If you take them apart to wash, you have to take out the cotton, which is time-consuming and laborious. So many inns might not wash their bedding even once a year or two."

Gao Yisheng's expression changed slightly, clearly recalling some unpleasant memories.

Shen Qiongju continued, "But my quilt cover is different."

"Whenever a guest leaves, I have someone take off the old set and wash it."

"We used this solid color not because we're poor, but so that our guests can see it clearly."

She pointed to the plain-colored fabric.

"Even the slightest stain will be immediately noticeable on this solid-color fabric. I want every guest who stays here to know that they are sleeping on a clean blanket that has just been washed and sun-dried."

Gao Yisheng was stunned.

He stepped forward and reached out to touch the duvet cover.

Although the fabric is not as smooth as silk, its dry and clean feel gives one a sense of peace.

He leaned closer and smelled it. There was no musty smell, no perfume smell, only a faint scent of soap and sunshine.

"One customer, one change..."

Gao Yisheng muttered to himself, the teasing in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by a deep sense of sorrow.

He traveled extensively for business, and stayed in at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, inns.

Even at the best inn in the prefectural city, the blankets were covered in a greasy, dark layer.

There was always a faint smell of foot odor and mildew in the room.

In summer there are fleas, and in winter there are lice.

These merchants who travel all over the country, no matter how rich they are, dare not take off their clothes at night.

Most of them lay down fully clothed, or covered themselves with their own cloaks, for fear of catching some kind of dirty disease.

That kind of discomfort is something that people who have never traveled far from home simply cannot understand.

"Absolutely amazing."

Gao Yisheng slapped his thigh hard, his voice filled with excitement.

"Master Shen, you've really thought things through. You've got us all figured out."

He turned around, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at Shen Qiongju.