Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

These words caused an uproar among those around them.

That hat is way too big.

Who dares to say that the music and dance in the palace are shameless? That's practically suicide!

The three women's faces turned deathly pale instantly.

"You...you're just making excuses!" Madam Wang panicked a little. "Well...it's a fact that my husband comes to your place every day, isn't it?"

"Master Wang loves to drink and listen to music; that's Master Wang's refined taste."

Shen Qiongju's tone shifted, becoming incredibly sharp, "What, you ladies can't control your men's legs, so you're going to smash up someone else's shop?"

"There are plenty of restaurants in this world; are they all supposed to be responsible for the family affairs of several wives?"

"If that's the case, then will the shops selling rouge and face powder also have to close down? After all, those vixens also need rouge."

A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.

"you!"

Madam Wang was so angry that she trembled all over, but she couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

"besides."

Shen Qiongju stood up, her gaze suddenly turning sharp as she stared directly at the third lady who had remained silent.

"Madam Li, have you really come here today to catch someone in adultery?"

Madam Li's eyes darted away for a moment: "Of course...of course."

"Yeah?"

Shen Qiongju sneered, "But I heard that since Qionghua Pavilion opened, the restaurant owned by Madam Li's family on the next street has seen its business plummet?"

"Was today's incident a case of catching someone in adultery, or was it a case of jealous competitors stirring up trouble to ruin the reputation of my Qionghua Pavilion?"

The room fell silent upon hearing this.

All eyes turned to Madam Li.

That's it!

This isn't a case of the wife fighting the mistress; it's clearly a business war!

Inside the carriage, Pei Zhihui looked at the woman who spoke eloquently in the crowd and turned the tide with just a few words, his admiration for her evident in his eyes.

"Since the ladies say they've come to report to the authorities..."

Shen Qiongju turned around and bowed towards the street corner. "Perfect timing, I also want to ask the county magistrate to judge this matter."

"What crime should be committed according to the Da Sheng Law for inciting a public disturbance and defaming a business reputation?"

The voice just fell.

A group of constables pushed through the crowd and walked over. The one leading them was the head constable who had received two jars of fine wine before the business opened.

"Who is making such a fuss here?"

The three women were completely dumbfounded.

They just wanted to cause a scene and use public opinion to force Shen Qiongju to close down; they wouldn't really dare to meet with officials.

"Misunderstanding...it's all a misunderstanding..."

Madam Wang chuckled awkwardly and tried to slip away.

"Wait a minute."

Shen Qiongju's voice was cold and clear, "You ruined my reputation and think you can just walk away with a misunderstanding?"

"We'll settle this loss in court, not even by a penny."

……

Half an hour later.

Qionghua Pavilion returned to peace.

The three women left behind fifty taels of silver as "compensation" and slunk away.

Shen Qiongju took the silver notes and returned to the carriage. She lifted the curtain and met Pei Zhihui's unfathomable eyes.

"Uncle."

She waved the silver note in her hand, a sly smile on her face, just like a little fox who had successfully stolen some fish.

"Look, someone paid for this black dog for us."

Pei Zhihui looked at her, noticing the lingering sharpness and smugness in her eyes.

My heart skipped a beat.

He suddenly realized that this woman was ten thousand times more vibrant, and also...ten thousand times more dangerous, than the one in his dream who could only cry and beg for mercy.

"Sister-in-law, you have some good skills."

Pei Zhihui lowered his eyes, concealing the emotions within them, his voice slightly hoarse, "But this Solan's identity..."

"She is a descendant of Hu merchants, whose family has been prosperous for three generations, and her family background is impeccable."

Shen Qiongju interrupted him, "The documents are real, and the identity is real too. Since I dared to use it, I naturally investigated it thoroughly."

"Don't worry, Uncle, I value my life more than anyone else."

Pei Zhihui looked at her confident expression, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"In that case, sister-in-law, why don't you treat me to a drink too?"

.

The hustle and bustle outside the carriage subsided, but inside the Qionghua Pavilion, it was bustling with activity.

Shen Qiongju led Pei Zhihui through the bustling crowd in the lobby and up the winding mahogany staircase.

"The first floor is for casual seating, mainly for a lively atmosphere, selling bulk wine and snacks at low profit margins," Shen Qiongju said, pointing to the gauze curtains hanging on the second floor as she walked. "The second floor is for private rooms, with screens set up for merchants who have some spare money but don't want too much noise to discuss business. As for the third floor, that's the private room area where those ladies were just here, selling peace and quiet and prestige."

Pei Zhihui followed half a step behind her, his gaze sweeping over the intricate layout.

This woman is indeed clever.

Charcoal braziers were placed at every corner, and thick cotton curtains were hung at every vent. The aim was to avoid appearing extravagant while still ensuring that everything was tastefully arranged.

"Sister-in-law's business acumen is far superior to that of those old fogies in the Pei family who only know how to read books," Pei Zhihui said casually, his tone neither praising nor sarcastic.

The two walked to a private room on the far east side of the third floor that was not open to the public.

Shen Qiongju pushed open the window and pointed to the city walls that were faintly visible in the distance. "What do you think of this location, Uncle?"

"It's acceptable." Pei Zhihui walked to the window, not looking at the view, but turning to his sister-in-law and saying, "The shop that your aunt gave you is on the main street of Liangzhou Prefecture, and its location is ten times better than here."

Shen Qiongju's brow twitched slightly. She hadn't had time to check on the shop's situation yet, and had almost forgotten about it during this period.

"Before the end of the year, I'll go to the shop to check the accounts. Don't worry, I'll take good care of the Pei family's businesses," she said immediately.

"The lease on this shop expires at the end of the year," Pei Zhihui suggested, leaning on the railing. "Sister-in-law, you can use it next year."

Shen Qiongju looked up in surprise.

Has this person changed their ways? Last night they were being unpredictable with her, and today they're giving her a shop?

"What does Uncle mean by this?"

"The Pei family can't always rely on my sister-in-law to support them." Pei Zhihui withdrew his hand, put it behind his back, and stood tall and straight like a pine tree.

"This shop is considered a share of the Pei family. Although my uncles and brothers are not particularly talented, they can still manage a shop and do accounting. Since we are family, we should make the most of them. It's better for you to let them eat and drink for free on the estate and become lazy."

Shen Qiongju understood.

This is an attempt to insert people into her business, wanting both a share of the profits and to give the Pei family's "big shots" something to do.

Those two uncles from the Pei family are only good at bullying their own kind. If you let them manage the shop, they'll offend all the customers in less than three days. Besides, they're so pedantic that they can't even tell the difference between leeks and wheat. She'd rather spend money to hire someone else.

But she showed no sign of it on her face; instead, she revealed a look of enjoyment.

"Zhihui is right. I was just worried that as this business grows bigger, I don't have anyone I know well to help me out." Shen Qiongju took the land deed with both hands and carefully put it into her sleeve.

"Since you trust your sister-in-law so much, then I'll take over the shop. As for the uncles... once the branch in the prefectural city is ready, I'll definitely invite them to 'oversee' it."

They can come and oversee things, but they won't get a single penny of the account books.

Pei Zhihui looked at her submissive appearance, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

His sister-in-law readily agreed, but who knows what she was secretly plotting to deal with those idiots.

It doesn't matter, as long as she's willing to keep the Pei family's ship of destruction moving forward.

Just as I was about to speak again, a hearty laugh suddenly came from downstairs. It was so loud that it seemed to shake the floorboards.

"Shopkeeper Shen! Qiongju! Come out quickly, I've brought you some good stuff!" The voice was frivolous and arrogant, revealing a carefree and reckless attitude.

Pei Zhihui's brows furrowed instantly.