Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

Du Shilang was rendered speechless by the rebuttal, his face turning a deep purplish-red. He wanted to retort, but the previously disdainful gazes around him had now turned into pointing fingers and whispers.

"This father is such a scoundrel..."

"Exactly, such a capable daughter doesn't know how to cherish her, and she's just going to hand her over to someone else..."

Public opinion shifted instantly.

"You, you all..." Vice Minister Du was furious, pointing at Shen Qiongju, "This is our family matter! It's none of your business, an outsider, to interfere!"

"Family matters?" Zhao Qiyan stepped forward and tapped Minister Du's shoulder with her folding fan. "If I remember correctly, your daughter's maternal family were founding heroes. Your late mother died saving the Empress. To just send her to Prince Shou as a concubine like this is an insult to the descendants of meritorious officials!"

"If this gets to the Emperor's ears, the Du family's reputation will be ruined!"

Vice Minister Du was slightly alarmed. He had originally sent his daughter to advance his career, but if he displeased the Emperor, it would be a loss for him.

"Fine, fine," Minister Du gritted his teeth, glaring fiercely at Du Hengniang, "Since you have a powerful backer, I won't bother with you today. Let's go home!"

He reached out to grab Du Hengniang again.

"Wait a minute."

Shen Qiongju spoke again.

She walked over to Du Hengniang and took out a token from her sleeve—the imperial gold medal she had just received that day.

"I am very interested in Miss Du's talent." Shen Qiongju looked at Du Hengniang, her eyes gleaming with a light that only the two of them could understand. "I wonder if Miss Du would be willing to cooperate with Qionghua Pavilion. Although it is not as profitable as your salt shop, it is still a worthwhile endeavor."

Du Hengniang looked at the gold medal, then at Shen Qiongju's outstretched hand. She wiped away her tears, straightened her back, and placed her hand firmly in Shen Qiongju's palm.

"That is indeed my wish, but I dare not ask."

A glint of light flashed in Vice Minister Du's narrowed eyes. He had indeed been stunned by their words, but only for a moment.

He was a seasoned veteran of officialdom, and Shen Qiongju's words actually reminded him of something.

This brat holds a recipe that can produce golden eggs. Snowflake salt means a continuous stream of silver. Even though the recipe has already been presented to Prince Shou, this girl has other ways to make money.

I used to think she was just fooling around, but I never expected her to actually make it big. If we really push her too far, or make her run away with these outsiders, then we'll have lost both our wife and our army.

Whether or not she has made connections with Prince Shou is another matter. As long as she remains in the Du family, whether she is given to some powerful figure as a concubine or forced to come up with new ways to make money, the initiative is entirely in her own hands.

What's more, this brat isn't even married yet. In the Great Sheng Dynasty, an unmarried woman must obey her father. This is an inviolable law.

Minister Du straightened his somewhat disheveled clothes and put on the face of a stern father, looking heartbroken.

"This is Manager Shen, right?"

He gave a forced smile and cupped his hands in a sarcastic tone, but his voice was sinister.

"Your words are quite eloquent. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were some noblewoman lecturing a court official like me."

Shen Qiongju frowned slightly and looked at him coldly.

"However, you've got one thing wrong."

Vice Minister Du pointed at Du Hengniang, a smug and greedy smile on his face.

"No matter how capable or how much money she makes, she's still surnamed Du."

"Her body and hair are given to her by her parents. Her marriage and funeral are all arranged by her parents."

"You say she brings blessings to the people? That's the Du family's good fortune. You say she has a magnanimous heart? That's the Du family's upbringing."

Vice Minister Du took a step forward, his gaze sweeping over Shen Qiongju and Zhao Qiyan with a hint of warning.

"Whether you are businessmen or nobles is none of my business. But if you intend to abduct a respectable woman, that is a serious crime that violates the laws of Dasheng."

"Although I, Du, do not hold a high official position, I still have some influence in Shuntian Prefecture."

"If you dare take her away today, tomorrow I will beat the drum to appeal your case and accuse you of abducting an official's daughter and plotting treason!"

"At that time, not only will your business fail, but even this young marquis..."

Vice Minister Du glanced at Zhao Qiyan and sneered.

"I'm afraid I'll have to go to the Imperial Clan Court to explain why I'm meddling in other people's family affairs."

Zhao Qiyan stopped folding the fan in her hand.

He narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint flashing in them.

That old man, he uses the law to oppress people.

The most disgusting thing is that the old man is right. In the Great Sheng Dynasty, as long as Du Hengniang is alive and unmarried, she is the private property of the Du family.

If an outsider forcibly takes someone away, that is abduction.

Shen Qiongju's fingers clenched so tightly that her nails almost dug into her flesh.

The feeling of helplessness, that feeling of being trapped in the inner quarters of a house in a past life, with no one to turn to for help, surged back like a tide.

Du Hengniang clearly possessed extraordinary talent, and she could clearly soar through the heavens.

But just because she is a woman, because of the concept of "filial piety," she is to be relentlessly humiliated by this greedy and foolish father, who will drain her of every last drop of blood.

"Lord Du, you have quite the airs of an official."

Pei Zhihui, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke.

He stood in the shadows, his voice not loud, but it was like a cold knife scraping against Vice Minister Du's eardrums.

Pei Zhihui slowly walked out, each step steady.

He looked at Vice Minister Du as if he were looking at a dead man.

"The law does indeed stipulate that the father's authority is absolute."

Pei Zhihui's lips curled into a faint, mocking smile.

"But the law also stipulates that forcing a woman into prostitution is a serious crime. Just now, Lord Du was about to give your daughter to Prince Shou, and dozens of eyes in this restaurant were watching."

Minister Du's expression changed, but he forced himself to say, "That was...that was to apologize to Prince Shou! Besides, Prince Shou was only taking a concubine; how can that be called forcing a woman into prostitution?"

"Whether it is or not, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture will make a fair judgment."

Pei Zhihui's eyes were deep and unfathomable.

"If Lord Du wishes to file a complaint, please do so. However, I wonder if the chair beneath Lord Du's backside can withstand an investigation by the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Du Shilang broke out in a cold sweat.

Over the years, he has engaged in dishonest practices in his pursuit of money. If things really escalate and attract the attention of higher authorities, he may not be able to escape unscathed.

The situation reached a stalemate.

Just then, Du Hengniang, who had been keeping her head down, suddenly moved and released the blood-stained porcelain shard from her hand.

"Clang!"

The porcelain shards fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.

Du Hengniang raised her head, and her eyes, which were originally filled with despair and anger, were now eerily still.

It was like a stagnant pool, or the calm before a storm.

She was a time traveler who came here with the pride and knowledge of a modern person, believing she could change the world and live her own life.

But reality slapped her hard in the face. In this era, wealth without power is nothing more than a fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered.

A woman without family protection is like a rootless duckweed. If confronted head-on, she will die.

Not only will she die, but she will also implicate these few people who have finally met her and understand her.

Shen Qiongju is a royal merchant, Zhao Qiyan is a marquis, and Pei Zhihui seems unfathomable, but they still cannot openly defy the entire system of rites and etiquette.

"Miss Shen."

Du Hengniang spoke, her voice hoarse but exceptionally clear.

She didn't look at the so-called father, but stared intently at Shen Qiongju.

Thank you.

Only two words.

Shen Qiongju's heart trembled as she understood the resolute look in her eyes.