Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

"Who are you?"

The fat customer was in a bad mood, and when he saw that it was a young woman, he glared at her.

"Our small shop has failed to provide adequate service, and we apologize for the fright you caused, brother."

Shen Qiongju wore a polite smile, neither humble nor arrogant.

"I am the owner of Qionghua Pavilion. That fall just now was indeed due to our store's negligence; the cleaning was not done properly."

She turned to look at the terrified waiter, her tone calm yet authoritative.

"Go, go and fetch a pot of 'Jingbian Spring' aged for ten years."

As soon as he said this, everyone around him looked on with envy.

A ten-year-aged "Jingbian Spring" is a rare and highly sought-after item; a single jar can fetch at least several taels of silver!

Shen Qiongju turned around and looked at the fat customer with a smile.

"Brother, you must have taken a bad fall. Consider this pot of wine a small token of our apology and to help you recover from your fall. Also, the food and drinks at your table today are all on the house."

"So, are you satisfied with this solution, brother?"

The fat guest, who was originally furious, had his anger quenched by the pot of wine, and his anger instantly turned into delight.

He was a connoisseur and naturally knew the quantity of the wine.

"Well... since the boss is so generous, it would seem petty for me to keep arguing."

The chubby customer dusted himself off and a smile appeared on his face.

"I've long heard that Mr. Shen is a man destined for great things, and meeting him today confirms that his reputation is well-deserved; he truly has a grand presence!"

The surrounding diners cheered upon seeing this.

"The employer is very generous!"

"With this attitude, I'll definitely come again!"

A potential conflict was thus easily averted, and even became a living advertisement for Qionghua Pavilion.

Shen Qiongju smiled and bowed in thanks, but her eyes swept over the fruit peels on the ground.

It must be changed.

Just then, another series of hurried footsteps came from the stairs.

Shen Huaide ran down, covered in sweat.

He was a bit heavier than before, wearing a brand-new silk shirt with the character "福" (fortune) on it, and looked radiant, but his eyes revealed an undeniable weariness.

"What's wrong? Something sounded off just now?"

As soon as he came down, he saw Shen Qiongju standing in the center of the crowd.

The old man's eyes lit up instantly, as if he had seen his pillar of support.

"Qiongju, you're finally back!"

Shen Huaide ran over excitedly, lowering his voice, his tone full of barely suppressed excitement.

"Upstairs, we have distinguished guests!"

He pointed to the location of the top-tier private room.

"They are some important figures from the Zhenbei Military Camp, and they are waiting for my reply."

Shen Qiongju raised an eyebrow, wondering if she was there to offer her support or to inquire about the progress of the first batch of roasted meat.

"Alright, now that you're back, I'm not going to bother with this lobby anymore."

Shen Huaide wiped his sweat, not having time to catch up with the old times.

"I need to hurry up and serve them. Those gentlemen look quite imposing. We'll discuss this further when we get home tonight!"

After saying that, he turned around and went upstairs in a hurry, his legs and feet so nimble that he didn't look like an old man over fifty at all.

Shen Qiongju watched her uncle's figure disappear at the top of the stairs, then looked at the messy yet vibrant crowd in the room, and couldn't help but smile knowingly.

Although it is chaotic and there are still countless problems, it is alive, vibrant, and full of hope.

"It seems we've returned just in time."

Pei Zhihui had walked up to her at some point, his gaze falling on her radiant face.

"Business being too good can also be a problem."

Shen Qiongju turned around, looking at the overcrowded lobby, a glint of ambition in her eyes. "This place is too small; it can't hold our business."

"We need to expand, hire more people, and establish rules."

She took a deep breath, the pride she had brought back from the capital surging through her chest once more. "I'm going home to rest tonight. Tomorrow I need to have a proper meeting with everyone; there are so many things that need to be changed."

The carriage slowly came to a stop at the fork in the road.

Pei Zhihui lifted the curtain, his gaze lingering on Shen Qiongju's face for a moment. "Sister-in-law, go back and rest first. I'll visit you at the Shen residence later."

Shen Qiongju felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, so she looked away and responded softly, "You must be tired from your journey. Take good care of yourself when you get back and don't overwork yourself."

Pei Zhihui curled his lips into a smile and lowered the curtain.

The carriages parted ways, one heading towards the Pei family's old residence in the west of the city, and the other towards the Shen family's winery in the east.

Only after watching the Pei family's carriage disappear around the corner did Shen Qiongju feel the invisible pressure dissipate, and her shoulders relaxed.

In the backyard of Shen's Distillery, the aroma of wine was even stronger than in the front.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, I heard a loud and energetic shout.

"The heat isn't right! High heat and vigorous steaming are needed for the wine to be fragrant. Everyone, pay attention! If this batch of wine succeeds, we'll have a new variety to add to our collection!"

Shen Huaifeng, dressed in shorts with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, was standing in front of the distillation pot, directing several workers.

Although his hand, from which Wen Xiujie had cut off a finger, is still somewhat stiff, he commands people with great force.

Previously, she would always experience phantom pain at the site of her severed finger, keeping her awake all night; it was a source of great anxiety for her. Now, with the distillery business booming and him extremely busy, the so-called phantom pain has miraculously disappeared without any medication.

"Father," Shen Qiongju called out from under the eaves.

Shen Huaifeng turned around abruptly, and his face, flushed red from the heat, instantly blossomed into a smile.

"Qiongju! My son, you've finally returned!"

He wanted to reach out and hug his daughter, but then he looked at his clothes covered in wine residue and dust, and somewhat awkwardly wiped his hands on his apron.

"You've lost weight? How come you've lost weight after just one trip to Beijing? Is it because you can't get used to the food there?"

Shen Qiongju's eyes welled up with tears. She stepped forward and took her father's arm. "I haven't lost weight. Father, you must have been mistaken. Everything is fine in the capital. I even brought you a lot of tobacco and tea from there."

"Good, good, it's good to be back." Shen Huaifeng smiled broadly. "Go back to your room first, and have your Granny Liu boil some water for you to take a bath and refresh yourself. I still have a pot of wine to make, I'll go over there when I'm done."

Watching her father turn away and get back to work, Shen Qiongju felt a weight lifted from her heart.

People will be in good spirits as long as they have something to strive for.

Back in her room, everything was as it had always been.

Grandma Liu had already received the news and prepared a full bucket of hot water, sprinkled with some dried flower petals.

She was Shen Qiongju's mother's dowry maid and served the Shen family her whole life. She watched Shen Qiongju grow up, and their bond was extraordinary.

"Oh dear, miss, why are there so many dark circles under your eyes?"

As Grandma Liu added hot water to the wooden tub, she said with concern, "This business is never-ending, but your health is your own responsibility. Come in and soak in it."

Shen Qiongju took off her clothes and immersed her whole body in the warm water.

My pores opened up instantly, and the soreness accumulated in my bones from days of travel was gradually washed away by the hot water.

Grandma Liu gently rubbed Shen Qiongju's back with a loofah.

"Miss, your skin is getting better and better. It's so white and tender, just like a freshly peeled egg."

Looking at her young mistress's exquisite figure, Granny Liu couldn't help but sigh, "Such a talented person, it would be a pity if she didn't have someone who cared for her by her side."

Shen Qiongju, with her eyes closed, leaned against the tub to rest. Upon hearing this, she didn't even lift her eyelids: "Mother-in-law is here again."