I just wrote a love poem, how did that make me so powerful?

The shopkeeper quickly called two trusted employees to run to the backyard.

As he ran, he shouted in a low voice, "Hurry to the accounting office. Before they get to the backyard, take as much as you can and leave."

One of the shop assistants hesitated, "Boss, how are we going to explain this to the Chen family?"

One of the shopkeepers slapped them.

"What are you talking about? If the Chen family catches us, they'll skin us alive. They're capable of doing anything to Sun Decai and his gang, let alone us. Take as much as you can and run!"

Several people used their hands and feet to roll up the silver and valuables in the accounting room and slipped out through the back door.

The back alley was deserted. The shopkeeper ran a few steps out, then looked back at the thick smoke and shouts billowing from the direction of the shop.

He muttered something under his breath.

"It's all over, all over. The Chen family is truly incompetent, sending this greenhorn to do something like this. If he doesn't die, who will? Bah! Luckily, I arranged for my family to leave early..."

The shopkeeper spat, turned, and disappeared into a narrower alley. His figure grew smaller and smaller until he vanished into the depths of Hengyang City.

……

……

The Chen family's bra shop is no longer recognizable as it once was.

The counter had been overturned, and drawers were scattered all over the floor.

The copper coins and silver pieces inside were completely scraped away.

The shelves were leaning precariously, and the samples hanging on them were covered in footprints after being pulled down.

A few items were still hanging halfway up the shelf, swaying forlornly.

The display case in the corner that used to hold high-end samples has been completely moved away.

The sign outside the door was hanging limply, half of the rope taut...

When the wind blows, it makes a creaking and squeaking noise.

The sound was particularly jarring in the empty shop.

Several overturned teacups and broken plates were scattered on the threshold, the tea stains on them not yet completely dry.

There was a shoe, I don't know who dropped it, lying crookedly at the bottom of the steps.

Chen Shijin slumped on the floor in front of the counter, his collar so worn that its original color was no longer visible, the collar was crooked, his hair ornament had fallen off, and his hair was disheveled.

His face still had traces of blood that hadn't been wiped clean.

One hand was cut, and the cuff of the sleeve was torn.

He just sat there, staring at the mess in front of him, his eyes unfocused.

After a long while, he raised his hand and touched his forehead, his fingertips stained with blood.

He looked at the bloodstains and suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

Splash splash splash...

There was another sound of footsteps outside.

Chen Shijin was so frightened that he quickly wrapped his robe tighter around himself, and his body began to tremble again.

As soon as they entered, Chen Chengbo arrived with several servants.

He stood at the doorway and saw the scene before him. His gaze traveled from the shelves to the torn fabrics and crushed wood chips, finally settling on Chen Shijin.

He didn't speak, remained silent for a moment, and then waved his hand.

"Clean up this shop. If it can be rented out, then rent it out. If it can't, return it to whoever owns it. Take the young master home and confine him to his quarters. He's not allowed to go anywhere until he comes to the real world."

Two servants stepped forward and helped Chen Shijin up from the ground.

Chen Shijin regained some of his senses after being helped up, and he suddenly grabbed Chen Chengbo's sleeve. His voice was filled with an unprecedented despair.

"Second Uncle... I'm not reconciled, Second Uncle."

Chen Chengbo glanced down at him, his eyes devoid of sympathy.

"Your biggest mistake... is making too many enemies."

He bent down and stared intently into Chen Shijin's eyes.

"I originally assigned you to deal with Song Yao and Xu Qing, but instead... you dragged the Xiao family and Li Yan into it all. The key issue is that you even made Su Man an enemy. Even if you won over Qian Sanjiang, what good will it do?"

Chen Shijin's mouth trembled a few times.

"...Where's my father? What did he say?"

Chen Chengbo straightened up and shook his head.

"If it were the eldest brother who came now, you'd be in deep trouble."

Chen Shijin lowered his head and asked again, "Then... what about the Prince of Jin's heir...?"

Chen Chengbo shook his head. "I've already been there. The person isn't at the other residence. We'll talk about it when he gets back."

After saying this, he turned and walked towards the door without looking back.

As he reached the door, he paused again, without turning back, and simply uttered a single sentence.

"Go back and think it over carefully. You're still young. This isn't the way to go. If you still have a chance..."

Then, the footsteps gradually faded away.

Chen Shijin stood there, watching the servants silently tidy up the remaining pieces of trash in the house.

Suddenly I felt completely unfamiliar with Hengyang County...

……

Meanwhile, inside the Zhuangyuan Tower, a completely different scene unfolded.

Xiao Mingyuan stood up with his wine glass in hand, reopened the remaining half-jar of wine, and poured a full glass for everyone present.

Su Man sat by the window, took a sip from her cup, and couldn't suppress a smile.

Gu Zhiyi sat opposite her, a round fan resting on her lap, her expression relaxed.

Li Wan and Xiao Lanzhi sat together, both with slightly flushed faces from drinking.

Xiao Mingyuan raised his glass and looked around.

"We won this battle. The Chen family has 20,000 taels of goods stuck with them, and their shop has closed down. Even if they don't die, they'll be badly hurt. Come on, let's have a drink."

Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them together. Xiao Mingyuan tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, then put down his glass and wiped his mouth.

"We're so glad Xu Qing made the right prediction this time, otherwise we would have been foolishly waiting for them to sell out on their own."

Su Man also put down her wine glass and looked at Xu Qing.

"Young Master Xu deserves the most credit this time. If you hadn't compared the Chen family's goods with ours face-to-face with those people at the last moment, they might not have been able to cause such a fuss. Young Master Xiao is also very capable; the two of you worked together extremely well."

Gu Zhiyi took over the conversation, her tone quite emotional.

"I've seen many people do business, but I've never seen anyone drive their opponent to the point of flipping their own table before. Young Master Xu, Young Master Xiao, you two are truly brilliant."

Li Wan also raised her glass in a polite toast to Xu Qing.

"If there's anything the Li sisters can do for us in the future, just let us know."

He then turned to Xiao Mingyuan.

"Young Master Xiao, you were quite the actor who played the playboy. With all those tricks you've used, plus all those poems you wrote before, who would dare call you a good-for-nothing?"

Xiao Mingyuan lowered his head guiltily and scratched the back of his head.

Xiao Lanzhi didn't speak, but smiled at Xu Qing, her eyes full of gratitude.

After hearing all the praise, Xiao Mingyuan chuckled and felt a little embarrassed, so he raised his second glass.

"It's all thanks to everyone's good teamwork. Xu Qing and I alone couldn't have done so much."

After saying this, he changed the subject and looked at Xu Qing.

"This time, the Chen family's shop has completely collapsed, but this matter is not over yet. The Chen family still has connections in the county government, and the Prince of Jin's heir has not completely left Hengyang. Who can guarantee that they won't do something else?"

Xu Qing nodded and put down his wine glass.

"So we can't let our guard down now. However, the Chen family probably won't make any moves again in the short term. They lost 20,000 taels this time. Although it won't completely wipe out their wealth, it will be enough to torment them for a while."

Su Man put down her teacup and suddenly asked, "By the way, where's Yao Yao? I haven't seen her."

Xu Qing paused slightly before resuming her speech.

"Dr. Li is conducting a final examination on her and drafting a detailed treatment plan. Once the prescription is finalized, he will be heading to the capital."

Su Man's expression shifted slightly. "So fast?"

Xu Qing nodded in reply.

"The sooner we set off, the better, before the weather gets cold. The medicinal herbs in the capital are more complete than in Hengyang, and it will be convenient for Doctor Li to take care of us nearby."

Su Man paused for a moment, then asked with considerable concern.

"My family has a vacant courtyard in the capital. It's quiet and convenient. Why don't we let Yao Yao stay there?"

Xu Qing clasped her hands in a fist and palm salute. "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Su. Doctor Li has already arranged accommodation. It's a courtyard that an old friend of his in the capital has vacated. It's also close to the pharmacy he frequents, so I won't trouble you any further."

Su Man hummed in agreement, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said nothing more.

Her expression was unreadable, neither showing disappointment nor anything else.

She took a little longer than usual to drink her tea, lingering the rim of the cup on her lips for quite a while before putting it down.

After a round of toasts and drinks, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Xiao Mingyuan waited until everyone had left, then he grabbed Xu Qing's sleeve and lowered his voice.

"Don't rush off yet, I have something to tell you."