Chapter 25: Opening!
Gu Ruoyiâs pretty face was flushed with an imperceptible blush, and she mistakenly thought that Shen Yianâs words were full of hidden meaning.
Some of the onlookers around them seemed to understand the underlying meaning.
The King of Chu and the Duke of Stateâs fairy-like daughter had been making waves in the past few days.
The King of Song, already twenty years old, was still unmarried.
Gu Ruoyiâs beauty was enough to captivate the entire nation.
It was clear that the King of Chu was acting as a matchmaker for the King of Song.
The implication was that the King of Songâs and King of Chuâs families were getting closer!
What a strange turn of events!
âEveryone, please make way!â
Shi Hong heard the commotion and personally led a few guards from the Thousand Gold Pavilion to rush over.
âYour Highness the King of Chu! Your Highness the King of Song! What rare guests!â Shi Hongâs heart skipped a beat when he saw Shen Yian, wondering how come this busybody was still around, with Shen Jingyu standing beside him, his dark face suddenly brightening with a smile.
âMaster Shi!â
Shen Jingyu, a frequent visitor to the Thousand Gold Pavilion, naturally had to show respect to Shi Hongâs face.
After briefly understanding the situation, Shi Hong smiled and said, âSince the two princes have already made their decision, I wonât say anything more.â
âPlease donât worry, our Thousand Gold Pavilion has always prioritized our customers. All goods are clearly priced, and itâs first come, first served. We wonât show favoritism to anyone!â
âGood!â
âClap, clap, clap! (Applause)â
Shi Hongâs words won over the entire audience, and without doing anything, he earned a wave of praise for the Thousand Gold Pavilion.
âThis is a bottle of Golden Wound Pill. Take it back and stop embarrassing your Zhao family!â
Shen Jingyu pulled out a small gourd and tossed it to Zhao Yuren.
Shen Yian let out a soft sigh, thinking that this rich man was indeed wealthy, and this small gourd of Golden Wound Pill could buy countless fox furs.
âYes... Your Highness.â Zhao Yuren hid his resentment in his eyes and staggered away supporting Zhao Yuleng.
Shen Jingyu! You are just a dog that my aunt raised for the Zhao family! You just wait!
âI, Shi, wonât disturb the two princes anymore. If thereâs anything, feel free to call me anytime.â
âMaster Shi is too kind.â
Shi Hong left, and Shen Jingyu turned his attention back to Gu Ruoyi.
âWho are you, miss?â
âIâm from the Martial Marquisâ residence, Gu Ruoyi.â
Gu Ruoyi replied smoothly, her eyes stealing a glance at Shen Yian.
âFourth Brother, I see youâre quite familiar with my shopkeeper. Do you come here often?â
âYes, I do.â Shen Jingyu nodded with a smile, not trying to hide it at all. âThe food and wine here are better than Dingfu Buildingâs.â
Is this a ruthless business battle, with the boss personally taking action?
Shen Yian didnât know whether to laugh or cry: âHas Fourth Brother ever thought about changing the chef at Dingfu Building?â
After Dingfu Building started renovations, the remaining chefs and shop assistants were all sent to the tea house to help out.
Let the shopkeeper there test them for a month, and if they didnât perform well, theyâd be fired, and if they did, their wages would be increased and theyâd be kept on.
âI thought of replacing the chef, but unfortunately, I didnât.â
Shen Yian knew exactly what this meant.
Fine, fine, you want to replace the chef, but youâre eyeing my chef, arenât you?
âFourth Brother, arenât you afraid of offending the Zhao family by doing this today?â
Shen Jingyuâs business empire was now thriving, and it was impossible to do so without the Zhao familyâs help.
If the Zhao family were to cause trouble, it would be impossible not to be affected.
âThose old foxes in the Zhao family wonât harm their own interests just because of two juniors.â
âBesides, theyâre all busy fighting for power and profit every day, where do they have the time to care about the juniors?â
Shen Jingyu stroked his wine cup and chuckled.
He knew the Zhao familyâs people too well, with their selfish and self-interested nature etched into their bones.
Whatâs the point of not making a profit?
Back when Tianwu City was being rebuilt, the Zhao family had invested money and effort, but how many people knew that they had forcibly purchased many shops and residences at extremely low prices, laying out their business map early on?
The Zhao family had become imperial relatives, with the Zhao Patriarch being granted a title, and how many people knew that the Zhao family had accumulated immense wealth over the years by relying on their connections and status?
âFourth Brother, the storm is coming!â
Shen Yian looked out the window, which was blown open by the strong wind, and saw the dark clouds rolling in, with blue dragons occasionally appearing and roaring.
âBoom!â
A loud thunderclap shook the air, and heavy rain poured down.
The two of them gazed out the window, mesmerized by the rain curtain.
Shen Jingyu came back to his senses and smiled, asking, âSixth Brother, you didnât seem to be afraid of thunder when you were young.â
He remembered that when they were young, they all lived in the palace, and the Third and Fifth Brothers were the most timid, having been scared to tears by thunder several times.
âItâs just thunder, itâs not like itâs going to fall from the sky. Even if it does, what can we do?â Shen Yian laughed.
âThatâs right, even if it does fall from the sky, what can we do?â
Shen Jingyu drank three cups of wine in a row, his eyes reddening: âSixth Brother, do you want to hear the details of that incident from back then?â
Shen Yianâs smile faded, and he slowly put down his wine cup.
âIâm all ears, Fourth Brother.â