Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Perfect Resolution
Pei Ji’an sneered, "Credit? Your man became a deserter on the battlefield, it was his brother who pleaded for him, requesting to join the frontline to atone for his sins, and eventually died in battle. The one who earned credit was his brother. If it weren’t for the fact that the person who earned the credit asked me to take care of his family before he died, I wouldn’t care about your lives. His mother passed away last year, allowing me to fulfill my promise, but as for you?"
He looked at the Huang mother and daughter, "How you used to throw your weight around, you will slowly repay from now on." Pei Ji’an looked at the four bodyguards, his tone devoid of any emotion, "Take them away."
As Lianhua was dragged away, her tears broke like a dam, streaming down her face, leaving her utterly embarrassed.
"Heir Pei, Heir Pei..."
But soon, a rag was stuffed into her mouth.
Qu Fulan noticed a flash of impatience and disgust in Pei Ji’an’s eyes.
She had long seen it in him, that he despised those who did not know their place.
Isn’t it why she had his deep trust and was heavily relied upon?
In the past, Heir Pei was busy and settled in Capital City only this year. Moreover, he never took "Flower Garden Ode" seriously before, so he didn’t bother with many things and didn’t care.
Now that he wants "Flower Garden Ode" to profit, how can he tolerate such impertinent people?
No matter how bold Qu Fulan was, she wouldn’t ignore her superior’s opinion, and to get her superior to agree with her opinion, she only needed to meet one condition.
Her thoughts were his thoughts.
As long as their thoughts aligned, whatever she said, wouldn’t he agree with it?
Moreover, as her "new role" commenced, she needed "three fires" to establish herself, and someone delivering themselves to her was a perfect opportunity that would be ungrateful not to take.
It was just the right chance to let the fire burn brighter, allowing her to establish authority, ensuring that from now on, no one in "Flower Garden Ode" would dare oppose her.
People washing vegetables and dishes nearby were still discussing the Huang mother and daughter.
"Serves them right, relying on their positions, they wouldn’t let anyone approach the Heir, which allowed them to leverage the Heir’s prestige to be overbearing, now it’s karma!"
"She used to brag incessantly about how mighty her husband was on the battlefield, turns out he was just a deserter, tsk tsk tsk, how embarrassing for her ancestors."
"Isn’t it so? I wonder which estate she’s been demoted to, I’ll have to see the spectacle when I go to get vegetables."
...
Meanwhile, the guests at the front, after drinking the milk tea.
They only felt that the refreshing feeling slipped down their throats, bringing comfort all the way down. The sweet and fresh taste of the milk tea was so delicious.
"Is this called milk tea? It tastes good, why haven’t I seen it before?"
"This is a new product launched by our shop. What you’re drinking now is Grass Jelly Milk Tea, with various fruits added. Besides, there are other original milk tea, Bubble milk tea, iced black tea available for sale on the third floor, each cup is not expensive, only fifty copper coins."
"It sounds fresh, the taste is new to me, I like this taste."
"Delicious, nice, I’ve tried everything, but never this."
"Pack a serving for me later."
"I’ll have one as well."
"My wife loves these, bring one home for me too."
"Right away!"
The shop assistant noted it down.
Others who tried the Grass Jelly Milk Tea were also astonished by the sweet and refreshing taste, quickly finishing a bowl but feeling unsatisfied and wanting another.
The assistant persuaded, "There will be wine and dishes served later, if our esteemed guests really want to drink more, I’ll package a serving for you to take home, isn’t that the best of both worlds?"
After all, it’s hard to refuse when sharing a meal, especially when it’s delicious, so the guests were happy to accept.
In an instant, orders on the third floor were flying in every direction.
At the same time.
The storytelling began as well, with the storyteller vividly narrating the latter parts of "Journey to the West," it truly moved listeners and excited the audience.
Mr. Huang in the private room was attracted by it.
When Pei Ji’an returned to the private room, he had just reached the door when he heard voices of interest inside.
"This story is interesting, what’s it called, Journey to the West? It’s actually a story about a monkey, a mischievous one at that, hahaha, it’s really fascinating," Mr. Huang laughed.
Master Huideng was also attracted by "Journey to the West," but his focus wasn’t on the monkey, it was on the journey to the Western Heaven to fetch the scriptures.
Pei Ji’an was inwardly surprised, not expecting such allure from "Journey to the West," not just his grandmother, who found any new story delightful.
But the reason "Flower Garden Ode" was fully occupied today was because of "Journey to the West," and even Mr. Huang and the master thought it good.
The Princely Heir couldn’t help but quiet himself and listen.
Soon, even he was drawn to "Journey to the West," even though he started listening from the middle, he found the story intriguing, with rationale no matter which perspective, every principle was profound.
It was indeed interesting.
And on the third floor.
The Second Miss had no mood for listening to stories, she waited left and right but didn’t see Qu Fulan come to apologize, her discontent already reached an extreme.
Just a servant, relying on the master’s name to become conceited.
Coincidentally, she saw a female attendant bringing an order upstairs, one after another with individual requirements written on each sheet, piling up so high, how much silver would that consume?
"Ancestor, look at how much milk tea is being sent out, how much silver is being wasted? Free things are the least valuable, once customers have tasted free, who would pay to come for this later? Not only are we not making money, we’re losing it instead, if it continues like this, soon the tavern might have to close. Qu Fulan is just a maid, how can she know about business?"
Mrs. Pei also saw the thick stack of orders, her eyes showed concern, yet ultimately believed her grandson had the situation in control.
"Si knows what he’s doing, we don’t need to worry."
Second Miss was not satisfied with this result.
"Still, let’s call Fulan over to ask, there’s already so much just now, there’ll be more later, the money earned today might not be enough to cover the losses."
Saying this, she didn’t even care if Mrs. Pei agreed, and sent someone to call Qu Fulan.
As it happened, Qu Fulan had just finished other matters and came up to the third floor to pay respects to Mrs. Pei.
As soon as Second Miss saw her, her temper flared, "Qu Fulan, was it your idea to give away the milk tea for free?"
Qu Fulan’s expression remained unchanged, calm and collected, "Yes, may I know what doubts Second Miss has?"
Second Miss sneered, "You should check how much milk tea was given away today and how much was lost. These free items, people won’t refuse them, but later guests will repeatedly ask for them, can you withstand the losses? What means did you use to make the Second Brother agree to let you meddle in the tavern’s operations?"
This is still unknown yet she spoke as if the tavern was under Second Miss’s own name, displaying such excitement.
Qu Fulan’s expression remained unchanged, responding neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Second Miss misunderstands, the tavern is not losing money."
Second Miss wished to step forward and slap her, spouting until the bitter end, "You say it’s not losing money, so it’s not? Free giveaways don’t cost money, so what’s the loss?"