Chapter 192: Chapter 192: Here We Go Again...
Qu Fulan didn’t know that Ji Nishang had a "grudge" against her.
But she knew the Xiao Family came to observe her new shop’s opening. After all, the four guards weren’t just idle; they could always provide timely updates on any situation. But since the other party did nothing, Qu Fulan didn’t bother to pay attention.
She was too busy with her own affairs; where would she find the time to mind others’ business?
And the fact that Ji Nishang had the leisure to observe her shop indicated that she wasn’t busy. What does it mean for a businessperson not to be busy?
Qu Fulan wasn’t completely uninterested in her rivals; it was precisely because she was paying attention that she knew Ji Nishang’s businesses, including the restaurant and bookstore, as well as the milk tea shop, weren’t as successful as hers.
Especially the milk tea shop, it’s probably running at a loss by now, right? If it continues, it’s bound to suffer a big loss.
In the original work, Ji Nishang succeeded in every business venture, always made money, and thus had a good standing in front of Mrs. Xiao.
A definite winner in life.
As for why she’s failing now, Qu Fulan thought it might be because the other party was blindly following the trend without understanding the market first, resulting in a hard fall.
Then, with her prideful self-esteem, she wouldn’t be resigned to failure. Without timely self-reflection to find the root cause, she’d probably blame others for her failures.
There are quite a few people like this. Just look at Pei Family’s third branch, the Yao Family’s matters have been settled thoroughly, the people are gone, and yet they still talk of making a comeback?
The Third Madam’s hopes are completely dashed. Now she has to support a helpless daughter-in-law, and not only that, her husband’s position has been demoted and implicated by the Yao Family. How could she be content with that?
But she naturally wouldn’t blame herself; she blamed the daughter-in-law.
This time, she thought of having her son divorce his wife, thinking this would help the Third Master get reinstated.
To this end, she pleaded in front of the Old Madam, believing as long as the Old Madam stepped in and had the Heir Pei appeal to the emperor, it would definitely succeed.
This kind of thinking naturally made Old Madam Pei annoyed.
The saying goes, "A ruler’s words are not a joke." Asking the emperor to take back his words? What are they thinking?
Do they think this empire belongs to the Pei Family?
Truly foolish to the extreme.
Mrs. Pei had run out of patience with this daughter-in-law, who had no other skills but was good at causing trouble.
"Si will not handle this matter, so stop dreaming about it. Go back and live your life well, and stop thinking about things that aren’t going to happen."
The Third Madam harbored resentment in her heart. They’re all sons, so why not help the third branch more? Look at how lowly the third branch is in the Pei Family now, while the first and second branches are thriving. With such unfair treatment, can the Old Madam sleep at night?
However much she might rehearse her grievances in her heart, she dared not say them in front of the Old Madam.
Returning to the third branch, she indirectly criticized Yao Xing in front of her room, making Yao Xing gnash her teeth in hatred. However, without a family background to rely on, she ultimately dared not utter a word.
As of now, as long as she behaves herself, Pei Lian won’t divorce her.
Otherwise, being labeled as adding insult to injury wouldn’t be a good look for Pei Lian either.
This was also the Third Madam’s concern; if divorcing the wife could exchange for the master’s position, it would surely be worth it. But if it couldn’t, divorcing would impact the third branch’s reputation without any benefit, so naturally, she wouldn’t act rashly.
Unless she found something better.
But how can she find something better without a divorce?
It felt like a dead end, one that couldn’t be unraveled.
So that time Pei Ji’an gave a hint, the third branch didn’t care, and now it’s too late for regrets.
But misfortune never comes alone; not long after the Third Madam returned to her room and hadn’t even had a sip of tea, a letter from her daughter arrived.
It was the first letter from Pei Lan after returning to her husband’s family.
The letter stated that during her time away from home, the concubine at home had become pregnant.
This was too ironic; Pei Lan traveled a long way back to her mother’s house to find an obedient "puppet" to win over her husband, yet as soon as she left, her husband allowed the concubine to conceive.
Didn’t the doctor say there couldn’t be offspring within half a year? They were all liars!
A concubine getting pregnant before the main wife causes chaos in the household; naturally, Pei Lan wouldn’t stand for it. She wanted to get rid of that concubine’s child secretly, but the concubine was well protected, offering her no chance to act.
Feeling so aggrieved, Pei Lan couldn’t bear it and wrote to her mother for help.
Pei Lan’s request was very simple: she wanted the Heir Pei to stand up for her. They’re all family siblings, so how can a brother stand idle while his sister is being bullied?
The Third Madam immediately set aside her son’s matters and took the letter to cry in front of the Old Madam once again.
...
"Are you saying she lives in Gaoyi Lane?"
In the family temple, Master Lu and Cheng Ru were playing chess. Hearing her talk about recent events, he ignored other matters but frowned at Qu Fulan’s business.
Master Lu had no fondness for Qu Fulan. She rarely had anyone she disliked in her life, but Qu Fulan was the first.
"Yes, that day I went with Third Miss to visit; it’s a two-entry house, not inferior to the Pei Mansion. It’s likely a favorite spot that the Heir found for her," said Cheng Ru.
Master Lu felt a mix of emotions. Living in the family temple, even with Cheng Ru taking care of her, she had to handle various tasks like washing and cooking.
This made Master Lu uncomfortable, accustomed as she was to a life of comfort, but she knew such days would end eventually.
The Heir was young and heedless in his dealings, but once the Marquis returned, he would surely stand up for her.
However, what she couldn’t understand was how a maid like Qu Fulan could live so comfortably after leaving the mansion.
Truly, "Good people die young, misfortunes last a thousand years." The more unscrupulous the person, the more comfortable their life seemed compared to others.
The world indeed felt too unjust.
After Cheng Ru left the family temple, her maid couldn’t help asking, "Because the Heir spoke, Master Lu is now in an awkward position. No one in the mansion dares to help, so why must Miss come to visit frequently? What if it reaches the Heir’s ears and he takes his dissatisfaction out on the young lady?"
Cheng Ru laughed at her, "The Heir is generous and not as petty as you suggest. Besides, once a teacher, always a father figure. It’s my duty to honor the master."
"Miss is right to correct me; I’ll remember. Miss honors the master, and the master treats Miss as her own, sharing even the Marquis’s favorite foods, the Marchioness’s preferences, and the Old Madam’s favorite pastimes with her. It’s genuine care for Miss."
After all, being a personal maid, how could she not know a young lady’s heart?
Cheng Ru said nothing, her eyes lifted to gaze into the distance, her expression deep and contemplative.
...
Now speaking of Qu Fulan, her pig trotters’ rice noodle shop had a good opening day, with a favorable response, marking an initial victory.
As long as she maintained the flavor, repeat customers were sure to come. With repeat customers, new customers would be attracted, creating a positive cycle.
After a day of being busy and finally wrapping up, with all the accounts balanced, just as she was leaving, an invitation was delivered to her.
Upon a glance, it was yet another invitation from the Xiao Family, sent in Ji Nishang’s name.
Damn it!
What on earth does the Xiao Family want? Is this never going to end?